Sewing with Lightweight Fabrics
Summer is almost here. Finally!
Put away the fuzzy fleece and make room for summery sheers. Have a summer wedding to attend? Try a shawl in a pretty organza. For those hot summer nights, try making a one of a kind night dress from a sexy silk. Though these fabrics make our summer wardrobe bloom, since they are so delicate there are special precautions we should take when sewing with them. Here are a few tips:
• Use a fine point needle
• Set the machine for the smallest stitch
• Use silk pins for pinning
• When pinning place a paper cutting board under the fabric to keep it from sliding.
• Use fine cotton covered polyester thread or lingerie thread.
• Use a “baby hem” or a rolled hem.
• Use small buttons, covered snaps and hook and eyes for closures. Use a nylon zipper if you must as it is the lightest.
Happy Sewing!
-Tajah-
Prints for Spring 2009!
Make a statement!
Incorporate bold prints into your spring sewing projects. Cool tropical prints are in, perfect for a long sundress. Polka dots are making a come back! I would try it in a high waist pencil skirt with a tone on tone polka dot print. Zebra prints (my favorite) will also be big.
To me there is nothing you can’t do in Zebra. Mix it up! Try thicker, wider stripes for large pieces like dresses or skirts, and use thinner, closer stripes for a cute handbag or headband.
Water color inspired prints, girly floral patterns and big tribal inspired geometric prints will also be big!
Happy sewing!
-Tajah-
Montreal Fahsion Week
Montréal’s Fashion Week (put on by Sensation Mode) is coming up March 2nd – 5th 2009. As with any Fashion week it draws buyers from all around the world to experience the fashion and style of the hosting city.
One of the showcasing designers that really caught my eye was Soia & Kyo, an outerwear company based in Montreal. I visited there very cute and interactive site (www.soiakyo.com) and instantly fell in love with there jackets and coats. Known for there detailing, over-sized buttons and out of the ordinary styling, Soia and Kyo are definitely a brand to look out for.
You can still get last minute tickets by going to Marche Bonsecours (In Old Montreal where the show is being held) between March 2nd and 5th to get your tickets. Go to www.montrealfashionweek.ca for more details.
-Tajah-
Thrift Stores
A thrift store can be the jackpot for any D.I.Y. enthusiast. There are millions of pieces just waiting to be re-vamped for 2009. I know that when I was a little younger the thrift store was my best friend and still is in many ways today. I remember I found one of my favorite belts in a thrift store here in Toronto. Its amazing what some people throw away. It’s a great place for vintage accessories at an awesome price.
If your experimenting and need a pattern, a tip I have is to buy something similar at a thrift store, take it apart ( that will also help you learn how clothing is put together), trace it and alter it as you like. It’s also great because you can take things off clothes or accessories and use them for your own projects and It won’t cost a lot. Here in Toronto we have places like Value Village, Salvation Army, Thrift Town and many more.
-Tajah-
Great Books!
I came across two great books with amazing story lines about the life of seamstresses. They look like they are definitely worth a read.
“Stand the Storm” by Breena Clarke, is about a woman named Annie, a slave on a plantation, who teaches her son how to sew to keep him from working in the fields. He begins to work for a tailor and learns the tailoring business in hope of having enough money to buy his freedom and the freedom of his mother. As the story goes on, Gabriel earns enough money to achieve his dreams and build a better life for him and his mother.
“The Seamstress” by Frances de Pontes Peebles, is about two orphaned sisters that are gifted seamstresses in the hamlets of north-east Brazil. One is abducted by rebels and becomes their seamstress. Later in the story, she falls in love with her captor. The other sister, distraught by the disappearance of her sister, enters a disastrous marriage. In a strange twist of events the two sisters cross paths once again.
Check them out!
-Tajah-
So, Where Do You Get All this Stuff?
I’m sure at some point or the other we have all been in a basic fabric store for some reason or the other. But as with any hobby there are always those “hidden gems”.
The craft and sewing industry has many of those because there are so many options for fabrics. Think about it. Look around you. You maybe in your living room, bedroom or office. How many things are made from fabric? Seat cushions, curtains, placemats, your sofa, your favorite blanket and of course your own clothes. So get out there and find those hidden gems, don’t settle for your neighborhood fabric store, trust me you’re missing out. Toronto has an unlimited number of textile suppliers.
These are just a few links of some of the ones that really caught my eye. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.designerfabrics.ca/shop/scripts/default.asp
http://www.leostextiles.com/
http://www.elegancefabrics.com/stores.htm
http://www.textilehousecanada.com/contactUs.html
http://www.threadcountinc.com/index.asp
Toronto’s Fashion District (Spadina Avenue, from Queen to Front St) boasts wide assortments of fabric, notions, and leather and fur shops.
-Tajah-
Vacation Time!
Spring break is just around the corner, for some maybe it’s already begun. There are many ways to personalize your vacation. Why not try making your own bikini and matching tote bag. I know I’d hate to spend hours looking for my one of a kind piece of swim wear to see someone else strolling down the beach in it. There are great (and simple) patterns that are easy to do to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Try this one for a swimsuit.
This is another pattern for a one piece.
I also found this video of how to make your own flip flops out of a yoga mat.
Of course you can add your own embellishments. Other ideas are wrap skirts (very easy to make), sun hats or board shorts. Burdastyle.com has a wide assortment of patterns, some for free and can be printed at home. I have used this site for many sewing projects and they have come out great. Have fun in the sun!
-Tajah-
Sewing for Charity
Ever sew something you can’t use? Didn’t fit or come out how you thought it would? Donate it. There are lots of sewing for charity sites that accept items that can be used for those in need.
This site, www.dotdigital.com hosts a list of what people need, how to make it and where to send them. Some have a main focus such as baby needs (bibs, blankets and booties), cancer patients, the homeless, even animals! There are so many ways to help those in need, especially if you can sew.
One of the most basic needs for people is clothing and there are some that aren’t fortunate enough to have access to clothes. Check it out!
-Tajah-
