Chanteuse Designs

Vogue 7997

Working on those knit patterns that have plagued me for ages. This one was very easy, just as it suggested on the cover. It can be dressed up or down which is what I like about it. And of course, its comfy!!

I have a few comments on the directions: the elastic chart suggested an amount more than the entire length of the collar, and equal the waist sides. Hmmm, how or why would I cut a piece of elastic longer than the fabric to which I will be gathering in?? Hmmm, so I decided to cut collar sides by barely laying the elastic in the casing and gently pulling it and cutting where it fell. This was still too much (as only really detected when completely done), but so was the amount they were suggesting. So, take your best shot at how you would like to wear the top. I will say that the side collar which I almost ….almost cut the elastic in half the amount, I would next time not be so enthusiastic. (It said 11 inches and I cut 6. Next time I would cut it to about 8-9″ but definitely not 11 since that is two inches either side of top and bottom!???)

V 7997 work

I will be making more tops from this pattern (sleeveless next), just to get the hang of knit fabrics, and the style is really nice. Looks great on any body! Enjoy this comfy top and be guaranteed a lovely kiss!

Cheers,

Kathleen

Butterick 5497

I had to get over my fear of knits and picked up some knit fabric at a garage sale (of all places) and thought it the perfect opportunity to crank out some fun tops. My goal this year is to start making ……most…..of my clothes. Yeah, what am I thinking?? Well, I’m thinking my clothes will be more comfy, last longer than three washings, better fitted (and looking me thinks) and walkin my talkin! If you know what I mean.

B5497

This pattern is very easy.  Even if you are terrified of knits like I …was. Getting that ball point needle (or jersey needle) is a plus. Having a serger is yet another plus. And I don’t think I would work with knits without one. Really the serger is an ideal knit friend.

Butterick 5497

When sewing straight seems I still didn’t like that I could see the wobbly threads if I pulled the fabric ever so slightly but it did get better. Also, if you pull the fabric as you sew it on the sewing machine, your 5/8″ seam will be more than a 5/8″ seam when you release. So I sewed the straight seams ever slightly smaller than a 5/8″ seam so that when the fabric was not pulled and laid flat, the seam was then 5/8″. Making sense? If not, sew a few on some sample fabric and get the hang of it.

Butterick 5497 work

Rule number one: Do measure yourself and the places on the patterns where you are to make adjustments so that the hips, bust, and necklines line up on you perfectly. You will not be disappointed taking the small amount of time in doing this. (Forgive if I am preaching to the choir here)

Back 5497

Rule number two: Serge all sides of all pieces. This should work for most pattern pieces unless you know you’re going to be trimming something down. Which I thought I would serge both seams later……so better to have them done just like I read to do!

This is one comfortable little top. Shouldn’t take you more than about 4-5 hours start to finish. I didn’t exactly time myself, and it took about three months since I had cut it out, moved the studio, FOUND this pattern again and finished it up. Will time better this year so that we all have an idea on time frames for garments. Whew.

Side 5497

Knit fabric…..what’s so scary?

Happy Sewing.

Cheers,

Kathleen

I found a perfect pattern for all of you who have lots of little bits of fabric, but not exactly enough to make the something or other that you have been wanting to use your fabric on. This pattern is ideal for a little bit of this with a little bit of matching that.

If I am not making any sense, let me put it to you this way. Samples that compliment samples and a great way to get some of that favorite fabric to good use. This pattern is a great blend of opposites, or compliments. As you can see by my use of this. I had two great pieces of fabric of identical patterns but of different colors. So I could stop trying to find something small for both of them and just combine them. The lining is way too busy for my tastes, but the colors were gorgeous and I figured my wallet, phone, and accessories were going to blend it all in!! But you get the idea. This is not the pocket (in the lining) that came with the pattern. The bordered embroidery was so beautiful I just ran with it! Even the little side pocket gold lining piece is perfect for it! All from Fabmo samples.

If you are used to making purses, this is a simple one. Although, when it came to sewing all the layers of the strap over the pockets and pouch it was really thick. Two needles later I got this done. But my machine is not good with heavy duty sewing. If yours is, this will be a breeze.

Fabmo samples for purse and lining

inside

B5658

Bunny Dress 2483

These were the other dresses I made with just a few different styles. A touch of rick rack here, a bit of filly trim there! Just something to get some mileage out of that small remnant.

