Studio Helper

Sometimes, in the studio, and extra set of hands is oh-so-helpful... sometimes the extra set of hands is just fun. Especially, when those hands belong to my 4yo helper. He had a good time picking out scraps to dress his "never gonna lose them" people. Very fashionable, no?

Studio Helper

The Circle Purse Evolution Cont'd

So you've seen the circle purse and the illustration for it. I decided to have a festive morning and edit the images on the computer today. Super fun Frosty bag and the ornament bag. Turns out TONS of things are circles. I think we've only just begun. With a few little applique shapes... I really don't see my current obsession with this purse ending anytime soon. What kind of circle things would you incorporate if it was your purse?

I'm thinking and orange slice! My 9yo would love that and Spoonflower could totally print a giant orange slice for me... hum.... Definitely lady bugs or chunky flowers. Cross-section of a watermelon slice. Wagonwheel? Hum... maybe not a wagon wheel.


Of course, these digital-mock ups do not exist in real life. I'm trying to decide if I'll actually make them up. I've been spending a ton of time on the computer lately working on 4 new patterns and not too much time at the sewing machine. Hopefully, that will change as soon as I get the pattern diagrams incorporated.

~jen~

The Circle Purse Evolution Cont'd

Vintage Sheets

Oh man- I do love some vintage sheets. Imagine how thrilled I was to find this little baby (below) at the thrift store last week. The coolest thing about the "recycle" of these sheets is that someone had already made it into a hand-hemmed round table cloth. I took the table cloth, found the straight of grain, folded it, and went to work.


I'm making a gaucho-esque, split-skirt-type pant for my girl who loves to climb trees. She's a little girl-y, so she does still like dress-up, but she has also informed me that skirts gravely interfere with her monkey bars and tree climbing. Well- form should follow function, right?? Seeings how that was my inspiration, I thought it would only be fair to get her to climb a tree for the photo. Talk about easy requests!

Speaking of function and form- I had to make a matching headband for this kiddo. Hopefully this will keep her hair looking a bit nicer after she bolts out of the house in the mornings.

You know what else is cool about vintage sheets- they aren't going to color fade. I mean, if we're already on year 20 for this textile... its about as faded as its going to be. The next 1-2 years of washing is not going to be a deal breaker.

I did get two pillow cases and another sheet that day at the thrift store. Stay tuned. ~jen~

Vintage Sheets

4 Little Dresses

1. Pink and White, 2. Wild Red, 3. Tropical Halter Dress, 4. Simply Straigh
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Ok, I'm trying this Flickr Mosaic Maker by bighugelabs.com. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I was asked to make 4 little dresses for a neighbor. They're each a little different, but they are all summer-y and a size 6. My favorite is the pink and white one, #1. ~jen~

4 Little Dresses

And also in the mix...

Among the curtains, pillows, purses, valances, pj pants and totes- I'm also working on a formal. It is the commissioned vision of my client and friend. The top is a criss cross deal loosely based on McCalls pattern M5323. The client pictured something sleeveless... so sleeveless it is! The skirt is going to be a mock wrap fancy crinkly shiney satin deal. I'll have a photo for you when its finished, (I hope). In the mean time, though, check out this awesome fabric for the top-

The fabric is some kind of satin, layered in tulle with velvety sparkle flowers holding those layers together. Its very nice. That picture is a close up of the tie detail on the side. The garment doesn't look great on Mannie, since its not made for Mannie's dimensions. Anyway, stay tuned, this one is going to look AWESOME. ~jen~

And also in the mix...

Where's my Etsy???

Where's my Etsy store? I'm so glad you asked. Its at www.llyrric.etsy.com and I have 5 new halter tops over there just waiting for YOU. I will probably be adding new Army/USAF uniform bits in the shop this Friday, so check it out now, and check it out later. ~jen~

Where's my Etsy???

Once you have a skirt pattern...

Once you have a basic skirt pattern, like the straight skirt in the post below, you can make any other kind of skirt from it. Its a pattern drafting skill. So- with the little size 8 straight skirt I made this full, double skirt. The fabric is, Korean, I think. There's no manufacturer's print on the selvage side. So it might be for commercial use, I really have no idea. I love the print though.

Its a light-weight batiste fabric that definitely needed to be lined. I decided- if I was going to do the work to "line" it, it was going to be visible. Lazy? Perhaps. I really like the double-skirt effect, though. And its not see-through, so its a win-win. Yes, I have more of the blue fabric left over... and it too thinks a coordinating top might be in order. That will be for another day.



