Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Olympic Gymnastic Fashions
What fun to see what can be done on a leotard! IMHO though - I wouldn't want to try to do all that swinging and hopping and twisting and flipping with a high jewel neckline as on the leotards of the Chinese team....
Saturday, August 16, 2008
USA Pride Jacket
To show my national pride (and prayers) I just finished this red-blue-white (well, silver) jacket. It pretty much follows the Yellow Jacket in my Transformed pattern. The prints on the shoulder (which extends to a similar shape on the tucked and shaped back) and the pocket are pieced from men's old ties. One tie was cut into 3/8" bias strips for the 'connecting piece, topped with red furry yarn couched down. The flattering princess lines are just that combo of tie bias and yarn. A strip of Snap Tape (limited quantities available at http://www.londas-sewing.com/) surrounds the base of the neck and the sleeves. Jumbo Snaps (1.5 sets) create the base of the focal point. The face-framing collar is created by utilizing the lower band of the sweatshirt, interfaced, and lined inside with another striped tie. I seamed it on the center back inside so that the stripes nicely chevron.
P.S. I refrained from adding an elephant somewhere - but that is my personal sentiment - based entirely on the sanctity of life issue. Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Newest Fabrics to Join my Stash
Am I stuck in a black/cream, black/white mode or what???? Perhaps it is because of all the positive comments I get on the jacket you see to the left - from my Worthy pattern.
Anyway - here are the fabrics I purchased at the ASG Conference - from Barb Callahan's booth. Can't wait to design with these sophisticated pieces! 
I need to find a Gingko tree around here so I can play with soome discharge stenciling on the body of the sweatshirt!
I need to find a Gingko tree around here so I can play with soome discharge stenciling on the body of the sweatshirt! Thank You Jacket for a Friend
Well - it goes in the mail today! I hope she'll absolutely LOVE it and feel it was worth the wait! Karen selected one of my kits while I lodged at her lovely home during a show, and we 'morphed' the design into one I feel will be wearable and flattering for her. I think it will be dynamite on her with her lovely salt and pepper hair! Design-wise, I elected to bring all focus up to her face. The angle of the stitched and flipped strips of hand-dyed Cherrywood Cottons was selected to echo the angle of the neckline 'v' AND to draw the eye up and outward - widening the shoulders, hence narrowing the rest...and we all need that! Karen is a quilter - so I decided to honor her craft by using a quilt-inspired embellishment. She requested a pocket - hence the one shown that I crafted out of the cut off wrist banding. 
See that wonderful Fimo Clay Focal Point button? Look closely to see how instead of a buttonhole, I created a slit in the seamline of the lower band 'collar' to the jacket instead. See the 'facing' on the sweatshirt side on the inside? This worked out really, really well. This is the 2nd time I've done this- also in my Refined pattern on the Fuchsia Fun Jacket - which will also come out in a book from 
Clotilde in August about Sweatshirt Makeovers. 
Clotilde in August about Sweatshirt Makeovers. 
The 'trim' is a chenille yarn in lime twisted with Fun Fur from Lion Brand yarns. That collar is the Bottom Band - applied to a V neckline in a 1:1 ratio so that it will stand up and frame her face. My step-by-step directions for this collar can be found in my Refined pattern.
Friday, July 18, 2008
American Sewing Guild Conference - Chicago 2008
What fun! As both a teacher (3 classes) and a vendor - 2 full booths - YEA! I had a great assistant in Darlene - and I was priveleged to meet so many customers - putting faces with names, AND to make new friends. I gave out many 'info sheets' to interested Guilds for possibly travelling to their locale to teach my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket craft - so I'm looking forward to even more travel this next year.
I think the best 'event' I got to attend was the luncheon on Friday. Patti Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch spoke on her 'Dreams on Paper' which was really a rundown of her very exciting and interesting career. Way back in the late 70's, I had Patti to Champaign, IL to do one of her Pants for Any Body seminars. That was when I was teaching from home and selling fabrics for Leiter's Designer Fabrics and House of Laird by sample from my home.
