Saturday, September 27, 2014

VINTAGE SEWING and CHERIE!

Jody Miller Photography
I am so excited to show you another photo shoot from my friend Jody Miller who is the most incredible phtographer and you can see her photo stream here: My friend Tipper is Modleing. When I got to speak at a quilt guild I met the most lovely lady who loves sewing vintage garments. She had approched me to make a dress using my newest fabric collection Cherie! I was thrilled. NANCY WHITE IS an amazing seamstress and artist. She Made both dresses and you can see her vintage patterns and her beautiful scetches below! The blouse at the bottom is made by me using MCALLS 5388







MCALLS 5388



 Beautiful sketches by Nancy White.


 From Nancy White:
   Pareau wrap dress
Cotton breathes, in hot weather it is the absolute best thing to wear. The closer to the equator, the more an unlined, loose fitting, breezy cotton is just the ticket! For the wildly exuberant colors in the Cheri collection a pattern for a pareau from the Victoria Jones collection .#303 was my first pick. No zipper, no buttons, not even a hook and eye required. A inside tie is optional, I opted. The fabric suggestion is for tight woven yardage so that the 1/4 " curved turned edges do not ravel. The cotton from Frances Newcombe's was easy to work with and gave me no grief. I wanted this to be a bit more mid-thigh so I did cut the pattern and added two inches. It folds beautifully flat and is ready for a trip to Hawaii for a test run!

The Victoria Jones collection has an on line site for ordering patterns! WWW.victoriajonescollection.com
 Also the lining fabric for the lined dress is my absolute fav, 100% polyester "crinkle habutae" made in Japan, avail at Joann's in lots of colors.

Vintage Simplicity Dress
   Never mind that these high quality cottons were designed for quilters,  I got all dreamy for a dress at first sight! The lettering cursive on yardage drove my inspiration. Romantic words, up near the neck, where perfume goes, and hidden in pockets for letters. A vintage pattern seemed right, modern patterns strike me as sexy, functional or comfy, but not particularly romantic. Simplicity #5914 from the 1960s fit the bill. I purchased the pattern from www.Momspatterns.com, a very fun place to scope out the not-latest fashion. Sketching of options gave me the confidence of my design to go get the scissors and start cutting fabric.
  The pattern was altered by adding pockets and decorative pocket flaps. I lined the garment as well, so I never have to find a slip. The pleat in the front is also an addition. There is a seam running the center of the skirt, an easy alteration is adding four inches to the cutting edge and then folding under two, trim the curved adge and sew as the pattern directs. Just for fun I trimmed off the selvage and used it as hem binding. A little splash of color on the lining doesn't hurt anything. I am loud and proud of my Frances Newcombe print cotton!

   I am super impressed with adults who learn to sew. It is so much easier to take on the concept of building a 3D object inside-out when you are a kid. I have been wearing my home sewn dresses since Jr High. Curiously, yardage would find it's way to me, one of five children, but not hand-me-downs. I learned to sew as a means to hide my nakedness. I learned to draw people by copying paper dolls from the 1940's and the leggy models in the Butterick pattern books of the 1970's. I was way ahead of the curve in art classes, especially life drawing. Various art jobs include three years of back drop painting for a portrait photographer, murals, illustrations, faux marble installations, but for the last 23 years I have settled down to being a happy shop keeper at New Creation Picture Framing, WWW.newcreationframing.com  you will see my Facebook page is full of framed needle art for our avid fans, though we do framing of all kinds.
     Nancy Norcross White is a Southern California native that never left, married a tall man and raised two tall sons. No little girls to make dresses for, don't fret, the boys had plenty of matching flannel Jammies.



Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Wiksten and Bari J

 One of my best friends, Janice got me hooked on the Wiksten Tova Top By Tova, Pattern Here I know a lot of sewing blogers made this pattern and it is very popular. I might be a little late in the game but I love this top!
I made mine in Bari J's beautiful Emmy Grace fabric collection by Art Gallery Fabrics. I used the VOILE floral floats fresh.
I made this blouse in the Largest size. My friend Janice made about 10 Wikstens! She made the Medium and that size fits me as well. But the larger size is great if you want to wear your garments longer and loser. I love this Wiksten pattern its is amazing and is very flattering as well as easy to make. It has a packet and no buttons yay!


CREDITS


Monday, September 22, 2014

AN ISLAND AND A QUILT CHERIE HOP

I was so excited when Rachael Gander wrote to me and AGF she wanted to sponcer a quilt using Art Gallery fabrics. She had her friend Alli make a this baby quilt and the great treat was that Alli lives in Hawaii ! I am in love with these stunning pictures of the island and quilt. Thank you so much Rachael and Alli.  TO SEE THE ORIGINAL POST GO HERE
When Alli saw this line, She  wanted to make a greyscale herringbone quilt (inspired by Cluck Cluck Sew’s Sweet n’ Sassy quilt



Credits:
Alli's Blog is B.YAZZO HERE
Rachael Gander Imagine Gnats
Cluck Cluck Sew Sweet n' sassy baby quilt pattern

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Cherie- Evie Dress

Jessica Stewart has become my new bff! I am just absoultly in love with her work. It is unbelievalbe
I wish she would design garments for women! Anyhow. Look at the details she is using the my Cherie collection and mies colors so beautifully. Thank you Jessica it is such a treat to see your creations and your daughter is so beautiful.


Jessica Stewart is the creator, writer, and photographer at Snickerdoodle Stew, and also works as an online assistant to the team at Izzy & Ivy Designs.  Her little model, Lydia, would like for you to know that she is 4 and can whistle.  The Evie Dress seen here is a PDF pattern from Izzy & Ivy Designs.  The headband is by The Ruffled Cupcake and the black cluny lace is from LIttle Red Cottage.

Sunday, September 7, 2014

TRAVELLER TEE AND URBANITE PANTS part 2

 Thank you once again Jessica from Snickerdoodle Stew! She makes the most amazing children's clothes and patterns.  See the link to this post here:  and read about all the details.
I think these pants would be so cool for any age! 
The pants pattern is the Urbanite Pants from Rabbit Rabbit.  you can find it here: