I found some more fabric!

When I was cutting out my party dress I ran out of fabric. I thought oh I will just get over to Mood and buy some more. In my mind it was just dusty old fabric no one was interested in and would be sitting in the same place it was when I first bought it a couple of weeks ago.

Well it was not. Apparently I was not the only one who had asked about my fab fabric and it took a while to find it. But thankfully Hassan (I wanted to hug him) did not give up and dug until he found it. Then I bought a ridiculous amount of it just in case!

My second party dress class was Wednesday, so of course I did my homework on Tuesday night. I finished cutting out my lining so that I could spend my time at The Sewing Studio sewing rather then cutting.

While working I decided that this dress will be sleeveless. It just looks like it wants no sleeves. Also I had to take in the sides of the bodice at the armpits. Either I have lost some weight or I can't measure either way too big is an easy fix.

Here's what I have so far....

I also have the same bodice made so far out of the lining done. I am basically making 2 dresses and sewing them together.

In other NYC news M an I ventured out to the Central Park Zoo on Wednesday. I would call it quaint, it is very small but very nice and well cared for. We had lunch with Eric one day which was nice. And she started two new classes, animal care and gymnastics. She loved both of them. But the animal class is WAY up town and pretty far from the subway, so while walking back to the subway M said "we should get a taxi". So she stuck out her little arm and we did just that. It was cold and dark and we had a long day. We have only taken 2 other taxi rides all month so I guess it was ok. Fortunately gymnastics is a very easy subway ride away and we get to play at the gym when they have open play since we are taking a class!

We have a packed weekend of lunches, visitors a birthday party and a dinner. But I am very excited to report that we are getting to pick out a new mattress! Thanks goodness! There is no way my back was going to survive sleeping on this ratty thing.

Hope you planning a  fun weekend.
Peace out - C

I made a T-Shirt at MAKE!

Saturday was AWESOME, I made a t-shirt at MAKE, with Diane Rupp. She is a sewing celebrity people! She is the owner of MAKE here in NYC.  And the author of 2 super cool books, both are available on Amazon Sew Everything Workshop and Embroider Everything Workshop.

Her place so cozy and nice. The class I took Saturday was a 2.5 hour sewing with knits workshop. Knit fabrics have been a challenge for me in the past but the way she had the workshop set up made it fun and easy. If you are in NYC you should try and take one of her fun and helpful workshops.

We made boat neck, long sleeve tees. I am wearing mine in this pic of me and Diane.

As a part of the class you get the supplies to make the shirt as well as a pattern to take home and make more with. I plan to make a tunic and a dress with mine. You know I love me some easy and cute projects.

I will need to re-draft the shoulder as usual. I have crazy tiny shoulders in comparison to the rest of me ;) But I was very happy that the sleeve fits nicely, I have trouble with sleeves being too tight some times.

M dancing in the snow!

In other NYC news, it snowed Friday night so we enjoyed waking up to a fresh white blanket of snow over the city. After breakfast we bundled up and headed out to enjoy some playing in the snow.

I have not finished cutting out my party dress or gotten more fabric both of which I better do soon.

Hope you are having a great day!

Fabric for my Party Dress Class

Apparently I have been busy lately. And also tired! Living in NY is a little bit exhausting. But I think we are starting to get used to walking everywhere and carrying bags with us. Things really are much different when you do not have a car.

Last night was my first session of the Party Dress Class over at The Sewing Studio. It was fun! But in NY everything is tiny and compact. So it was a little tight to be cutting out a big party dress in a small space.

Last week I went shopping for my fabric for the class and I ended up buying my fabric at mood.

I know it is a little bit crazy. But that is why I love it. The one problem I had cutting it out is that it is big panels between the stripe on the right. And I could not make the stripe work in the way I wanted to so I ran out of fabric. I am going to have to get back up to Mood to buy one more panel. Which is sort of a bummer but not the end of the world.

All the people in the class thought I was very brave to be using this fabric. The instructor, Sara, did say that since it is NY people most often make black dresses. I have to say I am pretty disappointed in how boring New Yorkers dress. It is like they all wear a uniform and basically wear the same thing. Often on the subway my red coat and M's pink coat are the only spots of color on the whole train.  

