Women in the Sew

From where or whom do you get your inspiration?  Yes, the beauty of nature, your family--especially kids, history, an event,  current or past trends of clothing or interiors -- or the simple pattern of a newly introduced fabric, a vintage button  or the color of that yarn you just bought.

During the weekend of the 11th at the ICE show here in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of meeting and showing along side several amazing women who are all brilliant artists and designers and who have created some very successful businesses. We chatted craft, business, kids, multi-tasking, the King of Pops (see Jessica Swift's blog for more info on that delicious subject). I found their humor, hard work, their varying aesthetics, their talent and openness completely inspiring.  This week I've been working on the theme of my winter 2011/2012 collection.  More to come on that subject as I solidify my designs.

I also met Deborah Moebes owner of the fabulous fabric studio Whipstich, and Ellen Lucket Baker whose blog TheLongThread.com boasts 75,000 visitors a month!  Talk about inspiration--both these ladies have recently published a book.  Deborah's book, Stitch by Stitch, is a lovely companion for those who make clothing, and focuses on garment constructing techniques. I don't know about about you, but I can get in a rut using the same techniques, sewing the same thing over and over.  

Ellen's book 1-2-3 Sew features 33 unique and simple projects that allow you to build your skills as you progress through the book. This past Saturday I went to Ellen's book signing and took a class she taught on one of the projects in the book--making a clutch.  Ooh la la.  You should see what I can do now! 

 

Deborah and Ellen at the ICE show.  Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

My Prints Charming Has Arrived!

This little bird is waiting for me!

I few weeks ago I posted about the Australian dynamic print duo Cath and Kirsten at Prints Charming--I ordered their book and was waiting on it with bated breath. Well those sweet gals read my post and sent me one of their coveted project kits!  So now I am perusing through one of the best craft books I've gotten my hands on (do I sound biased?) and drooling at the sight of my kit waiting for the most opportune time to start my project--probably after all the festivals and markets--during my summer vacation.

Prints Charming is a treasure trove of 40 holiday, children's, and home projects--the photography is beautiful and abundant.  It's a wire-bound hard back that lays completely flat when open--very useful when your hands are immersed in something. My favorite chapter is the one on screen printing.  Cath and Kirsten teach the technique they use in their studio with step by step, clear and easy instructions. I am NOT an instruction manual reader--my brain truly shuts down when I am forced to read one--I learn by doing.  Don't tell me what to do--show me!  And that's what their book does. The book's instructions are written really as if they are chatting with you, providing lots of side bar tips. The piece-de-resistance is the small back pocket which includes a pattern for almost every project.  If you are like me, I trace my favorite patterns and save the originals folded nicely in their envelope.

A pocket full of patterns!

Thank you ladies for sharing your beautiful work in a beautiful book!

Cheers!

A Teacher's Gift

My children have been so fortunate and privileged to have had some wonderful teachers so far in their early education.  This year I was room parent for my Boy Wonder's extremely organized, creative, smart and fun (and crafty) teacher.  Last week marked the end of the school year and I wanted to give her something special that would remind her of her 2010-2011 class.  So, I made her a cushion with the names of all her kids embroidered on it.

I took a  piece of cream colored linen and taped it onto a stiff cardboard--then I loitered outside the classroom for a couple of weeks collecting signatures from the kids. Each child signed their first name with a fabric pen.   I then embroidered each name in different colored thread with a simple back stitch.  I added a two inch border of a colorful Moda fabric around the signature panel and fashioned the back side of the cushion with the same fabric. I filled it with a premade pillow insert, hand stitched it closed and voila!  I loved it--she loved it.

Thank you for a great year Ms. K!

Kirkwood Spring Fling Rocked!

Aside from the fact that my booth was right across the field where the bands played (loudly), and several of the bands that performed should have stayed in their garages to practice a bit more before venturing forth to acoustically accost the gentle people browsing the festival with their sweet little children, the Kirkwood Spring Fling was so fun and successful!

