Alabama Chanin · Mending · Sewing

Five Days In

Ninety-five to go! #100moredaysknitorious2019

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The photo above was taken Wednesday while I hung out in the cell phone lot at O'Hare for over an hour. I would have been really mad if I hadn't had something to do… though I did manage a pretty good nap, too.

The photos above are where I was on Sunday when I began. I've been stitching everyday and trying not to over-think it. I may have to bust out the beads pretty soon, though, just to get the visual/balance.

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It was a beautiful day for a drive, and I began by driving my favorite route down the east side of the lake — two lanes, farm country, great views.

Kate's back from the UK, but with a cold! Thankfully, she's not scheduled for work until tomorrow so has been able to rest and recover a little bit. She brought YARN!! I'll share that next week — a hank for me and two for her. It must truly be autumn now because, like clockwork, Kate's got the urge to knit!

Last night, in addition to working on my jacket, I mended a shirt that's been out of commission for quite a few years. It's an all-time favorite, so it's been taking up space in my (very small) closet even though I haven't worn it. I went in search of matching thread on Tuesday and came home with two very excellent contenders. I'm glad I bought both because it's really all about the lighting (and they were 50% off, so it was basically 2-for-1).

In the photo at left, I've already repaired one very very tiny hole (can you see it? click for big), and one of the larger ones has been done in the photo at right. They're not perfect, but they'll do. Honestly, I've had to hunt down the similar repairs that I made in a black dress — I think black is more forgiving, anyway, but still… I made those mends, you'd think I'd have no problem find them again!

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Here, they're all finished. I used a hoop, which I never do, but it's how I was taught… and next time I'm going to try without because I feel like it almost made another hole (even though it wasn't stretched or clamped tightly at all). Anyway, this will be laundered today or tomorrow, then worn tomorrow night to a talk about The History of the Handkerchief, the closing event for the textile show SURFACING, which was also related to the Visible Mending Workshop that I attended earlier this month — all blogged about here — and where a few of my fellow workshop attendees will also be present and I can show off! (Haha. I'm not much of a show-off… too much… usually… this might be worthy.)

Anyway, that's what I've been doing all week: working, driving, sewing.

I present this, sent to me yesterday, to end on a high note:

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Ali says, "This is baby's face when I say 'smile'!"

😍

Have a great weekend!!

Alabama Chanin

100 Days

Colorful graphic celebrating Day 100 of a project, with the text 'WE'RE HERE! DAY 100 YOU DID IT!' prominently displayed.

I think it was official on Wednesday, but I still had a reminder on my calendar yesterday for 100 (+/-) days of stitching!

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Two finished sleeves and current state of back panel underway.

Back in April, I’d committed to at least :15 of sewing each day on my Alabama Chanin Car Jacket! I think I stitched on about 95 days, and a few of those days were spent on the A-line re-do, and there were just a few when I didn’t stitch at all — two or three at most. Most of it was documented on Instagram: #100daysknitorious2019

There were quite a few days when I worked significantly longer than :15, but even conservatively, I’ve stitched for a total of 25+ hours since April, mostly on my jacket!

All in all, I consider it a wild success!

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Same general area on each sleeve and the design choices that make them the same but different!

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Ditto! This is the June’s Spring stencil.

I have two sleeves completely done and the start of a body part (with three more in the wings, plus a collar, two pockets, pocket flaps — just keeping things in perspective). There is WAY more done now than I had 100 or 101 or 102 days ago!

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I am looking forward to continuing the process with almost as much diligence. Part of the problem is that it’s sort of monopolizing the main portion of my work area and there are other things that I need/want to get done. The trick is to put it away, but not so far away that I forget about it or it’s too much of a chore to regroup.

A good workroom clean-out would probably help overall! Well, except for a shopping trip, I have a fairly clear weekend ahead…

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

Alabama Chanin · Macro Monday 2019 · Sewing

Macro Monday: 1st of July!

I can hardly believe it's July! Now's the time that summer feels like it might be slipping away, especially because we've hardly had any summer weather to enjoy… so.much.rain.

It certainly was summertime hot & humid over the weekend, with more of that in the forecast (along with more rain).

I've whittled the Macro Monday photos for today down from 10 (that I processed) to four:

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There's a small stack of shells on one of the pergola benches… randomly stacked by one of the kiddos (I'm guessing Gin) and it's been undisturbed for days. I love the subtle colors!

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Our young-ish catalpa trees are LOADED with flowers this year!!

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And there are plenty of buds yet to open. So pretty.

