Some times the really ugly inspires you to do better!

So yesterday I blogged about great designs that I would like to rework for my lifestyle.. With that said I love to check out two runway review sites. Fashion Week Live and Style.com which let you flip through the latest runway shows for sewing inspiration.

With that said, I don't understand the vision and acclaim of some designers. They really could use a little Simplicity 3631 in their life. Check out these picks...


This designer: 3.1 Phillip Lim - Spg '08
I consider this Ready to Wear I could have bought at Kmart in '86. What is the problem?? This is a travesty that needs to be put to sleep.


The designer: unknown
This is something my sister and I would have done as little girls while playing with old sheets. Period.


The designer: (brace yourself) Dolce and Gabbana Spg '08
I swear my grandmother has curtains made out of that same material.

The designer: unknown
The problem is this is.. well ugly. It is SO frumpy... and the model could use a makeover.

So I don't want all of you seamstresses to get your measuring tape in a bunch.
Here are some lovely designs that show less is best and and at the end of the day "STYLE" is what matters.

Tuesday's Rant...

Last night I didn't get to do any sewing.. I started cutting out a simple denim skirt that I am making.. Other than that nothing new to show... So I started to think about what I want to work on next. What is inspiring me? (I type in news style.. so you will see a lot of ellipses! :)

Here are some fashion show images and random sorta-celeb pics that caught my eye:

1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

1. This crisp white blouse would be great with jeans and boots!!

2. I am loving purple right now Erica should have bought that purple fabric!!
3. I really think I could rework this for work, sans the hat.

4. I love the silhouette of this design!! I fate the fabric but in a more sophisticated fabric this would be on fire.

5. This really can be done by any seamstress with a little vision. I really like this black and white formal.. BTW that is Diana Ross's daughter Chudney.

So what's inspiring you???

Quick Sew Weekend

I had a blast this weekend. Here is the recap:

Friday I read to a group of kids from the Boys and Girls Club. They were SOOOOO cute and attentive. This kicked my weekend off right!

Friday night I cut out this cute little pattern... Okay so that fabric looks random with the pattern but I had this great vision of how it would all come out. So.. I started my mission.

Saturday I slept in a little bit.. that was NICE... I went to my girlfriend Tawanna's parent's 33rd Anniversary Surprise dinner. I was the MC. Boy did we have a great time. Marriage is such a beautiful thing. Here is a picture of me and my girl T -- we try to stay as LIVE as possible.


Sunday I awoke to the smell of Mr. Right in the kitchen!!! Yeah!

Bacon, grits, eggs, biscuits -- I love this man!

Funny story about that shirt he is wearing... My mother bought it for him -- 3 times. LOL Every time she would go to a Delta convention or conference she would bring him back a Kappa shirt. However, she kept forgetting that she bought that design of shirt. SO every time he would act like he had never seen it. She laughs about it now.. but it is still our running joke.


Sunday evening I got to sit down and SEW! Yay! I was able to make this dress in one evening. Talk about a quick sew!! I will say this.. I KEEP PICKING PATTERNS WITH THAT SAME COLLAR THAT HAD ME STUMPED!! At least this time I knew what to do. LOL


Sew, with that said the next time I wear it, I think I am going to add a big brown belt. Also, I swear that purse matches in person -- darn it flash photography!

Other than that I had a great weekend!

Ain't She Fine Friday!

Drum roll please?!

Here it is. My finished Simplicity 3631 jacket. You couldn't tell me NOTHING all this morning because I was feeling fine while broadcasting the morning show! I love the way this jacket came out. Now it is time to move on to a few weekend quick sew projects.

Gordon Gartrelle 2007

So when I was IMing Adrienne I told her that my jacket had to turn out right! I can't wear a Gordon Gartrelle 2.0 on the news!! So today I wore my jacket and it was fab! Although I must admit these sleeves make me feel like I should be sitting in with the women's choir at church. LOL

In honor of the esteemed designer Gordan Gartrelle, I present you one of my favorite episodes of the Cosby Show - "A Shirt Story"


The Gordon Gartrelle Shirt Story

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Theo uses Cliff's credit card to buy a 95-dollar Gordon Gartrelle designer shirt, which he plans to wear on a date. Cliff feels that this is too expensive and insists on returning it. Denise agrees, and claims that she can make Theo an identical shirt for much less money. Cliff and Clair are highly skeptical, as Denise has a tendency to abandon projects. Denise does manage to finish the shirt, but it turns out to be a complete mess. A furious Theo fears that he will be humiliated. Cliff reveals that he kept the other shirt in anticipation of such a problem. However, Theo's date and friends see him in the shirt that Denise designed and rave about its originality. He decides to wear the shirt on his date.

