Me Made Mondays Are Back!

Not that anyone has missed them all that much, but I think it's rather fun, and it is a nice way to show a garment that you've made and wore in the past week.

Last Saturday, the sewing group that I belong to had our annual Christmas party. It was a lovely event. I wore my ribbon skirt along with a vintage beaded top and my faux fur collar.

Here's a picture of the skirt when it was in the weaving process.

 The faux fur collar was done for a Thrifty Thursday post. You can see it as well as find the pattern here.

Everyone was commenting about my hair. The truth of the matter was that I dried it without straightening it out and it was HUGE, so I pulled it up and called it a day.

The bracelet that I'm wearing is handmade, but not by me. It's a vintage piece that was made with glass buttons and then crocheted together with a gold elastic thread. All in all, a simple outfit that was fun to wear and felt so festive.
If you would like to link up a Me Made Garment that you wore last week, just click below and link away.

An InLinkz Link-up

Coming Up On The Blog

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Tuesday!! I'm feeling more myself once again. Amazing what a little extra sleep can do for you :)
I just quickly wanted to give you a little idea of the projects that will be coming up on the blog in the next few weeks.
1. Ribbon Weaving

The class on ribbon weaving went very well. I was so happy that everyone was able to leave with their sampler pieces. They all asked for a written tutorial, so I thought that if I am going to do the tutorial, it would be nice to share it with everyone.
2. The Collar Drafting Tutorial

So many messaged me about this collar and said that they would love a drafting tutorial. I'm really looking forward to this particular post.
3. Bias Cut Blueprints

A few years back, I was asked to judge a contest for the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. I came across a dress that was cut on the bias and it had these incredible insets. The dress was absolutely perfect. The judging is blind and the initial round is done on the internet, Finalists are chosen and then the final decision is made at the conference. We were supposed to have a dressform for judging, but for whatever reason, we didn't, so the editor of Threads magazine looked at me and said, "you can wear all of these garments so we'll use you as a model." When I put this bias dress on, I was in LOVE! What an incredible dress. I fought hard for that dress to be a winner. Little did I know that it belonged to Julianne Bramson of Fashion In Harmony. As fate would have it, we met at a class in San Francisco a few years later. Since then we have become friends. She has recently published a book, Bias Cut Blueprints and she gave me a copy to critique. I am SUPER excited. I already know which project will be my first.
4. Our Pant Drafting posts.
Finally....I'm so happy to be getting back to this project. The next post will be up later this afternoon. Once we draw in the darts and true the legs, we'll be ready to cut out the pants and start fitting.
5. The new issue of Sew News is out and I have a new sew along that will be coming up. I think you'll like it, it's another really great bag. I'll announce it tomorrow and of course there will be a give away attached, so be sure to check back.

So, a fairly full agenda :), but a good one I think.
Rhonda

Wednesday Morning Hello

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!! I am in the throws of getting ready for the American Sewing Expo and I still have a lot to do, so no Wednesday Showcase today. The next pant drafting post will be up later today.
I thought I would show you the third ribbon weaving project that we'll do in the Ribbon Weaving Class (page 7 of the brochure) at the expo. This one makes you think a bit, so it's a good exercise for the brain ;)

The piece is backed with a piece of velvet. It will become a skirt. There will be beads sewn into the intersections of the red ribbon. I am super excited about this piece!

Although I am not doing a Wednesday Showcase post today, I would still like to give a shout out to Mel of http://mel-allwrappedup.blogspot.com.au/ She just sent me the loveliest note to let me know that she had used my tutorial for drafting a peg skirt. Here's her note,

"HI Rhonda, can't thank you enough for putting together this tutorial, love the yellow dress in part 1, and the step by step drafting help with the mini paper pattern pieces. I was very happy with the way my skirt turned out following your tutorial, I've posted it here http://mel-allwrappedup.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/self-drafted-peg-skirt.html and linked to your blog a couple of times. Can't wait to give the dress a go."

And here's her beautiful creation,

with and without a belt. Didn't she do an amazing job?!!!

Be sure to hop over and check out her blog. If you would like to find the peg skirt tutorial, you can find it here and here. It thrills my heart to know that I've helped someone grow a little in their skills. Thanks so much for giving the peg skirt a try Mel!!
May we all have a wonderful and productive day!
Rhonda

Preparing for The American Sewing Expo

I've been working on my samples for the ribbon weaving class that I will be teaching at The American Sewing Expo. So I thought I would share 2 of my samples. I think they are rather pretty :)

I have another to share that is a little more involved than these are. While in class I will talk about practical applications and I'll have other examples as well. I think it is going to be a fun class! You can find the class on page 7 of the brochure, http://www.americansewingexpo.com/2014/2014_Reg_Broch_Download_LR2.pdf

If you are attending the expo, I will be in the Social Media Lounge on Friday from 10 to 12. Stop by, I would love to meet you in person!