Hounded

Hounded

I’ve arrived in North Carolina… finally! So happy and excited, my plans are working out! Thank you Lord! I have gotten all moved in and mostly unpacked. With the help of family, I got most of the furniture where I want it and have begun working. Sewing is still part-time as I adjust to my living and working conditions here. I think this is going to be an exciting opportunity. That’s my optimism speaking and getting carried away. I am also exhausted from moving but I find the time one Saturday morning to find the local fabric store and get to sewing.

My mom and I visited Mary Jo’s and chose this black and white cotton hound’s-tooth. I was so eager beaver to get in my happy place; I forgot to jot down what pattern it was. As you can see this pleated front sheath dress is almost done. I measured the hem line and ironed it flat so all I have to do is sew it in place. I can’t wait to try it on.

What is going on?

Well it has been a few months since I’ve been on my blog, I wonder how you are doing but no one says anything, just read through my posts I’m guessing. It’s okay that’s why I post. I’m a woman who loves clothing and ol skool sewing.I seriously can’t help it lol!  Let me take a few and explain a couple of things on how I got here…I don’t think I have done that yet.

Well my name is Nadia Lake and I’m an aspiring designer.  I began sewing when I was a kid, some twenty five plus years ago now.  I started because I wanted my dolls to have new clothes, so I would make them out of any fabric I could find around the house. My mother had sewing books and I picked those up occasionally to figure things out. I would ask her for help with the big black Singer sewing machine she had, but for whatever reason she didn’t show me how to operate it. She said it was broken and it probably was but that didn’t stop me. I grabbed needle and thread and my story began.

Throughout the years I did small fixes and alterations on my own clothes accordingly. I didn’t have the skill to make the outfits yet, so I would draw on the sides of my notebooks and on random pieces of paper. When I find that box again I will post some of the pictures for you.

When I was on maternity leave with my son in 2000, I made a handful of pieces of my own for me and my little one. They were not perfect like I wanted but I was still trying and it’s amazing I made anything on the tiny machine I was using but I did.

Along the way when I wanted something different I would hire a seamstress to make skirts and dresses for me. This still was not enough. In 2004 my family and I moved to a house that came with a vintage Singer machine. I thought it was destiny! This machine didn’t require electricity as it had a foot pedal, and was in working condition. The dream continues and begins again.  That year I made a jean skirt and an orange blouse. Still not the outfit of my many dreams, it was a start. I also made some bracelets to go with it, but that’s another story for another time.

It wasn’t until I read every Singer, Vogue and other sewing book and encyclopedia I could get my hands on. During this same time, I practiced the techniques listed in their pages and began watching sewing videos and tv shows on pbs or cable. I was determined to understand garment construction to its fullest. I asked friends and family and others for work to gain more understanding and knowledge. I took on alterations left and right and thankfully, I have not messed up anyone’s items. I thank them for the experience and trusting me with their clothes.

From hand sewing to machine operation and serging wasn’t a short trip, but I appreciate the journey. There were ups and downs throughout the years, but I guess that how life is and you have to pick yourself up when you fall and keep on stepping.  That’s part of the reason I continue this journey to see where else it will take me. Also sewing is so much fun for me, problems and issues seem to melt away when I get in front of that machine and focus my attention.

Well I will tell you more soon thanks for reading.

Am I still here???

Am I still here...Of course I am! still in my sewing room, going through fabrics and patterns and trying to find the ones I like best to begin building my line.

In case I didn’t inform you, I decided to turn my passion into my business. Still I’m working for an investment company and sewing for others part-time.

I’ve acquired a bunch of new fabrics in really cool colors and textures. My mom loves them as much do. I usually take her with me fabric shopping, we spend hours picking and choosing.  I love the clothes she used to wear when she went out. She’s a fashion hottie, in a good way. I look at her vintage clothes all the time in amazement. I believe her clothes are where I began to love back in the day clothing.  

 

Also I’ve been working on editing my business plans. Here in SC where I live my outfits have gotten a lot of attention. I want to grow from being a part-time seamstress/ designer to more. I know it will take time but still I pray for things to change.

Well sew girl sew!!! Is all I hear...

Where are we?

In every ad we see there's someone urging us to want "more." Telling us we "lack" something because we do not have the object or toy they want to sell us. Brainwashing yes, forcing the hand... Definitely. Tempting us to "want more," Sure… Substances to the substance abuser I mean user. Users of the computer systems which surround us daily and constantly. Yes you are being tracked to prove to the world you are who you say you are. Login. You have already subscribed once you checked that you read the terms of the agreement to paste your face on a virtual web page. To keep up with all the hype we just do it with Nike and have it with a smile. Ultimately, complicated at times, distracted we don’t even seem to notice. How can we?... We’re too busy on our devices, running errands, in meetings, attending parties, on vacations, and more. We are intricately intertwined in the matrix of life.

