New Year...New Evolution

Good bye to 2010.  Wow what a year.  So much has happened this year, I could hardly keep up. With the economy the way it is, the natural disasters, and other losses we have experienced as a country, it seems that one could loose hope in the future.  I've learned that when I press my way through a situation, feeling, circumstance, and believe and act out the truth that I know, I make it through OK and things NEVER turn out the way I imagined they would.    It is said best in Hebrews 10:36  - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

It is my hope that you too will press through in the coming year. Minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day you'll make it to your promise.  -Peace

Project: Hootie the Owl

I haven't posted in a while.  Only because it seemed as if no one was interested (except my one faithful fellow blogger), but I have been busy creating some wonderful things and even if I have to be the only one who wants to read about it, so be it. 
Here's a  my latest post for my Burdastyle page: 

High School Mascot Costume -This was a collaboration between David Caimbeul (Head & Feet) and Metropolitan Frock (Body). It's a cool story really. I met David on Labor Day at Hancock Fabrics, while there with another designer friend of mine. He asked a few questions about how to proceed with making the body of his costume...I gave some pointers and 6 weeks and 2 days later Hootie was born. We're both working professionals and had to squeeze in time to work on the project. We used Hancock as my office for fittings and delivery. The guy is ultra talented. He made the head from heavy duty packing foam and even installed a fan in the head to prevent overheating. I was blown away at the end result. This was by far the most fun I've had creating a project. I truly love helping other's visions come true. If you're in TN, check out the event where Hootie will be dedicated to David's Alma-mater.The event is on Friday, October 22nd.  See Facebook invite here Hootie the Owl.

I'll have better pics once the event is over so.....Stay tuned, there's more to see.

It's here! - Our first PDF Pattern: The One Seam Sundress

It's finally done. Our first PDF pattern, The One Seam Sundress. 
This dress is amazing! It is flattering on most every woman’s figure. It’s the Maxi of all Maxi’s:
Introducing The One Seam Sundress* from Metropolitan Frock & Marian Collier Collections (www.mccollections.etsy.com).

Print it; Cut it; Sew it; Wear it - within 2 hours!
We are excited to bring to you our most popular sundress in a PDF pattern. You’ll love the versatility of the dress and the fact that it works with many fabric types and prints. It has no zippers, buttons or hooks, so it‘s super easy to make. Print your pattern and make as many as you like. Size XS-XL are included. 

Buy it now at Metropolitan Frock or Marian Collier Collections. 


Stay tuned...there's more to see!
Peace, 
Susan

Zibbet?....Si ? or No?

Ok, I've been watching this new site for handmade goods on Twitter called Zibbet.  It's a little more advanced than Etsy (the site I'm using now) and the low monthly fee beats Etsy's per listing fee plus % of sale costs any day.

I've been followed by them for a few weeks now on Twitter and today I finally decided to take the plunge and give their site a test run.

I'm still working on all the shop details, but you can take a peak. 

I think I'll test market some patterns there as well as some Spring/Summer clothing.

Stay tuned...there's more to see.

Fashion Explosion

Exhausted! That's how I feel after the busy weekend I've had, but oh was it worth it. 

I showcased my garments in the Natural Hair & Fashion Explosion Show on Saturday, April 10th. It was amazing.  It was a little chaotic in the beginning but turned out great once the "lights,camera action" was on. Overall I had a great experience. It pays to be organized and focused and I really appreciated the model's professionalism too. It made things much easier. 

I only have a few sneak peak pics I took myself when I had time, but as soon as I can get runway shots I'll post them. 

Stay tuned...there's more to see.

I've been Blogged!

Happy first day of spring everyone!!

Metropolitan Frock was mentioned in the blog, SK Fashion talk.  I'm always happy when someone likes what I do.  The blogger gave me a very nice review plus, she included links to my flickr and etsy websites. Best advertising in the world. I was equally happy for my friend Aarica, who is the model in the photo posted on the blog.  She's also featured in my first blog post back in November 2009.  The photo looks fierce if I should say so myself.  Aarica can really work the camera.