Simplicity 2483

Then I had one with just a tad bit more for a sleeve, and viola! Easy to make, great for Mom’s wanting to make something hand made for her girls.

Blue Childs 2483 with sleeves

I tailor tacked these tucks (say that three times fast!!) but if you have another more current way to make your markings do share. I like the tacks though it is more time consuming that way. Way back when we used the wheel to trace them onto the fabric. I am sounding prehistoric here. Boy were those the days.  Wink not!

I loved the sleeves I added on this and thought it made the dress much more wearable. But either way, it is a great beginners dress to make. Use your trims up if you have some laying around in your sewing drawers. You barely need more than a yard and the quality of trims are not what they used to be. So go for it.

Here are a few other shots of this dress. Enjoy.

Tucks

Floral Trim

Fabmo Remnant

The Back

And Lastly, this here shows you the size of the pieces of fabric that I have to contend with to get these designs out. I was thrilled to be able to piece together those little purses, but most I couldn’t get sleeves out of so I was grateful to this pattern for letting me sneak in the designs and add some touches that I haven’t used in ages.

Since the weather has gone bad, it’s such a great opportunity to create some beautiful clothes for spring.

Here’s to staying in and creating.

Cheers!

Simplicity 2469

I can’t tell you how fun this little ditty was to make!! I made about three of them. Two dresses, one top and matching pants! Yes, it was Fabmo samples which is why I could only get the dresses and not the darling matching jacket. But hey, no complaints here. Just loved this little dress. I can’t even remember the last time I sewed with elastic!???? Oh, yes I do I made hair scrunchy’s back in 199somethings? Hmmm. Yes, and I even still have a few left!! And I have almost worn out the elastic. But that is quite the mileage. So I was slightly intimidated at first (what was I thinking……I hadn’t event attempted button holes…….not fun!), but like all riders once you get back in the saddle, 5th gear comes effortlessly.

Simplicity 2469 Dress

Simplicity 2469 Dress

Simplicity 2469 Dress

One thing that you will notice on this pattern that I wasn’t thrilled with following was the gathered shoulder straps. For some reason, it seemed like it would be more comfortable to the intended to not have a knotted bump. And hence I left out!! But feel free to design however your heart desires.

Happy Sewing!

Simplicity Pattern 4927

I had originally bought this pattern for two reasons: my friends daughter and secondly the purse was a perfect size!! This dress is so easy that I highly recommend it for beginners. It has been years….eons since I made clothes this small. Brought me back to doll clothes making. This you can make in no time. Must have taken me from start to finish (I never include searching for and bringing home fabric) about 4 hours. Hmmm…..now that I think of it by the time you patiently lay it out, cut it out, then sew it together…….it must be about that. At first thought you think it takes an hour, but by the time you sew the final button on it, it has been a great rainy day project.

Purse & Dress

This purse and dress were made from Fabmo interior decorator fabrics so I had to piece the purse together. But unless you were the one making it,  you really wouldn’t have noticed it was not to be pieced this way. See for yourself. I needed to piece the strap and the inside center band. So cute. It didn’t call for a pocket in the purse, but it goes against my religion to not put one in.

Inside Purse

I made 4 of these dresses changing the pockets out, and working on slightly different variations. My mothers button box had these fantastic gum ball buttons that went so perfectly with these that I almost sold all before being able to share and photograph.

I love this pattern and want anyone with little girls to go for it!! It’s a day project, which are always my favorite to towte when encouraging fellow seamstresses!

SEWING TIP: I serged all seams before sewing them together. Makes it so easy to whip it up and look so professional. Yep, it’s true. Unless you want to french seam them, this makes a lovely clean finish.

Sew away!!

Britex Store Downtown SF

There is no other store for fabric then San Francisco’s own Britex.  Honestly, if you are a fabric hound you owe yourself to visit this store at least once in your lifetime. I was downtown last week and decided to head in with camera in hand this time and share the love.

As you can see, there is so much beautiful fabric under one roof you can spend all day.  Along with a small fortune, but honestly the mills where some of these fabrics come from must be made of pearls. OK, I exaggerate but the fabrics here run from $5.00 per yard to something like $3,000 per yard and going.  Definitely Not for the beginner Home Ec project. But then again, FACT:  you sew better with higher quality fabric. Quality is one of my favorite words and as a non shopaholic, when you buy fabric so beautiful your creativity genes go into overhaul. Why go anywhere else?

