Power to the Body Positive Women!

Self acceptance can be so challenging, for people of all shapes and sizes. I can remember being a size 8, and still thinking I was too big. Why are we so obsessed with size? I mean, am I less valuable because I am fat? Because a lot of the rules society treads by sure do make me feel that way! I’ve been made fun of so many times because of my size over the years, or shamed or put down. The thing is I’ve been at a lot of different weights over those years. It’s like no matter what I do I will not ever please everyone with the size of my belly or the shape of my thighs.

I just want to say, no matter how you look this minute, you are worthy! Your dreams, goals and happiness are not measured by a number on a scale. I’m at my highest weight of all time, and yet I’m still modeling my makes. It does take courage to rock my makes because I’m struggling with self acceptance. But radical self acceptance tells me that my vision for sewing clothes is more important than that number on the scale.

I want to challenge you to take a small step this week toward the life you want to have! It could be reading a book on a subject you want to learn more about. It could be signing up for a class. It could be starting a new website, or honing your craft. It could be finally opening that art or sewing shop of your dreams! Do something brash and wild and put your energy behind it!

It’s ok to not like how you look. It’s not okay to let that hold you back in life! Because you are worth so much more than that! I’m going to practice what I preach and get in the sewing room tonight! Power to the women who believe in their dreams, and go after them one step at a time!

Spring Equinox is HERE!

Ahhhh, it has been a long wait, but Spring is officially here!!!! Usually Winter is my favorite season because the city gets really quiet and there is a cool calm which can be felt all around. But this Winter was not one of my favorites. About a month ago the Antique shop across the street from my home had a fire. It has devastated the neighborhood and it just doesn’t feel the same sitting on my porch anymore. The building has a really interesting history! It used to be a Zen center, but originally started out as a Piggly Wiggly at the same time my house was built in 1916. The fire was so traumatic, and unfortunately my husband, kitten and I breathed in a lot of smoke when it happened. My lungs ached for a few weeks afterward, and now I’m just left watching the antique dealers trying to salvage the remains of their precious antiques.

My husband and I purchased our home in 2022, so we are fairly new to the neighborhood. What I love about this neighborhood is that it is multi cultural and there are people from all stripes living here. Our neighbors are refugees, and they have been very kind to us! They help us out in so many ways, and we return the favor.

My white roses…hopefully they will bloom again this year!

Rose hips from my rose bushes

I spent some time in the yard today, to celebrate the Equinox! My husband and I have a nickname for our house, the Bird Haven, because he is into feeding the birds. We are getting huge flocks of birds at the moment because migration patterns have begun! All manner of wildlife come through my back yard. There are opossums, lots of rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, neighborhood cats. I even saw a coyote dart out of my yard and trot down the center of the road one night!

When we moved in here there was an old rotting tree back here, we had to have it removed because it was on the verge of falling down. I wanted to give back to the Earth, because we took from it. And that was how the bird area was born!

I got these statues for the front porch when we moved in…they turned out to be a sign of the Bird Haven that was to become of the back yard!

The wildflower patch needs raked, the front flower beds need planted. I am hoping to plant some veggies in containers this year, and am still working out the details to make it happen. If there is one thing I know, it is that the wheel of the year is constantly spinning…bringing fresh signs of life season by season.

Vintage plate with a depiction of Jesus…it was discovered in my yard!

Art Video: J and Me

Here’s my first ever art video! The painting is inspired by my husband and I, when we were younger. It is best when played to some reggae or roots music! 🤩

Peppermint Magazine: Ethical Fashion and Fabrics

Peppermint Magazine is an Australian mag that is a real inspiration for eco sewing! I read an article on the website today, and saw photos of men and women sewing clothes in factories. The photos brought me to tears! Anyone who sews knows what it is like to sit at that machine and make garments or items. All the work that goes into a piece, all the headaches too!

Reading about the fact that most of the garment workers from suppliers on down the chain do not make a living wage tugs at my heart. The thing is it takes a bit of leg work to find fabrics and clothing that are ethically sourced. And if you are plus size, it is even more challenging to find ethically created and sourced clothing. For years I thought that just because I was sewing things myself, that I was making a difference as far as some of my clothing not coming from sweatshops. The thing is even at the fabric production level, there is slave labor and people being paid pennies for the work they are doing! In the article it is cited that one woman began making garments as a 14 year old kid, and even now, years later is only making $85 a month!

Here are a couple of links! The first is to the article on Peppermint! It is a must read to figure out ways you can be part of the solution! It is worthwhile to follow the magazine, they send out missives regularly with lots of inspiration for seamstresses. They cover stuff happening in Australia mostly, but it is a very cool read even if you live elsewhere!

