Clean.

My blog is moving!

Big news, my friends! I'm moving my blog from here to my shiny new site, rachelwolfclean.com.

I think you'll find my new blog is nicer to look at, easier to navigate, and more mobile-friendly. Do tell me what you think! Then update your favorites folders, and head over to explore and subscribe.

I don't want to lose you in the switch, so I've added an email link to the front page to simplify you keeping up-to-date on new posts. 

See you there!

 

Love,

Rachel

Two new cloaks

Since we rethought the arrangement of our house and added space for all-day-every-day making, the kids have been working tirelessly on sewing projects of every sort. Not for Halloween, mind you, but for everyday (Lupine) and for LARPing (Sage). 

Within three days of the sewing machines coming downstairs not one but two new cloaks were complete.

And I didn't sew a single stitch! As a bonus, I was thrilled to see Sage mastering the serger for his wool cloak, made from a couple of upcycled blankets he picked up at the thrift store.

Mad skills, these two.

As Lupine is a bit more willing and eager for photo-documentation of her projects (and I have yet to corner Sage in his wool cloak for pictures), you'll have to take my word for it that his is equally fabulous.

Lupine's project did't cost a penny, involving only a retired bed sheet, a gifted roll of sari ribbon, and some buttons from my great grandma's button box. Since we didn't have a pattern, she improvised the body of the cloak and the closure and I helped her sketch a pattern for the hood. I think the result is fabulous! 

I was also assured that this long and flowing cloak is totally appropriate attire for tree climbing. Ahem.

This creative space has been a game-changer in so many ways and a day doesn't go by that I'm not grateful for it. Now I just need to schedule some time in there for myself to get some sewing attended to. (Someone has a birthday coming up, and I'm at a loss for ideas. Surely sewing will be involved!)

As for the kids? I can't wait to see what they make next.

 

P.S. Inspired to get your own kids sewing? You might enjoy this post from way back in the archives. 

 

Two zip bags

The house desperately needed cleaning this weekend.

So I did the only logical think I could think of and headed up the sewing room to make things instead. 

Because cleaning is really an act in futility, don't you think? I sure do.

After a bit of rooting about in my fabric stash I settled on sewing up some zippered bags since they are quick, easy, and always useful. (We're on a perpetual simplicity kick over here, so I'll only make things we truly want and need.)

Often when I set to work on a sewing project I find myself dreaming of a stack of fresh new fabrics. It happened this weekend, and for a moment I didn't know if I could make this work in an irresistibly-sweet-and-can't-live-without-it sort of way.

But then, simplicity. Always circling back to simplicity (and abundance and appreciation).

I kept digging.

As I learned with Sage's quilt, we have more than enough already, if we just look at it with fresh eyes. And doesn't it feel good to use what we have?

I think so.

So I dug through my stash and found so many treasures, many that I've had since my kids were small. And then - always - I find just what I need and realize that new things (fabric included) is often overrated.

Thumbing through my fabrics I always find prints that remind me of a certain time or place. The orange flowers, and old Heather Ross print, were a favorite when Lupine was small. I used on many skirts and tops and dresses for her when she was barely a toddler.

The red calico fell out of the cabinet when I pulled out the orange, a vintage print from my grandma's stash used on my clothes back in the '70's.

I decided it was meant to be and added a bit of that as well. For grandma. (I sewed these on her machine, after all.) Who knows - maybe she pushed it out of the stack when she noticed it was a good match. Because that lady could sew!

The fox and rabbit print is a treasured scrap of Japanese fabric I splurged for when Lupine was four and never used aside from some small appliques and pockets. The green (sparkly!) corduroy I bought for Sage when he was five. Goodness. Such warm memories in these scraps.

See? That's so much better than new.

And so I set to work, patching, sewing, snipping. Before I knew it I had two pouches ready to assemble.

I followed my own zip bag tutorial (It's here if you'd like to use it, too) for these with a few modifications (patchwork on the outside, ribbon loop, and boxed bottom corners). In hindsight, I put the little ribbon loops on the wrong side, and they should align with the zipper pull when closed, not open. But I don't really care.

The fox pouch I gave to a dear friend who is terribly fond of the fabric I used for the lining. (A very old, very tattered pillow case, if you must know.) She's headed on a trip soon and I thought a new pouch might be handy along the way.

Also, I was looking for an excuse to not clean my house. As you already know.

And though red and orange aren't normally my colors, this one I made just for me. I am carrying more and more LüSa with me these days as I am testing lots of new prototypes and scents, and I wanted it all contained in one space to make it easier to find when I need it. (And easier to clean up after myself when my purse topples over in the car. Which happens more than I'd like to admit and my bag spews body care every which way.)

A favorite lip balm, some experimental tallow balm, a prototype shea balm, and an Uplifting EO blend and my new bag was stocked and ready to go.

Would a few new pieces of fabric have been fun? Absolutely. But do I miss it? Not a bit.

And as a bonus, when you upcycle and use what you have you're sometimes surprised by little details like... the lining of this bag matches my bedroom curtains. (I upcycled the top sheet from that set years ago.)

It's (im)perfection.

 

Love,

Rachel

Expectations

Mother's day was a little messy over here. It can be that way, can't it? 

I somehow thought that all bickering would be suspended, my house would be clean, and our world would be a fantasy land of peace and harmony from sun-up till sun-down.

Life doesn't work that way.

I also thought my kids would be thrilled! to! help! with planting our garden. 

Yeah. That didn't shake out either.