Anyway - the most exciting thing to hear was that her daughter, Melissa and Allyce, daughter of another sewing 'key' person, Cindy Cummins have started this wonderful new business, www.diystyle.net. Talk about 'where it is at' in getting young people to sew - this is it! Twas so much fun to hear proud Mama Patti brag on her daughter! These 2 have patterns with McCall's - and 2 are top sellers! Their 'vodcasts' are free on their site. I watched some this afternoon - what fun. How about panties from swim lycra, finished with just 'cut' edges? Now - THAT'S simple! I have to run out tomorrow to snatch up these patterns just to 'have' them and read the Guide Sheets - also written by these 2 lovely young women. Really - go check out their site - and if you have any youngsters you want to get into sewing - be sure to send them that link: www.diystyle.net
I have my 'notes' from Patti's talk on the back of 4 business cards...so I want to share what I can decipher and remember. Patti's career sgtarted in the 70's - back when 'bake-on' fusibles from Armo were all the rage. She was an educator for Armo. THat job evaporated on her, and she became a sewing school instructor in a department store. Remember those? Her first book with cohort Susan Pletsch was "Pants for Any Body. She shared that that book was actually utilized to teach teachers of mentally retarded HOW to break things down simply for teaching. They have always done such clearly-written books! I feel that if it weren't for Patti & Susan, sewing would NOT be where it is today.
Her next book was in'75 ...all about sewing with UltraSuede. Sheesh - remember when $15/yard for 36" wide fabric was an absolute fortune? I do! She told of placing a $1500 1/2 page ad in Vogue Pattern magazine and praying - to be showered with a BAG of orders almost immediately which paid for the Ad AND the printing of the book! That book sold 750 thousand copies! Macy's even bought that book to sell.
Next was the orange 'Painless Sewing'. I love, love, love this one - and always made it the 'text' for my beginning sewing classes both when I taught at home AND in my shop. Still a 'bible' of sewing in my opinion. They were even on Regis Philbin's show in LA - 'back before he became famous', as she says.
She said she feels she fit every woman who sews in the infamous gingham shell pattern from Vogue - which became their largest selling pattern at 150 thousand in one year. That relationship ended for reasons unexplained - but all for the best, as then the association with McCall's started in 1980 on the same day they were 'fired' from Vogue. When He closes a door - He opens a window - and Patti sure knew how to fly right through the window with gusto!
This was right when John Molloy's book, Dress for Success, was big - and women were entering the work force on higher levels and needed to dress the parft - hence the 8 hour Blazer fit right in. Family Circle Magazine even did an article on that pattern - and they had a 7 million circulation at the time - talk about editorial coverage! You can't get any better advertising than that! Right place...right time. Certainly the 'buzz' in the industry at the time.
She and her staff of 9 experts were traveling and doing seminars all over - 900 per year in those days. At 40, in '86, she became a Mom to Melissa - and anchored the business to the Fabric Depot in the Portland area I believe, where people go to them to learn. She complimented McCall's highly as the 'company with a heart' for giving her the time she needed to grieve and recup when her husband suddenly died in 2000. McCall's kept her patterns going, and today, www.palmerpletsch.com is a great website - offering a FREE newsletter chuck full of info for styling for different body types.
She was VERY excited about her newest book - The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner - Easy meals for Dinner every Day of the Week. She feels (and I agree) that the way to take back the family is one meal at a time. It has beenproven that drug use decreases and so does obesity if a family will just make it a priority to eat together for dinner 5 times per week. This bookisn't yet released - but soon. Dr. Laura Schlesinger and Debbi Fields both endorse this book! When it is available, I'll be proud to offer it on my site - so I'll let you know!
Truly, truly a wonderful luncheon - and in many ways, a walk down a sewing memory lane for me. How blessed we all are to have women like Patti - and now her daughter, and Cindy's daughter, blazing the way for a new generation of sewers!
Speaking of the new generation - there were several young sewers flaunting their stuff with great pride at the fashion show on Friday night. One even attended my jacket class.
I was able to slip in a class called 'Cool Edges' by Linda Lee and took many notes of inspiration on different and 'unfinished' edges. Watch for my interpretation in new jacket patterns!
It was specially fun to hear sewing friends say that they inspired by my jackets - and were planning to utilize some of my design ideas on their 'regular' jackets - not just sweatshirt bases. That made me excited!
Another new thing gaining in popularity are the sewing 'lounges' around the country. First one was in San Fransisco. Now there is one in Houston. Check it out at: www.sewcraftyhouston.com. If I had another life - and wanted another storefront (which I do NOT) this is the way I'd go - for sure.
