a starry mix of sassy thoughts
I have a little love. It’s something I’ve been doing most of my life, for me, doodles on napkins, in my sketchbooks, on notes during meetings (shhh, don’t tell).
Remember this post where I mentioned ? Lottie Frank is the beautiful work of illustrator/designer Lucy Claydon. Well, I don’t know if you’ve been watching, but there’s new work in her .
There’s more treasure to explore in her too.
Many, many months ago, I got a call from a young man looking for help to learn how to shorten shirt sleeves. See, he’s a rock star and well his clothes need to be tight, but the sleeves were always too long. Then his fiancé called and we met in a groovy cafe on a snowy day. The rest is history, and after a few months, Libby had a wonderful and unique wedding dress. While she’s been a sewer (the stiching kind, not the stinky kind), she learned a bit more about her sewing machine, how to sew with knits and how to make a pattern, among other fun sewing tid bits. We draped the pieces, drafted the patterns and stitched up this lovely dress (tunic and skirts). Congratulations Libby and Aaron, you look wonderful! Thanks for letting me be a small part in your amazing celebration. xxooZ
The top tunic part is a lovely jersey with a surplice neckline and petal like hem.
The skirt part is actually multiple parts, both made of interesting gauze pieces that Libby draped and buttoned around her.
Note the lovely green Dr. Martins. I think she has the largest collection of DMs ever! Amazing! – and Libby – love the necklace choice….
Libby sent her party green fabric and they each made their own (or had help) dresses. I think they all did an outstanding job. I love the green and red together.
Here’s a shot of . And here’s a shot of us .
All photos © Coleen Rudolf
I think the last time I wore purple or some shade there of, I was in the 8th grade and had a purple coat. Now, I am totally drawn to it. (and yes, I did have purple hair at one point, but no longer). I love the idea of a for fall. Or a yummy from . Oh purple, I think you need a spot in my closet.
ps. I think I’m in love. reminds me of my spark books, but virtual. Oh, man, I looooove the internet.
I’ve been looking for ideas of ways to use the scraps from our textile items that are being used in our Eco-Quilts and while I’ve been staring at Issue 22 of , and always stopping to stare and soak in this image, it wasn’t until today I did a little research.
, a French Stylist, Artist with incredible vision for re-purposing clothing and textiles has an incredible portfolio.
Her work is proof that re-purposed items can be well designed, sophisticated and elegant. Her work comes from studying people and how they wear clothing, and is quite astounding. I can’t find a piece I dislike, and I am in love with her flowers and necklaces, and well, everything. Please visit . The images are just breathtaking.
Could be the name of the “girl next door”, but I’m thinking skirts. Not for me, I don’ t need any bubbles, the last one I wore was to my HS Christmas Dance, back in the late 80s. It was a tulle bubble skirt with a tube top. Black, of course. I crimped my platinum locks. Lots of black eyeliner. It was really wonderful. I’ll have to see if I can find a picture.
Anyway, enough FLASHBACK….I’ve certainly been noticing the bubbles. They do remind me of the 80s (cringe), but I think they are still fun, perfect for spring and I am truly in love with the updates. I think they are much more tasteful and classic than their grandmas from the 80s.
I’ve got a few planned for Iz this summer. Since she’s a 3T, I can experiment quickly with yummy remnants. Although, with a skirt class on the horizon, I might just make one for me!
Here’s a on converting a hem to a bubble hem. love it. make it.
We visit our almost every Saturday. Usually we stop in after ballet and run into friends, so it turns into a social event as well. The kids room has so many wonderful books, books on tape, magazines and toys, we can stay for many hours. Iz has reached the point where she’ll sit and read books (after taking all the furniture out of the doll house and lining up all the toy animals in pairs). I loved going to when I was little. We would go there for story hour, special events, and just to fill our bags with books. has a pretty incredible . An amazing collection. When I was in college, I loved spending time there.
I want Iz to appreciate the library too. I think she already does. It’s special to go to the library. She already knows the stacks and heads to the right places each week.
This is what we brought home last week.
I loved this book. I’ve always admired Coco Chanel, so this book was really for me. I was able to share with Iz some fashion magic.
This was certainly the favorite this week. It’s excellent. Iz loved the animals, the story. We read it about 10 times every day. There’s a great web site for the book too : and check out ! Iz wants to go back to the library and get this book! Might have to become a permanent member of our own library! I love that she remembers her fave books.
And of course Stellaluna. I love this story. I think this is the second time I’ve checked it out of the library. Wasn’t big on Iz’s list, but maybe next time.
Lots of fun and exploring today while I got the group started on making their own slippers. We traced our feet and soles to start our pattern. We talked about smoothing the lines to make pattern pieces that will sew together well and give each person the shape slipper they are looking for. Then…we made a muslin.
The feet dresses! Next – sew on the sole.
Probably the toughest part is fitting the sole onto the body of the slipper. Hard because we are making up our patterns from tracing our feet, and not measuring. So, lots of pins and slow and smooth sewing.
Then, once the muslin fits, moving on to the actual slippers.
Pictures next week of finished slippers, and hopefully pics too of our next project – Scrap Scarves!
Ok, first – if you are a local yokel – than please visit me Monday night, 11/19 at 6pm-8:30pm for a Sew-A-Bration. We’ll be sewing up more bags for the Florence Bag Share which launches the same day (celebration). So come on down! Bring a dish to share, a machine to sew and fabric will be available for bags. If you have questions: info(at)luckystitches.com or 413.695.3092 Hope to stitch it up!