FYI - This photo was taken at my first ever photo shoot (details on 11/04/09 post).  I'm glad the photo turned out somewhat decent.

I just wanted to share this bit of joy with you.  Enjoy!


Stay tuned...there's more to see..

IT'S SPRINGTIME!!!!

Study, Study, Study....

I'm excited about learning something new!!  I got two books I ordered online in the mail today. 1)  Make Your Own Patterns by Rene Bergh (I have the 2006 edition) and 2) Jacket, Coats and Suits from Threads (1992).  You may already know that I purchased the pattern making book by Don McCunn just last month.  I think it's wise to gather all the knowledge about pattern making I can because I want to be skilled in various techniques.  Besides, the Bergh book offers better illustration and examples plus 1/4 scale patterns in the back of the book for practice.  That's all I've gathered so far, but as I study, I'll let you know if there's anything interesting worth mentioning.   

As for the Threads book, I wanted to improve my tailoring skills with jackets and it fit the bill plus it was cheap too. 

Right now I'm working on an a-line sundress pattern, getting it ready for fitting. It was simple to do and will be my first pattern for sale on line.  I'll have pics for you by mid March and It will be available then too.  


Stay tuned, there's more to see...


Peace, 
Susan

Petal Vance Project - BR Volume 1

All done!! In the middle of planning spring dresses, alterations, and early spring cleaning,  I completed two petal valances and two neck roll pillows for a new client in Decatur. It took me about an hour to install the valances this morning. The color scheme matches two beautiful striped slipper chairs accent chairs in shades of chocolate brown, blue, gold and cream. 

I created the pattern for the valance in Inkscape. They were very simple.  It took a little time to get the scale and dimension right, but I think they turned out superb.

This is the first of several drapery projects I'll complete for this client. Fortunately we'll do them over a period of time since the homeowners are bi-city dwellers, splitting their time between Georgia and NYC. 

I love my clients...they're the best!  Here's feedback from my client sent shortly after I emailed her photos of the valances (FYI - she's still in NYC, her husband was home to supervise the install).

Stay tuned for BR Volume 2.  

Peace

SEW: Seamstress Tool by Day, Illuminating Lamp by Night

Practical or not? What do you think?

http://gizmodo.com/5471455/sew-seamstress-tool-by-day-illuminating-lamp-by-night

Project Sweater Dress

Last night…..eh hem…I mean this morning, I completed a sweater dress for my co-work who is wearing it on her Valentine’s Day date with her husband this weekend. I created the pattern for it myself and it took three hours to put it all together. Yay!! Of course I made a sample top for her fitting to work out widening the neckline a little, and I finally fixed what was wrong in the pattern and voila!



Its terrible photographing black, but the photos below give you a pretty good idea of how it looked.

Here is the pattern laid out over the fabric. Here’s a tip: artists tracing paper is just transparent enough and sturdy enough to use as a pattern. I found 20” wide paper at Jo-Ann Fabrics, but I’m on the hunt for a 30” or 36” roll so that I won’t have to tape it together for larger pattern pieces.

Here’s the dress just before I did the hems. I made a 1 ½ “hem on the sleeves and decided to do a narrow hem on the bottom because the fabric was thick.
 

 
 
Here’s the front and back views of the dress finished. My co-worker was very pleased with the result. She hates to show her shape because she’s busty, but I convinced her that the A-line style would give her definition without being too clingy. Success!

Research, Research, Research...

Well, has is now been 30 days since my epiphany moment that has flung me into the path of pattern making.  Little did I know this would be a big undertaking, but I ain't scared. 

I found someone here in Atlanta who teaches pattern making, but the classes won't begin until late February.  I don't mind waiting, but it's hard to get the woman to call me back or answer the phone, so....I'm a little leery. Nevertheless, I've moved on for now and besides, I recently found an old book that my dear friend Marian gave me a while ago.  I almost forgot I had it.  Just too much on my mind lately I guess.  Anyway, the book is titled "Design Your Own Dress Patterns" by Adele P Margolis.  It's kind of dated (1971), but it has most everything I need to know about making my own patterns.  It's funny, although I've been sewing for years, there's so much I don't know about patterns.  Well that won't be the case for long because even-though I was a little intimidated initially, to my surprise, I understood it.  The illustrations were a big help. I'm a visual person, ya know.  