Ethical Fashion Article on Peppermint

This second article is a blog post I found that lists ethical sources to buy fabric in the USA/UK. I noticed Mood fabric is on the list, and that is where I plan on buying my fashion fabric going forward! I once believed in buying my fabric second hand on Etsy, but now I notice people are just buying bulk fabric on discount and then reselling it on Etsy. So a better bet is to shop at stores where you can find organic and fair trade fabrics. A notable alternative to sweatshop made fabrics is to upcycle linens and old clothes into new makes! You can thrift all kinds of old sheets and clothing to turn into new garments. Another site I noticed was Spoonflower! You can create your own fabric designs and have them printed on that site! The fabrics are mostly out of my price range, but I’m considering checking them out as well.

Here’s that blog post with the list!

As an eco seamstress, I highly recommend Peppermint Magazine for all kinds of incredible content, sewing inspiration and insights into sustainable beauty and fashion!

Redefine Creativity

I’ve been a fan of Alisa Burke for years! I’ve signed up for tons of her classes, and some of them have inspired entire series of paintings. For the New Year, I signed up for one of her vintage classes called “Redefine Creativity”. The class is about drawing and painting on unusual objects and surfaces instead of just paper or canvas. I’m really excited to start some surface design on the clothing I make! So I started by drawing on a pair of jeans. It was a really fun project, although it did take a bit of courage to actually try it out. I waited for just the right evening when I was bored and needed some adventure.

Alisa Burke also has another class called “Beneath the Surface”, as well as two books that talk about surface design on canvas by the yard and fabric. I have both of her books and signed up for the class some years ago, but never really dove in all that much. For some reason I’ve been hesitant to combine my art craft with my sewing. So perhaps this might be the year when I do more of that!

What I love the most about Alisa Burke classes is that I can dip in and out of the material over the years, and each time I do I learn a little something new or find some fresh inspiration. The secret is to put your own twist on her concepts. That way you wind up creating something totally original. My biggest secret for honing my craft over the years has been to learn some techniques here and there, try out different things but then refine and come back to what feels most true to me. Alisa Burke classes are a great way to discover entire new creative avenues! And the classes come at all different price points to meet you where you are at.

Sew a Simple Leafy Reversible Table Mat

Apologies to Mom, because this is one of her birthday gifts for her upcoming December birthday! I have been waiting to share it on the blog, but turns out I’m not going to see her until late Winter.

This simple table mat came together in a few sittings! I just thought a quick tutorial was in order, because holidays are fast approaching! This mat is the perfect hostess or mother-in-law gift…especially for those women who seem to have everything.

Materials

Two fabrics, one green and one brown

Neutral color binding, preferably in a stretch knit

Batting

Basic sewing kit

paper, scissors and marker for template

Step One: Create a leaf template. Aim to make the leaf approximately half of the measurement of the finished table mat.

Step Two: Trace the template onto the green fabric. I did five leaves, but you could easily do only three or add more for a larger mat. Then cut out the fabric leaves.

Step Three: Sew the leaves onto batting with a wide zig zag stitch. Then cut around the leaves to remove excess batting.

Step Four: Sew those leaves onto the brown backing fabric, with right sides facing out. Cut around the leaves again, and be sure to round out the tip a little for the next step!

Step Five: Attach binding around each leaf. Then, sew the leaves together in a pleasing design.

So easy! Make one or make a bunch! Check your list then check it twice for all those women on your list!

Three Tips for Working With Vintage Linens

I know a lot of eco seamsters use organic cotton and other eco friendly materials in their sewing projects, but I still love vintage and thrifted first over brand new. I recently picked up some vintage sheets, and this gorgeous embroidered tablecloth all from the 60’s, and what I love most about them is all the potential they hold! Vintage sheets and tablecloths are great for backing quilts, but they can also be used to sew dresses, skirts, tops and more! Home decor projects like curtains and pillows would also be a great use of these vintage treasures. They are especially good for quilt backing, because the fact that they are already big enough to cover a bed means that you don’t typically have to sew more than one piece together to create the quilt back.

Here are a few tips for working with pre loved linens!

1. Vintage tablecloths and sheets come in all different types, and they often get a lot of wear and tear over the years. The tablecloth I bought has stains and a lot of them have holes or tears. Make sure to read the fine print or ask questions first before buying, so you know what you are going to receive. If shopping in a local thrift store, be sure to open up the linens and inspect them before buying. You can always use applique to cover stains or mend holes, so search with an open mind to see what ideas you can come up with!

2. Wash vintage sheets and tablecloths in a very basic detergent. I got All unscented and clear, with stain fighters. I do not hand wash anything, I always just throw vintage linens in the machine on gentle and hope for the best! Dry everything on low, or air dry if you have a clothes line. Hand embroidered pieces might need a touch of delicacy when it comes to washing. Consider what you will be making with the fabric before washing, because some items are just a pain to wash by hand.

