Poppalina

Oh, please God, not another scarf

I think we're finally at the end of the birthday run, in so far as it ever actually ends. Beck and Ramona, in a frenzy of Industrial-Strength Nesting, have me fretting about Christmas already, but I'll get over it.

When I am finally elected Ruler of the Universe, the first thing I'm going to do is pass a law that abolishes obligatory gift-giving. We will only give presents when we feel like it, and it won't have to be for any reason at all. Nay, it must be for NO reason at all.

Vote 1. Shula. Ruler of the Universe.

Anyway, getting back to the subject: this scarf, if you'll permit my immodesty, really is rather beautiful. Recycled 1930s feedsack and linen, matching as though they weren't manufactured seventy years apart. Feels beautiful, looks elegant. For Gillian, whom I know well enough to let her choose the fabrics herself, because she's fussy like that, but really so that I can watch and reluctantly admire the way she hones in, like a long-range exocet missile, on the most cherished items in my stash.

Because that's what friends are for, right?

It's Raining Babies

What is it with babies?

You'll have none in your life for years and years and then the next thing you know, they're practically falling from the sky. Not me, personally, you understand, I am Much Too Old for such nonsense. But at various times in my life, they do seem to have arrived en masse.

It must be something in the water.

Ask and ye shall receive

Nothing like pitching a thinly-veiled request for help out into the Universe.

Within 12 hours, the lovely Miss Pen was showing me how to put together an invisible zip, complete with a take-home, step-by-step, instruction kit and a fistful of spare zips, not to mention wool gloves for Mym and a big box of embroidery threads. It was like Christmas, and I hereby declare that Pen now has a lifetime supply of free yoga lessons, should she ever decide to collect, and should I ever graduate.

And if any confusion remains (I must confess it does, because I am a Sewing Moron), that's okay, because Kapinny, my aforementioned Sewing Guru, hits town tomorrow with her customary Exquisite Timing in times of Ultimate Crisis, to make sure I don't screw up the Real Thing.

Times like this I look Heavenward, and grudgingly acknowledge that I am Indeed Blessed.

Purple Bush Tucker

Yes, yes, more purple scarves.

Weren't you just waiting with bated breath for that one?

This is a Bulurru print, from North Queensland, designed by Julie Nabangardi Shedden, and titled Bushtucker, which is fairly self-explanatory. I found it buried deep in the stash, and had completely forgotten its existence, until it flew past my line of vision as I pulled everything off the shelves and tossed it over my shoulder in the hunt for something else that rhymes with lavender.

This scarf is wonkier than the other one. I don't know why that is. But that's okay, I have a feeling it's prospective owner is going to forgive me.

Is it June again already?

Please be advised that Chez Poppalina will not be accepting any more friendships with people born under the sun sign of Cancer, or Gemini, but especially Cancer,

No matter how irresistably lovely we find them to be.

There is, quite simply, just not enough purple to go round. And June is becoming the Month of Dread, as we rack our brains to think of birthday presents for almost everyone we know.

We thank you in advance for your consideration, and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

ps. recycled patchwork silk and corduroy scarf, for those of you who are wondering.

Bear Production

About 5" tall. Linen fabric scraps and recycled angora. Just a rough version, and not quite right, yet.

Especially the wings. Bears needs wings, if they're going to hang out in Christmas trees, right?

Right.

Brain Storming

Well, my first effort with Cindy was underwhelming. I was underwhelmed. Whelmed with under, even.

Don't like the slapped on, sitting on top effect. I hate the way it's going to come off/apart after a few washes. Looks like everything else I've ever seen on Etsy. She needs to integrate more. I stalked off to change the bedsheets. Not happy. Not one little bit.

Several humphy hours later, I caught myself muttering Jude's legendary what if..... and it was back to the studio.

What if.... I used the same technique as I used for the 15 rupees? Quilt it in, till it moves with the rest of the fabric. Quilting is a Great Unifier. Don't worry about edges. Let em be raggedy. Very Japanese. Very nowtro.

It takes longer. Much. Longer. There's a lot of turning, and flattening, and you have to go slowly, so as not to hit the sequins. And knit fabric is slippy. But I think the extra effort shows.

Of course, it has also been said that I like to make things hard for myself. And that I oversew. Which is also true.

Anywhere, it feels nice to wear.

I say that from personal experience.

And she's as solid as a rock on that shirt. She's not going anywhere.

Off to have a think about thread colour possibilities. I think an outline in the shirt colour might be in order...

Feel free to jump in and offer suggestions. I'm all ears...

Mojo Risin'

Yes, I know I've already posted today.

But I cleaned up my studio, because someone was coming to see it.

The someone didn't come, but that's okay.

Because I found my sewing table, underneath all the shit and corruption.

And the next thing I knew,

I was sewing!

Yay!

To think, all I needed to do was clean up.

(makes small clucking sounds, in self reproach)

Dolly Parton's Coat

Back through the years
I go wanderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was cold out in the fog
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of

Dolly Parton, Coat of Many Colours.

I get very inspired by Other People's Work.

So inspired that, often, I can't sleep at night.

(yeah, well, no surprises there, any excuse to stay awake...)

The cosmic Jude, of Spirit Cloth, has got me hand-quilting,

and sewing bits of things onto other things, again by hand (I must be losing my mind),

While Sunshine, of Sunshine's Creations, had me in a hand-patchworking frenzy that lasted a full 24 hours. I haven't done this stuff since I was a kid.

When I get like this, running all over the house doing bits of things, I usually end up sewing the (mixed) results onto my Coat of Many (kimono) Colours (in progress):

Which is a big old cashmere Hugo Boss, that I found at the Salvos years ago, ravaged by moths.

And I plan to wear it.

Yes siree...

Just as soon as I've covered all those sad little moth holes.

(I suppose they could always bury me in it. My epitaph might read: "She finished the coat").

ps. My Dad would be so proud of me for quoting Dolly Parton.

Pinny Diversions

Something light and simple, before I launch headlong into the next major embroidery saga.

Trying to think of things to do with the applique, 30 of which are going to be arriving from Mumbai sometime in the next few weeks.

This was one idea:

A pinny for a toddler, about size 2, I think, though I'm too far away from Toddlerville to be sure.

Pink linen, with a little rayon in it, and a sand-washed silk lining. Nice drape.

Love that spotted silk, it's has a texture like velvet. Just beautiful.

But, on the whole, the applique seems a little redundant to me.

Back to the drawing board.