RED PENCIL SKIRT

Lately, I've fallen in love with pencil skirts.  They are very easy to make, especially copying one that you already have in your closet.  I've always wanted to make a pencil skirt but I was always busy sewing for my clients.  Well, I decided to squeeze some time out of my busy schedule to make myself a pencil skirt.  I was gifted some red stretch fabric so I decided to make myself a pencil skirt.

I had a black pencil skirt in my closet, so I used that as my  pattern.  I laid the store bought pencil skirt on top of the fabric.

 

I traced the outline of the black pencil skirt and added 5/8" seam allowance.  I also added 1 inch at the top for the casing for the elastic.

I cut out the skirt and that's it.  I made the pencil skirt entirely on the serger, minus the casing for the elastic and the hem, I used the sewing machine for that. I serged the side seams where the serger blade was just skimming the fabric.  Fast, simple and easy.

MY PREFERENCE is to have a seam on both sides of my pencil skirt.  I know there are some that have the seam in the back,  I get a better fit when there are seams on both sides.

SPECIAL ASSEMBLY

I posted about being given the opportunity to teach sewing at  The Living Water School & Homeschool (http://thelivingwaterschool.blogspot.com).  On Thursday, October 1st, I was asked to come to the school to introduce myself to the children and a Special Assembly would be held so I could meet the children.  The Founder Anika T. Prather, gathered the children in their normal meeting space to introduce me.

I told them I would be their new sewing teacher, they were delighted, the looks on their faces were priceless.  I will be teaching there twice a week.  On Wednesday and Friday mornings for two hours each day.  I told them how I started sewing, Mrs. Prather told the boys they can sew also.  I told them they can learn how to sew and they can take it as far as they want to take it.  I told them the story of how I started sewing, my mother was a single mom, I am the oldest of five siblings.  I told them how when it was time for us to get new clothes, my brothers and sisters got new clothes, but I had to wear my two aunts' clothes because we were close in age.  When it was time for me to take Home Economics in High School, I didn't want to learn how to cook, I wanted to learn how to sew so I didn't have to continue to wear my aunts clothes.  I never stopped sewing.

I asked how many of them wanted to learn how to sew, just about ALL of the children raised their hands, even some of the staff members.

I had my iPad with me to show them some of the garments I've made so they would have something to strive for in their journey to learn how to sew.  I also had pictures of some of my male students to let the boys know it's OK for boys & men to sew.  I asked them what kinds of things they would like to make?  One of the staff members wrote those items down for me.   They also asked me some questions.

At the end of the Assembly, I took a picture with the children.

There I am in the second row in the middle, lol!

I was shown the classroom where I will be teaching.  The classroom reminded me of when I was in school.  Mrs. Prather left me alone in the room to look around.  I stood in that classroom and I "prayed".  I thanked GOD for given me this opportunity to start living my passion, doing what I LOVE to do.

   

There were Classroom Guidelines on a Bulletin Board 

I really like this phrase:

STEPPING OUT ON FAITH

I've been working as a Contractor for the past 8 years, since 2010 my job ended at least three times due to contracts ending and there were no other job opportunities with the company.  I found myself unemployed and looking for another 9 to 5 job.  When my job ended on June 30, 2015, I started feeling like I was a slave to the "corporate world", so I decided to STEP OUT ON FAITH and do my sewing full time.  

Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

~HEBREWS 11:1~

When I started this journey I was very nervous, well to be honest I was "scared". I didn't know how things were going to turn out, I wondered if I would be able to pay all of my bills by teaching sewing. I encountered some naysayers along the way.  But my "FRIENDS" kept encouraging me, they told me to pray about it, they told me they had confidence in me and they know everything will workout in the end.  

There were times when I did apply for jobs back in the Corporate World but I never got hired.  After each interview, I would receive a telephone about a sewing opportunity.  I KNEW that was GOD talking to me.  He was telling me to TRUST HIM.  So, that's what I did. TRUST HIM!!!!  I started looking for sewing opportunities.

I contacted several Community Centers in Prince George's County where I was already working as a part-time employee teaching sewing.  Several community centers were in need of a sewing instructor, so they hired me (to my advantage I was already in their system).  I'm also an Adjunct Professor at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM).  I contacted the Administrator at CSM to see if I can teach more classes.  They told me "yes" and added more classes to my schedule.  I also started advertising that I would be teaching sewing in my home  as well....the response was GREAT!  

One day a woman I met on Facebook (Deborah Dee Dee Mays) told me to go to a Boutique that just opened to see if I can make some clothes and sell them in her store.  It took me two days to find the Boutique because of its location. The second day I was determined to find this Boutique and I did. The Boutique had some beautiful clothing and accessories.  I asked the owner if I could place some of my custom made garments in her store.  She said very nicely that her store was not a consignment shop.  I started a conversation with the young lady sitting behind the desk, I told her I just started my sewing business full time and I that I teach sewing. To my surprise, she said she was looking for someone to teach her daughter how to sew and that her daughter was home schooled and she attends the Living Water School & Homeschool Center  http://thelivingwaterschool.blogspot.com/. I gave her my information, I also told her that I tried contacting the Home School Association via the internet but ALL of the telephone numbers were wrong.  She gave me the name and telephone number of the owner of the Living Water School & Homeschool Center and who also was connected to the Home School Association.  I contacted the owner, again to my surprise she was looking for someone to teach sewing at her school.  She was impressed with what I told her about myself and my sewing skills.  We set a date and time to meet so we could further discuss me teaching sewing at her school.  The meeting went well, She told me she was going to discuss this with the parents of her students and members of the Home School Association.  

