Sale! In my etsy shop till November 30, 2015

I'm having a sale! 30% off all items in my etsy shop now thru November 30, 2015! Use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. I'll be adding more skirts this week.



I've been working hard sewing for others, so I haven't made too much for the shop lately. I like sewing for others because its easier than being creative on my own.  I do have a new customer that is challenging me.  Having to be creative in my contract sewing is not how I'm used to working.  Its difficult and I'm not doing as well as I would like.  I'm not sure if it will work out, even as I am hopeful.

No matter what, this experience has changed me. First off I realize that what I am making with my denim is art. Wearable art.  Next, I'm learning to be more brave.  I've got some new ideas that I can't wait to get out of my head!

Pictures of the shop

Things are coming along. I have most of the machines at the new shop. It isn't a fancy space, its a work space and I couldn't be more pleased with it!

I will move the machines around as I need to for each job.

 Thread Racks, with room for customers.

The Bernina 950. I've got it set up for free-motion embroidery. I need to get a video.

The denim room. It even has a door, so I can close it when I need to get other things done!

Recycled Tshirts into a shirt for me!

I've been meaning to make this t shirt from Butterick and Connie Crawford for quite a while.  I'm working on using my coverstitch on the BabyLock so this was good practice.

I goofed on the shoulder and caught part of the pattern from one of the shirts, but I'll wear it anyway!

I lengthened the sleeves to 3/4 length and changed the neck to a V.  I made view B. Its a little difficult to tell from the pattern envelope, but view A is very fitted, B is kinda and C is even less. I chose B because I'm a little thick around the middle after 4 babies.

I'll make the V a little deeper next time and adjust the shoulder a bit, I have a broad back, but I'm very pleased with the results.

Getting all the machines up and running

I rented industrial space and have been looking for piecework and making my denim.  I'm bringing everything over slowly and getting it all set up to maximize space and keep it from becoming too cluttered too fast.

Having this space is so enjoyable, I wish I would have done it sooner! I thought I wanted to only work at home. It is nice for many reasons, but the most glaring one is that I don't think about wanting to sew when I'm doing chores and stuff. I know when I get to the shop I'll have the time!

Work is coming in slowly, and my denim is selling slowly. I'm hoping to get a shirt gig.  I may have messed it up a little. I really wanted a great sew only order like I had years ago in Milford, but this could be a cut and sew.  I just need to get my hands on one so I can show them my professional sewing.  Supposed to be this week. I'm trying to be patient!

My Artisan overlocks are waiting on parts, but I've got the Babylock set up for a coverstitch and, just in case, I finally got the buttonhole attachment on the Singer 403A.

It feels great to be sewing again.

Deconstructing denim and Pfaff 138

I've been recycling denim for a few years now. My brain loves the different blues together! I'm creating things that I like and people are buying what I'm making. What a crazy concept!

Its a good feeling getting these ideas out of my head. I can't really explain it. I've had this rug idea for a couple years, but didn't have the Pfaff 138 running. I can't even remember for sure when I bought it! Has to be at least 6 years. It was a fabulous deal on craigslist, $250.00. I needed the umph of an industrial type machine and the huge zigzag. It isn't very big yet only 10" x 25". Mary pointed out that it will be crazy heavy when its done, but I'm making it anyway. Not sure yet how big, we'll see!

Here is some other recycled denim I've been working on. A poncho and a tunic.

Best scissors for deconstructing jeans

I'm a big fan of Fiskars spring loaded scissors. I use their Micro tip 5" blades instead of clippies for cutting thread at the sewing machine. I once had a customer that did a fake flat felled seam on boiled wool. Each pass with the sewing machine meant a trim on the seam, followed by another stitching line.  I got good at using them and can't sew without them now. They do get dull quicker than I would like them to.

At last year's Sewing Expo in Novi, MI I purchased the above spring loaded 7" heavy duty power shears from the Kai booth. I noticed them when I was saying hello to an amazing sewer, Rosebud. I meant them to replace the small 5" blades that I use, but their blunt tip makes this not a good trade off.  (I won a pair of Kai shears in the 2008 PFF and those things have never been dull.)  They are very heavy duty and perfect for deconstructing denim. I've got a system for taking them apart and with any other scissors, I'm in danger of cutting myself because they slip at the thick parts if I go too fast. These cut through the whole pant like butter.

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Click Here to view our huge selection of Scissors in stock at WAWAK Sewing!