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Panties

Happy Thanksgiving

Uncategorized October 10, 2011
This weekend was Thanksgiving weekend, one of my favourite holidays of the year. Despite my annoying (and at times, painful) cold, we fit a lot into our weekend. I finished this custom order for a customer…

On Saturday evening we went to an outdoor art show, and met up with a few friends we don’t get to see very often. We didn’t stay long, I was sick and delirious on cold medicine, but it was pretty fun. On Sunday we had dinner at my parents house. It was so nice, we ate outside and enjoyed a bon fire later in the evening (the second bon fire of the weekend!). Today we had Thanksgiving lunch with Dan’s family. We had a great time, chatting and eating too much pumpkin pie…
In between family visits, I tried to get some sewing in. I have 2 stores I am trying to get stock prepared for, as well as Christmas stock for Etsy, and finishing up the few orders I have. I am also preparing for a give away very soon, and will post more information on Wednesday!
In the mean time, here is a sneak peak of a few new ruffle bloomers and bustle panties. I also have been trying to come up with ways to use all my bits and pieces of fabric… I contemplated a quilt, but I just don’t have the patience for that kind of undertaking, so… I decided to sew together strips of fabric, log-cabin quilt style, and use that to make undies. I think they turned out pretty cute… They remind me of the sensibility of the ’30’s.
I hate throwing out fabric. What do you do with your left over scraps?


Experiments with weaving, braids and bows

Uncategorized October 2, 2011
I’ve been braiding fabric, trying to figure out a way to incorporate braids into my clothing… I tried cutting long strips of fabric, braiding them, and applying the braid with a long straight stitch, but I always found the braid to be too bulky for any thing other than a neckline.
So, I took my standard bikini panties pattern, added about 6″ down the centre front, and made it into a two-piece pattern, as opposed to a “cut on fold.” I staggered slices horizontally down the pattern, following the curve of the leg opening. I then started folding and weaving and pinning on to my dressform until I would up with a large “braid” down the front. I trimmed off the excess, and basted the loose ends. I am in love with how it turned out. When on, it is a very low cut panties that follows the curves of the body. The lose weaving adds additional stretch to the bias cut woven cotton. I am obsessed with this now and am going excited to be trying different slashing techniques.

I used a plain elastic along the waist and legs, because I didnt’ want to detract from the weaving detail in the front. I have plans on using this technique along the back of a thong style panty…

Before the wedding I bought a few yards of black and white printed lace that I was going to use to make clutches… that was a passing fancy and now I have tons of the fabric. I started this cropped cami and long-line panties set yesterday. They were so plain and…. “modern” so I added a million bows. I have yet to find anything that a million bows can’t make better.
Tonight we are off to my cousins house for nearly a week of house & child sitting. We will be looking after two of the funniest little boys until Thursday, and enjoying my cousins beautiful house. I am very excited to make use of their bath tub, as I only have a coffin-sized stand up shower in my apartment.
In response to my last, frustrated post. I broke the bank and bought a new camera and tripod. The tripod is amazing, and I have no idea how I functioned without it. Hurray!

Black & White

Uncategorized September 25, 2011
I am SO excited. I finally got to spend some time with my sewing machine and serger. I went to the fabric store on Thursday night and bought some flannel in black and white plaid & polka dots, black stretch mesh, black and white chiffon with little starlings on it, grey/black/red brushed cotton plaid, and some off white eyelet lace. To break up all the black and white, I bought a little floral cotton with a polka dot chiffon coordinate, in chocolate and raspberry. Today I went black and white crazy.
Last winter I made myself some sleep shorts out of my black and red lumberjack plaid… I find them so comfortable, and the husband finds them effortlessly sexy – the perfect piece of lingerie! I pre-washed all of my flannel yesterday, and it has gotten even softer and fuller after the first wash… They are in a french knicker style and could be worn under a fall or winter skirt.
I added a little cut-out lace applique to the polka dot pair, and satin bows to the plaid pair. I’m thinking I will list these individually and as a set.
Last but certainly not least, I made a bias cut camisole out, what I call, the starling chiffon. I picked up a few yards of this amazing stretch mesh which I used to trim the top and the panties. I love wearing bias cut chiffon camisoles, especially under sweaters in the winter… they make my winter uniform feel slightly more pretty.
I am getting so, so, so excited to list these on Etsy. I’m going to try to get a few more photos and a few more items sewn, and re-vamp my shop!

