Boho Summer - Finding our Creative Identity through Sewing

Some of us (okay, me particularly!) just can't let go of those free and easy days of summer in the 60's and 70's.  The "flower child" lifestyle hangs with you for years, as evidenced by the staying power of Bohemian dress, tie dyed fabric, embroidering and patchwork, all still popular today. These days, there are entire Ready to Wear clothing lines that feature the enduring 60's styling, perhaps because of it's wearing ease. The marketeers know that we want to be comfortable in our dress - not bothered by trying to look like everyone else.  And we, as sewists, want to express our unique personalities in the garments we make and chose to wear.

Image photographed at Art Exhibit at BAMPFA by Suzan

We just happen to think it was a great era of flowing, creative and magical garments that have not lost their appeal to young and oldish women alike. So, thank you California weather for giving us the opportunity to go Boho - AGAIN!

Wearing my Alder Shirtdress to the 60's exhibition @BAMPFA
Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive

The fabrics that we've been stocking in the store are geared for light and airy tops, dresses and pants.  Our Indie pattern designers are still cranking out awesome styles that reflect the spirit of the free and easy lifestyle that we admire.  Just looking back at some of the garments we have made over the last 6 years, we can see the influence of the 60's, 70's and 80's - styles that have endured, re-made in exciting new fabrics.

The Roscoe dress/top

One of our newer Indie patterns - The Floreat Dress and Top

Easy top to make out of almost any of our lightweight fabrics - rayon, linen, knits even.

The Hinterland Dress

A Classic Boho dress - The Metamorphic Dress

Layer this dress!

No need to feel constricted - try a flowing pant like the Arenite Pants

Caroline and Catherine look amazing in the Arenite Pants!

The Raglan blouse shown with my amazing linen Emerson Pant

The simple "Beachy dress" - The Stevie Dress made here in a beautiful batik Rayon!

The Dress NO.1 by 100 Acts of Sewing is the ultimate summer shift 

Pick a fabric - any fabric - and make it your own!

I feel so good in this Dress No. 1 made out of one of our Ikats!

I couldn't resist making the No. 1 out of this Buddha printed Silk Velvet - no rules, right?!

Simplicity at it's finest - no zippers, perfect fit and POCKETS!!!! The Flint Pants. 

Over the top in cotton eyelet!

Shorts, crops or long - Lander Pants

Love my Lander Pants!

All of us wearing Lander Pants! So good!

Achieving a Boho look can be done by exercising your creativity - who says you always have to follow a pattern. Laurel, who is the queen of making up stuff, created her own fabric for this pattern hack of Shirt No. 1

Then there is this iconic maxi-skirt look - Laurel drafted this gored skirt using one of our rayons - then beaded the bottom!!

We did a sleeve hack on the Matcha Top to give it a freestyle look...

No rules, right? My favorite Matcha Top is out of silk crepe!

It goes without saying that you can't get any more 70's then a great tie dye fabric!!

Ready to fly in my gorgeous rayon Dove Blouse!

I've seen a lot of Boho inspired looks over the past 6 years of my collaboration with Laurel, my ever-supportive seamstress and friend.  She has made the over 250 looks that I get to wear and display in the store.  But in the spirit of MeMadeMay2019 and Boho Summer, I wanted to show that I CAN practice what I preach...I CAN SEW!

It was a relaxing weekend with the hubby singing some tunes with his guitar and me, dusting off my sewing machine and serger for the first time in years.  I used to sew back in the day...

I forgot how relaxing it is to sew...I picked out this great rayon and linen for some Beachy/boho Pants No. 1

These are the perfect pants if you haven't sewn for a while or for a quick make that will go with everything!

All cut out and pants sewn together!

A beautiful day in Santa Cruz and perfect for my beachy pants!

These pants are also so great at work with a simple tee and my fabulous Threes a Charm Jacket!

Loving my No. 1 pants with my reversible Metamorphic Dress

So happy to be a part of this community of creatives - I love your Instagram posts tagging Stonemountain with #stonemountainfabric - it's how I can see what you are making!

Remember that we all inspire each other to be our own unique selves - wearing what we want...Clothes that matter!

PEACE and LOVE, FRIENDS!

It's so great to Be Here Now with you,

Suzan Steinberg
Feeling good in Berkeley California, 2019