The Wrecking Crew

Happy Divorce Day!

Nineteen years ago today, I was on my own for the first time in my life; beholden to no one but myself. I had moved in with my boyfriend straight from my father's house, and we married a year later, in 1976. My divorce was final on July 3, 1991. In 34 years, I had never lived on my own.

I distinctly remember my feelings that day. I was alternately elated, sad, and bereft. I could make my own decisions for the first time, yet I scarcely knew what I thought. I could make my own choices, but I wasn't sure what I liked. I was joyous and scared.

It was as if I had finally started living.

Oh, what a long, strange trip it's been.

War? What is it good for?

Match notches.

I went upstairs last week, looking for a book, but found a bag of blue jean seams instead.




Somewhere online, I thought it was this site, but I can't find it now - anyway, I found a little tutorial on reusing blue jean seams, and so, I made this bath mat. It's about 18" by 24."





Several years ago, I wove this little basket from denim seams, too. It has turned into Sweetie's change keeper.








From the bolt of silk noil, I have created this hippie outfit, loose and comfortable. I drafted a pattern for the pants, but just drew the shape of the tunic onto the fabric.




This coat is also from the silk noil. I like the pocket detail, for which I used linen. I found the pattern in my studio; a friend gifted it to me when I had my store, along with several others in a similar vein. I dyed all of the garments in the washing machine using Jacquard's acid dye.




Next on the clothing agenda will be a long summer dress made from, hmmmm, silk noil, I think.

Insert bobbin here.

K asked if I would write a little something about my past life, back when I was somebody. First, though, since I have been sewing again, I thought I would share some snaps of my equipment.

This is my incredibly wonderful and ancient Bernina zigzag, which has a high speed motor. Most of the machines that I am showing, I have had for at least twenty years. She is my "go-to" machine. I think I paid $250 for her.




And the industrial three-thread serger, or overcast machine. This baby zips along at about 3000 stitches a minute. Love love love her. She cost me $400.



I bought this Brother for $120 back in 1989, and yes, she looks a bit forlorn here, but it's just because I haven't cleaned her up yet. If any of you all are in the market for a sewing machine, I can't recommend this brand highly enough. She doesn't have any fancy stitches, and most people don't need eleventy zillion stitches. She is also mechanical, not computerized, and so is easy to fix. Not that she needs fixing hardly at all. The current price is about $100. I did an incredible amount of production sewing on this baby.



This little bitch is a walking foot zigzag, meaning that the machine grabs both the top layer and the bottom layer of fabric and moves them under the needle evenly. I traded a loom for her several years ago, and only recently did any real sewing on her. (Recently as in yesterday.) I found her motor too weak and her zigzag stitch not wide enough. Also, the flywheel release broke off in my hand - it's that black plastic bit in the lower right. My friend bought this machine new, and so I am very disappointed in the durability aspect as well as the performance aspect. However, she may be just the thing I need for some other project.



My favorite machine leapt to her death coming home from my bricks and mortar store. She was an industrial straight stitch; that's all she did, and I loved her. If I keep on with this sewing thing, I will have to replace her. Her table and motor are intact, although they've been in the barn for five years.

So. This is my equipment. Next post will be about what I have been making with it.

No bars held.

I am feeling so good! It's like some sort of election slogan, or mantra, because I must have said it 20 times today. I feel good!

My creative spark has returned and while it might not turn into a conflagration on every front, I am at least wanting to Do Things! Much different from how I felt a month ago.

The woozies are completely gone and I don't feel any more or less depressed than usual. I am swearing a lot more, in creative ways even. I have energy. I have been sewing. Photos to follow. I have ideas of things I'd like to sew. I have been knitting, but have nothing to show, as most has been ripped out once or twice, yet I am not discouraged. Just wait until the socks are photo worthy! They are beautiful, like stained glass.

The heat has broken; it was only 85º today. I left the air conditioning off and the low tonight is forecast to be 61º.

The thing is, though, that I have been doing things, thinking about projects that I would like to do, and even picking up that piece of trash off the floor instead of just looking at it. I am so glad to be off the medz, although it has been hard.

Princess, Zander, and Foxy are all well, and are getting better behaved. (Spending a couple of hours in my studio without canines underfoot has been a delight.) All of the chickens are okay, even the leftover Omelet, who I think is a hen. The sad news is that Smoky passed away on Sunday, along with one of Blue Jean's teenagers. Don't know from what, but it has been hellish hot here lately. These are outdoor bunnies who are not really pets, but just are part of our mise en scene. Smoky lived a great life, fighting and fucking and passing on his genes. Every male animal's desire, I think.

Yule at Midsummer