Here is a great website for you fabric - olics out there:
http://www.fabriclink.com/Burntest.html
I also LOVE the books, Cotton, Silk and Wool - each in essence entire textile classes. These are always advertised in the back of sewing magazines, and I carry them on my www.londas-sewing.com website. GREAT summer reading!
Some other websites I was referred to by my friend Diana Pemberton of The Clothing Chronicles - www.fashionforrealwomen.com
www.cosmeticconnecion.com
www.fashion-era.com
www.hairboutique.com
www.made-in-italy.com
www.modeaparis.com
www.style.com
www.wwd.com
I must admit that only briefly scanned these - but enough to know they hold a vast wealth of knowledge, information and entertainment. I guess I'm just not yet into entertainment on the web, since I spend so much of my days on the computer with business!
Right now, early August will find me absolutely driven to a sewing fix!!!! After building the final of my family of sewing websites, I am computer-ed out!
The last weeks have found me super busy sorting, labelling, deciding, ordering, checking in, playing with new fabrics, etc., etc., etc., for the booth I'll have for the first time at the American Sewing Guild Conference in Nashville next Wed through Saturday. Ahhhhh - for a real sewing fix - this promises to be a heaven. I wish you all could come - and hope to meet some of you there in person! Now virtually all my stock is packed, and you should see the hilarity of my digging to fill orders as they come in.... o well - kind of like snooping through Christmas packages I have to tell myself...
My New sites:
www.londaskaiscissors.com great scissors from Kai, Mundial, and WolffUSA
www.londasnotions.com only notions that I personally use and love and recommend
www.londasclovernotions.com my version of all the great notions Clover has to offer.
And my daughter has hers launched as well: www.cttoys.com - great selection of interesting, different, educational toys.
Stay cool.............
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Copying Ready-made garments
I just posted this as a comment under the Jeans discussion - but in case some of you might miss those increasing comments under that topic, I'm placing this also as an additional post.
Anonymous:Please know you don't have to tear apart a garment in order to get a pattern from it. Do consult th most recent THREADS Aug-Sept article using tape to do this by my pal, Jean Haas. It is ingenious. Also - in High Fashion Sewing Secrets by Claire Shaeffer, good directions can be found on copying a garment. I've done this, taught it, and it it works!!! Do let us know if you try it and your results...
Anonymous:Please know you don't have to tear apart a garment in order to get a pattern from it. Do consult th most recent THREADS Aug-Sept article using tape to do this by my pal, Jean Haas. It is ingenious. Also - in High Fashion Sewing Secrets by Claire Shaeffer, good directions can be found on copying a garment. I've done this, taught it, and it it works!!! Do let us know if you try it and your results...
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Shopping for Jeans Saga
I'm still not doing much sewing right now, but I HAD to go hunt - and I mean HUNT some jeans. With a 29" or so waist and 41" hips, and legs a bit on the heavy side, this shouldn't have been THAT much of a challenge - but, alas - after trying on at least 30 pairs of jeans on Sunday - I have some conclusions.....
* Where to shop:
I looked at T.J. Maxxx and a college type resale store - though I must admit, since I was with my daughter (22 - a new Mom) - I might have gone to a department store to really look if I"d been by myself. ESPECIALLY if you want jeans that come at least 1" below your bely button - and THAT would be considered "Hi Waisted" and "Old Lady" - I think you would need to look in more conventional stores - and in the Ladies' sections... When I have some time, I'm gonna go investigate this further...
But - I really did want to try to get an acceptable pair or 2 of jeans that were more 'in currrent style' - thus the excursion...
Besides - my favorite pair that were denim/lycra - the lycra had poppped, given out all around the crotch - not acceptable to wear any longer (or so I was told!)....
*Rack Selection Process
Hummmm I looked for ones whose zipper looked at least at least the width of my four fingers... :)
I also like the 'give' of Lycra so I watched for that
If the thigh looked too super skinny - well, I went on...
* Fitting Process
I found it only took putting in one leg to see if it was going to work...so many didn't make it any further than that.
If I could get one leg in - I had some hope...
It was a quick conclusion that my undies were not 'in fashion' - as they showed over the top of absolutely EVERY pair I got all the way on! That will be yet another shopping trip now I suppose...
*What I bought -
Finally finding 2 pair that didn't leave enough room at the center back 'waist' to put my entire fist into - (I do have a slim, somewhat sway back), I felt that I had achieved victory. $10 for the ones at the resale store - and $16 at T J Maxxx.
Observation: the 'new' ones didn't appear any 'newer' than those at the resale store! In fact - some at the resale store looked newer!
Crotch length: 24 3/4" on one pair - 10.5" in front, 14.25" in back - wore them yesterday and felt they were 'falling down' all day long...
