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Hello again Friends,

Okay, so I've come to the decision  I want to and will post more often. I have so many unpublished drafts that I've written, that it is time to do something about it. You see I've had this blog a really long time and I like what I've written so far and the freedom it gives me to communicate outside of my circle.

So what's the problem?
My issue is that when I started blogging it was just for fun after I opened my businss. You know a place to connect, talk, vent, laugh whatever. Well as work came in and I spent more time sewing, opening boutiques, building websites and other social profiles ...unfortunately I let my blog down. Just being honest I've written word docs, on scrap pieces of paper and Post-it-notes but have never published or released what I was thinking or wanted to communicate.

Why not?
Aside from being strapped for time many days of the week, overly exhausted or just life in general happening. I wasn't able to make it a priority. But throughout the years I've learned that connecting and sharing is highly important and should continue to be a priority. It has been a huge part of my life, so what am I scared of? As I type this I am not afraid of conversing and I have plenty to say and share and I would like to hear your feedback. At the same time I do not want to get burned out from over social media-ing, you know? Been there and don't care for that so I may have to pace myself.

This almost sounds like a love letter to a friend I haven't seen  in a while and I'm explaining why I haven't called or written consistently. There isn't much excuse to use going forward because from today on I will speak, listen, share and laugh with you more.

So where do we go from here?
Well you can get all caught up with the goings on. I did post on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so I was not completely off the grid. There are pictures and other content posted. I post this today and in a few days  I will be back to post and chit chat some more. So what do you say to that?
I think I will start with some pattern reviews for the projects I've been doing these past couple of weeks. If you didn't know I sew for myself and others so I will add as much as I can. Some clients have non-disclosure agreements and I cannot say or tell what their things are or I can get in trouble and I don't want that.

Thanks for reading I'll talk to you very soon!💚
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Vintage Teal Cream Dress

I mentioned in a previous post how much I love vintage items. It all started with my mom’s clothes from back in the day. As I child I would put on her dress clothes in hopes of one day making my own dresses. That aspiration has not died and I have made a few vintage styled dresses, tops and jackets.

Here is one of moms dresses I have adored for years. It is a teal and cream cotton jacquard with silver metallic. Mom calls it the green dress.

 

OMG Stunning!!!!
Despite taking this photo at night

 

I always wondered when looking at vintage dresses where people were going? Where did they get it? What was the designer thinking when they crafted the dress?

Most of these questions I may not get an answer to except mom said she was going to a party in the 60s. I can understand that, I do not see this dress as one to sit around the house... It is way to beautiful. Well I hope she had a great time. I know I am having a ball imagining a grand venue and people decked out to the nines!

Thanks for reading and I will talk to you next time.

Floral

If you have ever looked at my Instagram or my Facebook pages, you can tell I love flowers. So it’s not a surprise I find fabric other than lace that has flowers. This year it seems to be craze. I have been using it for years and I don’t really plan on stopping. The thing is when you make clothes you can make yours different than what is sold in stores. And that’s usually what I do for myself and my clients.

Here’s the fabric, a light-weight cotton jersey.

Here’s the lace, a sheer and sparkly navy floral lace.

Let’s marry them ❤

I’ll show you the top and bottom later in this post. I did mention in an earlier post I was addicted to lace. See it continues lol.

The pattern I used for the lace top is one I’ve had for a while. I wanted to use it and I figured these pants with this top would make a nice addition to my summer wardrobe. Butterick 4988 without the extra trim on the sleeves. I didn’t do the scalloped hemline as this lace doesn’t exactly have the bottom for it. Had the lace flowers been a closer pattern to allow it, I would have done it. Well that leaves room for me to do this pattern again.

The pants are a McCalls pattern 6404a, they suggested stretch knits, which is fine I wanted some light pants almost leggings for summer. So I went at it. The pattern was pretty easy. Next time I would take out the pockets as I don’t really like them but they don’t really show with the top. Otherwise it is fun and breathable for this hot summer we have had.

Well there is more sewing going on here so please stay tuned and thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Thanks for reading, talk to you soon.

Lovely Lady Lace

Oh la la!!!! I say while dancing with Meghan Trainor’s All About That Bass playing in the background. When I get in my zone (my sewing happy place), I have the music playing (loud), while I cut patterns, drape fabric and sew fronts to backs. Add in a two-step and spin here, lol!!

