Sewing Lockdown - Hodgepodge Farm Residency #2

Sewing in front of the fire...

This past October, I spent about 10 days at my annual Hodgepodge Farm Residency. This year the theme was "Sewing Lockdown". 
In the 10 days, I think Cal and I left the house maybe once or twice and both times were on a sewing related errand. We spend our days drafting patterns, trying out patterns we'd been wanting to make, drinking gallons of tea and cooking fantastic meals. We ended our lockdown with a totally glamourous photo-shoot showcasing our new wardrobes. 
I totally feel so much more confident with my seaming and construction techniques now - thanks to my advisor, Cal. 

Always make a muslin for fit, even if it's hideous xmas fabric!

Before I left for my trip I spend days shopping for fabric online and quite nearly "broke the bank" on organic jersey, sweatshirt fabric and other must have goodies. I really feel like I had to walk away from my "shopping cart" several times and snap myself back to reality before I continued paring down my purchases.  I think I ended up with a good base to make loads of sweatshirts, long-sleeved tees and leggings - the staples of any wardrobe (in my opinion). 
All in all, I drafted and tested patterns for: leggings, a sweatshirt, a shift dress, a smock dress and a tee-shirt. 

Long sleeved tee and crocheted Coral Cloche hat.

Cowl neck sweatshirt.

Shift dress, leggings and tee.

Smock dress.

I also made the Painted Portrait Dress by Anna Maria Horner and got to incorporate an amazing batik print I purchased at Rhinebeck by Amity Farms Batik for the yoke. The last thing was a Wiksten Tova out of a double gauze Nani Iro print - amazing. So, 7 garments, 5 of which I drafted the pattern for - to fit ME - in 10 days... Not so bad!

Painted Portrait Dress with sheep themed batik.

Wiksten Tova in Nani Iro.

As usual, I had an amazing time with Cal and being upstate NY during the autumn and meeting her new chickens, visiting Gertie and other friends. I have to admit, my favourite chicken is now "Minky"...

Cal and I posing 70s style in our Painted Portraits...

Were we to have a band, this would be our album cover.

Minky is the creamy white one... 

Sheep and Wool Festival 2013!

Welcome to Rhinebeck...

About a month ago, I left for my annual trip to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival.

As usual, I had a fantastic time.

Cal Patch and me.

I got to wear my new Violaine - a crocheted sweater that I made out of my own hand-spun yarn. 

I purchased the roving last year at the festival and managed to finish the sweater just in time. 

Hand-spun goodness.

It was so wonderful to see so many cheery faces, meet new people and catch-up with friends. 

I spent the weekend doing what most people do at Sheep and Wool - feeling fibre and petting animals.

I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves for this post now...

Cal Patch and Sonya Philip

Cal and Jill Draper

The gal's from Fancy Tigre Crafts!

Cal and a new friend.

Me and some puppet friends.

The Ravelry Meet-up.

The Damage.

The start of the Autumn round-up!

Fibre Fest Here

So, it's been awhile since I posted! A long while... I have lots to write about, it's been a busy autumn. 
I couldn't decide what to write about first... Rhinebeck, my Hodge Podge Farm yearly residency, Vogue Knitting Chicago... So, I decided to go way back and go in chronological order. I'm going to start with the Wolfe Island Fibre Festival!

It would be great to go back with bikes.

Back in mid-September, I attended the Wolfe Island Fibre Festival with my friend, who had a booth selling her amazing fibre.
Wolfe Island is a short ferry ride from Kingston, ON. It is near the Thousand Islands and is absolutely gorgeous! The weekend of the fibre festival was also a gorgeous September weekend, we couldn't have asked for better weather.

Pretty September sunflowers in full bloom.

Andie has been working on building her amazing new line called, Well Turned Out Fibre House. She makes beautiful rolags, braids, soaps and will be adding lampwork beads to her repertoire. 

Some braids.

Pretty, pretty braids.

Wolfe Island, as I mentioned, is a beautiful little island full of farmland, beaches and quaint shops and cafes. The festival took place in a few buildings on the island and, so we got to walk around and explore.

Andie on the beach.

Stone table.

It was a welcoming, wonderful fiber-y weekend getaway! Not to mention, it was a nice break from my year-three spinning homework - which I need to get back to ( a whole other story)!

Beach-y shadow fun!

Hallowe'en Mask Workshop!

Come Learn to Weave on a Cardboard Loom!

This is a fun class!  All you need is a piece of cardboard and some extra yarn! 

Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9pm.
Weaving on a Cardboard Loom - This is a beginner class that will use very simple techniques to get you weaving creatively! No weaving experience necessary - all you need is a piece of cardboard and some yarn... away you go!  
$30 click here for more info or to register.

Classes Coming up at Make Your Mark Studio!

