Someone’s special order #NaNClutch is all done and ready to ship! #sewing #fashion

The garment shown laid flat and hanging. I am pleased as punch with the finished product. I just need to give it a steam and I'm all set. I love how whimsical and fun it is with the mix of colors and patterns. #upcycled #patchwork #sewing #streganona

Well that’s a smart looking bag lining, even if I do say so myself. #sewing #fashion #NaNClutch

Why yes, it is time to cut the fabric for a custom #NaNClutch (+passport pocket) order that came in from earlier this week.

File under: there’s a first time for everything. In 40+ years of buying and #sewing fabric, this is 1st time I’ve seen any mark on a plain weave fabric to indicate the facing (“wrong”) side. Related: pinholes in the selvage will always feel flat on the facing side and bumpy on the right side.

I’ve been using the three kaftans that Bernie ordered this year as an excuse to finally get my head around the commercial technique for bias binding a neckline (no pins, pretty mitres, only ironing at the very end). And y’all, I’ve seen the light. #sewing

Second round muslins of Relâche’s #SummerBrunchShirt and leather shorts (eventually, presently bull denim) near completion. #sewing #fashion

The hunter green sample of the now postponed but still forthcoming ready-to-wear #DandyShirt, along with its rose sibling, are as done as they’re getting for now. All is on hold while I secure a new source of re-orderable cotton shirting. #sewing #fashion

Elfkin generally relies upon pre-transistor technology, but I let some modern tech in. To wit, MySQL is fab for keeping track of ~200 bobbins for 4 different #sewing machines. Thus begins 30 linear yards (27.4 meters) of side hemming on the fabrics for Bernie's kaftans. #fashion #ElfkinCouture

For those following along on my accompanying side quest to master the standard commercial #sewing method for dress shirts, it took me 2 hours after lunch to attach and finish sleeves, close and finish side seams, and attach the collar. Slow by factory standards but warp speed in the Elfkin workroom!

Chris@elfkin.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The rose sample of the forthcoming ready-to-wear (in sizes XS-XXL) #DandyShirt approaches completion with just the cuffs left to attach. The hunter green sample is somewhat less integrated but will come together in no time. #sewing #fashion

The rose sample of the forthcoming ready-to-wear (in sizes XS-XXL) #DandyShirt approaches completion with just the cuffs left to attach. The hunter green sample is somewhat less integrated but will come together in no time. #sewing #fashion

All pieces are cut and ready to sew for the first two proper samples of the ready-to-wear #DandyShirt. With a little luck, these will be available for actual, factual sale in men’s sizes XS-XXXL in about three weeks. #fashion #sewing

After what feels like eons #sewing nothing but plain muslin, colors and prints have returned to the workroom! Bernie chose these four saucey digital print rayons for this year’s kaftans. #fashion #ElfkinCouture

Cherno Alpha and I spent the morning stitching up a canvas muslin of Relâche’s #MéridaLeatherShorts. It’s been a season since the old beast (a Singer 111W so old he has no reverse) has had anything to do. I’ll put on the waistband after lunch, and that’ll be that. #sewing #fashion #ElfkinCouture

That’s muslin #1 of Relâche’s custom #SummerBrunchShirt all done and dusted. Moving right along to the muslin of the accompanying shorts. #sewing #fashion

WeHo City is piloting municipal fiber internet along our stretch of Sunset Boulevard. Which I love! Less enjoyable, the stereo jackhammer crews working at two different corners of our block. It’s been going for 90 minutes straight. <eye twitch>

Presto change-o, that’s Raye’s pants sloper turned into a pattern for a pair of #MéridaLeatherShorts. Now for muslins! #sewing #fashion #ElfkinCollection

Moving right along, Raye’s virtual fitting went swimmingly last week, so their slopers are ready to be adapted into all of the things! First up, a #SummerBrunchShirt. #sewing #fashion

The Muses haven’t wanted to do anything that’s not the forthcoming RTW #DandyShirt, but I managed to lure them away for a while to find complimentary solids to go with this wonderfully theatrical print that Raye provided to use as the back panel of their custom #SummerBrunchShirt. #sewing #fashion

As one does on a Monday morning, I’m timing my two buttonhole-capable machines to see which is fastest. The old 201 stitches a buttonhole ~2.3x faster than the new HD6800. Even if a double pass buttonhole on the 201, is *still* ~20% faster. And I repeat: vintage #sewing machines are the best.

Step 2 of the quick quick pro shirt #sewing method is the same as any good method: prep the collars, sleeves, and cuffs. A big difference is that the collar and cuffs are finished on all edges except where they attach to the body. For those keeping track, this took me 1.25 hours.

Thought I’d share details of the lickety split pro shirt #sewing method I’m practicing with muslins of the RTW #DandyShirt. The strategic use of interfacing to define collar, cuff, and placket shapes is essential.

Muslin #2 of the RTW #DandyShirt has been fitted. Just a couple more tweaks to the back neck and back armscye, and I should be there with my standard Gay Medium size. #sewing #fashion

My experiments in home made Earl Grey tea continue. Ready for sampling this morning is a super floral blend that is, naturally, primarily bergamot with the addition of rose, orange blossom, and Fiori di Sicilia. I. Am. In. Heaven. #food

Relâche’s #ElfkinCouture order includes a commission for a custom sun shirt type thing made of some beautiful shibori silks that they’ve collected. The winning design is this very The Dude Abides beach tunic. #fashion

Oh hey, did I mention that I picked up a new #ElfkinCouture customer out of the blue yesterday? A former colleague is back on the dating scene after a long hiatus and wants to look his best. He’s a triathlete, so I won’t have to work *that* hard at it.

This Chinese perfume plant (Aglaia odorata) is no great garden beauty, but the fragrance! It’s hard to beat year round blooms that smell of lemon zest. Though marketing chains that it “thrives on neglect” are a total crock. #gardening

The first batch of home made Earl Grey tea has been brewed into a cuppa, and OMG!!! Utterly delicious as milk tea. My only regret is waiting all of these years to try doing this. #food

Old Zak is fitted with his straight stitch foot, and all of the pieces are prepped for a muslin of the ready-to-wear #DandyShirt. It’s another chance to practice the super fast shirt #sewing technique that I’m trying to master. <cracks knuckles>

I'm adapting my #DandyShirt design to ready-to-wear in standard sizes. If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know that I have Thoughts™ about standard sizes. Not nice thoughts. But there's no escaping them now. I may need a Silkwood shower when I'm done here.