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.
Thanks Rhonda!
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!
I made the crow for my son. It was a challenge, because black is not a color I work with often, but I loved scrounging the different fabrics, carving the beak and making the legs.
I need to try a mushroom or two…
Thanks Karla! Your retreat pan sounds great- I’d love to see what you make!
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!
Thanks so much Kelly!
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
Thank you Mary- happy sewing to you!
Somehow you make handwork so much fun!
Thanks Marybeth!
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!
Thanks Martha! I’m right behind you and still figuring it out too.
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.
Oh boy- I’d love to get a treadle.
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!
Featherweights are awesome!
I thought I was the only one who checked on my first little bean every day! My first cucumber is also (almost) ready.
Ha! I’m obsessed with those tiny beans.
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.
Gotta love a simple, dependable machine.
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!
Thanks Dianne – i hope there’s a crow in your future!
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!).
Hi Jan- I so relate- my Morse is midcentury-ish- just like me.
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
Your fabric flower looks like it stepped out of the famous Disney cartoon “Flowers and Trees”- love it!
All cat owners need a Mr. Socks Christmas ornament. This is known.
The newsletter is always a treat.
Just got back from our local quilt show feeling a bit inadequate because I just like to noodle around making comfy quilts for people- not technical masterpieces- but your lovely small creations always inspire.
A noodled comfy quilt is the best! Especially if it’s sewn on a vintage sewing machine …
My current quilt attempt is definitely in the noodley department.
I love the bat too! Is there a pattern? As soon as I see your newsletter come in, I read it from beginning to end. I love your inspiration and fun – thank you for the effort you put in. I sew with a Bernina I’ve had since I’ve been a teenager (35ish years). It’s reassuring to read that so many people feel comfortable with the machine they have used forever (I suppose that makes sense really, but I have at times thought “I should upgrade”. In fact, I now feel like going even older!).
Thank so much Anna!
Just love your newsletter! I confess I haven’t made any of your projects yet but when I can actually reach my sewing machine, which is knee-deep in chaos in my craft room, I’ll give it a go. I use a Toyota sewing machine which was my very first machine of my own and had as a birthday present 26 years ago (yes, I’m on the older end of young) but before that I used my mom’s Singer (electric) which she had new in the 1950s. I gave it to my daughter when I had my Toyota but she bought her very first machine this year so I’ll be getting the Singer back! Can’t wait! It’s so good for bigger projects like curtains and anything with a long seam as it sews with no speed limit, brilliant! Happy sewing everyone! X
I do love your work! I don’t comment…ever?… really, which is a shame, as I really love your work. Your newletter arriving in my email is a breathe of whimsy and joy, plus I am fascinated by your artistic process. I love your owls & it is a life goal to make one. And the wee dolls and tiny adventures and tiny house, also dreamy!
I live about an hour from London on the Thames. The Thames is drying up. It hasn’t rained really all summer. Everywhere is dry and brown, trees are dying and the harvest is all in. It’s unknown for the harvest to be in in July. It’s difficult growing veg. We have had 4 heatwaves so far…for the UK that means consequetive days in the 30sC. Another one coming this week . Some of the UK is still green and rainy, but the southeast feels like a desert. On my work table I have sleeveless loose dresses, a magician’s outfit for my 5 year old, and several button up shirts for him in bold patterns.
That little bat in the first photo is darling !
My first thought on the mosquito was eew…WHY?? till I saw him posed with the spool of thread. Such self-possession! I have to concede he is uber cool.
My thoughts exactly!
I’m working with a newish computerized machine, somedays I long for a hearty and simpler machine…and I am happy to have a machine that works every time I sit down to play.
That cute little bat makes my heart sing and my hands itch to make one…or ten!
Mr. Mosquito is quite the guy – and I can safely admit that he’s the only mosquito I’ve ever liked! The bat is darling! Excited whenever the pattern is available
I have my late grandmother-in-law’s Songer Touchtronic “digital” lolz, and it’s been a fabulous sewing buddy for 20+ years. My mom gifted me a fancy dancy *actual* digital machine that makes the teeniest tiniest stitches, but it feels like I’m driving the Lamborghini to the grocery store to sew what I sew with it! Hand sewing for the win, always.
Your newsletters are always Christmas. Thank you for the time you take to prepare them for us! Hope the bunnies aren’t being too Mich of a garden nuisance, too.
The last Elna Super built in Switzerland in 1977 is a favorite and my newest. Mechanical, not electronic. Love her but my 1950 Singer Featherweight is all I need once I mastered hand-stitched buttonholes.
Hi, Like many of your readers I love your site.I am 86yrs and still learning things to make. I have a Brother bought 25 years ago. My friend bought one and persuaded me to get one.I walked around the store for an hour wondering ‘should I buy it or not’ It cost so much! In the end my husband said he would buy it if I wouldn’t,dear man that he is.I have made so many quilts on it for myself and others,it has earned it’s keep.I also have two singer feather weights, love them too.