Sunday Night Reflections

Pattern Making For Jacket and Coat Design

Earlier this past week, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and interview Pamela Vanderlinde. Not only is she an accomplished designer, she teaches at both the Illinois Institute of Art and the School of the Art Institute. 

She recently published a book on jacket and coat design. This is a book for the modern designer who would love to have the knowledge to create beautiful jackets and coats. Hear all about it in the interview below. 



Now that you've seen the video, you know that Pamela is not only making a difference in the fashion world, but reaching out and working with the Andean women of Peru. You can find their website HERE. 

Pamela's book, Pattern Making For Jacket and Coat Design is a must for anyone interested in developing and designing coats and jackets. You can find it HERE on Amazon. 

If by chance you can make it to Chicago the first Saturday of June, Pamela will be speaking to the Haute Couture Club at our June Banquet. Once the registration form is up on the website, I'll let you know. This is an opportunity that you will not want to miss!

Pamela hopes to get her blog updated soon. Be sure to pop over as there is more on her blog that we did not cover in the interview. You can find her blog HERE. You'll see that Pamela is truly a very deep well of inspiration. 

The Wednesday Showcase

It looks like the storms will soon be rolling in to Chicago. My Gracie absolutely hates rain, or being wet in any way for that matter, so she is safely sitting behind my chair, tucked into the corner. When Little Bit was still alive, and I would take the dogs to the beach, Little Bit loved everything about the water, chasing the little birds, running through the water. Gracie would be in the dunes, as far away from the water as she could be. God forbid her toes got wet! :)  

As I've said in the past, the Wednesday Showcase is typically reserved for those who are following my blog. Just a little way of saying thank you, thank you, thank you :) But, there are times when something comes up that I just have to share. Such is the case today.

If you don't know Tracy of Tracy's Sewing Studio, then you are in for a big treat! Not only is she an incredible sewist, she's an artist.

Her husband is a master brewer for Yellow Springs Brewery, and they recently rebranded their cans. Tracy was inspired, and you won't believe what she did!

She cut butterfly shapes from the cans. 

Made a dress and attached the butterflies. Amazing!!! 

Isn't this just lovely?!! 
The dress was entered into a juried art show. I hope she won.

On her post, Tracy included a video so you can see exactly how she attached the butterflies to the dress. So pop over, you'll find so much inspiration on her blog.

Next up is the loveliest lady. I met her when I went to the sewing expo in Puyallup to audition for the Sew It All program. As it turns out, we have many things in common, and one in particular is she too flies an airplane!!! In fact, she is super lucky as she actually lives at an airpark. Her name is Kathy and she blogs at Running With Rocket, named lovingly after her dog Rocket.

Kathy is so incredibly creative. Below is a clothesline bowl that she recently made as a gift at Easter. I just love how she used the thread to give definition.

There are so many tutorials on her blog, but I decided to showcase this one for baked potato bags. She says that these bags put out the fluffiest potatoes one could ever want.

Kathy makes the most incredible cards. On the left is a picture of a friend's horse, and on the right, the card she made for her. Look closely and you'll see an airplane in the background :)

On her blog, you'll find not only fabulous ideas, Kathy shares recipes AND her very green thumb! On the left is a picture of her blooming jade plant. I'm so jealous!!!

Kathy also has an Etsy store, so if you see something on the blog, love it, but would rather not spend the timing making it, you can most likely find it there. 

Have a wonderful day! I hope you are able to squeeze in a little time just for you :)
Rhonda

Fascinator and Fashion Show Fun

The Haute Couture Club of Chicago will host its annual fashion show on Sunday, May 7, 2017. It's always a fun event!

What makes the event especially nice is how so many members pitch in to help. I was given a sneak peak of our table decorations, so I thought I would share, tempt, whatever the case may be :)

Now, this is just a small sampling. Each is a full size hat/fascinator. There will be 22 in all. And...even better, everyone who attends the show will have the opportunity to win one, or more!

The hats will be raffled off. Tickets are a steal!!!
$2.00 per ticket
$8.00 for 10 tickets
$15.00 for 20 tickets

So for just a mere $2.00, you could actually take home a custom made piece.  

We are especially excited as we will also showcase the designs of 3 specially chosen fashion design students from The Illinois Institute of Art who will be the recipients of our scholarship awards. 

