Friday Finds

Never fear, I haven’t forgotten about the Pantone Fall Colors series!  I’m simply trying to regroup after speaking at the retreat last weekend (the women and my hostess were wonderful, the jet-lag just about killed me–in fact, the jet-lag was so bad that I preferred napping over a quick trip to NYC’s garment district!).

In the past day I found a few fantastic things that I want to share with you.  As soon as I saw them I thought, “Oh, I have to mention these on the blog.”

Run, Don’t Walk

Carolyn has begun a “New Sewists Thursday” feature on her Diary of a Sewing Fanatic blog.  While the posts are always informative, yesterday the Goddess of Fit, Colleen Jones, was the guest blogger. In the post, she gives a detailed explanation of why something still might not fit right even though you have all of the measurements correct.

I still laugh when I think about how Colleen was explaining to the original Sewing Circle how to make full bust adjustments.  At the time I was wearing a 34B bra but Colleen’s instructions meant that I was a “D” cup.  I argued with the Goddess of Fit about it! She was gracious, of course, but she was also right.  At her website, she has the bust cup adjustment booklet available.  I have a copy and it is a gold-mine of information.  She included this in a note to me:

…you can tell your readers if they simply send me a paypal payment for 14.95 it is theirs (no postage which saves them 3.95).    fancyth@tiac.net is my paypal address.

For regular listeners of the podcast, you will recognize Colleen as the woman from whom I bought my Viking #1+.  When My Honey and I drove up to New Hampshire, Colleen and I played in her studio while the men-folk were charged with preparing dinner.  It was a delicious meal of Christmas leftovers made wonderful by delightful company.  Thanks, Colleen!

A Whole New World!

I went to campus yesterday to pick up my books.  As I stood in the bookstore in front of the fashion section, I nearly started to cry.  It was as if a whole new world was opening up before my very eyes.  There, on the shelves, were sewing books written for professionals.  These books that have the same types of titles as the ones for the general sewing public contained a wealth of information than the books I’ve seen on the shelves at fabric stores and bookstores.

Now, you all know that I love my Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Sewing and my vintage books.  But I have fallen in love with Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers by Julie Cole and Sharon Czachor.  I’m pretty sure it is the book that Constance Talbot would write if she were still alive today.   I’ll admit that it is very pricey but this is the textbook that is being adopted as “the bible” for teaching new designers how to sew.  It is easy to read, the illustrations are informative, and the knowledge appears to be exhaustive.  Put it on your Wish List.  You’ll know if someone really loves you if you receive this book gift wrapped instead of yet another pair of beautiful diamond earrings (*smile*).

And, Finally…

Have you picked up your copy of Vogue Magazine, yet?  I’ll admit that I’m a little underwhelmed by it but that is probably because I’m rather conservative in the clothing department.  However, way back towards the back where the magazine actually starts (the first 223 pages are ads), there is a sweet little story by Florence Kane about learning how to sew from Jason Wu.  Look for it on page 366.  I won’t give the ending away but I did chuckle to myself that she considers the price she paid for the fabric to be a bargain.  The article also shows her modeling the dress she made under Jason Wu’s guidance.  Enjoy!