Two of My Favorite Posts

I am between projects right now. Susan Khalje is coming to town to teach her Couture Sewing Class next week at my studio, so I think I'll revive the skirt to go with my bustier and try to work on that while she's here. Of course, I also have to continue to work and go for radiation treatments (more on that further down) while she's here, so I think next week will not be the most relaxing for me. Oh yeah, and I'm single parenting this weekend. Oh well, it's always something, isn't it?

Anyway, I haven't had a ton to post about this week, but I got to thinking. I had asked readers of this blog what their favorite post is, and the winner of that highly unscientific poll was Cancer Chemo and What I Wore Part 4. While I like that one, and I'm proud of the post, I actually have two posts that I like better. From a day-to-day usefulness perspective, the two that I think are the best are:

The Right Bra Makes All the Difference

and its sequel,

More on Bra Fitting - Bring a Tape Measure

Whenever I work with students or the occasional private client, one of the first things we talk about is fit in the bust area. Different bras give different results in fit, and I think it's always good to remind yourself to check the fit of your bra. The general rule of thumb is that a good bra will last 1-2 years, depending on how you care for it. I hand wash and hang dry all my bras. It preserves the shape and extends the life. I advise strongly against washing bras in the washing machine, even in one of those lingerie bags. The agitation does bad things to bras. And face it - bras are expensive, so its worth the slight extra time it takes to hand wash them. I use shampoo on mine. It works just fine.

I Study Nuclear Science/I Love My Classes...
Last week I started radiation treatments. I've been mentally prepped for this since I was first diagnosed, so they don't scare me. The only major hassle with them is that, instead of 6 hours every third week, which was what I spent at chemo, I go Monday through Friday for 10 minutes per day. That includes the amount of time it takes to get changed out of street clothes, set up, zapped, changed back into street clothes, and out the door. If you are ever looking down the gullet of 6 weeks of radiation treatments, do yourself a favor. Try to go to a location that is convenient for you. I know it's not possible for everyone, but it does make life that much less stressful.

Parting Shot - Pincushion!

Speaking of Susan Khalje, did you know she sells the most fabulous notions on her website? This wrist pincushion from France is one. This is the BEST pincushion I've ever used! I love it because it's big, and because the bracelet is made of metal. So unlike wrist pincushions that have velcro fasteners, it won't snag your shirt or whatever fabric you happen to be working with. I highly recommend this. NAYY, of course. Oh, and her pistolet French curve is the best for patternmaking!

Happy sewing!

Still Here!

Miss me? I've dropped off the radar lately because I've been really busy. I'm still working on the Chanel jacket, but it's slow going and I don't think you'd be interested in seeing my catchstitching. I will have some things to start to show soon. I'm also starting to plan some coordinates to build a spring wardrobe around the jacket. Man, that sounds suspiciously like a SWAP, doesn't it? Nah, I'm too scattered for that!

I also got some news this week that knocked me for a loop. Not a change in status, but some results came back that indicate that I might want to have some other treatments than what was originally planned. That sucks. So one of the coordinates (or maybe two or three) is going to be an Hermes scarf. I already told DH that's what I would like for Valentine's day. Sigh...

But hey! On a much more fun front, save the date and stash away your pennies! Susan Khalje is coming to Gorgeous Fabrics' studio in Billerica, MA (just outside Boston) to hold her Couture Sewing School. It's a 6 day course that runs from May 24 to May 29, 2010. I've taken classes with Susan and she is one of the best, if not the, best teacher I've ever worked with. Here's the description of the class from Susan's website:

At the Couture Sewing School, 6 intensive days are devoted to creating your garment - it can be sophisticated day wear, evening wear, a wedding gown, the little black dress - the choice is yours. It can be for yourself, for a friend, or it can be a sample. You'll be incorporating into your project the couture techniques and details that go into Susan Khalje's exquisite garments.

You'll prepare a muslin ahead of time, and after Susan perfects the fit, you'll begin working on your garment. In addition to specific work on your garment, time is taken each morning to learn a battery of couture techniques. Business issues are included as well - Susan ran a very successful couture business for over 25 years - and she shares her expertise during a special evening session. 

To find out more and to sign up, Check it out at Susan's New Website (which, BTW is absolutely gorgeous!)

I'll post pictures of the Chanel Jacket as soon as I have something worth showing.

Working on Two Things....

Well, the tree is down, the decorations are stored for another year. The laundry is done and the kids have finished their vacation homework, so it's time to hit the sewing room. Right now I'm finishing up another version of JStern's Tee, using Dance on the Wild Side Mesh from Gorgeous Fabrics:

I started cutting it out at noon on Christmas Eve, but between trying to do Christmas with my family and blowing town right after, it's still in pieces on the sewing table. It will be a fun top for celebratory affairs like Valentine's day, my friend Barb's birthday, etc. I'll try to finish it today and post pictures.

The other thing I'm ready to start working on seriously is my Chanel-style jacket. That's the one I started with Susan Khalje when she was in town. It's completely quilted and ready to start sewing. I'm so excited about it! Susan is an absolute font of knowledge and she's written one of the best articles about making a Chanel-style jacket. You can order it directly from Taunton Press. If you don't have it, I highly recommend it. I think it's one of the best resources out there. She was telling us that when she wrote the article, Chanel was incredibly helpful, opening their archives and letting her really study the construction of jackets up close and personal. I also love her online article about choosing trim for a Chanel-style jacket.

For my version, I'm using Vogue 7975.

