Homage to My Tarascan Ancestors

I made this as an homage to my Tarascan Indian ancestors.

I incorporated elements from Tarascan Indian traditional dress into a modern style dress. 

The bodice is a modified version of the Georgia Dress from By Hand London Patterns https://byhandlondon.com/collections/sewing-patterns/products/georgia-dress

The skirt is  the Hollyburn Skirt Pattern from Sewaholic http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/hollyburn-skirt/

I changed it to have a side zipper and pockets because I love pockets.

"I'll leave you with this.

I don't care how many angels can 

dance on the head of a pin. It's

enough to know that for some people 

they exist, and that they dance."

Mary Oliver

Rosa in White

This is the Rosa shirt from Tilly and The Buttons.

https://shop.tillyandthebuttons.com/products/rosa.

.

 I think I found my perfect shirt pattern!

 I love three-quarter length roll-up sleeves with button tabs.

 Excellent opportunity for pretty top stitching along the seams.

 Flattering princess seams.

 Cute small pockets

 I also love pearl snaps!

"The oak tree

loves patience,

the mountain is

still looking...."

Mary Oliver

Ginger Jeans -Eagle

Ginger Jeans with eagle feather embroidery.

Heather Lou's Ginger Jean pattern is exceptional! https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/ginger-skinny-jeans-pattern

 WOW! The eagle decided to bless these jeans! I just saw her in the sky of this photo! can you see her above the mountains?

I have been using Heather Lou's ebook  for the instructions on these jeans- it is fabulous! https://store.closetcasepatterns.com/products/sewing-your-own-jeans-ebook

 I decided to make this pair of jeans a little looser fitting because my last pair is a little too tight but than I lost weight so now these are a little too loose! Ah! the fickle finger of fitting!!!!!

 I do love how the eagle feathers came out!

 And the eagle on the back pocket!

"Forgive Me

Angles are wonderful but they are so, well, aloof.

It's what I sense in the mud and in the roots of the

trees, or the well, or the barn, or the rock with

its citron map of lichen that halts my feet and

makes my eyes flare, feeling the presence of some

spirit, some small god, who abides there.

If I were a perfect person, I would be bowing

continuously.

I'm not, though I pause wherever I feel this

holiness, which is why I am often so late coming

back from wherever I went.

Forgive me."

Mary Oliver

Blue Heron Boots

YES!!!!!! I completed a pair or embroidered blue heron boots!

 This is free hand embroidery that I did on a pair of my boots.

 Some people also call the technique thread painting. That really describes the art of it.

 I love doing it and even more I love the result.

 It is very time consuming but worth it to have a pair of boots I love and will wear forever!!!!

 It's spring and the cranes and herons are migrating now. I am blessed when I get a chance to see them!

 They are so long and gangly and yet the most graceful birds ever!

"I don't care how many angles can

dance on the head of a pin. It's

enough to know that for some people

they exist, and that they dance."

Mary Oliver

Two Boylston Bras

My first two gorgeous silk and lace Boylston Bras!!!!!!

I used the Boylston Bra pattern https://shop.orange-lingerie.com/products/boylston-bra-pattern.

 I have never had such beautiful, luxurious, elegant & sexy bras!!!!!!!!
It is as satisfying as making my own jeans!!!!!!!

I used the most amazing sandwashed silk and stunning lace. This silk was scraps from my Hummingbird Ribbon Shirt. http://www.sewgadenzia.com/2016/05/my-hummingbird-ribbon-shirt.html

Again I am grateful to Lauren's Boylston Bra sew-along that I followed step by step https://lladybird.com/?s=boylston&submit=Search.

I changed the pattern in several ways by; making two pieces of the upper cup so that I could add scalloped lace only to the inside of the upper cup. This is more comfortable because it leaves no lace to rub on the underarm. I shortened the fabric part of the bra strap because I had the feeling that the strap would slide off my shoulder when I lean down to one side.

I changed it so that ALL the seams are hidden inside by adding a lining of the same unbelievably  sumptuous feel of sandwashed silk on my skin.

I  used a bra cup but did not add underwires because I do not like how they feel. And I took an inch length off the frame and added it to the back band to give it more room for power mesh so that it has more stretch capabilities.

The pink Boylston Bra I made first and thus it has all the mistakes I made on it so that in the end it is too small!😞

I used beautiful hand dyed silk so you can imagine what a bummer it was to find out it didn't fit in the end. The red one is a size bigger and has all the changes that I learned by making this one. NOW I will PIN ON THE BAND and HOOK & EYE, HOLD IT ROUND MY CHEST to see if it fits BEFORE  sewing the band on. If it appears like it will be too small I can always lengthen my power mesh pieces.

"There is some kiss we want with
our whole lives, the touch of
spirit on the body."
Rumi

Owl Blessing Dress

I made a dress to bless the owls!

 I designed a simple princess seam knit dress that is comfortable and flattering.

 With block printing.

The paint is from Darma Trading co. http://www.dharmatrading.com/paints/jacquard-textile-colors.html 

Here is Colette's inspiration and tips on block printing:https://blog.colettehq.com/inspiration/creating-a-block-print-lily-5-tips-tricks

 Also with side pockets because I always need to carry the cell phone.

"Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet

confinement of your aloneness

to learn

anything or anyone

that does not bring you alive

is too small for you."

David whyte