A great way to get somewhere new is to drop yourself into a process that’s hard to control. One of the techniques I use is creating a shape from the inside out. Begin with wire or cardboard for an armature and wind batting around it to form a shape.
Fabric gets stitched on top. It’s not an efficient way to make something but it’s an excellent way to get into an improvisational, open and playful place. The kind of place where ideas show up. One thing leads to another, if you let it…. You can learn more about the process in this post.
I spent some time playing and creating figures this way last week. The mosquito is my favorite, I like his silliness and chill attitude. He does not care if you’re mad at him. It’s an essential quality for mosquitos.
Mr. Socks came from this process. The mr. socks doll sewing pattern is a traditional doll pattern – he’s sewn, stuffed and stitched together. But the original mr. sock’s was made with the inside out improvisational method.
original mr. socks
When he showed up I knew exactly who he was: a mischievous cat, a wanderer, a vagabond and a bit of a rascal. Good natured but not entirely reliable. There is one thing about him that you can always count on – for his whole cat life, every autumn, he heads North to work on the Socks family Christmas tree farm in Woebegone Pines. The whole Socks family lives in a big black house at the end of a crooked road where they cultivate very special varieties of forlorn firs and pines.
I didn’t go looking for mr. socks but I’m so happy he turned up. And if I had not spent an afternoon messing around with some cotton batting and wire and fabric 10 years ago maybe he never would have.
the august special – the songbird sewing pattern is 25% off
tune up
I want to roll into the holidays like a superstar so I’m working on some ornaments etc. now and so appreciating my recently repaired and tuned up Morse sewing machine. The tuneup made such a difference – it’s so smooth and there’s no intermittent tension problems or bobbin winder drama. I love the speed of this machine- it can go really slow – and it has a big button for reverse. I’m going to show it even more love and make a patchwork cover for it- there is a tutorial here.
breaking garden news
It’s all pretty slow and soggy this year but the appearance of a tiny bean is huge, one tomato has been achieved and flowers keep coming.
Love the bat! Pigeon? Yes, please.
I love you Mr. Socks story!
I am getting ready to attend an artist retreat the end of this month (where you bring your own art to work on) and I am thinking of making a crow and some of you mushrooms!
Love the mosquito. When I lived in New Orleans we always jokingly referred to mosquitos as the “state bird”!
I so enjoy your newsletters, and keeping up with all that you create. Thank you for the regular inspiration!
I love when your newsletter shows up in my email, I read every word, live the Mister Socks beginning, he sounds like my black cat Henry, I think I will make one to represent him. And what what an ingenious idea with the clothespins. Happy Sewing, love a vintage machine, they sew so much better
Somehow you make handwork so much fun!
I always look forward to your newsletter. You are a role model and an inspiration. Thank you from a 75 year old woman who still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up!
Sewing machine. I have an old Bernini I bought used over 35 years ago, but I taught myself to sew on a treadle machine when I was a child.
Last week I finished the little sailboat from your free patterns! It’s so cute.
I have a vintage Singer Featherweight that wishes I used it more. But it’s always ready when I need it!
I thought I was the only one who checked on my first little bean every day! My first cucumber is also (almost) ready.
I sew with a Brother $200 craft machine from JoAnn’s bought ten years ago. I have pieced together many quilts, mend, and craft with it. I hand quilt, and slow stitch and use the machine only for the more boring aspects of getting long seams together, patching clothing, and the occasional garment construction.
Your creations are so lovely! I am so inspired by your newsletters. I’ve made a couple of the babushka pin cushions and gifted them to friends. I gave my mom your crow pattern (secretly hoping I might receive a crow from her someday), but haven’t seen a finished one yet!
Your description of Mr. Socks as “good natured but not entirely reliable” made me laugh! I have my mother’s 1952 vintage Singer portable (the same age as I am!). Along the way I acquired 1980s and 1990s hand-me-downs as well, but they scared me so I’ve stuck with the original. Like Rose’s machine, it wishes I used it more (as do I!).
Ewwwwww…. I’m not sure I can deal with that mosquito….
your mosquito (adorable!), bat, fresh flowers (yes!), and wall of honor!! loving it all