Vintage-Style Slips

Uncategorized August 15, 2011

I love wearing vintage slips. They make me feel so glamorous, like a vixen from a noir film. I have two vintage slips that I love the most, so I knocked off the pattern and made cut 3 slips, each in two sizes. The only thing I don’t like about vintage slips is they are usually plain, old white. I wanted to make slips that were fun, and vibrant with a vintage-flair.

Each slip has a stretch lace detail across the bust, and lace trim along the edge. I made one in a large, gold floral print (I made bathing suits out of this too!), one in a chocolate and white lace print jersey, and one in a candy-purple floral burnout with creamy lace trim. I bought a ton of each of these jersey knits last spring… they make very comfy slips, silky-soft, great for wearing under a dress or to sleep!
Last week I re-opened shop for a few days to take a last-minute order. A “Tied with a Bow” bra with the side-ruffled panties. I absolutely love how it turned out and will be adding this as a set to my shop too! This set will be shipped off very, after I complete all of the finishing touches…

I’ve gotten so much done the last few days. Our camping trip got rained out, which was disappointing, but I managed to check off a bunch of things from my wedding to-do list, including finishing the Flower Girls Dresses (which now need to be taken in an inch), finishing the alterations on the bridesmaids dresses, ordered the flowers, and filled out the application for the marriage license. I can’t believe we’re down to only 4 weeks!
Little Oliver will be glad when the wedding is over and I have some more time to spend with him. I caught him looking longingly out the window at a brief rain-storm we had this afternoon. I can’t wait until we have a house with a backyard where he can play…

Wedgewood Blue.

Uncategorized July 18, 2011

It felt good to finally sew something new this weekend! It’s been so long since I’ve sewn something new!
I went shopping with my mom for her dress for the wedding on Saturday, then spent some time in lovely downtown Orillia, antique shopping. I found some lovely antique doilies, and a vintage book for Dan.
This morning while I was picking up fabric for custom orders, I came across this wedgewood blue, silk-cotton voile. It’s so light and airy. I inset the doily into the back, for a little peek a boo, and added satin ties. The crochet elastic ribbon matches the doily perfectly!
Dan and I also made 2 chalk boards for the wedding which I will write and post pictures about some other time.
Tomorrow will be a busy day. The weather is ridiculously hot, and I’m jumping in a cold shower every few hours for relief.
I might have some exciting news at the end of the month. So stay tuned!

Mourning.

Uncategorized July 5, 2011

I’ve Finally gotten on top of all of my Heartsy orders. Something I learned over that whole process is that 50 orders on top of a full time job, plus wedding and life was a little too much. But I did it, and despite a postal strike, most of my orders got out on time and met any necessary deadlines.
Now, that the house is out of the picture and I’ll be sitting tight in our apartment in the middle of the parking lot for the rest of the summer, I can focus on new goodies, instead of gardening, and painting… I started photograph my “Design Your Own” collection a week or so ago and am now getting around to editing the photos. Which reminds me, I really need a better camera.
I’m still really sad about the house, even though I know we’ll find another just as nice. I’m mostly angry about the position and how Dan was let go without remorse, feeling, or an “I’m sorry, I know it’s a bad time.” The worst part is that what happened is completely legal. It’s hard to fire someone with cause, so in reality, you can be let go with very little notice for no reason whatsoever! I find this particularly funny because you cannot be approved for a mortgage in the probationary period of a job because you can be let go at any time. Well, you can be let go at any time, all you need is a week per full year in notice. That meant for Dan, who was there just under 3 years, only 2 weeks notice. Two weeks when you have hundreds of tens of thousands of dollars hanging over your head is nothing.
My favourite thing about living in a small town, especially living in a small town with a big family who knows everyone, is that I know karmic justice will be served via word of mouth. And that’s all I can hope for. I will continue to live a right and just life, and speak only the truth. Dan and I will be sitting pretty on our high horses, and good things will come to us…
They’ve got to eventually, right?

