Made with love, made with wool

Way back in February the most exciting box arrived at our door - it was 22 lbs of spun wool from our sheep!  It was so long ago we dropped it off Up North at the woolen mill that I almost forgot about it.  Half is a 3 ply sport weight and the other half 3 ply worsted.  It is super soft Merino and still a bit oily so it feels like butter in your hand.  The plan is to use as much as we can, experiment with dying it and we are encouraging the boys to set up a small business selling it. 

I do not have a skein winder but do have many volunteers to help hold and wind by hand.

Many cold days were spent knitting by the fire with Maryanna and Clara.  They both have scarves they are working on and I leaned into the most simple patterns I could find. 

First thing I finished were some little baby socks and then a hat.  The hat was originally requested by Peter but I was way off on my gauge so may end up being a baby hat.



Or a hat for Charlie. 

Paul also requested a hat and still off on my gauge it was a little big - I shrunk it a bit and I suppose it is soft and cozy because he rarely takes it off.  He shared a photo of it on instagram and called it "Farm to head".

The next hat I finished for myself and it was actually a perfect fit - but Maryanna convinced me it was more her style than mine.  I believe she was right.

Along with the yarn another giant package found way to us with the other half of our processed wool - clean batts!  I can't remember how many pounds but it was more than enough to make two doubly thick twin comforters, two crib comforters, and a throw.  The last bit is stashed for a future baby quilt.

Assembling the comforters was not as relaxing as knitting.  I was on my hands and knees grunting like an animal as I hand stitched these into the desired size.



I then covered them in cheese cloth and tacked down every 6 inches before sewing duvet covers for them.  The wool cannot be machine washed so I thought duvets would be easier than quilts.



The girls picked out a stack of Anna Maria Horner fabric for their covers and I found sheets on sale at West Elm for the backing.  I made them narrow to fit the bunk bed as neatly as possible.  These are so soft and cozy and the girls sleep soundly under the weight of them as do the cats.



Instead of their names embroidered they each chose a different animal to separate who's who's.



The two younger boys were also in need of some warm bedding this winter so I did the same for them.  Their covers were made from flat sheets from Garnett Hill, used the pillowcases from the sheet set the girls got with their duvet backing and sewed the animal silhouette pillows just for fun.

They too are sleeping better under the warmth and weight of this wool.

I did their names free hand because I was too lazy to set up the embroidery unit. 

The last project was a small throw for the couch in our bedroom.  I used up some silk I've been storing since I was in China 18 years ago and the result is a super warm, soft and silky space to nap.  It pairs well with the sheepskin from our first lamb and I'm thinking I'll be spending much time there in the weeks to come. 

I'm so thrilled to share these projects because honestly not every project off the farm turns into a successful useful product.  I'm so so grateful for our sheep - they munch down the pastures, provide nourishing meat and now the wool is like icing on the cake! 

Some quick and needed sewing

Not sure why I haven't sunken into more sewing this winter, its been a long and sedentary season for sure.  I suppose it may be because my sewing space in the basement is cold enough it serves as our fridge overflow, there are boxes of yams, oranges, apples, grapefruit and Izze sodas nestled just under the sewing table and right up against my presser foot.  In addition, many bodies in a small home all winter leads one to have an aversion to stuff - whatever I sew, no matter how crafty, is just more stuff and my laundry piles are already overflowing.  Lastly, sitting behind the sewing machine with a big belly is about as comfortable as standing at the kitchen sink, I can barely reach.  

Now with all excuses aside I'm pleased to say there were a few immediate needs that found me in the creative process behind the sewing machine.  Most of these projects were simple enough that I did not have to think through them, I just checked out and let my hands do the work, I even let the kids help and that was amusing.

First up are some reversible baggy sword pants for George.  By mid January I had to hide all his shorts because that was all he was choosing to wear.  After that he wouldn't change out of his pjs.  We had a little chat about it and he reported that any pair of pants with a button and zipper were too uncomfortable.  So I pulled out an old baggy Burda pants pattern and made this set out of 3 pairs of Paul's old work pants and 3 old work shirts for the linings. George participated by helping me cut them out and designed the giant deep pocket ,on one side (it holds handfuls of toys) and the sword holder on the other.  

