Pause

Whew!

So much going on! So many new opportunities presenting themselves!

Let's just suffice it to say: change is all around.

In the meantime, as I sort things out, I've decided to markdown just about every garment in my shop. I'm in cleansing/clearing out mode, so that's just what it is.

I''ve got a few custom items to make, but other than that, I haven't had too much of a creative spark lately to make any new garments just for the sake of doing so.

Oh! But I did begin teaching another sewing class last Thursday. It's funny but I'm almost feeling like I'm in retirement mode and like I just want to show others how to do this.

Temporary temperament?? I'm not sure, but I do hope so. I miss that feeling where I was so eager to design a new piece or turn a piece of fabric into something wonderful. Custom sewing is fine and I welcome it, but it's not the same.

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I recently made another of those chiffon dresses:

Possibly more of those to come...

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I was first introduced to this track a few years ago by my good friend Janine via a mixtape she composed for my (and her) listening pleasure. I was reminded of how much I enjoyed it when she recently shared it on Facebook.

I'll re-adopt this as my theme song for the time being. :-)

peace!

Another level

I love when people request custom versions of items that I have in my shop but maybe with a slight or major difference. Well, most of the time I love it.

That's how the reversible knit hoodie dress came to be. (Prior to the request from someone in Canada, it was just a one-sided dress.)

Then there's the popular maxi dress. I've made this style many times in various fabrics. Never, though, had i done it in jersey knit. Well, that's how someone recently requested it be made, and they got it!

So, I'll have to now incorporate this into my regular way of creating this style, since I know some people prefer the stretch fabric.

(Mrs. Allen-Mercado, I still have in mind that idea you came up with for the jersey knit tunic. I'm gonna definitely test that out!)

I owe much credit to those who support me. If it were not for your inner designer-- some of your ideas and input on ways that a garment could be made--various styles that I create today would not necessarily be!

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Someone wants a custom version of one of these, so I get to get back into a bit of the artistic--as in painting and what not--side of my work.

Haven't done it in a while, and I miss it. Better yet, I need it!

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So, I visited an elder friend of mine yesterday and was bit by the quilting bug. Y'all, she'd made some of the most fantastic--culturally and otherwise--quilts I've ever seen! I've always been intrigued by this craft and even tried it back in the day. I don't think I was ready then, though. At this point I'm feeling that the time is right, so she's gonna teach me.

Can't wait to have me some of my very own, made-by-me quilts to wrap up in. As well as some to sell, ha! Oooh, oooh ooh..it's gonna be great!

peace!

Give It Time

Depending on how long you've been reading my blog you may remember this dress (and the blog post that accompanied its production. Yes, the dress is two yrs. old, and I still have it!!! It's pure torture, I tell ya.)

Being modeled in a fashion show out in LA sometime last year or in '08. This is another one that's been all over, adored, yet still wants to stay with me in the end.

Well, anyway. That one gave me so much trouble during production that I swore I'd never make a chiffon dress ever again. At least not one with an uneven hem and that required more than the insertion of some elastic around the bust to make it wearable.

That was until I got a convo on Etsy with a request for that exact style (and fabric) but in green. Of course, I agreed to do it.

The chiffon was tricky to work with as expected, but It wasn't nearly as troublesome as the orange one. I suspect that's because I'd done it before. Creating that orange dress was a new endeavor for me. I'm completely self taught in dealing with tricky fabric like this as well as knits, and the self-teaching/learning process can sometimes be a pain. Thankfully, though, once I get it, it's not so bad.

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Beyond that, back in December I mentioned that I--along with the lady I was living with at the time--would be starting a sewing program in one of the local housing communities. Well, it was supposed to begin in January, but due to delays with the building renovations, etc., here it is June and we still haven't got it kicked off. It's should be up and running within the next 1-2 months, though.

Here are some shots taken while we were over at the facility the other day.

Seeing as how I'm of the resourceful, "green", recycle persuasion, the first objects that caught my eye upon entering were the two large shool desks pictured above. My first thought, "Cutting tables for the students!!" (Well, actually that was after this thought: "Hmmm, I wonder if they'll let me have one of those to use at home?") We learned later that the tables were just there being stored unless we could use them somehow for the school. We most certainly can!! That will be one less thing that we'll need them to purchase--which could further delay the process. And they're the perfect size.

I'm looking forward to getting in there and bringing some life and creativity to the space.

peace!

Revisit

Well, I'm lacking good fabric and fresh ideas. So, lately I've been focusing on unfinished projects or items that I can perhaps rework.

I started this dress last September and recently finished it up. All it needed was the skirt added, and I'm not sure why I didn't do that back then.

This skirt was actually completely finished earlier this year, but I think I was contemplating whether or not I liked the fluted-like hem. (A feature that wasn't done on purpose. That's one of the many possible characteristics of knit fabric.)

(So funny. I have all sorts of things right around the area where I take photos. The jump rope still made it in this time despite my cropping efforts...bottom right.)

After months of consideration, I decided that I do like the hem and have decided against trimming it off.

The skirt has a "fabric cousin" (same material used for both) which is in my shop.

I've got some custom order in the works...

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Woooo! Gonna watch Sister Act II on t.v. tonight mainly so I can hear my beloved Lauryn Hill right here:

*siiigh*

Also, today on Facebook my blogger/internet buddy T. Allen-Mercado made reference to an oldie but greaty, and I've been singing it all day. (My album is so old and played out that

I barely get any sound out of it these days. Need to get a new one.)

I was so excited to here it on a local station recently along with

I was very elated to be listening to the radio on those days.

I figure the folks at the station must be missing her like I am.

Man I love this woman. Even still! We go way, way back.

:-)

(I'm sure I've done a post similar to this before about her. What can I say, though?!?!?...)

peace!