What Londa's been up to...

No - I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.....The last few months have found me:

• Being a Grandma/Mom to my adorable now 15 mo old grandson - living with us ... nothing is better - not even LOTS of sewing! (Though I am having withdrawal symptoms!)
• Moving my aged parents into a retirement home (where they are like 2 kids off at camp, thank the Lord!)
• Birthing yet another new website: www.londasartsysewingstuff.com not born yet though..
• Travelling to sewing shows - Martha Pullen Arlington Market in June, coming up: AQS Nashville Quilt Show, and then end of September - the Novi American Sewing Exp. I teach all about my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets and sell lots of great stuff at my booth. My hubby even takes vacation time to come along with me!
• Burning my CD Books - now Nancy's Notions will be carrying it in their Fall catalog, in addition to Clotilde.
• Creatively sewing for a private Client - keeps me sane! More in design mode right now with that though...
• Reading some books! RE-read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" - I'd read that when about 12 - thoroughly enjoyed - and recommend it!

More later when daughter and grandson move out - August, and I get back into a more regular sync of things...

Londa

Fashion Accesories

Hello All You Fashionistas,
I am wondering if any of you have purchased Diane Pemberton's new e-book about fashion acessories and what is your opinion of it. Does it have information that is beyond the obvious?
By that I mean does it have more helpful information than, "do not wear boots with a sheer summery dress," or "flip flops with a business suit." http://www.accessorymagic.com/subscribers.htm
Thanks for you input,
Joan

Wow! What a surprise. Chloe has won the Project Runway for the year. I was so afraid that the arrogant guy with the pony-tail would win. I just saw the news posted by Rueters on Yahoo. Has anybody seen any TV coverage? This may be old news for all I know, I am so out of touch sometimes.
Joan

Closeup of jacket - this was a scrumptious reversible wool/lycra blend from Charles Chang Lima - I used the grey pinstripe for the main fabric, and brought the hems to the front instead of the back to reveal the tan backside of the fabric. I couched grey yarns there for a smooth design transition...

Then, to carry through this accent of the reverse tan side of the fabric, I placed a seam at the fold of the front tuck on the pant and reversed the inside of that tuck - that is why the tuck looks light tan.... look closer at the pant photo...


from Londa's design room

closeup of jacket back - I lengthened the center back 6"! When I make this garment again - I'll lengthen it even more. There are ramifications of this at the side seam hemline - which I go into in great detail in my Londa's 2 Cents Worth on this pattern - available for purchase at my website: www.londas-sewing.com
- or availble FREE with purchase of that pattern from me.
from Londa's design room

Pant - I ran short of fabric - hence the diagonal below the knee detail...
from Londa's design room

Full Plaza Jacket and Pant outfit... The blue T-shirt underneath might look weird in the pictures, but it honestly picks up the light grey pinstripe of this fabric, and the grey yarn that I couched along the reversed hemlines on the Jacket quite nicely. PLUS - I have resolved to add some color to my wardrobe - :)
from Londa's design room

Londa's Plaza Pant and Jacket

Yea...just finally finished my Plaza Ensemble - using The Sewing Workshop's Plaza Jacket and Pant I also have written my Londa's 2 Cents Worth - which, if I might say so myself - is quite valuable. I've added much to this pattern with some creative ideas and changes - including some yardage saving ideas...
I'll go over to Hello.com to get the pictures posted...

If you have any questions - just use the Comments on this post to ask...
Londa

Went shopping at the mall...what I saw

Went 'flitting' through the mall Friday night... a.. I was amazed at the number and colors of what I call 'shells' available - and many in quite nice quality knits and fabrications. Most of them were sleeveless. I just don't ever remember seeing so many of this wardrobe basic in RTW before... b.. Though what I've read says softer colors (better for us aging baby-boomers) - that is NOT what I saw. The main color that jumped out at me was a fairly bright coral. The 'pink' of this year? Could be death to very cool-undertoned complexions imho... c.. Picked up some chenille sweaters for myself at $7! I work in my basement much of the year where it is quite cool, and these are just right for me. loved those bargains! February and August are the months to both buy the new at introductory sales, and spend time shopping the sales racks... d.. Had to giggle to myself at all the simple tie belts thrown onto jeans and elevated pricing....think I'll attack my stash and make some up to sell at the fine arts fairs I do with my creative wearables... e.. Anyone else? Been shopping? Impressions... ??Londa

what's 'new' in fashion

Hmmm - couldn't sleep, so did some cyber-snooping. Clicked around at Nordstroms , Norma Kamali, then Vogue Patterns. What I see is lots of empire lines, ruffles, flounces, and - in general - the styles of my youth. Perhaps it is time to dig back into the old patterns... At least they 'hit' me as pretty!
It appears that the 'waist' of jeans is creeping up again - and that the hems can be most anywhere!
For some exciting silhouette shopping - check out the Marfy patterns (Italian) at the Vogue Pattern site. No seam or hem allowances, and no instructions, or even pictures of the garment with the pattern. I haven't made any yet - but it might be fun. I had their Bridal catalog at my shop several years ago and it was a feast for the eyes. Anyone stitched a Marfy? Reports?
Don't miss their descriptions over on the right hand side - truly entertaining.

Sew....what are YOU thinking of adding this year? I have some great new fabrics in at my www.londas-sewing.com website. Especially nice for basics is the top grade microfiber/Spandex interlock knit - in a rich ice blue, and also just got it in black. This fabric would do any of the Kamali ruched, multi-style garments. It is yummy, yummy, yummy for a basic with some 'oomph' yet not too heavy at all.

I just cut out the Sewing Workshop Plaza Pants and have a few 'twists' I've added. I plan to get those stitched up this week, and my Londa's 2 Cents Worth on that pattern written. I love the jacket - but did lengthen the back 6" at the center, slanting to the sides. You could see it at: http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/plazafront.jpg and http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/plazaback.jpg

Off topic but One Year Bible Recommendation

Though off topic, I want to share this Blog for any fellow Christians, or any one seeking answers to life's hard questions. I am finding it a wonderful way to start each day.
http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2006/01/january_1st_rea.html