 

It not just a job, it’s becoming a lifestyle…hmmm I will have to explore this more but my point is I’m passionate when I get in here and make what Disney would call magic. Taking a flat piece of fabric and literally dancing with it until it is complete and a garment is made. Only a few people knew the studio was like this… (yes a mini party) few were present and heard the music and felt the atmosphere, still it is where I create these custom beauties.

Well ok, the last few months I have had a serious addition to lace. I think it started before then, but anyway I will not argue because I do love pretty lady lace. I have made so many things with it and still have plans on making more lacey cuties. I don’t want the ordinary you can get this down the street, something with a bit of sparkle and sass. In colors besides black and white, I already have those… As I will show you later I made a black lace dress that is so perfectly lady like. It was a client request and I was happy to oblige. I did several others for clients and still I want more.

 

If I were you I would stay tuned to see what else I make and say. I don’t plan these conversations they just come out. If you have any sewing questions I’d sure love to hear them. I also have Facebook and Instagram pages if you would like to follow me there as well.  

LaNae Designz Instagram

LanaeDesignz Facebook

Silk

The Red Orange Silk Halter Top
 

Red Silk Halter

Silk fabric to me is always fashionable and timeless. It’s one of those special types of fabrics that has extra care written all over it. I could give you a detailed history about silk, but you can Google it for yourself. Some important things I want you to know though is:

You cannot treat it the same as cotton, which is also a natural fiber. Silk comes from the fibers of the silkworm’s cocoon and is woven into fabric. Then it is dyed in various colors.

Silk is used for many things like dresses, tops, pants, jackets and more. There is also silk thread, which I found is like many other fabric threads in that it comes in many colors, but it is not as strong as cotton and polyester threads. It can be and is used in sewing garments but I would say if you have an item that is 100% silk please be careful with it.

The top I showed you last month with my silk skirt…remember that?
Well here it is again just in case.

Silk Tapered Mini Skirt

I made this top to go with a matching skirt but when I made the tapered mini I had to line it up with this top.

For this top I used a vintage pattern 1365 by Simplicity. As you can tell from the pictures I made a couple of tweeks. It’s a beauty and one of my favorites.

I have several colors of silk here; perhaps I will make another in a different color. The pattern was pretty simple, as always though I make my adjustments.

I Believe

Sew for the love of it.

Every day I am captivated by new dresses, blouses, skirts that find their way into my mind.  I continue to sew for the peace of mind it brings me. Despite life’s changes and challenges, this is the place where things make sense. A seam is always a seam and a hem a hem!

On my Singer machines I craft for others garments that are meant not only to fit, but to look beautiful and gorgeous. Every person is unique and so are the outfits I make for them. Occasionally, I get the request to make an outfit a celebrity has worn, or an outfit from a picture. No problem, just remember I am making a replica and when I do that, and it will be your own outfit when I’m done.

I used to have a slogan when I began… You are the celebrity.

Over the years I’ve learned it is not size that matters. I can sew for many sizes… I think the key is being comfortable in your skin. My custom-made clothing can be and is catered to the individual no matter their size. Oftentimes I use patterns and alter them to get the look I want. Some patterns I do not have to do this at all. It all depends on what a client wants. Last year I got a new software program from Wild Ginger that allows me to make almost anything based on my client’s measurements. So far I’ve had a few requests and got the chance to test it out. I like it and it works well.

Here are a few of the things I’ve made with the new program.

From a flat piece of silk to a very beautiful silk skirt. 

 

This is a high waist tapered mini skirt made of an exclusive silk tapestry like fabric. When I tell you pictures do not do this skirt justice. I am so serious. This fabric is also textured, which makes it that much more amazing. It’s soft to the touch and can be paired with any color in the skirt.

Here I have it pictured with a silk vintage halter top I made. I will tell you more details about that in my next post.

 

 

Dear 2015

I haven’t written much so far this year on this platform. I have been sewing my heart out. I think this has been the most I have sewn in years. I completed several tops, dresses and skirts. I posted them to my Etsy Shop.

So far a lucky customer has found my shop and placed an order. Off to a good start!

So excited!