Before Blog – Stitchery

I started learning how to sew before I hit double digits. And I’ve got to say, it’s been one of the most useful skills I’ve ever learned. Here are a few of the things I’ve made in the past, waaay before this blog (or, still currently make, in some cases).

The first thing I think I ever stitched, rescued from a box in my dad’s basement. The embroidery equivalent to “paint-by-numbers”.

One of the first outfits I ever worked on – a classy little green velour number (not shown: the matching pants) that I wore until I wore it out. Sadly, I could find no photographic evidence of the snazzy little hot pink track suit I made circa 1977.

I won’t bore you with the scads of every day shirts, skirts, and pants that I’ve made. But, shown here are a flowery bodice, a silky wrap, and a stylish vest that I threw together for a Christmas party one year. Regular clothes are so boring! Even baby clothes, soooo…

Gradually, I transitioned into also making costumes.

For myself, Jessica Rabbit – complete with squeaky breasts.

And for work, these animated foods I made for Evergreen Theatre.

The Glenbow Museum hired me once to make some ungulate costumes for patrons to try on. They accompanied an exhibit of nature paintings and went on to travel with them around Canada.

And most recently, I’ve been making costumes for Loose Moose Theatre. (Not just animals, mind you…)

This is the first quilt I ever made. It was double-sized and hand-stitched using 2-inch squares from an old remnant bag. Wow. I dragged that thing around with me until it completely fell apart.

And here is my second quilt. I decided to make it into more of a duvet cover (for easy laundering) and to keep it simple (as time was very limited). I am itching to try something a little more complicated next time.

Over time, I put my skills towards items to sell at craft fairs. (You can check out more goodies in the Craft Fairs post, if you are so inclined.)

One of the most popular items I’ve ever sold are these tote bags.

Followed by these rice-filled hot packs.

And these these lavender-and-flax-filled eye bags.

I’ve also covered things like address books, business card holders, photo albums, and journals. Fabrics these days are SO cool!

Hmm. What else…

I really enjoyed knitting these scarves several years back, though I mostly gave them away as gifts (or kept them for me).

Oh, and here’s a chair that I made for my niece.

My second stab at embroidery.

My most recent stitching – a pillow that I made for a friend.

And a sample of some of the many sweaters I’ve made – most of which I have given away, it seems. All self-patterned.

Okay, I think that’s probably more than enough for this post. =) You can check out my more recent stitchery adventures within the blog.