Sewing

Fabulous Vintage Patterns

candi canncel — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:25:48 +0000

So Vintage Patterns has absolutely exquisite sewing patterns. They are truly vintage, not reproductions. They stock over 4000 patterns from the 1900’s on up.

And, even have a huge assortment of Movie Star Patterns. These particular patterns from the 1930s and 1940s featured popular movie stars such as Carol Lombard, Olivia De Haviland, Betty Grable, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Maureen O Hara, Irene Dunn and such stars from the famous movie studios of Hollywood such as RKO, Paramount, MGM, Warner Bros etc. Also here you’ll find other pattern makers that featured fashions from movies such as Audrey Hepburn’s and Lucille Ball from I Love Lucy show etc. I adore the gorgeous Delores Del Rio 30’s number- it is SO chic!

The patterns are a bit pricey- in the $95.00 to $135.00 range but looking like a Movie Star from the 1930’s- priceless!

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Super Chic

candi canncel — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:41:01 +0000

I LOVE scarves. They have always been apart of my “look” and something I add to any outfit to add a bit of chicness.

Amy Butler’s Sash With Beaded Fringe most definitely fits the chic bill! All it takes is a bit of fabric, some gorgeous trim, a little sewing and great attitude and you have a versitile accessory that can make any outfit, fabulous!

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Wrap Them in Love

candi canncel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:46:24 +0000

With the Holidays fast approaching, this is a great time to give Thanks for all the fabulousness in your life! And also a perfect time, to give back!

Wrap Them in Love Foundation is a wonderful organization that donates handmade quilts to needy kids all over the world. You make a quilt block (or even an entire quilt if you’d like!), send them the piece and they’ll will send it to some cutie who will adore it and cherish it forever. A quilt is such a special thing and a beautiful way to make a child feel conforted!

If quilting is not your fortay, you can still help by donating fabric, batting, thread or cold cash to help with operating costs.

So this Holiday Season, why not help wrap a child in Love!

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Christmas Candy

candi canncel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:41:55 +0000

With a name like “Candi Cane”, ya gotta love Christmas! But even more than the Holiday itself, I adore ALL the yummy Holiday candy abound!

This super cute, ultra festive Bon Bon Garland from Craftbits.com is just the perfect sweet thing to adorn your tree. You can make this fabulous project out of any type of fabric to match your Holiday decor. Alas, another way too add some more candy to my Holidays! And this one, fortunetly is calorie-free!

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Next Stop, Christmas

candi canncel — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:48:29 +0000

As soon as the Thanksgiving table is cleared and the last piece of pumkin pie had, most Americans start thinking about Christmas. Why not get a head start on your Holiday decor (after all the stores are already loaded up with Xmas fare!) and create some fun new Holiday stockings.

Celebrating-Christmas.com is your crafty resource for all things Christmas. Update your stockings with these fresh and creative ideas for making these homespun holiday creations. Afterall the Holidays will be here before you know it!

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Ideas for a Gorgeous Thanksgiving Table

candi canncel — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:18:07 +0000

For years, my boyfriend and I have spent Thanksgiving up in the mountains having a picnic. This tradition has been so relaxing and to me such a great way to beat the stress (and excessive food) of this Holiday. But this year, in honor of my best friend’s mom coming into town, we are actually creating Thanksgiving dinner at our place. So I set out to find some great ideas to make my Thanksgiving table absolutely chic and gorgeous!

This tutorial teaches you how to make your own tablecloth.

McCall Patterns Table Top Essentials offer patterns for not only tablecloths and runners but placemats too.

Here is an idea for a reversible table runner. Granted, the fabric used is hideous- but substitute it for something cool and you are on your way to a great looking table!

Suite 101 has some resources if you’d like to dine al fresco for the Holidays.

For napkins, I’m going with Allison Whitlock’s appliquéd napkins.

Having been on this episode of Uncommon Threads, I remember how easy she created these modern cloth napkins. She purchased ready-made napkins (or you can sew your own, using a high quality cotton in the color of your choice) and simply add felt circles to the napkins using an embroidery blanket stitch. You may also create a design with negative space using a chain stitch to outline the shape.

And for the finishing touch, to hold your napkins in place- how about these Button Napkin Rings from Martha Stewart.

Et Viola’! You seriously have one gorgeous Turkey Day table!

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Pattern Making 101

candi canncel — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:35:43 +0000

Toted as “the Dressmaker’s Resource” Pattern-Making.com is a great resource for the avid sewer. Although it does have lots of knitting and crochet patterns, it also has some great sewing and pattern making info. I was inpressed with the tutorial for drafting your own bra pattern as well as the simple instructions on how to pivot a dart. And if you ever wanted to delve into the world of pattern grading, they have some great beginner tips.

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Sew Organized

candi canncel — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:52:32 +0000

I am in the process of revamping my closet. Like most of my friends my age (mid thirties in case you were wondering) we are feeling the need to update our looks. I no longer want to wear the stuff I did in my 20’s and am NO where near wanting to shop in the “Women’s” Department. But I do want to look chic, fabulous, slightly vintage and very pulled together.

While I’m still figuring out my new look, I can be concentrating on buying more shoes and sewing some fabulous closet organizers!

McCall Patterns M5600 has some fantastic organizers- including a shoe rack!

So when I’m ready to make the clothes of my dreamy new look, I’ll have all I need to keep em organized!

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Panty Raid

candi canncel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:35:33 +0000

With all the things I have sewn in my life, I have to say that I have never sewn undies. Dancer trunks, yes- but underwear- no. I just never thought about making them. But DIY Style has changed my mind!

DIY’s Mccall pattern features super sexy panties, a chic little slip and other stylish under garments. With this pattern, I may never have to face loathsome department store underwear shopping ever again!

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Bunny Baby

candi canncel — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:46:34 +0000

Part of the fun it seems to me in having babies, is to be able to dress em up. I have visions of myself with my own mini me dressed in matching ensambles lunching at a chic cafe. Ooh, does that sound very Joan Crawford? Ah, I guess that is why I have a dog!

Maybe instead of like you, you’d rather your baby dress like a princess..or a rabbit!

What baby would not look adorable as all get out in Jennifer Ladd’s Bunny Slippers. The Milwaukee based designer sews these cuties herself in addition to a variety of fancy baby gear and super mod purses.

So why not dress up your little doll while you still can. After all, she’ll eventually become a teenager and you will have NO say what so ever in what she wears, so take advantage of it now, I say. (I’m joking! but again, probably a good thing that I just have a dog!)

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