Spirit Cloth

Measure

Another Kind of Thread

Strings.

The Man spent some time untangling this puppet that made the journey here in a box with a lot of stray stuff. It was a time consuming effort. But now in working order.

It was so appropriate for these times really. As I ended up making a note to myself:

I've worked myself to the edge of the pieced area on one side of Holding Pattern. Working slow and steady, an hour in the morning with coffee, and hour in the evening before sunset. Up to here there are seam lines, blocks of space to help me not only keep track of progress but also provide a frame of reference. I am thinking I will have to continue soon, not knowing where I am.

Calculating the span of Heal (ing)

A Nest of Days is serving me well  a resting place for new clothwork.

This one grew a bit, just a single layer of muslin overlapped and stitched.  One layer, the center is 3. That might be managed later.

The man is, in the meanwhile, sanding the table.

I think we best heal from the inside out.  I can stretch and touch the edge, while my heart remains the center.

No stitch today but this exercise is also doing. Getting into the spirit of the thing. I made a video but it became a bit too brazen with no bra. Maybe if I wasn't going on 70. Ha! Feeling Free  but not that free. So here is a less offensive snapshot I cropped out of it. 

Hunker Down and Decide

There are quite a few folks subscribed to this blog. Folks come in and out. For many reasons. I am hosting a class here through the rest of this year. Before I disappear. I will be posting, most likely more than once a day when necessary to record the the flow as it happens, because I try to teach by example. How it happens..  If you get frustrated with too much email, just unsubscribe. And have a nice life...

So to continue from this morning... One way to easily square up an old piece of cloth is to fold it diagonally against one edge. Cut , or tear, I prefer that, off the extra. Again, not exact, but closer. 

Let me talk...Link to Audio if you see no player below.

 

Hunker Down and Take a Moment in between to consider

Internet issues persist...I keep at it.

The Wind Robe 

as a rough cut.

2012, wow, I wonder if I would actually remember how it happened with out this record of days? I find this blogging such a great tool, well, digital recording, and sharing, in general, helps me learn from experience. Because I do not prepare ahead of time, the truth of how things happen is more present. Real. And what can be more powerful than truth. Marketing has a different kind of power which scares me really. The power over others. Instead of... well, getting off subject here.

This is my audio from 2012. And me in an old sheet. Silly me, not knowing what I am doing. Trusting in something. 

 

link to audio if you see no player

I always say this...this isn't brain surgery or anything. If you cut something away and don't like it, you can always put it back. We are design mending here. Right?  The sewing on a simple rectangle based garment, well it's simple seams, change can be easy. Even the add and take away.  Sometimes even in the middle of the making, things might be deconstructed and reconstructed. And worn at any stage. Get to know it. 

At this point I decided to call this Wind.  It was even making it's own wind when I moved.

Next is cut and maybe shape, then some basic stitch to create the base garment, then look again.

It's just great if you can get someone to take pictures of you in it.  Even a video of you moving in it. Great fun. And you can learn by looking.  If you are posting pics anywhere other than Instagram (use #ragmates 2020)  let me (us) know in the comments. It would be great to see ourselves draped in cloth!  If need be, you can send me a photo, I can post some pics here or there if you are not shy. (If you are subscribed by email, there is a link to #ragmates2020 in the top menu bar of the actual blog, you do not have to be an Instagram member to view)

After cutting/sewing and deciding on a shape that suits and feels ok,  well then you might think about the front/ neck edging and another layer or layers.

About a cloth base...

audio link if you see no player above

As you can see, I did go with the simple curved cut  to make the sleeves.  It didn't make too much difference but it bunches differently under the arm and softens the overall shape.   I often sew totally by hand, but because of my aching thumb way back then, I used the machine for the long side seams. I don't have a sewing machine anymore. Long sticks are a great way to hang these garments when you are designing, so you can see the whole surface.  I remember that the next day after this pic was taken, I went to take care of  mom for a few days. Those were tough days, like these. I miss her when I remember this class. A big cloth can hold days. 

And it feels funny to see the old house again. My studio. 

Next, I will review how I attached a second layer to give this substance.  

And there was a bit of Robe Storming last night...

Note to self: I'm amazed I still sound pretty much the same after all these years. Still the same person but so much not as well.