Londa's New Books

Sorry I've ignored my Blog...I've been publishing my new books on DVD, and going to sewing shows around the country with my hubby of now 35 years!!!

I published Creative Sweatshirt Jackets on CD back in 2006 (or was it 2005?) which included jackets I'd created from sweatshirts - 65 of them....

I've kept this creative sewing 'engine' churning...and now photo'd and filmed up through Jacket #127! I KNOW I've made over 200 great one-of-a-kind jackets since I started this right before my shop closed 4 years ago now.

Anyway - I now have:
VOLUME II - Creative Sweatshirt Jackets: Continuing the Journey
which is a sequel to the first book, on DVD. Jackets #66 - #127 are included in its Gallery - with lots of pictures and chatting about each, in addition to the BOOK portion of how-to's.
It does NOT repeat all the basic techniques, rather builds on them. It does, however, include video clips which do teach techniques. If you know how to sew, you could certainly just get this new book. $24.95

Ultimate Edition - Creative Sweatshirt Jackets
This is a combination of Book I and Volume II - PLUS a Bonus Gallery from book I that is expanded with more and larger pictures and more chatting about each of those first 65 jackets. At the sewing shows (where I now have a Power Point presentation for my class!), this book on DVD has been the very most popular. $38.95


Both books are DVD format - which means, in your TV DVD player you can see the 15 video clips, but in your computer DVD-ROM, you can see the video clips alone, or at the appropriate time within the 'text' of the book.
I could NOT have done all this without the guidance and help of my wonderful #1 son, Jeff Rohlfing!!!

All 3 of my books are on 'special' Introductory Pricing through July 9, 2007.
Book I on CD - $18.00
Book II on DVD - $22.95
Ultimate Edition on DVD - $35.83

I have made a fresh new committment to this Blog - so watch for more posts - share about it with your friends, and email me for an invitation to join. Monitoring members is the way to keep this Blog relevant and friendly to creative sewing - ONLY!

Next week will find me SEWING again - YEA!!! I'm excited to have been invited to create a jacket with directions for Sew Savvy Magazine - March issue. I had a great time at the PCM Show in Cincinnati gathering up fabrics to go with a bright yellow/gold/green Crone Art button (new art clay embellishments just added at http://www.londasartsysewingstuff.com/). I've been dreaming nightly about the design for this jacket! I also have to create a new jacket for display at the AQS Nashville show - coming up August 20-24.

Watch for pictures....

I look forward to your comments and sharing.

Londa

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

Five Worst Fashion Looks of 2005

I absolutely LOVE receiving the Clothing Chronicles newsletter (free) every 2 weeks from Diana Pemberton-Sikes. She has given permission to quote her newsletters - so here is a capsule of what she considers the worst fashion looks of 2005.

"1. PJ's as Daywear.
2. Flip-flops with Everything - boy do I agree with that as a 'worst look'!!!!
3. The "Skin" Belt (defined as cropped top/low rise waistband) on anyone but a slim, young thing.
4. Sweats + Designer Bag - Diana says: Poorly-chosen apparel can downgrade expensive accessories".
5. Paris Hilton Look-Alikes"
her newsletter explaines each of these as only she can - GREAT!

"Casual trend gone too far is her summary. Sloppy clothing has lead to slppy behavior and a complet elack of knowledge of basic wardrobe tenets. "

For some great fashion guidance, I highly recommend anything Diana does...
Click on this link to check it out - use some of that Christmas Gift Cash VERY wisely!

Londa

Clean out your Closet - and take the deductions for donations

Take a gander at this!
I'm printing it off and making several copies and vowing to USE it this year as I clean through the clothing in this house of ours!
more details can be found at this link you can cut and paste into your browser. Click here.

Women's clothing
Average price per itemLow and High
Number of itemsx Price = Donation amount
Blouse
$2.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Slacks
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Coat
$10.00
$40.00
___ x ________ = ________
Dress
$4.00
$19.00
___ x ________ = ________
Sweater
$3.75
$15.00
___ x ________ = ________
Pantsuit
$6.50
$25.00
___ x ________ = ________
Handbag
$2.00
$20.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shoes
$2.00
$25.00
___ x ________ = ________
Total of all donated items:
$________
Click here for a .pdf version of the women's clothing worksheet.
Children's clothing
Average price per itemLow and High
Number of itemsx Price = Donation amount
Blouse
$2.00
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shirt
$2.00
$6.00
___ x ________ = ________
Dress
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Slacks
$2.00
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Jeans
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Coat
$4.50
$20.00
___ x ________ = ________
Sweater
$2.50
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shoes
$2.50
$8.75
___ x ________ = ________
Total of all donated items:
$________

Londa