I think more than the shift in work is the incredible class that I recently took. A little, silly, introduction to the fashion industry course. Over 5 Fridays and 3 Saturdays our class met with 25 people from the Bay Area to discuss their various roles in the fashion industry, and how things are changing, or remaining the same. Very interesting indeed. I am still processing the information.

Here are a few photos of the past month’s antics.

A brief getaway.

Flowers from my honey.

A horizontal wine tasting party of the 2003 Stag’s Leap District. I didn’t make it very far–there were just too many to taste! I think each place setting had 15 or so tastes!

Tasting the oldest wine, I’ve ever had. An 1850 Madeira fortified with Brandy. Wowzas!

Dressing up for “Crazy Day” at school. I went as Eric.

Peace,

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Peace,

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I am not anti-make-up. I just never seem to be able to make it look good on myself. So my friend came over the other day with all of her make-up and proceeded to give me a lesson or two. It was so much fun, I learned a lot, and make-up became way less scary for me. Here is the second “after” shot. She did three afters, a light make-up look, a medium make-up look, and a very evening make-up look. Such fun, until I realized I didn’t have make-up remover. Oops!

Don’t you like the clips still in my hair? I was going to use this shot to “try on” a few new hairstyles. I’m ready for a change. I am not having luck finding a site where you can upload your image and try new styles though. Do you have any recommendations?

Peace,
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This picture probably shows only a tenth of the chocolate on that table. How awesome would it be to have bowls of amazing chocolates around your house?

Peace,

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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,

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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,

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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,

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Pens are my medium of choice. My creative crack if you will. I adore doodling, list making, list checking off, journaling, drawing, sketching, letter addressing, check writing, note drafting, paper grading, grocery list making, grocery list checking off–anything written as long as I have a colorful pen to do the job.

Pens can also be my kryptonite. They have this amazing paralyzing tendency. What if what I write is crap. What if what I draw is crap. What if I can’t think of anything worth anything? Okay, so perhaps my kryptonite is more fear-based than ink-based, but isn’t it more fun to place blame?

Combine the paralyzing affect of my doubt with this amazing hand-crafted journal and you get nothing but dust. I’ve had this journal since October. Its empty.

It is gorgeous. It is fabulous. It is well-crafted and not inexpensive. Its pages are empty.

Well, for three and a half months it was empty. Turns out it pens and journals are not so scary. I drew on the first page today. It was fun. I enjoyed myself. I didn’t draw total crap. The universe didn’t stop spinning. I’m starting to realize Kryptonite is mostly an illusion. Not saying I’m going to go skydiving or anything–but heights probably aren’t that scary either.

What is your kryptonite?

Peace,

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A friend, a fellow survivor, relapsed. What do you do? What do you say? What if it is Eric next? What if it isn’t okay? What if treatment doesn’t work? What if treatment does work, but causes other issues. Okay this what-if game isn’t fun. There are unlimited “what if’s.” The only  thing I’m certain of is we can take this journey with him and love him as much as we are capable.

Peace,

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I arrived at class exactly 24 hours early–what can I say, I was excited. The class was fabulous. My first bra fit great–I had a few minor adjustments to make to the upper  cup of the pattern.

Here’s a close-up.

And then being super-ambitious I decided my second bra should be lacy. I cut all of the pieces out, but did the sewing on my own at home–I was feeling a wee-bit crappy that day. It was a bit intimidating, but I had no problems once I got over the fear involved. I did have to cut the underwires a bit and need to epoxy the ends so they aren’t sharp. Then I’ll finish the center front of the bra. I had to make matching panties, since there was extra lace. I am amazed at the fit–my size was pretty accurate to what I was buying in the store, but my underwire size was way too small. It jumped 3 intervals! Since you can’t pick the underwire size on store-bought bras, I think I’ll be making mine from now on. So pretty, custom fit, and really easy to do. I’m hooked.

Peace!

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