Emmett was in Town Last Night!

Actually, he's been here since Wednesday. He's doing work with Gretta Luxe in Copley Place. If you're in Boston today, he'll be there from 1-7 doing a trunk show. Go say hi!

Last night, he was a judge for an event to benefit the Faulkner-Sagoff Center, one of the premier breast care centers in the Boston area. They did a gala benefit, the highlight of which was a Project Runway-style show by students at the School of Fashion Design in Boston. Kevin Christiana, another Project Runway alum (season 4) was also a judge. It was a lot of fun, and it raised a lot of money for the center. But enough of me talking, let's see pictures!

Emmett, me and Kevin. Emmett is really tall and makes cropping photos an adventure.

But, it can be done!
I'm wearing one of Emmett's dresses, of course.

Courtney, Emmett's able bodied (and really sweet) assistant.

Me and my BFAM

Check out the centerpieces!

I got to take one like this home. Kewl!

The runway show was a lot of fun. 5 seniors from the School of Fashion Design presented mini collections which were critiqued by a panel of four judges. All five contestants were incredibly talented, but the gal who won did a really superb job and was, as the judges described her, visionary. Here she is with her finale piece.
Here are a couple of other pieces from the collections:


There were also pieces displayed around the reception area. This was one that Courtney and I particularly liked.
The evening was a resounding success. It raised lots of money for a good cause. Emmett, Courtney and Kevin were fabulous and fun. All in all, a very successful evening!

I Have to Show You This Fabric

I have to show this one off. This is one of Emmett's fabrics for Sewing Hope. I LOVE this so much. It's a georgette that is embroidered with self-fabric ribbons all over. It is so fabulous! Really I'm showing it off for purely selfish reasons. I want someone to buy it so I don't! C'mon - it's for a great cause and all the proceeds from the sale of these fabrics benefit Sewing Hope. It's sold as one piece. It's 60 inches wide and I listed it as 2 1/2 yards, but it is really 2 1/2 yards full, with about another half yard that has a chunk taken out of it.

Thanks Allyn!
Happy sewing!

Where Has the Time Gone? Update and a Tip for Stretch Fabrics

Man, it's been busy, and the Holy Week Marathon is just starting! Yesterday I sang the second reading at the Palm Sunday service, then I had to boot out of there to catch a train. I'm a baaaaad Catholic. But it was for a good cause. Sewing Hope's event was last night. I'll post pictures and do a post about it later, but I wanted to show one picture.
Me and my Brother by Another Mother. It was a great time, and it raised a lot for Sewing Hope. Like I say, stay tuned and I'll post all about it.

Now for a great tip, courtesy of Emmett. How many people have noticed that when you sew a garment from stretch fabric, that after wearing it for a few hours, it "grows"? C'mon, raise your hands. Mine's up in the air. Yep, it's that pesky "Damn this Lycra" love/hate thing.

It's a well-known problem and there's an easy cure. Let your fabric breathe on the cutting table for at least 8 hours and preferably 24 before laying out your pattern and cutting. Do that and, ta daa! Your jeans' "growth" will be stunted. I mentioned this to my old cut/sew guy, and he agreed. "We get asked to let stretch fabrics lay on the table overnight before we start cutting. It keeps them from stretching out too much with body heat."

Talk about an Aha moment! So try it next time you work with a stretch fabric. Lay it out (preferably in a single layer) for 24 hours before cutting. You'll find it makes a world of difference in the wearing. I'm looking forward to not having to cinch a belt around my stretch denims halfway through the day.

Happy sewing!

Holy Crap, It's Saturday Already?

Big Reminder, folks! Tomorrow (Sunday, April 5) is the Sewing Hope Fashion Event. If you are planning to go to the event, look for me there. I'm the gal with the "fake red hair" (thanks ever so much for that witty insult, Jack Mackenroth) wearing the fabulous outfit next to the 6 foot 7 inch gorgeous man (that would be the truly witty and urbane Emmett McCarthy). Tickets are still available, and it's a great cause, so please come by. I have no affiliation with the group other than an attendee, but I believe in it. Here is the reminder email:

It's not too late, but this is the last day to get your ticket before our 2nd Annual Sewing Hope Event! Your name was given to us to invite personally, and space is limited, so reserve your spot at our party now. You can buy tickets at the door with cash or check only....so if you want to pay with a credit card, buy online now!!!

