In Recovery

Suffering through a hang over here. Not the worst but still not fun. Trying to get together some energy and work on two dresses. One for me and one for a girlfriend. She has been so sweet and patient on waiting for it. I think I finally found the fabric for it this morning on Fashion Fabrics Club. She didn't like two others that I got so lets hope that there are some winners in this bunch (**fingers crossed**)

Went to Bar West last night with friends. There was open bar for two hours. Having once been Margarita Rocks the place is much improved you'd never know that a Taco Tuesday ever happened in that joint. We then wandered arond PB. Ended up at Tower 23. Then proceded to shake off some dudes at Long Boards. Loooong nite. The girls are now wine tasting in Temecula. My girls are rock stars. I am not.

The best thing that came out the deal is my new pair of jeans. For real. If you are ever at Burda Style . Then you know my delimmma. The story is that I had a wonderful pair of $20 Donna Karan jeans that I picked up in a pinch at my neighborhood Marshalls. I didn't try them on. I just picked up a size 8 petite and the lycra tag told me they would be just fine. $20...who really cares. Oh, the joke was on me. I LOVED those jeans. I got compliments from girls and guys in those jeans. I wore them so much I killed them in six months. The thighs wore out on me. So for the past few weeks I have been making due with my second and third string jeans. (some old sevens and my no name fat-day jeans) I had a tough day personally on Friday and told myself that I was buying the first pair of jeans that had a size 29/8 label that made my butt look great. Again, joke on me. Went to Nordstroms on my lunch hour and the ladies were wonderfully attentive helping me round up four pairs of David Kahn Jeans. The first pair slipped on so nice and easy. They are a little high waisted but my butt looks fantastic and thats the point!!
I like that the jeans are made in the US. The denim used is both from the US and Japan with a California wash. I got lots of compliments on them. My denim world has been restored to order. I wore them with my fav Maddens . All of this and my chocolate brown top that is for sale below. I looked and felt great. Had fun with friends. It was a good night.

I'm feeling the need for a new bag. The bags I love are the Prada fairy bags but God only knows the things I would have to do to get a $3000 bag.












NEW TO ME: Yeohlee Teng

I was reading the Fashion Informer blog. And she has an interview with Ms. Teng. Her designs are fantastic and her design philosphies are even better. Take a look.

You must blog at least once a day

Reason being that now I have only about two hours before I have to go to bed and about 10 hours worth of things to tell you about. So I picked the one closest to my heart-fashion wise.

I wish that I had a better picture but the Balenciaga dress above is most likely my favorite dress of all time. It is simple, elegant and sweet. One day I will knock this off. Maybe a wedding dress.(whenever THAT happens ;)) Don't tell anyone I said that. Shh!

I found the dress in Couture Sewing Techniques by Claire B. Shaeffer. Once I saw the dress I found myself picking up the book again and again just to look at that dress. I had no real knowledge of Balenciaga at the time (I am ashamed to say). Luckily the author saw fit to fill the book with many Balenciaga dresses and muslins/toilles. I am now obssesed with Cristobal Balenciaga. He IS modern fashion. Period.

Once entranced by his dress I wanted to know more about him. I am reading Balenciaga by Lesly Ellis Miller. The information is great. I am disappointed by her choice of dresses displayed in the book but I understand the reason behind each one. Unlike other books on fashion it focuses on the business behind the house rather than the amazing dresses alone. I find it fascinating how an artist turns thier passion into a successful business that endures the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War. Again amazing.

There is also a timeline essay on Balenciaga on the Met website Click here for notes on a genius

Second Note: My current fabric passion:PLAID.

I don't know where this started but I woke one morning wanting a plaid dress. (I often dream of dresses. No lie. I told you I was obssesed-see first blog) Now, as usual it's just a matter of finding the right fabric. I really want one now that I see that plaid will be the casual separates color for fall.

