BirdBrain Designs

Two Sienna Maker Jackets

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There has been lots of time to sew in the past two months. It’s been a tense and uncomfortable time in so many ways, but the long periods in my studio have been a gift. My favourite online fabric stores, Needlework , Simplifi and Blackbird have all been working full-tilt to fulfil our sewing needs and I love to see the packages on the doorstep.

Carissa looks great in two versions of the Sienna Maker Jacket. She is keeping the short one, so I may have to make another! I am a huge fan of this jacket for its stylish comfort. Both jackets are size 8 with no adjustments and are roomy enough to have a warm sweater underneath. Below I’m wearing the jacket with the collar up, showing the repurposed Marimekko fabric (from a tote bag). The jackets have a utility vibe with couture details, including a back vent on the short jacket. I love Closet Case Patterns for these extra touches. I used heavy thread and my industrial machine for the top stitching on the longer jacket as the denim was heavy and this enhanced the worker feel. The only thing I would change is the pocket construction–folding the top down first, as suggested, leaves a raw edge exposed–folding the side then the top hides all raw edges.

The long cool spring we have been having in Ontario has given us both lots of chances to wear our Siennas with warm scarves and they’ll continue as an extra layer for cool nights until summer.

Sienna Maker Jacket

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I have wanted to get back to the blog and this period of self-isolation we are all experiencing has provided both the time and the incentive. It’s a time to do the things we love, to connect and also a time to reflect. I’ve been sewing and rug hooking to help deal with the stress and worry which come in unexpected jolts. First, I tackled the number one sewing project on my list, the Sienna Maker Jacket by Closet Case Patterns. I’ve been admiring the denim workwear jackets this season (love this version by Margaret Howell) and wanted to make my version. To begin I made view C with some 10oz denim I had on hand.

This is a well-drafted pattern and a straight-forward sew. The instructions are excellent and the sew-along on the Closet Case site took me through every step with many photos and an alternative/better hem option.

I made a size 8 with no alterations except for adding 2″ to the hemline, following advice I got on IG. If I were to make it again, I would lower the pockets, since the jacket is longer, and make the pockets bigger. The fit is comfortable with a sweater–which is the way I’ll wear it most.

View B is next for me. I’ve ordered more snaps, because I love that look and truthfully because I’m still terrified of button holes! That–finding ease with buttonhole making–is also on the list.

Sienna Maker Jacket, view c, worn with Robert Kaufmann flannel check LB pullover extended to dress length with side-seam pockets.
Sienna again with second-hand Stella McCartney jeans and Camper shoes both from CityRevival

2020

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I’m starting off 2020 with a post, and hoping to continue with regularity. As you probably know, you can catch up with me on Instagram (button in menu at the top of the page). But the blog is the place for longer pieces, exploring ideas and making connections. I’ve been away so long, that there is a new format to learn. Fingers crossed I can still do this!

I’m heading off to my textile retreat in under two weeks and one of the tasks is to share three highlights of the year. I’ve covered my first highlight, the Gallery 121 show in May here. A second highlight was having my work featured in two different publications. I was thrilled to have both my sketches and rug hooking in Karen Miller’s Eyes Open to the World, a wonderful collection of hooked pieces inspired by travelling. In this past issue of A Needle Pulling Thread, my ‘self-portrait’ Red Shoes, was featured in the Artist Review section. Thank you to the editors of both publications for noticing my work and wanting to share it.

from A Needle Pulling Thread, Issue 51

my return

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It has been months since I have done a post. If you are reading this, thank you for staying with me. I’ve had time to think about the blog and what I want to do with it. For a time I thought it was done. Instagram is such  quick alternative and I’ve been keeping up there–so you can always use the button in the menu above to see what I’ve been up to. But the blog is for more extended writing and also a place where you can see what I’ve made and purchase if you want to. We’ve revamped the shop — but more on that in a few weeks. I’ll send out notification, so let me know if you want to be on the list.