3. When you are looking for vintage linens, it pays to think about it like yardage! The sixties tablecloth I purchased was about $25, but it also has hand embroidery all over the edges. I found another table cloth that was much smaller, and that seller also wanted close to twenty bucks! But when I looked at the size, it was only a little bigger than a yard of fabric. Even though a linen is old doesn’t necessarily mean it is worth a ton of money! So compare the size of the linen in question to the measurement of a yard to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

I can’t wait to get these beautiful linens in the wash and onto my sewing table! I hope these tips help you in your own quest for eco fabric!

Go Handmade for a Frugal Holiday

If you are a seamstress or crafter, the holidays are the PERFECT time to dust off your supplies and get creating! There is something so special about a handmade holiday! You can create decor for your home and make gifts instead of shopping for everything. It is a perfect time to focus on what really matters to you! Why not create a meaningful holiday season instead of allowing consumerism to lead the way?

Here are some ideas for projects to try! They will only cost you some elbow grease and supplies you probably already have. If you stick to using materials you already have in your stash it will be a great way to keep the holidays affordable and cut down on wasteful holiday shopping. Just about everybody is trying to save money this year with the economy the way it has been…but you can still have a special holiday season! Of course some people will want specific items from the store, but you can mix in handmade when possible to offset the costs and level up your gifting!

1. Decorate your home for holiday parties with handmade goods! Everything from table runners to placemats, banners and more can be sewn to add that special touch to your holiday gathering. If you are going for an elegant look, get out your collection of candles for ambiance and use neutral tones for the place settings. Or chose a pop of color like green, blue or gold for a special touch. If you have an embroidery hoop, tie scraps of fabric on it to create your own wreath!

2. Make Christmas ornaments! Homemade Christmas ornaments are a fun accent to tie onto gift packaging, or make a bunch to give out at work. I have a stash of eco felt that would be perfect for ornaments. Look through your craft stash and get creative.

3. Cut out furoshiki wrapping, or use bandanas or decorative scarves to wrap gifts. I actually love this idea so much and I have a stash of scarves and bandanas that will work great for gifting! Another neat idea is to sew drawstring bags for gift giving. You can tuck the gifts inside the bags and tie a handmade ornament on the top. If you do drawstring bags or bandanas and scarves, they will be the kind of wrapping that can serve another purpose after the holidays are done.

4. Sew eco kits to give to family and friends! I love this idea so much, and I’m planning on making a few to give away. Whip up some cloth napkins with a silverware pouch and lunch bag, unpaper towels with some eco friendly cleaner like Mrs. Meyers or felted wool dryer balls. For the beauty enthusiast you could do fabric face pads with a little drawstring bag and pair it with a natural facial product. (I would steer clear of sewing hankies as gifts, because ever since Covid it isn’t the most health savvy to reuse tissues.) You can pair the kits with a few eco friendly products and put them into drawstring bags or even make some handmade baskets to put items in.

5. A fun project for paper crafters is to create a photo album for loved ones, or even a recipe book of all your favorite recipes. Make junk journals to gift, or even create and print out a zine instead of the typical annual holiday letter.

6. Make your own Christmas cards! If you look on Youtube, there are tons of tutorials for card making. Some of them use intricate folding methods, and you can customize the cards to each recipient. Use paper from around the house, get out paints, markers and pens and just have fun with it. Or even do collage cards where you collage on something as simple as a note card.

7. Gather pinecones, acorns and stones from your yard and paint them. You can use them as is or paint them to use as a centerpiece for your table. Or even grab some foliage from your yard as everything is drying for the fall season, clean it off and use it as a neat accent in a vase or homemade wreath.

8. For kids, there are so many things you could create to gift! Whip up some dolls or fun decorative pillows with a secret pocket so kids can stash items in it. You can even create some wacky dolls for the groovy grown ups in your life! Look up “F*ck It Dolls” on Etsy or on the web and make some to gift to coworkers and friends.

9. Coasters make savvy gifts to give out! You can pair them with a bottle of wine or cider as a fun hostess gift. Making fabric coasters is a lot of fun! Just whip up a sheet of scrappy patchwork and then cut into squares. Pin to batting and backing and then zig zag stitch around the edges for a contemporary look.

10. Macrame ANYTHING is really hot right now! Even a simple weaving in an embroidery hoop or banner displayed on a wooden dowel would make such a chic gift! Try making your own rope with cut up t shirts. T shirt yarn is excellent for weavings and I bet it would look tres chic in a simplified macrame project.

I hope these ideas get you thinking ahead for a frugal Christmas! Get a brainstorm session going, make a list and start soonest…the holidays will be here before you know it!

Alternative Halloween Ritual

I didn’t get too much into Halloween this year. Not because I don’t LOVE Halloween, but more because I’ve been busy working on my book project. Lately I’ve been trying to churn out art for my upcoming book and it is going really well! I’ve also been sewing a little here and there…hemming pants and doing light upcycles to tweak my wardrobe a little bit. I’m also planning a personal glow up to feel more confident in my skin! I gained a few pounds since the Pandemic hit. So initially I focused on weight loss but then became completely anemic! So now I’m focusing less on weight loss and more on health and self care. It is a fall/winter project I’m working on to bring some harmony to my mind, body and spirit health.

