RetroStitch turns 1 today…and my Nana would have been 80. Is it a freakish coincidence we share the same day? Yes!

Dorothy Mae Stringer was born on February 26 th , 1934 in Winter Garden, Florida. She moved to Connecticut at the age of 14. Just a few days ago, my mother gave me my first tangible item of hers since her passing.  I CRIED LIKE A BABY! It was the dress she wore traveling from Florida to Connecticut.  Circa 1948, handmade, ivory in color, and something that I wish I could squeeze my body into.  I would totally rock it out!  Fly pumps, bright red lipstick, and a RetroStitch bag!

Dorothy Mae was a special lady.  She was a mother of eight, warm and loving but didn’t take any mess. My mother is her only daughter and youngest child, and I was her favorite grandchild. Yeah, I said it.  And she would tell you the same thing. I was the only grand that she had a hand in raising and she called me her Sunshine.  I have great memories with that lady and my heart aches often from missing her.  I think about my daughter and how in love she would be! I think about all of the lessons she directly and indirectly taught me.  I think about her love for God and how so many people admired and cared for her.  I think about my mother and how much she misses her and it hurts.  My grandmother died on August 21, 2005.

She taught me how to play checkers (and I cheated often), how to properly pick-up things from the ground when wearing a skirt (me = tomboy), she made the best lima beans and rice, and she was always crafting.  We would make frequent visits to the local craft store for her project needs.  A hot glue gun was her tool of choice and she really enjoyed floral crafts. She had a method of bronzing flowers and using them for décor.   If my memory serves me correctly, she would let them wilt, then freeze and bronze them.   They were gorgeous!   She was also a HUGE fan of yard sales and I was her favorite hunting buddy. 

When I think about it, it only makes sense that RetroStitch shares a birthday with the woman who has been my creative influence and partly responsible for my love of thrift shopping and yard sale hunting (other credit goes to my Auntie Debbie).  She was a significant person in my life and has been apart of every important decision to this day. When I was doing really well in my military career she came to my dreams cheering me on. When I began dating my husband she visited me again to let me know he was a good choice. She liked him!  And when I’m all worn out from those tough mommy days, I think about her raising eight children and it helps keeps me going.

So what’s the coincidence between her birthday and RetroStitch???

Well, I couldn’t recall the exact day I dreamed up the idea of RetroStitch and I didn’t want to use the date that I had officially registered my business.  To some that would have made total sense but to me it just didn’t fit.  I knew I had started putting things in motion before I took the leap of registering so that date would have no sentimental value.  While discussing this dilemma with my mother, I decided I would use my grandmother’s birthday, to honor her. She was a beautifully creative person from whom I channel my energy so it made perfect sense!  Then something said to check the start of my Facebook Page which was one of the very first things I kicked off with RetroStitch.  NEVER would I have imagined it would have been the same day as my grandmother’s birthday!  The coincidence was simply amazing. 

You know what else I did on her birthday?  Joined the Army on February 26, 2002.  It seems that I have made a trend of starting life changing events on her birthday.  Kinda cool, huh?!?!

So today I say, Happy Birthday, Nana!  THANK YOU for being such an important part of my life.  You are deeply missed but I know you're still here with me.  I love you!

The color of 2014 is radiant orchid. Have you seen it? It's beautiful! It is a blend of fuchsia and purple with pink undertones and is such a vibrant color.

As with past colors of the year, you can bet on seeing radiant orchid influencing the fashion industry, beauty industry, home décor and much more. These industries like to be the movers.  They create the trends that influence the movement and we shift right along with it.  Making our way to the big name retail chainsto buy the latest fashions.  From the tops and bottoms, to the hat, bag, and shoes, we stock our wardrobe for the new season.  Oh, and don’t forget the jewelry, shades, and eye shadows to set it all off!  Our behavior is SO predictable.

Unless of course, you’re much like me.   

Yes.  Radiant Orchid is a beautiful color but I can’t guarantee it’ll make its way into my wardrobe.  I don’t like following trends because you always have to stay with them.   And if there ever is a new fashion or color or makeup application that I take on, it’s usually done after the fad has died.  I’ve always been this way and always will.  The life of a fashionista is too exhausting for me to live but I can surely admire and appreciate it.  This also holds true with the concept behind RetroStitch.  

