Under the Mistletoe with Henry: Our Official 2015 Christmas Card!

Henry and I are basically like the Kardashians, so this year we decided we needed to release an official holiday card. And here it is! 

I described my vision to Henry: mistletoe, a light blue background, and a red velvet strapless cocktail dress. He listened in eager wonder. I explored the idea of an outfit for him, but he politely declined. I think he realized that "over-designing" might dilute my artistic vision. 

Henry watched me frantically sew the red velvet dress. To be honest, I think he was a little dubious that I would finish it in time. 

I used pattern components from my upcoming book to make the base dress: a princess seam sweetheart strapless bodice and three-quarter circle skirt. Then I added a gathered sparkle tulle neckline, a bias overlay on the front bodice, and faux poinsettias and holly to the bustline. It's an easy way to make a '50s style "shelf bust" over a basic bodice and I'm planning to do some sort of tutorial on this. I spent lots of time arranging the flowers and taking selfies to check the placement.

At last the dress was finished and it was time for the big photo shoot. To be perfectly honest, Henry was a little reluctant once the camera was set up. I think nerves got the best of him. After a little warm up, we got some good shots . . .

And some not so great ones . . . 

But in the end, the choice was clear! 

And here it is, our very first official Christmas card.

Happy Holidays, all! 

Rocking Out

Hi readers! I know I've been scarce around these parts. Have I mentioned that I need to sew 35 garments by the end of next month? That's when we're shooting book #2.

In the mean time, I did have my big rock performance (see above) and it went well. I finished the leather accent dress but then didn't wear it (I know, I know). I was feeling more casual and I threw together a quick outfit with a bustier top and capri jeans. Photos of the dress are coming soon though!

Also: cutest Henry picture ever, thanks to my friend Martin.

I seriously want a tattoo of his face.

Okay, back to the sweatshop!

Long Overdue Henry Pics

Henry's been a little camera-shy lately. I can't remember the last time I posted a picture of him! Which doesn't make any sense since I am OBSESSED with this cat.

Kitty Cat Dress

The much-hyped kitty print dress is done!

Comforter Drive for Pets Alive

Whew, what a week! Apparently my book is shipping early, and people are already getting their copies. I also have some super exciting news that I think I'll get to share with you tomorrow. (Trust me; it's good.) To take the edge off, it's been good to immerse myself in the drive for Pets Alive, our favorite no-kill animal sanctuary. Last post, we talked about making kerchiefs for the adoptable doggies, and now we'll focus on another big need the shelter has: winter bedding. Pets Alive specifically asked for comforters, cut down to twin size or smaller (to fit into their washer/dryers). So today I'll show you how to take one large comforter and break it down into three smaller blankets perfect for a dog and a couple kitties. Here's how to do it.

You'll need:

• a comforter
• scissors
• yard stitck
• chalk or other marking tool
• satin blanket binding (dividing a large comforter into three blankets required 1-1/2 packages of binding)

Start by marking out the lines for the new blankets with your chalk and yardstick. I decided on one long blanket, and two smaller ones. Cut the comforter up along your lines.

Warning: if you have pets at home, now is the time they get super involved. 

Now get out your blanket binding to finish off those raw edges. As you'll see, it's really wide and opens up on a fold. 

Turn in the ends of the binding and pin to the raw edge of your comforter so it's encasing the edge.

Pin all along one side. If you only have one side to finish, you'll cut the binding at the end and turn in the binding edges like you did at the beginning. If you have more than one side to finish, you'll need to do a mitered corner. I'm going to show you a quick and easy fake mitered corner. 

At your machine, begin stitching along the edge of the binding. It helps to use a walking foot so all the layers feed easily, but it isn't necessary. 

Stitch all along the side. When you get to the corner, stitch all the way to the edge and stop. Remove from the machine and clip your threads. 

Next, fold the binding around the corner, producing a mitered effect. 

Pin it in place.

Pin the binding to the rest of the edge as well. 

When you get to the end of the last edge you need to bind, cut the binding, leaving about an inch. 

Turn in the raw ends of the binding and pin, as you did at the very beginning. 

Go back to the mitered corner. Start stitching again on side 1 again, overlapping with your previous line of stitching for 1/2" or so. 

When you get to the corner, drop your needle all the way down, lift up your presser foot, and pivot so that you're now stitching down side 2 of the comforter. 