I’ve wanted to develop some of my own traditions for holidays! I’ve never really been that into traditional holiday celebrations all that much. Slowly I’ve been integrating some ideas I love for the different seasons. Halloween is a time when ancestral veneration is practiced in many cultures throughout the world! So I did my own ritual to honor my family of origin. First, I printed out photos from my childhood…pics of me and my sisters, and my folks. I got out my altar boxes because I have created some for my most cherished family members. I lit some incense and cut out the photos of myself and my family. I hung up the photos on my wall and said a prayer for my family.

It was a super quick ritual, but I love the way it connected me to my heart and to the people who mean so much to me! I decked out the sewing room with photos of my husband and my family. I got out my stone collection and placed stones here and there. Some went into the altar boxes and some are on a little moon shaped shelf. I’m not entirely in love with how things are organized so I will be moving things around as time goes by!

If you love holidays but are sick of the traditional celebrations, do some research and come up with your own ways to celebrate! It makes a holiday special to you and will bring some personal significance to holidays you might not normally get into all that much.

Get Your Closet Ready for Winter!

Fall is HERE! I love the colder months so much, and am lucky enough to get to experience four seasons in the Midwest. Fall and winter are my favs, and I especially love to transition my wardrobe for those cool days and breezy nights. This year I’m having a predicament though, because I bought one too many t shirts over the summer. It was one of those summers where t shirts with wacky print just seemed to call out, so now I have an abundance of t shirts!

I’ve gotten all my fall and winter tops out, but they just aren’t calling out to me! I mean I have a couple of turtlenecks that feel perfect for this year, along with some sweatshirts. But my old sweaters did nothing for me last year, so why would I wear them again this year?

Fall is in full force here and it has been really cold! At night it has already dropped below freezing on a few occasions. So I’m needing some warmer tops like pronto! And I don’t want to buy ALL THE THINGS! So I’m challenging myself to remake a few pieces to weatherize my wardrobe.

Here are a few steps to get started, along with some tutorials I found both on my own site and on Youtube!

1. First, adding long sleeves to some t shirts is a must for me. I bought one too many wacky t shirts, and if I just spruce some of them up with long sleeves it would really benefit my closet for winter. Here’s a tutorial on Youtube that I love, that shows how to add some long sleeves!

2. Next, if you have t shirts with quirky slogans on them…you know…all those shirts you bought trying to look young or hip or sarcastic…(hey…don’t look at me! You KNOW I didn’t waste money on any stupid t shirts like that…LOLOL!)…well, grab those shirts and add some applique to them! If they have slogans on them you will not want to use heat and bond, because the iron might melt the design already on the fabric. But try some quick and simple applique with this video!

3. Here are five ways to upcycle sweatshirts! I only have a few sweatshirts, but one thing I’ve noticed about a lot of sweatshirt upcycles is that most of them are about creating a crop fit or taking in a sweatshirt that is too big! BORING! I love the video I shared because the ideas are more creative and something I might actually feel comfortable wearing.

4. What about those boring sweaters in your closet that you might never wear again? Check out this distressed sweater tutorial, or this one right here!

5. Here’s a great video about glamming up your fall wardrobe on a budget! Check out all the Blueprint DIY videos, cuz she has a lot of great projects to try!

I found so many great projects while putting together this list! I think I’m finally ready to get sewing soonest! The change of seasons is a great time to donate, remake and restyle your wardrobe! Just be sure to set aside some warm weather clothes for when Spring rolls around!

Chill with Me on Instagram!

People who know me know that I tend to shy away from social media. In the past I would go months or years without posting all that much. I even go off of Facebook for months at a time, just to get in the flow of my own life and to tune back in to my own intuition. Sometimes information overload can be a lot to process, especially when you are a creative and trying to stick to your own vision!

Lately though, I’ve been hanging out a ton on Instagram! Typically my Instagram account is focused more on my visual art, but I slip in pics of upcycles and sewing too. I’ve been networking a lot on that platform and really enjoying meeting other makers, artists, crafters and creatives through the site!

Instagram has always been kind of a mystery to me. Especially because the algorithms change so much, it used to feel challenging to know how to get the most out of the platform! What I’m learning is the more you engage and support other artists and makers there, the more fun it can be!

Come jam with me on Instagram! Follow me and shoot me a message that you discovered me through my blog! I’ve been making new friends, forging new connections! Let’s network together because makers need to stick together! art.kat.sews on Instagram

7 Tips for Starting a Fashion Upcycling Business

So much has happened since 2020 started, that all the dates and years are starting to blend. I cannot remember for the life of me if I sold upcycled clothes in late 2020 or early 2021! Maybe I blocked it out, because I had a disastrous go of it. Upcycling fashion is a very lucrative business! That being said, there are a lot of challenges along the way to make enough money to actually make it worthwhile. If you like to have multiple hustles or are looking for a part time hobby to supplement your income, upcycling fashion might be just the thing for you!

