A Material Girl
I assure you that a lot of time has been logged in the green room lately. After finishing up the last of the custom orders (I am not taking anymore at this time, but have a waiting list), I quickly got to work on my spring collection. I figure I've probably spent around 12 hours so far just creating patterns and heavily modifying vintage ones. Searching for the perfect fabrics has taken me another four hours (and there's still more to do!) and then there's designing my new shop look, scouting for older models to test my clothing, and getting little goodies to include in packages ready. The above is another sneak peak of my first completed pattern using the actual material and not just muslin! Gosh, I am sick of muslin. It's so incredibly boring.
You see, the longer I sew (it's been a little over a year now) the more I learn. My ability to create an actual piece that I can hold in my hands from an idea in my head is getting easier and easier. I still have a long way to go, and pages in my notebook of ideas I can't quite make realities. But it's getting easier and I have confidence that if I keep at it, those harder things will soon become realities too. I hope this next shop update (sometime in April, I hope...) will reflect the growth I've made with my sewing. The clothing will have a simple, sophisticated look, but I still keep all my principals in mind: comfort, sizing for cloth diapers, gender neutral, etc. I'm really, really getting excited about it and wish I could work all day, everyday for the next two weeks to get these things in my shop. So please excuse the delay. I do realize other people are much closer to spring than we are!
And a long-time blog reader from Portugal sent us a lovely package with some handmade goodies for both Elisabeth and I! What fun! The bookmark has really come in handy, since I was using a piece of tissue before. And the little one loves her new finger puppet and doll. Thanks Teresa! You'll be hearing from me shortly!
I hope you all have a terrific weekend! See you back here on Monday.
excited for you and your shop! from what i've seen, your things are already so well done. but it is also wonderful to see ourselves evolve and grow. happy for you :)
Posted by: TD wool design | March 14, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Wow, I just stumbled on your blog yesterday after reading my sister's blog,(philigry.blogspot). I just love everything that I've seen and read so far. We have a lot in common. My daughter is 18 months and wears fuzzi bunz diapers and we both live in Maine. I will be reading your blog from now on!
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Lajoie | March 14, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Sounds like you've creatively busy. I can't wait to see the new collection, that sleeve bit was exciting enough.
Posted by: Stacey | March 14, 2008 at 11:14 AM
I love the blue and white ticking on your first photo. I buy that to use as a main fabric, lining for most of my bags, and for anything that needs extra bulk on the back side. I don't think you can wear it out! I get mine at WalMart (you can get red and white there as well), and that is soon to be no more, as our fabric departments are closing up. Pretty much I only buy the ticking, muslin, and stabilizer there -- good prices. I think I'll have to just stock up from every WalMart I go into from now until it is gone! Nice that you got on Sew Mama Sew. Love the baby jacket that buttons on the side. -- Michele
http://calicodaisy.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Michele C | March 14, 2008 at 06:09 PM
I love the little bits you show here. You have such a way of adding little bits of buttons and closures that add just that much sweetness to the garment---Oh, how I wish my kids were little again!
I need to use more muslin in my own sewing rather than just jumping in and hoping for the best! (Or not at all).
Posted by: Berlinswhimsy | March 14, 2008 at 09:44 PM
I'm generally a lurker here, but I had to chime in on this post to tell you how much I appreciate your clothing philosophy (simple, gender neutral, comfortable, roomy for cloth diapers, etc.)! I've never ordered from you, but I wish I could afford to buy handmade clothes for my girl, because it's so hard to find clothes that fit the bill in thrift stores. So much of the little girls clothes out there are already fitted and sexualized in a way that makes me sick! I love your stuff, and you inspire me to get more adventurous on my own machine (I'm a VERY basic sewer!) Good luck to you as you prepare for your next shop update!
Posted by: Caren | March 16, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Erin,
Those pants look super cute! I wish I could as you a million questions! Can't wait to see the shop update! Happy sewing!
Posted by: Jeremi Jackson | March 17, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Um, that was supposed to be "I wish I could ASK you a million questions!!"
Posted by: Jeremi Jackson | March 17, 2008 at 10:46 PM