25 3/4" on the other pair 9.75" in front, 16" in back - sitting here in them, at least I don't feel like I'm 'exposed' on my back side... Another subtle observation - they seem to come up higher at the side seams, and dip subtly in the center front - I almost like that... Perhaps something to incorporate in the next pair of SoHo pants I make...
My daughter has already informed me that I MUST go get some new undies - that no one needs to know that mine are pink today! :)
Well ---- any others of you have some experience to share???
Hope I've enlightened/entertained you for a bit today...
Back to playing with oodles of new fabrics that have arrived.
* Where to shop:
I looked at T.J. Maxxx and a college type resale store - though I must admit, since I was with my daughter (22 - a new Mom) - I might have gone to a department store to really look if I"d been by myself. ESPECIALLY if you want jeans that come at least 1" below your bely button - and THAT would be considered "Hi Waisted" and "Old Lady" - I think you would need to look in more conventional stores - and in the Ladies' sections... When I have some time, I'm gonna go investigate this further...
But - I really did want to try to get an acceptable pair or 2 of jeans that were more 'in currrent style' - thus the excursion...
Besides - my favorite pair that were denim/lycra - the lycra had poppped, given out all around the crotch - not acceptable to wear any longer (or so I was told!)....
*Rack Selection Process
Hummmm I looked for ones whose zipper looked at least at least the width of my four fingers... :)
I also like the 'give' of Lycra so I watched for that
If the thigh looked too super skinny - well, I went on...
* Fitting Process
I found it only took putting in one leg to see if it was going to work...so many didn't make it any further than that.
If I could get one leg in - I had some hope...
It was a quick conclusion that my undies were not 'in fashion' - as they showed over the top of absolutely EVERY pair I got all the way on! That will be yet another shopping trip now I suppose...
*What I bought -
Finally finding 2 pair that didn't leave enough room at the center back 'waist' to put my entire fist into - (I do have a slim, somewhat sway back), I felt that I had achieved victory. $10 for the ones at the resale store - and $16 at T J Maxxx.
Observation: the 'new' ones didn't appear any 'newer' than those at the resale store! In fact - some at the resale store looked newer!
Crotch length: 24 3/4" on one pair - 10.5" in front, 14.25" in back - wore them yesterday and felt they were 'falling down' all day long...
25 3/4" on the other pair 9.75" in front, 16" in back - sitting here in them, at least I don't feel like I'm 'exposed' on my back side... Another subtle observation - they seem to come up higher at the side seams, and dip subtly in the center front - I almost like that... Perhaps something to incorporate in the next pair of SoHo pants I make...
My daughter has already informed me that I MUST go get some new undies - that no one needs to know that mine are pink today! :)
Well ---- any others of you have some experience to share???
Hope I've enlightened/entertained you for a bit today...
Back to playing with oodles of new fabrics that have arrived.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Is it a scissors or a shear?
In setting up my newest website (not live yet), to sell Kai Scissors - and more, I've learned that a scissors is one into which only one finger goes into each handle hole. If you fit more than one finger in a hole - it is a shears. :)
Learning lots - can't wait to get this live and share more. There will be a page of cutting info on it as well...
Learning lots - can't wait to get this live and share more. There will be a page of cutting info on it as well...
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Special Fabric Offer fr Londa
Special Fabric Offer
Designer Charles Chang Lima Fabrics
Designer Charles Chang Lima Fabrics
Am I ever having the time of my life - examining, petting, measuring, folding, describing over 40 yummy scrumptious fabrics in the Charles Chang Lima Collection I purchased on that Chicago buying trip!!!!
Honestly, it has become apparent that I have purchased more than 2 vans could possibly carry down the American Sewing Guild Convention the end of July - so I have to thin this out NOW!
Londa's Fashion Club Members will automatically be receiving actual swatches of these fabrics. (They are my VERY special customers..and always get top treatment!).
BUT - 2nd in line are those who have joined my BLOG.
Sew...if you e-mail me your name and address byTuesday morning, July 5 - I will include you in this sample mailing.
I don't have the time to scan and upload all of these fabrics to my website - so there will be a special ordering process described in the mailing.
Laces - French, VERY interesting black laces, sweater knits - already fused to nylon tricot, fine gabardines, rich textures, wonderful cotton shirtings... you'll be THRILLED! These are just what I dreamt of trying to find after my Chicago Gold Cost Designer snooping!!!
Prices will be VERY good - and even better if you take the entire yardage. First come...first get so don't delay once you get the swatches!!!!
Sew - send me your snail mail address. If you are a Fashion Club Member - just know you needn't do anything! AND, some Londa's 2 Cents Worth are also being written - at least 2 on their way to you by next week's end.
Sew - send me your snail mail address. If you are a Fashion Club Member - just know you needn't do anything! AND, some Londa's 2 Cents Worth are also being written - at least 2 on their way to you by next week's end.
Sewing hugs,
Londa
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