Packing up a double booth takes 3 hours- then packing the van....suffice to say that at 8 pm we just went to eat - and then came just out of Chicago to a motel for some badly needed rest before coming the rest of the way to the Champaign area - home on Monday. I've been catching extra winks all week long :) Midst filling orders like crazy for the new just-available Create-a-Bag Templates by Nancy Zieman for Clover Notions. More on those later...
ASG will be in Albuquerque, NM next year. Consider putting it on YOUR calendar too!
I think the best 'event' I got to attend was the luncheon on Friday. Patti Palmer of Palmer/Pletsch spoke on her 'Dreams on Paper' which was really a rundown of her very exciting and interesting career. Way back in the late 70's, I had Patti to Champaign, IL to do one of her Pants for Any Body seminars. That was when I was teaching from home and selling fabrics for Leiter's Designer Fabrics and House of Laird by sample from my home.
Anyway - the most exciting thing to hear was that her daughter, Melissa and Allyce, daughter of another sewing 'key' person, Cindy Cummins have started this wonderful new business, www.diystyle.net. Talk about 'where it is at' in getting young people to sew - this is it! Twas so much fun to hear proud Mama Patti brag on her daughter! These 2 have patterns with McCall's - and 2 are top sellers! Their 'vodcasts' are free on their site. I watched some this afternoon - what fun. How about panties from swim lycra, finished with just 'cut' edges? Now - THAT'S simple! I have to run out tomorrow to snatch up these patterns just to 'have' them and read the Guide Sheets - also written by these 2 lovely young women. Really - go check out their site - and if you have any youngsters you want to get into sewing - be sure to send them that link: www.diystyle.net
I have my 'notes' from Patti's talk on the back of 4 business cards...so I want to share what I can decipher and remember. Patti's career sgtarted in the 70's - back when 'bake-on' fusibles from Armo were all the rage. She was an educator for Armo. THat job evaporated on her, and she became a sewing school instructor in a department store. Remember those? Her first book with cohort Susan Pletsch was "Pants for Any Body. She shared that that book was actually utilized to teach teachers of mentally retarded HOW to break things down simply for teaching. They have always done such clearly-written books! I feel that if it weren't for Patti & Susan, sewing would NOT be where it is today.
Her next book was in'75 ...all about sewing with UltraSuede. Sheesh - remember when $15/yard for 36" wide fabric was an absolute fortune? I do! She told of placing a $1500 1/2 page ad in Vogue Pattern magazine and praying - to be showered with a BAG of orders almost immediately which paid for the Ad AND the printing of the book! That book sold 750 thousand copies! Macy's even bought that book to sell.
Next was the orange 'Painless Sewing'. I love, love, love this one - and always made it the 'text' for my beginning sewing classes both when I taught at home AND in my shop. Still a 'bible' of sewing in my opinion. They were even on Regis Philbin's show in LA - 'back before he became famous', as she says.
She said she feels she fit every woman who sews in the infamous gingham shell pattern from Vogue - which became their largest selling pattern at 150 thousand in one year. That relationship ended for reasons unexplained - but all for the best, as then the association with McCall's started in 1980 on the same day they were 'fired' from Vogue. When He closes a door - He opens a window - and Patti sure knew how to fly right through the window with gusto!
This was right when John Molloy's book, Dress for Success, was big - and women were entering the work force on higher levels and needed to dress the parft - hence the 8 hour Blazer fit right in. Family Circle Magazine even did an article on that pattern - and they had a 7 million circulation at the time - talk about editorial coverage! You can't get any better advertising than that! Right place...right time. Certainly the 'buzz' in the industry at the time.
She and her staff of 9 experts were traveling and doing seminars all over - 900 per year in those days. At 40, in '86, she became a Mom to Melissa - and anchored the business to the Fabric Depot in the Portland area I believe, where people go to them to learn. She complimented McCall's highly as the 'company with a heart' for giving her the time she needed to grieve and recup when her husband suddenly died in 2000. McCall's kept her patterns going, and today, www.palmerpletsch.com is a great website - offering a FREE newsletter chuck full of info for styling for different body types.
She was VERY excited about her newest book - The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner - Easy meals for Dinner every Day of the Week. She feels (and I agree) that the way to take back the family is one meal at a time. It has beenproven that drug use decreases and so does obesity if a family will just make it a priority to eat together for dinner 5 times per week. This bookisn't yet released - but soon. Dr. Laura Schlesinger and Debbi Fields both endorse this book! When it is available, I'll be proud to offer it on my site - so I'll let you know!
