Autumn falling

Irene capelet
Originally uploaded by I Will Fly design

We're hoping to break away from the craziness of everyday life next week and visit our favorite piece of coastal redwoods. In honor of those cool breezy days with the mist in your hair (and of course the upcoming change of seasons! I can't wait to say goodbye to 100*+ days!) I created this capelet from wool herringbone.
This is one of those designs that came about because of a certain fabric. In this case the inspirational fabric was the dark chocolate brown plaid cotton I used as a trim. As soon as I saw it at the fabric shop I knew I wanted to make a Sherlock Holmes inspired cape. It took me over a year to decide what fabric I wanted to pair it with, though! After a lot of searching and some serious consultation with my in-home design consultant (my husband) I chose this lovely wool herringbone shot with subtle colored threads.
To draft the pattern for this capelet I started by draping the design on a half-scale dress form (I didn't have quite enough spare fabric to drape it on a full size form) and then scaled it up using the grid method to enlarge the design. I made a mock-up from an old table cloth I had around to see how it would turn out and I was pleasantly surprised! I liked it much more than I had thought I would, I even liked it in the musty old red tablecloth fabric with big 70's patterns all over it! I've decided to make more of these in the future, I like it so much. I am thinking maybe try it out in velvet? Maybe some more lovely wools? Lots of possibilities to work with here.
I impressed myself by mitering (a special way of turning corners so they form a pretty little point) the trim at all the corners, which turned out really nicely and looks very slick and tailored. I am always glad to pat myself on the back after a job well done ;P

Mix n' Match: Wedding Bells

I'm having too much fun mixing and matching fabulous handmade and vintage fashions! This time I decided to try a wedding addition using my Grace lace shrug but there were too many options to choose from!

For a sweet Spring look, how about this adorable sundress, paired with these wear-them-anywhere and anyway sandals?
And don't forget the most important part, this unusual ring is really something!

For the more traditional look, this eco-friendly silk and hemp gown is a simple stunner.
These vintage shoes are really awesome, check them out!
And for the ring? I can't help it, I'm still not traditional enough for a big faceted diamond, but these raw diamond rings are amazing!

Mix 'n Match: Shades of Autumn

I love "window shopping" online when I have a moment to spare, imagining ways to combine interesting pieces I find. I thought I would try creating a few mix and match ideas using items from my shop and other great handmade and vintage treasures. Check it out! Edition one: Fall colors for the Irma retro ruffle dress. A client I made a custom dress for in this style suggested wearing it with a belt and boots, and so I looked for other awesome accessories that could be used to accent the look or create different takes on it.


These fabulous vintage boots would look amazing with opaque tights.
For a different look, I always say you can't go far wrong with a good pair of wedge sandals to wear with anything.
A wide wrap belt could substitute for the tie-backs if you want a more defined waistline.
The fabulous hat in the photo is my favorite hat of all time and was handmade by the lovely (and friendly) Hat People. I usually wait for them to come to a local festival, but you can buy them online, too!
Or try this amazing cloche for a dressier look.
There are so many great earrings on Etsy, but we can keep it simple with these coral and wood earrings, that match the fabric in the dress so nicely.
Cold outside? This amazing vintage coat would look fabulous over your fancy new ensemble.

there's a mirror in heaven, there's a window on Earth

Hummering bird
Originally uploaded by djinrain

Our little dude-man humming bird, who lives in our last surviving tree, and defends our feeder with all his tiny might.

the benefits of walking everywhere

Here's my first new item to get listed on Etsy in at least a month!
Continuing the theme of reuse and recycling, this cuff features a big focal piece made from washers picked up along side the road and distressed ("previously loved"!) vintage buttons.
I'd been saving up the washers for a year or two and trying to decide what to do with them. This interesting woven wool fabric caught my eye and the combination seemed to call out for something a little different. I hadn't made a cuff in a long time and had been waiting for inspiration to strike.

random projects

glass beach earrings
Originally uploaded by djinrain

Because my hands hurt all the time I'm not really in the mood for much extracurricular sewing. But watching TV is boring, you know?
Here's a random project I just made for myself.
The post earrings my top piercings were made with had recently lost the ugly little pink rhinestones that were prong set into them. It seemed a real waste to throw them out, they are real gold and have locking backs so they can be worn all the time without falling off, which is nice.
My husband suggested I put beach glass in them the next time we went to the coast which reminded me of another broken piece of jewelry I owned. The tiny glass bottle necklace pendant I had filled with beach glass and pottery last year had recently fallen to it's demise on the linoleum floor! So, a little careful bending with a pair of pliers, and a little dab of high-strength glue and ta-da!
New earrings from old broken jewelry!

Where have you been?

After about 5 or 6 years of struggling with a repetitive motion disorder (probably carpal tunnel syndrome) in my wrists it has gotten so bad that I'm having a hard time keeping up with my work load, especially over the summer when I work 16+ hours a week doing (mostly hand) sewing for the local musical theater.

It's a real shame and is really incredibly frustrating as well. Telling me not to sew is like saying I can't breathe. It's not just a thing I do or even a thing I love doing. I love archery but I only do it once a year or so. I love camping but I only do it four days in September, you know? Sewing is an absolutely essential part of how I see myself. An integral part of my self image. Not being able to do the dishes is bad, not being able to use a spoon is no fun, but not being able to sew is tortuous.

So right now I'm on all sorts of medications and seeing a physical therapist. After theater season I will probably be having surgery. Until then, expect my productivity to drop somewhat. I won't be posting new items quite as often as I usually do and my custom work is going to have to be cut down as well. I am still open to custom orders, but they will probably take me much longer than my usual half-the-quoted-time turn over. Shipments will still go out in quick time and I will still keep my turn over times posted for custom sized shop items like bras and skirts.

I'm pretty determined to get this over with as soon as possible and return to my life with as little pain (and attendant mental breakdowny-ness) as I can.
Keep tuned for updates!