I really want a sweet pretty dress. I will have to draft one myself. I have already gotten away from using patterns now on to the next frontier. I also want a cute plaid shirt. I was thinking that I would finally make the JJ Top from Burda Style

but with all the ruffles and fuffles it might take a year to finish in a plaid. Otherwise a top with bell sleeves and a sash would be cute. Tough decisions, really. I like the silk plaid from Fashion Fabrics Club that I have posted here. Would that make the cutest dress ever or what?????

Final Note:My machine is acting weird.

The tension is way off. So it's time for cutting, drafting and adjusting right now.

She'll head to the shop this weekend so that they can show me what I have done wrong. I am sure the machine is fine. I am just at a loss on the best way to fix the problem.

Good night.

Dior

I just stumbled onto the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute. The link below connects you to a timeline essay on Christian Dior.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dior/hd_dior.htm

The dress pictured above is not included in the timeline essay. Look further into the Costume Collection Database if you want to see more.

Short and Sweet

I have finished a couple items that I am putting in my Etsy store. I am also adding a PayPal widget to my page so that you can buy things directly frm my blog if you see something that you like. Any questions either email me or click on the Etsy link and there is additional information there.

The top to the left is my fav so far. It is a chocolate brown rayon knit. Durable and really cute. I am over black tops and thought this was a nice progression in a fabric that will always be really popular. There is a bottom band that comes to the hips. I tuck that under to produce a bubble effect that works nicely due to the pleats under the top band.

I made this version so that I can wear it but this top would be even cuter without the bands if you can go strapless. I can make it either way.

I am finishing up a really cute black and white trapeze dress with bottom band today. It may be next weekend before I get pictures of that one up. I love this dress the most because it is the first item that I have made freehand. No drafting just draping and cutting. Perfect beach dress.

Threads and Lei's

Ok. So I went to the Threads show yesterday and the clothes weren't really my style. There were some cute things but nothing I wanted. LOTS of T-Shirts. Who isn't print screening? If I see one more T-shirt or hoodie with some whacked out doodle on it I'm goona yak-a-dak all over it!!! Alot of the girls there were wearing things that I would pay for but I saw nothing to buy. A GF got a pair of Dior sunglasses for $150. Not bad. The fashion show was amusing. The bloody mary's were bomb!! And scene.

Discovered my new favorite bar in Hillcrest. The Lei Lounge is fantastic. I'll start a new links sections for fav haunts. Its gorgeous with cabannas and hot cabanna boys and girls. There is an inside bar and the back is open and everything is white. I know, 90s Miami but for SD it's a real step up. The drinks are fantastic. I started with an acai and vodka concoction that was about a B- and followed up with a pineapple basil cocktail that will now be my drink. It's Fierce. Sunday's are the best days to go and chill. No one leaves. I don't remember how many hours I was there, literally don't remember but there were others there before us and still there after I blacked out. They also serve some cocktails in pitchers which are half off after 5 or six.

It was a great day shopping and drinking with the girls and the 'girlz'. There are pics somewhere.

First Blog

Well I am starting this blog because it seems like everyone who sews has one. What a great way to show off your creations and get feedback.

I am a little apprehensive. I mean who finds these things. I look at blogs of friends and blogs mentioned in magazines but are there people who just surf blogs? Why not, right. There is always someONE doing that some THING and that is what worries me. My only defense is to make great clothes and write interesting blurbs. I think I can do that.

Also, I am wondering if this deal is like myspace. I mean you have templates but is there a site called pimpmyblog.com? (If you have no idea what I am talking about .....good for you. Stop wasting your time on the internet and continue doing all those productive things you usually do).

I'll put pics up of the things that I have been making pretty soon. I have a new half-mannequin coming from ebay. (well, you know what I mean). Then I can take some great pictures that will go here and on my etsy store. Of course.

I am also going to the Threads show today and will post pics of that too when I get back tonight. I'll also post a link to Threads when I figure out how to do that. And for full time I am in IT. Sad.

I want this blog to be about fashion. I'm obsessed and I want to contribute to the community of the equally obsessed. Subjects will range from fabric, sewing, the industry and all things in between and beyond. That is the goal or better yet the intent.