Truly, truly a wonderful luncheon - and in many ways, a walk down a sewing memory lane for me. How blessed we all are to have women like Patti - and now her daughter, and Cindy's daughter, blazing the way for a new generation of sewers!
Speaking of the new generation - there were several young sewers flaunting their stuff with great pride at the fashion show on Friday night. One even attended my jacket class.
I was able to slip in a class called 'Cool Edges' by Linda Lee and took many notes of inspiration on different and 'unfinished' edges. Watch for my interpretation in new jacket patterns!
It was specially fun to hear sewing friends say that they inspired by my jackets - and were planning to utilize some of my design ideas on their 'regular' jackets - not just sweatshirt bases. That made me excited!
Another new thing gaining in popularity are the sewing 'lounges' around the country. First one was in San Fransisco. Now there is one in Houston. Check it out at: www.sewcraftyhouston.com. If I had another life - and wanted another storefront (which I do NOT) this is the way I'd go - for sure.
Packing up a double booth takes 3 hours- then packing the van....suffice to say that at 8 pm we just went to eat - and then came just out of Chicago to a motel for some badly needed rest before coming the rest of the way to the Champaign area - home on Monday. I've been catching extra winks all week long :) Midst filling orders like crazy for the new just-available Create-a-Bag Templates by Nancy Zieman for Clover Notions. More on those later...
ASG will be in Albuquerque, NM next year. Consider putting it on YOUR calendar too!
Webisode Taping Report
Lasat week was sure a whirlwind. But... Fun! I started it out flying from Bloomington, IL to Cleveland, IL. Once I was in the hotel, my wonderful hostesses called inviting me to dinner - which is always fun with a bunch of sewing-crazy women! The next morning I was the first one to 'tape' my webisode - but BEFORE that - I got my makeup professionally done!!! Guess where she started??? With my eyes! Before even any foundation was applied. Reason? The eye stuff falls on the cheek anyway - so that is her technique. Full of praises and compliments(which, I noted, she was with everyone), it sure elevated the confidence factor. I had 'done' my hair - which she said was great - but then the microphone doohicky behind your neck and around up to your mouth was weird - and had to be adjusted over and over, so I really wonder how it will look - anyway, I know we are all our own best critics. Sew...I'm sure it will be OK. Of course, I prepared PLENTY to share/teach about my creation of my 'Creative Sweatshirt Jackets' - but it seemed to all go very well.
This is all for the Pfaff-sponsored http://www.nowsewing.net/. Since I personally sew on a Pfaff, it was especially 'special' for me. This site began as an education vehicle for dealers only in 2007 - but was so well-received, that it expanded then to a subscription site.
Just click on the site above and go read all about it. Definitely worth it if you are 'into' sewing!!!
They put up a new 'webisode' every 2 weeks. No - I don't know when mine will 'go up' -0 but as soon as I do, I'll let you know!
It sure was all as different as you could get from my basement, down-home taping we did for my DVD with being in a full fledged Studio with Director, numerous cameras, sound, background, etc., etc. The saving grace was knowing that they EDIT! Not a 'live' event by any means.
I had to run off pretty much as soon as it was done to catch my plane back to Illinois - WHICH of COURSE was late - making me miss my connection in Chicago - so instead of staying overnight at O'Hare, I opted to fly 'home' to Champaign airport - and then wonderful hubby drove me to Bloomington to pick up my precious checked box of samples, and my car.
The next day was spent packing for the American Sewing Guild Conference - check out the next posting.
All-in-all, lots of fun. NOT nerve-wracking at all - and definitely looking forward to seeing it!
This is all for the Pfaff-sponsored http://www.nowsewing.net/. Since I personally sew on a Pfaff, it was especially 'special' for me. This site began as an education vehicle for dealers only in 2007 - but was so well-received, that it expanded then to a subscription site.
Just click on the site above and go read all about it. Definitely worth it if you are 'into' sewing!!!
They put up a new 'webisode' every 2 weeks. No - I don't know when mine will 'go up' -0 but as soon as I do, I'll let you know!