On to regularly scheduled business. The latest round of newbie sewers finished their messenger bags this weekend. I know you’ve probably heard me say this before, but I just have to tell you again. Hearing these guys and gals tell me that there is no way this is going to work and be a bag, then watch as their faces light up when they turn their bags out (we sew linings into them). It’s just so freakin’ precious! I love it. I also really love that each person is able to make their bags their OWN individual bags. All the choices are their own, including what to appliqué, how many pockets, inside pockets, length of strap, closure. I really want people to leave knowing that they can really turn what they are working on into something original, even if it is from a pattern. fun right?
We practice a bunch of different things, just so people can become familiar with their machine. I encourage pressing all the buttons, levers, turning all the knobs, trying all the widths and lengths. Everyone brings different types of fabrics (above is a thick fleece – she’s using a cool fish print and a fun stitch on her new to her (but previously owned) machine and came up with something that looked like seaweed.
On the other, he used some pink satin to appliqué a one-eyed robot demon guy onto his black corduroy bag. It’s so cool! The thread he brought was a little thick, so experimenting with all these things were really fun, and what a cool surprise it was for these to become actual bags they can use.
and what lovely “LuckyStitches poses”!
Oh – on to the next…I’m working fast and furious to finish up the JanFebMar 2008 schedule. Fingers crossed, I can finish tonight! I’ll be repeating some classes, like Sewing Machine 101 (that will happen every month), Jeans and a few others, and there’s some cool stuff for the late winter and early spring. A coat class, a skirt class, a wrap dress class. Some pattern-making 101 classes, like Full Bust Adjustment and Sewing Patterns 101. I’m also introducing a . That actually starts in December. It’s starting to fill up, so if your are interested, please register sooner than later. I’m also thinking of running the winter hat class again. I so LOVE the pattern I made, it’s perfect for kids and adults. So many projects and only 3 months…
Whew. Tons going on. LOTS of sewing too! (yippeee for me!) The machines have been humming at . We’ve been making so much fun stuff over the last few weeks, I can hardly stand it (I had to lie down to type this…).
I’m super proud of all the projects and each and every LuckyStitcher, so note that these are all mentioned in no particular order.
Pajamas
I didn’t take pictures of the other pjs, but they are really cute, one pair of flannel lined pants (lined with flannel…oh SO warm!) and another sweet striped tunic and pants, also made from flannel. Now…this might seem selfish – but it really was unintentional, but I have pictures of what I’ve been working on:
Here’s my initial purchase:
I really LOVE the pattern. I fell in love with the illustration of the kids in PJs especially the one modeling the style (C) I’m making for Iz. I love it so much, I want to frame it. Nerdy? Dorky? Geeky? Perhaps…am I gushing?
and I love the buttons (more geekdom…). Stars make my heart pitter patter a bit faster than normal and I found these:
Here’s the first pair (I’m making three…) finished:
On Iz (ugh, I CAN’T stand that wood paneling. It made Elmo pass out..)
Iz LOVES her PJs. “Oh Mama, I love them, they are stupendous and so soft!” She’s been using the camera – and here’s her self portrait:
Sewing Machine 101
I know, where’s the sewing machine? Well I can’t wait to show you the messenger bags these LuckyStitchers are making. Here we put in a magnetic snap, but wait till it’s finished and you’ll see her appliqué, bag, zipper pouch…all practicing all the fun stuff we talked about the first class. Let me tell you, these guys and gals are getting LOTS of practice threading machines, making patterns, sewing seams, topstitching, and they have become best friends with Mademoiselle Seam Ripper. After this weekend, I’ll have proper pictures of finished messenger bags, proof that they have learned how to use their sewing machines!
Make A Pattern From Your Clothes
How many times have you found something wonderful that you can’t wear anymore because the fabric has fallen apart? Yoga pants, a favorite hoodie and a J Crew summer dress can now all be made again, out of favorite fabric, season after season. Everyone learned how to make patterns from their clothes (either leaving them whole or cutting them apart). Can’t wait to see what they want to make next…
Sewing With Fleece
I had actually intended this class to work with squares, circles and rectangles of fleece, embellish with appliqué, but it turned into SEW MUCH MORE. I quickly demonstrated how to draft a pattern of a hat, I always want people to leave learning every aspect of each project, so I always try to help them through the creative process of making something from conception (sketch and pattern) to completion (sewn article). So we drafted a pattern and worked with a few different types of fleece. I LOVE the hats:
My endangered species hat.
I made this one this morning. Hmmm. I might have to make a pattern available. It’s so easy and quick! I made this one in less than an hour.
I’ve been working on the LuckyStitches Messenger Bag Pattern. I took pictures explaining the whole process, and I can’t stand them. Except for a few…but it’s back to the drawing board (or cutting table) to pick some different fabrics that would photograph better.
I love it when creative people publish their own patterns. I think before you shop at Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity, etc – look for something cool from an independent creative.
I am thrilled about for the that . Makes me want to run to , again, and buy the chair, just so I can try out the pattern and make my own cover.
I’ve been making a few of ‘ . I love this pattern. Super versatile.
I’m thinking I’m going to make the , in (plum?) velvet, for the holidays. Love the shape.
This is cute. The pattern is available on , as well as finished garments all by .
And who needs a skirt pattern when you have a pillowcase and ?
I love this from .
I think I might just have to make one of these from .
has some cute patterns. I like , it’s such a pretty shape.
I’m always on the lookout for patterns like these – have you found any? I’d love to add them to my list.
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