Wow, time flies when you're in Palm Springs! I just got back from helping out at Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing workshop at the Ace Hotel. Goodness, it was glam.
From Friday night to Sunday morning, workshoppers attended a print session with Lotta Jansdotter, spent time making projects in the sewing workshop with Heather and me, and even got to hear a talk from my fabulous editor,
Melanie Falick of STC Craft.
Here I am helping Wendy fit a muslin of the new
Cynthia Rowley pattern. Man, it has like 28 darts! It turned out so cute that I ordered a copy of the pattern for myself.
Mary made a muslin of a cute little jacket from the book Sew Serendipity. We did a lot of fitting and pattern changes, and the final muslin came out beautifully, if I do say so myself! (My eagle-eyed readers will probably notice how high the bust dart is in this picture. Don't worry, we fixed it!)
I gave a short presentation, showing the innards of a couple of my dresses.
There were caftans included with the rooms. I love this shot of Lynsey, who was a total doll.
This is one of my roomies,
Andrianne! She has a blog where she writes about her amazing quilts.
There were babies! And lovely ladies to chat with.
Signing a muslin. Just like summer camp!
My new bestie, Butter. It was a sorrowful goodbye!
Enjoying a final breakfast with Heather and her lovely assistant, Vera, before heading to the airport.
And now here I am, back in New York where we're having Snowpocalypse 4.0. Thanks for the memories, Palm Springs!
P.S. Thanks to
Mary and
Andrianne and Mari for the pics!
Lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you ladies had a great time!
What an amazing weekend! It would be great to go on a weekend-class like that, to be so productive and focused.
ReplyDeleteThe Cynthia Rowley pattern looks wonderful, I love the draping over the bust and over the waist! Personally I'd lengthen it a few inches, but then I like my skirts to hit below the knee, a little granny-styled perhaps =)
Looks like you had a blast! :) (What I would have given to be a fly-on-a-wall there! ;) I am now tempted to buy that Cynthia Rowley pattern too... I've been eying it already recently, but hadn't decided. Glad you're back! :)
ReplyDelete♥ Casey
Sleeveless dresses in January!!
ReplyDeleteBet the sunshine did you good :-)
All that sunshine is making me jealous! I've also got a copy of the Cynthia Rowley (well, it's en route) and am crazy daunted about the pleats and darts. Any tips on fitting resources for this shape?
ReplyDeleteWhat's that I see in those photographs? Sun? Who knew there is someplace in these United States where there is sun. And palm trees. And things that are green and not black/white/grey/slushy. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLooks like tons of fun! I think I need to go to something like this (but perhaps a bit closer to home than CA!).
ReplyDeleteGretchen - it was so wonderful to meet you and learn from you! Your work is amazing and I'm so glad I got to see your dresses in person. You are so talented! And Julia sends you head bumps! (Isn't that a super cute photo of the five of us?)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun weekend. Hope it was warmer in Palm Springs than it is about two hours west, where I am. In the 40's this morning, with a predicted high of only 68. Here in CA., that is "brrrrrr" weather!
ReplyDeleteR.
Thank YOU Gretchen, I'm just so bummed that I didn't get to use your awesomeness on the weekend, next time! (My reality today is -15 degrees, yikes).
ReplyDeleteLooks like loads of fun! And that Cynthia Rowley pattern - OMG! I am running out to get one now :)
ReplyDeleteI bought the Cynthia Rowley pattern right when it came out but I still can't decide on fabric. Do you maybe have a picture of the finished dress? There are no pattern reviews out there either so Im not sure if Ill have to make a muslin on it. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeletelooks like loads of fun
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love that rose-print dress -- it's even better in the action shots than it was when you modeled it! It looks so gorgeous with your hair and red lipstick (we share the same coloring, so I'm taking notes! I'm copying your navy blue dress next :-)). Glad you had a great time in Palm Springs!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun!
ReplyDeleteI've wanted that Cynthia Rowley pattern since it came out. I'll have to get it for sure now :)
Since a couple of you asked, here are a few tips for the Rowley pattern: First, I would definitely make a bodice muslin. This is the kind of thing where you want a test run of the darts and tucks and such. The fit is pretty snug, which is good for this kind of dress. You may want to leave extra seam allowances on your muslin side seams in case you need to take it out. Also, unless you're large-busted, you may need to adjust the top of the bodice since it may gape. I would use a thin-ish cotton for your final dress. Nothing too thick or the back gathers look bulky and it's hard to turn the spaghetti straps. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you back, I've missed your blogging and glad you didn't get stuck in the snowstorm which has now hit Toronto, YAY!
ReplyDeleteoh, your trip looks like it was downright dreamy! i just finished that rowley pattern, and it too is pretty dreamy. i can‘t wait until it's warm enough to wear it!
ReplyDeleteWow! You just look so happy and glamorous! So glad you make it out there and had such a good time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Gertie! It's good to know about the bust fit -I usually have to do an FBA so it's good that that might not be necessary!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fab weekend!
ReplyDeletehttp://booboo-kitty-couture.blogspot.com/
Bet your kitties gave you sideways glances when you got home. What, a dog?!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such a fabulous weekend. I can but dream that something like that might happen in the UK one day...
I'm in the midst of that Cynthia Rowley pattern.... boy, am I insane! I SO should have done a muslin.... *sigh* However, I think I can fix my mistakes... at any rate, I can always run out and get another half yard of fabric and start the bodice front all over again!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! There's nothing I love more than sewing and cats.
ReplyDelete