If you would like to attend the show, ticket information can be found HERE. It's always fun to be around others who sew :)  

Sunday Night Reflections

Take A Peek/A Vintage Garment That Is Beautifully Made

A number of years ago, I found a wonderful vintage evening suit that transcends time. 

The dress is simple in design, but made of the most beautiful fabric. It includes a jacket, perfect for chilly evenings. And even better, it has hidden pockets.

For those of us who sew, the interior of the dress and jacket are just as interesting as the outside, if not more, so I thought you might like to take a look inside.



If you have any questions, be sure to ask, Or if I can take a close up picture of something, just let me know.

Sewbussted's Material Witness/Fishman's Fabrics, Chicago's Premier Fabric Store

Today is National Drink Tea Day! How perfect, grab a cup of tea, and enjoy a brand new episode of Sewbussted Material Witness! If you prefer coffee, that's okay too ;)

I found this interview to be especially interesting and inspiring. So many of us watch as fabric store after fabric store closes, and of course we fear the worse...where will we be able to find fabric? Many have turned to the internet, but it's just not the same as being able to go into a store and become intoxicated by everything we see. 

Fishman's has been a resource for couture fabrics for over 100 years. Here you will find 80 shades of Bemberg lining, always at $10.00 per yard. 

They also carry 38 shades of silk charmuese, a must lining in any couture garment.

A little over one half of the store is devoted to clothing fabrics,

With an entire wall of woolens for bespoke men's wear. 

In the video, you'll learn that they even offer more, a free swatch service, unique fabrics from Italian manufacturers, and re-orderable fabrics. 



As you enter the store, there is a wall devoted to the history of Fishman's, featuring the impact that the store has had on Chicago as well as the life of so many who have entered through the front door.

And finally, a tribute to Gregg's father, Jerry Fishman, a wonderful man who made everyone who entered the store feel as though they were the most important person in the world. In the video you'll learn why he is pictured in an airplane. 

I hope you've enjoyed this episode of Sewbussted Material Witness :)

Rhonda 

The Wednesday Showcase

The smallest gesture can have an enormous impact.

My husband and I belong to a ballroom dance club. It's a little on the Downton Abbey side as the men must wear a tuxedo, the women must wear a formal gown. There are dance cards. A woman is never to left alone at a table. I tend to roll my eyes at a few of the rules, but all in all, it's fun, and I enjoy meeting and talking with the other members. 

There are a few couples that I especially enjoy. I had the opportunity to dance with one gentleman that I think is just delightful. As we danced, he mentioned the Christmas card that I sent to he and his wife. He went on to say, "you just don't know how much that meant to us." 

I love sending Christmas cards, but this year was a little difficult. For years now, my husband and I have done picture cards, and my little dog Little Bit typically had a place of honor. 

Poor little dog...one year I found a pair of fabric antlers that I thought I would strap to her head. Then I got the bright idea to take her out to the airport and sit her on the cowling of the airplane as if she were Rudolph leading the sleigh. She had a very different idea about doing this and I ended up having to just hold her in my arms. Over the years, there have been pictures of us hiking, and pictures with special get-ups(a term used in the south for outfits that are rather questionable). It's a miracle that the little dog loved me as much as she did! ;)

I almost talked myself into not sending out cards this past year. But, for me, a card is like a small gift, a gesture to show that I have thought of the person to whom it is sent. And so, as difficult as it was, our simple little card was put together, just the three of us, my husband, Gracie, and me. Little did I know that months later I too would be given a gift.

It's been a few weeks since we've had a Wednesday Showcase post, so we are well overdue!

First up today is Anne of quite simply, Anne's Blog. Unlike many of us, she did not have the opportunity to sew when she was a teenager, but now that she is retired, she has taken on the challenge as an outlet for her hidden creativity. The blog gives her a place to chart her progress. As you'll see below, she has done an incredible job!

Not only did she make her daughter's gown, she also made the bridesmaid's dresses. So lovely.   

This beyond adorable shirt was made for her grandson. This is a shirt that I would like to have in my wardrobe!!!

Anne is so very generous with her time. She even sews for her mom. This was an especially thoughtful gift as her mother is now legally blind, and the fabric was from her stash.