I sold clothes for a few months when I was dabbling with the sales avenue, and made about $500. As both a creator and consumer of upcycled clothing, I know other women also struggle with some of the same things I went through. It’s challenging because when you make goods to sell, and for some reason especially clothing, customers start to get super demanding on how they want the clothes to be.

A lot of women came to me for custom orders or asked me to add sleeves or change the clothes in some way. And that was what ruined my clothing business! I am a devout perfectionist when I sell items, which is funny because in my day to day life I am actually pretty messy and ignore fine details a lot. But when I sell goods that I have made I want them to come out perfect, and to make my customers happy! So when women wanted customized clothes it sent my inner perfectionist into a tizzy. I literally became so obsessive about finishing orders quickly and just right that I had a total melt down.

Upcycling clothes is so much fun! And it doesn’t take all that much overhead to get started. So as a little side hustle to bring in a little extra cash, it might be just the thing for you. Here are a few pointers and tips, from someone who has been down that road before. I want you to have success and avoid the pitfalls that I experienced.

1. One thing to consider is if you have a lot of old clothing to upcycle at the start. When I sold clothes I started out by upcycling my own wardrobe, and then started buying thrifted clothes after I had gotten through a lot of my own pieces. You will need a bunch of clothes….more than it might seem at first. For example, my t shirt square dresses took four or five t shirts to make just one dress! If you want to use only thrifted clothes in your makes you need to have an abundance of items to choose from.

2. Get a clothing rack to hold your thrifted and upcycled items. You can find them at Bed Bath and Beyond for $20-$30, so not too expensive. This is a huge step and it helps, because you can use the rack for photos and also to keep the upcycles nice instead of storing them in bags or boxes. I also got a full sized mannequin, which was both fun and kinda creepy, lol! It was unnecessary though, and the mannequin weighed like 80 lbs and it was impossible to put pants or certain tops or dresses on it. A dress form is also a great option for photos! If you look on Etsy, there are even ways to create your own life size dress form. Amazon even has little hanger half mannequins that would do the trick in a pinch for great photos.

3. If you actually want custom work and can handle the stress that comes along with it, you will have incredible success. But if you are like me and custom work makes you want to run for the hills, you need to have strict policies about it and stick to it. Self care is absolutely crucial when you are sewing as a business, because it is a lot of work. You know yourself better than anyone else. People pleasers will have a tough time with this step, because you want all your customers to be thrilled with what they buy. But if you cannot handle the stress of taking custom orders then just don’t do it.

4. Pricing is really tricky with upcycled clothes. I underpriced mine, at about $20-$30 per item. Some shops overprice, and then wonder why nobody wants to buy their clothing. $90 for an item that only took you twenty minutes to make is just way too steep, and people can easily tell by looking at the item that it was a simple project. So if you want to charge a lot for your upcycles, know that you will have to go above and beyond over the top with those pieces. If you have a lower price point like I did, stuff will sell for sure! I enjoyed pricing my clothes affordably, because I wanted anyone to be able to afford a piece if they wanted something. I know now though that I could have made a lot more money had I charged a bit more.

5. Use the internet to get ideas. I have a few books on upcycling, which came in handy. But my most popular pieces were all things I designed myself. The internet is an excellent place to start and learn some new techniques, and it doesn’t cost a thing. A lot of authors claim rights over their ideas, which becomes tricky.

6. If you create a design that is unique or popular, create lots of items based on that look. Also, choosing something to focus on is something I see a lot of shops do with great success. Some seamstresses focus on only one or two items, like coats or skirts. If you stick to a few basic looks, it will help you build your brand.

7. Etsy is a great place to sell upcycled clothes, but there are a lot of other options today as well! People sell on Facebook, and I’m even starting to see people selling on Instagram. Or look local in your city or state and see if you can get some of your upcycles into some local shops. I sold on Etsy and also had a customer ordering a lot of pieces directly from me. It will take some time to start making money, but it would be worth it to try a few different avenues and see what works best for you and your makes.

Upcycling fashion as a side hustle can be a lot of work, but it is also a fun way to make some extra cash! I hope these tips get your own creative biz vibes going!

Contemporary Sewing is not your Grandma's Style

Back when I first started sewing again about nine or ten years ago, I picked up a couple of books that were deeply inspirational to the way I sew today. For the life of me…I cannot remember what those books were called. I sold one to a secondhand bookstore, and another is an ebook on my ancient nook app. But above all I want to say that contemporary sewing styles are more rough around the edges. A contemporary seamstress is not afraid to show a raw edge or wing it a bit to produce results.

