In the middle of production

I have been sewing up a storm lately, which has been going quite well. Hopefully by next week I will have 3 different tops to go to stores. I also have a photo shoot this weekend. So my next post should be a lot more pretty.

busy busy!

As usual, I've been busy busy! I just got back from the International Textiles Expo in Las Vegas this week. Luckily some of my best friends are also in the apparel industry, and have clothing lines. So we made the trip into a mini vacation. It was my first time visiting Las Vegas, and I had a blast. Even more exciting then getting out of town for a couple of days was finding fabric. I was able to purchase the rest of my needs for late spring/summer and all fall/winter items. I am SO excited to work with the rad prints I found.

I have begun production on my spring/summer line. Here is the first fabric cut, which I sewed the majority of this weekend. Just need to hem and label, and it is boutique ready.

Lately I have been really into making fun items for friends. It's nice to get out of production sewing for a moment and make things without a pattern or directions. I made this Tiki tote for my friend Marci for her birthday. She is the co-owner of Sputnik Housewares, and has been on a major Tiki kick. I added the rick rack, because I have been putting it on anything I can.




Back to sewing!

A few photos from DT5.......

So here are some images from the fashion show. The ones I took were TERRIBLE, but luckily I was able to get these images from 2 local photographers:

Mihn Tran








Tyson Robichaud






The show went amazing. I'll post more images when I get them.

DT5 - From the directors of Doomtown

Come one, come all, to my next fashion show!


It will sell out, so purchase your tickets early here.

I don't have much new to post, since I have been working like crazy to finish up my garments for the show. I'm proud to report I'm all done, and for the first time ever, EARLY! Yeah!!

Sorry, no sneak peaks of what I'm showing. You will have to come to the show for it.

Current Projects

In the past few weeks I've been working on a few projects. The one out of the "norm"for me was creating some custom baby clothing. The request was for a warm outfit with a hood, and a sleeper sack. Tattoo themes preferable. Here's what I came up with:









Not too shabby for my first infant clothing. They were happily received, and this could be an ongoing thing. Had a lot of fun making the clothes and picking out the fabrics. I made sure to get the no pill black fleece, and fabrics that would be durable and comfortable. I hadn't used snaps in a while, so I purchased the hand tool, and would not recommend it. The snaps kept getting stuck and the prongs bent outside of the bed they were to go in. I decided that this was due to the fact I was snapping through fleece and fabric. I ended up using a combo of it, and one of my Dad's hammers. Next time I'll use the snap machine at my work.

I have also been working on my line for Doomtown V. This is the 4th year I have done the show, and it is my favorite fashion event to be involved in. This year it will be at the Fez Ballroom on February 29th. Shut Up and Dance to follow. Sorry, no sneak peaks of what I'm working on, you'll have to go to the show. All I can guarantee is that it will be fun.

Lastly I have been slowly developing my late spring/summer line for Clair. Right now I have 3 tops ready. I am still deciding on the merchandise mix I would like to offer. This collection is a lot more piece based, which is what I tend to lean towards, since I like variety. Hopefully I will have some photos up soon of my goods and where to purchase. Right now I'm shooting for May to have items in stores.

I'm always up for custom garments, so if you are interested please don't hesitate to contact me.

Things that make me happy....

Seeing something I have made in a shop window is a never ending source of excitement for me. The red dress, on the right is mine. Part of a now defunct clothing line I was doing with a friend. The shop is Pin Me Apparel 3705 N. Mississippi, in PDX. If you haven't been in already, you really should.

holiday fun

While growing up my Mom was fantastic about having all sorts of fun crafts for my siblings and myself to do. So I love creating things, even as simple as cards. Durring the holidays (Halloween to New Years), I may become what some may call "Overly Festive". Good thing I have lots of festive friends.

This fall my friend Carina and I attended the Church of Craft's holiday card making event. We went to the super sale at Joanne's, and stocked up on supplies. Blank cards, glue, metallic snowflakes, ribbon, stickers, and my personal favorite rick rack. (I swear 2008 is the year rick rack will make a come back). Below are the results:


A few weekends later I was invited to my friend Sarah's annual holiday cookie making event. Her grandmother is a cookie maven, so I felt very lucky to be included in the fun. We made fudge, gingerbread cookies, and a bunch of others I don't know the names of. Decorating was the most fun.



Next year I would like to make something like these fun trees. Oddly enough, I found them at the dollar store. Along with my new favorite, glitter bows.


I can't wait until next year.

Menswear

I did this ensemble for a project for a Menswear studio while I was still in school. I was short on cash, and my friend Tony needed some new digs. So we created this outfit for him:



(photo: cymagen)
The jacket was a combination of two kinds of stretch denim, with a quilted lining. I did single welt pockets on the exterior of the garment. He wanted the jacket to be tight fitting and warm. There are thumb holes at the bottom of the sleeve to keep his hands warm (he's from Buffalo).

The shirt was a fantastic stripe, with a western cut, and snaps up the front. The stripes match up perfectly on the button placket (happy accident). The jeans were an easy fit. This was the first and last pair of jeans I made. Too boring for me, plus denim and I are not always best friends.


Here are some images from my portfolio of the entire outfit. Once again photos by cymagen.


More things to come..............

greetings fellow nerds!

Hello out there in cyberspace. I've decided to start a public blog, about my geekery. It has occurred to me that I make a lot of stuff. No one really sees it except for the people I give it to, buy it, or happen to see it in a fashion show. So I am going to be gathering up old photos of things I've done, and try to stay current with the fun stuff I have been making recently and in the near future.

I would love to hear any feedback from people. I am hardcore apparel construction geek, and nerd out daily at my "day job" as an Apparel Developer at a factory. Like I said, GREETINGS FELLOW NERDS.