Maybe you’ve gotten to know a senior neighbor who doesn’t seem to have any family living nearby, or perhaps your senior acquaintances from church have mentioned feeling lonely and isolated because they live far away from their loved ones. Today, The Sewing Room shares a few ways to lend a hand to seniors who are isolated, from assisting them with decluttering and stress management to helping with financial decisions.
Read moreSewing for the Holidays! Our Store Window Display (and the Downtown Alameda Holiday Window Contest)
So excited to share what’s been happening in the Store Front! While it’s not my normal Vintage sewing, we did add a vintage twist to the Window Display at the Sewing Room. There is a contest, which started last year, in our Downtown Alameda Business District. Sponsored and run by the folks over at Digifli, the Downtown Alameda Window Contest has really encouraged downtown merchants (such as myself) to participate in making our town more Festive during the Holiday Season.
Read moreNew Fabric, Sewing Supplies, New Signage & More!
There are big changes afoot in Alameda, CA! and one of them is a complete update to the shop. Over the last 6 months I've been working to give the shop a little overhaul and pretty it up a bit. Another change, sad for many of our customers and friends around town, was the closing of Beverly's, our local big-top of crafting supplies. Fear not, friends, we have what you need now - thread, zippers, buttons, skirt hooks, lots of pretty fabric, sewing needles and more!
Read moreThe Classic Breton T-Shirt - Learn to Make Your Own
Anyone who knows me, knows I LIVE in striped T's. I made the one pictured as a sample for some upcoming classes that I'll be teaching. It has long sleeves, a Bateau neck with a button shoulder/sleeve vents with grosgrain trim and side vents at the bottom opening. It's made from a beautiful navy blue and white synthetic yarn dyed striped (the stripe is knitted into the fabric as opposed to printing on top of the fabric) double knit, purchased from Piedmont Fabric. The gold nautical star buttons and vintage striped rayon grosgrain ribbon at the neck and sleeve vents were acquired from the ReCrafting Co. I made the pattern for this Breton Striped T-Shirt, using my body measurements. I'm fairly happy with the fit. I would only make the armhole and bicep a little smaller to match the slim fit of the body. I'll make those changes on the next one I make up.
Read moreDraping in Fashion Fabric - Progress on My Preservation Ball Gown
This blog post is about how I drape my gowns in the fashion fabric. This is only just the beginning. It will take me working on the dress in my spare time over the course of the next few weeks to get a final dress.
Read moreDesigning my (Art Deco Preservation Ball) Gown
For me, it usually starts with Fabric. This time, I was lucky enough to be gifted two beautiful pieces of silk from my friend, assistant and fellow fabric-lover, Maria Chenut....
Read more1920's Straight Coat and the Art Deco Member Party
Looking Dapper at the Flora Bar
Every year the Art Deco Society of California celebrates it's members with a cocktail party in January. This year, the party was held at Flora in downtown Oakland. It was a lovely event in a wonderful Art Deco building, gloriously restored to it's original beauty. There was a grand crowd all dressed up in cocktail attire from the era. Some are serious vintage collectors and some, like me, enjoy making their own creations from vintage inspiration...
Read moreClarifying my Vision - What the heck am I going to sew?
The Vision Board class with Heidi last weekend was highly informative for me. I made two vision boards - 1 overall VISION for my life and 1 VISION BOARD for my business. Plus, I ended up making two "Mood Boards" for things I want....
Read moreOut with the OLD! - Let's finish those UFO's (Unfinished Objects)
Since my last post (and because it was the end of the year) we've been cleaning up a bit and getting ready for new things. We've had a build up of projects left behind at the shop......
Read moreMy New Year's Vision
One thing I do every year is put together a Vision Board. It's important to me to do this for many reasons. I do this in lieu of resolutions because it really gives me an overview of what I want my life to look like. Also, I look at it EVERY DAY. My Vision Board from last year sits on my desk and stares at me when I'm on my computer. It's a constant reminder of what really feeds my soul.
Read moreInstructor Maria Chenut Designs Costumes for DON QUIXOTE made into a play by Peter Anderson and Colin Heath
THE SEWING ROOM Instructor Maria Chenut designs powerful costumes for Marin Shakespeare Company's DON QUIXOTE
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