Christmas gifting from the stash and scrap bags!

In the last weeks before Christmas, I managed to sneak into the studio to whip up a couple of little gifts for the girls and guys in my family. Digging into the stash, I found two great wool plaids and made scarves for my two sons, son-in-law, brother-in-law and DH. Simple! Snip-and-tear to size, stabilizing straight stitch along each edge and pulled threads to fringe all around.

What will 2014 bring?

I've been reading the many "top 5 of 2013" posts my fellow and most-often-read bloggers in the sewisphere have written, and felt a bit guilty that I haven't done one. I don't know that I could find 5 of anything that I'd want to list from the past year, because I also feel guilty about the extremely low number of posts I wrote. As I start out fresh for the new year, perhaps it's time for me to channel my usual resolution-listing into what I'd love most to see from my sewing and blogging.

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