Wednesday, December 22, 2010

What Not to Wear...

Stacey and Clinton continue to rescue women from their poor taste in clothing. Last night a beautiful, tall 47 year old woman who was comfortable in her khakis was transformed into a beautiful woman who looked totally uncomfortable in her own skin. Maybe she looked a little plainer before but her natural beauty shone through. Her clothes fit well. Did they really have to all go into that trash can? Wouldn't it be a real challenge for Stacey and Clinton to take her existing wardrobe, add a few accents, build on it and come out looking great. Or that just wouldn't make for great tv? Now that woman has to contend with trips to the hairdresser once a month to keep up the colour and trim the bangs. She looked great in her blonde blunt cut that would look good for several months at a time. And she has to learn to walk in those heels. I hope she has the strength to take from that experience what she's comfortable with and able to maintain and ditch the rest.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Wealth Defines a Person's Character... or not.

Fortunately in Canada we have CBC radio; to me one of the rare sources of intelligent media, with absolutely no commercials, sponsorships or pleas for funding.

This morning, I caught part of a CBC radio interview with a former editor of a Dublin publication. This man was talking about what happened to Ireland's economy; the same sad bleak story as we have seen in the U.S. Everyone consuming more than they can afford, business leaders and politicians denying the signs, followed by the financial collapse and bankruptcy of a nation and many of its people.

He did not advocate a return to the good old days. No he said that it was an era where consumption was conspicuous, where a person's reputation was defined by their material possessions. His position was that we have to find a better way to build character than by economic status.

I like that. I saw a lot of Armani and Boss suits on Bay Street; $1,000 shoes, Rolex watches, Mercedes Benzes. If you are a pensioner or a shareholder who just lost a lot of money, that's where some of your hard-earned savings went and possibly are still going.

So I say, the heck with all that ostentatious stuff. Sew your own clothes, drive a moderately priced vehicle or take public transit and appreciate people for who they really are, or are not.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Stop the Busywork! Do something meaningful.

A facebook friend brought to my attention that there's a new book on the market--Do More Great Work by author Michael Bungay Stanier. It's about stopping the busywork and starting to do work that is fulfilling. I haven't read the book so I'm not endorsing it, just commenting on the topic.

Well busywork isn't news to me but I am glad to see that some young consultant is making a living at educating the corporate world. And hopefully succeeding at it.

When I worked in the corporate world, the more enlightened executives all knew that busywork was wasteful and annoying to boot. But we were powerless against it. The old guard believed that you had to be on your computer or Blackberry responding to email as they hit the inbox. If it was at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, even better because that meant you were really a "team player". Coming in early, working late and weekends--ooh, you must really be good. Were you wearing Armani suits and playing golf? Even better.

Of course, you would only respond to the emails of the "important people" right away. The rest who were actually trying to achieve something were best ignored, waylaid or put in their proper place by the "chain of command". Heaven forbid you actually came up with a good idea that wasn't your bosses'. Of course, all would be forgiven if you were male or a very attractive female, loved hockey and went to the "right schools".

The standard answer to the morning greeting, "How are you?" was "Busy". So some people starting asking, "How are you? Besides busy?" Hhmm, well hard to come up with a good answer. People were always in meetings (secret meetings meant you were special), and dealing with endless emails. Busywork, useless, wasteful and unfortunately, boring--unless you had a shiny new Blackberry to use conspicuously in front of your co-workers, at client functions and on the golf course.

It's hard to turn something like sewing garments and selling fabrics into busywork. I just love it and it takes a wonderful blend of planning, execution and creativity.

So my advice to any of you who are still in the corporate world is this. Don't get caught up in that game. Have the confidence to stand on your own two feet and do great work that matters to you and your job. Stop going to meetings where nothing is accomplished or intervene and make them shorter and meaningful. Refuse to answer those emails that come in at 3:00 a.m. If it's really urgent, someone will call you.

