Have you been keeping yourself up to date on all the goings on in the fashion world… that is, outside of Project Runway? It’s hard to keep up with everything but I recently viewed this show online at Women’s Wear Daily.
There are some awesome elements that I’d like to recreate in some ‘inspired’ items for myself. I love that Margiela carried the hoop theme through the entire collection. The heavy hardware-feeling jewelry goes well with the oversized knits. Love the giant cable!
A few of my students and I were in awe of the stand out pants and skirts that are suspended by hoops. They’re not something for the everyday woman but they sure are interesting!
How’d they do that?
Don’t forget that we teach fashion design and patternmaking! Many of our students take their inspiration from the runway and recreate a look that is all their own! You bring the ideas… we’ll help you make them happen. Tim would be proud.
Published on
March 5, 2010 in
Tips.
We are lucky enough to have a huge area to sew in here at Stitch Cleveland. Although we would love a bit more space to spread out, we are happy to feel cozy with all of our fabric and supplies at our fingertips. Heidi and I are always trying to come up with ways to change our ‘organization’ methods or create more space. We were recently talking about doing a huge sewing machine mural on our back wall and then use small shelves to store our notions.
Today I noticed this post on Kellie’s scraplog. The photos of her sewing room are so neat and clean. Come on, Kellie… come clean… does it always look like this?! I need to know your secret! I always have a hard time organizing those tiny items that seem to pop up…
One thing I don’t think I could live without is shelving and fabric boxes. You can get them in awesome colors and prints and they really hide your fabric stash from hungry eyes! We love the Ikea Billy Bookcase. Target seems to have a great selection of fabric boxes and the print/ color selection changes each season.
What are your secrets for an organized sewing room?
A concern we hear from many sewers is regarding the lack of patterns available for boys and men. We agree! Think about your last visit to a website or pattern book. How many unique or fashionable garments did you see for the guys?
Sure, you can usually find the old button up and possibly a traditional suit… but who makes (or wears) those anymore?
A few months ago I was on the look out for some new resources for boys’ fashions that I could make. There are lots of boys on my shopping lists – two teens, a husband, and a toddler. I like to sew for all of them but I also want to make them things they will wear and not just hang in their closets!
In my searches I found Ottobre design, a company in Finland that caters to subscribers worldwide. I really like their take on fashionable kids’ clothes. The boys’ clothing is current without looking too trendy. I also love that the magazine provides resources for the fabrics they used to create the samples! In a recent blog post they revealed that they will be launching an online fabric store so that we can get our hands on the fabrics they use in their samples! The blog is fabulous. You can download free patterns, subscribe to the magazine, and even preview issues before ordering!
The attention to detail is what really makes these patterns unique. Each piece has a unique detailed pocket or closure. The patterns come folded in the center of the magazine. Each pattern is printed in a different color and gets traced (I use butcher paper) then cut out. This is great… you can reuse the patterns over and over and also trace several sizes of one garment.
Right away I subscribed to the magazine and received a free women’s magazine with my order of four children’s issues. When the first magazine arrived, I hurried to make a little bunting for Rex (my toddler) to wear in the cold weather. The directions in the magazine are short and to the point. I didn’t find it difficult to follow along but, a beginner should expect to need a little help. General knowledge of garment construction will be necessary. The finished product was adorable. Unfortunately Rex grew so quickly… I don’t think I even got a chance to photograph him in his cute little bunting. Oh, well, better get my sewing machine ready for some spring weather sewing!
I’ll fill you in on what I found in menswear later this week!
OK… so we know you’ve always wanted to make them, but thought they were just too complicated, and then you have to sew them together, too?
Squares are so simple and even more so using some of the new varigated yarns. Try different weights, like sock yarns or , oh yeah…Noro! Give a them a whole new look with your creativity and our ideas. Learn how to read patterns and charts for squares and several methods for joining them, too. Basic crochet is all you need to know to get started. Sunday 2 – 4pm.
Hi all! It’s the last Saturday of the month already… as Spring gets closer we bet you’ll want to be starting that warm weather wardrobe! Church of Craft will meet on Saturday and we’ll be talking about measurements and choosing the right pattern.
