As time allows

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Diane

I’m going to continue to take advantage of the few days I have down here with Jeane to write a bit more about what we’ve accomplished and how it’s continuing to refine the plans for next year. Yesterday, we did a quick draft/muslin for what will, hopefully, become the basis for the four vests. It’s drafted from my sloper and it’s deceptively simple. As is so often true, the devil will be in the details. We talked about construction, finishing and the other small steps that will make a big difference in the final result. And, between now and month-end, I’ll set aside the equivalent of a day to make a full vest from commercial fabric. JoAnn will be more than happy to sell me something and that’ll give me a much better idea of whether or not the pattern will work as I’d like. And, if not, I know how to make it better. Learning is happening! Best of all, I gave notice yesterday. It was time and more than time for me to go. I had no interest in going back full time, and unless I did so, I wasn’t going to be able to drive the change I think is sorely needed. So, I am doing so in an amicable way. Boss is sad but understanding. Colleagues don’t know yet, but that’ll happen next week. And, with that burden lifted, I feel ready to take on this challenge and really make things happen. Solstice is coming. The year is turning. I can feel it.

Posted in Weaving | 1 Comment

Prep and more prep

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Diane

Every day I get more comfortable with the notion of being focused next year – and my plan of four vests still feels good. This weekend, I’m spending time with Jeane again (and she’s going to come and play with us here, too!) and we talked about The Plan, The Vests and ways to narrow it down even more. I’m now thinking about a single pattern. Each vest will be cut and constructed in the same manner and that allows for another bit of learning – experiencing how each fabric has it’s own requirements when becoming a garment. Ease, finishing, etc. are all driven in some part by the fabric; these four vests will help me to get my head around that part of the process. Tomorrow morning we’ll draft the vest pattern and my homework between now and January 1 will be to cut and sew the toile, and possibly a finished piece from commercial fabric, so that I have my “control”. It will be a simple waistcoat – fronts lined, the back either the lining fabric or something else (I could do otherwise, if I chose), v-neck. A perfect canvas for experimenting. We’re also talking a bit about starting to narrow the experiment further and I think that I’ll start with one that is wool, one that is linen. The first one because it’s comfortable and I feel confident about being able to sort it and the second because I’m nervous and it’s almost totally new. That should bracket things nicely. It’s also an excuse to get out the dyes. It feels like the plan is coming together nicely. And thinking about this focused, directed weaving was so wonderful that I ran an extra mile today. Because I missed my turn. Because I was happy at the thought of doing the work. Thanks for the kick in the butt, Lynn.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 2 Comments