DJ Kamau Mucoki will spin the event. Don't miss his mix of Afro-beat, reggea, and gospel-inspired music. Free-flowing drinks (till 9), and raffles of high-end items....including Broadway tickets, designer clothing, jewelry, Gossip Girl set-visit, interior design consultation, and tickets to a Met Opera dress rehearsal/backstage tour. Don't miss out--- bring your dollars!

If you cannot make it to the event, please consider donating anyway. Or attend our AFTERPARTY!! ....same location, after 10pm, for only $5. La Chipettes will take over the DJ booth, raffles, dancing! This night is our main event for the year and your money will go towards our summer trip, helping provide amazing things in the lives of our women!

The purpose of Sewing Hope is to support tailoring programs and teachertraining within small communities in Uganda, with the intention of creating an opportunity at financial independence for our students. The women we help are a direct result of AIDS devastation. By helping these women, families are supported and empowered, and children are left with positive role models.

One of Sewing Hope¹s main purposes is to show professionals in the fashion and costume industries here in New York that our field can be more than style and glamour. It is also a business that cares deeply aboutwomen and their empowerment. By participating with us, you will be a part of a unique organization that embodies these values both here in New York, and also in Africa.

Our yearly fashion event raises awareness for our cause, and raises fundsthat go directly to aid these women. Every summer, we fly to the villages to distribute supplies, teach classes, and generally support their work.

Buy your ticket now! See the details below or visit our website for more information. It will be a great party!

Hope to see you there!

Tara Hawks
Director of Sewing Hope
info@sewinghope.net

Oh damn, this is the problem with posting so late after watching DS the younger play a munchkin in "The Wizard of Oz" - I forgot to post the link if you want to get tickets. Here ya go!
Tickets for Sewing Hope Fashion Event

Happy and charitable sewing!

Sewing Hope - a Great Organization!

Photo credit: Sewing Hope

I had the pleasure to talk with Tara Hawks, Director of Sewing Hope. This is a great charity that empowers women in Africa to learn skills that help then earn a living for themselves and their families. Let me just state up front that I have no personal affiliation with Sewing Hope, but I was blown away by the work they are doing. So after speaking with Tara, I asked her if I could interview her for my blog. And here you go!

First up, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? You have a pretty interesting professional background.
I came to New York about 8 years ago. I studied costuming in school in North Carolina. I started out here making ballet and Broadway costumes, then I worked in men’s tailoring at the costume shop at the Metropolitan Opera. I also worked as a freelancer between seasons. I did some film work, including costuming on American Gangster and John Adams, as well as some things that never got released.

For the last two years, I’ve been working on the TV show Gossip Girl, doing tailoring and alterations for the show. That’s been fun and it’s really enabled me to do work on Sewing Hope.

Tell us a little about Sewing Hope?
Fount of Mercy works to care for orphans and vulnerable children by partnering with African orphanages. Many of the women who are a part of Fount's vocational training program, Sewing Hope, have children who must live in these orphanages because they can't afford to care for them on their own. By teaching these women to sew, we are building families and communities. They, and we, work with organizations in the local villages to provide vocational training. The needs of these people and programs are really pretty basic. A little money goes a very long way.

Fount of Mercy and Sewing Hope work with the grassroots organizations in Africa to support what they are already doing. We work with three organizations that have year-round training programs for the women. They teach sewing classes one or two times per week all year. We support them by providing continuing education and certification for the teachers, by providing machines and supplies. It’s worth noting that we buy all the supplies and machines locally, to try to support businesses in Africa. We don’t import anything ourselves.

How did you become involved in Sewing Hope?
I had dinner with the founders of Fount of Mercy, and they were telling me about their work. It really struck a chord with me. Since I’m in the garment industry, I felt it was something that I could help with. So two years ago I went to Uganda with them. I was one of nine people: there were also teachers, a nurse, a financial expert and another designer. I founded Sewing Hope as one program under Fount of Mercy's umbrella. It’s such a great experience!

Sewing Hope has an impressive list of accomplishments: training teachers, establishing curricula, paying for salaries and supplies. What are the plans for the coming year?
We are going to continue with training programs for teachers and for the women. Last year we taught a bag class, how to make fabric flowers and fashion drawing. It has really helped the women communicate their ideas, and it’s been very rewarding to do.

This year they have asked to learn basic patternmaking. They are interested in using local textiles to make western style clothing, and they want some basic patternmaking training for that. Things like skirts, tops – there’s a huge tourist trade in Uganda, and they would like to make things that they can sell to the tourists. Things that are made with local materials, but in western styles. They are also very interested in what they call “design machines”. These are treadle operated embroidery machines. I’m looking for suppliers of these types of machines right now.

