Sewbussted's Material Witness and The Mahogany Stylist

Once I decided to go after my dream of doing video interviews, I quickly realized that there is a wealth of amazing talent right here in Chicago. 

If you don't know The Mahogany Stylist, and even if you do, I think you will enjoy getting to know her beyond the pictures. She's a wonderfully talented woman who loves to share her passion of sewing.

Her style ranges from classic and refined, 

 

To hip and fun!

My goal in doing the video was to give you a dual format, you actually get to experience the essence of who the person is by seeing them speak, but you may also just listen. After I did the interview, I played it back while I was driving home. Don't worry, I didn't watch!!!, I just listened. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed just listening. So, if you have time to watch, great, but if not, just put it on while you are sewing and enjoy the conversation.  

Cennetta has been blogging for quite some time so I thought you would enjoy hearing about her journey, and if you are contemplating a new blog, I also thought her story would be quite inspiring. Enjoy!



Be sure to check out Cennetta's blog, The Mahogany Stylist. I know you'll be inspired by all she does.

A little side note about our flight, it didn't happen. As I was checking the engine prior to take-off, I heard something that concerned me, and I saw that there was a slight negative charge on the amp meter. Since I've experienced an electrical failure in the past, I know the signs and I opted to cancel the flight. Disappointing, but as I told Cennetta, we live to see another day :)

Thrifty Thursday Ideas

I had such a lovely day yesterday. So many took the time to congratulate me on a great presidency with the American Opera Society of Chicago, and voiced that they were sad to see me step down. Really nice. Good for the soul :) 

Some asked what I would do now. I love the movie Working Girl and I jokingly used a line from the movie, "Oh, I think I'll redecorate the country house, go to Europe for a while ;)" What I'll actually be doing is continuing to talk to all of you through the blog on a regular basis, continue working on the new Sewbussted interview series (BTW, a new one will be up tomorrow!!!), working in my garden, and a couple of other things that I'm just not ready to talk about. 

Change is good as it allows us to take a new direction. One of my projects requires a considerable amount of research and reading, which I'm loving, but it takes time. So, I'm happy to have my mind a little freer in the months to come :).  

Now that warmer weather has finally hit Chicago, I'm wanting some fresh new pieces for spring/summer wear. What I REALLY need are some new pajamas. I received the new issue of Sew News recently and they have a simple, but cute pair in the issue and even better, it's a free download!

The pajamas are intended to be made from a woven fabric. They recommend crepe de chine, but any light weight woven would be fine. I have not made up the pattern yet, so I can't vouch for the drafting or fit, but with something so simple,  especially drawstring pants and an easy tank, I think you'll be safe to give it a try. I've downloaded the pattern, so I should have it made up soon. You can find the FREE PATTERN HERE. 

This must be a stripe kind of a week for me! Another super cute pattern that is a free download in the current issue of Sew News is this linen striped top.

I really like the front yoke and the interest that is added with the stripes. This pattern could easily be lengthened and made into an easy to wear summer shift dress. 

The instructions in the magazine are quite detailed, so if you've never ventured into the stripe world, you'll be sure to have a successful garment. You can find the FREE PATTERN DOWNLOAD HERE. If you think you would like to have 1 or both of the patterns, be sure to download them now as they will no longer be free after July 31, 2017!

A few days ago, Sewingelle of He Cooks...She Sews posted this sweet picture of she and her daughter on Mother's Day. I think her daughter is one of the luckiest girls in the entire world as her mom makes the most fabulous wardrobe for her.

Sewingelle commented that since the dress is black, it's a little difficult to see the style lines, but she likes it so much that she intends to make another for herself. 

 

Now, here's the good news!!!

The exact same pattern is on the cover of the current issue of Sew News, and..... 

You can get the pattern for 20% off when you enter the code, PocketDress20 at checkout, WOOHOO!!!

You can find the pattern HERE at BurdaStyle. 

This dress was made in a scuba knit, so it gives the dress a different look from the soft stretch velvet that Sewingelle used for her daughter's dress.  

Free patterns and a discount, I think that makes for a pretty good day!

Have a great one!
Rhonda

The Wednesday Showcase

Today will mark the end of a very special time of my life. For the past 6 years, I have been the president of the American Opera Society of Chicago. I remember running up the stairs to my very first board meeting as president. As my shoes hit each stair, the thoughts in my head seemed to get louder and louder telling me that this was far more than I was capable of. But I continued to climb and head toward my fear. 