When you get to the very end, backstitch. Make sure to trim threads very close, as some critters are known to chomp on threads. 

That's it! Of course, you can bind all around the comforter, but this way leaves you more seam binding (to do another comforter perhaps! I plan to check out our local discount stores for more), and I don't think the pups and cats will mind at all. 

Last night, my mom sent me a picture of some adorable dog-themed fabric she found (and then proceed to cut out 22 kerchiefs!), and it inspired me to create a Flickr group for the Pets Alive Drive.

Please join the group, and show off your efforts to help! I'd love to see your fabric choices, your kerchiefs and comforters, and of course, your furry friends!

Please send all donations to:

Pets Alive

363 Derby Road

Middletown, NY 10940 

USA 

If you'd prefer to donate another way, you can send money via PayPalor check out their list of other needed items. 

Thanks for your enthusiasm for this project! I will continue to give updates until the end of September. 

Corset Week, Part Four

A lot of progress has been made on the underbust corset. Yesterday, I sewed my seams and stitched boning channels on the middle of some of the pieces (but not on any of the seams, in case I need to adjust them in the fitting). I came home late last night to find my package from Corsetmaking.com had arrived, yay! I decided to devote part of today to corset-making, since I don't have any classes to teach or take.

I sewed the right front facing on, leaving openings for the busk fasteners. 

Sliding the busk between the corset and facing felt like a religious experience.

Stitching next to the busk with a zipper foot was slightly terrifying, but I managed to not break a needle.

Whoops! My facing covers one of the boning channels I stitched in yesterday.

I took it out, and stitched it on top of the facing's raw edge to get a clean finish.

This is about the time Pip decided to take a nap on my instructions.

Luckily, I was able to read around her butt.

Next, the left side of the busk! I made the markings.

Made holes with an awl.

And popped in the busk, and then stitched next to it. (My clean record on needle breaking remains! For now.)

It looked magical when I put the two sides together.

Next: grommets! I was tempted to have my grommets professionally inserted at Steinlauf and Stoller. But my DIY pride got the best of me, and I decided to do it myself. My corset kit came with a grommet kit, but I took it out months ago to make a belt, and found I didn't really like it. So I tried a new kit. Unfortunately, I got size 0 rather than 00. You wouldn't think there would be much of a difference, but there really is!

I put the first two in wrong side up, but then I got the hang of it. My grommets look HUGE, but it's kind of a cool effect.

Tomorrow: fitting, plus a corset-y GIVEAWAY!

P.S. I also have an exciting post that I'll put up next week--Melanie, my editor, brought over an advance copy of my book! I'll be putting up a sneak peek for you on Monday! Here I am looking through it for the first time.

Corset Week, Part Three

I hit a bump in the road on my underbust corset! After making my pattern adjustments and cutting out my coutil, I dutifully tried to begin step one in the pattern instructions: inserting the busk. I even obediently labeled my busk pieces TR (top right) and TL (top left) as the Laughing Moon pattern suggested.

When I lined the busk up on my front corset piece, however, I was suddenly reminded that I had shortened the length of the corset front--my busk is now too short! Oy. I need a 9" busk (the busk should be one inch shorter than your corset front). I called a couple places in NYC, and no one has a busk that short.

So I turned to the internet! Corsetmaking.com carries the busk I needed (as well as tons of other helpful stuff). I know they're located in Philadelphia so it wouldn't take that long to get to me. But then I got an almost-instant shipping notification and my busk is scheduled to be delivered today! Wow. Big thumbs up to Corsetmaking.com.

In the meantime, I read this post from Julia of Sew Curvy that followed a slightly different construction order. Following her advice, I started by stitching centered boning channels to the pieces that will have them, and then stitching and pressing all the seams.

At this point, I'm ready to insert my busk and eyelets, so I'll need to pick this up again tomorrow.

I've been looking at some master corsetieres for inspiration. I love this girdle corset by Sian Hoffman, which combines stretch fabrics used in midcentury shapewear with classic corsetry technique.

I also love the removeable bow on this Waisted Couture piece. It has the option of added bust padding (not shown on this particular model, I'm guessing!); any idea how that would work? Maybe just sewn-in bra cups?

Lastly, in case you think I'm just focusing on the dog these days, a new Henry in bed pic for you.