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work … If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” - Steve Jobs

You won't die wishing you'd sent or answered more emails or spent more time in meetings. But you will regret not spending more time on the things you love and if it's sewing, then that would truly be a shame.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Dark and Rainy, Yet They Still Come Out

Last night it was dark, pouring rain, windy and not an easy drive to come to Oakville Sewers Forum. And yet, many members still made the trip. As the weather turns nasty in the Northern Hemisphere, getting together with your sewing groups and friends can be more challenging. If safety is a concern, then you have to stay home but getting out during the dark days of winter can be very uplifting and inspiring.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Set Yourself a Play Date

I had a really good time last Sunday. My friend Lucy invited me, and some of her other sewing friends, over for a sewing play date. Each of us brought a sewing project or two to work on, plus something to contribute towards our "pot luck" lunch. Lucy has a very organized and well equipped sewing studio with lots of room to work.

Sewing can be so solitary and so it was nice to have company as we worked on our projects, and discussed our sewing ideas, challenges and adventures. The time flew by and each of us accomplished quite a bit.

We've already set the date for our next get together. Take the time to set yourself a sewing play date with some sewing friends. You won't regret it.

Monday, November 1, 2010

It's not paranoia if the world really is out to get you

First the printer, then the computer, then the telephone. The printer won't print because it thinks there's no paper in it, even though there is. The computer attacked by a particularly nasty virus stops functioning and then crashes. All diagnostics say it's fine, but it won't boot. The telephone connection is broken because it relies on the modem in the crashed computer.

In the meantime I am borrowing a computer to get my emails, post on this blog and on facebook, etc. Yesterday, I decided to go onto the Internet and get ideas for pumpkin faces to carve for Hallowe'en and boom, that same nasty virus attacks this borrowed computer. Arrghh!

We caught it in time and it's been cleaned up but it took me out of business for several hours. Now I am really paranoid because maybe, just maybe, the world is out to get me.

Colouricious - A source of unique stamps

I was exhibiting at the Creativ Festival last month and since it was a very busy show, I didn't have a lot of opportunity to walk around. However, my friend, Joanne Thomson of Joanne's Creative Notions, pointed me to the Colouricious booth because she knew I would very much like what they were selling. And she was right!

Colouricious came all the way from the U.K. to sell hand carved wooden stamps from India. If you were at their booth you would have seen the table cloths with lovely decorative borders, all hand stamped. They used Colour Vie paints, which is a Canadian company, for stamping on fabric.

I can't wait to try these stamps out.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

My Bernina's Back and There's Gonna be Serging

It went away to be repaired
It bothered me, every night
And when I had to do without
I said things that weren't very nice



My Bernina's back, and there's gonna be some serging
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back
)
I've got it home and set it up on the double

(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)
While it was away I was feeling awful blue
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)

But I've tried it out and it's working just like new

(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)
(Hey, without it has been tryin')
(And there was a lot of sighin')

It's been gone for such a long time
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back
)
Now it's back
and things'll be fine
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)

I'm sorry I left its servicing so long
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)

Cause it's kinda smart and it's awful strong
(Hey-la-day-la my Bernina's back)

(Hey with all the fabric it's been eatin'!)
(I work it so hard it really takes a beatin'!)


My Bernina 800 DL serger makes terrific rolled hem edges. This is an edge I use all the time on Kayla Kennington garments. It takes some getting used to but after a bit of practice (and if your machine is properly serviced) it's a great construction technique. The Bernina 800 DL is known for making a great rolled hem. While it was in the shop, I used my old Kenmore machine and while I finally got a respectable rolled hem out of it, it was no picnic. So when Linda of Oakville Sewing Centre called to say "Your baby's ready for pick-up" I was out there like a shot.

Also Linda said that there's going to be a sale on Bernina's starting October 15, so if you are in the market for a new serger, give her a call or drop by to test drive one.

Monday, October 4, 2010

I'm sewing but I'm not entirely happy...

