Where does Silk come from?

Silk. We think of it as the most luxurious of fabrics. Smooth, supple, with a slight bit of shine... and higher priced than most other fibers on the market.

Have you ever wondered where silk comes from? Well, let me take that back. Most of us know that silk is produced by silkworms. However what most people don't know is exactly how that works.

Well, silkworms spin themselves little cocoons, like butterflies. And those cocoons look like this:
That white stuff that forms the cocoon? That's silk.

We got to actually handle them in class today. They were older, so they were very hard and stiff, and we could feel the little dead worm rattling around in there. Gross, yeah? But totally cool!

We also got to see unprocessed and processed flax and bison wool.

And this was just in my History of Fashion class! We'll get to visit it all again and in much more depth in Textiles.

"About Me" Page is up!

Have you ever wondered exactly who is the seamstress making all these enlightening confessions? Well wonder no more! I have finally gotten around to writing up me "About Me" page which I think you will find quite interesting to check out!

Find it here, or click the "About Me" link under the header.

Elizabethan Gothic

Part of being a seamstress is of course designing projects. With my start as an official fashion student looming all the nearer (two more days!) I've been inspired to sketch some clothing pieces. This bit turned out rather well and I thought I'd share it...

Elizabethan Gothic by ~Elenatintil on deviantART

Countdown to beginning -- 6 days

Getting so close to starting classes! I met one of my professors on tuesday, and I'm due to meet the others today. Apparently in Textiles lab we get to burn fibers. That sounds kind of awesome.

Also I got the rest of my books on Monday. For textiles we have a huge stack of little fabric swatches. There's a big note that says "DO NOT OPEN" so that we don't get them out of order before class starts. Seriously? I can't look through and play with all the pretty fabric NOW? This is depressing. Oh well... 6 more days!!!!!!

The other tragic news is that, although my mending/to do pile is growing at a frightening rate, my sewing machine is still not unpacked. I think this has something to do with the fact that my table is currently the resting place for anything that doesn't have a home yet and I've been putting off organizing it. It's so much more fun to unpack scarves and books than sort out little odds and ends... right?

Thimble Love

Years ago my grandmother got me started on a thimble collection. Since then I've bought a thimble from nearly every place I've been to -- and my friends have brought me back some from their travels as well. I'm always delighted to add another little beauty to my collection!

The newest arrival is the blue and gold traveler from Venice, which was purchased by my sister in her travels. Thank you sweetie! :)
Other members of the collection...

What would Lizzy Bennet wear today?

Textbook has the answer!

Seriously. I think I may have found my new best friend. And I'm kicking myself for not coming up with this idea first!

Anyhow, Textbook is a blog that basically takes famous people from history and literature and pairs them up with modern outfits. The commentary on the characters and chosen outfits is pretty hilarious.

So whether you're interested in Jane Eyre, Bellatrix Lestrange or Anne Boleyn, if you like fashion and books, this is the site for you!

(It DEFINITELY was the site for me!)

I am a Seamstress

It's been over a week since I sewed anything... so weird! And it'll be even longer before I can really do anything because I'll be visiting home this week to welcome my sister back from Europe.

However, I'm still a seamstress, even if I don't sew, and I'm constantly reminded of the fact.

I remember it every time someone asks me my major. "Apparel and Textile Design" is the long answer, but usually I just say "Clothing design" or "Fashion design."

I remember it when I pass an ad in a store window listing an alterations job. I had to seriously hold myself in check and tell myself firmly "You swore you wouldn't get a job your first semester... it'd be too much on your plate... you have 16 credits... you'll be cooking all your own food... NO JOB THIS SEMESTER..." *sigh* But it was for a really cool looking store.

I remember it when I'm looking over clearance T-Shirts in the Christian Bookstore and see that they only have the design I want in larger sizes. Well, what sort of a barrier is that for me? I can alter them!

I remember it when I go to the library and stumble across the sewing section... I stand in awe for several long moments, jaw dropped, just staring at the glorious wealth of information.

I remember it when I write out my schedule and see words like "textiles, fashion history, fashion dynamics."

I remember it when I walk through Walmart and stumble across the fabric section. I finger some white satin for a long moment before convincing myself to wait and retrieve a similar piece from my collection at my parents house. It's hard.

I am a seamstress. It's in my blood.