The sweater is from Gymboree... {or more likely from a Thrift store in Albuquerque!!! shhhhhhh!} And the white shirt is by Old Navy... I think that was a hand-me-down from a lady in my mom's office. All together- looks pretty good though. Thanks for checking it out. ~jen~

Once you have a skirt pattern...

Wildly Productive Day

Today I was having one of those "I just want to do something for me days." I started by cleaning, so that I could enjoy the afternoon in my sparkling house. I made myself a great tortellini salad and I sewed. I drafted up a size 8 girls skirt pattern and made a cute little outfit.

Most recently, in the fashion sewing department, I've made boutique-y items to list on Etsy. I get my daughter (or her friends) to model and then get the outfit safely packed in a ziploc bag in the studio. Well, as you can imagine, she says "Now which one is mine?" ...Well... Mommy was making these for Etsy. Yours is coming soon, I promise. Today was the day! Hooray! Just in time for spring. I found this extra great, wild Alexander Henry print at the fabric market and bought just enough for an entire ensemble. Of course, it needed pink polka dots, though. -Good news, the fabric market has those too.-

I still have some polka dot fabric left and I keep thinking it needs a matching purse... but really, what does an 7yo need with a purse? We'll see. The headband is really accessory enough. The extra polka dot fabric is just calling me. "Jen, how about a coordinating peasant blouse???" Oh, we shall see, indeed.


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Now, let me share another tool with you from Heather Bailey's March of the Tools. I recently purchased this ruffle/pleat foot for my sewing machine and I have to tell you: I have no idea how I've sewn for the past 15+ years without it. The best part is, Ebay has them for under $30. Let me show you what this contraption looks like:

(That photo is from the ebay auction, where I purchased my very own new favorite tool.) Now let me tell you, this tool has many different settings from tight little gathers to full pleats. If you sew, you know its a royal pain in the... Well, ruffles are worth their money.

And now, they are a piece of cake. I cannot wait to add more ruffles to every apron and jeans hem! Definitely worthy of the March of the Tools. ~jen~

Wildly Productive Day

The Summer Halter Shirt

This design was a custom request by Wee Whimsy Designs. She suggested what she wanted, and the fabric she wanted, and I developed the pattern and made the top. It turned out extra cute. It is a halter tie top and has elastic across the back. Very summer, very beach. Its listed on Etsy for her. If you'd like one for yourself, email me. ~jen~

The Summer Halter Shirt

Painting

When I'm not sewing, I'd like to be painting. I don't paint much at all, though. If I get out the paints, the kids want to paint. ...which is fine, but it turns the 30 minutes of paint time for me into a 2 hour Mom-zilla "don't spill, carefull, look out for the carpet, do NOT paint on your brother, goodness, lookout" episode. Now, I do not say all those things because I'm horribly up tight, trying to suppress my children's creative side- I say all those things because the kids are 7, 5, and 2. =) If I am painting with just one kid, its usually much better. For instance, I can leave out the "don't paint your brother" comment. heh.

So I tell you all this so I can show you my fancy painting, back from when I had a hint more time and patients. Maybe if I post here, I'll be more motivated to take some time for myself and get to painting. Actually, I painted this before the kids were even on the scene. Man, its been a while. I should definitely try to paint more. Its so relaxing.

Its watercolor and currently hangs in the "pink" bathroom in our house. It really has nothing to do with bathrooms... obviously... but its better than stashing it in a box. ~jen~

Painting

Where's the aprons?

Ok, I know you've been waiting to see what these aprons will look like... it has been 3 posts and all since I first mentioned them. I'll give you a clue. Michael Miller fabrics. Yes, thats all you get. Oh- and two pictures. If you want to see the aprons, you'll have to roll over to Etsy.

Where's the aprons?

The Catalog

I proud to report I'm having more interest in the "what do you make wholesale" department. Whoohoo. So I've got a new plan for this weekend {HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!}- I hope to generate the wholesale-able flat drawing designs and have a sort of catalog on my website sometime next week. That in itself seems like a tall order, but I think if I write it down on here... I'll be more apt to get it done. Now, where's my sharpie?



Oh, in other news- I was having a bad day yesterday so I decided to curl up with my Heather Bailey (s). My plan was to use every single piece of Fresh Cut I owned. Well... I only used 6, of my many pieces; yes I own that much Fresh Cut. I have to tell you, I made a longer twirly skirt and a coordinating shirred top. Girl's size Medium(6-8), I guess. {I think both the top and the bottom will make it into my wholesale availability list.} And boy, it definitely cheered me up. Thanks Heather! At least I know how to fix me when I break- Grab some fabric and eves drop on whatever the family is watching in the next room.




