elfkin

elfkin, 9 days ago to random

A couple of shots from today's big queer brunch (category was Mrs. Roper in St. Tropez). There are, of course, the kaftans for @socalgecko, my (chosen) sister, Kat, and myself. And the brunch spread before it was decimated by the ensuing crowd.

Happy Pride, y'all!

A carb heavy brunch spread with banana cake, whole wheat rolls, ciabatta, salami, smoked salmon a variety of cheeses, jams, capers, pickles, red onion, and onion quiche.

elfkin, 11 days ago to FiberArts

I'm starting to see kaftans as the omelettes of #couture #sewing. The simplicity is deceptive, and making a great one is not easy.

Aligning, and maintaining alignment, of big pieces of shifty, silky print fabric in a perfect rectangle requires extraordinary patience and time. Choosing the right spot to cut the fabric is an art unto itself. Almost all neck treatments require a lot of hand stitching. And French seams on the shoulders need mitering at the ends or they look ugly.

elfkin, 12 days ago to photography

Untitled #9 (2011) from #WeHoPride2011

Ah, to be young, smooth, and covered in pore-smothering body paint.

#photography #portrait #lgbtq

elfkin, 14 days ago to FiberArts

There will now be a brief break from the ribbon shirt so that I can stitch up more kaftans. The theme of our Pride brunch this year is Mrs. Roper in St. Tropez. I cannot resist making kaftans for hubby (big 80s geometric print), my sister (turquoise koi on gold), and myself (pink and green magnolia print). Not only will we look fabulous, but it’ll be good advertising for Elfkin. #sewing #couture

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elfkin, 14 days ago to photography

Untitled #7 (2011) from #WeHoPride2011

These boys may be the actual definition of adorkable.

#photography #portrait #lgbtq

elfkin, 19 days ago to photography

Untitled #3 (2011) from #WeHoPride2011

#photography #lgbtq #portrait

elfkin, 24 days ago to FiberArts

Please welcome Elfkin exclusive model, Chad, showing off the second kaftan commissioned by Bernie. This is designer print silk chiffon with a solid raspberry chiffon liner. I even managed to work some of that bias tape in as a finish on the inner hem.

Fun fact: those are my Grandma Kay’s (of #MyOldGreeks fame) ombré sunglasses. #sewing #couture #lgbtq

Closeup of kaftan’s neck line exposing chiffon lining.
Closeup of yellow and burgundy ombré bias tape finishing the inside of the kaftan’s hem.

elfkin, 1 month ago to FiberArts

The commission for Paul’s first #RibbonShirt is all done, save a thread trim and wash. My only regret is that I haven’t a mannequin on which to display it for photos.

Like all Elfkin creations, this shirt is made from a custom pattern drafted exactly to Paul’s measurements and was assembled to classic #couture standards. #sewing #art

Same shirt seen from back with a matching ribbon decoration.
Closeup of abalone button.
Closeup of shirt cuff.

elfkin, 1 month ago to FiberArts

So here’s something that I’ve never seen before in all my years of #sewing… a knot tied in the middle of a spool of thread (Tire silk in this instance). It was obviously to join two threads during manufacture, same as one would using the tie-on method to thread a serger.

Luckily I spotted it before it could make itself an ugly part of the button holes that I was stitching.

Definitely not something I expect in $6 for 100m premium silk thread. 🤨

elfkin, 1 month ago to animals

Fergal has decided that the pressing table is better used as a perch to observe the neighbor’s hummingbird feeders and is in no mood to move. #CatsOfMastodon

elfkin, 1 month ago to photography

Zomnia (1997) from #SVA97. #photography #film #portrait

elfkin, 1 month ago to cooking

Eggs in mustard sauce over some steamed broccolini for lunch today. #cooking

elfkin, 1 month ago to random

It should go without saying that when the U.S. political party that has warmly and repeatedly embraced Nazism is suddenly very concerned about antisemitism, it’s probably not over any concern for actual Jews. #uspol

elfkin, 1 month ago to photography

Ian (1997) from #SVA97. #photography #film #portrait

elfkin, 1 month ago to FiberArts

The third, and hopefully final, toile for Paul’s #RibbonShirt is done. Having a stock of pre-drawn collars is very much paying off. I was able to cycle through a few convertible collars before settling on this one.

This is also my first time tracing patterns at the stitch line and cutting the allowances freehand. It was much less scary than anticipated.

Also used new spool converter on my 201 for the first time. Waaaay better than a thread stand for cross-wound spools. #sewing #couture

A horizontal thread spool peg attached to the top of a vintage Singer.

elfkin, 1 month ago to photography

Tammy (1997) from #SVA97. #photography #film #portrait

elfkin, 1 month ago to FiberArts

The chiffons that I sourced for the Trans Chorus of LA were a little too femme for some folks, so we’re going with bandana-print cotton in trans pride colors. #sewing

elfkin, 1 month ago to FiberArts

I’ve started sourcing fabric options for the costume accessories I’m making for the Trans Chorus of LA to wear to their upcoming gala. Members will be able to choose a scarf, ascot, or pocket square in one of these oh-so-practical poly chiffons. #sewing #lgbtq

elfkin, 1 month ago to random

Now is the precisely right moment to remember that the support of U.S. evangelicals (28% of the overall U.S. electorate / 75% of Trump's 2020 voters) for Israel is predicated on the shittiest of all Bible stories.

In the book of Revelation, a massive war that crescendoes in Tel Megiddo, Israel (aka: Armageddon) is so bad that Jesus himself comes back to stop it.

This isn't about supporting Jews or Israel. It's about pushing the world into apocalyptic conflict to get Jesus back.

#uspol

elfkin, 2 months ago to FiberArts

At long last, the beading on Sydney’s kaftan is done! About 800 beads in total. Each one hand picked. Next time I’m definitely using the tambour method instead. #sewing

Same kaftan showing closeup of a blue bread fan.
Same kaftan showing closeup of silver bead fan.
View of kaftan on hanger showing its bias drape and rippled hems.

elfkin, 2 months ago to cooking

Now that I know that I’m not the last person on earth still cooking rice in a pot on the stove, I have more questions.

Of those of you who also cook rice on the stove, who pre-soaks their rice? What’s your method for determining how much water to use? Salt before or after steaming? Who adds a pat of butter? #cooking

elfkin, 2 months ago to cooking

It’s cinnamon roasted chicken thighs over spicy caponata with some lovely little roasted taters and carrots on the side for dinner tonight. #cooking

elfkin, 2 months ago to cooking

It’s tofu golden curry over golden cauliflower and sticky rice drizzled with a bit of crema (because SoCal) for late Sunday lunch. #cooking

elfkin, 2 months ago to FiberArts

Hey there, #sewing hive mind! I am on the lookout for an obscure Pfaff part. It's #6603, a shank adapter for industrial models 138 and 238. Exhaustive searches of English-language internet places have yielded nothing. And I've hit the limits of web page translation technology's ability to search in German. Any assistance that anyone could provide would be appreciated and rewarded.

elfkin, 2 months ago to random

The new servo motor for my industrial Pfaff is set to deliver today. Must resist the urge to wait anxiously by the front door for its arrival.