In the past, everything was done a certain way. Art quilts were finished with binding and displayed with a rod pocket. And projects were done with a fussy style by hiding seams and gasp…never show a raw edge! My mom loves to say that I never finish my projects the right way. The truth is, I’m a contemporary seamstress and I’m not ashamed. My style has helped me to be super prolific in the things I have created, and I love a scrappy no rules finish!

Some ideas for the budding contemporary seamstress…

1. Realize when it is ok to do an exposed edge and finish with a zig zag stitch. Being able to see some of the raw edge of fabric is a beautiful thing! Fabric frays and unravels and does all kinds of incredible things when you allow that beauty to show through. On the edges of coasters, art quilts and more…try using a zig zag stitch with a raw edge.

2. Gone are the days where you have to be proficient at hand stitching to get the job done! If you want to embroider a design on your project, sketch it lightly with a fabric pen or pencil and stitch with your sewing machine. You can also embroider text on projects that way!

3. Embrace a scrappy approach in your projects, and try to use what you already have on hand. A lot of books say that you need a long list of items to complete the projects. The truth is you just need something comparable to get the job done. Research substitutions for various sewing notions and wing it when necessary. Yes…you have full permission!

4. Try creating your own patterns for things! I have to admit it…I’ve only sewn with two store bought patterns in the last eight or nine years; one was a hat pattern and the other was for a felt cat plushie. For every other project I’ve created my own patterns for everything from appliques to clothes. Use your old clothes to create new patterns. Pick the seams and trace the pieces onto cardstock or large watercolor paper for a pattern you can use over and over again. And practice drawing a bit to get the hang of designing things in your own style. Believe me…it feels so satisfying to DIY patterns and the things you make will have your own personal touch.

5. Aim for imperfection! This one is so much fun, and is a theme I have recently embraced wholeheartedly in my sewing. Allowing yourself to break longstanding sewing rules and do what you want with your creative process is both more creative and freeing to your creative muse. Trust your own process and just have some fun! Especially if you are sewing for personal use, or even if you are creating fabric art…embracing imperfection can open up a whole world of possibilities for self expression.

I hope these contemporary ideas light a fire in your sewing hobby and get your wheels turning. Contemporary sewing is not your Grandma’s style…it is sewing for the young at heart!

Miracle Minded

Today over the noon hour, my husband noticed that the clouds were spectacular! I looked up and was mesmerized, the clouds looked like angel wings embracing the Earth! I couldn’t stop looking, the way the clouds stretched all across the horizon in a wing and feather like appearance. Ever since 2020 the clouds have been appearing in totally new formations. At first I thought it was because people stopped driving because of the Pandemic. During 2020 the roads were so quiet. I’m not sure if that is the cause or if it is Earth changes and global warming. My husband and I used to go to nature every day. He taught me to look at the sky, because before I met him I always looked at what was straight ahead of me.

The clouds reminded me to have a miracle minded consciousness. There is so much fear today, fears of end times, fears of nuclear wars, fears of food shortages and inflation. Fears of pandemics and death. God is still there! God has a plan for me and you, and trust and faith are really important. Being miracle minded is like focusing on a crack in the wall, like there is a small fissure where hope and joy can come in if you focus on it.

Having a gratitude practice right now is crucial! Get out a pen and paper, or devote a notebook to it. I have a leather bound journal where I jot down things that happen in life, lessons I’m learning and gratitude. What happened today that was good? When you focus on the good over and over again you start noticing it everywhere! Even if something bad happens you can always find something good that might come out of it. Or transform the bad into some way to make the world a better place…even just for one person or for your family.

Mental health issues are really plaguing people today. People have had the rug pulled out from under them and it can feel hard to cope when you don’t know what is coming next. Take radical care of yourself, and grow your faith! Your spiritual life doesn’t have to make sense to anybody else. What is most important is that you connect with the Divine and allow the Divine to connect with you. Trust your intuition and be miracle minded! It will change everything!

Journal Quilts: Get Writing!

I ironed a huge stack of neutral scraps to start! I have tons and tons of white, beige, tan and brown quilting cotton scraps. I didn’t bother to cut them down to size just yet, because I don’t know what this work is going to wind up being!

Writing on the fabric is freeing and fun! You could write the same words over and over, or even write poetry or prose from a book you love. I chose to just write spontaneous stories from my life.

The potential for journal writing on fabric is endless! You could use the fabric in quilts, pillows or other home decor. You could turn the patchwork into a dress or coat. You could use the patchwork for wall hangings or gifts. Above all this process is fun! Be thoughtful with what you write according to the project the fabric will be for.

I have not been spending much time in the sewing room lately…so many health scares coming one after the next. But I’m slowly easing back into it. Each day I pop in there for a few minutes and write on a few scraps, either focusing on a story from my life or a perspective. I’m trying to write a little poetically, although they are not poems at all. The stories are a part of the fabric of my life. These stories are what I cling to to remind me of what I love, to remind me of who I am. They remind me of where I have been and who I am becoming. Short summations of each story are winding up on the fabric pieces. Whatever comes to mind when I sit down to write.

