MY LOVE FOR SHEATH DRESSES

I LOVE Sheath Dresses.....when I bought this pattern #M6886, I didn't make it right away.  I kept seeing a lot of my fellow sewist such as Erica Bunker post pictures of this dress, still I didn't make it.  It wasn't until one of my students made this dress for her second project and I found out how EASY it was.  I couldn't believe I had the pattern for about a year and I DID NOT make it, I was sleeping on this pattern.  Once I found out how easy it was, I made two in one day, one with sleeves and one sleeveless, and there are two more to come.

I did make some adjustments to the pattern:

• I cut a size 14 across the shoulder because I have short shoulders
• I cut a size 16 around the circumference of the arm
• I cut a size 18 in the waist and tapered it at the bottom for a more fitted look 
• I cut the pattern at the lengthen or shorten line to add 1.5 inches to the back because I have some junk in my trunk, LOL!!!!, if I don't make the adjustment in the back, it will be high in the back.
• I cut the pattern at the lengthen or shorten line to add 1.5 inches to the front as well to make it even 

Here are pictures of the adjustments:

Cutting at the Lengthen or Shorten Line

Adding 1.5 inches to accommodate for my "junk in the trunk", LOL!!! I drew dashes across the paper.

I taped the bottom half of the pattern to the paper at the dashed lines.

I laid the cutting line of the pattern on one of the grid lines on my cutting mat to make sure when I draw the line to connect the added space it will be straight.

All of the adjustments are made.

The dress in leopard print knit.

Necklace and earring set by Patrice Perfect Pieces

Bracelet by Patrice Perfect Pieces; silver ring by Silpada

The dress in black knit.

SEW BROS

Today was my first day teaching an "All Boys" sewing class.  They were very excited about taking the sewing class.

Their first project is a sweat shirt, #Simplicity 1605.

I explained the basic sewing tools they needed for Beginning Sewing, I explained the outside of the pattern, the instruction sheet and the pattern pieces to them.  I took their measurements to make sure they cut the correct size.  They were amazed about the pattern pieces that were inside the envelope.

One of the boys did not have his materials because his mother forgot to purchase it, so one of his classmates told him since his size was smaller, he could use his pattern so he would be ready for class next week.  That really touched my heart.

There was a discussion about what they should name their group, they decided on "Sew Bros", LOL!!! how cute!!!  

Today, they cut a pattern for the very first time.

I taught them how to iron their pattern pieces.  One young  man cut one piece one size too small so we had fix that, I had him iron all of the pieces before taping them back together.

Ironing their pattern pieces.

The last thing they did today was pin "some" of their pattern pieces to their fabric.  The student that didn't have his fabric asked me if he could practice pinning with one of his fellow classmates.  His classmate said "yes" and showed him how to pin the pattern to the fabric.  This just warmed my heart.

They thanked me for teaching the class today.

TSALT

About two months ago, I answered an ad for a full time seamstress.  An interview was scheduled, I was not told to bring anything, because I consider myself a professional I showed up with garments I've made and also with my iPad that had pictures I had taken of garments I made that were not on my website or blog yet.  I had an interview with two wonderful women, TAMARA SALTONSTALL and REBECCA DANENBERG.  They both were very impressed with the quality of my garments, especially the finishing which is just as important to the construction of a garment.

TAMARA SALTONSTALL is the owner and designer of the fashion line SALT.  Tamara created the brand TSALT.  Tamara loves vintage clothing but with a modern approach.

During our conversation, I found out that REBECCA DANENBERG is a New York designer, WOW!!!! She's a New York native, Rebecca has been dubbed as the original New York City's downtown designer.  Rebecca made a name for herself in the 90's with an edgy namesake sportswear label.  Rebecca Danenberg's designs are not for mainstream fashion, but for those who wants individuality in what they wear.  

I have made several garments for TSALT, both Tamara and Rebecca are pleased with my work.  

Here are pictures of the four most recent garments I've made for TSALT.

FRONT OF LACE DRESS

BACK OF LACE DRESS

High waist elastic skirt

These are the first garments I've made for TSALT, two mock wrap desses.

I look forward to growing this relationship with Tamara and Rebecca.

When I stepped out on Faith in June to do my sewing business full time, I had no idea I would be working with designers.  I thank GOD everyday for this talent HE has blessed me with.

DIY LEOPARD PRINT PENCIL SKIRT

I've been on a pencil skirt frenzy here lately.  I had this beautiful double knit leopard print fabric for almost a year.  I ordered it from http://www.lowpricefabric.com/.  The fabric feels absolutely wonderful.  I have some more, my plan is to make an Off The Shoulder Dress out of it.  I can't wait to make it.

Construction of the skirt:
- I used a store bought pencil skirt I had in my closet
- Added 1 1/2 inches to the side seams
- Added 1 inch to the top for the casing for the elastic
- shortened the length so the hem would fall right below my knee

My bracelets are from https://www.facebook.com/patrice.p.walker.5.  Patrice have some really nice jewelry.

The necklace had the same print and color as the fabric.  I did not plan this, I had the necklace for about 3 years before I bought the fabric for the skirt.

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".