Beautiful weather, lots of visitors and once again the response to the GirlyGirl skirts and the GirlyMom coordinating skirts was fantastic!  I feel validated and totally get Sally Field's Oscar acceptance speech back ....whenever....she said, "You like me, you really, really like me"!  I try to keep everything current, fun and fresh, but I only know that the work I am doing is appreciated when I meet customers face to face and I get their feedback and response.   Much love to my loyal GirlyGirl customers who came by and many thanks and welcome to the new GirlyGirls and GirlyMoms who are now sporting coordinating outfits. Too sweet and cute!

The lovely linen applique pillows I made and showed garnered nary a glance!  I either did not make enough, therefore they went unnoticed, or did not display them well enough.  Oh well, lesson learned.  I took them to The Beehive and propped them in my space. I love them though, so I plan to make more.  I'd love to hear what you think?  Feedback would be great!

Ode to My Sweet Antonia

  Daisies are my Mom's favorite flower

My mother, Antonia emigrated to the U.S. from Greece with her husband, two young daughters and $75 in her pocket in 1971.  What a bold and daring move!

She worked in a men's shirt factory as a young woman, so when she came to the States and had to work, she took the first job she could find--making cloth napkins for the National Linen Co.  As she learned English (without any formal schooling) she was able get a job at Rich's Department Store--the finest store in the South--as a seamstress doing alterations for  some serious society  belles!  It was a real learning time for her and as her craft flourished she became one of the best seamstresses at the store.  She would fit models for the annual fashion shows, and would be the preferred fitter and seamstress when designers like Bill Blass came to dress "special" store customers. She sewed for society ladies, beauty queens, educators, politicians and celebrities. 

I remember her clients bringing dozens of fabrics to our house to meet with her. I was mesmerized by the colors and textures as they spread fabrics out on our dining room table and went through fashion magazines.  She created entire wardrobes for several clients!

Obviously today, my love of fabrics and sewing goes back to my childhood. My sense of style, love of texture and color and the need to create with my hands comes from my mother. I will never be as brilliant a seamstress as she is--and I make sure she knows this. She is a critical part of my small business--the one I always go to for construction and fit ideas--and the one who tirelessly helps me when its time to amass inventory!

Happy Mother's Day. Thank you Mama.  I will love you forever and ever--no matter what.

I Love Prints Charming

There are times when I simply wish I lived in Australia.  Specifically New South Wales--right next to the Prints Charming studio!  I've known about about Cath and Kirsten's work for several years.  They are the superbly talented team behind the screen printed fabric, studio, classes and products at Prints Charming. Using their hand printed fabrics, embroidery and quilting techniques they create some of the most unique, colorful and beautiful personal and home objects I've seen.  They also offers classes and kits, so that other lovers-of-craft can try their hand at these lovely projects too.  Their designs are fresh, bold, modern and very Australian!  I don't foresee a trip to  their studio though any time soon, so I ordered their book --Prints Charming (yes, they wrote a book as well).  I'll be happy to share with you as soon as I get it!  

Doing This, That and More of Each

When I explain to my beloved how well I multi-task, I really don't think he truly understands what that means.  Men don't do it (if at all) like women do.  Brushing my teeth with my right hand while I clean the sink, counters and mirrors (and occasionally--don't gross out on me now--the toilet--with a brush!) with my left is a brilliant example of "killing two birds with one stone". Eeeeew! FOCUS you say!

Well, I do this so that I can get through the mundane quickly and focus--on my creative projects! Those require my complete and total attention and give me such pleasure. So, the projects I have been focusing on recently, that have given me complete satisfaction are -- sewing my girlygirl's Easter frock--making custom coordinating GirlyGirl and GirlyMom skirts for Heather out of a beautiful, but, alas discontinued fabric by Dena Designs (about time I finished those)-- sewing a custom skirt for Jill ordered at the trunk show-- crafting a prototype girly-pillow for the Kirkwood Spring Fling market--adding more product to my Beehive shop--and conceptualizing currently undisclosed end-of-the-year gifts for my kids' teachers....

 

GirlyGirl Productions at The Beehive Atlanta

My girlygirl's Easter frock