Giveaway of Cloth: 100 Artists Contemporary & Heritage Techniques by Lena Corwin

Artist, textile designer, and author Lena Corwin showcases the creativity of 100 diverse and talented American fiber artists in her latest book, Cloth, celebrating the timeless crafts of weaving, quilting, dyeing, and other heritage textile techniques. Cloth highlights contemporary artists who are thoughtfully reviving and reimagining traditional methods. Corwin introduces artists from a vibrant array of backgrounds, each uniquely influenced by their cultural heritage and … Continue reading Giveaway of Cloth: 100 Artists Contemporary & Heritage Techniques by Lena Corwin

JillyApril 30, 20251 Comment

Junk Drawer

StyleWe.com: A Review

Have you heard or visited the clothing site StyleWe? Is it worth it to spend $$ here? Is it legit? Read on for a review.

StyleWe has a beautiful selection of modern fashion clothes. But, if you visit their Facebook page or SiteJabber you’ll notice a lot of negative complaints. Here’s my experience with StyleWe. Continue reading “StyleWe.com: A Review”

JillyFebruary 1, 2016November 2, 2016167 Comments

Denver

My Sewing Week

Last week I was involved in three great sewing related activities through the Denver Sewing Collective.

Thursday was great to see new and familiar faces, we didn’t have anything planned this month for the Denver Sewing Collective but the weather was nice and spring was in the air. I actually can’t even remember what project I brought or what I did. Hmm.

First off I went with Marni to Colorado Fabrics for no better reason than it was a Saturday and on the way to the ASG Denver meeting. Bought these gems. The white is a crepe rayon. No idea yet what I’ll do but it’s going to be good.

Continue reading “My Sewing Week”

JillyMarch 15, 2015March 22, 2015Leave a comment

Reviews

Butterfly Kimono from Butterick 6065

Well, this was unintentional, me posting a kimono right after Jamie. Plus, we’re having a Kimono night at the Denver Sewing Collective’s next meetup. I’ve got kimono on the brain. This was an super easy jacket to make. Basically a rectangle folded over and the side sewn where your arms go through. I like the drapey band that Butterick has here. I bought the fabric from … Continue reading Butterfly Kimono from Butterick 6065

JillyNovember 13, 2014November 12, 20148 Comments

Junk Drawer

Operation: Core Wardrobe – No Pain No Gain – Editing the closet

Still moving forward on my core wardrobe. This is the tough part, editing the closet. Twice a year I change from a spring/summer wardrobe to the fall/winter. And, every year I put a few things in the ‘Donate’ pile. Well, it’s about to get a bit ugly this year. With my goal of sewing a core wardrobe it’s important to get rid of things that … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – No Pain No Gain – Editing the closet

JillySeptember 25, 2014September 24, 201410 Comments

Junk Drawer

Operation: Core Wardrobe – What shape am I?

The idea of sewing my core wardrobe has been growing for the past year. I’ve taken the last 6-9 months or so to plan for it. Not that it needs to take that long to plan for a wardrobe, it’s not like we’re climbing Everest here. Or is it? The first steps in sewing a Core Wardrobe that looks and feels smashing is to determine … Continue reading Operation: Core Wardrobe – What shape am I?

JillyAugust 27, 2014August 26, 201410 Comments

History

Born on this day – Paul Iribe June 18, 1883

If you’re like me and love looking through vintage fashion illustration either on Pinterest, around the web or in (gasp!) a book you most likely have seen Paul Iribe. Paul Iribe was a fashion illustrator and collaborated with some of the top designers of his day. He worked with Paul Poiret, Coco Chanel (they were also lovers, he died rather suddenly and some alleged he … Continue reading Born on this day – Paul Iribe June 18, 1883

JillyJune 18, 2014June 15, 20143 Comments

Junk Drawer

Who Made Your Clothes? – #insideout @fashion_rev

Fashion Revolution is an organization created to build awareness for how and where our clothes are made as well as awareness as to who makes these clothes. Read their mission statement HERE. The date of April 24 is significant for this is the day one year ago where 1133 people died making clothing at the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh. It was a horrific event, which left over 2000 people injured and … Continue reading Who Made Your Clothes? – #insideout @fashion_rev

