Dream

It was so windy.  I was preparing to plant something, pink flowers I think, but didn't recognize where I was.  I did so as I would right now, pregnant, in real life.... only scored the ground with a garden fork where I wanted the hole dug, but not doing the digging myself.  Waiting for someone else to do it.  The poked circle in the earth was next to something, I wasn't sure at first.  I heard a whinny from a horse.  Looked up on the horizon to see a small but somewhat threatening Palomino mare staring at me from far away.  Her head low, but eyes fixed on me.  She was extra furry, which indicated her youth.  She charged at me, nearly missing as I ducked to one side.  She charged, but I wasn't entirely afraid. I still felt the need to get out of her way each time. Over and over from all angles she came, one attempt after another.  I thought to get something between myself and her and saw a nearby sapling.  It hardly provided the barricade necessary to keep her from hurting me should she actually trample me the next time, but maybe she would hesitate if the branches distracted her.  I cried for help to my husband.  The desperate kind of cry that you can't make in a dream.  No sound flying from your chords.  Just breath. Pain in your throat from the struggle.

The fear of not being able to make a sound becoming larger than the fear that started you trying.

He woke me up with a rub on the leg and I immediately sat up and said with a fright a mare was charging me, thinking how much she wanted me away from where I was.  Relentless in her pursuit.  He laughed a little and said he heard me trying to get something out in my sleep.  Once he confirmed my attempts for help I remembered that I was planting the flowers next to a grave.

Over coffee, I thought of the only horse that I have ever known, Sadie, my mom's child-hood Quarter Horse.  She was lovely.

I dashed (as much as I am able in my state) through the rain to the car headed for the OB office.  Slow enough to still take notice of the beautiful rows of pink dianthus that are shooting like fireworks in the flower beds after last nights cool, dark rainfall.  As I backed out of the drive, I hit the breaks when I saw in the rear view mirror the sapling that my parents gave to me a few weeks ago from there own Japanese Maple. Potted and waiting to take root in my beds.  Hello young, brave tree.

And I heard her heartbeat today.  Strong, charging. Not unike a mare.  Intent to keep my heart where it needs to be.

Linen Lesson No. 2

  Study Hall Skirt in Ghost Wing & Domestic Cat

Me &  Linen again.  Ready for more?

Texture:
I have always thought of linen in terms of it's texture- that lovely, woven, toothy quality that makes any color printed on it carry a different depth.  These linens are no different. And part of what makes that texture so pretty is the somewhat inconsistent weave thicknesses that are visible in the light. While they more textured than my quilting cottons, I would not describe them as rough.  The weave is not quite as tight as the quilting cotton, because the threads themselves are a bit thicker and more textured.

If I were going to make a really fitted garment, I might line it with something softer.  I would say that the sheerness of the linen is about the same as the quilting cotton.  Looser fitting garments (including those shown here) should be fine without lining (unless you're really tactile-specific anyway).

Socialite Dress in Flower Circuit & Linen Solid

Weight:
If we're speaking literally on the scale, a yard of linen falls between the quilting cotton and the cotton sateen (home decor).  But in actually thickness between your fingers, it is more similar to the quilting cotton.  For that reason, I've noticed that all of the sewing settings: stitch length, needle size, tension etc. are pretty much identical to what I do when I sew with quilting cotton.

  Multi Tasker Tote in Ghost Wing & Domestic Cat

Durability:
Linen is well known for it's durability, so it makes a lovely choice for lighter upholstery, slipcovers, bags, pillows, curtains, and more.  I imagine this, in addition the the fabric's width and style, is why some of the retailers are listing it with the home decor goods.  Further, linen does not stretch (like, at all) so it hold's it's shape and is resistant to damage from abrasion. The lack of stretchiness to this fabric makes it SO unbelievably simple to sew with- as in you can barely tell you're on the bias when you're on the bias.  Beyond home decor, the addition of cotton in this blend is what keeps it even more versatile in your sewing projects. Which brings me to drape.... 

  Art Student Tote (sans outer pockets) in Parenthetical Flight & Pressed Fields

Drape:
It's important to keep in mind that drape, in my opinion, is a bit relative, depending on who is doing the describing, so take my words here as an impression and not law.  I feel that the drape of the linen is somewhat similar to quilting cotton, however after washing where quilting cotton can get a little starchier in my opinion, I think the linen gets slightly more soft and drapey.  It is never going to act like rayon or voile, but it maintains quite a bit of fluidity for a fabric that has as much texture, weight and body as this one does.