Take care -- pictures to come of me in my jacket!

Crisis, what crisis?

Tuesday night into Wednesday I thought I was going to have to scrap my Simplicity 3631 dreams and just make a bunch of brown handkerchiefs... The post below tells of my struggle -- if not all out catfight with the collar band.

Today is a new day.. I want to give a big "You all are SEW live!" shout out to the seamstresses that came to my aid with words of sewing wisdom to help me figure out what I did wrong. Check the comments section.

*Turns out I just needed to turn the piece upside down that I was sewing -- seems simple now, but you weren't there! It was very flattering to get help from the women whose blogs I read DAILY! Thank you new BFFs!

*Tonight all I need to do is make the buttonholes and sew on the buttons. I also need to hem the bottom of the garment! Ladies be on standby because I have never made buttonholes. Adrienne you might as well get ready and put those kids to bed early! LOL

(BELOW) This is when the big revaluation happened and I basted the collar in the right way! I must have two-stepped all night long I was so happy.


(BELOW) The collar is in!

*Sigh*... Sometimes it's not that "Simplicity"...

So I really have been making some great strides in my Simplicity 3631 fab jacket.. and then last night came... I went from a Domestic Diva into Yosemite Sam. Frickin' frackin... I'm the rootin' tootinist...

Here is the problem -- and I will take anyone's advice.

I am at #14 on the pattern directions. For some reason I cannot line up the back and front collar pieces so that they line up with the shoulder seams. One of the pieces has to be too short or too long -- or I am loosing my mind.

I am also unsure of how many pieces I am supposed to be sewing together.

*8 is the back neck
*9 is the front







I have double checked to make sure that all of the pieces are cut out in the right size. Adrienne walked me through several trouble shoots last night -- we came up with NOTHING!!

Either I am not understanding the placement of the neck bands and how they should be pinned on or I have done something wrong. HEEEEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!





(ABOVE) back view .. looks okay from here. I am assuming you stitch where the facing meets the garment at the top.

(ABOVE) Here is where it starts looking real random... I feel like I cut out baby collars...



(ABOVE) Side view.. notice nothing really matches up.

I am a winner!

Fabulous blogger, Christina over at Assorted Notions, ran a great giveaway on a book she received and LOVED called The Collection: A Novel By Gioia Diliberto. Chirtina raved about the fictional tale of a seamstress in Chanel's atelier.

Well after 40 something entries I won her copy of the book! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Thanks Christina

*I did NOT submit 40 entries.. LOL

Sew Far, Sew Good...

This week has been a busy one. I did find the time to start my first jacket -- Simplicity 3631..

I was a little apprehensive. Part of my problem is sizing. No matter how much I follow a pattern to the tee (?) it always comes out too big. This then leads to a lot of novice alterations. LOL.

Here is the problem, pattern sizes aren't in ready to wear sizes. SO, after a brief consultation with Adrienne I decided to cut the pattern out in a size 10 I wear 3/4 and 5/6. So here is what I have so far.

I am still concerned that it may be too big. BUT it is coming out very nice. I am SO excited.

I also was able to make the outward darts which is quite consuming for me. My mother is going to be so proud! What do you think? Any help with sizing???

On Broadway...

I co-hosted the Urban League Gala in my city and talk about good times had by all.
The Spinners were the featured act and they were old-school fun times 36! I really wanted to make my dress for the event but time can kill a dream. I was able to find this fabulous purple gown that I feel had all of the Hollywood glamor needed to be on stage. The theme was Urban League on Broadway.


This is me and Mr. Right. How cute is he? (above)


This is a picture with my favorite Knoxville little sisters. They are so fab! (above)


This is me on stage with my co-host HHH.

Good times had by all!

Its Sew Time!

I am about to start my next project. *drum roll*

Simplicity pattern 3631. Wish me luck because this will be my first jacket. :) I am making the jacket and skirt. (picture on the top right)

Inspiration

I love to browse online retail stores for inspiration. Here is what I am loving right now. Hopefully I can pull off some of these styles in my sewing this fall.

Too Cute Tote Bag!

