I organized all of the trims and what not I need into a small bin. Then when I have a few moments, I have everything on hand to pick up where I left off. It is fabulous–as long as the kitties don’t decide they need attention in that moment too!

I love these scissors. They make trimming seams a breeze. A wonderful friend was cleaning out her home and happened across them and asked if I could use them. Use them?–they make the trimming process so easy! Plus they are Gingher–meaning very nice quality. I love thinking of that story every time I use them.

Peace,

^-^

The quilt was gifted to a good friend for her birthday. It was funny because I originally picked the colors for me, but after working on it, I realized that I have way more than enough quilts–all of which are gifts from significant people in our lives so I had to give the one I made away. The best part of the quilt is the back is a super plushy minky fabric. My friend tells me it is awesome.

Peace,

^-^

I love that I keep running into Haute Couture. I can’t get away from it, and that is okay by me. I kept hearing the name Simone when researching fashion in the San Francisco area. I didn’t know much about her, but if you wanted to learn to make patterns and sew–she was the one you learned from. I was lucky enough to meet her recently.

Unfortunately she no longer takes students. She is self-taught and then into her career learned the techniques in Paris. After completing her schooling she was offered a position with Christian Dior. Due to family responsibilities and a desire to make a name for herself, not Dior, she declined.

What a treat to meet and talk briefly with her.

Peace,

^-^

School is out for summer! We’ve been enjoying lazy BBQs, lots of sunshine, a good amount of heat, and plenty of ice cream. We’re planning on walking to our local frozen yogurt place later–last time I got lemon and chocolate pudding flavors in the same cup! Yum and odd–no I’m not pregnant.

This also means no third grade or community college aiding for a bit. My schedule just opened up a ton! I’m working on my first draping project for me. The dress form cover was a result of a French Pattern Drafting/Moulage class. The results were fabulous and I’m looking forward to working hard in my current season’s triathlon training to require a re-make in a smaller size. We’ll see.

This is such a change from the first draping attempt. I’ve learned a lot these last few years. This fabric was in a friend’s stash. It screams summery dress to me a la the Pretty Woman brown and white polo match dress.

I’m finding myself drawn to more hand-sewn stitches than machine ones. I am contemplating ripping out the shoulder and redoing it by hand. The machine stitches are so harsh on this flowy material.

We’ll see where this leads. Hope you are enjoying the summer sun and have lots of stimulating projects to keep you busy!

In other news I’m Summer Cleaning which means my drawers are much less crammed with things and I’m donating to Goodwill like a madwoman. I have lots of old Threads from a subscription stint. 25 issues from ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, and ’08. Anyone interested in these? I’ve posted them on craigslist, but if you can use them let me know.

Peace,

^-^

I am bummed. I don’t know where I will go from here. But I look forward to more challenging, frustrating, and invigorating creativity in the future. We’ll see what that looks like.

One person that kept asking about the progress of my application told me, “God has bigger plans if you don’t get in.” I know she meant well. But I have a hard time with that  sentiment. I’ve written this sentence 20 times and gone on 20 different tangents. I haven’t quite solidified my thoughts. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.

This is where I’m at.

Peace,

^-^

I know I don’t have enough items to wear Made By Me daily, but am planning on one outfit a week. Looking forward to ramping up my sewing and posting again.

It is difficult to be “me” and share like I want to on the blog, while at the same time maintaining a sense of privacy. Has anyone figured this out yet?

Peace,

Katy ^-^

Peace,

^-^

Well, it has been about a month since my draping class ended. What an awesome class–and a very cool skill to have. I have to laugh at my first, uninstructed attempts. If only I’d thought about setting up the grain–I might have had a bit more luck. Now, I just need to work on a custom-sized dress form and a bunch of new possibilities will come of it! My final project combined a full skirt drape, with a bustier top. I also added some cowls. If I were to do it over again–I’d edit more. Also I’d just play with the fabric instead of trying to combine so many things we did in class. I really liked my design–but it could use a bit more editing and thought. You know how crazy things are towards the end of the semester–especially the fall semester.

Also, I’d work on a better fit. In class we just draped the muslins and never translated them to a final garment. Around the strapless top/bustier a lot of fit was lost as I translated my drape into a pattern and then cut it out. Meaning the top stuck out and didn’t fit around the shape of the bust. On a person, a lot of bust would be exposed–quite possibly indecently so.

I didn’t understand what was happening until the instructor mentioned it. Then I had a “oh duh!” moment. Perhaps I will try a second attempt on my own dress form–which is quite different in shape, just to see where it goes.  I loved coming up with the bustier design. The side seams are shifted back–not on the sides–I find it fun to play with things like that.

Here is the back shot. Enjoy.

Peace,

^-^

It has been raining all week here in Northern California. Amazingly, the weather has been rejuvenating for me. Normally napping is the only thing I can thing of when the skies turn grey and drip with rain. Plink, Plunk, Zzzz. Grey weather is as sleep-inducing as riding shotgun in a car. Trust me, or ask Eric–I can fall asleep on the way to the grocery store. This week, however, I’ve been quite awake, quite aware, quite content. It is absolutely lovely.

Last fall I began taking classes at the local community college. I found it was a good way to stay involved in fashion as I figure out how to move forward with it professionally. The college is fabulous, cheap, close, and has the best students and staff around. I’m probably a bit biased. Two classmates in my Advanced Pattern Drafting class and I became really close over the semester. We’ve started a little sewing group. Tonight was our second meeting. The sachet in yesterday’s post and another just like it were made for them. We share ideas, talk about things, show off our most recent sewing–like my amazing lingerie.

I can make pretty bras! Ones that fit amazingly and are girly and cute. La ti da ti de… I’m pretty sure I’ll be excited about those for a long while yet–hang in there!

I hosted and was able to show off my sewing room. I guess sometimes I forget how incredibly lucky I am to have an entire room to my sewing–well I do share with the cat box, but that is generally not a problem. I was able to share some of the garments I’ve made. I’m not gonna lie, being told that my garments are awesome–is quite a treat in itself.

We keep each other creating. Our project for next time is to pick something out of Pattern Magic or Pattern Magic 2 and create it. We’re also searching for a garments, or photo(s) of one. Our next project will be to replicate the garment based on the photo(s) or looking at it and utilizing our mad pattern making skills. Fun times indeed. And quite refreshing.

Peace,

^-^

Usually I’m a bit more  indecisive. Like with what classes I’ll take this spring–the semester has already started–but my undecided class hasn’t. Yep, I’m potentially one of those people holding a spot in a class you really want–when I can’t make up my mind if I actually want it myself. Le sigh. A friend offered the following advice for decision making.

Write down the pros and cons… throw it out and go with your heart!

I think my indecisiveness in this situation is based on my full schedule and the very vague class description. The information would be great–details on constructing pants. But how many pants am I really going to make? Really? I can think of two–one a vintage reproduction pattern I got for my birthday! And maybe making a pattern off of some of the pants that I have loved to death–or at least worn holes in–from my closet.

I have a problem with tangents too.

What I purchased was a bag of dried lavender and some colorful some fabric scraps. Add to that some rice, and a few stitches and I made a super-quick lavender sachet. I used the postcard they threw in the bag as a make-shift funnel.

I love it. Such a fun, and really great smelling trinket. I can’t wait to get one made for my own lingerie drawer, or to use a paperweight–or even a pin cushion. They are awfully pretty to just hide in a drawer.

In honor of a friend’s wedding today, I’ll make one in a brightly printed fabric and send it to a reader. To enter, just leave a comment and I’ll draw one winner on Wednesday, January 27.

Peace,

^-^