One of the scraps I wrote on is something I don’t want anyone else to read. So I will either cut that into smaller pieces or paint over the top in some way. Or write over the top over and over from different angles. The scraps could be trimmed down into rectangles and squares before sewing, or they could be hand stitched to a backing fabric. Or I could just sit down at the serger and piece them together with a crazy style.

So the journal quilting is my jam right now, along with a million other little projects. I have a lot of ideas percolating, and am also starting to gather up some more clothes to upcycle soon. More on the horizon!

Journal Quilts

I’ve been obsessed with legacy for many years now. I never had children and don’t plan to, and my social circle is very small. I have long wondered, how will I be remembered and what will I leave behind? What will my legacy be? Lately with so many health scares going on for my husband and I it has me wondering, what is all this for? Do these ideas even matter? When I stand at the pearly gates, surely I will be recounting the kind of person I was…not the things I made.

And yet…there is still a part of me who clings to the materials that my hands have collected. There is still a part of me who knows it is important…even if it is only important to me and those closest to me. Lately I’ve been getting really into the idea of journaling on fabric. I’m calling this upcoming series “Journal Quilts”. I want this series to be all about self-expression and quilt making.

Cas Holmes has some books out on using quilts to document life. She uses snippets of imagery and fodder from life, embroidery and slow stitching, along with printing on fabric to create these memory style quilts. I’m wondering though…does it need to be even that difficult? Basic marker and fabric paints can accomplish a whole lot in a poetic style…something immediate where the creative process is more like art journaling only on fabric.

I’ve been an avid journaler for over ten years now! It all started when I read the Artist’s Way and started writing three pages in my composition book every morning. I never could have expected how much that habit would come to mean to me over the years! I pour out my heart and soul across the page, write down my thoughts on life and philosophy, and feel all the feels on those pages. When I complete a journal, I always throw it away to begin a new chapter. The journals are not really meant to be reread when they are complete, although sometimes I flip back through to see what I’ve been experiencing over the last month or two. More so though they are a way for me to process my life and emotional landscape.

So lately I have been asking myself…could I combine journal writing with quilting to some pleasing effect? Quilters have long created art quilts and blankets as a way to commemorate events in life. Quilts made from old linens and clothing have so many memories associated with them. And even just the cathartic experience of taking marker to fabric feels so liberating…fearless even! Because there is no way to erase mistakes, so the mistakes become a part of it. Just like in life, how mistakes are woven into the tapestry of lived experience.

If you are interested in making journal quilts, gather some permanent markers or fabric markers and collect up some scraps. Or gather together some old clothes to work with. I have ironed a stack of neutral white and beige toned scrap fabric to begin with. Together we can explore journaling on fabric! It might just be a whole lot of fun and you will surprise yourself at the meaning you can create with a few bits of scrap.

Custom T Shirts for Artists!

I’ve been busy networking on Instagram, but am finally getting back to the sewing machine in upcoming weeks too! Fairy art has got a hold on me right now, and it is so much fun combining my old landscape techniques with fantasy paintings!

While on Instagram I discovered an INCREDIBLE artist there! Isaac Beltran is a comic artist, and his art blows me away! He also sells t shirts that feature his art on Etsy, and is now taking orders for custom t shirts. If you are an artist and would love to add another product to your line of goods, give Curiosity Comics an order for some t shirts! Isaac is a master at creating one of a kind t shirts and they are fabulous to get the word out about your art, your business, or even just for fun! Do you go to a family reunion? Surprise everyone with family t shirts! Are you an artist, maker or creative looking to further expand marketing and branding for your business? T shirts are a great product both to sell, and to help you get the word out about what you are doing! You can also order a smaller batch, to keep and gift to friends! What I love so much about the shirts is that they are printed in super saturated tones, plus Isaac can help you come up with the layout and guides you through the process to create incredible shirts. They are available in lots of different sizes, and Isaac will work with you to develop some shirts you can share with others and sell too!

Here is a link to Curiosity Comics on Etsy!

Here’s a link to Curiosity Comics on Instagram!

Upcycle Junk Artwork into a Collage Journal

Make an Eco Art Journal! 

If you are anything like me and have been making art for years, chances are you have some works that did not turn out the way you wanted.  Scour through your boxes of old art and pull out everything you dislike.  Then turn it all into this fabulous art journal and give it a whole new lease on life!

This journal is created with 100% upcycled materials or items I already had around the house.  If you know anything about me you know I don’t like to spend a ton on art unless it is absolutely necessary.  I made this journal with things I already had, so it was nearly FREE to make! 

The materials list for this project might seem extensive, however I want to encourage you to think outside the box!  Use the materials you already have.  Sometimes the best projects come together with a more scrappy, creative use of resources. 