In the over 90 year history of the organization, I am the first to serve for 6 years. There have been wonderful moments, and events have happened to cause me to lose sleep, many nights sleep at that. But, I persevered. I learned to gracefully deal with some very strong women, and I learned when it was best to just be quiet. I have learned that it is important to run towards what scares you because in the end, not only will you be stronger and wiser, but you will also learn that you are capable of so more than you could imagine when you began.  

For today's Wednesday Showcase, I would like to introduce you to someone new, and reintroduce you to a couple of fabulous ladies that we met some time ago.

First, our new introduction is Annette from a Sewful Life. What a fun and lovely lady! She believes in the power of making, the joy it brings us and the restorative power it can have in our lives. Annette began sewing at the age of 3, and could not imagine her life without this wonderful creative outlet.

As I scrolled through her blog, I especially liked how she plans out her projects. She purchased a Curvy Sketchbook from Cashmerette and she actually uses it!!!

Absolutely love the shark teeth picture!!! Annette went to Hawaii and took along her easy to wear Me Made Wardrobe.

Look who this is with Annette...Rhonda Pierce!!! Annette lives near Seattle so it's easy for her to get to the expo in Puyallup. She and Rhonda modeled the hats for one of the many fashion shows that you will find there.

Annette is helping to lead a sew and serve group at her church. They make baby blankets for a local mission center. You can read all about what they are doing and find more opportunities on her post HERE.

Annette is very new to the blogging world, she just began this past March, so be sure to pop over and give her a very warm welcome!

There's a very talented lady who sews beautifully and lives in France. Her name is Jacqueline and sadly, she no longer blogs. But, I just had to share one of her newest makes. She made this raincoat out of a plastic tablecloth. So cute and what a fun idea! 

Jacqueline is part of a great group of ladies on Facebook, La Couture & Ses Blogs. You might like to check them out :)

I showcased Pauline of Sew You Think You Can Knock Off some time ago. She loves to recreate designer garments, and does so beautifully. She also loves stripes.

On Monday, I posted this picture of a beautifully mitered striped dress,

Here's Pauline's real life version. Simply fabulous!!! You can read her post HERE.

Another fun stripe make.

Love the use of the vertical and horizontal stripes.

You will also find Pauline on Instagram. Be sure to check her out as I know you'll be inspired!

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda 

Monday Morning Inspiration/Spring Stripes

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

Did ya miss me?...naaaa ;)
I've been missing in action for about 10 days. Just a lot on my plate, so I decided to be good to myself and just not put too much pressure on myself. What pushed me over the edge was a phone call from my dermatologist. He had taken a sample for a biopsy. When he called with the results, he said that it wasn't good and that he had scheduled me for surgery. While I feel that he is an excellent doctor, his bedside manner can be a little lacking, and as it turns out, it really wasn't so grim. I have an incision with 16 stitches on my right shoulder blade. Initially it was quite painful, not only the incision, but due to where it is, I feel every movement of my arm. But it's much better now. And even better, the sun is shining and we're expecting temps in the 80s, so a great day is ahead!

Do you ever get an idea about something you would like to eat, and then can't get it off your mind until you put the first bite in your mouth? I do, and I'm the same way about something I would like to wear. A little over a week ago, I purchased a pair of black and white striped shoes. I think I need to see about getting another pair as I have worn them at least 3 times in the last week and a half, and I'm wearing them today! Now I want a pair of easy black and white striped pants. Just something floaty and easy to wear. I have a piece of  black and white striped poly, so the pants will soon be in my wardrobe...like...today! 

As you can see, at the moment I am obsessed with stripes. For me, stripes scream spring/summer, and I am ready for the freshness of the season. So here's a few fun pieces that I found and thought you might like too! 

This is just a simple a-line dress with raglan sleeves made interesting with the manipulation of the stripes. 

This dress is eye catching due to the large stripes, but also because of the small stripes in the yoke. Take note that the neckline, armholes and hem are finished with a simple black binding.

The mitered waistline on this little dress is amazing!

 A simple dress that could be recreated with some mitering.

Love this breezy dress. It's been made all the more dramatic with the bias neckline binding and the horizontal stripe around the hem.