JillyApril 24, 2014April 23, 20141 Comment

History

Vogue Covers – Then & Now: It’s not about art anymore

If you haven’t heard Kim Kardashian made it on to the cover of Vogue magazine April issue (with Kanye right behind her). The cover has generated more negative comments then one can shake a tube of lipstick at. (Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of any of the Kardashians, nor of reality television. ) The photo spread was done by Annie Leibovitz but her signature … Continue reading Vogue Covers – Then & Now: It’s not about art anymore

JillyMarch 26, 2014March 22, 20145 Comments

History

Born on this day – William Travilla Costume Designer

William Travilla, known simply Travilla was born on March 22, 1920. Multiple Oscar and Emmy nominee and one time Academy Award winner for the Adventures of Don Juan. Travilla is probably best known for dressing Marilyn Monroe. He designed the iconic white dress in Seven Year Itch as well as the costumes for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How To Marry A Millionaire.(For a fascinating look … Continue reading Born on this day – William Travilla Costume Designer

JillyMarch 22, 2014March 22, 20141 Comment

Finished Projects

Sewing the perfect T-shirt = A surprising amount of work

I am working on the perfect t-shirt. One that fits like a glove. Ultimately I want to use a cotton blend fabric with modal that is somewhat sustain-ably made if possible. My goal is to make all my t-shirts from here on out and build on this must have Wardrobe Basic. Continue reading “Sewing the perfect T-shirt = A surprising amount of work”

JillyMarch 12, 2014March 12, 201411 Comments

History

Born in this month – March

March has so many notable fashion and design related birthdays. I could write a blog post for every day of the month showcasing one stellar fashion icon or grand designer. Let’s just look at a few notable births this month. Plus links for you to explore more.

March is the month that Barbie was born. Love her or hate her the girl’s got staying power. Barbie is actually German by birth. If you look at the German dolls and then the US Barbie it’s not so much that Ruth Handler invented Barbie but rather she saw the potential in the German Bild Lilli dolls and ran with it. Just say ‘in. Bild Lilli dolls in good to great condition can fetch upwards of 4000 dollars or more. Continue reading “Born in this month – March”

JillyFebruary 28, 2014March 1, 20142 Comments

Tips & Tricks

How To Read A Sewing Pattern

If you are new to sewing or are learning sewing on your own you might be wondering what exactly all those arrows, notches and symbols mean on the sewing pattern. Let’s walk through all the symbols and markings you might find on today’s sewing patterns.

How To Read A Sewing Pattern

The pattern instructions will take you step-by-step through the sewing process. The symbols and markings on the pattern will aid in layout, specify whether it’s the front or back side of the garment, where decorative elements like darts, pleats, etc go and more. Knowing what these symbols mean will aid your garment sewing and improve your final garment. Continue reading “How To Read A Sewing Pattern”

JillyFebruary 13, 2014July 1, 20163 Comments

Junk Drawer

Born On This Day – Tina Louise

Growing up I would watch reruns of Gilligan’s Island before my mom would come home from work. I loved the show for one thing only and that was Ginger. She was, as most know the beautiful red headed movie star stranded on the island with 6 others. I fell for Ginger more so than Mary Ann I think largely because she was so beautiful and … Continue reading Born On This Day – Tina Louise

JillyFebruary 11, 2014January 27, 20145 Comments

History

Born on this day – Christian Dior

Christian Dior, always a favorite among the sewing and fashion set, was born January 21, 1905 in Normandy, France. For fashion historians and lovers of vintage style Dior is best known for his “New Look” which emerged right after World War Two. The “New Look” was presented in 1947 and was seen as a fashion revolution that brought women out of the boxy, rationed designs from the war years into voluptuous, excessive glamour. Dior is cited as being the designer who brought fashion back to Paris with his “New Look”. Continue reading “Born on this day – Christian Dior”

JillyJanuary 21, 2014January 20, 20141 Comment

Reviews

Wardrobe Wakeup by Lois Joy Johnson – A Review

“The Wardrobe Wake Up” by Lois Joy Johnson.
I love books on wardrobe building so I loved “The Wardrobe Wake Up” by Lois Joy Johnson. I thought it brought forth a lot of sound and moderate advice. For anyone who sews, this information will work as a guide to help you find the right patterns to build your wardrobe from scratch. I did think the book could have used more detailed photos – like on how to tie scarves. I also think many readers would have loved to see some of Johnson’s ideas in plus sizes, i.e. the cropped pants. Continue reading “Wardrobe Wakeup by Lois Joy Johnson – A Review”