In the future we’d like to teach beading, knitting, embellishment. We’ve also received requests for a classroom building with tables and space for the women to work. I also want to work with the local textile factories to supply fabric scraps or work for the women we train. I also have a goal to teach a class on reusable resources and repurposing. Fabrics are very expensive there, so I think this class would be really useful.

You’re holding an event on April 5 to raise awareness and funds. Can you tell us more about that?
Sure. Every time I go to Uganda, I bring back a suitcase filled with local textiles. I invite designers to design an outfit inspired by the fabric, Africa and these women. This year, we’re going to have professional models wearing the designs of 15 different designers. The models will be set in vignettes that highlight the cross-cultural aspects and appeal of sewing. It’s going to be really fun and very inspiring!

The event is going to take place at
China 1 Antique Restaurant and Lounge
50 Avenue B
New York City

Tickets are $75 per person. There will be an open bar from 7-9. Then at 10, there will be an after-party to benefit Sewing Hope. Tickets for that are $5, and the restaurant will be transformed into a French-Pop style dance club. It’s going to be a great time!

It is definitely going to be a great time. But it’s only one way that Sewing Hope raises awareness and funds for these great programs. For those who can’t make it to the event, how can people find out more about, or contribute to Sewing Hope?
You can find out all about Sewing Hope and make donations through our website, www.sewinghope.net. And to find out more about Fount of Mercy’s other programs, see www.fountofmercy.com.

Well Tara, this is a great organization. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me about it. Folks, if you are in the New York area on April 5th, I encourage you to come to this great event. And do check out Sewing Hope. Thanks again Tara.

Thanks Ann, and thanks for putting us on your blog and helping raise awareness.

So there you go folks. Do check this out. It's a great organization with a great focus, and it really does make a difference in people's lives.

Happy sewing!

A Standout Dress for a Standout Cause

Tom and Lorenzo gave me permission to put this here. Is this a gorgeous dress or what??? This is the prototype for the dress that will go up for sale shortly. I had the opportunity to see it up close and in person back in the early summer, and it is even more fabulous in person than it looks in the picture. It's a lovely matte jersey, it hides a multitude of sins, and it is cut (in the sale version, not the prototype) to be bra-friendly. And why, you may ask, am I plugging a RTW dress? Well, two reasons: first, it was designed by one of my fave-rave PR designers, Laura Bennett. Second (and this is the really big reason), proceeds from the sale of the dress will benefit Dress For Success. Dress For Success is one of the worthiest charities I know. They help women in need, in abusive relationships and in homeless shelters. Dress For Success provides training, counseling and interview-appropriate clothing to help women get jobs and become self sufficient. My first exposure to Dress For Success was through an office admin who worked for me. Dress For Success had helped her get out of an abusive relationship and get a job. She's since gone on to get her MBA and become very successful. They are a great organization.

So, shameless plug, but to benefit a great cause. I'm gonna get me one of these dresses!

A Pair of Aces!

Many, many thanks to my dear Tom and Lorenzo for sending this to me. My heroine, the über fabulous Laura Bennett is going to be in Charleston, SC for Charleston's Fashion Week. But more importantly, Laura will be there as the Spokesperson for that amazing group Dress for Success. This is one the absolute best organizations for women in need. I became aware of them a number of years back when a woman I worked with confided to me that they had helped her when she was getting out of an abusive relationship. They not only provide suits, but the people who work there provide all sorts of support services to women.

Here's an excerpt from the interview she did with the PRGayBoys:
"Us: Tell us a little about Dress for Success. How did you get involved with them? Is it because you're always so successfully dressed?

Her: I was successfully dressed when I approached Dress For Success to see if I could help them in any way. I was honored when they asked me to be a spokesperson. I have always believed that if you look great, you feel great and great things will happen; sort of fashion Karma. That is the root idea behind the organization.

Dress For Success is a great charity that promotes economic independence to disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools. I love the idea that an amazing chain of events for a woman can start with an interview suit. The concept is so simple yet so powerful."
Read the complete interview here
That woman ROCKS!

Happy sewing!

Pictures from the Marfan Benefit

Alright! Drea at the photography studio posted the pictures from the benefit fashion show. You can see me in my fierce Cosmopolitan Dress on their site - no shoes, though. Bummer.

Okay, some very nice anonymous person (Drea?) sent me this picture, but the others you have to see on the website:


Here's the photography site. It's a flash site, so I can't grab any of the screen shots. Sorry.

