The Sew Weekly http://www.sewweekly.com Sewing & Vintage Lifestyle Sat, 26 May 2012 00:47:46 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 TheSewWeeklyhttp://feedburner.google.com Me at Big Omaha http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/sPsyxq16gK4/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/me-at-big-omaha/#comments Thu, 24 May 2012 19:02:52 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=31087 [...]]]> Two weeks ago I gave a very personal speech in Omaha as part of the Big Omaha conference. Amongst a lot of other things, I talk about The Sew Weekly and why it’s so important to me. So, if you don’t have anything better to do, here’s that speech. Thanks to all the SW ladies who provided testimonials in the Circle!

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/me-at-big-omaha/feed/ 18 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/me-at-big-omaha/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=me-at-big-omaha 10 Things I’ve Learned: Krista http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/cOWC4p5YViU/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/10-things-ive-learned-krista/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 22:35:09 +0000 The Sew Weekly http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30422 [...]]]>

  1. I grew up loving to sew, so for my birthday my husband bought me a serger so I could make a more finished garment. The sales person spent 3 hours training me on everything the serger was capable of doing. I learned that using a serger was a lot easier then I imagined and it made a huge difference in the longevity of my garments.
  2. I needed to replace my sewing machine, so I made a list of things that I thought were must-haves. Thanks to some great advise from my husband I did my research and then went shopping to test machines. I learned there were lots of new features I hadn’t even thought of or known about and discovered a new sewing machine.
  3. My new sewing machine came with 9 sewing feet. I learned how to use most of the foot attachments through the weekly challenges.
  4. Anytime someone mentions a great sewing book I try to take it out of the library because I wanted to build my own collection of sewing books. I have learned about so many more books I may have never come across on my own, especially the vintage ones. They are usually available from the library and I often find an available copy for purchase through Amazon.
  5. I discovered buying patterns online at VoguePatterns.com. I learned becoming a BMV member paid for itself and those online sales are golden, I can’t help but stock up. P.S, they also just added patterns for sergers ;)
  6. Sometimes reading about a sewing technique isn’t enough. I learned uTube is a great source for visual aids of sewing techniques. I was amazed how detailed oriented people our in their steps which really shows their passion and generosity.
  7. You can sew anything by just taking it one step at a time. I learned if I do get stuck along the way I can reach out to my SewWeekly pals for help.
  8. I’m so happy sewing blogs exist. I have learned so much from reading Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing and it eventually led me to discover the SewWeekly site.
  9. In my quest for finding the perfect fabric for each SewWeekly Challenge. I learned (discovered) so many more fabric stores exist in the NYC Fashion DIstrict.
  10. However this is the most important thing I learned. Pass on what you learn and it comes back to you 3 folds through the SewWeekly Sewing Circle! Thank you Mena.
]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/10-things-ive-learned-krista/feed/ 10 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/10-things-ive-learned-krista/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-things-ive-learned-krista Make This Look: Sunny Repose Dress http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/BoEDrxK-47Q/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-sunny-repose-dress/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 21:02:17 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=31067 [...]]]>

Original Inspiration

Resources

Plus…

Tips

  • To make the dress shorter than the pattern (and more like the original inspiration), cut length from skirt piece and leave bottom tier as is.

 

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-sunny-repose-dress/feed/ 0 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-sunny-repose-dress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-this-look-sunny-repose-dress 75 Years of the Golden Gate Bridge http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/I9iFY3NrHl0/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/75-years-of-the-golden-gate-bridge/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 20:30:21 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=31031 [...]]]> This Sunday, if weather (and the temperament of a 4 year-old) permits, we’ll be heading to Pier 39 for the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge. Since the Art Deco Society of California will have a presence there that day, they’re looking for members to attend in period clothing. Penelope will be either sporting a 1930s feedsack dress that I bought on Etsy years ago or the Shirley Temple dress from a Monterey antique store. Me, I’m liking to be wearing my 1930s knitwear outfit that is begging to be paired with my awesome green hat (that I’ve never worn)

If you’re in the Bay Area, be sure to check out the festivities!