Britex Store

Britex is literally an institution for San Francisco and has 3 floors of fabric and the 4th floor is for notions, patterns and buttons. The Button gallery is incredible as you can see below. When I started making my handbags, I would go in and spend one hour (and I won’t tell you how much) and load up on the….. “jewelry” ….. for my bags.

Associates asked me where I got my supplies and would faint when I told them. They would buy online without knowing the quality and spending weeks searching. Personally, I could (and did in the beginning) spend weeks online looking for the kind of quality without results. In Britex I could nail in one hour my needs for a year or two!

So, you choose: If you like searching the web, there are plenty of sites for notions.  OR, my preference is heading down to Britex, seeing my favorite sales girl (Maya), chatting away and going home loaded. Sunshine is for playing tennis and not being stuck online or in a mall. Know what I mean!?

Button Gallery

See what I mean? I will let the photo tell you the rest of the story. Do enjoy the wonderful fabrics. And just when I got home from California, in my mailbox was……yep a Britex Sale. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Thank God I got home in time. This is a great sale and how I got started sewing again after my corporate life. You owe yourself a remnant. Even if you do nothing with it for a long time. Splurge. This is a once a year sale (I believe).

Remnant Floor

Fabric Floor

Notions

My Postcard Arrived

My Postcard Arrived

This Monday and Tuesday

Talk about bad timing  ;-)

So next time you are in Downtown San Francisco, treat yourself to this wonderful store. Take your time as you browse through the many bolts of fabric, buttons, trims and amazing designs. And don’t forget to check out the celebrity plaque on the wall. Maybe one day your name will be added.

Britex Fabrics

Phone: 415.392.2910 Fax: 415.392.3906
146 Geary St, San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 392-2910

Au revoir!

www.chanteusedesigns.com

Lollipop Apron

I am often complimented on my Lollipop line of aprons. At my shows, I am always so tickled at the response I get to my little story about how they were created. So, here is the subtle story of how the Lollipops were created. Of which I honestly can take no credit!

Once upon a time a seamstress was patiently working away at trying to make everyone aware of and responsible for the amount of garbage that they created each and every day. As she began her market bag line to help ease everyone off of their addiction to plastic and paper towels; share her love of feeding friends and family organic and healthy food and her Luh- love of entertaining, she also started making some aprons. OK, my boyfriend asked me to make an apron for the Mill Valley film festival coming into town (next to my boutique), but I am still trying to save the planet so work with me on this one for now. ;-)

(Then there’s me constantly saying “oh my god, if you told me I would start a sewing business 10 years ago…..I would have said shoot me now!” )

But I digress. Let’s get back to Lollipops. When I started so innocently with the apron line, I made a cute little ruffle apron. When you cut out the ruffle for the ruffle apron you are left with a lovely large circle, which left me pondering what to do with it.

Is it a Huge Pot Holder?….(see photo)….no.  A Bib for babies?…….no.   Is it a hot pad for hot plates?…..NO! So, what I came up with using other parts of the scraps was the Lollipop apron. Mostly because it was to continue the theme of recycle and reuse. What evAhhhh you do, don’t put the scraps of fabric in the garbage can. Ever.;-(

Taking the big circle and building upon it, it evolved into a darling little ditty for my children’s line. But I couldn’t stop at just that.

My scraps also go into the dog beds I make for the shelters and/or donate to Auctions to raise money for those hundreds of selfless humans who take it upon themselves to foster and adopt homeless animals.

Nothing should ever go into the trash can. That is the story of how I designed my Lollipop Line. Thanks for asking!

Now I meant these cute little ditty’s to be for my children’s line. But I have to tell you that my 20 something year old gals are as cute as can be when they are in love, finding a way into that special man’s heart and buy these beauties. Say no more, say no more.

I ask for no details, just what they prepared for dinner and dessert. 

The name lollipops? Well I had to come up with something cute and it works for me.

The kitchen is truly one of the most favorite rooms in the castle. Don’t you agree?

Warm and cozy for sure. Bon Appetit.

Lollipops in Production