Showing posts with label ogden cami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ogden cami. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Fit and Fun Days

Every four to six weeks my seamstress and dear friend Laurel drives from Sacramento to Berkeley for a day of collaboration with me, aka Fabriclady. We call our days together "Fit and Fun" for a reason - it's not just about fitting and finalizing the month's makes, but it's also about having fun in the process! I thought you might enjoy a peek into our process of creating a Destiny Wardrobe. 

Trust me, it takes a village and everyone at the store jumps in with opinions, suggestions and help. Laurel puts our ideas to work, but before she puts her pedal to the metal, a lot of planning goes into our day together.


Before this happens...



My team picks out the latest pattern releases for consideration...

Current projects seen here: Metamorphic Dress by Sew Liberated; Metamorphic Kit available at Stonemountain; Stevie Tunic by Tilly and the Buttons; Reeta Midi Shirt Dress by Named;  Southport Dress by True Bias; River Dress and Top by Megan Nielson

We like to focus on new fabric arrivals for the patterns. There are so many possibilities, but we try to stick with fabrics that our customers would also like. Some fabrics are repeat choices, but perhaps in different colorways and print patterns.

Some for me...

...and some for Laurel!


Dream Fabrics!

All the "possibilities" are put in a pile for pondering...we view, discuss, eliminate, add, etc. And all that work necessitates a little friendship/catching up time over lunch. After lunch, cappuccinos are an absolute MUST.
























The afternoon is busy, busy, busy. The fitting session is also the photography session, so that we can document our progress. Laurel has been sewing for me for five years, so usually the first try-on of a finished garment is right on target. But not always..


Yikes...too low for me :)
A whole lot of fitting went into this one!
It's why we sometimes need to make a muslin FIRST.

My Ogden Cami muslin made out of leftover fabric from a pair of pants!


My Lander Pants muslin - a little here and a little there!

I probably don't need to tell you how important photography is for a website, blog or social media. We are constantly working on new ways to change up and improve our photography.  What ends up happening on a Fit and Fun Day is that there are several of us snapping pictures of the same garment. And that makes for variety and perspective. We don't use professional photographers for these sessions, mainly because we want you to know that even your best phone photos can work. We enjoys seeing others' creative efforts on social media...you inspire us to try new poses!

Loving this new Maya Top from Marilla Walker!


Testing out my new No. 1 Pants out of a soon to be release cotton/linen from Robert Kaufman!


The new Kolkata Cloth made into a Kochi Kimono is amazing!

Stacia Dress by Sew Liberated!!!
Loving it in this textured Polyester knit!

Of course, we all get in the act...like the day we all wore our Lander Pants...

Dream Team all wearing Lander Pants and shorts!

Mid afternoon is time to put our feet to the fire and make some decisions about our next garments. Fabric is measured and photos are taken of our choices. Laurel takes her own photos as well...she says it's so she can remember what she's supposed to make! And not telling any tales out of school here, but sometimes neither one of us can remember...so we text back and forth throughout the month... "What view are we making?" "Did you really want those long sleeves?"


Which one should go on top for this Metamorphic Dress???

Amazing Rayons at Stonemountain, click here! The indigo rayon print is here.

It's usually four or five o'clock before we send Laurel back to the valley with a bag full of new garment makes. And so the process begins all over again. It is a smooth running machine, this collaboration that we have going. It's such a blessing to have a great staff at the store who help make this day a real treat. 

And lucky you, they are available to help you plan your own garments, select fabrics and make suggestions.  Our store is a "happening" place for our sewing community.  Come on in and have your own Fabric Fun Day!


Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Summer Sewjo, Destiny Wardrobe Style!

Everyone has a favorite season, and though there's something special about each change in the weather, the summer solstice is one of my favorite days of the year. It's the longest day of the year and all that warm sunshine inspires me in so many ways!


Not only to just be outdoors...