Okay, good news on the tote bag front.. It came out LOVELY! Mr. Right was SO impressed that I didn't use a pattern. Okay I started out with a pattern and then decided that I could freestyle this so much better! Take a look:

Here was my method:
1. I used one rectangular piece of fabric.
2. I then sewed the seams and covered them with light green grosgrain ribbon. (see below)

3. I sewed the sides together, making sure the ribbon came together evenly.

*I then tacked the bottom part making little triangles on the inside that created a tucked look on the outside. (see below)

4. I made the handles by folding and stitching the piece to make a strap. (Hindsight I should have put the straps on before sewing up the sides)

5. I don't have an embroidery machine but one monkey don't stop no show -- or how ever that old saying goes... I put my machine on the zigzag setting, traced out my initials and took my time stitching my monogram. How fab! (see right)

6. I tacked on a bow and viola!

This took me about 1.5 hours. Not bad, hunh, for no pattern!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hits Home

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Boy did it hit home for me. My cousin, who my mother grew up with in Vincent, Alabama passed away at the age of 48 after being diagnosed with cancer JUST ONE YEAR AGO. Denise leaves behind a husband and two of the cutest little boys you've ever seen. She also leaves behind a host of people who loved her dearly. With that said, ladies:

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

A change in the look or feel of the breast.

• A change in the size or shape of the breast.
• A lump or thickening in the breast, the area surrounding the breast or the underarm.
• A warm sensation in the breast.

A change in the look or feel of the nipple.

• A nipple turned inward or sunken into the breast.
• The shape of the nipple becomes irregular.
• A rash on the nipple or areola.
• Nipple tenderness, increased sensitivity or pain.

Nipple discharge.

• Blood or fluid other than breast milk secreted from the nipple.

A change in the look or feel of the skin on the breast, nipple or areola.

• Dimpling of the skin on the breast (appears like the skin on an orange).
• The appearance of irritated, red, scaly, or swollen skin on the breast, nipple, or areola.

Breast pain.

• Although breast pain is usually associated with benign breast disease rather than breast cancer, it can be a symptom of either condition.

Adapted from National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is important to discuss any of these symptoms with a health care provider as soon as possible so that if breast cancer is present, it is more likely to be diagnosed at an early stage when it is most treatable.

*Courtesy the Komen for the Cure website

Blood is Thicker Than Water

The trip also gave me the chance to see family members that I hadn't seen in forever. My favorite pictures taken while the family was fellowshipping:

My mother and her favorite childhood cousin, Rosemary. They played together every Sunday and now they are women with grown children.

Here are their girls! Me and my beautiful cousin Kendra. Ni hao Kendra!

Here is a great representation of the women in my family. My beautiful Grammy, great Aunt Mae, me and Mommy.

As I said.. it was all so bittersweet. Tonight I will sew to get my mind off of it.

Bittersweet Sundays

I am out of town at a family funeral. Sad times, but good times when you get to see extended family.

I will blog about it tomorrow.

Take care!

Something in the water ain't clean at the organic mart..

I, like many young black professionals, am trying to jump on this healthy eating band wagon. I still enjoy a good soul food plate -- but a sistah is trying to maintain her personal best size 6 and below (as long as it will last)..

Anyway, I love my occasional trip to the Earth Fare organic grocer in town. WITH THAT SAID.. something in the water ain't clean about that place because of the people it attracts. I know I stick out when I walk in there after work with my suit and made up face -- and heels -- no one there had on heels.

This last visit, I walked in and I nearly bumped into an older white woman with silver hair wearing a dashiki mu-mu. Stop and visualize that.. It was like time traveling and seeing my 11th grade science teacher, Ms. Cook. She was UBER-earthy. Like, salt rock for deodorant earthy.. that's a real reference.

My other concern about the organic mart is its smell. I can't place it, and that in turn bothers me. I should note this place is extremely clean, in an upper class neighborhood, but it always smells like someone left the top off the tofu. Yet I return.

My last concern with the organic haven is the prices! I love pesticide free food like the next woman -- but $3 a pound for grapes? The prices make you think about the chances of actually getting sick from the fruit at Wal-Mart. Can't be that bad, right? I am mad I actually had to think about it -- how much is it worth to me for healthier fruit. Yeah, they also had $5 organic cranberry juice -- what the..? Hey Kool-Aid?!

Bag lady, you gone hurt your back...

I have decided to make a tote bag. Ambitious, hunh? I have no idea why, cause it's not like I don't have 36 Delta bags in my closet. I have discovered the world of notions at JoAnn Fabrics.. Check this out:

This is about to be sew live!! I bought black denim fabric (on clearance -- $5 a yard!), zebra print straps and I am using a contrasting white thread. I am adding my own flare by using black grosgrain ribbon to bow tie it shut at the center instead of a strap/ button/ snap. I am making the basic bag that is pictured in blue on the pattern picture.

This is going to be SO cute. I hope so, at least. If not don't say anything when I have black denim place mats and a zebra belt on... cause I will do it...