Anne says that she has a very difficult time finding RTW clothes that will fit, so all the more that she wants to sew for herself. She goes into great detail about the changes she makes in her patterns. Here she is pictured in a Cashmerette Concord Tee. The room she is standing in is to die for!!! I would LOVE a garden room like this.

Be sure to pop over and say hi to Anne. I know you'll enjoy getting to know her.

Next up is Claire of Domestic Coquinette. She sews on her dining room table in New York City and creates pieces that anyone would love to have in their wardrobe.

She is especially proud of her "Bombshell" bridesmaid's dress. I think there are a lot of bridesmaids who would be especially jealous of such a beautiful dress! You can read all about her journey to create this dress HERE.  

She copied an Anna Sui dress. Claire's is on the left, and the original on the right. I like Claire's :)

Claire made this beautiful lace dress for her rehearsal dinner. Not a full length picture, but you can see that it is spot on perfect!

Not at all afraid of a challenge, she rubbed off a favorite dress and created this super cute piece for her sister's engagement party.

Claire also enjoys sharing her adventures and travels with those who stop by her blog. She is truly a delight in every way. 

Before I go, I thought I would share something that really made me laugh...

Have a wonderful day!
Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Bring On Spring!

Spring has sprung here in Chicago, but Mother Nature can be an evil woman this time of year! In years past, I have been lured by her temptation that spring is truly here, gone out, worked in my garden, planted flowers, only to have a dip in the temperatures, and then loose everything. So...I wait until Mother's Day weekend to do any planting. But until then, I fill the house with flowers, open the doors and windows, and enjoy the warm air. 

Back in February, I shared with you the delightful work of Meredith Wing. She is a fashion illustrator who designs under the name Moomooi. Her designs aren't exactly fashion, but vegetables, fruit, leaves, all artfully arranged on fashion figures. Meredith is such an inspiration as she is the perfect example of do what you truly love, add in a little luck, and you will succeed.

   

I was so captivated by her work, so I searched around and found the Feel Unique website, and ordered her tote bag and makeup bag. Even prettier in person than they are on the site.

The other pieces that are offered;

Makeup brush

I-phone case

Travel Pouch

I think these would be a lovely gift for a young woman graduating from high school. If your purchase totals $15.00 or more, shipping is free in the U.S. I love free shipping :)

Last week, I did a post about my knitting projects that I have challenged myself to complete during 2017. I also vowed not to purchase another project until I thinned the project stash. Well, I must confess that I broke down and purchased another project. I'm disappointed in myself (only a little!), but I just fell in love with these crocheted boots from Lion Brand Yarn. As I told you last week, I can crochet, but not well, so it's going to be all the more of a challenge for me to get these made. But, since I really want them, maybe I'll be all the more motivated. We'll see :/ 

Bell shaped sleeves have become the rage this year.

This morning when I opened my email, I saw a fun challenge from McCall's.  

All you have to do is make up McCall's 7542, submit your make, and you just may win! Get all of the details on the McCall's blog HERE. The grand prize is pretty sweet! And even better, the pattern is on sale for $2.49.  

I look at it this way, even if you don't win the big prize, you'll walk away with a cute new piece for your spring wardrobe. You can gets lots of inspiration HERE on Pinterest for your own makes.

My next interview for Sewbussted's Material Witness was postponed last week, but will happen tomorrow. I am so excited!!! So it should be up this Friday. 

If you haven't done so already, go buy a few flowers to enjoy at home or in your office. A beautiful flower always puts a smile on my face :)

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda

Sunday Night Reflections

Empowering Others

One of my favorite television programs is, "Pit Bulls and Parolees." If you haven't seen the show, it's about a woman, Tia, who is committed to saving pit bull dogs, and giving those who have been incarcerated a chance at making it once they leave prison. Not all of the dogs can be saved, and not all of those who come to work at the facility end up a success story. But, many do. 

A friend emailed me about an event that will take place here in Chicago on April 29, 2017, called Knit Around The Clock. This is a fund raiser for a group called Committed Knitters. You can check them out HERE on Facebook. They are a   group of women who once a week, teach women how to knit and crochet at the Cook County jail. The outreach doesn't end at the jail. When the women are released, the group continues to follow up with them to ensure success once they are back out in the world.  