Alrighty, I guess I need to get to drawing, editing, and webmastering!
Have a great day! ~jRe~

The Catalog

Design Research

In between sewing and making juice cups for the little guy, I am doing research for all things sewing-design related. I've stumbled across some amazing designer blogs lately. On PortabelloPixie, she has a tutorial for shirring fabric, SHIR MADNESS Now this is NOT smocking. Its shirring with elastic thread. I know a good bit about sewing, but I had never heard of elastic thread much less hand winding it and putting it in the bobbin case. Brilliant. So I've tried it and I love it. Go to her site and check it out. Her clothes are beautiful. The mystery is solved. I will definitely try to work more of this technique into my girl's clothing line. ~jRe~

Design Research

The Twirly Skirts

Ok, I'm loving this almost-patchwork twirly stripe skirt. These were designed and made to match the tops in Emalynn's Boutique. These are the samples and are all size small. I will definitely make more of these for Etsy, so check the shop often. Thanks for checking them out. I'd love to hear from you. ~jRe~

The Twirly Skirts

Little bit more wholesale action-

I just wanted to post these two photos of the other style purse I'm sending in my wholesale order. I know you're at home just wondering how I'm doing on that whole deal... Its going well. I hope to have it in the mail soon. I'll be moving to the commission work shortly after that.


These fabrics are Michael Miller and recycled Army and USAF uniform shirts. Thanks again for the donations!!! ~jRe~

Little bit more wholesale action-

New Items-

I wanted to share with you, my newest item headed for the shop- Its a cute pillowcase outfit made with Anna Maria Horner's fabric. I've mixed two different lines, Chocolate Lollipop and Bohemian. I think it turned out well. Its a size 6 and comes with jeans, top, belt, scarf-tie for hair, and a little wristlet purse deal.


Sure, it doesn't hurt that these are altered GAP jeans and designer fabrics... Only the best for me! I will be adding this to the shop, either tonight or tomorrow... Hopefully before Saturday.

~jRe~

New Items-

Sewing Rocks the House!

Ok, I love sewing. {and evidentally, bloggin!!} I wanted to show you some of the items shipping for the wholesale order. I used fabrics from Alexander Henry, Michael Miller and Heather Bailey and Valorie Wells (both for Free Spirit).



Unfortunately, the color did NOT come out true on this Heather Bailey Apron shirt. You can certainly see better photos of her colors by surfing the web. Her fabric is beautiful and very popular in the sewing/boutique community. So, sorry about the color/flash/photo. I'm a designer, not a photographer! HA.





The purses are all made from USAF or ARMY uniforms. This is not cammo-off-the-bolt, but actual uniforms from our service members. Most of them are donated to me. I'm very fortunate to live on an Army base where many of the soldiers have already switched to the newer ACU fabric. This is that light browny looking stuff you see in all the Iraq pictures. The USAF will be switching to their new uniforms shortly... by then, hopefully we'll live on a USAF base and I'll get a second surge of "supplies". Thanks to the military friends who've donated to my elaborate recycling project! If you have a box of old uni's you'd like to donate, please email me. I'll gladly take them.

These boxy purses measure 7"- they're designed to look almost cube-like. The straps are 24" long. They have a magnet clasp and ribbon tie. They also have 5 pockets. 4 "drop in" pockets and one zipper pocket for your secret goodies.

So thanks for checking out my designs. Feel free to email me for your own custom/wholesale or retail purchases or see what I have listed ready-made on my Etsy site.

You can see more photos of these items on my flickr stream. Yes, I'm everywhere!

Have a great day! Stay warm!!! ~jRe~

Sewing Rocks the House!

Portfolio Shoot Results

I'm proud to report that I'm the proud owner of 3 sets of great portfolio shots! Don't worry, I was aiming to get 3. Start out slow, you know. My 3 models, 2 assistants, 1 mom, 1 photographer, 2 brothers, and 1 husband were great crammed in the house at 9am! I had the outfits organized and the girls seemed excited about the process. The assistants (older sisters) also seemed very eager to be all over hair and makeup... although there's no make up. I mean, these girls are 6yo and 7yo. We did these 3 boutique style outfits for girls. It went well. So I'll post my favorites shots here for you-

You can see more of the photo shoot at flickr and you can actually purchase these outfits on my Etsy store. thanks for check them out! Tell your friends. ~jRe~

Photos by Leigh Roper Photography.

Portfolio Shoot Results