About a  week later, I received a telephone call letting me know the response was good.  At the beginning of our conversation, we started off with me teaching one day a week for 5 weeks for a few hours, the response was so great, I was asked to teach two days a week AND to teach on a continuous basis.  I was asked to write a contract to be an Independent Contractor.  I'm soo excited to have this opportunity.  

GOD is opening doors for me.  Just think if I had not gone into that Boutique, I would not have been given this opportunity.  I believe things happen for a reason and there was a reason why I was determined to find that Boutique the second day.

One of my girlfriends gave me a T-Shirt for my birthday that says "WON'T HE DO IT".

SUMMER SEWING CLASSES

If you want to learn how to sew or if you already know how to sew and want to improve your sewing, sign up for one of my sewing classes.

Summer 2015 Sewing Classes

Creations By LaToria

(301) 661-8995

www.Creationsbylatoria.com

www.lbcreations@hotmail.com

Pre-registration and payment is required at least 48 hours before start of classes.  You will be notified if a class which you have registered for is canceled.  If you are unable to attend a class session, a 48 hour notice must be given in order to receive a refund. 

Beginning Sewing Level I - Skirt

Entry level class for true beginners, learn sewing machine basics – learn the parts of the sewing machine and how to thread a sewing machine.  This class will be a “hands on” and “learn by doing” experience.  Learning by doing is one of the best methods to learning to sew.  Students will learn how to read a pattern, the pattern layout, cutting patterns and sewing simple garments.  Students will learn how to make darts, insert a zipper and a waistband.

$100.00 plus supplies (5 weeks/2 hour session)

Dates:  Monday,  July 13, 20 & 27  Aug. 3 & 10                 Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Beginning Sewing Level II – Blouse

You will continue to learn how to read a pattern, this class you will learn how to make gathers, insert a sleeve, make a collar (if applicable), stitch around a curve, and make buttonholes.

$100.00 plus supplies (5 weeks/2 hour session)

Dates:  Wednesday, July 15, 22, & 29  Aug. 5 &12    Time:  6:00-8:00pm

Intermediate Sewing Class

Students will work on their own project under the guidance of the instructor.  The students will serve as encouragement to one another as they explore new and more challenging areas of sewing.

***LEVEL II SEWING OR EXPERIENCE IN GARMENT CONSTRUCTION IS REQUIRED***

$100.00 plus supplies (5 weeks/2 hour session)

Tuesday, July 14, 21 & 28 Aug. 4 & 11            Time:  6:00-8:00pm

PERFECT FIT CLASS

Space is limited for this class due to the attention needed by the instructor.  You will learn how to make a muslin (test garment), make alterations to the muslin to get the fit you want and use the muslin as your pattern to make your garment.  Times and dates vary, please call to check availability of class.
$130.00 - This class is 2 1/2 hours
Date & Time:  Open

COMPLETED UFO

I spent part of today completing a UFO (Unfinished Object), I don't have a many, just a few, LOL!!!  I used McCalls Pattern 6115.  I made two dresses from this pattern last year, every time I wear them I get lots of compliments.

I used fabric from my stash.  The suggested fabric is lightweight cotton and cotton blends, but I was experimenting, I used a "knit".  Of course it was too big, so I cut it down about 2 inches on each side seam to get the fit I wanted. There was about a 4 inch cream band of fabric at the bottom that matches the strap, I removed it because it made the dress longer than what I prefer.   I love wearing dresses during the summer.  There are more to come.

Me wearing the UFO

JUMPSUIT TURNED INTO HIGH WAIST PALAZZO PANTS

A friend asked me to make her birthday outfit, she was having a big party and wanted to make a statement when she walked in the room.  Well, she wanted a jumpsuit with a strapless top.  I started off using

Butterick 5797 for the top

and MCcall's 6760 for the bottom

When I started constructing the birthday outfit, we found that she was not going to be able to get into it, so we decided to make it two pieces.  I transformed the bottom of the jumpsuit in a pair of high-waist palazzo pants.  She loved it.

COSTUME PATTERN TURNED INTO A MINISTER'S ROBE

I love being creative, I was asked by a Minister to make her a Robe to preach in.  We met one day when we both were at a physical therapy center.  I taught my physical therapist how to sew and he mentioned to her that I was his sewing instructor.  After he introduced us, she proceeded to tell me how she had a jacket and skirt made to preach in but when she went to pick it up it was three times too big for her.  I made an appointment for her to be measured and to discuss what kind of robe she wanted.  She told me wanted a Chinese collar, double breasted and she "thought" she wanted a zipper in the back.  Once my creative mind started working, I made a few changes and she liked the changes.  I could not find a pattern robe so I had to think outside of the box.  I decided to look under costumes, and BAM!!!! there it was, the EXACT ROBE she wanted, Simplicity 2333

Robe in progress: she wanted a Chinese collar with purple and gold fabric for the collar and around the bottom of the sleeves

She wanted the buttons at a slant

Back  and side views

Here she is in her robe on the Pulpit.