Take in magnificent views of the Golden Gate, learn about the Bridge’s history and significance, and enjoy the national parklands anchored by the famed span. The Golden Gate Festival will feature activities including history and educational presentations, a display of cars from 1937 to the present, an historic watercraft parade, music and dance stages, art installations, films, and displays by corporate and media partners. At about 9:30 pm the weekend celebration will conclude with a spectacular 75th anniversary fireworks display and grand finale. Other venues and activities include:

And because I can’t get enough of these mood boards, here’s a little 1937/Golden Gate Bridge inspiration.

 

Golden Gate Bridge: 75 Years

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/75-years-of-the-golden-gate-bridge/feed/ 3 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/75-years-of-the-golden-gate-bridge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=75-years-of-the-golden-gate-bridge Make This Look: The Gingham’s All Here Dress http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/aLvD7bLsiVA/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-the-ginghams-all-here-dress/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:24 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=31001 [...]]]>

Original Inspiration

Resources

Plus…

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-the-ginghams-all-here-dress/feed/ 0 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-the-ginghams-all-here-dress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-this-look-the-ginghams-all-here-dress Upcoming Theme: Las Vegas! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/LWNtcBmgAKQ/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-las-vegas/#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 00:12:46 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30875 [...]]]>
Las Vegas Inspirations

 

Stumped by next week’s Las Vegas challenge? Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

  • The perfect wedding dress for a quickie Vegas wedding. Use a 1960s vintage wedding pattern and make a dress in a color other than white.
  • Showgirls. It doesn’t have to be stage-ready. Just make something that incorporates sequins or feathers. Maybe tackle a bathing suit fit for a showgirl.
  • Elvis in Vegas. Want to give a jumpsuit a try?
  • Anything gold and glittery. Vegas begs for glamour in gold. Dress like you would if you were visiting in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
  • Sharon Stone in Casino. There’s a whole range of outfits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Just be sure to accessorize with some jewelry.
  • Use a fabric reminiscent of playing cards or dice. Reds, blacks and whites will make very wearable outfits.
  • Embroidery! Decorate a circle skirt with some sort of Vegas motif.
  • Rat Pack style. Sew something tailored and sophisticated and be sure to take a picture with cocktail in hand.
  • Liberace. See Showgirls above.
]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-las-vegas/feed/ 7 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-las-vegas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-theme-las-vegas Make This Look: Taken a Sunshine to You Dress http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/pqWepUBHxu4/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-taken-a-sunshine-to-you-dress/#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 20:09:00 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30827 [...]]]>

Original Inspiration

Resources

Plus…

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-taken-a-sunshine-to-you-dress/feed/ 4 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-taken-a-sunshine-to-you-dress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-this-look-taken-a-sunshine-to-you-dress Upcoming Theme: 1940s Patterns http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/ODwHj2iF1Ls/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-1940s-patterns/#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 17:30:10 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30458 [...]]]> If you’re still on the fence about participating in this week’s challenge (don’t have any vintage patterns, don’t know where to start), here are a few patterns that you can pick up today at your local fabric store.

From the Vintage Vogue line:

 

From Butterick:

 

 

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-1940s-patterns/feed/ 0 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/upcoming-theme-1940s-patterns/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=upcoming-theme-1940s-patterns Make This Look: Stourton Streaks Dress http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/ZOmClrAU9zA/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-stourton-streaks-dress/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 18:03:59 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30371 [...]]]>

Original Inspiration

Resources

Plus…

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-stourton-streaks-dress/feed/ 1 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-stourton-streaks-dress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-this-look-stourton-streaks-dress Make This Look: Ivy Eyelet Mini Dress http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheSewWeekly/~3/f2CY38BE7Rk/ http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-ivy-eyelet-mini-dress/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 00:12:27 +0000 Mena Trott http://www.sewweekly.com/?p=30244 [...]]]>

Original Inspiration

Resources

 

Plus…

]]> http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-ivy-eyelet-mini-dress/feed/ 2 http://www.sewweekly.com/2012/05/make-this-look-ivy-eyelet-mini-dress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=make-this-look-ivy-eyelet-mini-dress