I'm so excited to be gearing up for teaching at Make Your Mark Studio - my new home!  
Here is a list of the classes that are coming up please email me if you need further info or would like to sign up for a class. I'm also working on a website up-date that will make things smoother and getting pictures all ready, but for now:

Thursday, May 9th 6:30-9pm.
Weaving on a Cardboard Loom - This is a beginner class that will use very simple techniques to get you weaving creatively! No weaving experience necessary - all you need is a piece of cardboard and some yarn... away you go!  
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, May 10th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - Making Holes, Intro to Lace. This is the beginning of a monthly noon time series. This month we'll be learning the basics of lace - making holes. All you need is some yarn and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, May 24th Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Single and Double Crochet. This is the beginning of a monthly noon time series. This month we'll be learning the foundations of crochet - the single and double crochet stitches. All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Monday, June 3rd and Monday, June 10th 6:00-9pm.
Make your own leggings -Leggings are a necessary item of clothing these days! In this class we will be using a bleach based formula to "draw" on your fabric, making your leggings truly your own! In addition, we'll be drafting a pattern that fits YOU and making the actual leggings! What a wonderful class.... I'll be co-teaching with Alison Ellett.
$60 for both classes click here for more info or to register.



Thursday, June 6th 6:30-9pm.
Kitchen Sink Stamps - What a fun class! We'll be learning how to print on your own fabric using very easy methods and materials that you can easily find around the home to make very interesting and modern prints on fabric! Then you can really personalize anything you sew - garments, accessories, handbags - anything!
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, June 7th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - The Twisted Rib Stitch. An interesting "twist" on a basic rib stitch. All you need is some yarn and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, June 21st Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Intro to Broomstick Lace. This is a very fun and zippy way to make beautiful lace. It uses a very large knitting needle, a crochet hook and yarn. A new and fun technique
$15 click here for more info or to register.

Tuesday, June 25th 6:30-9pm
Creative Mending - Do you have a pile of knitwear or nice clothing with small catches or holes? Garments you really love?? Don't throw it away - mend it! Come learn some creative mending techniques for your garments.
$30 click here for more info or to register.


Tuesday, July 11th 6:30-9pm
Granny Squares, Circles, Triangles... - Grannies are in - in all shapes and sizes... join the craze and get hooking!
$30 click here for more info or to register.



Friday, July 12th Noon-1pm.
Knit Stitch of the Month - Reversible Cable Stitch.  You can add this technique to a scarf, shawl or any double sided piece you're working on. All you need is some yarn, a cable needle and knitting needles!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Friday, July 26th Noon-1pm.
Crochet Stitch of the Month - Tunisian Crochet Basics. This is a fun technique that is coming back in a big way! Also called the Afghan Stitch... All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook with a long shank!
$15 click here for more info or to register.


Saturday, July 27th 11-2pm
Freeform Crochet and Knitting. This is going to be a fun class full of creativity. You will be guided on how to use your knitting and/or crochet in a new and exciting way! Come with yarns and different sized crochet hooks and knitting needles and get ready to dive in to creativity!
$35 click here for more info or to register.

Registration info:
All classes will be taught at Boarding House Arts, 6 Dublin Street South in Guelph at Make Your Mark Studio Suite 301.

I keep classes small in order to be able to spend one-on-one time with each student. 

Please register in advance by contacting me using the links next to the class you are interested in or emailing me here.

Payment in full for the class is due upon registration, please check your schedule and class description carefully, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. I also do not offer make up classes.

If you must cancel a class you have registered for, please notify me at least 48 hours in advance and I will issue you a credit toward another class.  

The prices listed are for the class only, materials are additional. I will provide a full materials list upon registration as well as suggestions on where to purchase your supplies.

If a class does not run due to low registration or extenuating circumstances, you will be refunded in full.

Doors will open 15 minutes before class and class will start promptly. Please be on time.

I welcome ideas for classes and also accept private students in: knitting, crochet and hand-spinning.

Cool Things Coming Up!

I just wanted to point out some cool things that are coming up!  

Firstly, I'll be teaching "Making and Weaving on a Cardboard Loom" through Spark of Brilliance! It's going to be a blast! Check out the poster for details...

Secondly, I'm really gearing up for the launch of Make Your Mark Studio! Here's a lovely poster for that event too! Don't forget to visit Make Your Mark Studio and sign up for our mailing list to be on top of all the events coming up!

Grand Opening of Make Your Mark Studio!

Texture...

Oh, goody! I can finally reveal a huge new project! My friend Alison Ruth and myself are launching Make Your Mark Studio! A maker's space for both myself and Alison to run classes out of and working studio space for all my fibre goodness work. 

We'll be having a grand opening party on Friday, April 26 from 6pm to 9pm. For more information please take a look at the Facebook Event Page.

I'm excited to be located in a historic building that has been recently renovated for artists and galleries. It's called Boarding House Arts. My neighbours include arts organization Musagetes and the Boarding House Art Gallery!

I'll be posting lots of things coming very soon - classes I'll be teaching in the space, events that we'll be hosting and lots of pictures!

Brand New Window Inside!

Brand New Window Outside!

Nothing Says Spring Like a Trip to a Farm!

I almost snuck this little guy home....

Well, spring is FINALLY in the air!

I am very lucky to live in a nice city that is very close to many small family farms. My friend Chris has one such farm. She's a spinner and has a small heard of beautiful shetland sheep, and guess what!? They are having lambs... So cute! I had to go out and take a little visit! I was even lucky enough to score a bag of fleece that is going to be lovely to spin with... the bonus is that I get to break out my *new* Alvin Ramer wool combs to do it!

And now - PICTURES OF LAMBS!!!

Protective mom...

Boomer even got in on the action!

The "black sheep".

Old Molly.

Fun in the sun for these three week old lambs!