So, naturally, our Airbnb guests arrived early on Friday and we were last on the list for appliance delivery… so that was less than ideal. The appliance guys arrived about :20 after the guests, but they were really great and the whole process went SUPER smooth! Had our guests arrived at regular check-in time, I'd have just been finishing up… just as I'd mentioned in my heads-up note to them. I'm really happy with the new fridge!

The thrift shop hop in Green Bay was fun on Saturday. Kate made a pretty good haul; I bought a pair of wine glasses and some sewing needles. Obviously, lunch was the highlight for me! We checked out Copper State Brewing Co., which is related to Copper Rock Coffee Co. located in Appleton. Kate had some pork tacos with a lager, I had a burger with an IPA and a half. I caught whiff of a hamburger on the way in and couldn't shake it…

I finished my Alabama Chanin A-line Tunic re-do! I found a back-side photo from June 2017 when I finished (the first time) to compare:

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The difference in stitching is plain to see! I've popped it in the wash to even it all out (the equivalent of blocking knits). (Obviously, red is my preferred color for toenails!)

I did some #100daysknitorious2019 stitching on my Car Jacket, and also started some projects for the kids. By that, I mean that I mostly printed and taped and cut patterns pieces (so time consuming!). I'm making matching dresses for Ginny & Malina and a coordinating vest for Junah. I'm using some "Nana" fabric… a white embroidered cotton that were originally cafe curtains that my mom had made for the coffee shop (skirts of the dresses and body of the vest), and a floral Ralph Lauren sheet that was a favorite of my mom's (flutter sleeves, straps & bands on the dresses, welts & possibly facings on the vest & bow tie). We've been wanting to make something from that curtain fabric for a couple of years now, so finally… but it really needs stabilizing. I've ordered some fusible stuff and keep your fingers crossed that it's shipped sooner rather than later because just minutes after I did that, Ali sent me a message about a photo shoot for the kids on July 8th and it would be SO GREAT to have these projects finished. I could get away with adding another layer to the dresses, and maybe even to the vest… we'll see. I have a couple of days to think on it all.

Alabama Chanin · Unraveled Wednesday / Knit & Read

Unraveled Wednesday: “Knitting the fabric of America!”

Joining Kat & the Unravelers today!

Um… this just in:

WOW!!! This is so great! All the love for Colbert…

KNITTING:

I haven’t been doing much actual knitting, but I am working on a pair of socks… it’s even Christmas knitting!

READING:

I am still listening to to Lincoln in the Bardo… I’m enjoying it the second time around, though not a lot of listening is happening.

The Summer Walkers: Travelling People and Pearl-Fishers in the Highlands of Scotland is on my nightstand. 

This book was a gift from Kate a while back and I’ve finally made it a priority — so glad I did. It’s loaded with photos and the stories are fascinating.

SEWING:

I have continued my 100-day project, though I did veer from the Car Jacket to work on fixing another project:

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This is an Alabama Chanin A-line Tunic that I finished two years ago (it made it’s debut at La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona!). The Alabama Chanin A-line is my favorite shape — it’s incredibly flattering — and I love this tunic… except for the areas where I used gray thread instead of black. I thought it was a good idea at the time, but it’s too contrast-y (to me). Every time I’d see it in my closet, I’d think, “Oh, I love that top… but I hate that contrast-y stitching.” So I finally decided to do something about it!

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It’s not easy, given that it has been worn and washed a few times already, but I can’t wait to wear it again! I’ve done the small flower at the shoulder and I think, for now, I’m going to finish that area and just re-do the smaller elements at the top of the big flower on the lower-left — that might be just enough! I can always re-do some more.

Alabama Chanin

39 of 100

It's Day 39 of #the100dayproject!

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There's a random selection of images from the previous couple of weeks or so. I've finished Sleeve #1 and am currently doing the embroidery & appliqué on Sleeve #2. I've already done a little beading, but the majority of it will be done last.

It's been a couple of weeks, people! It started with An Evening with David Sedaris, followed by a day off and getting the Airbnb ready, CPR/AED/First-Aid & Blood-borne Pathogens training, a couple of meetings, a birthday, an art opening/overnight at the lakeshore, a Make.Do pop-up shop at my LYS, a new furnace installation, another meeting, a first ballet class, another event… plus, I worked all five days this week.

I AM READY FOR THE WEEKEND!!

There is plenty happening/to do, but I'm looking forward to Momosa Day and brunch at 313 Dodge with Ali, her bff Abbey, and Abbey's mom Ellen — one of our favorite mother-daughter duos!

I'm only a tiny bit sad that I forgot about Macro May and #memademay, but #100daysknitorious2019 is plenty. I don't need any more on my plate right now (I'm delighted that I recognize that!). Maybe I'll do Macro September or October, instead.