Colors, colors, colors.. thanks Ice-T

So what colors will I be rocking this fall/winter? I recently did something every girl should do -- evaluate her closet. I have two full rows of suits for work. I find that I own A LOT of blues, reds (thanks Delta Sigma Theta Sorority), blacks and browns. So with that said, it is time to bring in what's hot for this fall.. check it out.. according to the fashion movers and shakers.. this is what we should be stocking up on.

I am a fan of this jewel tone purple that is just amazingly *hot.* This will really pop on my peanut butter brown skin. I am also going to bring in more oranges, greys and golds. Oh the possibilities!!

Everyone has a side hustle...

So you may be wondering why I got back into sewing (beyond the Mommy inspiration).. I wanted a side hustle that I liked (I sound so "urban" when I say it that way - LOL)..


I wanted to make something that I could market and sell and fun cash on the side and maybe parley it into a work for myself gig. Hey, even the newslady doesn't want to have to answer to "the man" everyday. :)

I decided to make custom baby burp cloths. They sell them in all of the stores for a ridiculous amount of money. When they just don't cost that much to make. (They are fun to make). Well I am a sucker. I started making them and my girlfriends LOVED THEM. I was "giving" them away like hotcakes. I may have sold 4 total.. gave away 20. LOL. Basically I am the worst hustle man ever. Rick Ross, I am sorry. 305, Dade county stand up.

Sleep is a hell of a thing..

Okay, so I am a morning news anchor. Sounds all fun and glamorous BUT would you like to get up at 2:30 in the morning, put on FULL clown makeup, as I call it, and then smile for 2 hours straight while convincing everyone it's a good morning? I do love my job but sometimes when I wake up I feel like Florida Evans from Good Times when she would say "Damn, damn, damn!" That's my typical thought as I wake up.


With that said I have finally convinced myself that going to sleep every night at 9pm is a bad thing. I went to bed last night at 7pm on the nose and sleep like a baby. I woke up and only said "Damn!" once (this is all in my head so I don't wake up Mr. Right).

I got dressed and felt like going to work was.. all good.

With that said.. (issues at work) Have you ever had a conversation with someone only to walk away feeling that said person had no clue as to what you were talking about? I have this problem on the regular with one person that I encounter almost daily. It's not my husband or anyone that I could freely say "Why are you looking all lost?" and then walk away in annoyance. This person, while very sweet, reminds me of my former pet cat Rusty. We will not discuss why I don't have him anymore.. Anyway, it's like when I used to fuss at him for doing something completely cat-like and he would have that "You know I don't speak/ understand English look on his face?"

and one more thing...

I am getting caught up on the 6 episodes of All My Children I have stored on Tivo (issues I know)... Can we talk?? They have switched out the actresses of one of my favorite characters, Babe Carey. Boo!!! This new girl isn't as live as the old Babe. This is going to take a while for me to get used to. On the left is my favorite Babe actress.. the new lady is on the right...

Better question, when the heck did I get hooked on soaps. A girlfriend got me hooked when she was pregnant. We started watching it together and it has been all down hill since then. I have such a love-hate relationship with this show. There is so much bad acting it is ridiculously infectious.

Sew many patterns, sew little time..

Sew what's next on my sewing radar? Just a few million patterns that I have spotted and have fallen in love with. Take a look at some of the patterns I have either just bought or am contemplating. HOT!

Sewing is the new black...

I am the consummate diva/ southern lady. I shun all things improper and unladylike unless it has purpose. As a newlywed and DINK (dual income - no kids) household I am trying to get my Martha Stewart on before children come into the picture. With that said...

Growing up my mother would sew the most fabulous dresses for my little sister and me. My mother's sewing never looked homemade. In fact she hates homemade looking sewing. I watched for years and always knew that I would be like my mother when I grew up -- therefore sewing was a must.

3 years ago I bought a cheap, on clearance Shark Euro Pro sewing machine from Target. Talk about putting $60 to good use. I love my little machine. I would love one day to upgrade it to something fabulous and fancy like my new blogger diva Adrienne at adrienneslittleworld.

So three years later and I am on a roll! Check it out..



This is my ever so fabulous wrap blouse that I finished up this weekend.

There is such a sense of freedom to picking out your own fabric and custom fitting and sewing your own clothes! It is just "sew live!"

The last person to jump on this blog thing...

I am officially the last person to jump on this blog thing. Here goes nothing... First off let me say this will challenge my lack of commitment to new endeavors and things. LOL You know, new hair products, hobbies, etc...

I figure with all of the crazy things I see on the daily -- I have got to write this stuff down.