It’s Friday night, you have just the right outfit but just can seem to pull the accessories together.  If accessories can make the outfit, why not make the accessories?

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I recently spent 10 days studying abroad with Kent State in London and Paris. One of the highlights of the trip for me was visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum. It showcases many famous pieces of art but I was especially focused on the fashion collection. The Royal College of Art showcases their senior graduate work there and it was very inspiring to see. The dress I have pictured is my favorite of the entire collection of graduate students. It has lace, and trims applied in almost a patchwork way all over this dress. There are even sections that they used pleating. From an up close perspective the construction was perfect. This dress was absolutely gorgeous.

Face the blustery winter weather with your own unique style.  This scarf is both warm and it makes your own unique fashion statement.

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This is a really neat website that I ran across when I was given two really neat gifts. Both were rings with all different colors of 100% rayon seam binding, and the other Petersham ribbon. These are incredibly convenient when I need to match a color to hem up a skirt, or trim the lapel of a jacket. You can order them with a minimum order of 1 yard. These are only a couple of the really neat things they have for sale on this website, I encourage you to check it out.

I recently made the cutest little purse out of some cute little Mizzou (where I am sending my daughter off to college)fabric.  It didn’t go together as easily as I had hoped.  Let me share with you a couple of things I have learned during this project that may be helpful.

1.  Read the pattern instructions before beginning.  I like to read the instructions several times to get a good visual of how everything will fit together.

2.  If the pattern is printed on paper like you would run through your printer, take the time to copy it onto some thinner paper.  Tissue paper works pretty good and it’s much easier to pin to your fabric.

3.  Don’t be afraid to improvise.  When you get to a point where things don’t seem to be going together as they should, it can sometimes be easier to alter things slightly instead of using the dreaded seam ripper.

I have lots of trouble figuring out what gift I should give my boyfriend for the holidays. Well the solution to that problem is to get a collar button down shirt and embroider something really cool on it. Now it is hard to find just the right embroidery pattern but if you look around there are patterns for boys. I found this one on Urban Threads. I thought is was a totally cool idea and would be very special to give your boyfriend because you made it.

Dove’s Nest Designs

One of the biggest challenges for anyone, sewer or non-sewer, is finding that perfect balance between a career and life at home. One Stitchin’ Woman who has managed to combine these facets is Megan Midworth of Dove’s Nest Designs.

Megan creates original bags, skirts, jewelry and more with an incredible variety of techniques, including patchwork, appliqué, and even glass lampwork. Each creation is full of bright colors, whimsical designs and amazing detail.

Megan’s D-I-Y attitude inspired her to take on new projects and techniques early on. When she was 13, she began making clothes for herself. By the time she was 18, she was working on quilting techniques and experimenting with patchwork. She eventually majored in art education at the University of Toledo, where she met her husband in an art class. Throughout college, Megan continued to discover and fall in love with new creative outlets.
Megan Midworth of Doves Nest Designs

“When I see a new cool technique, I get excited. I’m like a little kid. Like, ‘I have to learn how to do that!’” she exclaims.

This enthusiasm has led to some of the most unique aspects of Megan’s designs, such as the gorgeous lamp-work glass closures found on Dove’s Nest purses and the appliqué patterns found on the majority of her pieces.

All of Megan’s appliqué patterns begin as a drawing. Megan never uses a set pattern – she loves making every piece different and one-of-a-kind. Every seam on Megan’s skirts, dresses, purses and wallets are serged and then sewn with a regular machine, ensuring that each piece is durable and long-lasting.

“When I get an idea, I’ll go out and look at the trees, or I’ll research by looking through books about an animal.” She draws her inspiration from her family, music, the American Arts and Crafts Movement (“I love the design and detail”), and of course, nature.

“My parents basically instilled that in us,” says Megan, an avid camper and hiker. “It’s important to appreciate nature. It carries over into everything I do.”

Megan’s love of nature has inspired not only her designs, but the name of her company – Dove’s Nest Designs. “Doves signify peace, and a nest is a kind of a home. I have a very close family, so it’s very fitting.”
Megan Midworth of Doves Nest Designs

Megan’s main inspiration, she says, is her mother, artist Cindy McGuire. McGuire began creating one-of-a-kind teddy bears about 16 years ago, when Megan’s little brother was born. Today, she travels all over the world sharing her China Cupboard Bears with collectors and artists. Naturally, this drive and talent had a strong impact on Megan. Megan doesn’t remember exactly when she began to sew, but she does remember her mother teaching her a cross-stitch when she was in preschool. “I was always around it,” she says about sewing. “I guess it all came together from watching her sew and trying to do things myself.”

