Sew Grateful: Ulyana Sergeenko Challenge

Yesterday was Sharing Resources Day for Sew Grateful and I didn't post anything because I don't have tutorials of my own or new inspiration to share with you. (I will mention that I pin a lot of tutorials and tips here on this pinterest page so you can check that out if you're curious.)

Today is Sewing Project Day, meant for us to show off our projects using patterns that we won in a contest, using an online tutorial, or a project inspired by someone else.

I think everyone has been inspired by the amazing ladies competing in Project Sewn this year. If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I swooned quite a bit when Kathleen from Gosgrain chose Ulyana Sergeenko as her inspiration. Well, first I had to google her, then the swooning happened.

Anyway, I posted a few of my favorite outfits worn and/or designed by Ulyana Sergeenko and it seemed many of you agreed she's amazing.

Okay, I know the point of this post was to showcase a finished project that was inspired by the sewing community, but as I'm just now coming out of my winter funk, I going start a project from this and I hope you'll join me!

So, ahem, I'm officially announcing the Ulyana Sergeenko Challenge!

She has quite a few different looks. I put together a pinterest board to help you find the perfect look. (You know, assuming you're into bold, dramatic, classic styles.)

These looks are outside of my comfort zone and some may not be incredibly practical, but I'm going to push through my doubts and make these because they are incredible.

So what do you think? Are you in??

I think April 20th would be a great end date as that's nearly 7 weeks away and may be enough time to shop, find patterns, and make up several outfits. Leave a comment below if you want to participate. Leave a comment, tweet at me, or send me an email at kmjones3@gmail.com with your finished outfit and I'll do a round up post in April of everyone's amazing creations.

Sew Grateful: Reflections

Sew Grateful week continues with our reflections!

This year I have extra feelings so hopefully I'm able to fully articulate them and keep it interesting to you, my readers and friends.

I am usually grateful to the sewing community for introducing me to new blogs, new dresses to be inspired by, new and easier ways of sewing with excellent tutorials, and for sticking by me when I inevitably take every winter off.

These last few years have been rather hard for me for various reasons and sewing has been such a wonderful creative outlet for me. Of course, it's also incredibly frustrating at times - but there's really no better feeling than completing an outfit and wearing it out into the world.

This year, and I know we're only two months in, but this year seems like things are finally starting to turn around and for the better. I have so many projects on the horizon and so many life changes to initiate. I also finally started using my social media to connect with other people who sew and knit and only amazing things are happening from that. Really, my thought was along the lines of, "I already follow their blogs... what else could they possibly have to say anywhere else?" Silly me.

Part of it was insecurity on my end. Who would want to listen to me and my stream of consciousness? I'm continually amazed that not only do I have followers, but my numbers increase every so often. Why do people want to see what I'm making? Who wants to hear about how I can't thread my serger to save my life? Is another cat picture really necessary? (Yes.)

I love all of you that listen to me, put up with me, and ultimately support me. You tell me how wonderful my items are when I (finally) make something wonderful, and you tell me how to fix things I made that are pretty crappy. Sometimes I just have to start over. That's life. Life is all about starting over and trying again and I am so, so grateful that I have so many wonderful people supporting me throughout it. Thank you all so much!

Sew Grateful Vintage Pattern Giveaway

Sew Grateful week is upon us!! Debi from My Happy Sewing place is hosting so get over there and check it out if you're not familiar with it.

This is one of my favorite times of the year just because I started my blog right before Sew Grateful about two years ago and I learned so many useful tips and met so many wonderful bloggers that I still consider myself friends with today. Because of that, I have a few things to give away.

I'll have more details going up tonight about each pattern - though if you are concerned about something, feel free to leave your question in the comments and I'll answer it as soon as you can. I'm not sure if all pieces are there or not, but I bought it from a charity that ensures that all or enough pieces are there for you to complete the items.

I ship worldwide. Contest ends Sunday March 2nd at 11:59 EST.

First up is Simplicity 7129. Bust size 32 and 33.5.

Next is McCall's 2806. Skirt, pants, jacket, dress, and somewhat creepy cover. Size 12, bust 34.

McCall's 3324. I really love this one, but I never see myself wearing it so I must pass it on! Size 12, bust 34.

And this is just a cute book you sew together! Vogue patterns 1959. It seems like a lot of fun for the right child and parent.

Okay, guys. Leave a comment letting me know which pattern(s) you're interested in and make sure there's a way I can contact you if you are the winner.

For additional entries, you can follow my blog here or some form of social media (facebook, twitter, instagram, etc) Please leave separate comments saying that you did/do follow so I can easily count your extra entries.