One day, a businesswoman who was very interested in purchasing wholesale, approached me.  She operated a retail shop that was looking to expand their accessory line.  I was highly flattered and eager to work with her.  Unfortunately, our transaction fell short when she asked for more “trendy” bags.  One could be insulted by such a request but I wasn’t.  It was business.  I understood her need to have the latest fashions for her customers but she didn’t understand me,and the concept behind my brand.  

My fabric isn’t purchased by the bulk and it isn’t purchased new.  My fabric is hunted and acts as the inspiration for my bags.  With that type of creative influence, it can’t be trendy, it can only be.  It can be available to those who OWN their style, to those who want to step outside of the box, to those who are tired of following the trends, and to those who want to make a statement!

OWN it, don’tfollow it!  Be your own trendsetter.  That way, you'll never be out of style!

:-)

What do I mean when I say, "this fabric has been reinforced with sturdy materials", in the product description? Well, what I'm talking about is interfacing. For those that sew, you may be familiar with this term, for others, it is a fabric used on the wrong side of another fabric to make the piece/area more rigid.  They come in many different brands, thicknesses, and even colors (black & white), but I mainly work with three types for my bags.

Pellon 101 Shape Flex

Pellon TP971F Fusible Thermolam Plus

Pellon 71F Pletex I Ultra Firm

All three interfacings are fusible (iron-on) which simplifies the process, and makes my life a WHOLE lot easier!

Shape Flex is what I use on EVERY SINGLE PIECE of fabric before I sew (even when fused with a second interfacing).  It has the amazing ability to add steadiness to unruly fabrics, thickness to light-weight textiles, and it makes all materials more durable.  I’ve become so accustomed to using it that it’s frustrating sewing leisure projects that are not fused with Shape Flex!  

Thermolam is my go to for plushness.  Basically, it’s fusible fleece put in every purse that doesn’t require rigidness (e.g. framed purses).  

Lastly, Peltex I Ultra Firm is used on most clutches,totes, bag bases, and pocket flaps.  It’s very firm and helps keep shape to the aforementioned items.

I’ve added some pictures of a tote in progress to give you an idea of where the placement of the interfacing is.  By using these materials, I turn a two-layer bag(exterior fabric and interior fabric) into five layers (Shape Flex plus another).  This is extremely important since I do not always work with stronger textiles such as leather and suede.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed this little ‘peek inside’ and please remember, RetroStitch is not only about style, but also quality! 

** P.S. If you’d like to see the finished product of this custom order, head over to my Facebook page!  I'll be posting some pics a little later.  :-)

It's been quite some time since my last professional photo shoot. Not to mention, that random 'selfie' I had posted as my headshot needed some work, wouldn't you agree? ; ) 

Well, in comes Brittanny!  We met at a networking event and I was immediately drawn to her!  She's cute, funky, and very talented with the lens.  I later contacted her and told her I needed something fresh for my site and she delivered!  Here are a few of my favorite shots from our session.  You can also check more of her work at...

2013 was my year of growth.  I pushed through limits (both personally and professionally) that at times, felt impossible to do.  RetroStitch was born and it has been a FUN ride! I've gained so much confidence this year and I can't wait to see what else is in store.

But as with every new business, comes the “rough”.  The times you begin to doubt and discourage yourself, the times you become frustrated with the lack of sales or lack of production, and the times where life happens.  I came so close to quitting because of these things.  I was growing impatient with myself, my ability, my lack of resources, and I felt like I would never get "there".  I was right at my breaking point and received a HUGE dose of encouragement that has now fueled me to work smarter,harder, and learn to accept the "rough" time as a necessity to my growth.  Apparently I'm not all the way there.     ; )

So for 2014 I’m doing just that.  I’ll be sharing frequent blog post to give you an inside scoop of things going on with my business and family.  I’ll be introducing my online marketplace and continuing to share ways to stay connected via my website, Facebook, and local shops that promote local designers!

Your feedback is valued and always welcomed here at RetroStitch.  With your help, I can create better products and understand your needs as a consumer.  Thanks for the support!

Retro-ly yours,

Brandie :-)