It sure was all as different as you could get from my basement, down-home taping we did for my DVD with being in a full fledged Studio with Director, numerous cameras, sound, background, etc., etc. The saving grace was knowing that they EDIT! Not a 'live' event by any means.
I had to run off pretty much as soon as it was done to catch my plane back to Illinois - WHICH of COURSE was late - making me miss my connection in Chicago - so instead of staying overnight at O'Hare, I opted to fly 'home' to Champaign airport - and then wonderful hubby drove me to Bloomington to pick up my precious checked box of samples, and my car.
The next day was spent packing for the American Sewing Guild Conference - check out the next posting.
All-in-all, lots of fun. NOT nerve-wracking at all - and definitely looking forward to seeing it!
As seen on Oprah... 10 Things a Woman Must Have in Her Wardrobe?
Caught Oprah the other day...not that I usually do. While I admire her, I feel she has become a 'god' to many in her own rite. Not mine, thank you. Too many choices are 'ok' in her book. Not mine.
Anyway -
She had a fashion 'expert' on there and I scribbled notes while he showed his version of the '10 Things a Woman Must Have in Her Wardrobe". Made some sense - but in my 'book', just because some mortal says it doesn't necessarily make it true. Truth in fashion? Little, I'd say. My comments follow...
1. Trench Coat - a Bright 'kick' color - I'd say: in a color that is good for YOU (your hair color, perhaps your eye color).
2. A Turtleneck - black or white - I'd say: a basic top. If you have a real short neck, perhaps a turtleneck is not your best - maybe a mock turtleneck, or a cowl. DO be careful of what 'neck' you show depending on the shape of your neck though - and that was his legitimate point. Also - I ? black or white. I was taught in my color training never to wear a white whiter than your teeth - and though many have beautiful (worked on) smiles these days - I believe that is still true - whatever 'white' your teeth are (or have become) don't go whiter than that. Black is good, but that close to your face - if you've aged, or have lighter, softer coloring - I think not. Other dark basics may be MUCH better for YOU.
3. Black Trousers - if petite, tapered. If hippy - fuller. Now - THAT I AGREE FULLY WITH!
4. Tunic - Yep - agree. Belting or not belting may be key for you though. Be careful on length - BEware to NOT cut yourself in half!
5. White Jeans - not on MY hips, thank you. Perhaps light khaki - but not white. Again - my humble opinion.
6. Dark Jeans - Yep - agree. If a choice between too large and too small - I'd rather look like I lost weight rather than I need to lose weight - thank you.
7. Black Dress - Yep - agree. If black is not your best color, just expose some skin between 'you' and where the dress starts to 'soften'. Jewelry could be all important to bring light colors in 'you' - your hair, etc., down into the 'dress'.
8. White Denim Jacket. Why white? Again - see my comments above. I'd opt for a color in tone with the jeans - or both pair myself.
9. Black Skirt - Yep - agree. Careful of the length! Be sure it ends at a place on your leg where it indents - not a wide portion on your leg.
10. Timeless Cashmere Sweater - I suppose. I've lived this long without one though. Do not wear well. High maintenance. I'd say any classic sweater style- or better yet, any classic sweater set in your eye color.
I LOVE, love, love and respect any fashion commentary by Diane Pemberton-Sikes - www.fashionforrealwomen.com. Sign up for her email newsletter - VALUABLE stuff!
Anyway -
She had a fashion 'expert' on there and I scribbled notes while he showed his version of the '10 Things a Woman Must Have in Her Wardrobe". Made some sense - but in my 'book', just because some mortal says it doesn't necessarily make it true. Truth in fashion? Little, I'd say. My comments follow...
1. Trench Coat - a Bright 'kick' color - I'd say: in a color that is good for YOU (your hair color, perhaps your eye color).
2. A Turtleneck - black or white - I'd say: a basic top. If you have a real short neck, perhaps a turtleneck is not your best - maybe a mock turtleneck, or a cowl. DO be careful of what 'neck' you show depending on the shape of your neck though - and that was his legitimate point. Also - I ? black or white. I was taught in my color training never to wear a white whiter than your teeth - and though many have beautiful (worked on) smiles these days - I believe that is still true - whatever 'white' your teeth are (or have become) don't go whiter than that. Black is good, but that close to your face - if you've aged, or have lighter, softer coloring - I think not. Other dark basics may be MUCH better for YOU.
