Vintage Fabric Square Pillowcases And A Pink Bed

 I am finally finished sewing for Lily's room.

Hooray!

Bunny is very old. Lovingly handmade perhaps a hundred years ago and dressed in antique calico grain sack fabric.

 I have loads of vintage fabrics I have collected at various flea markets over the years and I'm on a mission to use my fabrics and finally enjoy them!

These pillowcases were so simple to make but I have misplaced the directions I wrote for how to make them.

Perhaps I'll write a tutorial when I find my little sketchbook....

I have a nice little sketch book to write all of my ideas in but somehow I am always losing it.

The quilt on lily's bed is an old piece I bought at a flea market in a small French town called Isle Sur La Sorgue. I bought it when she was one, thinking I might someday use it on her bed. I have always loved it and it's perfect on the old wood bed, which I recently painted a cheery pink.

It had been previously painted white with a "Shabby Chic" finish, but over the years it had become more shabby than chic, with marker drawings and all sorts of nonsense scribbled on it.

I was tempted to leave it as a memory, like the wall I have in my kitchen with all of the kids heights marked on it.

But the urge to paint something pink was stronger.

A quick reminder that my ShotRockers online digital photography class giveaway is still going on. Stop by here to enter!

Sewing A Stylish Basic Wardrobe: Spring / Summer 2013

Has your sewing expertise grown to a level where you are making your own clothes and loving it? But do you find yourself impulsively buying your fabrics and patterns, creating garments, but none that really go together? This is a common problem for those of us who make our own clothes. I'm also guilty of  sewing "the icing on the cake" when it comes to sewing projects. Bold patterns, colorful items that I don't exactly know how I am going to pair together. I have made lots of flowered dresses, but only one in basic black one, which gets worn the most. I get so distracted when I shop for fabric!

What to do?
 Make a SEWING PLAN.

Create  mini collection of basics that you can build on and that you can add to with pieces of colorful, fun pieces you may have already made. And bring your list of patterns you plan on making with you when you go shopping for fabric so you can focus.

My Must Sew List Of Basics:
Below is a list of basics every woman should have in her wardrobe from the April 2013 Harper's Bazaar issue.
 I'm substituting  how to sew the basics instead of where to shop for them.

A plain, neutral colored pencil skirt:
You can make it in a black stretch woven, a khaki woven or even in denim, depending on your wardrobe. I would recommend sewing it in a stretch twill. It's durable and comfortable to wear. A woven cotton pique is also a nice choice fro summer.
Two pairs of trousers:
One in classic black. I would sew these in a stretch woven twill. Stretch cotton pique would be cute for summer.
A more trendy pair, perhaps a tuxedo style pant or in a bright color. Or even try a floral print.
A Pair of Tailored Shorts
You can sew these in a basic color or go wild with a print. Some fun options for summer might include cotton lace over a lining, a super bright color, a floral print, or something more classic like seersucker.
Two dresses
A little black dress which will be a basic wardrobe staple you should sew in a timeless style.
Another more festive style in a print. Maybe a maxi style, always nice in summertime.
Three to Five Tops:
Two silk blouses
One button down
Two knit tops

My Pattern Recommendations For A Basic 

Handmade Wardrobe

Spring Summer 2013

Pattern recommendations for the pencil skirt:

Pencil skirt patterns you can buy:

Pencil Skirt by Burdastyle

Basic Slim leg trouser pattern:

Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Pants. 

I have just finished this pattern in a stretch floral and will be blogging about it this week. I highly recommend this pattern. I like this pattern because it gives lots of info on how to fit your pants properly. The pattern is a bit more advanced with slash pockets and a center zip fly. But the instructions are very thorough.

Tuxedo Trouser Pattern

McCall's 6707

Tailored short pattern:

McCall's 6756

Basic peplum top pattern

Vogue Patterns 8815

This peplum top in a solid color and sewn sleeveless is a fashionable and flattering choice for your wardrobe.

I would sew it in stretch woven cotton or double knit.

I will be blogging about his top later this week. I made mine in double knit with an exposed zipper.

Dressy blouse pattern

McCall's 6650

This makes a dressier top for summer and would look great with a pencil skirt or even jeans.

I would sew it in a silk print and I have. To see my version click here.

Basic Button Down Top Pattern

McCall's 6436 

I like this pattern choice for a button down because it comes with cup sizes, an awesome feature!

For summer, I'm planning the sleeveless version in chambray.

New Look 6648

A dolman sleeve knit top. That sleeveless top on the bottom right would look great on most people! I love tops that have a draped neckline.

Knit dress patterns for summer

I love the ease of throwing a knit dress on when it's hot out.

McCall's 6752

This little knit dress would make a great LBD to wear in the summer time.

Simple maxidress pattern

McCall's 6744

To see my version of this pattern, click here.

I have been loving the McCall's patterns this season, as you can see! They just seem to very fashion forward lately.

How about you? Do you find sewing basics boring and only like to make the fun stuff, too?

Sew & Tell Saturday 5/18/13

Welcome to Sew & Tell Saturday!

