2015 ASG Conference Fashion Show

I participated in the ASG Conference Fashion Show in San Diego this year!!!   It was so much fun!  The theme was "On the Wild Side" because of the San Diego Zoo.  I started sewing early this year, so I modeled two looks.  The first is a pattern I've had in my stash for a while.  It reminded me of a jungle rainforest.  I purchased the fabric from Metro Textiles in NY last year.  I was very pleased with the outcome.  I shortened the torso about 1 1/2 inches.  Sandra Betzina patterns are more close to a normal/RTW sizing, so I didn't have to do a FBA (full bust adjustment). I used the cover stitch to top stitch around the neckline, sleeves, and hem.  I love how the dress falls around the hips---it's so comfortable.  I've already gotten two orders from clients!!!!  

My second look is a self-drafted maxi skirt.  The fabric is a cotton with beautiful brown and rust women with Afros!!!  I fell in love with this fabric ---- another NY Garment District find!!!!  I paired it with a RTW t-shirt from JCP and belt from TJ Maxx. 

The fashion show was lots of fun!!!!   Take a look at some of the other beautiful creations here.   Check out last years' fashion show here http://dressed2atee.blogspot.com/2014/07/and-winner-is.html

ASG Conference, 2015

Well I'm just back from six glorious days at the ASG Conference in San Diego, CA.  I enjoyed every minute of it!!!!  I took some fabulous classes and got to catch up with lots of fellow sewing friends!!!!!

I took two very good classes:

1) Bra Fitting with Monica O’Rourke Bravo of BravoBella!!!  She's the daughter of bra making expert, Anne St. Clair.  I took a bra making class from Anne in 2011.  Both ladies are experts in the bra making business.  Although their approach is slightly different I gained some cool techniques in bra fitting/making from Monica.

She subscribes to the theory that there are two breast shapes:  oval or round!  I'm clearly a round so I look better with a three-seam bra vs. the one-seam bra.  The more seams, the more support!!! 

I loved the way Monica ran the class.  She crammed a lot of information into the day-long class.  Each person was fitted in front of the class, which gave us the opportunity to analyze various shapes and sizes.  Helpful if you want to make bras for others.  

So I'm once again armed with a great fitting bra pattern and supplies!!!!  This time I vow to make a few colorful well-fitting bras.  I'll take it a step further, I will make one bra before September 1, 2015!!!!

Class #2 Drum roll please!!!!!  The Chanel Jacket with Claire Shaeffer!!!!  Yes Lady Chanel herself!  The one and only official Chanel historian in the sewing world!!!!!  This lady is walking Chanel dictionary!!!!  A two-day class just wasn't enough.  I was disappointed when I first learned that we were only working on the three-piece sleeve, not the jacket.  What was I thinking, we're talking Claire Shaeffer!  This lady knows what she's doing.  After constructing my three-piece sleeve, I am now armed with all of the necessary techniques to complete my very own Chanel jacket!!!!!  The sleeve was mostly hand sewn.  We used the slip stitch, stay stitch, and basting stitch.  The term "couture" is so widely misused today.  Basically couture means hand sewn!   The sleeve we made is from this very popular pattern Vogue 8804. 

The sleeve is made into three pieces because Chanel liked the sleeve vent to face forward so that it could be seen.  It's so pretty it deserves to be seen!!!!

We used a wonderful basting thread and a Mettler for all other sewing (hand and machine). 

Couture trim made by sewing a strip of the fashion fabric to a strip of bias cut chiffon.  Fold in half and sew tiny zig zag stitches to the edge press and fringe with a sewing needle.  Turned out beautiful, perfect matching trim every time!!!

Trim is hand sewn to the sleeve!

Quilted the lining to the sleeve fashion fabric...this will be done to the entire jacket. 

Hand sewed Wigan into the sleeve hem.  I can't wait to start on my own Chanel Jacket!

With all the hand sewing we were doing, someone had this handy gadget!  I couldn't wait to get to the vendors and purchase my own. It's the best needle threaded I've ever used!!!!

Here are some of the goodies I purchased from the Conference Vendors:

I can't wait to embroider these lovely ladies --- tote bags anyone!!!!

Scissor-themed cotton fabric, what shall I make?? The white stuff is tricot and jersey for making bras.

This is an adorable notebook.

Interfacing purchased from Gail Yellen's booth.

Note cards and pattern tape.  It's supposed to withstand head.

My dear sewing friend, Marie, made our little group these adorable bags for our sewing nations! 

Beautiful neoprene for only $5 a yard!!!!

This beautiful chiffon border print was only $3 a yard!  I'm thinking a maxi dress overlay or maxi skirt????  Oh the possibilities?????

Next year's conference will be held in Indianap

Projects, projects, many, many projects

Well the hot weather is here and I love it!!!  Being an August Baby I claim this as the reason why I love hot weather!!!   We have more thunderstorms than I can remember than last year though...that part I can do without!!!

I've been busy sewing away....I just finished altering a beautiful wedding gown.  The bride wanted some of the tulle underskirt removed and need the gown bustled.  However, when I tried to zip her gown it was extremely tight!!!!  I checked her seams and there was enough fabric to let them out just enough to accommodate her size.  The only thing that worried me was the lace overlay didn't have any side seams.  I feared that letting the seams out too much would cause the lace to stretch and possibly tear when she tried on her gown.  I gave her strict instructions to eat no "white" foods (starchy, sugar, flour); no fried foods; to drink only water, tea, and coffee' to eat only chicken, fish, and/or turkey.  She also said she would be increasing her walking exercise program.  I had my doubts as most people who say they are going to lose weight don't.  Two weeks went by and to my surprise I was able to zip her gown with a tad bit of room to spare!!  I cautioned her to stick to her routine until after the wedding...I also suggested that she maintain not lose any weight for fear I'd have to take it in at the last minute.  Here she is in her gown....beautiful. 

I convinced her that she needed to keep some of the tulle to maintain the mermaid look, whew!!!!

I added a French (under) and American (over) bustle to this gown...I wanted to be sure it would stay put during the reception.

Up next are my outfits for the American Sewing Guild Conference's fashion show in San Diego.  The theme is "On the Wild Side."  I'm making dress Vogue 1234 and a self-drafted maxi skirt ensemble.  I'll post pics after the show. 

Here's a sneak peak of the skirt!

My next client is attending a conference for "Bedroom Kandi" in Atlanta, GA, and wanted a sexy, yet classy outfit.  I found this outfit and thought it was a great staring point for her look!

I drafted her skirt in Wildginger and used Simplicity 1650 for the peplum. For the halter top I used OOP (OUT OF PRINT) Vogue 8191 View B. See this is why I never throw away my patterns!

At the fitting she decided she wanted her peplum a little more asymmetrical in the front.  I think this will look great too.  Here's a pic of her in her fitting muslin before the adjustments are made.  I will rotate those bust darts out as I don't want them in the final look.  I'll re-cut this and work on it when I return from conference.

Here's her fabric choice

The back view

This will be my last post until conference next week....happy sewing & thanks for stopping by!!!