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 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

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!

Wow, that was fast!

The first little boutique outfit is already sold, in less than 24 hours! HOoray for the internet.

And in other news, some of my local commission work is finishing up. I thought I'd go ahead and post a picture of the latest bag here on the blog. Its made from flowery canvas and her husband's old USAF uniform. Its got a total of 10 pockets and is roughly a 10" cube. I think it turned out very well!
Now on to the remaining custom orders I have outstanding, (including a wallet to match the bag pictured above) then to the post office and then back to the design table! I've got a pretty full week planned. I'll see you at the end- if not sooner. Have a great week ~jRe~

Wow, that was fast!

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