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