Megan will take you through the basic measurements you’ll need to purchase a commercial pattern as well as the measurements you can check once you get your pattern home to make sure that you’re hardwork results in something you’ll actually wear! Feel free to bring your fit questions and we’ll talk!
This won’t be organized as a class, but more of an open forum for you to ask questions and get advice about commercial patterns and measurements. Guys… don’t be shy… this won’t be strictly for the girls.
As always, Church of Craft is a free social event held at Stitch Cleveland on the last Saturday of each month from 1 – 4pm. We want you to bring your latest projects to show off or get advice! No registration or RSVPs needed… just be there!
I think I heard your sewing room calling for a new gadget. Check out some of the new ones we got in…
Needle tracing wheels, awls, pattern notchers (all shown here), as well as hip curves, L-squares, french curves, rabbit hole punches, pattern hangers, tape measures (and more!) are available at Stitch Cleveland.
Don’t forget we also offer industry pro dressforms and half size dressforms. Stop in to see our floor samples and decide which one you need.
Once you try your hand at Free Motion, make this cool bag and get some experience under your belt right away! This roomy bag features your choice of inside pockets, grommets, circle applique, a nice squared bottom , and we do have a limited supply of this fabric available! Numbers, small prints, pure & simple words, sweet! Purchase when you sign up. This size is great for knitting projects, sewing projects or even a diaper bag! …and looks awesome in Amy Butler prints, too!
March 27, 10am-2pm. You’ll want to have some practice with free motion before starting this project, learn at our demo/try-it class on the 14th, or call to arrange a one-on-one. Please register by March 25th. See ya there!
Join our new Burdastyle Club meeting on the 2nd Saturday starting in April.
Check the classes we have planned for March & April, too!
Try your hand at free motion, yep, get loose and stitch all over everything! Once you try it you will want to quilt every project you make! This is a demo/hands on class, so you’ll see a demonstration of the technique and we’ll have several machines set up so you can try your hand at it. It’ll be lots of fun so be sure not to miss it. It seems everyone is interested in this technique! March 14, 1-3:00 pm $15. (please register by March 11)
We’ll be taking sign-ups during the demo for the workshop scheduled later in the month where we’ll be making a quilted bag, the sample is almost done! If you’ve ever taken a class with us, you know how much fun it is to spend an afternoon at Stitch. Friends + sewing = fun at Stitch!
Join our Burdastyle Sewing Club , we’ll be meeting monthly on the 2nd Saturday starting April 3rd.
Check our classes page for updates on classes scheduled for February and March.
Do your friends sew, too? Wouldn’t you love to spend an afternoon together with lots of space to cut and sew…and have the guidance of an experienced seamster to help you along, too?
Maybe you’ve always wanted to make an Amy Butler bag, but were unsure of reading the directions?
How much fabric to get?
How to cut out the pieces?
Well, that’s exactly what a group of 12 friends did at Stitch last weekend. They brought their machines, fabrics, patterns and supplies and had a great afternoon laughing, sewing and actually learning, too! A Private Sewing Party just for your friends-what a great idea!! We have the space, you have the friends, perfect!
We’ve had a lot of demand lately for a monthly class where kids and teens to get together and get crafty… so here you go!
Starting in February, we’ll be holding Saturday CRAFTernoon on the second Saturday of each month. The class will be held from 1 – 4pm and will be open to students ages 8 – 14. The class fee is $45 and will include a kit for that month’s class. Some of our projects will be french-seamed tote bags, pencil pouches/ cosmetic bags, binder covers, fabric cuff bracelets, softies, and MUCH more!
This is one of our younger seamsters. She is very gifted and we love having her and her sisters at Stitch! When customers stop in to see what’s new and they see such a young sewer they are always surprised. With one on one or small group classes, it’s amazing what these kids can do! It’s inspiring to see them leave with their finished products. Elizabeth has made a skirt, pajama pants, a tote bag, and an applique wall hanging during her lessons at Stitch Cleveland. On her own, she has experimented with her sewing machine and made many other fun projects! Keep it up, Elizabeth, you inspire us!
We are really excited to offer these classes and even more excited that there has been a demand for them. How great that sewing is making a huge comeback for our kids. Someday as they start sewing businesses, or go to fashion school, or stitch someone up on an operating table they will think fondly of how it all started… one Saturday CRAFTernoon!
what’s everyone saying?