I’ve also been sewing more of my own clothes and I want to share the wonderful indie patterns I’ve found and some of the things I’ve been making. More of that to come in September.

Right now I want to show you the new travel tote I made for my upcoming trip to Scandinavia. I was given a marvellous trove of designer leather in the spring and this is the first I have used any of it. This is not recycled leather, but surplus and I am delighted to ‘repurpose’. There will be some gorgeous colours and textures coming later. This is mocha waxed canvas and brown leather with a great Japanese cotton lining–lots of pockets and a wide crossbody strap. I look forward to slinging it over my shoulder, filled with all my travel essentials. 

And on the sketching front…we spent most of the summer at the lake where I was working on sketches of trees and water. Not easy. We did make a couple of trips to the nearby town of Bancroft where I had  chance to do some sketches of the old buildings. Here are two.

I’ll write again when I’m home from the trip–with some thoughts on the area I’ve wanted to visit forever, some sketches and some photos. Thanks again for sticking with me.

the beauty of reusing leather, part one

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I made this bag in the fall of 2015.  It has been used every day since and these photos show what it looks like today. Pretty good! The bag is made from a man’s coat, so it was in its second iteration. The owner has decided she wants a new bag so she returned this one so I could pass it along or use it for parts. There is still too much life in it to take it apart. It’s just getting worn in! So it’s on its way to a new owner.

A good leather jacket or pair of pants usually have lots of life left in them. I enjoy both the ethic and the process of making something out of an existing piece. The jacket or pair of pants have already made their mark on the environment so giving it another life is a plus all round. And working within a framework of limited resources has given rise to new ideas and new designs.

Gallery 121 preview

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Here are some photos from the setup of the show at Gallery 121. The official opening is this Saturday May 11, 2:00 to 4:00. Pictured here are my hooked runner, a few hooked pillows inspired by Ton Schulten, two of my bags and a couple of pairs of Bombazine oven mitts. Much more at the show. I would love to see you there.

 

a not-so-plain black bag

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At the last sale of the Textile Museum of Canada I got two pieces of black leather. That leather turned out to be top quality and I’ve used it in several projects. This bag has the very last of it on the top half. The bottom is yet another remnant which I’ve had for a while. Together they make a dynamite bag. There is a zipper pocket on the outside and another inside as well as two slip pockets. (The lining is also from the TMC sale–fits with my use-it-up/repurpose philosophy.) Great hardware attaches an adjustable strap. And, as you can see from the third photo, the tabs are made of smile-making starry leather. Compact and versatile, this is a great day bag. In the Gallery 121 sale.

new traveller in brick

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Most of the bags I am making now are for the upcoming show at Gallery 121. But I have also been filling some orders. This has been wonderful leather to work with–the colour is uplifting especially on these drab days. It is upholstery grade and a fabulous colour of brick. This is a cross-body traveller like this one with an outside zippered pocket and inside another zippered pocket and two large slip pockets. 14x14x4 inches it is designed to be a great travel bag but not too big to carry every day.

two new bags

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I’ve been making bags for the upcoming show at a local gallery. Please let me know if you are in the vicinity and would like to attend.

These bags are designed to hold all you want to carry, including your tablet. The first is made of beautiful soft butterscotch leather and has an adjustable cross-body strap, a large outside pocket as well as a zippered pocket inside and three slip pockets. The simple lines let the beautiful leather shine.

The second is a bucket bag with a magnetic closure and a cross-body strap attached with metal clips. A shorter shoulder strap could be substituted or this strap can be shortened to make a double shoulder strap. This is a generous bag which has room for your laptop and all other travel needs. It has a zippered pocket inside as well as three slip pockets and a clip for your keys.

 

waxed canvas bags

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Here are two new totes for the Gallery 121 sale in early May. More details on the sale soon. 

The first tote is made of waxed canvas from England, the second with waxed canvas from the USA. Both fabrics are water-resistant and durable. They bags have cross-body straps, are trimmed in leather and have lots of pockets inside and out.  Great for travel or for everyday use. Drop me a note in the comment section if you have any questions.