The best part about Dove’s Nest Designs, says Megan, is that she can spend all day doing the two things she loves most – sewing and spending time with her 2 ½ year old daughter, Indigo. Megan and her husband are expecting their second child in December.

“It’s great to see her grow up,” she says. “And it’s amazing to see some of the ideas she comes up with.” Indigo paints, draws and sculpts – and she has even shown interest in sewing. “She’ll climb on my back and watch me work.” So, has Megan taught Indigo to sew yet? “She’s still too young – I’d say around age four.”

In addition to spending time with her family, Megan loves sewing because “I can be different and people still accept that. When you finish a project and it turns out exactly the way you envisioned it, there’s a big sense of satisfaction and accomplishment,” she says. “I’m just really appreciative that I can do what I’m passionate about.”
Megan Midworth of Doves Nest Designs

Megan is planning to enter the art show circuit next summer, but her main goal is getting Doves Nest Designs established online, through her site at Etsy.com. She loves the online crafting community for their encouragement, feedback and inspiration.

“I’ll get random emails from people who like my work,” she says. “It’s cool for people to connect with you that way, and tell you that they’re inspired by you.”

Megan’s Advice

“Look for inspiration. Look around, look through books – inspiration is everywhere.”

“Everything I make is first sewn with my serger, then with my regular machine to ensure durability and a quality project that will last for years.”

“Remember, if you see something you like, you can probably make it yourself!”

“Keep with it! New techniques can be a struggle, but it will get better if you stick with it. Everything progresses.”

www.rangeofemotion.com

Boat Bag - Groovy Green Sewing is one of the most fun and inspirational ways to express yourself. But sometimes, in the midst of all that creativity, you just might discover a new technique or niche that can be turned into a successful business. One talented woman who has turned her love of sewing into a career is Jenae Michelle, who launched her own line of one-of-a-kind handbags, range of emotion, in 1995. Today, Jenae’s exclusive bags can be found on the arms of senators, lawyers and fashionistas who have standing orders for a new bag each season.

Jenae learned to sew from her grandmother, and spent many summers designing outfits and sewing while on her grandparent’s farm in Indiana. After several of her friends complimented her on a coat she had made for herself, she started making coats for them as well.

“Many custom coats later, I had a beautiful box of scraps,” she explains, “I heard my grandma’s voice in my head – “waste not want not” - and that is how the whole thing started.”

NewWork Hot PinkThe “thing”, of course, is range of emotion, Jenae’s successful line of bags which she showcases at the DC Farmer’s Market every Saturday, rain or shine. She also attends a limited number of American Fine Craft and Art Shows on the East Coast. Her attention to detail and durability sets her bags apart from most garments and accessories on the market today.

Despite several offers from larger companies, Jenae prefers to put her personal touch on each bag. She looked into a variety of options for selling her bags before deciding that the “smaller is better” business model was the best avenue for her.

“It allows me to control quality, make one of a kind pieces and keep the business aspect fairly simple.” She says, “The result is that I earn more money per piece and my customers are able to get high quality work for less than they would pay at a boutique.”

Floral Dot BagThe majority of Jenae’s bags are crafted from wool, which Jenae admits is her “truest love.” Currently, her interests include learning new skills to texture and dye wool. “I feel like I just wanted to learn how to get more and more deeply involved with the process that eventually becomes a bag. Even in the heat of summer, I am excited to get back to making my wool bags.”

For those interested in working with wool, Jenae cautions to always check carefully in woolens for moth holes. Here are a few other sewing tips from Jenae:

“When picking out vintage fabrics, focus on what catches your eye but also consider the quality. The last thing you want to do is put your time and effort into to a piece that won’t hold up.”

“Don’t be fooled that sewing from vintage garments is ‘cheap’. By the time you clean and take apart the garment, it will probably be more expensive - but I find the fabric quality, prints, and colors outweigh the time and energy spent. You will soon get familiar with the old, good labels, and that can also guide your picking and choosing.”

“Take it easy on yourself! Some of the most expensive designs have uneven hems, seams showing, etc. So what if there’s a mistake? Put on some nice shoes and wear it with pride.”

There is a great blog over at Japan Craft Journal featuring some of the coolest crafts from around that great country. Get a quick lesson in Japanese, and check out the amazing fabrics and designs.