These are George approved!  and comfortable enough that even falls asleep in them sometimes. 

Next up was a new church dress for Maryanna.  We've been getting by by layering summer dresses with sweaters but those have been getting shorter and shorter on her by the week.  When I asked her what she had in mind she requested something that would be as warm and cozy as a nightgown.  So I pulled out a combination of Japanese t-shirt patterns and we designed a knit dress.  I put Maryanna on the task of tracing and cutting and she did a precise job. 

We used a rayon knit that's been waiting in my stash for over 2 years and so happy to put it to good use.  Basically this is a raglan sleeve t-shirt that was extended to an A-line with added funnel neck.  Maryanna said when it gets really cold she's going to pull the funnel neck up like a hood. I think I'll have to make something like this for myself next winter!

In addition to wearables there was an immediate need for some toy bags for the kids.  With a new puppy eager to chew and a pregnant mother tripping over unseen toys I had it! These bags were designed to keep all toys off the floor.  I'm happy with how they turned out and wish I could report 100% success but the truth is, I'm now tripping over over stuffed bags.  Come spring and once I find my feet again I'll be happy they were made.  The secret to making these is as simple as tracing a dinner plate for the bottom and using heavy fusible craft stabilizer.   

In addition to a new church dress Maryanna requested a scripture bag.  Not much to say about this except I love that she designed it all by herself and kept me company the entire time I sewed it.

The next project was the quickest and crudest of them all.  My parents came to visit and offered me a bag of old animal hides.  Of course I could put them to use!  Peter took one with hair on it and carefully made a quiver by hand with the help of some expert leather workers.  I on the other hand decided to just go for it by machine.  My last laptop lost its life to a sippy cup malfunction so I'm a little over protective of my new one.  If not in use it needs a safe home (or disguise).  Moving slow enough with the machine and a larger needle I was able to finish this leather case.  I forgot how much leather stretches though so next time I'd make it a tighter fit.

Lastly I had the joy of sewing a few baby items.  I suppose if I knew the gender I may be sewing more but the truth is I have most of what I need for this special arrival.  I was short on gowns so I refashioned this one from a women's t-shirt.  I'm also short on knit caps because after I washed them a few fell to the ground and the puppy got to them.  I also needed some more cloth wipes and a few swaddling blankets so that is what I whipped up.  

As the season changes so will the need for more sewing appear.  I'm not going to rush it though, for me it is no fun to sew sundresses and shorts when there is still snow on the ground.....especially when temps in the sewing area are still in the 50's.

A return to confidence

It has been just over two years that we've lived here on the farm.  In many ways my experience has been foreign, like one who has moved to another continent, maybe even planet.  The transition, though beautiful, has not been easy, I have been stretched beyond my knowledge and capacity.  Because of unrealistic expectations (especially in the garden), I have too easily allowed the wallowing that often follows a stumble.  

Somewhere around the latter weeks of August I was offered a return to confidence.  

One of my farm neighbors and an amazing bee mentor casually  mentioned her plans to wear her mother's wedding dress for her upcoming wedding.  Having worked in a bridal shop years ago I was instantly curious.  She began describing the dress but quickly slipped into the immediate need for assistance with it, and with limited time and money she was turned down by a few local seamstresses.  Out of my mouth, without a thought of the miserable pregnancy symptoms I was experiencing and every other responsibility that occupied a normal day, jumped the words, "I can do it!"

She came over the following evening and tried on the dress that her mom wore in the 70's.  It almost fit her perfectly but needed some updating, so we agreed my services would be traded for bee help in the future.  

I took her measurements and drafted a new bodice.  I felt rusty with the drafting and continually prayed that I would remember all that I had learned so many years ago.  I felt as if I slipped into a trance while working and was spared from the usual headache and disaster that can accompany a bridal gown project (only one who has worked in a bridal shop knows the intensity of such a job). 

The fabric felt as butter in my hands and somehow they just made it happen.

After a final fitting the two of us worked together on hand stitching the lace.  I so enjoyed the company and conversation, we talked about bees, farming, marriage and children.  

