Textile Design

This semester in my computer aided apparel design class we've been working with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to design fabric prints that we'll use in the clothing we're designing. We learned to turn an inspiration image into basic black and white then use it to create our fabric designs.

Original art work, by me, used as my inspiration.

There was a lot of pixel manipulation and detailed work involved in the process. Once we had the design down we were able to turn it into a repeatable print. For the assignment we created 5 images and 2 colored versions.

Colorway 1

Colorway 2

For extra credit we could get a printed fabric sample from spoonflower.com, which I did. My finished project turned out really well and the fabric swatch was a favorite. I can't wait to see how these prints look combined with the children's clothing I'm designing for the class!

'Bubbles' fabric swatch & a perfect grade. :)

All of my designs are available for you to view (and hopefully purchase in the near future!) at spoonflower.com.

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Cherry Halter Top

Some times you just gotta squeeze in a project for yourself, you know? I made this halter top last week. I've had it cut out since last fall, along with 3 other tops for myself. I figured it was time to get to work on them! With my back all tattooed up now, I really wanted some clothing to show off in. Plus, I love the vintage vibe! I added rick-rack along the bottom for them hem and hand stitched in the side lapped zipper. I'll share the other tops as soon as I can get them done too. :)

Boys' Custom Diaper Set

These boy diaper sets were completed for a customer. One features Tonka trucks and the other has airplanes all over. This is a great example of what can be created when working with what a customer wants! It's only limited by your imagination! :)

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Mermaid Custom Baby Set

This custom baby set was really fun to make! I used the new Riley Blake Saltwater fabric line to work these up. The mermaids, narwhals, and seahorses are an absolute favorite of mine!

The customer requested an even smaller diaper cover then I have listed in my shops. The newborn size fits a baby 4-9 pounds but she needed something even smaller! I shrank my diaper cover pattern for a preemie size and added an umbilical cord snap down in the center. These are super tiny and super cute!

I also made a portable changing pad and 2 large wetbags. The changing pad feels almost like a quilt with the batting inside and rolls up nicely for travel.

Everything turned out really well and I'm really tempted to buy a bunch more of this fabric. <3

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One of a Kind: Custom Patchwork Girls' Dress

This one of a kind patchwork dress was created for a friend's daughter for some summer fun! The criss-crossed straps and elastic backing ensure a proper fit and the twirly patchwork skirt is full of color and fun. The large hand-stitched flower is attached at the waistline- but wait! I put a snap on the backside of the flower for easy removal. Take it off to so the dress can be machine washed or even wear the dress without it. 

This dress was lots of fun to make and I hope to make some more similar (but not exactly like it) patchwork dresses in the near future. :)

Patchwork Dress

Patchwork Flower

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My Top 5 Reason Why I Started a Sewing Business

I'm asked, every now and then, why I started a sewing business. I have many reasons but here are my top 5!

5. To earn a little extra cash
4. To grow my sewing skills
3. To share what I can make with others
2. To keep my mind and hands busy

and lastly....

1. To support my fabric addiction! :)

Walker Bag

This bag was a fun request I got to do recently! A coworker of my husbands wanted a bag to put on the front of her family members walker to carry all her stuff. The straps have velcro that come undone so it can be attached to the walker. The larger pocket is about 15"x15", perfect for magazines, books, etc. And the smaller front pockets are perfect for glasses, pens, etc. The fabric itself is pretty fun too! I'm glad I got to work on this little project, it was a nice break from some of my larger projects and was completed in less then a day. I used this pattern and added stabilizer to the outer fabric to make it a little more sturdy. I did change some of her instructions around to take a few shortcuts I've learned over the years, but in general hers are great to follow!

Sewing for Myself!

I've been trying to take some time to sew for myself lately. I took a couple Craftsy classes on pattern alteration and fitting and put them to good use.

The first shirt I made is a little red and black number. This is a vintage reproduction halter top shirt (pattern here) . The red binding on the collar is a bit sailor reminiscent so I call it my Sailor Top. And to top it all off, I made a new skirt for my 31 Fitted Purse Skirt with the same red binding. Let's face it, that purse is cute but I wanted something to match my outfits! (No, I'm not selling these, they are for my personal use.) I ended up sacrificing a purse skirt that I didn't really care for to create the pattern from. Now I have endless possibilities!

 My next project was also a vintage reproduction fitted top (pattern here). This is a shirt from the 1940's Swing Era. I call it my 'Travelin' Top', well because I made it out of fabric with all the US states printed on it (and I plan to wear it while traveling this winter while on a cruise!). I also made another one of those really cool purses by Pattern Play on Etsy and a basic purse skirt for my 31 Purse.

 

I love sewing for myself. Endless possibilities and never one of a kind. <3

Thanks for stopping by!

~Heather

Wordless Wednesday: WIP: Cutting out Saturn Blue PUL Diaper Covers for my shop!

Sewing Saturday: My recent accomplishments

I have been busy as always here in my little sewing room! I have been trying really hard to schedule my days and stick to it. It helps my time management tremendously!

This past week was full of sewing and school planning. We took the whole week off, which is something I get to control as the head honcho of our little homeschool. We're year-round schoolers, for those who are curious that just means I plan roughly six weeks of school at a time, take a week off, repeat. We take 3-4 weeks off in the summer and around Christmas too. The benefits are shorter days, less review,  and it just really works for us. :)

This week I completed a wetbag wholesale order for Karin at Dominopads.com. I sew all her wetbags. :)

I also completed a custom order for a client. I created 5 large diaper covers for her little one. She picked out the fabric and I lined everything with PUL (waterproof fabric).

I love sewing! I can't wait to show you what I make next week! If you're interested in placing a custom order, check the tabs up top for more info!

Shop Sunday: Hillbilly Handiworks

*It's been awhile since I had a Shop of the Week. This is the time of the week where I introduce you to new shops around the internet or let you in on a deal or sale going on. So shop on!

Hillbilly, aka Tonya, aka my sister, is the author of the blog Hillbilly Handiworks. She is a super busy woman... maybe even super woman! :) She stays home, homeschools her kids, runs an online fabric shop, and sews whenever she can. Tonya has lovely fabric for sale on her blog! She has a $4 a yard sale going on right now as well as a 99 cent fat quarter sale.

Tonya has been going through some tough times with her husband. He's been ill for a couple of weeks and had to recently be taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with ketoacidosis, a dangerious diabetic condition. He will also be having his gallblader removed tomorrow (Monday) sometime. You can read more about it directly on Tonya's blog, here.

Prayers for Jerry, Tonya, and their family will be greatly appreciated right now!

Tunic Dresses

Last month I finished up 2 new dresses for myself. I try to add something new and handmade to my wardrobe every spring. (I really should make something for winter too!)

This spring I wanted something comfy to wear around the house. Comfy is good! They are nice and loose around the middle and really easy for all those extra movements I tend to make (ie: playing with a toddler, sitting on the floor cutting out a pattern, cleaning, etc.)

I only made 2 but I am tempted to make a couple more! The orange 70's style tunic hits me about at the knee and is really the prefect dress length on me. The black and turqoise one hits me about mid-thigh and I wear black leggings with it. It is by far my favorite of the 2!

Now, I might just have to go dig through my fabric stash again so I can make another tunic dress...

:)