3. Black Trousers - if petite, tapered. If hippy - fuller. Now - THAT I AGREE FULLY WITH!
4. Tunic - Yep - agree. Belting or not belting may be key for you though. Be careful on length - BEware to NOT cut yourself in half!
5. White Jeans - not on MY hips, thank you. Perhaps light khaki - but not white. Again - my humble opinion.
6. Dark Jeans - Yep - agree. If a choice between too large and too small - I'd rather look like I lost weight rather than I need to lose weight - thank you.
7. Black Dress - Yep - agree. If black is not your best color, just expose some skin between 'you' and where the dress starts to 'soften'. Jewelry could be all important to bring light colors in 'you' - your hair, etc., down into the 'dress'.
8. White Denim Jacket. Why white? Again - see my comments above. I'd opt for a color in tone with the jeans - or both pair myself.
9. Black Skirt - Yep - agree. Careful of the length! Be sure it ends at a place on your leg where it indents - not a wide portion on your leg.
10. Timeless Cashmere Sweater - I suppose. I've lived this long without one though. Do not wear well. High maintenance. I'd say any classic sweater style- or better yet, any classic sweater set in your eye color.
I LOVE, love, love and respect any fashion commentary by Diane Pemberton-Sikes - www.fashionforrealwomen.com. Sign up for her email newsletter - VALUABLE stuff!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Days Numbered on Stash Sale/Webisode Taping
Eeeks - it's already July 1!!!
That means...only 3 days left on my Stash Sale - as it ENDS
midnight, July 4
Wow!!! I'm so glad you're enjoying my Stash!!! It's been like saying 'bye' to old friends - but a cleaner 'space' to create in (and collect more for) has its own rewards.
I've started packing up inventory - INCLUDING Stash items, for the American Sewing Guild Conference in Chicago next week.
The last day I'll be able to fill orders is July 5 - as I've some VERY exciting news to share.....
I've been invited by Sara to tape a 'WEBISODE' for NowSewing.net on my Creative Sweatshirt Jackets!!!
It will be added to that site sometime in the last 6 months of this year, I'm told. This is a really, really great site/resource. Go check it out! http://www.nowsewing.net/
It was such fun deciding what to teach in 30 minutes, making new jackets in different stages of completion to teach things, etc., etc. On top of all that, it is a 'Pfaff' site - and I'm a 'Pfaffie' - so that is especially exciting for me.
Hey! They even say I get my hair and face 'done' for the event...THAT'S a good thing!
Sew... I will be travelling to do that just before the big trip to Chicago for ASG convention. What will happen is that I run off for this great fun on Sunday the 6th, tape Monday morning the 7th, then fly back, pack the van - and off we'll be on Wednesday morning. No time in there for filling orders (other than pdf of my patterns) - so I'll be home and buried in un-packing on July 14, ready to fill orders again on the 15th...
Stash Sale items will disappear on my site - and what I MIGHT have left after the ASG sale/booth will be updated once I unpack and return.
Happy Shopping!!!
Londa
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Stash Sale has Begun!
Londa's Stash Sale...HAS BEGUN!
Click HERE
Click HERE
Years of shop ownership...fabric yardage, remnants, class samples, great custom-made clothing, books, magazines, notions...
As of 8 am on June 11, 2/3 of the patterns are up online at this site. Patterns are uncut unless noted otherwise. Yet to come: fabric, projects, custom-made clothing, books, magazines, teaching samples and MORE!
This is a huge under-taking, but also somewhat of a trip down memory lane! Ohhh - how MANY patterns I pulled/bought for consideration for special events - like class reunions!
Class samples!?! I can't believe how much work I did during those shop years!!!!
Clothing - GREAT custom-made clothing! I will be pricing it at 'steal' prices like I would grab if I found this garment on a sale rack in a department store.
Feel free to start shopping NOW! If you want me to 'hold' your purchase for shipping (charging more exact shipping and adjusting your final bill accordingly), just note that in the Comments Section of your Order.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Regarding Gas Prices...
Click on this link and read. Makes sense to me. Read, think, consider and sign the petition if you agree. I sure did.
I'm tired too of all the political nonsense!!!
Most seem to be only interested in their own welfare, their own pocketbook. I'm most interested in the continuation of our great lives here in the US - and want to be INDEPENDENT of foreign oil - and the sooner the better.
http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?Guid=54ec6e43-75a8-445b-aa7b-346a1e096659
Londa
I'm tired too of all the political nonsense!!!