They do need donations. A downtown store called Loopy Yarns will accept donations. You can also find them HERE on Facebook. If you attend the event on April 29th, donations will be accepted then as well.

On Tuesday, I shared my goal of completing 12 knitting projects this year. Many need to be completed, so they are not start to finish projects. My initial goal was to complete at least 1 project each month. The only problem is that it's now April, the 4th month of the year, and none are completely finished. Close, but not finished :/

I felt that I needed a jump start, so I went through my selected projects and decided that I could get one completed, a scarf. 

I had taken a class with Nora Gaughan while I was in Maine a few summers ago. She had given us a set of 6 different samples to do. I had thought that I would do the samples, but make them into a scarf. I didn't like it, and there it sat. So when I looked at it on Tuesday, I realized that my only option was to rip the entire thing apart, but choose a pattern that I like and just do the 1 pattern for the entire length of the scarf. I'm happy!!! I sat down over the last 3 evenings and knitted away. So now I can mark at least 1 project off the list. 

What I am the most excited about is finding out about the Committed Knitters program. So inspiring. What a wonderful resource for duplicate needles, and yarn that I know I am not going to use. My initial goal was just to thin the stash, but I also wrote that one of my goals was to find a home for the things I could not use, or did not want. See, this whole thing of writing it down really does make it happen. And even better, the resource came to me, I didn't even have to look for it!

If you know of resources like Committed Knitters that needs needles and yarn, please leave a message. If there are enough, I can compile them into resource list.  

Adventure Awaits!/Rocky Mountain Sewing Adventure

For me, there is nothing better than combining my love for the outdoors, and...well, just about anything creative! 

Although I live in the city, I'm most at home in the mountains. I love the fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the ease of the everyday pace. I am especially excited about offering what I think will be a wonderful opportunity to learn, relax, and rejuvenate at our very first....

Date:

June 10-16, 2017

Cost:

$1385.00

*The trip includes transportation from Denver International Airport as well as return transportation. You MUST make arrangements to arrive no later than 1:00 p.m.  

*6 nights accommodations at the Indian Peaks Resort. The condos have 2 private bedrooms, with 2 private baths, and each condo comes with a beautifully maintained hot tub. The kitchens are well stocked, so you may cook as you wish.

*1 relaxing massage.

*A 1-day class at the Tandy Leather Outlet in Denver, with transportation. We will be learning the art of leather tooling. Time to shop will also be included.

*A guided, daily morning hike, with a longer hike on Wednesday afternoon for anyone interested.

*3 days of instruction with Helen Haughey. The workshop will give you the opportunity to make a couture sheath dress.

*1 day leather workshop with Rhonda Buss. We will be making a bag, using zippers, and learning how to properly work with leather.

*A welcoming dinner on Saturday evening. Rhonda will have homemade soups to choose from, a salad, fresh bread, and dessert.

The sheath workshop will take place at the Historic Fraser Church. The room is lovely, with a large stone fireplace on one wall. So if it's chilly, we can light a fire! The sheath workshop will take place on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The leather workshop will take place at the Fraser Public Library on Thursday. 

Transportation to both venues will be provided. 

An optional workshop will be taught on Tuesday night at The Fabric Nook in Granby, Colorado. You will have the opportunity to create the Row By Row Design. A design that is unique to The Fabric Nook. Transportation to and from Granby will be provided. The cost of the workshop is $50.00 and includes the kit. 

Not included in the cost of the adventure:

*Airfare to and from Denver, Colorado

*Daily meals 

If all of this sounds exciting, and you would like to participate, please download the registration form HERE.

Once your registration has been received, you will receive a supply list.

Remember, the adventure is only open to 10 participants.

I hope to see you in Colorado!

 

Write it Down, Make It Happen

A quick update on the sewing adventure that Helen Haughey and I will be hosting in June. All of the information will be up on the blog first thing tomorrow. I'm really excited as I think it is going to be such a fun experience. 

It seems that if you are creative, it's rare that you enjoy doing just one thing. In the past, I've shared that I began at an early age doing embroidery and hand sewing. That lead to knitting, crocheting, and ultimately tatting, taught by my grandmother, and all of which she did beautifully. While I love to tat, my first passion after sewing is probably knitting. Crocheting has a never been a real passion, just something I know how to do, but not super well.