By mid-day on Sunday I was pouting, sulking, and disappointed - in my expectations, in my mothering skills, in the (completely normal) day-to-day drama, and in this stupid day that I let myself get wrapped up in.

I just might have even called off all Mother's Day celebrations from that moment forward.

Yeah. It wasn't pretty.

So I caught my breath. I lay down on the couch with a quilt over my head and heard my kids giggling at how silly I was acting. Lupine brought me a doll and her stuffed squirrel to cheer me up (that always works) and joined me under my quilt.

Sage joined us and we cuddled, talked in soft voices, and apologized for our many blunders.

And then we called a do-over.

I dropped my expectations and everyone rallied to be a bit more kind to one another, because yes, kindness matters.

Especially on mother's day when your Mama is acting weird.

 

I had requested a little time to sew on Mother's Day as well (because that garden planting plan wasn't quite enough of a stretch for my people in one day) and decided to make Lupine a skirt.

Somehow sewing for my kids is more satisfying than sewing for myself. Especially after I've been grumpy.

And so I dug through my fabric stash and got to work on a new gathered skirt.

I had seen the perfect project already when Amanda posted her version for Ada last week.

Lupine's pockets are forever filled with acorns, crystals, flowers, and even sometimes chicks, so this skirt with it's big and glorious pockets was a must.

I mean really. Imagine how many chicks she could fit in there! (On second thought...)

As I ironed, cut, and sewed, Lupine came and curled up on the bed, watching me work. We talked, we laughed, I got over myself.

Thank goodness for that.

Yes, taking a break helped me shift my perspective. And as a bonus, Lupine scored a lovely new skirt out of the deal.

 

You can find the free skirt pattern here.

Lupine's sweater vest is the Neighborly.

 

 

Crafty

Sometimes I wish I could just ignore everything and spend the entire day sewing.

No cooking, no laundry, no dishes. Just cutting, sewing, and creating.

Because after a day like that? I'm a better person.

More centered, more patient, more present.

 

A solid day devoted to creating doesn't happen for me but once or twice a year, yet then every now and then - every so deliciously often - I draw that glorious hand and find the space.

Last weekend, in the midst of all that compost hauling and seed starting, I found one such day.

After our garden work day I decided to steal a few minutes to sew while Pete worked on some fencing out in the pasture. Just a few minutes.

Just one. Small. Project.

The next thing I knew I was hoisting open an upstairs window, and shouting to him across the valley. "Hey, Pete - I'm sewing! And I'm thinking about doing it all day long! Does that work for you?!"

(Yes, yelling.)

He returned a big thumb's up and went back to his fencing; I went back to my Grandma's sewing machine.

For the rest of the day, with a few breaks for cooking and other semi-vital tasks, I sewed.

It was heaven.

As for projects, I managed two that were small and simple enough to crank out in a hurry.

First a new wallet for myself, using the same pattern I did for my last wallet made back in 2011.

The old one reached the level of filth that no amount of laundering could help. It was time.

And I love how quick, simple, and sweet this design is. (You can find the pattern here if you are interested in making one, too.)

Next up was a birthday crown (based on my own pattern) for a sweet one year-old who's first birthday celebration we were attending the day after my sewing marathon.

Crown making is so addictive for me. If I had another large piece or two of wool felt on hand I suspect I would have made more. But my felt stash is pretty slim so  - randomly and without warning - a few little bunnies started taking shape.

Yes. I'm busy making dolls again! What a treat it is.

I'm not sure what it is about making dolls but I can sew them until my hands stop working properly.

I love watching wool and cloth come to life with a few careful stitches.

Each doll has it's own personality and I love to wonder at where they will end up after the last knot it tied.

These dolls were extra special because I cleaned and carded wool from our sheep Poppy and used it for their stuffing. I loved that layer of significance for this little farm.

These bunnies are based entirely off of my Snuggle Doll sewing pattern but with a reinvented hood.

They remind me a little of overgrown Peeps, but sweet without the white sugar and food coloring. Peeple! Heh.

And? I love them.

Lupine loves them. (She already slipped the bottom bunny in the photo above out of my work basket and is begging to keep her.)

And if, perhaps, you or your little person loves them, too, I have three of them listed in my Etsy shop, to ship out this week and arrive in time for your Easter celebration.

 

What sort of creative work do you try to carve out time for?

What's in your workbasket now, or what are you craving time to create?

 

 

Waldorf "Snuggle Doll" sewing pattern is here!

Today is the day. (Gasp!) I just listed a new Snuggle Doll sewing pattern in my Etsy shop.

It's a new pattern that I spent the past two months working on and I'm beyond excited (okay, and a tiny bit terrified) to share it with you.

A kind group of mamas tested the pattern for me over the past three weeks. Here is what one pattern tester had to say about it:

"[The Snuggle Doll Sewing Pattern] is seriously the best pattern EVER--I should have expected it from you but nonetheless delighted at your humor and loved your encouragement and the reminders that seeming imperfections are ok.  If I had followed your pattern the first time I made a doll, I would have felt way more courageous and convinced from the get go that it would actually work."

Kind words! I hope those of you who have been mustering your courage to sew a doll for your child will give it a go.

To celebrate the new pattern enjoy 15% off of anything in my Etsy shop! (Yes, finsihed dolls included.) Just use coupon code "CELEBRATE" during check-out. (Good through October 31, 2014.)

Thanks for cheering me on, friends.

Love,
Rachel

Edited to add: Because not everyone who wants a doll in their family has time or interest to make one, I added just a few custom (finished) dolls to the shop. You choose the skin, clothing and hair color and I sew it up for you. You can find them here. Enjoy!