If you remember from a month ago, we were generously gifted with both a serger and a sewing machine from wonderful friends and readers. I promised that we’d put them through their paces and I’m now proud to report that our great textile adventure has truly begun!
My first creation!!!
I started off with the serger. It’s just such a neat machine, I couldn’t resist…plus I had an idea that I wanted to explore. To understand my idea, you’ll need a bit of background. Anner and I have always appreciated the sense of style of our friend Karen. She’s comfortable wearing the most awesome color combinations and home-made creations. And she looks GREAT in them! We’ve always said how much we like her style. Expanding on her stylishness are the unbelievably incredible coats of Katwise. I hope she won’t mind that I posted one of her photos below. Please, please, please check out her site if you’d like a whimsical smile on your face and inspiration whirling through your mind all day!
Katwise’s creations are simply magical! You can seee why there are so many “Katwise-inspired” pieces on Etsy!
Ok, now you know my inspiration, but why did I make the doll in particular? Background time again! Years ago I started sending my mom cans of potato sticks for mother’s day. I know, it’s not perhaps the most common of gifts, but ya gotta know what your mom loves, right? Well, once Anner joined me in the gift-giving, she decided that a simple can was unacceptable. No, we needed to decorate it! Bring out your glue gun, everybody!
A glue gun and fake fur… Project Runway Heaven!
Mom LOVED it and a tradition was born. Each year we’ve come up with a new design; some simple and lately more and more involved.
She loves it! She really, really loves it!
Nothing says Mother’s Day like a little bedazzling.
Our most involved creation from just before we left on the trip – a butterfly pull toy! Anner made the butterfly while I made the pull toy cart.
This year we have “Sergina” (thanks for naming her, mom!).
Pik-Nik potato sticks, a mother’s favorite!
The is the wooden base I made so the potato stick can wouldn’t slide off the feet! It takes a lotta clamps…
My fine workstation. You can see the base in action in the back.
Every skirt needs some fringe, eh?
It’s important to have the right back support while serging.
Anner embroidered the eyes while I serged the rest.
All put together and lookin’ fine.
Did you get me from my good side?
A little “junk in the trunk” meant I had to do some hand-alterations in the back. Sometimes you just have to let it out a bit…
Anner created Sergina’s wonderful headpiece with faux flowers from the craft store.
And there you have my first serger creation! Not sure what’ll be next, but maybe my own real size Katwise-inspired coat? Who knows? Anner, though, has been inspired by the sunshine finally starting to come more regularly here in Seattle. She’s taken to the sewing machine to transform some Goodwill finds into much cooler shorts and tank tops (thank you, Pinterest, for the process!).
The first tank top begins!
It’s almost summer and those pants NEED to become shorts!
Let the sewing begin!
Summer Lovin’ in her new ensemble! She’s made another tank, as well.
And there you have it – our first forays into the post-trip textile world!
You guys rock! Can’t wait to see your next creation.
Thanks, Gail! Inspiration is brewing…
So impressed with your efforts! Way to get it done!
A whole new world for you two stunningly creative folks. A new occupation, too? Looking forward to more creations! Just be sure you can get in and out of the house as you accumulate.
Mmmm, I don’t know about occupation, but we are having fun! And no promises on the accumulation. I’m sure you understand!
love the many creations