Country Dressing, New England style

Now that I'm back from the Nashville ASDP conference, I want to post an update on the brocade and leather jacket. Finished in time to take to conference, and submitted to the members' fashion show for the board "Oh Sew Country" presentation that was requested

Here I am in Nashville!

Well, I've arrived in Nashville for the ASDP conference! Our hotel is the Inn at Opryland, right across the street from the the Opryland Resort with its amazingly beautiful atriums and conservatory gardens, and walking distance from the Grand Old Opry! Can't post any pictures, because even though I brought my camera, first of all I didn't have it on the walk we took late this afternoon (which is becoming a bad habit with me), and two, I neglected to bring the cord to upload the photos anyway. So, I'll just have to post an update when I get back home next week. The Threads Challenge finalists will be judged Friday, with the results announced at the conclusion of the members' fashion show that night. Wish me luck - although it's such an honor just for my garment to be among the entries chosen as finalists.

More later - stay tuned -

Leather trim - thought I'd be first, now it's everywhere!

Late last Fall I had a vision of a jacket I really wanted to make. One of the fabrics from Sawyer Brook's autumn collections spoke to me every day I worked in the cutting room, and by early November I had to bring some home.

Success in the midst of chaos

I know I've been pretty scarce around the blog community lately, but I really have been busy. After a medium-crazy early Spring prom season, I fell into the busiest bridal season I've ever worked through. This was primarily due to the local bridal consignment shop's gushing referrals, as it seemed every week I had an appointment with another bride for her alterations. From April until last week, I've had 6 or more gowns in the studio at once, working on hems, bustles, taking in bodices, and restyling.

Jackets and UFOs - Time to return to Unfinished Projects

I watch more tv than I should own up to, and often find myself mezmerized at the outfits worn by the women characters. Beyond the fashions from the 60's popularized by Mad Men, I adore the suit separates and coats Kerry Washington wears as Olivia Pope

Miracles in the basement

So, for a quick update - while I worked on the correcting the dress I screwed up made a tiny mistake on, the fix-it man came into the studio and quietly asked "So, don't you have an iron jigsaw puzzle for me to work on?" I handed him the baggie full of itty-bitty plastic pieces and the broken iron, and off to the workshop he went.

Who invited Murphy to sew with me?

Some days it simply doesn't pay to even walk into the studio to work. Thursday was one of those days. Thinking about it yesterday, all I could think of a book I read to my boys countless times when they were young - "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day" (thanks to Judith Viorst).

Requiem for a faithful serger - or new life?

I finally wore out a machine. My serger has been misbehaving for about 6 months (or more, I haven't really been counting. Just wishing it would stop acting this way.) It would simply decide to stop running,

They messed with the wrong city -

I haven't many words to share in light of the horrific events here in Boston this week. A fellow blogger posted some very succinct words regarding the way we Bostonians feel and behave toward those who come to live in our city, so I don't think I need to say much more. It's very surreal to think this happened in my own back yard. We're far enough outside the city proper to not be affected physically by the lockdown/stay safe indoors order, other than having a son who needed to figure out how he was supposed to go to work in one of the towns that is in the lockdown area, when he's not supposed to drive in that town - the restaurant wound up sending him to another of their outlets where the servers couldn't come from their homes in Boston. I'll still worry until he's home safe tonight. And in response to this, all I have to say is we're Boston, we're strong, and thanks to all who are thinking of and supporting us.

Still talking about inexpensive garments and fit

Mindreading: a fitting lament of good, cheap and fast.

Quick post this morning. A friend shared the blog post above, from the Fashion Incubator blog. This explanation of how subjective fit can be, with its graphic photo of the same gown on two very different bodies, is alone worth visiting the blog. This is so a propos to my last post about the inexpensive prom gown, and my earlier post on cheap fashion. Kathleen says it so well, with this product engineering icon: You can't have all three. Choose good and cheap, fast and good, or fast and cheap. 'Nuff said.

Getting what you paid for - it's prom season!

 This started out as a quick response to a newspaper article, but turned into a pretty long post. Just a warning!

Sunday mornings are very quiet in my house, a lazy time spent reading the paper (Boston Globe for me and Metrowest Daily News for my dh) and consuming way too much coffee. My husband broke the silence today with an outburst of "Aha! This is just begging for a response!" as he handed me an article from his paper.

Paying it Forward

I've been busy, lately, too busy to post anything. Between sewing for clients, travelling for a 4-day board meeting in Seattle, and my part time job, there has barely been time to breathe, let alone write. But I have to let you in on my latest new role, because it's making my heart beat faster and giving me a great sense that all's well with the world - the role of mentor.

A basic shirt, not your average pattern

One of the best reasons for seeking the services of a custom dressmaker is discovering that literally nothing in ready-to-wear comes in proportions to fit the elderly body. My client Claire could not find a shirt that would close around her hips without being giant-sized through the neck and shoulders. At 88, she also has difficulty handling buttons and zippers, so her daughters thought I might be able to help by making a shirt and some pants for her.

Not all weddings are white

In the wake of Nemo, the blizzard of 2013, which dumped almost 30 inches of snow in my neighborhood last Friday thru Saturday, I'm thinking of summer weather, and weddings. A while back (almost two years ago, now) I had the great pleasure of making a young bride's dream come true, when she and her groom planned a wedding they could truly enjoy.

The Best Laid Plans...

I started the year with a plan to schedule sewing for myself as well as my customers in the time I have in the studio, by "earning" 10 minutes for me for each hour I spend on them.

Jeans that fit!

One of the greatest pleasures I can get from my sewing is creating a garment for my daughter, especially one she has despaired of ever finding to fit. Erin's posture is nearly impeccable, she stands tall as my mother always commanded us, shoulders back, head level.