A Sewing Room Valentine

Posted in Great Old Finds by

MNY198763

Just happened to be looking through old photos on the Museum of the City of New York‘s website and came across this amazing sewing room! Had to share. Photos taken by Samuel H. Gottscho on February 14, 1936. Aw, the perfect Valentine’s Day gift!

The caption on each photo reads, “Good Housekeeping Studio, 57th Street and Eighth Avenue. Sewing Room.” A mere two blocks away from Central Park – think of the sewing photo opportunities!

Is this not such a cozy looking space? There’s even a chair for hand sewing while listening to a little Glenn Miller on the radio.

MNY198761

Love this one with the ironing board conveniently placed next to the sewing machine. And at just the right height too. You can sew a seam and then, without even getting up, turn and press that seam open.

I’m guessing that piece under the windows is for pattern storage (those file looking things at the bottom)? It also holds a pressing board for sleeves! But where’s the place for my fabric stash? ;)

The cutting table. Wow. I’d love to have that. Looks like a bodice is being prepped for cutting. And on the lower right-hand corner, the clamped tool that looks like a pencil sharpener…is that one of those thingies that pink your seams? I’ve seen them on eBay, I think.

MNY198764
Just look at that huge mirror for checking out how your garment is turning out as you’re sewing along. Wowser.

And did you notice the pin-it contraption for hems in all three photos? It’s on the floor next to the side table. This photo also shows some fabric shears at the lower-right corner – all ready for some fabric cutting!

This is a small space, but pretty luxurious for New York City standards. I can see myself being very happy here. Very happy, indeed.

My only question: where do I sign?

Now Sewing: A Holiday Cocktail Dress!

Posted in Now Sewing by

Now Sewing

Please excuse my inner-entertainer, but I couldn’t resist this one. It takes me a while to post between projects as you know, but that doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about sewing on a daily basis. So here’s a little “Now Sewing” feature from Sewin’ in the Rain Studios; a kind of “what’s on my sewing table”, if you will, only better because it’s just like the movies!

I snapped this photo of the glorious Orpheum Theatre marquee in downtown Los Angeles about 5 years ago. Really you must visit this gorgeous theater! I was attending a Harold Lloyd tribute (silent movie star) that night, but since that time management has been kind enough to update the lettering for my new production. What can I say? I have friends in high places. With Photoshop.

Anyway, here are the stars of the show set to premiere this month. Just in time for Oscar season, too!

m6462McCall’s 6462, aka the Greta Garbo of sewing patterns – I’ve only seen her in two reviews!

zebra-fabriczebra print knit

I’m happy to report I’m almost done with this dress! Just need to finish up a few things, such as hemming that circle skirt. Oh, Nelly…

Pumpkin Spice “Charlotte” Skirt

Posted in 2013 Sewing, Finished Projects by

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First of all, oy, please excuse the quality of these photos. They were really dark when I first took them and I had to work the limited Photoshop magic I possess to get these up to snuff. This might be the way of things for the time being, so I do apologize. Alrighty, now on with the show!

Pattern and Fabric
 This is the Charlotte Skirt of By Hand London fame. I’ve been wanting to add some sass to my wardrobe with a high-waisted pencil skirt and who better to turn to than those sassy London ladies? Of course I went for the plainest variation of this pattern, but oh well. I still love how it turned out (with some changes) and I can’t wait to have a bunch more in my closet!

(US readers: you can order BHL and Deer & Doe patterns through Grey’s Fabric in Boston and avoid international fees! I was really happy to discover this.)

The fabric is a pumpkin orange wool blend with brown lines that I picked up from Mood here in the city last spring (you can see the print detail better in that post). I lined the skirt with beige Bemberg, also from Mood. Rare to buy the outer fabric and lining on the same day and actually make the skirt I had intended to make!

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I Have TWO Sewing Rooms!

Posted in Musings & Everything Else by

…in my dreams, that is. How cute is this farmhouse in Vermont? And, get this, the description says there are two sewing rooms in this home! Isn’t that funny? I’ve never seen a real estate listing call out a sewing room before as a way to entice prospective buyers.

What would a sewing room look like? I’m imagining huge sewing machines built into the walls and there’s nothing a future owner can do about it so they might as well call it the Sewing Room even if it’s not used that way. “Yes, just wait in the Sewing Room while I ready the champagne for this evening’s gala. Oh, pardon, I meant Sewing Room Two.”

Have you seen a sewing room included in a real estate listing before?

Want to get a group together and buy this place so it can be our sewing farmhouse retreat??!! I think so! Let’s go…and sew!

Wearing Yesteryear: Class of October 2012

Posted in Wearing Yesteryear by

Happy Halloween! I’m sneaking in this Wearing Yesteryear post at the last minute – phew, just made it! I guess if I missed the deadline I would’ve turned into a pumpkin?

Let’s take a look back at the world of sewing in October 2012 on today’s Wearing Yesteryear!

Hmm, is it just me or do I match the furniture?

The October Issue Dress

Blog Debut: October 27, 2012
Pattern: Vogue 8397 Dress
Worn In: Fall, Winter, Spring
Wearability Meter: Ding, ding, ding – we have a winner!
Lessons Learned: Knits are the best

Okay, so I just LOVE this dress! It’s right up there as one of my favorite sewing creations ever. It’s easy to wear, it feels very much like me, and it’s something I’d definitely buy in the store. Ever make something and think that you wouldn’t necessarily have bought it had you seen it in the store? Is that just me?

I also like that, as a knit, the fabric stretches to fit my shape, which means I can do away with going one size up at the waist like I have to do with wovens. This fabric doesn’t wrinkle either – from sitting at my desk at work to traveling here or there, this dress keeps it together! The other kicker is that it’s easy to wash; I put it in the washer/dryer and go on my merry way.

The other nice thing about this dress is that it’s versatile. I’ve worn this to birthday parties, work events, regular days at the office, and so on and so forth. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Gotta love it, yes?

I’d like to make this pattern with a more slim-fitted skirt, especially for some thicker winter fabrics I have planned. But for now I have the Charlotte skirt to finish up so until then – trick or treat!