Thanks for dropping by to post your sewing projects and to check out some new talent!

Here are the featured sewing artists from last week:

Great Gatsby Dress by Bethany of Lil' Bit & Nan made with an altered McCall's pattern. Did any one else participate in The Gatsby Challenge? What a fun idea!

Vintage sheet skirt made from the Miette pattern by Marie from A Sewing Odyssey

Tutorial to turn plain pants pattern into cuffed capris by Veronica of Sew Very from the Hosh pants pattern.

Scarf collar top, a Jalie pattern sewn by Sewing with Shirley

One shouldered dress,McCall's 6547 from Judy at Sew Blessed Maw

Feel free to garb a button!

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 I'd also like to let you know about a giveaway I have going on from my last post. It's a full months' worth of online classes on how to improve your photography from Shot Rockers. I learned a ton from this course and I know you will too. To enter to win a shot at this class which sells for $119 you can follow this link after you post your projects!

McCall's 6744 Maxidress

I made this dress from some fabric I bought for one dollar a yard in downtown LA. i would say it's some sort of polyester viscose.. I'm trying to be more conscious about where my fabrics come from as I have been reading about the negative impact textile factories in developing countries are having on the environment.

This fabric came from a higher end designer who donated it to the FIDM Scholarship store. All funds go to fashion design students in need so I love buying there not only for the incredible deals, but also to help struggling students.

I only had two yards so I couldn't exactly match the stripes.

The top from=nt pattern piece was way too low and revealing for Isabelle so I drafted a new front by tracing one of her tops. Easy Peasy!

This dress was SO easy to make. I made it in less than two hours...

It's not exactly couture. the hems are just turned down and stitched with my double needle. I used the rolled hem feature on my serger to make a really quick hem 

isabelle is visting France this summer and I have been sewing her up some easy to pack items to bring.

This pattern is am A plus!

McCall's 6744

Pattern Description: 
A long gathered skirt maxidress with an option for a tank top bodice or a crossover bodice.
Pattern Sizing:
XS to XL
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes it did.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
This is a dress that is very simple to sew up and the directions are fine. I sewed it in a little over an hour.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I felt the tank top top was actually TOO revealing for once. I usually have to lower necklines and tighten my patterns to give them a little more style. In this case I had to redraft the top, raising the neckline and widening the shoulders because my daughter was too revealed in the original pattern top.
Fabric Used:
A stretch matte ITY jersey fabric with large painterly stripes.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As usual I ignored the pattern sizing instructions and cut the dress in an extra small because I'm not a fan of all of the added ease in commercial patterns.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I plan on trying this pattern in another fabric with some more design tweaks to it. It's a great basic maxi dress pattern.

If you would like to see more sewing and craft related posts consider adding Sew Country Chick to your rss feed reader. Or follow with Facebook, Twitter, or Friend Connect!

Shot Rockers Online Photography Course Giveaway!

Today I am really excited to be giving away an entire online photography course from Shot Rockers to one lucky reader! And I can honestly say, because I have taken the whole course which consists of a month's worth of daily lessons in video and PDF format, that this class is excellent, and an excellent value if you decide to purchase the course. Seriously. I'm not getting paid for this post either. Just my honest opinion. I have learned a ton from it!

When I first started blogging in 2010 I honestly knew very little about photography. I was using a point and shoot, took photos indoors with flash and couldn't tell you an aperture from an ISO and had no idea about exposure. I could barely upload a digital photo I was such a computer dud. My camera didn't have those capabilities anyway, so it didn't matter. In short, my pictures were crummy!

The photo on the left is from 2010. This photo of Gigi is hilarious! The photo on the right of Isabelle was taken a  couple of weeks ago after learning about utilizing natural lighting in the Shot Rockers class. I would probably increase my shutter speed to make the photo sharper, but it's a big improvement. Practice make perfect!

Over the past few years I have invested in a DLSR and a few lenses, and have slowly been learning how to improve my photography. When I took Tony's Shot Rockers class, I thought I might already know the material he was going to be covering. I was so wrong.

I learned so much from this class; adjusting ISO, shutter speeds,  aperture focal lengths, using external flashes, metering modes, adjusting white balance, composition, lighting.... Tony also teaches about editing, and taking better portraits and landscape photos. This class is so worth $119. But for a short time, you can get it for half off! Scroll to the bottom of the post to access the link.

Do you own a DLSR camera yet know so little about it that you end up shooting in Auto most of the time? If you are shooting in Auto you may be wondering why you spent so much money on a DLSR camera because your photos aren't that different from a point and shoot camera. Do yourself a favor and learn how to get your money's worth by learning to use your camera properly whether you take this class or not. And if you are a creative blogger like me, your photos can make or break the success of your blog. You can make the most gorgeous dress in the world, but if you don't know how to photograph it properly no one will want to see it! You have about a second to capture your readers attention and your photos are crucial to the success of your blog.