Especially when it comes to Eco Art, it is fun to use what you already have or use materials in fresh ways.  Make the journal your own and have fun using what you have on hand!

The finished dimensions of my Eco Art Journal were approximately 13 inches wide by 11 inches tall, with about 30 pages in the book. 

Materials:

Old artwork in varying sizes

Hole punch

Marker

Hemp thread or needle and thick floss to thread the binding

2 pieces of thin cardboard that are the same size

(you could use a cereal box or look around your house and find a larger box that is made from a light weight cardboard)

Optional paper cutter or scissors and ruler

Materials to decorate the covers

(old magazines, craft paints, glue stick, stencils, other material you have on hand)

Optional Manilla Envelope for back cover

This is a great rainy day project!  Turn up the music and plan on spending some time during the weekend getting the art journal together.

For Step One, start by preparing the cardboard pieces that will be the cover.  Break the box down so that you have two large pieces of equal size.

The binding of the book is created by a line of holes along the left edge.  You can use a ruler and mark every inch along the left edge to align the placement of the holes.  Or do what I did and just wing it!  Put the bottom hole approximately ½ inch from the bottom edge and then work your way up.  If your cardboard is thin you should be able to use the hole punch; otherwise use a crop-o-dile tool or book making awl. 

Once you have the holes punched along the left edge of both pieces of cardboard, choose one piece to be the front cover.  Fold the cardboard about an inch in along the left side in a straight line and crease.  This will make it easier to open the book.

Set the cover aside and it is time for Step Two!  This is kind of the arduous tedious part of the process so be prepared for some elbow grease.

This is the perfect time to crack open a cold one, put on some upbeat music and get INTO the process!

Take one piece of paper from your stack of old artwork and lay it under the front cover.  Align the bottom edge of the cover with the bottom edge of the paper and, using your marker, draw dots to mark where the holes are supposed to go.  Punch out the holes and then use that sheet as a guide to punch holes in the rest of the sheets of paper. 

If you want the right edge of the book to be neat and tidy, you may need to trim down some of the pages.  My journal has pages that are similar in size and I’m letting the right edge be uneven.  I did trim down some of the papers to make them similar in size.  If you are a perfectionist and like to have all your ducks in a row, just make the pages approximately the same size.

If there are other papers or cardstock that you want to add to the journal, prep them in the same fashion as you did with the old art.  You could add map pages, grid paper, book pages, etc.  It just depends on the style of journal you are trying to make.  My journal is going to be for collage so I’m using junk watercolor papers and mixed media paper.   

So now that you have the pages prepared it is time for Step Three!  This is the fun part, the part that you have been waiting for!  Decorate the covers of your journal in any way you see fit. 

To begin, start with the back cover.  I happened to have a manilla envelope lying around, so I glued one to the inside of the back cover.  This will be handy for storing magazine clippings and bits of paper that I want to later work into the journal.

Next comes the front cover!  Mine is a basic collage scene with a cardstock background.  Use what you have on hand and decorate to your heart’s content!

I started my cover with a piece of cardstock to create a background.  Then I built up layers of collage until I was happy with the work.  Feel free to go to town and glue images down intuitively.  If you don’t like something you can always layer an image over the top. 

Seal the collage with a top layer of matte medium, mod pauge sealant or spray varnish. I prefer Collage Pauge because it doesn’t put off fumes…there are lots of options out there today. Some sealants even have sparkles in them, or you can use a sparkle glue pen to add to the overall design.

Step Four has finally arrived!  Try to relax while you put the book together. The end result will be an incredible collage book, where you can finally turn junk artwork into something you love.

Place the bottom cover of the journal in front of you and begin stacking the pages to line them up.  Every once in a while, push a thin paintbrush through the holes to make sure everything is aligned the right way.  Continue stacking the pages until they are all aligned and then stack the front cover on top.

(I wanted to use leather cord to bind the book however I quickly discovered that threading the binding is much easier with a thin sturdy thread like hemp thread.  Alternatively, use a needle and heavy thread or floss.)

 Thread the hemp through the top left hole and then down and up through the second hole.  Leave a bunch of extra thread at the top to make sure you have enough to do the entire binding.  Basically thread the book like you would lace up a shoe.  Once you get to the bottom, pull on the thread to make sure you have enough slack and then work your way back up going the other way. 

When the entire binding is threaded, tighten the lacing and then tie a few knots at the top.  Trim the thread and the book is finished!

Now that your book is complete, the sky is the limit! Prep the pages with gesso so that you have a clean slate to art journal on, or leave some pages as is to collage over with paper and fabric. The book could be used to gather ideas or inspiration, or even use as a glue book to save bits of fodder from your daily life.

I hope you had fun creating your Eco Art Journal!  Life just feels amazing when you are doing what you love and using your materials in new and fun ways.