The Angel Top
I have been sewing today, working on the Angel Top, the Perennial Pant and the Kwan Yin Kimono, all garments from the Modular Design pattern series. You see, I am sewing sample garments (some day to be "my garments") for the upcoming Creativ Festival (Oct 22-24) in Toronto. I have an exhibitor's booth there (No. 830) and I do a daily trunk show about the Modular Design pattern collection by Kayla Kennington. I like to feature new creations every season.

And two of my favourite machines are in for servicing at the moment; my Bernina 800DL serger and Brother Nouvelle 1500S. I love my Bernina 800DL for Kayla's signature rolled hem edge with rayon embroidery thread. But I also need it to finish seam allowances in the usual way.  I can't really complete any garments without it. I know I should have two sergers, but that's a big purchase and I can't afford that right now.

The Brother is a workhorse industrial-like machine that straight stitches only. It is perfect for accurate and quick straight stitched seams and topstitching.

Luckily I still have my Bernina White Pearl here which does the zigzags, buttonholes and other fancy stitches that I need. And a decent straight stitch when required.

I'm anxiously waiting for the phone call from Linda at the Oakville Sewing Centre to tell me my machines are all in top form, so I can rush off and get them. When they are back home safely installed in their custom sewing cabinets, I'll be in my happy sewing place again.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The New Dressmaker

The New Dressmaker
It's 1921. Before the great depression. After WWI. King George V is on the throne. The Butterick Publishing Company has just released the new, revised and enlarged third edition of a comprehensive guide to dressmaking and tailoring for the home seamstress.  Over 160 pages describe in detail how to achieve a custom garment. The preface provides some insight into life in the early twenties, when sewing was a way to save money.

Because The New Dressmaker is long out of print, and the copyright has expired, it has been scanned and is available legally for viewing at on the Internet Archive website. You can download a a PDF, read it online, read it on your Kindle and other formats.

What a wonderful find.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Every Action has an Equal and Opposite Reaction - Newton

Sir Isaac Newton
I love to hear how people have taken and refashioned used or vintage garments or textiles. When we reuse, we reduce waste and that's a good thing, right?
But what happens to the jobs of those who sell new fabrics or those who weave or create new textiles? And the farmers or growers? And the seamstresses and designers, and on and on...

I'm not saying conservation isn't good. But there are consequences.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Richard & Cosmos Wise - Rag Dealers

An interesting Spitafields Life article about a father and a son who deal in worn clothing from pre-WWII that is well worth the read:  http://spitalfieldslife.com/2010/08/17/richard-cosmo-wise-rag-dealers/

This is a quote from that article that struck a very deep cord in my soul.

“At a certain age, you realise that what you do is who you are.” said Richard recalling his life working in finance. “I think the office is the most evil invention of the twentieth century, worse even than a factory.”

At the ripe older age of 57, I had worked in the corporate world for more years than I can easily recall.  A long part of that time was spent in the legal, technology and then like Richard, finance sectors. I tried in my own way to make a difference.  Like other quiet radicals, I tried to make the work environment a kinder, gentler, fairer place for all, not just those with blind ambition and little conscience. Several years ago I came to the realization that the corporate world was winning and I needed to do something that mattered. And with some inheritance money from my mother's estate, I started Distinctive Sewing Supplies on a part time basis. I deal in fabrics and garment sewing supplies because that is what inspires me and reflects best who I am.

The corporate world and I parted ways about two years ago. I am continuing on in my new world of textiles, sewing and crafting. And I find myself very pleased to be where I am. I sometimes regret that it took so long to get to this space but I am very happy to be here.

And this additional quote from the article, sums it up for me.

“For the first time in my life, I can like the face I am putting on,” admitted Richard with quiet grin of reflection, “because in this line of business you can be yourself. You are your own master and your time is your own. We buy what we like, not what we think we can sell. So you are exposing yourself, showing your own taste and you’re trying to convince people to share your passion.”