Here is the final dress and I can honestly say we were both thrilled!  I have received so much expert advice and help from experienced neighbors that it felt good to know I had something to offer back.  
  

I am far from a master seamstress but it was a good reminder that my skills are of worth.  It is also good to remind myself of the road I walked to gain those skills, it did not happen over night and in my head I can recall countless flopped sewing projects along the way.

I don't sew much these days because my times calls me where it is needed most. And frankly, I'm starting to lean into a more practical lifestyle where drawers and closets and laundry piles are not spilling with excess.  That said where there is a need I find much joy involving the creative process to fill it.

Just last week I pulled out the old bin of maternity clothes.  For some reason my body rejected every pair of maternity skinny jeans and fitted to the skin shirt or dress.  I've done that and I feel with this 9th baby I have nothing to prove and seek only comfort along the way.  That invited a need for a few more maternity pieces so I pulled down a bin of knit fabric and in less than two hours was able to assemble this knit top and skirt.  There are plans for a few more pieces but they will come when time allows.
    

The next project was finished past midnight the night before Clara's birthday.  It is an art bag for all her new art supplies.  I drafted the pattern and there are some definite glitches that had me wishing I had never begun the project to begin with (at least that is how I was feeling at 1 am).    

I pushed through it and finally got the lining to cooperate (somewhat).  Clara loves it!  

Meanwhile........I am wondering when the day will come that the children respond with such enthusiasm over home-grown kale, potatoes and cabbage. 

Food Storage to Furniture

I've been searching for a couple of months for the perfect stool for the desk Paul's mom gave me.  Originally the desk was Paul's grandma's vanity but no one knows what happened to the original stool. I've searched thrift stores, ebay, etsy and antique stores but have not been able to find one that would fit perfectly, I came close but they all were at least 1/2" too wide.

When I came across this tutorial I was interested but very skeptical.  The food bucket actually fit the perfect dimensions I was looking for and since I already had almost everything on hand I gave it a try.  The only thing I had to buy was the foam and was very surprised how expensive it was, luckily it was on sale.

Now for the work of it.  In the tutorial it tells you to draft a pattern and use some "finessing" to pull the cover over the bucket.  My finessing was more like a full body wrestle with the stool and still cannot figure out how they got such a perfect fit.  I ended up folding over a piece to cover the very messy seam that split as I tried to pull it over.

It is not perfect but it works and no one would ever imagine it once was a bucket of oats.  I did weigh down the bucket with a bit of water softner salt but I suppose if the sandbox was not covered in snow I would have dug up some sand for that purpose.  

Here it is again at my desk, it has proved to be the perfect solution and combined with the right fabric looks just right where it rests.  Now the girls are waiting for me to make one for their room.    

  

Meet Emma

This is Emma, Maryanna's new 29" doll.

We started making her at the beginning of winter after visiting a friend who had a large collection of handmade dolls.  She gave us some fabric and let us borrow a stack of her doll making books from Germany so we could get started on this very special doll.

The time spent at the sewing machine for making this type of doll is minimal, it is mostly a lot of hand sewing and sculpting and I was happy to do that by the fire.

She is stuffed with wool and Maryanna selected a carved stone and placed it in her body for her heart.

The kids all thought it was kind of creepy as she started to come to life.  When it was time to finish her Maryanna gave her some anesthetic so she would not feel the pain of me stitching her eyes and sewing on her hair.

"When she was finished we woke her up and she was refreshed and happy to see the sky".

Maryanna selected the color of her hair and eyes, choosing the most beautiful colors in the box.  Since she is the size of a toddler I simply pulled out some of the girls' old clothes and shoes and they proved to be a perfect fit!  This outfit was one of my favorites, it was made for Clara for Christmas several years ago.

Maryanna says she is so fun to play with because she like a real person and so soft to carry.  They will have many good times and adventures together!

Maryanna says Emma especially loves to ride her horse named "Moonie".   She also likes to play "big sister" to Clara's doll "Rosie".

I have to say the time for sewing is hard to come by these days.  I limit my projects to what is needed most or to what brings the most joy. And this doll has already brought much joy so I am grateful for the dear friend who shared her knowledge and supplies and the cozy days by the fire that allowed for Emma's completion.