A SIMPLE SHIRT

Here are the patterns you will be using to make your first shirt. You can choose between a child's, a woman's or a man's style. It will be easy to do even for beginners. I shall be there to guide you and show you tips and tricks. 
Only interested in making a shirt? Just contact Chantal and enroll for it. Ask for a half-session of 3 weeks starting on February 1st, 2011 or March 15th, 2011.

Lotus Sewing bag

This is your FIRST project... I have the RECIPE and the INGREDIENTS...

Lets make it together!

Entre-Deux Mers: TWINED RAG RUG / Tapis de Lirettes

This is part of my American country rugs experience.
After making braided Icord rugs a year ago, I bought Bobbie Irwin's book: Twined rag rugs. I wanted to try other rag rug techniques. I really enjoy this book which contains clear explanations of the different stitches and shapes of rugs. I especially love the "celebration of rug twiners", an album dedicated to the pioneers of this technique.

My pegged frame with adjustable cross bars was built by my hubby.

I had a shoe box full of scrap strips of cotton in different tones of blue, ready for 15 years to become a log cabin quilt.! Too bad!
They will become a beautiful twined rag rug.
I used a light cotton twill tape for the continuous warp. That was great, it did not fray.


I rarely make samples, so I often have to redo...
I started with a Salish-style diamond but it did not work out.
I removed it keeping the few rows of navy countered twining
and the white band of white & red.
Then I decided to make rectangles in light, medium and dark using
blue fabric at random. I switched colors using the interlocked tapestry join.
I tightened the rows with a large comb.


It was a long labor but the result is amazing, a thick and dense rug washable in machine! It will be perfect in a kitchen near the sink.
Well...too bad... I don't like blue, so I will have to do an other one, of course!
size: 38" x 29.5" (96cm x 75cm)
weight: 4lb 14oz (2kg 200g)




It took less fabric than I expected.
The next one will definitely be a diamond. Never give up!

1820 Ball Gown Reproduction

Don't get bored ... sew...a master piece
My 1820 ball gown reproduction is made of beige Dupioni Silk & lace.

The original can be seen at Victoria & Albert Museum in London (UK).
Thank you to "www.cwrl.utexas.edu" for providing us with such great information on costume history.

front of the gown

back of the gown

details - click on picture to enlarge -

Once upon a time, there was a blue Princess....

This dress and pelisse were custom made for one of my private clients.

The coat is a reproduction of an original 1815 pelisse owned by this lady.
It is made in brocade and lined with the same silk charmeuse as the dress.

Please, click on pictures for more details.