I just saw that Overstock.com has the Janome Hello Kitty machine in stock again.  By far, these are the best kids sewing machine that we've seen.  Go here to see the dial and the computerized models.  Janome is a great brand.

I am obsessed with French General.    Kaari Meng's books are loaded with haberdashery eye candy.  And what better way to start the new year with a French General inspired sewing box to hold all the treasures in your life?  Our lucky kids in the Wednesday class will be sewing these up with a pin cushion bracelet.  Along with some vintage haberdashery perhaps?

Are you obsessed with bunting like we are?  Check out our fabric book covers for the Funtastic Fridays class.  We are also opening up a Thursday after school class for the San Diego Co-operative School in the studio from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm.  If your child has a half day on Thursdays, they are all welcome to join us!

Many of you have asked us for recommendations for good machines for beginners.  And since we have seen many machines in our studio (we are going on three years!), we can comfortably tell you which ones we recommend.  We've seen the high end Berninas and the Janomes and if you have the money for one, go for it.  These are the top of the line machines that run in the $400 - $900 range.  I have a Janome Threadbanger myself and I love it.  Many of our clients are coming to the studio with the Singer Stylist, Singer Confidence or the Brother CS6000i.  These machines are computerized and are in the $150 - $200 range.  For the manual dial machines, we recommend the Brother XL2600 (25 stitches).  That one runs under $100 and we have these in the studio.   Computerized machines and manual dial machines operate the same way.  But the stitch selection on the computerized machines are push button.  The computerized machines also have many user friendly features and safety alarms; for example, the auto tension dial and the auto button-hole function and presser foot "up" alarm and broken/bent needle alarm.  Although you will never use any of the fancy stitches on these computerized machines, it is worth it when you see them on sale at Costco for about $130 - $140.  They also run very quietly because many of the the inner parts are plastic to make it light and portable.  But if price is a big factor in your decision, the Brother XL2600 will also do everything you would like to do.


Also, there is a Brother Project Runway line that ALWAYS goes on sale after every season ends.  These are basically the Brother SC6000i models with the Project Runway logo smeared all over.  These are very good machines and if you don't mind the Project Runway logo then this one is a good deal when you find it on sale.

And remember, the machine should be serviced annually to get the best for your money : )

Have you ever bought a craft book online based on the cover and when it's arrived in the mail it turned out to be a total dud?  I've done that a lot.  Especially with the Japanese craft books from yesasia and amazon.jp.  There are a lot of sewing/ craft books out there and it is hard to find one that has the perfect amount of fun projects that are easy yet hip and modern.  I wanted to start a monthly book list of craft books that we've bought and are really worth it.

These are all recent purchases and I can't express how happy I was to peruse each book again and again and again AND again.  A sign of a good book!


Our first set is:

The Liberty Book of Sewing - if your are a fan of Liberty of London, this is a must have in your library.

Colette Sewing Handbook - I love vintage sewing with a modern twist

Lotta Jansdotter Handmade Living - Another Lotta book for the Lotta-fanatic.  This one is hard to put down.

Meet me at Mike's -   I am a BIG BIG fan of Pip Lincolne.  I love all of her books.

Sew La Tea Do -  The second book in the Pip Lincolne series

Make Hey While the Sun Shines - the latest Pip Lincolne book.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we will see you next year!  Sew Long!

When most people think of Thanksgiving, we think of turkeys and pilgrims and indians.  I like to think about the handiwork that was enjoyed in those early colonies.  What kind of crafts did they do?  Did they sew and knit?  Those simpler times are long ago and yet those hobbies and crafts endured and were passed on from generation to generation.  Before cameras, artists were painting portraits and silhouettes to capture memories on paper.  Women were quilting memories onto sewn blocks.  These works of art are now treasured pieces in the folk art world.  I love the portraits of Ruth Bascom.  And what about the Native Americans who took only what they needed from the land and produced utilitarian works of art?  I would love to find a vintage Navajo woven rug for my inspiration wall.   Folk art is something that everyone can appreciate because not everyone can be mentored by a famous artist or afford to go to a prestigious art college.   The creative spirit exists in anyone who is willing to make it.  Quilting is a great way to find that spark of creativity.  I was inspired by the quilts from Gee's Bend and Denyse Schmidt for this month's mini quilt project. I was also inspired by an article in this quarter's Uppercase magazine about triangles.  Here is my inspiration wall.  Images from Living Etc, Uppercase magazine, Meet Me at Mike's Blog and Anthology Blog.

The British have always had the knack for hats.  Last summer's Royal Wedding was a fantastic showcase for the best (and worst) hats of 2011.  Hat making has been an important craft throughout the ages as hats serve a functional purpose of protecting the head from environmental factors.  Millinery of course ties in the aesthetic nature to hat making and has been an important part of fashion for centuries.  And along with the haberdashery, hat making is brought to the most luxurious echelon of fashion.   Remember Isabella Blow and her Phillip Treacy hats?  Or the 1920s flapper or the 1950s socialite?

You can now learn how to create your own cocktail hat at our studio with Jill Courtmanche, our own San Diego milliner.  Jill moved here from the East Coast and is now bringing the art of hat making to the West Coast (lucky us!!!).   Join her on Saturday, Nov. 12 (2 pm - 5 pm).  Sewing experience not required.  She will help you create a beautifully crafted cocktail hat for $85, all materials included along with a hat box!  Limited to 8 students.  Sign up online here or call 619-279-6379 to reserve a spot.  To learn more about Jill, visit her website www.jillcourtemanche.com.

What is the big deal about Missoni when all these other collections are out????

Orla Kiely
Mina Perhonen
Prada
Marimekko


But then I wish I had scooped up this Summer tunic dress when it went on sale here:

Was anyone obsessed with Grease 1 and Grease 2 back in the day?  Well, that would be me... I wanted to be Frenchie in Grease 1 and then was obsessed with Lorna Luft's character in Grease 2.  Lorna Luft is Judy Garland's less famous daughter and the half sister of Liza.   Grease 2 was kind of the D-List sleeper of the 80s.  Michelle Pfeiffer of course became super popular but then there was Maxwell Caulfield and Adrian Zmed.   I think I can watch this movie over and over again for nostalgia... "Turn back the hands of Time..."  Anyways, the kids going back to school has reminded me of this movie.  Enjoy!  Or not...

After our Indian Summer Camp, I became obsessed with Native American Folk Art.  We recently took a trip to Lake Mono and Lake Tahoe and stumbled upon a Paiute exhibit at the Lake Mono Park Center.  I even spotted some totem poles at Incline Village at Lake Tahoe!