We are still enjoying exploring NY. Yesterday M and I went to Chelsea Market and wandered around. We bought books, bread and fancy cheese. She also enjoyed a cup of very yummy berry sorbet. She also tried out a yoga class that she did on her own. She really enjoyed being with other kids. I think she is starting to miss her friends, I know I am.

This Saturday I am taking another class it is a sewing with knits workshop over at Make. I am very excited that Make is in my neighborhood and will not be too much of a trek, I can even stop at Whole Foods on the way home. Should be a fun class. And I already have a request from my cousin who lives in Brooklyn to make hi this t-shirt.

Hope you are having a nice Thursday so far! My feet are killing me so we will be lazy today I think. Hmmmm maybe we should go out for bagels.

I am taking a class at Parsons!!!

Yes, the Parsons school of design where they film Project Runway. But no I will not be in the "work room". I am actually not even taking a sewing class. GASP! I know, but I am taking a textile based class; I am going to learn how to silkscreen. Who wants a t-shirt or something?

I have been wanting to learn how to silkscreen for ages. And when I was on the Parsons tour last night it hit me as what I wanted to take. I am not an official student. I am just a continuing ed student. But still I am super excited and think it will be tons of fun and hoping to come up with some new stuff! I mean a twelve week course where each session is 2.5 hours long. I am going to be a serious expert silkscreener by the end of this I hope ;) 

The picture is from my tour last night. I got to see the different departments of the school. The digital design lab was way cool in person but would not have made as nice a pic. And this is just with my camera phone. Not too shabby that phone.

Tomorrow is babysitter morning so I get to go fabric shopping for my party dress class! I am not entirely sure where to start. I could just head to Mood but that seems so cliche? There are so many other stores on that same street maybe I shall branch out.

I have my list all ready and will set forth with pattern in hand to figure out my party dress.

In other NY news, the weather has been pretty mild the last few days so we have logged some playground hours. Today Marion and I got a tour of the NYU Physics Department aka "Daddy's office" and then headed to the Children's Museum of the Arts. It was pretty stinkin cool. We did art projects but I think that the "ball pond" was M's favorite part.

Basically just a room full of giant exercise balls. But seemed to amuse the children.Let's hope it does not rain tomorrow. I am sure spending the day shopping will not be as much fun in the rain.

Peace Out - C

Sewing to happen in NYC!

I was not sure if I was going to continue my blog but I guess I have decided. We are in NYC for 6 months. My husband is doing a sabbatical from Emory to NYU.  We are living in Greenich Village in an NYU owned apartment building. It is basically like living in adult dorms. In many ways it feels like living in a dorm did. Especially since the apartment is "furnished".  I put that in quotes because it is very functional furniture and is not at all what I would pick if I was moving here long term.

We got here in 12/29/11 and have been having a lot of fun exploring the city. Fortunate for the 4 year old who lives with us one of the best playgrounds in the city is just outside our window. I heard a rumor that Sarah Jessica Parker brings here kids here but there have thus far been no SJP sightings.

In sewing news, no I did not bring my sewing machine with me to New York. However that does not mean I am not going to sew. There are several places here that I can use their space, machines and other equipment. 

I have signed myself up for classes at The Sewing Studio and at Make.  My first class starts on 1/18 and is a party dress class. They sent me a big list of supplies to buy and patterns to choose from.

Here is the pattern I chose, V8615.

I am not completely sure how it will look on me. But I think it will be good and is so cute it will be fun to make.

I know for sure I am shortening the sleeve to elbow length. And the skirt to just above the knee. Other than that I am not sure at all how it will turn out. I hope that the fact that is is a "custom fit" pattern will help. This means you can choose A,B,C or D cups. Which almost gets me to where I need to be and should make it easier than usual to adjust the top.

I have tiny shoulders and a large chest which can be a tough adjustment. But I should be able to work it out.

My plan is to shop for materials this week. I am leaning towards a solid fabric in maybe a heavy knit, maybe a wool blend or something crazy like that? I'm not sure. But I think I am going to hit MOOD first and see if they have anything I like.  There are tons of other fabric shops in that same neighborhood s it will be interesting where I end up purchasing fabric and supplies. I will keep you posted.

Anyone have any suggestions for this dress?

Peace Out - C