The devil's fabric

If the devil exists, he is draped in satin.

I will tell you how I know this to be true, but first, let's rewind to the beginning of the tape.

I follow Carla Rockmore on socials because she's adorable and fashionable and her closet is every woman's dream (it has a spiral staircase * cries *). One of her videos featured a "vintage snake belt" that just screamed AUNTIE C to me. A quick google search revealed this snake belt/necklace that was originally manufactured by D.L. Auld and later taken over by Whiting and Davis. I got this information wrong in my note in the gift, my apologies. The snake comes in many colors, but this rainbow one is perfection and begged to be part of Auntie C's exquisite jewelry collection. This one is original D.L. Auld and let me tell you, pictures do not do it justice. I almost couldn't part with it, but let's be real, when would I ever wear something like that? I dress up maybe twice a year.

I knew the presentation for this snake needed to be a bit more than a plain white gift box. I figured a wooden box with a nice material inside would work and then my brain immediately complicated things--why not screen print the line drawing that I made of them onto some satin fabric and use that as the lining in the box?? I could even finish off the edges to be worn as a scarf! So easy, right??

I started out by buying some satin fabric with the intention of cutting it to size, screen printing on it, then finishing the edges. Hahahahahhaa sweet, innocent, Sarah. After ironing the fabric and laying it out to cut, I quickly realized that I was up against some unseen force (likely the devil). Cutting a straight line was impossible. The fabric met the garbage can and I pivoted to purchasing already-made satin scarves.

Problem solved? Not a chance. I used the Cricut to make a stencil for the mesh screen for screen printing. I planned to screen print the line drawing all over the fabric so that from afar it looks like an abstract design but up close you can see that it's actually the Aunties. I laid out the scarf and did all the things and when I lifted the screen and moved the scarf to set up the second print, the design immediately smudged. Okay. Pivot. Thankful that I purchased a whole package of 8 scarves. On the second go I decided to not move the scarf and let the first print dry completely. It dried and stuck to the plastic placemats that I use between the fabric and the table. Okay. Pivot. I put some parchment paper under the scarf instead. When I lifted the screen after printing, the fabric moved and smudged because the parchment paper is slick. Okay. Pivot. I gave up on screen printing and ordered some direct-to-fabric transfers that are heat pressed onto the fabric. I placed the transfers where I wanted them and started heat pressing them onto the scarf. The heat was too high and the scarf turned brown. Burnt. Okay. Pivot. Turned the heat down and placed the transfers down, taping them into place. I think I actually did this twice before realizing my mistake. Some of the transfers overlapped a bit, messing up the design. Okay. Pivot. Ordered more transfers and paid super close attention this time with the last two scarves in the last two colors that I hadn't planned to use, but it worked!

Wendy stained the little box and I wrapped one scarf around some batting to make a lovely pillow for Ms. Snake.

Only the coolest psychologists use a Phrenology Head Bank to show off their scarves.

Auntie C's appreciation for this gift far outweighs the grief this satin gave me. The snake is perfection as a necklace on her. She admired the details of the line drawing and praised my artistic talent. I cannot even begin to explain how healing it is to hear this from someone I admire. I feel loved and celebrated and it makes me want to continue following this passion for art and creativity. I am honored to be part of this TCFAM.