Hello, it’s nice to meet you I am Nadia. And this is my different world.  By day I work a 9-5 and come home take care of family life and sew. I absolutely love it; from day one sewing has been one of those things that bring me joy. I turn on my music and I’m in my zone, my world filled with fun, colors, fashions and my Singer machines. Currently I do alterations, embroidery and custom sewing. You can view my project on my Facebook page under LaNae Designz.

All in a day’z work

Most days consist of work (for a living), right after my son’s football practice, then class at 7:30 pm (3 nights a week). Most days I fall off to sleep without remembering if I had a chance to eat dinner or wind down. Obviously there’s not much time to sit and think, to dog gone busy busy busy all the time! On the weekends I manage to squeeze some time in for sewing, something I’ve always loved to do… Create and express… my form freedom, escape from the mental world into the depths of my sewing room. Where the tunes of soulful music drown out the week’s issues and fill the atmosphere with rhythm, simplicity, patterns and gorgeous fabrics. 

My mind comes up with all these fabulous ideas, costumes and outfits, but my person doesn’t have the time to fill all the orders. Well it gives me something to do and I’m not complaining. I’ll jot them down and get started when I can.

 

 

V8799 -Jacket

Pattern Description:

Semi lined linen Jacket with elastic in the waist for figure flattery.

 

Pattern Sizing:

I made a size 14, I like my jackets, where I can move in them and do not feel constrained while moving around.  

 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

 

Yes and no. Yes the jacket looks similar to the one in the picture however; I made some modifications and adjustment so it would fit me perfectly. Overall the jacket looks and feels great. 

Were the instructions easy to follow? 

 

Yes the instructions were very easy to follow, but since I changed some things around I kind of had to add in some steps of my own to accommodate the modest changes I made.

 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

 

I like that I did not have to make alot of adjustments to the pattern to fit me and that the instructions did not complication or confuse me while the jacket was under construction.

 

Fabric Used:

From my fabric stash I chose pink linen. I can’t remember where I got it but I like it now.

Pattern alterations or any design changes I made:

 

I did not want elastic in the sleeves nor did I want a fully lined jacket, do I didn’t put them in. Only other changes were the contours around the waist to fit lil ole me. 

Would I sew it again and /or recommend it to others?

Yes in a New York minute! I am just thinking of a color to make this jacket in next.

 

 

 

Do authors get stage fright?

Entering the preliminary stage of “coming out of the closet” whatever your closet holds … It has cocooned me, my thoughts and my emotions. Popping out and diving head first into the outside world… is an unambiguous way to perceive the situation. However once one leaves the proverbial closet you’ve …you entered into another which you can stay, retreat back to your prior closet or again venture out of the newly recognized enclosure.

With that said check out a few things I've been working on in my closet. Nervous at how it would be perceived, a seamstress I am with a deep hankering for fashion, crafts, colors, vintage and most of all the freedom to express myself.

Not all the garments have recognized patterns attached to them; some are deviations from original designs.

I introduce a Tom and Linda Platt design I chose from Vogue 1283. I like that it’s not a regular dress with just two side seams. I like the detail of the gathers.

 

 I added a bit of eye candy - red rubies to the gathered front seam.

On the back I did not add any embellishments; I just extended the gathers right up the back unlike the pattern said.

I like the fit and the material. I chose stretch knit cotton of some sort. I know it’s soft and light and has a nice flow.

 

Overall I would love to make this dress again but something is telling me to switch it up a bit. Well we'll see!!!

What a tasty night

Last month my friend and I attended the opening party or tasting for a new restaurant in town. Needless to say it was packed with people and food. The food was delicious, omg.  I am not much of a wine drinker, but I must say the Rose we had was quite nice.  Food tasting…Something new for me so was wine. I had only had it a couple of times but it was not my go to until I tried this, hmm.

Throughout the evening we walked around and talked with others, ate and ate some more. The shrimps were my favorite. I tried so many different things I don’t know what they all were to be honest, but it was good. We looked at the art on the walls and admired the new restaurant, architecture and atmosphere. What a great evening to be a part of.

 As we were leaving a guy asked for our picture, we asked a couple of questions and agreed. We walked away fully and giggling, it was so spontaneous and fun.