2. I don't need clothes anymore. I sew now for the creative outlet, for the chance to try something new and to answer the questions of how it's done. So this season's sewing will be about new techniques or revisiting techniques I haven't used in awhile...making some pieces I haven't sewn in a minute...stretching my talents to make more "whoa" and "wow" outfits than basic pieces.
3. I'm even going to do quite a bit of casual sewing this season. I'm cruising and I want to make some of my pieces not purchase all of them. I haven't done alot of casual sewing in years...so this will definitely be something different.
4. There will be no spring sewing vacay this year. I'm taking the last two weeks of August off, one week to cruise, one week to sew, and because I have to spread my vacation days out...the spring sewing vacay is gone.
5. My Stitches Magazine subscription is expiring and I don't know if I should renew. If anyone out there is a subscriber, could you leave a comment either pro or con. I need some discussion on this topic.
6. I'm using crayons, seriously I am, to draw up some garments that I have ideas about. I'm so tickled that I'm using crayons. Isn't that silly yet fun?
7. I saw the movie Hunger Games and because of that I read the first two books of the trilogy in 3 days, and now I'm intrigued about Katniss' outfits. Which is so silly because it's not like I could wear them to work...the book has truly wormed it's way into my subconscious.
8. My friend(s) do not help me with my fabric addiction. One of them sent me a link to a new website (to us) and now I'm trying my hardest not to buy anything from them. The new site is: www.lowerpricefabric.com. Has anyone purchased anything from them? How is the service? Any info would be appreciated.
9. I've got two posts of the same name...*sigh* I think I'm going to have to get more creative in naming my posts or I'm going to have to search my blog before labeling them from now on...
10. I'm addicted to a new fashion blog, The Curvy Fashionista. I am naturally a fashionista and only lately have I begun to follow fashion bloggers. I love how she features designer plus size gear but also writes informative posts. This one is especially deserving of note.
11. To all the new owners of the fabric that was offered in the giveaway, it all went out yesterday...so depending upon where you live...you should be getting it soon.
12. Sorry but somehow my Friday post (I'm a Talbots Woman) got lost. There were quite a few inspirational pictures in it and I was so annoyed that I just didn't take the time to recreate it.
photo courtesy of The New York Times
13. There is a really kewl article about the designer, Tadashi Shoji in the NYTimes. I've always loved his designer evening wear for plus size and larger women but I didn't realize that he designed for women of all sizes...check out the pictures in the photo gallery inbedded in the article.
So now that you've entered the murky waters of my creative mind...*LOL*...these are a few of the things floating around...as well as the list of garments I want to sew.
...as always, more later!
So much to comment on! Though on several items I have nothing to offer: I have never heard of that fabric website and I don't subscribe to Stitches. I have not heard of those fashion bloggers either, but I plan to check them out.
ReplyDeleteI am very excited to see you sew some casual wear! :)
I think the website is http://www.lowpricefabric.com
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried to copy and paste I didn't get anywhere, so I googled it. I'd never heard of it, so thank you for the suggestion. ~h
I am familiar with curvy fashionista and of late have been following a few fashion style blogs. Never heard of that online shop.. will check it out. Thanks for the link. I too need some casual clothes and looking forward to your collection.
ReplyDeleteAgree with Heather above - hope that's the same company. Never heard of them until today but randomly chose a Brussels Washer fabric and then compared that price with another well-known online vendor, with these results: L-P Fabrics - $9 a yard, and Fabric.com $6.98 a yard. Appears to be same exact fabric. To be fair, we'd certainly have to do more comparisons. Your summer vacation sounds like fun - is this your fist cruise?
ReplyDeleteI too am looking forward to your casual line of sewing. And also your new adventures in sewing techniques. I like to take my time and sew special one-one-of-a-kind garments rather than produce quanity, it just doesn't make me feel special.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a discussion about sewing mags in general. I haven't looked at Stitches, but I'm thinking of canceling my subs to Vogue Pattern Magazine and Burda Style.
ReplyDeleteThreads and Sew News are occasionally inspiring but contain a lot of stuff I don't read or use.
I'm starting to wonder if I just don't need any additional inspiration outside of the madness that comes out of my own imagination. And technical advice is abundant out here in blog world.
What other print publications do you like?
Wow. Love the post. Did the smell of crayons bring you back to childhood?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing the new casual clothes and the sewing techniques!
Could you answer a question in a future blog...What do you do when you are sewing something and you KNOW you aren't going to like the finished product??? Do you finish it anyway, quit while you are ahead or something else???
Thanks,
Denise
I am not renewing my Stitches subscription. I find I get less and less inspiration from the magazine and more from Style and other online sources.
ReplyDeleteI feel like they've reached the point where they 'repeat' a series of articles aimed more at the newer sewer or person wanting to craft than sewing good stuff to wear.
By the by, I received several compliments this week from a dress I designed after reading some of your posts..and referred two of the women to your blog for inspiration in dressing well even if you are not a size 2.
I enjoyed the article about Tadashi Shoji, too. His red carpet designs are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this peek inside your head. Glad to hear you're going to be sewing some casual gear, as I live a casual lifestyle. Thanks for the info on the Curvy Fashionista. It looks great and I've become a follower. Now I'm off to view the Tadashi Shoji video, which I'm sure will be fun!
ReplyDeleteI focused on casual clothes all through fall last year. It was hard - I kept wanting to make dresses, and had to remind myself that I have no tops! I'm excited to see what you make.
ReplyDeleteI love your comment that sewing is about something other than having clothes - I feel like I have become the same way! Sometimes I go through phases where I pick something challenging every project.
Since I'm retiring from an office job the end of May I'm very excited that you'll be sewing some casual wear garments as that's what I'll be doing.
ReplyDeleteWow, great post. I adore that herringbone! Funny you should mention about making the same thing over again. I realized I made a olive green tailored blouse also in 2003 of very similar fabric as the one I'm currently finishing up in the Superfantastic Shirt. Thanks for those fashion links.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ordered anything from the fabric site, but I have visited Michael Levine while in L.A. They have LOTS of nice fabric.
ReplyDeleteI too have recently stumbled up the Curvy Fashionista and found it quiet interesting.
Thanks for the link. I didn't know that Michael Levine had a website, but they have a great store in the Garment District of Los Angeles. And they have been there for a long time. They have a couple of related stores across the street too. One is called the Loft and you buy fabric by the pound and there is an upholstery and home dec store.
ReplyDeleteHi there Carolyn! Re Stitches - my subscription is about to expire, and I am probably not going to renew. Although I do like to support Aussie publications, I don't find that I'm getting a great deal out of it at the moment, and I am definitely running out of storage room! That said, they do often have excellent subscription offers (within Australia, anyway), so I might be tempted. But probably not. I get Threads and find it has lots of interesting articles, and Ottobre, but between them, my reference library, and the internet, it is probably time for me to let Stitches lapse.
ReplyDelete