Duchess Designs

06/20/2018

Thinking about this for a while and today, finally the writing found the flow.....

It has been a whirlwind two and a half years since my diabetes diagnosis in late January of 2016. I am daily grateful for the path I’ve taken to this point; my penchant for research and my ab…

06/07/2016

While on the road last fall I bought a leather jacket that was almost perfect. Yesterday I added two inside welt pockets and now it is perfect.

07/02/2015

New life for an outdated shirt

07/01/2015

https://garbethegoddess.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/recycling-why-i-can-never-throw-anything-away

02/01/2015

Found at: http://on.fb.me/1hzb4jU

10/23/2014

After a month on the road I need to put away the maps and remember my creative side. What was I doing before I interrupted myself? Making bags from South American tapestries, for one.

01/18/2014

Finished over the weekend, just in time for the warming trend, (irony abounds in my world). Three days of no internet and now I can post:

https://garbethegoddess.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/renovating-a-down-coat/

Twelve years ago I bought an ankle-length, black, Calvin Klein down coat at my favourite store, Winners. It was a good price, $100, but it was a bit of a splurge since I didn’t really need it most...

01/09/2014

For those of you wondering how the renovation of my down coat is progressing, I am almost done hand-quilting the channels. Then I will adjust the hems and reinforce with additional fabric, trim the seam allowances, possibly plunder an old down vest for additional fill for the thin spots, sew the side seams, hand-stitch the fabric to the lower zippers, attach the hems to the lining, sew in the outer placket with half zipper, apply the snaps on the other side and then sew in the under-placket and half zipper. Then, bingo, bango, bongo, I'll be done! So, almost finished!

12/26/2013

Power restored after three days without. I REALLY must get my treadle machine fully operational.

12/17/2013

Today is the day. My Calvin Klein down coat is getting a facelift. It's partially disassembled and I'm making a pattern for a new fashion fabric to go over the original which was wearing at the cuffs, mostly. I could replace it with a new one from llbean but mine has some unique features and is super long. Hopefully I can keep the feathers flying down to a minimum.

12/14/2013

https://garbethegoddess.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/adventures-in-over-dyeing/

Over-dyeing is a good way to have a new wardrobe without spending a lot of money, but it is fraught with peril and potential for ruin, much like life, and I've found it's best if I have no preconce...

12/14/2013

This is a bad time to have my down coat in pieces. Meat locker cold and snow in the forecast. Must clear the boards of all other projects so I can get it done.