Susan showed us in class how to convert the pattern's two-piece sleeve to a more Chanel-like three piece sleeve, canting the bottom part of the sleeve vent to make the trim sit beautifully. I'll post pictures of the results when I'm done. I don't have the trim yet. I hope to be able to get to New York at some point in January to purchase the perfect trim(s) for it. We'll see how things go on Tuesday and hopefully I'll get to M&J or Tinsel Trading before the end of the month. It's a spring color jacket, so I don't have to rush, but it sure would be nice to have it ready for Easter. We'll see how it goes!

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes. I'll be out of commission Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, though the warehouse and the guys will be processing orders and shipping things out. Tuesday is the surgery and Wednesday I'll be recovering (hopefully). So I don't know when I'll be blogging actively. Hopefully not too long from now. Well, I'm hoping you'll see the latest top this afternoon, but after that... we'll see. Wish me luck. Thanks for everything, and of course,

Keep on sewing!

When the Going Gets Tough

The tough get sewing. I'm not going to bore you with details of my week, other than to say that if ever I receive an email that begins with the words, "I thought you might be dead by now, but if not..." I will personally hop on a plane (first class of course, drinking champagne the whole way) fly down and clock the email's author!

Anyway, today Camille and Phyllis and I all got together to do some sewing and followup from Susan's class. I finished quilting the pieces. Phyllis started cutting out the first version of her jacket, and Camille wanted to try to solve a drag-line problem. We had a great time. We all were sitting there sewing, chatting and laughing. Sewing truly is a wonderful therapy and having friends who sew makes it ever more joyous.

The other nice thing that happened was that Ken, the interim director at my old church choir, emailed me and invited me to sing with them for the holiday concert. They wanted to shore up the soprano section. So I showed up last night and sang with all my old buddies. It was great.

I'm hoping to get a bunch done on the jacket over the next couple of days. Now that the quilting is done, it should go pretty quickly.

Happy sewing!

Some Pictures from the Sit and Sew

Everything is going great at the Sit and Sew. Everyone is humming away on their projects. Susan fit my muslin and I am in the midst of thread tracing it onto my bouclé. So here are some pictures from yesterday:

 Susan demonstrates a technique

Susan and Denise work on silk velvet

We ran out of room in the classrooms, so Camille moved into the hallway

Valerie and Betsy

Susan at work with Maggie

At the end of the day, several of us went out to dinner.

We all have lots more work to do, but everyone seems to be having a great time, and we're all learning tons. As I say, if you ever have a chance to take one of Susan's classes, by all means do! 

Parting Shot: High Contrast Houseguests

We got about 4 inches of snow last night, and we are babysitting Tessa and Lexie the rottweilers until Wednesday. Here's Lexie in our back yard this morning.

Happy sewing!

What a week...

I put a post on my Facebook page this week with a quote from my friend and web guru, Leslie, she of Charlie the kitty: I don't have ADD, I have TMTD (Too Much To Do). Boy, ain't that the truth! And that's exactly how my week has been. I won't bore you with the details, other than to say it has been harried and harrowing.

But on Thursday night, Susan Khalje and I went to dinner. She's in town doing a three-day Sit and Sew at my classroom/studio. It started yesterday. There are 12 women, including myself, having a blast in a three-day sewing orgy. It's fun to see the wide spectrum of projects that folks are working up. Some have come in with several muslins made up and ready to be fit. It's a great fun group. We're pretty much cheek-by-jowl and the hum of sewing machines and lively conversations is just so fun! And through it all, Susan is the serene lynchpin. She's such a delight to work with. If you have a chance to take one of her classes, by all means do!

Because of the goings-on this week, I'm Tail End Charlie with my project. I'm making a Chanel-style jacket, but I didn't even start cutting my muslin until yesterday. Today I'll ask Susan to help me fit it and re-draft the sleeve into a 3-piece. Hopefully I'll have the final muslin/pattern finished before the session ends tomorrow night. Tonight we're all (well, most of us anyway) going out to dinner. It's going to be a blast. It's a delightful and diverse group of women. I know many of them already from classes and Stitch & Bitch sessions I've held, but I've also met several new folks, all of whom are dears. I was too busy yesterday to get pictures, but today I should. I'll post more later. Now I have to get ready and run back up to the studio. Hostess, don't-cha know?

Happy sewing!

Susan Khalje Sit and Sew Comes to Boston!

Oh kittens, I have been positively trembling with excitement over this, and now I can announce it!!!! Susan Khalje will be holding a Sit and Sew at Gorgeous Fabrics' design studio on December 4, 5, and 6, 2009. The class is $495, and it's limited to 12 people. Here's all the information straight from Susan:

Susan Khalje
will be at
The Gorgeous Fabrics Studio in Billerica
December 4-6, 2009

Susan Khalje, couture expert, Threads Contributing Editor, author, and master teacher, will be coming to the Gorgeous Fabrics Studio in Billerica December 4-6 for a 3-day Sit-and-Sew.

Known for her expertise in the world of couture sewing, Susan will share her knowledge with the class participants. She will also bring with her a collection of garments from her books and from her many articles in Threads Magazine.

The class will be limited to 12 participants. Students can work on anything they wish – making a muslin, perfecting fit, creating a garment into which incorporate couture techniques and details…….the choice is yours. Couture technique demonstrations will also be given during class.

Pre-class materials will be sent upon receipt of your registration form.

Please call Susan at 410-592-5711, or email SusanKhalje@gmail.com with any questions.

How incredibly exciting is this? I can personally affirm that this is a great class that will have you stretching your sewing wings! Email Susan or me for registration forms or more information. I can't wait!

Happy sewing!