A simple black and white bordered scarf  would make this dramatic, but super easy dress.

Adding a pop of color grounds the stripes.

While this is not a stripe, it feels like a stripe. A simple piece of black trim was sewn on top of the princessline seam, and then accented with a second piece of trim. So pretty.

Again, not a traditional stripe, but fun color blocking.

This is just so pretty. 

And a few fun ideas for tops.

I thought I would leave you with this today...

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

OOTD and Thoughts On Me Made May

I can't wait to get dressed this morning! I've been waiting to wear this skirt and today is the day. The skirt is made from a beautiful piece of vintage jacquard that's also a border print.  

It has big hip pockets.

Front pleats that radiate from the base of the darts.

I underlined the fabric with cotton batiste, and finished off the hem with a piece of yellow bias tape.

The skirt is lined in an off white silk charmuese, which, needs to be pressed :/ 

I'm wearing a pair of black and white striped pumps. I like the unexpected combination.

I have decided to participate in Me Made May this year. I won't be doing daily posts here. If you would like to follow along, I'll be posting on Instagram. You can find me by searching Sewbussted. At the end of the month, I'll do a recap here on the blog and share my discoveries.

MeMadeMay began as a way for sewists to shout to the world, "I"m sewing!" And also to celebrate the incredible work that goes into a made by you wardrobe. For some, I think the experience is still the same, for others, it has morphed into something more, and that's me. 

Now, I've been sewing since Adam and Eve walked the face of the earth, maybe even longer ;), so a sewn wardrobe is nothing new. What I am looking forward to is scrutinizing my wardrobe, asking myself questions about what I have, and what I really need. I am also looking forward to discovering why there are pieces that I love, but just don't wear, at least not too often. And then too, being honest and getting rid of what I really don't like.

For many of us, May is a wonderful time of the year to do this. The weather is changing and we're looking forward to getting into lighter and brighter clothes. But, if you live in a climate like Chicago, there are days when you have to pull on something warm. Believe it or not, we actually had a freeze warning last night! So this time of year gives me the chance to actually look at my entire wardrobe rather than just a season. I think there is something to be said for doing this over an entire month. Our moods change, one day is not the same as the last, so it gives us time to really delve a little deeper than just taking a day to go through your wardrobe. 

I'm looking forward to a fun and informative month!

Monday Morning Inspiration

It's Monday, and it's also the first day of the month. May 1st is my personal kickoff to spring, so this is a very happy day for me. We had SO much rain over the weekend. My garden is quite happy, weeds and flowers alike ;) The blooms have finished on my cherry tree, but the apple tree is bursting with blooms. The squirrels typically eat all of my apples, but who knows, maybe there will be enough this year for me too. I'm not counting on it. Those little buggers snatch the apples off the tree, take a bite or two and then leave the rest. I don't mind sharing, but at least eat what you take!!! 

Last Saturday I added a new interview to the Sewbussted Material Witness lineup. What a fun interview it was to do. In case you missed it, I've added it below,



I had not met Pamela Vanderlinde prior to our interview, but what a great time we had together. So for a little Monday Morning Inspiration, I thought I would showcase some of her custom work. 

The 2 pieces below are by far my favorite. 

If you watched, or listened to the interview, you heard her say that her passion is coats and jackets. Look closely and you'll see the asymmetrical collar on this jacket. 

 The velvet roses on this coat are just exquisite.

Pamela enjoys taking a basic design and doing something a little unexpected.

This coat is a piece that she did for a class that she taught on pattern insertion. Really amazing!

Her new book on designing coats and jackets just came out in January, so it's quite new. A fabulous book, and one that I think everyone who enjoys making coats and or jackets should have in their library. You can find it HERE on Amazon. 

I thought I would share this picture from her blog, a picture taken in Manchu Picchu. In the interview we talk about her philanthropic work with the Andean women. On the Amawaki website, you can find info on how you can actually go and learn the weaving technique. While you are there, you will stay with a family and experience their life first hand. I SO want to do this!  

Now here's an opportunity!!!

If by chance you are going to be in Chicago on Saturday June 3, 2017, Pamela will be speaking to the Haute Couture Club of Chicago at our annual June Banquet. You can find all of the information in our newsletter HERE. 

I hope that the month of May will bring loads of happiness and opportunity into your life! 
Rhonda