Mouse over the "Gallery" tab in the upper left corner, click on "Darling Jule/Beacuage Fashion Show", and then click on Page 4. I'm in the second to last photo on that page, standing with Danielle and Olga as we gave the models their marching orders. I'm also on Page 6, in the last row of pictures (I'm assuming the default is 40 pictures per page). The four of us are Olga, me, Melissa and Christine. We all work at the store and we all have red hair, as does the owner, Danielle. We all realized it that night, and now the joke is that we won't hire anyone unless they have red hair!

The event raised $8000 for the local chapter of the National Marfan Foundation, so that was a success, and everyone had a great time!

Happy sewing!

Fierce Dress, Fierce Shoes

I got to wear my HP Cosmopolitan dress last night! I worked a fashion show to benefit the National Marfan Foundation. It was a lot of work, with local, semi-professional models. Boy, are there some stories there! Most of the models were incredibly sweet, but I had to dress one, Quennah, who brought the concept of 'beautiful and stupid should not be bitchy as well' to new heights. Oy! I'm pretty darned patient, but I wanted to wring her (size 4) neck on several occasions. But that's a story best told in person over a martini or a glass of wine.

I almost never work shows, but I asked to do this one because we were hosting it along with Beaucage Salon. Beaucage holds a special place in my heart. For 10 years, I sat in the owner's chair every 6 weeks for cut and color, and I wanted to see him again. We parted on great terms, only because I left high-tech and started my own business. The fact is that beauty services at that salon were (kid you not) higher on my monthly expenses than my Mercedes Benz car payment (and I had an E320, so that tells you something). So we caught up last night and spent about an hour jawboning about life, kids, dogs, spouses, houses, business. It was great. I bid on a haircut with him in the silent auction, so hopefully I won.

Of course, if you're going to work a fashion show and wear a fierce dress, you gotta wear fierce shoes to go with it. So I went on a hunt over the last week, and at 3:00 yesterday afternoon, I finally found the perfect pair!

Black patent leather Via Spigas with just a hint of white trim. Perfect! And they were surprisingly comfortable. I wore them without stockings all night, and I was on my feet 90% of that time. The rest of the time I was on my knees hemming and pinning. After 5 hours, my feet actually didn't hurt very much. That's a good shoe, in my book. One other product note: if you have lily white legs like mine, and you want to forego stockings (too matronly) or self tanner (too orangey), I heartily recommend Air Stocking. Great stuff! It covers up everything, but looks really nice. NAYY, I get it at Sephora. It looks much better on than the drugstore brands. And it won't rub off on your clothes.

Hopefully the evening was a great success for the Marfan foundation. It was a lot of fun. Draya (sp?) the photographer, took a bunch of pictures and is going to send them to us, so hopefully I'll post one soon. He got one of me teaching one of the models how to walk (that was a hoot!), that got the whole outfit, so we'll see what he sends. Oh, and one other happy note, one of the bartenders at the club fell completely in love with my La Rue bag, and commissioned me to make one for her!

I'm finishing up one last task for the super triple secret project, then I'll post that tutorial. Promise!

$314,000!!!

That's the amount of money raised last night for the Winchester Hospital Breast Care Center. The party was pretty amazing. It was held at the brand spankin' new Westin hotel next to the brand spankin' new Boston Convention Center. The event was, as they say in the society papers, "glittering". We wanted to raise funds to purchase an MRI Guided Coil Breast Biopsy machine. It gives greater accuracy in determining where to operate and how much to take out when excising lesions. And it doesn't come cheap. But last night's fundraiser went a long way toward purchasing one, so women will be able to have access to this state-of-the-art technology without having to go into Boston. Yay!!!!!

Oh yes, the dress:

It was a silk taffeta/Alencon lace stunner by Arnaldo Couture. And damn, I looked hot! The only question I have is, why the heck do I spend so much time working out my arms, only to have them look humongous in photographs? Sigh...

Yes, this dress required a serious amount of double sided tape:


Thank goodness for Bug Catcherz! I bought a package called Lacebugz, and they really worked well. I was even able to swing dance and rhumba with my husband without showing anything I didn't intend.

One of our party, Kim, really got into the spirit of things, wearing Nu Bra earrings:

I think she also got into the spirits of things!

Well, it was a great night. I woke up today with a sore throat. So I think I'll go up to my sewing room and finish my HotPatterns Tango Blouse and drink tea. You can find out more about the Winchester Hospital Breast Care Center by clicking here: Winchester Hospital Breast Care Center

Happy sewing!