As I write this entry, I've just purchased another book,  How to Make Sewing Patterns by Donald McCunn.  The Margolis book doesn't teach you how to draft your own slopers, but McCunn's book does.  I need all the help I can get. (ha, ha)

I'm now deciding on which look I want to debut.  I've looked through hundred's of vintage styles I've collected and I'm thinking about making a cute Spring/Summer dress for my Etsy sewers.  I'll let you know how that develops.

Oh, I almost forgot, I've also been practicing drawing on Inkscape and using GIMP as well to make my patterns look as professional as possible until I can afford a CAD program for pattern making. I recommend them, for beginners like me who are computer savvy.  
I've got a lot of work to do, but I truly feel alive and blessed to be inspired again. 
Stay tuned, there's more to see...
Susan

Georgia History photo shoot: Part 2

On Sunday morning, after four 1/2 days plus 1 full day of sewing (day job cuts my time), I finally finished three dresses for the GA History shoot scheduled for Sunday, January 3rd at Stone Mountain Park.  I had to burn the midnight oil though and ended up missing church.  This was the last shoot I'll do on a Sunday. But it was not in vain.....The shoot was amazing!!!! Myself, the three lovely models, Jessica, Sarah and Rachel along with Nai (the photographer) were in the bitter cold 32 degrees working as if it was 70 degrees outside.  We froze our backsides off!  But it was soooo worth it. The girls were troopers and stuck it out.  Of course their parents were there too to lend their support.

I can't tell you everything about the purpose of this shoot yet, so you'll have to wait.  I'll be on edge until I see the photos, but I'll be sure to share it with you. I did get a peek of a few of them though and all I can say is "AMAZING".  Nai is a genius.   

Stay tuned there's more to see....

Susan

Metropolitan Frock's Magazine debut - Shooterfoto Magazine January 2010 Issue

Come go with me..........I'm checking my email and see that Nai ( the photographer) has sent me a message. I eagerly open it, thinking he's sent a few pics from yesterday's shoot (will tell you about that later).  Well.......to my surprise, I find that its a magazine page with photos of Lauren in two of my dresses (Rockin it I might add)!!!!  Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaattt!!! Metropolitan Frock has made the pages of a fashion/model magazine.  Yes you read it right!!  Nai's photos taken back in November have finally been published and I couldn't be more proud. Like a new momma, I saw two of my babies on display for the world to see (dramatic right..lol) and they looked fabulous!  I can hardly catch my breath. I feel so humbled and blessed.


Stay tuned....there's more to see. 
Peace, 
Susan

Aha! Patternmaking!

Good morning and Happy New Year! I'm continuing the journey of self discovery with being a clothing designer.

As I was browsing my usual sites this morning I peeped in on Burdastyle and had an epiphany moment. Here's what I found: The Pistachio Green Dress by Colette Patterns Shop so creatively put together by Burdastyle member, elegantmusings.  The dress has very nice elements of the classic looks that I love.  Elegantmusings  put it best, "it’s the right balance of lady-like charm and classic style".

Well.....I then checked out the pattern shop and there I saw a lovely collection of vintage inspired patterns.  Right up my alley right?

Here's the epiphany, I like to dabble in morphing patterns to create my own looks and they have been well received by my clients and friends.  Also, I've collaborated on a summer dress pattern with my friend Marian of MC Collections and it was a hit at this past spring's Inman Park Festival.  I think it's time to put it into production and explore the pattern making process again.  I will need help of course, because I've never taken a pattern making class, but I think that I can handle creating a sample look and have someone else do the actual pattern drafting.

I can't wait to get started on this. I have so many Ideas to try. 

Stay tuned, there's more to see!

Peace,

S