Most seem to be only interested in their own welfare, their own pocketbook. I'm most interested in the continuation of our great lives here in the US - and want to be INDEPENDENT of foreign oil - and the sooner the better.
http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?Guid=54ec6e43-75a8-445b-aa7b-346a1e096659
Londa
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Child's Jacket - Promised
Is this just too cute, or what?? What fun I had with this one! I actually started with an adult XL sweatshirt - and used it AS FABRIC. I had some 're-do's so ultimately, I used most all of it - except for the lower band - which is safe in my stash of bands for another jacket. The 'looping' is the key embellishment in my new pattern to be released 'soon' by the name of PROMISED. Surely - I'll have it by mid June or so. The multi-color batik trim is from Lollipops Bindings.
Took off - AWAY FROM ALL WORK AND EMAIL for the Memorial Day weekend. Drug my hubby back to the Paducah, KY area where we stayed in a delightful Bead & Breakfast - Wildflowers Inn in Calvert City. Was fun to get away...
Now that this little jacket is done - and instructions written and ready to ship off to Creative Needle for an article and pattern insert in their Sept/Oct. issue - I can really attack the basement - which will yield LOTS more of my Creative Sweatshirt Jacket kits. Those are such fun to put together....
But, but, but Granny duty comes FIRST!! My 3 year old grandson, Cole, is the light of my life and while we live closeby - I've promised myself time with him is a priority! All grannies out there agree, I'm sure...
I
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Cleaning out & BUSY Creating pattern: Promised
These days find me busy busy cleaning out the ENTIRE house! I started at the top and am to the basement. Watch my londas-sewing.com within the next month for a HUGE STASH SALE/AUCTION!
Meanwhile - spurred on by many requests for the pattern for the taupe ribboned 'loopy' jacket - AND my committment to Creative Needle Magazine to do a child's jacket for the September/October issue - I am slipping in some creative sewing/writing.
Here is a picture of a point in the creating process of my most recent jacket... it was quite a process - of creating, and changing my mind. You'll just have to wait for the pattern release to see the FINISHED jacket! 
Also on my 'radar' is to create some spectacular jackets for a presentation I'll be doing for the St. Louis area American Sewing Guild on June 7.
I also feel I've zeroed in on a new charity to support - in Guatemala. Stay tuned...
Meanwhile - I HAVE uploaded a great new collection of buttons made in South Africa...
Find them HERE...
Off for an evening of testing just-burned DVD's while sitting in front the silly TV. ..
Creative Sweatshirt Jacket Question & Answer
Ann from Kansas writes:
Hi Londa, I have your Ultimate Jacket Collection CD. I want to make some for my mother who is 80 yrs. old, about 5’4” and slender. She has a dowager’s hump which causes her jackets to rise up in the back. Which jackets would you recommend as being the most flattering fit for her? I do plan on curving the back hem but feel there might be some other options also. Also want to let you know that I adore all your websites and am making plans to attend some of your classes later this year. You are a busy and talented lady and I really appreciate your efforts in all you do to put out your information. I know that’s a lot of work. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks! Ann in KS
I answer:
Thanks for the kind words.
What a good observation and question regarding your Mom. Realizing that the Dowager's Hump requires more LENGTH in the back, and some fitting there - I would immediately add a yoke across the back. Make it even all fabric if you don't have enough sweatshirting 'fabric' to cover with another. If you do make it all 'fabric' - be sure to duplicate the thickness of the sweatshirting - by interfacing/lining. The hump is really a bump - just like a breast - for which the lines of the yoke are actually 'darts' from each armscye. Does that make sense?
I imagine you have fitted a jacket on her - just super-impose and adapt that for the back of your jacket of sweatshirting. Remember my mantra, the sweatshirt is NOT a sweatshirt, but rather fabric and matching ribbing.
You could also adapt with a fabric lower portion to make the back 'straight' at the hem. OR - just be sure to use a sweatshirt plenty big to give you plenty of fabric.
The first solution is definitely the best, though.