  All Set Kids Blouse (modified to dress length) in Ghost Wing & Pressed Fields

  All Set Kids Jacket in Parenthetical Flight & Voile Solids

All Set Kids Skirt in Flower Circuit & Pressed Fields

I can barely think of a limit for the performance of this fabric in my sewing. Except I would probably hesitate to make something densely gathered that would need to drop nicely like from a skirt or an elastic band... but a little gathered poof sleeve?  Yes, just fine. 

We've made quilts, clothes, home decor, embroideries, bags, and pretty much everything- and I have some upholstery and home decor plans of the nursery variety swirling around in the brain too.  There are also some new colors of Linen Solids on the way soon that look gorgeous with this collection.  I'll share some patchwork and embroidery projects soon too!

xoxoAnna

Linen Lesson No.1

Parenthetical Flight in Deep

Hiya.  Let's do linen.  First up, I wanted to share a full width view of each of the 5 prints in my Field Study Linen collection (which each come in 3 colorways).  This is especially important when the prints are rather large scale. The images show roughly one full yard, with selvages oriented at left and right side edges.  These linens are 55" wide.


Pressed Fields in Poppy


Ghost Wing in Luscious


Domestic Cat in Coral


Flower Circuit in Sunny

Thank you so much for all of your questions about the fabric!  I found that they generally fell into one of four categories:  (1) design layout (2) content, care, basics (3) use as far as drape, feel, texture (4) use as far as durability, weight, weave.   I am hoping that the photos above give you plenty of insight into the scale and direction of the prints to help in planning your sewing projects and answer your design layout quesitons.  In many ways, I designed this collection with decor in mind- speaking mainly about scale and color choices, but not because the fabric is exclusively decor in weight or any other aspect.  It is really so very versatile.



Let's move on to the next category of content, washing, and caring for these lovelies.

Content:
My linen is 55% linen / 45% cotton.  So take whatever you are familiar with in 100% linen with a grain of cotton.  In other words, the focal features of traditional linen (coolness, sheen, wrinkling (no elasticity), coarseness, lint-free) are tempered, and I would say softened with the addition of some cotton.  Which I think is awesome.

Washing + Drying:
As I like to do, I did a wash test this morning.  3 separate exact yards were cut.  One was left unwashed.  The second was machine washed on a cold delicate cycle with basic detergent and left to air dry for a bit before completing the drying with an iron pressing.  The third was machine washed the same as the second, but then tossed in the dryer on a delicate setting, with low heat until completely dry.

The above photo shows you the length shrinkage results of these processes after all 3 were pressed.  You can see the washed/air+iron dried fabric only lost about 1/4" to 3/8" in length.  But the piece that was washed/dried (even on a low dryer setting) lost about an inch in length.  What the photo does not indicate is the width.... they are just layered staggered to see the different pieces.  But reporting on width shrinkage, none was lost on the piece that was washed/air+iron dried, and only about 1/4" of width was lost on the washed/dried piece.

So prewash or not depending on your uses, whether or not you'll be combining these with other fabrics, and how you intend to continue caring for them.  I think my method will end up being a combo....I will likely pull out of dryer before completely dry and finish it with pressing.  Not because I am worried about the shrinkage as much as the pressing will be a lot easier if the fabric is still damp.  My sense is that almost all of the shrinkage will happen in that first washing, but I don't of course have hard core evidence of that.  I also want to mention that both washed pieces, while they retained the lovely texture of linen, they felt softer and even a little drapey-er after washing and I think the machine dried one just a little more so. 

Next, I'll go over categories 3 & 4, covering drape, feel, texture, uses, durability and so on.  And I'll be doing so with lots of pretty pictures of our linen sewing projects so far (!!!!) Can't wait!

xoxoxAnna

Baby is both on and in the way

Seriously took me a second to figure out what that blurry thing was blocking the fabric. Just when I think I can do everything that I normally do, I do it so abnormally...lean in, straight back, shoulders tight, don't fall over, and snap.

Linens are loaded in the shop a little sooner than anticipated, despite any obstructions to the process.  Have a beautiful weekend, and thanks for offering your inquiries and your kindness on my last post.  Can't wait to chat about the new fabs with you next week.