But also to think about my summer clothes - 
put away the jackets and sweaters and bring out the summer fabrics!



We're creating our Destiny Wardrobes, so we choose clothes and fabrics that fit in with our love of summer. This warmer weather calls for lighter-weight fabrics and nothing says summer like:


I'm still a working girl (you knew that, huh!) so the design choices that I make have to fit in with my no-hassle lifestyle.  I don't like to be too encumbered with fussy styles, sleeves that get in my way, necklines that are too revealing, or clothes that I have to keep "adjusting" throughout the day.  I like my summer work clothes to be simple, but with flare...cool, but not too bare...and just like you, I want my clothes to scream ME - "Zan, that is soooo YOU!"




Lela tunic in double gauze
Kalle shirt in Ikat


I have an ongoing love affair with Ikats ( you knew that too, huh). Ikats come in all weights, but for summer, I love the lightweight ones. So I'll choose a pattern accordingly - something breezy, like the Kalle Shirt from Closet Case Patterns.




A couple of things you may want to remember with sewing ikats in general, and this Kalle Shirt in particular:

1) Since these fabrics are woven, both sides are beautiful! You can use either side as the "right side."




2)  It seemed logical to interface the pocket, as the fabric was so lightweight, but alas, the pocket became too stiff for the bodice. So be sure to choose a very lightweight interfacing.




 Pocket Heaven!



3)  The Kalle pattern features a back yoke, which is self-lined.  The instructions call for the "Burrito Method" for sewing the yoke, which results in a "no-seams showing" clean inside.  It's a little tricky, but so worth giving it a go - think of it as a delightful addition to your sewing repertoire.




Can I get beans and rice with this?














The Kalle is a great addition to my Summer wardrobe!









What summer wardrobe would be complete without the all-purpose cami?  And I am probably the last to the "Ogden Cami Club", but I wanted to try it, so I had Laurel whip up a trial run.  And when I say it's a quick make, believe it. Another 1-hour wonder.  And a total stash-buster!


Ogden Cami by True Bias

We made up a wearable muslin out of some extra fabric from an older make.



Laurel adjusted the pattern for herself in her first muslin - she says it still needs work but looks promising!



Summer Indie patterns abound at Stonemountain.  We have several others we want to try, so we will keep you posted. The Megan Nielsen Matilda looked like one that would fit nicely.


 We've already whipped up this little cutie out in a Tencel Twill. Make sure you allow plenty of time for the layout - we counted over 40 separate pieces.  Take your time!


The Matilda Dress by Megan Nielsen! 





We love a woven Tee-shirt pattern so we had to try this Sewaholic Belcarra Blouse!  We chose double gauze! 







How 'bout a summer blouse?  There's also a dress version by Leisl + Co. called the Weekend Getaway, and we've chosen a tie-dyed rayon.

Laurel's making this Washi Dress pattern by Made by Rae (very popular amongst the Instagram sewists) in a double gauze. Linen would work too.



And the Terrace Dress by Leisl + Co - not sure what fabric we want, but it speaks totally summer, doesn't it?

Linen? Ikat? Double Gauze? Silk? Rayon?



Why not drop by or go online and check out our summer fabrics and Indie patterns?  Some people just know what they want and what's going to work for them.  Other just like to touch and feel the fabrics to be sure. Either way, we are here to help you make your Destiny Wardrobe dreams a reality.  And we do send swatches if you're not local!



It's so great to be part of a community of sewists who share their successes real-time in the store - we learn from each other and we support and encourage each other in this adventure. If you need inspiration or misplaced your SewJo, remember to check out my post about choosing clothes that matter and that fit your lifestyle.

Summer is all about fun and creativity, and we hope that you share a little piece of yours with us! Send us your pictures and stories about your Destiny Wardrobe.


What a great time it is to be a fabric lover - the best indie patterns and amazing fabric choices!


Celebrating creativity!
Suzan


Summer is for family gatherings too! Here we are celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Cheers!