Thanks
Londa
Hi Londa, I have your Ultimate Jacket Collection CD. I want to make some for my mother who is 80 yrs. old, about 5’4” and slender. She has a dowager’s hump which causes her jackets to rise up in the back. Which jackets would you recommend as being the most flattering fit for her? I do plan on curving the back hem but feel there might be some other options also. Also want to let you know that I adore all your websites and am making plans to attend some of your classes later this year. You are a busy and talented lady and I really appreciate your efforts in all you do to put out your information. I know that’s a lot of work. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks! Ann in KS
I answer:
Thanks for the kind words.
What a good observation and question regarding your Mom. Realizing that the Dowager's Hump requires more LENGTH in the back, and some fitting there - I would immediately add a yoke across the back. Make it even all fabric if you don't have enough sweatshirting 'fabric' to cover with another. If you do make it all 'fabric' - be sure to duplicate the thickness of the sweatshirting - by interfacing/lining. The hump is really a bump - just like a breast - for which the lines of the yoke are actually 'darts' from each armscye. Does that make sense?
I imagine you have fitted a jacket on her - just super-impose and adapt that for the back of your jacket of sweatshirting. Remember my mantra, the sweatshirt is NOT a sweatshirt, but rather fabric and matching ribbing.
You could also adapt with a fabric lower portion to make the back 'straight' at the hem. OR - just be sure to use a sweatshirt plenty big to give you plenty of fabric.
The first solution is definitely the best, though.
Thanks
Londa
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Is the Hyatt really 'high'?????
Hmmmm.... working extremely hard at this Quilt Show in Chicago, my helper, Birdie and I check into the Hyatt Regency across the street - at a kiosk in the elegant lobby.... all seems fine with the reservation I made MONTHS ago for a room with TWO beds....
Needing to get back to work, have the bellman take up our bags to the room............
Come back to the room after a hard day's work to find it a lovely suite - lots of room and amenities I do NOT need, and ONE bed!
Call to register a complaint and that I need what I had reserved...to be told that reservations are considered 'requests' that they 'try' to fulfill, and the only room with 2 double beds left in this entire hotel is a smoking room... they would be bringing in a roll-away.
HMMMMM..... not what I always understood a reservation to be! Comments? Anyone else given that definition of a reservation. But, then, if you had an American Airlines ticket to go somewhere recently - I'm sure you understand..........
Complaining about the $ rate for such poor service, I was given a negligable adjustment. Deciding that being over 50 - no, make that 55 now, this is NOT just OK..that I'm a big girl now and need to stand up for myself... but still be nice, of course... I call back and ask to speak to the manager.
THEN, and only then, am I given the first night free, and will be moved to another room according to my reservation for the rest of my stay (3 more nights).
AND - to top that off............would you believe????????????? Internet costs $10/ day???? On top of that - pay for parking - not sure if it is $10 as quoted here, or $28 as on internet.
If this is the norm for a company like the Hyatt - well, it is a sad, sad day...
Give me my small town motel service, and say a Hampton ANY DAY!~
Venting...venting...venting... :)
Just cements in MY mind that at MY sites, I will bust my buns (and anything else) to be SURE that MY customers are NEVER treated in this way!
Needing to get back to work, have the bellman take up our bags to the room............
Come back to the room after a hard day's work to find it a lovely suite - lots of room and amenities I do NOT need, and ONE bed!
Call to register a complaint and that I need what I had reserved...to be told that reservations are considered 'requests' that they 'try' to fulfill, and the only room with 2 double beds left in this entire hotel is a smoking room... they would be bringing in a roll-away.
HMMMMM..... not what I always understood a reservation to be! Comments? Anyone else given that definition of a reservation. But, then, if you had an American Airlines ticket to go somewhere recently - I'm sure you understand..........
Complaining about the $ rate for such poor service, I was given a negligable adjustment. Deciding that being over 50 - no, make that 55 now, this is NOT just OK..that I'm a big girl now and need to stand up for myself... but still be nice, of course... I call back and ask to speak to the manager.
THEN, and only then, am I given the first night free, and will be moved to another room according to my reservation for the rest of my stay (3 more nights).
AND - to top that off............would you believe????????????? Internet costs $10/ day???? On top of that - pay for parking - not sure if it is $10 as quoted here, or $28 as on internet.
If this is the norm for a company like the Hyatt - well, it is a sad, sad day...
Give me my small town motel service, and say a Hampton ANY DAY!~
Venting...venting...venting... :)
Just cements in MY mind that at MY sites, I will bust my buns (and anything else) to be SURE that MY customers are NEVER treated in this way!
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