For now I have some sunshine to deal with.
xoxo,Anna

La La La La Linen

We are all taking deep breath after another here as we unpack the new bolts of Field Study Linen. I always get excited when new fabric arrives. But. This. Stuff. Oh it's heavenly. I will be back to talk more about the properties, wash/wear, as I always do when we welcome a new base cloth. So if you have questions about the linen, please leave them in the comments and I will address them all next week! I'll also share some sewing and stitching (maybe you've noticed my spring banner?) that we've been doing too, for a little inspiration. You guys are going to love this! We will have the shop loaded with all the yardage on Monday morning. The above palettes show digital art for the fabric, and not shots of the fabric itself.  Which only barely do the gorgeous fabrics justice! The three palettes above in order are Charisma, Oil Painting, and Technicolor. more soon, xoxoA

Little Blossoms

It's really happening.  Spring.  I am in awe at the feel of the air and the smell of newness on the landscape.  Jeff and I took a quick last minute trip to NYC on Thursday.  We each snuck in a work-ish meeting, and both snuck in as many moments with our Juliana as we could.  The weather in the city was gorgeous, and I had a great feeling of disappointment on Friday night after dinner when I realized I had just had my last New York meal before leaving very early Saturday morning.  Though getting home early meant we had a whole weekend with the rest of the brood which included getting a Spring hairdressing on the front porch by my two other girls and also catching a 4ft long snake in the garden who was escorted by the more boyish sort to a nearby creek well away from our property.   I guess Spring happens for snakes too, and they want to get out a bit more.  Eeesh.

While I should have glanced up at the big movie screen to see this shot of my Square Dance fabric appear in Oz the Great and Powerful, I must have been cramming popcorn or Mike & Ikes in my face.  Cuz I missed it.  Thanks to several of you who have emailed to let me know.  Among several little movie and TV moments that my fabric has enjoyed (Footloose remake (snort), Meet the Fockers (double snort), Judy Moody (yay!), Modern Family (double yay) and others) this has to be my proudest.  The color in this film is beyond beautiful, and I applaud their most perfect use of this little panel print.  I glow a little thinking back to sitting in front of the TV every year with my sister and our snacks waiting for the Wizard of Oz to begin.  Remember when you had to wait a whole year?  I miss that.

I hope things are blossoming where you are.
xoxoAM

ps. just noticed after catching up w blog friends that I titled this post the same as Alicia's last, good company and a welcome phrase- little blossoms!!

Really ready (not really)

I keep having dreams that I am being put on bed rest.  As someone who has never been put on bed rest, I most likely have an unrealistic (stupid) idea of that being something to actually hope for.  Truth be told I would only enjoy that if I put myself there, and not if I were told to do it.  Like anything, of course.  I think I must be having strong contractions in my sleep that make me have these dreams.  I do that though, have lots of contractions by now, most light, but every now and then a doozy with pressure.  Because I have always done this, I fluctuate between ignoring them, and freaking out over them.

I knit these very, very small pants.  You have my left hand there as perspective on how small these are: so small.  I am a little in love with them.  I happen to actually fall in love with everything I am knitting right now.  I guess because all of it is small and cute, and does not take a very long time.  I joined Ravelry, which is where I found the pattern for these tiny pants.  I actually joined quite a while ago, but I just started spending more time on there since I began knitting, and I already suck at being on Ravelry.  I haven't done anything with it but search and download stuff, which is awesome, and I do have intent to get myself all together over there, and post projects, pics, notes, etc.  It seems like such a very good idea, bc I simply never make note of yarn when I start something, end up forgetting, then can't answer questions to anyone, including me even, so I can't even figure out how to wash it- ha!  Not cool.  Will do it.

My sister is coming today!  Today, like in a few hours!  I am so excited.  The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, I cleaned up the house (sorta), and I think this might even call for a shower and a trip to the grocery store.  A few days ago I was checking out at my local grocery store and the very youngish girl helping me with that was like "wow, is this your first baby?" (Nicolas was standing right next to me, so um, duh, no, not my first baby). And I was like "oh, no not by a long shot (smile-what's the next question)". She was then like "wow, so when are you due?".  I was like "I have two months to go still (here it comes)". She was then, with big eyes and staring at my belly, like "OH, Wow, you seem Really ready".  I just smiled and said "Mm. Yeah. (you seem Really Not ready is what I wanted to say, bc I am getting kinda cranky)."

So yeah.  Hope you had a beautiful weekend.
xoxoAnna