sewing up a storm

i've been working in my studio (a fancy word for my slope-floored and poorly lit sewing room) everyday after work. i've been working through some old commercial patterns and trying out new ones. i have to admit, i can't remember the last time i've sewn this much for myself. i sew almost every day at my job and for the last few years, i could only commit to quick sleeveless tops or super-easy, unlined pencil skirts that i could whip up in a couple of hours and still be in bed by 11 pm. i haven't gone so far as to add sleeves to anything i've made recently (it is, after all, still summer for at least another month), but i've been working steadily though a good chunk of my fabric. to keep a log of the things i've done, i'm planning on posting about each pattern and project soon.

as much as i love the satisfaction (and compliments) i get from wearing something to work that i made the night before, i'm beginning to think that it's time i work on some more challenging projects. i'd like to make a grey wool winter coat (and perhaps a copy of the toggle coat below), some well-fitting tailored button-down shirts (maybe one in a soft chambray for the autumn), a pair of jeans that really fits, some wool pencil skirts with anthropologie-inspired details and actual linings. it's time to step my sewing up a notch and work on quality pieces to build my ideal wardrobe.

shoulder-less

i know i've been absent from blogging lately but that's what happens when you work 6 days a week in the summer time. my busy summer schedule will soon be over, however, and i'm starting to look forward to some peaceful days in my sewing room. i'm trying to fill my closet with more easy-to-toss-on-in-the-morning dresses. so far, i've made three from the same pattern and i'm looking for more silhouettes. i like the exposed shoulders on these silk dresses by sariah (but i think i'd make mine out of washable cotton).

another quilt to make someday

add this red, grey and white quilt to the list of things i'm going to make someday. spotted here.

all dressed up...

...with a gala to go to! the company i work for has a fundraiser gala in early june with dinner, dancing and a silent auction (for which i'm making a quilt using fabrics from last summer's shows). the big question is, what am i going to wear? this is my one occasion a year when i get to dress up (and i mean big-time-black-tie-dress-up) so i've been looking for gown inspiration. i've decided i'm going to make this dress by carolina herrera worn by christina hendricks:


last year i wore a red gown so i'm thinking i'll make this one in navy blue. now i just need the time to fabric shop, pattern the dress, make a mockup, fit it, cut and build the dress and track down the shoes my sister has promised to let me wear.

before and after

call her crazy, but marisa's goal is to take one thrift store purchase a day (costing no more than $1) and turn it into something wearable. new dress a day is where she chronicles her 151 (and counting) new creations. some of the dresses she starts with are truly in the so-ugly-i-could-puke category but marisa seems to be unafraid to cut it up, sew it back together and take it out on the town. there's no way i could do it, but i certainly admire a girl who will spend no more than $365 dollars this year on an entirely new wardrobe.

summer wardrobe inspiration, continued

i'm not a girl who goes for short-shorts but i'm really enjoying these looks from nadinoo's new spring/summer collection. the 1940's details are adorable! i think i'm going to have to make some peter-pan collared summer blouses to wear with my summer skirts (yet to be made).

summer wardrobe wish list

i'm going to be taking some wardrobe inspiration from the spring/summer 2010 line by allison wonderland. it's got everything i like about summer clothes--high-waisted a-line skirts, cotton fabric, big pockets, and adorable cap-sleeve tie-front blouses. i've been disappointed by my local jo-ann fabrics selection of summer-weight cottons so i'm going to have to search extra hard (and perhaps pay a little more) for the fabrics i really want.

ever wonder what i do?

this is an amazing video about the costume shop at the new york city ballet. from start to finish, it shows the process of recreating a tired set of tutus. though i work as a draper for theatrical costumes, the process is much the same. i've also had the pleasure of working with marc happel, the director of costumes for the nyc ballet, several years ago at glimmerglass opera. i also think i saw my friend polly in the background a couple of times.

new favorite thing to sew

i loved this build by wendy top when i saw it on her website, but i didn't love the price tag (origionally $178 but still too expensive when it went on sale for $88) so i patterned my own on a slow morning at work. i didn't make it button up the back like the original (who wants to lean back on buttons all day?) but i did copy the black-and-white gingham plaid fabric. i found a piece at jo-ann's a couple of weeks ago and it was fate that this project came along.



here i am wearing it at work. i want to wear it every day.

wish list

this japanese shirtmaking book just moved to the top of my wish list. if only it was written in english (or that my master tailoring instructor, tetsuo tamanaha, lived on the east coast and could translate it for me).

In progress: penrose tile quilt

penrose tile quilt begun
Originally uploaded by light_speed

Last night I got this project out of its box and started working on it again. It's gotten so big that it's become difficult to work on. And, of course, Penny likes to eat all the paper diamonds. My goal is to have it done by the end of the year.

Sunday Sewing

I made this quilted bag this afternoon as a gift to one of my summer costume shop employees. I had hoped to finish all of their gifts before they left but, like most things, I'm only starting to work on it a week after they've gone. Despite this, today's been a productive day in the sewing room. I finished the quilt top for a quilt that Dustin and I will be giving to some friends at their wedding on Saturday. Other projects on my list:

1. recovering the ironing board
2. making a placemat and napkin set for my boss who's getting married this week
3. making a dress to wear to said weddings
4. finishing the curtains in the living room
5. re-covering an IKEA chair


(Side Note: I haven't perfected the art of the quality blog picture. My little camera, a Fuji FinePix Z1, doesn't take the best pictures and I don't have Photoshop to improve them. I'll do my best.)