Hat's Off to Sewing Blogger Chuleenan Svetvilas of Csews.com

One of my Goals in my Vision for 2017 is making a Roaring 20's hat to wear to the "Hat's off" event which benefits Girl's Inc. With this in mind, I set out to talk to an expert, and the first person I thought of was the organizer of the Bay Area Sewist meet-up Group that I attend. In addition to facilitating our meet-up group she also runs the blog CSews and is a guest blogger for Britex Fabrics. She always wears such fabulous hats and I know that she makes some of them. Below is our conversation. I hope you find it as gripping as I did!

Sewing, Sewing Vintage, shopping, Millenery, fashion designJennifer SerrFebruary 21, 2017The Sewing Roomsewing, sewing supplies, lacis, lacis berkeley, millinery supplies, hats, millinery, chuleenan Svetvilas, Chuleenan, sewing blogs, sewing blogger

Working on my 1930's Foundation - Getting ready for the Art Deco Preservation Ball

I've embarked on creating a foundation for my dress that I'll wear to the Art Deco Preservation Ball at the End of April. I really want to create the right silhouette for my dress which will inspired by the late 1920's / Early 1930's. My figure, at age 47 doesn't quite fit naturally into that era, so I definitely want an undergarment that helps me re-create the look....

1920's Straight Coat and the Art Deco Member Party

Every year the Art Deco Society of California celebrates it's members with a cocktail party in January. This year, the party was held at Flora in downtown Oakland. It was a lovely event in a wonderful Art Deco building, gloriously restored to it's original beauty. There was a grand crowd all dressed up in cocktail attire from the era. Some are serious vintage collectors and some, like me, enjoy making their own creations from vintage inspiration...

Foundation Garments + a Giveaway

As a special treat this week, I'm giving away a fantastic book from my collection - Vintage Lingerie - 30 Patterns based on period garments plus finishing techniques. I'll pick one lucky reader from our email list, so you have to be a subscriber to win!

costume design, Art Deco Events, fashion design, Pattern Making and Design, Sewing, Sewing VintageJennifer SerrJanuary 31, 2017The Sewing Roomgiveaway, corset, 1920's lingerie, 1930's lingerie, 1930's fashion, sewing, sewing supplies, sewing vintage, vintage clothing, reproduction vintage clothing, book giveaway

Clarifying my Vision - What the heck am I going to sew?

The Vision Board class with Heidi last weekend was highly informative for me. I made two vision boards - 1 overall VISION for my life and 1 VISION BOARD for my business. Plus, I ended up making two "Mood Boards" for things I want....

Vision Boards, unfinished objects, the sewing roomJennifer SerrJanuary 24, 2017vision board, vintage clothing, vogue knitting, costume design, coach heidi bennett, community, couture sewing, chanel jacket, 2017, 1920's fashion, art deco, art deco preservation ball, art deco ball, art deco society of california

Out with the OLD! - Let's finish those UFO's (Unfinished Objects)

Since my last post (and because it was the end of the year) we've been cleaning up a bit and getting ready for new things. We've had a build up of projects left behind at the shop......

My New Year's Vision

One thing I do every year is put together a Vision Board. It's important to me to do this for many reasons. I do this in lieu of resolutions because it really gives me an overview of what I want my life to look like. Also, I look at it EVERY DAY. My Vision Board from last year sits on my desk and stares at me when I'm on my computer. It's a constant reminder of what really feeds my soul.