If you are already shooting in manual modes like I was, there is still so much to learn about metering, using your focus features, flashes, filters, etc. It's all covered in Tony's Shot Rockers class.Shot Rockers also has a blog where you can get free photo tips.
Here is the list of daily lessons:
Shutter Speed, Aperture, ISO, Exposure compensation, understanding light, get the sharp photo, lenses, using tripods, all about flashes, filters, camera care, white balance,metering, shooting JPEGS vs RAW files, photo composition, storing photos, editing, better landscapes and portraits, and printing and sharing your photos online.

As you can see there is a lot to learn!

Here is a little extra something for y'all.. Tony is now offering his course half off to readers of Sew Country Chick! (In case you don't want to take your chances on the giveaway or don't win. That is an amazing deal! Click here to check it out!

Now on to the Giveaway.


Please fill out my Rafflecopter form below to enter my giveaway.
Sorry, this giveaway is open to Sew country chick subscribers only!
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Why We Moved To The Country

Eight years ago  I was a pampered housewife living  in an exclusive area of Los Angeles.

My husband and I spent our weekends going to swank bars, nightclubs, and Hollywood parties. We rubbed elbows and drank martinis with celebrities, heiresses, and lots of fake people.

I wasn't shocked to find the husband of a couple we sometimes went out with that lived on the beach in Malibu, arrested for running a huge scam were he bilked millions from folks in the midwest to fund a Christian movie company that didn't exist.

Like many people in Los Angeles, you never knew quite what the real story with anyone was, as many people had a facade they showed to the world. That extremely wealthy looking man who pulled up to the club in his Ferrari might be living in a small rented studio, and the car might be leased.

I myself had grown up on the east side of LA, my dad a sound editor for the movies, and my mom was an ex hippie. I married right out of fashion design school to my husband, ten years older than me. His business had thrived so I had quit my budding career to raise the kids. We were riding the whole technology boom of the late 90's. We thought it would last forever. Little did we know everything would change for us after The Great Recession of 2008....

I had long since stopped making clothes or being creative. The Hollywood lifestyle was wearing me thin, and one night, lying in bed awake, I told my husband I wanted off the merry go round of our lives. I wanted to live in the country, away from all the noise and chaos of LA, where we had both grown up going out to clubs and parties since we were both young teenagers.

Luckily, I have a husband with an open mind. He wanted to change too. He wanted to start farming, and I wanted to homeschool the kids. We had recently sold our house in France, so that was no longer an option. We decided to look locally for a new life.We searched for an old farmhouse and found the perfect one about and hour and ten minutes out of LA. But a world away.

We traded in our fancy cars, got a truck and a mini van, and I learned to ride a quarter horse at a ranch across the road. We are surrounded by avocado and orange ranches and live across from a river in an area that has looked the same for the past hundred years, almost forgotten by time. We are a few miles outside of a small farming town, with few restaurants besides taco places, so sometimes I pack the kids in the car, drive them down to LA and take them to a museum so they can have some culture.

We raise chickens, make jam from the fruit on our trees, have homeschooled, go to church, grow our own veggies, and I now make most of the clothing for myself and my girls. Even though I am only an hour and ten minutes from LA, I still find it hard to believe I had never heard of this place before I moved here.

When I became pregnant with our fifth child four years ago, I started to sew clothing regularly again, rekindling my love of making clothes. I started my blog Sew Country Chick to document my progress. I am now designing most of our own clothing, making patterns, and considering selling some of them.

Making things has become a way of life and so much more rewarding than an endless cycle of consuming that many Americans are hooked on.

I'm not trying to say that living in the city is bad, and plenty of creative people do live there, but for me, moving to the country was the best thing I could do. I had to get away and slow down to find out what it was I wanted to do.

.

Quilting leather tutorial

Quilted leather is a great technique to step up your fashion sewing projects and add a rock & roll edge. Whether you make a full project with this technique, or just add touches of it to a project, it looks really cool.

Below are some projects I pulled from the web to illustrate how you can incorporate quilted leather or vinyl into your fashion sewing.

An extreme example of leather quilting from the 2009 Balmain collection.

Quilting on pants from Michelle's final collection on the season's Project Runway.

from Burberry....
Are you convinced that quilted leather is a great way to add some  flavor to your wardrobe?
But how to do it?
Here is my method.......

Two layers of batting gives a nice puffy look, but use only one if you want only a little dimension. To do two layers iron on one layer to the leather, then iron on the second layer on top of the first layer.

Quilt your grid along the lines you drew on the wrong side of the leather. I would advise you to trim each line as you go. Some of my threads got caught in my quilting lines and I had to pull them out and trim them, which was time consuming.

Here are a few things I discovered when trying to figure out how to quilt leather:

Two layers of fusible batting gave a nice padded look. 

Don't try to use spray adhesive on normal batting. Everything will get gummed up, including your needle. Yuck!

Don't just try to pin on normal batting either... It will shift around when you are trying to quilt the lines. I tried that too..

Make sure you cut your strings after sewing each line. Or else the loose strings will get caught in your quilting lines. can you see this happening above? Practice makes perfect! ( That's why I did this project in vinyl and not the awesome chartreuse leather i have been saving...)

You WILL need to line your quilted leather. The batting will feel all scratchy next to your skin if you don't !