Quite a few years ago, I met and became friends with a wonderful woman who had the most incredible knit shop in Houston. This place was simply amazing. Friends of mine in Chicago were always surprised to hear me say that I waited to do any yarn shopping until I got back to Houston. After all, Houston is not exactly the sweater capitol of the United States. Maybe a few light weight wool sweaters, and cotton pieces, but not the heavy duty things we need in a colder climate. But, my friend carried it all. Her shop was like a knitting wonderland. And trust me, my eyes would glaze over when I entered the store, and all memory of the projects I had waiting at home seemed to magically jump right out of my head. 

Life seems to take twists and turns that we never really expect, and the same held true for my friend. She had never wanted or expected to have a baby, but as fate would have it, she became pregnant and her passions changed. She no longer wanted to run the store, she wanted time at home with her child, and who could blame her? 

Her closing the store was probably a favor to me as well as I amassed quite a collection of projects. A few years ago, I learned of Lorna's Laces and that she has a warehouse sale on occasion, not the same as my friend's store, but this too added to my collection. And it also doesn't help that Lorna's Laces is merely blocks away from my home :/

So this year I decided that I am not purchasing anything new, I MUST begin to thin the stash. My goal is to finish 12 projects by the end of the year. I'm already behind. But, if I have nothing else, I do have blind faith :) 

I began the year with this scarf project from Rowan Yarns. If you subscribe to their magazine, you get a free project(just what I needed!). This is the first time that I have not been happy with a Rowan yarn. It's the Rowan, Alpaca Colour yarn. If you look at the picture below, you can see how the yarn does not have a consistent color. The dye lot was the same on all the skeins. 

I decided that I would weave a small cord of coordinating yarn through the lacing, so I purchased a yarn that picks up the darker color in the yarn. I'll also use it in the fringe. So much for thinking that I had a project finished.

The next project that I have been working on is a shawl with yarn from Lorna's Laces. The yarn is lovely, but it's like knitting with thread, and there's nothing to the pattern to hold my interest, so I am bored beyond belief!!! The only saving grace is that I think I will really enjoy having the shawl once it's finished.

Once I get the shawl completed, I have a few quick to knit projects that will hopefully get me back on schedule.

This one will be super fast, it's just a little neck piece from Classic Elite Yarns. It was a thank you gift for attending the Yoga and Knitting Adventure in Maine a couple of years ago. 

A number of years ago, I knitted a pair of felted clog slippers for my husband. He LOVED them! So much so that he completely wore them out. He'll be thrilled to get a new pair.

When I went to the Knitting and Yoga Adventure in Maine, I ended up skipping the knitting as I preferred to hike and then go to the yoga classes. The project that we were supposed to do was a cabled neck scarf. 

I've only knitted 1 pair of socks in my entire life. Like many who begin to knit socks, I enjoyed the first, the second was a bit laborious, but I am determined to get this pair finished. The yarn is really quite lovely, so maybe that will help.

I really need to get this little sweater finished as I think I'll truly enjoy having it in my wardrobe. Here again, it's rather boring, and nothing to really hold my attention, but the yarn is so lovely, so once again, I'm determined. At least I hope so ;)

This will be the bigger project of the year. I purchased the variegated yarn below at a Lorna's Laces warehouse sale. 

 I finally decided upon this sweater from a Rowan  book. This is something I know I will enjoy on cold days.

I could have paddled to China faster than I have moved on this sweater!!! It's done in Rowan yarn and it's from a Kaffe Fasset book. I know I am going to enjoy throwing it on with jeans, just a matter of buckling down and getting it done. Basically, the front and back are finished, I just need to do the sleeves.

The last 3 projects are a scarf, a hat, and a bag, so not intense projects. I'll share those once I get to them.

Last year I read a book entitled, "Write It Down and Make It Happen." A few years back, I wrote down a dream that I had for our church. What I had hoped for was huge and not something I could accomplish on my own. But, I wrote it down, and I was amazed to see how it all came together last year. I had a part in making it happen, but seeing how it all unfolded was exciting and renewed my faith. 

Another day, I'll share a book that I put together a month or so ago where I can write and dream for 2017, and maybe beyond. My knitting list is in the book, so I am believing that this will happen. Then next year I can dream about 12 more projects. Yep, there's at least 12 more waiting in the attic!