Springtime (foods) in the Appalachians

Went to the growers-only farmers market this past weekend and got some really good local stuff.  On the cutting board are oyster mushrooms, spring onions, and most interesting of all - wild ramps (with the purple stems).  I've never had them before, but they're really good.  Too bad the season only lasts about two weeks.

Also, we made a vegetable soup last week with some nettles growing in a patch close our new place.  I'm pretty excited to learn more about the wild foods growing in this area.  Dandelion sauerkraut and maybe some nettle beer coming soon!

1940's style Boxer Shorts

Re-Re-Location

Well, we've decided to make a home in Asheville, NC. Found a small cottage that has space for me to set up shop and start doing this sewing thing for real. There's a really strong emphasis on craft and locally made products here, and I've already had a lot of interest in and support for what I want to do, so I'm really looking forward to getting down to work this summer. I'll let folks know once I get things in order, then I can start taking your orders.






I bought this Union Special coverstitch machine just before we left. It's been painted green for some reason, and it isn't mounted to the table very well at all, but it's going to make some great belt loops!

Mechanized Shirt Making, test 1

Made a quick (and rough) work shirt today using four of my new machines. It's a good start, but I've still got some techniques to learn with these industrial machines. Also need to get the Reece buttonholer to work properly. It was functioning this morning, but then stopped making buttonholes after the pockets were done.







You can see where the edge came out of the feller in these two images. I choose a fabric that was too slick to easily stay in the lap seam feller attachment, not to mention my need for more practice.




I got the button sewer working the other day. Haven't hooked it up to a motor yet, but it seems to be working fairly well just turning by hand. At the moment it's only set up for two hole buttons.

Door to Door Maniac a.ka. Five Minutes to Live

Starring Johnny Cash! It's not as bad as you'd think, but it's not so hot either...

A message from the designer behind Mister Freedom

Mister Freedom - no fake fades advocate. Agreed!

Safety Stitch

Working on the safety stitch machine today. It's pretty much there, but the underside of the chainstitch (white stitching, on the right piece) isn't forming right - arrghh...