Well said, Richard Wise, well said.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

A Lesson Learned from Mother Teresa

I came across a story some time ago about a person who was travelling with Mother Teresa. I don't remember all the details but their flight was delayed and they had some rather urgent business to attend to. Rather than fretting as other passengers were doing, Mother Teresa pulled out a book and calmly began to read. When asked if she was disturbed by the delay with her busy schedule, Mother Teresa replied, "It is a gift." She explained that she rarely had any time to enjoy a book and now she would be able to. Since I read that story, I often try to look at delays and set-backs as opportunities.
I spend a lot of time planning garments to sew for upcoming shows. I keep a small notebook with me at all times to jot down thoughts that could strike at any time.  If I'm delayed by circumstances beyond my control (a signal problem on the GO train, the doctor or dentist running late, a delayed flight), I always feel better when I have my fashion sewing to focus on.  No longer do I a pace or fret.  These moments are like gifts and with my notebook and pen in hand, I use them well.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Weaving inspiring sewing

I am not a weaver, but since most cloth is woven, I am fascinated by weaving.  Jane Stafford is a Canadian weaver who has a Louet loom named after her.  I love the pictures of her home and studio, and wish I too had such a place, for sewing that is. I have posted a link to her website to the right. She's an inspiration.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Eyewear is all part of your look

I have been wearing glasses a long time. A few years ago, I realized  (slow learner, I know) that for something that was going to be on my face all day, they would be important to my look and personality. So I started spending a lot more time and effort and consequently money on them. But it wasn't until I found an amazing optician that I was totally satisfied with my glasses. People always comment on my glasses, so I'd like to tell you about her.

She is a travelling optician and image consultant for eyewear. She knows the technicalities and the aesthetics of eyewear.  My glasses look and feel great.  She is Wendy Buchanan and her company is Perceptions Eyewear. (http://www.perceptionseyewear.com/) When I meet with Wendy she knows exactly what I'm looking for. It's never a matter of not finding a suitable pair.  It's about narrowing down the choices.  Last time I visited I came away with two pairs.  Plus I have my fun "Hollywood" style prescription sunglasses for driving and the cottage.

My glasses were an investment but they are going to be with me for the next two to three years--every day! And I love them. So when I'm putting together a garment, I know that I have the eyeglasses to complete my outfit.

In fact, here's a pair of BOZ eyeglasses that I have my eye on and for the right occasion, I'm going to go for it!

I have a beef. Or maybe beefcake...

I love to sew and as with any creative industry, there's always the celebrities. In the sewing industry, fortunately, celebrities are more accessible than perhaps the movie industry. (No kidding!)

So when a man decides to sew (or knit or stitch or decorate), it's a novelty. Think Ron Collins, David Page Coffin, Kaffe Fasset, Terry Edward Briceland and John Willard. At sewing conferences I have witnessed women as they ooh and go gaga over them. (I might have been one of them.) Fair dinkum.

Here's the rub.  When a woman enters a "man's" industry, look out! Think banking, military, engineering, aerospace, medicine, and construction; even fashion design.

I like that the sewing industry is so welcoming; I just wish the rest of the world was.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Maiwa - An enlightened business based in Vancouver, BC

Maiwa is an inspiration to anyone who does business in the world of textiles. How comforting to know there's a company out there that is successful and sustainable; and cares about its sources, and wants to work towards the betterment of artisans, local environments and so forth. It's a company that has gone against the grain and made it work.

There's a cost to running an ethical business.  It sometimes means paying a bit more for a better experience and a better product.
Visit Maiwa's blog at http://maiwahandprints.blogspot.com/ to learn more.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Welcome

Why this blog?

This blog has been created to provide information about sewing projects, programs and goings on in the fashion sewing world.

Who are we?

Distinctive Sewing Supplies is a Canadian online supplier of fashion fabrics and sewing patterns from independent designers. We have been recruiting satisfied customers for over five years

Our philosophy.

We want to help the fashion sewist have successful sewing experiences as often as possible. Sewing should be enjoyable and productive.  There are only so many sewing hours in a day; why not make the most of them?