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 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 moreSewing Wardrobe Basics - A Camisole & Wide Leg Pants
I've started working on my "Miss Fisher" wardrobe for the Miss Fisher Convention in June. Very exciting! The first step was determining some wardrobe basics. After analyzing her wardrobe in the show (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries), over all the seasons, I have broken down her DAY outfits to include the following:
Read moreBonjour Teaspoon Sewing Patterns - The Mia Dress for Tweens
For those of you who don't already know, along with teaching sewing and fashion at The Sewing Room, I've designed a collection of Sewing Patterns. It is comprised of 3 hats, 4 dresses, 1 pair of shorts, a blouse, a skirt, 2 tote bags, a vest, a set of aprons, a relaxation kit and 1 jacket - Am I forgetting anything? Most (but not all) of our patterns are made for the "TWEEN" girl, and some are sized for adults as well.
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 moreSewing Camp Power - You can teach kids to sew too! →
As Some of you may or may not know, I've taught an online class about how to run your own Sewing Camps through Pixie Faire (where I sell my doll patterns), for the last two years. I built the course so that other people could have success teaching kids how to sew. And over the last couple of years, I've learned a LOT about the whole process.....
Read moreThe Couture French (Chanel) Jacket - An Interview with Susan Khalje
I've been looking to finish my own "French (Chanel inspired) Jacket" this year so I turned to an expert for some inspiration and encouragement in doing so. Susan Khalje is THE expert and has been making, teaching how to make and writing about making these Iconic pieces for many years. She is also my own Couture instructor
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 moreThe Beginning of a Hat - a Visit to Lacis
Chuleenan Svetvilas in front of Lacis in Berkeley
After I interviewed Sewing Blogger and Hat Enthusiast, Chuleenan Svetvilas, I asked her if she would meet me at Lacis to help with some of my millinery choices. We met inside (where I as already busy picking out boning for my foundation garment) and then did the tour of the Millinery section.
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
Read moreGetting Excited to teach SEWING CAMP POWER in October
In October I'll be teaching an Online workshop via PIXIE FAIRE. on how to run your own SEWING CAMP. So excited to share this information so that more people can teach kids how to sew and really learn how to make it fun for them.
Back in the day, everyone had to take Home Economics, where they learned how to sew, cook and do laundry, among other things. When I was going to school, we could take sewing or home EC as an elective, but it certainly wasn't required. Now it's not even an option for kids in school.
Making it FUN is my way of passing these skills (at least the sewing skills) on to a new generation. We have such a great time in sewing camp. I sure hope others will bring this to the children in their communities.
So excited to partner with PIXIE FAIRE as well. Cinnamon & Jason, Pixie Faire's founders, have been a great supporter of my work, both with my Bonjour Teaspoon Sewing Patterns as well as with my summer camps. We will have more information coming soon regarding dates, pricing and registration for the class, but in the meantime, check out this video with Cinnamon and I.
Happy Sewing!
Jennifer
Project Runway Designer back at THE SEWING ROOM
PROJECT RUNWAY designer Emily Payne Back in Alameda to Teach Draping Classes
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