Thanks to everyone who entered. This giveaway is now closed. And congrats to the winners: Kestrel, Laurie, and Diane!

Sew Grateful and Pushing Daisies Sew Along Updates

Remember how I mentioned I was ridiculously busy with work back at the beginning of February? It's gotten so much worse. I won't bore you with the details, but I've been spending 18 hours a day either working or travelling to and from work. Hopefully it ends this week and I tell you this only because it's affected my sewing and I've fallen behind on the sew along and most other things in my life. I'm hoping to get all caught up by the end of the week, but I'll definitely be on top of things next week.

I don't want to leave you without anything. I have a few announcements and updates if you'll bear with me.

Firstly, I've been coveting some patterns and scouring ebay and etsy with minimal luck so I thought I would turn to you guys. I would LOVE to own both McCall's 5816 and Simplicity 9227. If you have either copy (or maybe something similar?), especially if they're in a size 12 or 14, please let me know. I'm happy to trade something out of my own pattern collection (which is mostly vintage) or whatever you'd like. Shoot me an email or leave me a message here.

Secondly, I have just contacted the winner from Sew Grateful contest. I know, it's shameful! But I'll have it out this week. Congratulations go out to Catja from Gjeometry. If you'll send me your info, I'll send it out this week.

And finally, I have been incredibly lucky during the Sew Grateful week as I won a total of 6 contests. I was hesitant to say anything because I feel a little bit like I cheated somehow, but I want to credit the amazing bloggers and their gifts, as well as give something back.

I'm going to host another sew along in the next few months, this time from The Hour, but more on that after I finish the Pushing Daisies Sew Along! I'm also going to sponsor a few more giveaways as a thank you. I have some patterns I could part with and potentially some fabric as well so stay tuned for that in the next few weeks!

Okay, in no particular order:

1. Suitcase full of goodies from Deborah at Minnado's House. The contents of the suitcase were actually a surprise, but I was a little more excited about the vintage suitcase because I collect them. However, when I opened the suitcase, there were so many amazing things inside, including lace trim from her grandfather's wedding dress business!

2. Ring cushion pin from MrsC at Sent From My Iron. Made by her mother, this ring cushion is such a clever idea. You wear it and keep your pins in it and that way there's no twisting and turning trying to figure out where to stick the pins. She also threw in some adorable ribbon!

3. Vintage knitting magazines from Finished Threads. Yes, there are some horribly dated sweaters but there are some great vintage ones as well, which is why I couldn't wait to get a hold of them!

4. An issue of Mollie Makes from Nessa's Place. This magazine isn't available in the US (as far as I know), but I've heard it has some interesting things in it and I couldn't wait to take a peek!

5. A blouse pattern and some beautiful fabric with Chinese lanterns on it from Graca at Sew Essentially Sew. I already have some great ideas for the fabric, and I can't wait to get started!

6. 10 yards of fabric of my choice from Erin's stash at Seamstress Erin. I grabbed some jersey (of course), some silk, some vintage hounds tooth that I can't wait to make something with, and some cotton and others.  Erin threw in some extra trimmings from her grandmother and a pattern.

(more fabric not pictured due to no cell service at one of my jobs - updated soon!)

Andddd late breaking news: I just won Oona's weekly contest for a bobbin holder. Go check out her blog if you haven't already. She's amazing.

And perhaps I'll stay away from entering contents for awhile... or maybe I'll buy a lottery ticket!

Sew Grateful: Pushing Daisies Sew Along

Today in the Sew Grateful week is the day to provide resources, tutorials, patterns, etc. I was actually hoping to provide a pattern for you guys of my 1920s dress (and if you're interested in testing the pattern - let me know!), but I got a little burned out designing and creating the dress that just won't ever be good enough! Next week I'll finish it, maybe. Probably not.

I'm happy to link you guys to my sewing page on Pinterest (click here!) where I do have free patterns and tutorials and links to tips and tricks on everything from working with lace to maintaining your machine.

But I want to offer something more for Sew Grateful, and it's for an entirely selfish reason.

Have you ever seen Pushing Daisies? It's one of my favorite shows, and if you've seen it, I'm sure it's one of your favorite shows. It was killed by the writer's strike of '08, so there's only 2 seasons to re-watch over and over again.

Why should you care?

Because I want to host a sew along! I don't know if I have enough followers to do that and I usually have a difficult time remembering to take pictures and explain my process, but I'm putting this up anyway and we'll see how it goes. Perhaps it will just be me by my lonesome, but I'll have a kick-ass dress at the end of it so who cares?

