Scoodie ... part scarf. part hoodie.

Its a hoodie with a scarf attached. Made with corduroy and faux fir. I just traced my favorite hoodie in my closet and attached the long strips for the scarf. I'm gonna try and add a pocket to the scarf on the next batch.

Hydra Heart.

I've been crazy busy lately ... but who isn't this time of year. I got a little side job and made a new friend. I am helping Molly cut out and sew together her adorable line of shoes. Have a look at her etsy shop HydraHeart.

Downtown LA

Going to "the alleys" in downtown LA is always overwhelming for me. There is street after street with shop after shop filled to the brim with fabric. And everyone wants to help you ... what are you looking for? what type of fabric? what color? how much do you want?
The minimum cut is one yard ... which is hard for me because I make small things ... and I don't have the room for a killer stash like this. But you can't beat the price. For example ... Minky fabric can be $15-$19 dollars a yard but in LA you can find it for $5-$6 dollars a yard and in every color.
Unless I am making a new blanket for our couch or bed ... I just end up spinning in circles and then going by my usual shop to load up on zippers.

Sew U Home Stretch.

Everyone (amy, amanda and melissa to name a few) is talking about Sew U Home Stretch. I picked up my own copy a week ago ... and I've read through it twice already. I have made many clothes from woven cottons and linens ... but I haven't made much from knit. Like many ... I have always had a fear of knits. But this book makes the fabric sound simple and forgiving.

I am going to start with some of the dresses in the book ... but I needed a french curve to draft the pattern alterations. I tried all the local craft and sewing shops near my house and then I searched the internet. With no luck except ebay (which scares me) I remembered this art supply shop ... only to get there and find out they closed down ... but the sell online. So for anyone with this book and the same predicament you can get a french curve here. And when mine comes in the mail ... I have my pattern ready. Along with this orange jersey knit for one of the dresses ... and this eco-friendly blue bamboo jersey knit for another.

I haven't tried out the patterns in the book yet ... but I still highly recommend it for all the other great info Wendy filled it with.

Built By Me.

Here is a new top I made from one of the patterns I bought at JoAnns. It was one of the hardest patterns I have ever followed. I cursed and threw the top a few times during construction ... then I ripped out seams to re-sew and put it together my own way. Now that I have it finished ... I am going to try it again. Only next time I think I may try a knit. I don't know if I like how the shoulder piece sticks out straight on me?

Painted Skirts.

I made a few more skirts for myself. This first one I came up with on my own ... I just traced a can of coffee and the lid to my water bottle and painted the space between. The second one is another stencil from that book.

I've tried using fabric paint ... but the texture still feels like paint. So I just use these paints and I mix in a little textile medium. It is a lot cheaper and it works the same. That idea came from my mom (my muse).