Kid Tipi

This tipi was built for a preschool auction fundraiser. I was happy to see it sold for a good price with a bidding war. I hope it is loved and used frequently. It's about time for Ramshackle to build one for our own outpost. The construction was surprisingly easy. I bought my pattern at www.nearseanaturals.com. They also sell organic wool for stuffing toys.

Media: duck cloth, harvested bamboo for polls.

Alabama Chanin Bandana Complete

Done! In a house with two young kids, projects such as these can stretch out for a l--o--n--g time. I have learned in my early parenthood that the journey is the destination. I find I enjoy the process much more when it's not focused on completion. I've also learned that projects do get finished, they just take a long time. What that bandana doesn't show, is all the pauses to play in the dirt, admire bees, study leaves and build houses out of cardboard boxes and tape. Lots of tape.

Happy Camper Shirt

The youngest got a cool hand-me-down shirt from a fashionable friend. The eldest loved how the tent flaps opened up to reveal two feet. Inspiration hit to create our own happy camper shirt for the eldest.

The inspiration:


Materials were procured. One t-shirt, Jacquard fabric paint, paint brush, linen scraps:


A volunteer was enlisted/conscripted. "He's a real pro," the eldest said of the youngest's footprint contributions:


The result..."This shirt makes me happy," said the eldest. Spy the feet down below.



No babies were harmed in the making of this shirt.

Planting Seeds

Camp Ramshackle had a bountiful oak acorn season this year. Eric harvested bags of them, shelled, ground, and leached out the tanic acid from them. His hard work yielded a delicious pancake breakfast. We hope for another one soon.


Even with the copious acorn harvest, many volunteers found a spot, shot out roots and set to grow up. Perhaps to become like their parent tree, which can grow up to 85 feet in height. Quercus agrifolia is beautiful.

We start so small, like the majestic oak, we grow bit by bit.

With small steps, stitch by stitch.

Alabama Chanin Sewing Workshop

On Saturday, Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin hosted a sewing workshop at Fred Segal Flair in Santa Monica. She and Alabama Stitch Book co-author Stacie Stukin signed books. Natalie graciously offered hands on tutorials for the projects in her book, patiently answered questions and shared her exquisite swatch books.


Sewer novices and veterans sat at a long table surrounded by couture Alabama Chanin. Bandana and t-shirt kits were available for purchase and can be found online at Alabama Chanin. I picked up a bandana kit and set to work. Sewers were also welcome to bring their own projects.


I don't remember how I first heard of Natalie Chanin's earlier company Project Alabama. All I know is that I became quickly obsessed. Truly obsessed. I would stalk eBay auctions and pray to stumble upon a chance low-priced auction.


When I saw the Alabama Stitch Book was to be published, I was thrilled. The book shares patterns of the trademark stitched corset and skirt among other projects.


So in the meantime, while you save your pennies for your own Alabama Chanin couture jacket, you can make your own ensemble. That's what I plan to do, starting right here with this bandana.


See more photos from the event, swatch detail and selections from the Alabama Chanin line at Ramshackle Solid's flickr account.

Bandana Pants

Bandana pants may be the ultimate play pant. I've made two pairs for my eldest already and a few for friends. They have been tested and prove true. I have dreams that bandana pants will become standard issue here at our house. If a kid comes over, get him/her out of her city clothes and straight into bandana pants, kind of Family von Trapp-esque. These three are destined for my son's preschool carnival fundraiser. Each family is required to make a handmade item for the carnival.

Interested in making your own? Here's a great tutorial. Thank you Blue Yonder. Enjoy.

Birthday Bib

A special friend celebrated a 2nd birthday. What to give? What to make? I turned to Mr. Monkeysuit and a wonderful pattern so generously sent in mail many moons ago (thank you!) and made a bib...with modifications.


Material: Thrifted pillowcase, frogs and letters from Superbuzzy and linen scraps. It's sure to look fantastic stained with pureed baby food. Mr. Mateo is fortunate to have two gifted gourmands for parents.

Alabama Stitch Book Project #1

I aspire to make the printed t-shirt corset. In the meantime, Jen's Whole-Wheat Crackers on page 94 will do.


Easy & tasty. Even better when paired with a red bell pepper and cilantro goat cheese from the Highland Park farmers market. These will be made again and perhaps enjoyed while I attempt to stitch a printed corset.

Two books arrived today

The youngest kid (seven months) is talking to his feet. The eldest is playing with a door stop. For the moment all is well. But the feet are starting to cause some trouble. The door stop twang has mysteriously stopped. So, I'll be brief.

Two new books hit the ramshackle porch today: Amanda Blake Soule's The Creative Family and Natalie Chanin's Alabama Stitch Book.

After the feet are tended to, the door stop checked, food on the table, dishes done, I look forward to browsing.