Wednesday, July 2, 2014

DIY: Sewing back to basics...gimme a break it's been over 20 years!


During High School I studied fashion design at Tech school. Once I got the hang of sewing and fashion design, you couldn’t tell me anything. I was making pants for everybody and putting on fashions shows at schools and malls to showcase my work. I think the main reason I took to sewing was because I COULD CREATE THINGS THAT NOBODY ELSE HAD. That’s my way of saying if you can’t afford it, try to make it.

Upon graduation I went to Moore College of Art for Fashion Design for one year. I ended up going to tailoring school to fine tune my sewing skills and drafting. I learned to make tailored pants, skirts and blazers. Let me say after I conquered the task of making a tailored blazer, I told my instructor that nobody is going to be able to pay me enough to make them a tailored blazer. All the inside hand work and sizing, I was like they would need to pay me $1000.00 for a blazer….seriously!  



So my life took another direction and I stopped sewing years ago and now I’m getting back into it slowly. I picked this fun owl print and I started with this pattern Butterick B5908 See & Sew. I was like I can do this.  I was all good until that damn zipper. I wanted to follow the pattern instructions since it has been a while but I noticed that nothing has changed, they still make me crazy. The instructions for that dang zipper was not for beginners, luckily I knew a little some-thing, some-thing. It took me way longer than I remember it ever taking me to sew a pair of pants but I got it. This was #1 of 20 patterns that I purchased. (photo shoot with Mori coming soon!)









  







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14 comments

  1. Saw your post on The Monthly Stitch and had to come check this out. First thought when I saw that outfit was "Diana Ross!" Just love the look on you. These slacks turned out beautifully.

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    1. That's my daughter and thanks a bunch for the compliments! oh am I'm down with Diana Ross, I'll take that!

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  2. Ahhh the making of those one of a kind pants, again great job Michelle

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  3. Very nice construction work there. All your pieces are put together very well.

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  4. As always lovely job. Another pattern in my stash that I have not doe one thing with it.

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  5. Hi Michelle, I am going to (or at least attempt to) make my 1st ever pair of pants because of you and Ms Shun Davis. I own several pants patterns. This B5908 has been in my stash for a couple of years. It's been completely cut out, except for the #3 piece. I forgot to pick up lining while at the fabric store. I will pick up some tomorrow on my way home from work. Needless to say I am "TERRIFIED"! It takes me FOREVER to cut things out, probably longer than sewing the dang thang. This coming weekend will give me more time to concentrate on sewing the pants. Interestingly enough though the material I picked out is a twill but kinda heavy. Oh well, I will be sure to tag you on IG IF I survive. Thank you a ZILLION times for your realness and most importantly such inspirational creativity. P.S. Your daughter is a cutey pie!...Tee

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    1. This is awesome!! Just go slow and take your time with that zipper, this is a great pattern to start with but the zipper will be the hardest part. Be sure to tag me and if you need help holla at me, I usually check my comments often. You can reach me on FB also. I got my fingers crossed for ya!

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  6. I purchased this pattern today but I am so nervous to cut my fabric...my nerves are getting best of me..i want to give up but i'm going to try to get these pants accomplished. It might take me a while but i'll accomplish this.

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    1. You can do it but I would make a pair out of practice fabric before cutting your good fabric. The instructions for the zipper in this pattern are tricky to take your time with that. I did have to make modifications with this pattern for my daughter.

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