The Textile Alchemist

Here you can see how much effort I put into carefully tracing patterns, or rather how wonderfully malleable a set of interview patterns can be. Last time, I cut the front and back full length (plus crotch gussets, because they would have made the pattern too wide for the fabric), but this time I tried Izabela's princess combinations layout. I had originally planned to make this pair with a buttoned back flap, but I didn't love how my trial of that style turned out, so I decided to stick with split drawers.

I also had to fit the sleeve sideways, but it mostly makes the fabric behave more like a woven than a knit.

I had to try it on before adding buttons, obviously. My mum's room isn't as messy at mine, but you can tell where I get it from.

I also love the fit of these, since there's loads of room at the hips for movement. I'm also really glad I chose not to make a back flap closure, because the back waist sits remarkably low.

I hope you all have a wonderful day with those you love. My annual traditions involve watching Muppet Christmas Carol and eating lots of good food with my parents, and also making something ridiculous. This year I made a St Lucia crown wreath, because someone was wearing one at Wassail and I loved it. I also realised that when I pair my tea gown with my riding cape, my colour preferences are kind of obvious. Oh, well. Sometimes more is more.

I'm pleased with this collar and cravat combo, which I designed using patterns from the Delineator/Butterick's The Art of Knitting (the file name for which is "the art of knitting butt", so you know what I call it). I first tried pinning the cravat front to the dickie style collar, but that stretched it out too much, so this year I added a simple garter stitch tie: it wraps back and front around my neck, then ties in the front under the lace cravat, and helps support the collar instead of pulling it down. The qiviut is beautifully light and very warm, hence why I wanted a lace pattern that could breathe a bit. I might need to invest in a longer pin to gather it.

I'm pleased with this collar and cravat combo, which I designed using patterns from the Delineator/Butterick's The Art of Knitting (the file name for which is "the art of knitting butt", so you know what I call it). I first tried pinning the cravat front to the dickie style collar, but that stretched it out too much, so this year I added a simple garter stitch tie: it wraps back and front around my neck, then ties in the front under the lace cravat, and helps support the collar instead of pulling it down. The qiviut is beautifully light and very warm, hence why I wanted a lace pattern that could breathe a bit. I might need to invest in a longer pin to gather it.

The mask was done in cotton floss and DMC metallic on linen, with gold bobbin lace trim. The coif is the same pattern and same metallic and same linen fabric, but with lovely pastel silk floss I picked up at Pennsic back in 2016. At some point, when I find my old pillow or give up and set up the new one for gold silk nine pin, I'll add the same lace trim.

I keep forgetting to actually post, but hello, friends! Yesterday I got to have friends over again for my first post covid* holiday cookie tea party, which seemed like an excellent occasion to wear my tea gown. I was quite warm until a few of us went out on the balcony to sing carols, and then I finally cooled down.

Walking in the snow today with wool long johns, wool dress, and wool cape, I was nice and warm, with one exception: because I made my long wool combinations in the same split drawers style as the rest, there's a certain amount of cool breeze at the centre back that makes a body feel distressingly naked. I need to figure out the best cut for a back flap before I make the next pair, since I have enough wool jersey for another set in light cream, one in gorgeous Canadian red, and one in a delightful fuschia that's going to make me smile every time I wear it. I'm going to be so warm this winter.

I'm still testing positive for Covid, so I waited until the streets were empty to go for a Halloween walk in my test tea gown. This doesn't do it justice, but for something made with plastic upholstery velvet, an old bedsheet, and absolutely zero fucks, I really love it. I definitely want to repeat the concept with the blue silk I bought a couple years ago, to eventually wear to the butterfly conservatory.

Welcome back. I didn't really expect to take so much time off, but *gestures vaguely*

Today was Woolstock, though, and I met a really lovely person who encouraged me to get back on tumblr for art reasons (hi, Rachel!), as well as getting to touch all the soft things.

Last month, I went up to Future House Spouse’s family cottage in the Muskokas, and did the entire trip in Victorian garb, and then forgot to post about it.

So I’ve been thinking about how to manage the gross spam situation, and I’ve decided to lean hard into my desire to appeal to femmes, and the sorts of things I enjoy. Thus, I’m replacing my Saturday selfie with the tag “the femme gaze”, which I aim to keep up with at least weekly, where I take pictures of things I find lovely, and sometimes also selfies. I’m not a great photographer, so the deliberate practice can only be good for me.

Today’s focus is about the layers under my split skirt that I usually only get to see when I take my stockings off, but which always delight me. I really like that my split petticoat matches my combinations (I found matching fabric!), and that the very modern over the knee socks work pretty well as a cheap and easy alternate to needing to knit my own when I don’t feel like it. Also, I made a gin and soda with cucumber, lime, and a rose hibiscus gin that’s pretty tasty on a hot day. We’ll see how well my pincurls hold in the soup that is South Western Ontario.