This is Chuck:

Chuck wears pretty dresses.

And pretty under things as well.

I think my favorite part of Chuck's outfits are that she's wearing them to blend in, not stand out.

Okay, hopefully now you understand just part of my obsession with this show. Of all the dresses, I've been coveting the red lace dress for the longest, and I think that's the dress I'm going to focus on for this sew along. (Perhaps the lingerie will be next?)

Looking through my patterns, I think a combination of Vogue 9810 version C and the skirt from Butterick B5708 will be the closest fit.

I haven't yet made the Vogue pattern, so I'm not sure if there will be any fitting issues. Obviously, we'll have to make some alterations, most noticeably shortening the sleeves, though that shouldn't be difficult. I've made the Butterick pattern previously and it's very easy to work with. The gathered skirt sans petticoat would be perfect for this dress.

So what do you think? Are you in? I'm happy to make this my first sew along if others are interested, though I'll probably make it purple or navy instead of red. I've also secretly thinking about buying white lace and dying it in tea for a cool vintage/sepia effect!

Edit: A tentative schedule can be found here!

Sew Grateful: Reflection

Without the sewing and blogging community, I don't think I'd be sewing like I am today so I owe everything to you guys.

Yes, I was interested in sewing on my own. And yes, I took a sewing class to refresh the one semester costume class I took in college, but can a few hours really teach me everything I need to know to make a garment? Not really. In a city where I couldn't turn to anyone to ask questions (unless I wanted to pay them), I would have been lost and I probably would have given up.

Via

Every pattern I've gotten has been because someone linked to an amazing deal or a free pattern. Every instruction or tip I've gotten has because there's such a large online presence that no matter what question I may have (and I always have questions), someone has asked it before and someone has always given a very detailed response.

Furthermore, I just love posting inspiration pictures or fabric I randomly decided to buy and get your feedback and ideas on what it should become.

Additionally, I'm incredibly grateful that I'm able to meet up with sewing bloggers. Whether it's with Rachel from Layer, Stitch, Repeat to create a skirt together or with Marina from Frabjous Fashion Couture and others from the NYC sewing meet-up group to admire lace at the Met (with a personalized tour no less) or costumes from Katherine Hepburn's films, these are experiences I wouldn't have without the internet and the sewing community online.

I can't wait to see what (and who!) this year brings me.

Also, if you're ever in NYC and want to do something sewing related, I'm usually up for it. If you're in Astoria and want to be my new sewing or knitting buddy, I'm definitely game.

Sewing Updates and Inspirations from 1950s Segregated South

You guys, big things have been happening. And by big things, I mean I've actually been sewing instead of focusing on other things like I've been doing for the past few months. Remember when I mentioned a dress I was making back in September and gave up on in October? I finally finished it. It's hanging on my dress form (that I got for Christmas!), and just waiting to be photographed... when I get a proper camera. Camera phones just don't cut it.

I'm also taking a break from designing dresses. I've designed two so far and generally I love them a lot, but it's such a headache when something goes wrong. My next few dresses will definitely be from a pattern. Plus, I've got so many amazing vintage patterns, why wouldn't I use them?

Also, because I've got so many vintage patterns and because I owe so much to the blogging community, I'm participating in Sew Grateful and doing a giveaway, so check back in the first week of February to enter!

But now I want to share with you some amazing photographs I discovered on Messy Nessy Chic, an amazing blog that finds the most amazing, random news out there. I grew up in the south, and while it's certainly not segregated anymore, most places, especially Memphis, the city I was raised in, are hyper aware of racism and are still struggling with the aftermath.

Most pictures of the white community in the 1950s show smiling faces, happy housewives and families, and most people agree that the fashion from the time was outstanding.

Most pictures that I've seen featuring the black community from this time are in black and white and usually show the struggle blacks faced against whites. While that's very, very important and something that should never be forgotten, I was blown away by the pictures below for a few reasons.

First, they're in color. Second, the dresses and hairstyles of these women and children and gorgeous. Third, I felt awful noticing the dresses and hairstyles as the "Coloreds Only" signs were also glaringly prominent, but that was exactly the point photographer Gordon Parks was trying to make: by photographing this family in this way, he created empathy and challenged racism by demonstrating that "the aspirations, responsibilities, vocations, and rituals of the Thornton family were no different than those of white Americans." (via NYT)

Check them out, and hopefully you'll feel as inspired as I do.

Check out the New York Times story, with more pictures, by clicking here!