Busy Bee Back to the Day Job

Uncategorized June 14, 2011

I’m not sure how much I would have to accomplish to make myself feel like I had been productive enough…
I sewed, in three days, 3 rompers, 3 bras, 4 panties, 1 chemise, made 10 handmade thank you cards. And I still wish I had done more!
I met our caterer this morning; he is nice and gave me a lot of helpful pointers. I need all the help I can get! I’ve only ever been to 3 or 4 weddings in my life; I feel pretty clueless.

At what point do you decide to take your business full time?

Uncategorized May 30, 2011

On Saturday, I hardly sewed a thing… I replaced a zipper in a garment for my cousin and finished a few odds and ends, but mostly I spent my time at a birthday party, walking Oliver through a Side Walk Sale down town, at the movies with Dan, then sleeping 12 hours straight. I have been so exhausted and busy lately!

This morning we met with our officiant for the first time and decided on our vows. Our ceremony will only be about 20 minutes long, which is just perfect. Not too long, not too short.
After wards, we did some running around, and I finished some orders. I have been working on 2 sets for a customer, with two pairs of panties each. I really love the jersey and lace set, I think it is one of my favourites, and has been a pretty popular set. I love it with the matching thong.
I am so happy to have so many orders on the go. I haven’t relisted a single thing since I ran my heartsy deal and business is still good.
I keep asking myself, “At what point do you consider your business successful enough to go at it full time?” I would love to hear your input.
Lastly, I finally made the switch to smartphones and will be BlackBerry accessible on Monday… Dan and I have a few road trips scheduled, so now I can be connected wherever I go. I am also itching to move… I love our apartment but Ohhh Lulu needs its own room, desperately.

Wednesdays sew-a-thon

Uncategorized March 16, 2011
So, I didn’t finish up everything that I wanted to get done today, as always, but I did make a really pretty pair of panties.

I really love a good floral, and this one is quite nice… soft pink with rose and purple, looks great with black. I just happened to have some pink and black lace in my stash that I’ve been hoarding for years, not knowing what to do with it. It was wide lace, so I cut it in half, lengthwise, and ruffled it. I also added it in as a in-set appliqué.

I made another pair for my “everyday” collection, similar to my other Lace and Cotton Everyday Panties, but with slightly-gathered lace over the hips and two small bows. These ones are my testers!

And lastly, another ruffle bloomer, with ruffled crochet cotton lace and three grey, plastic vintage buttons. My camera was dying and the photo didn’t turn out so good…
I went to the park this morning with my cousin and her two little ones. I am so happy the weather is getting nicer. It was so fun to push the kids on the swings and to walk along the boardwalk…

Sewing Marathon before getting back to real life…

Uncategorized January 6, 2011

Well, my two days off flew by, as usual. Back to work tomorrow. I am really hoping my New Years resolution comes to fruition quickly. I’m trying to decide what is worse… being terribly underemployed, or being unemployed… Every month, I cringe with regret when I pay my student loans. Surely I deserve more than to sweep the floor and scrub the toilet! Oh… I miss my old job….

So, I worked my butt off the last two days and sewed 5 (well 6, including the bodysuit) new items for my Etsy Shop.


I’ve been renewing my interest in Victorian Fashion lately… unearthing some old Victorian magazines that I had been collecting. This Chemise and Pantie set remind me of a delicate, Victorian woman’s under-things. Frothy with lace, crisp white.

They photographed nicely on my vintage, turn of the century dress form. I have to thank Dan for that one.


Lately, I’ve had an obsession with sewing contrast bibs onto everything. I suppose I just like any excuse to add a little ruffle and some lace, so I added one to a pair of panties… the fabric I used is so soft and worn-feeling, it feels vintage.


I made myself 2 of these thongs about a month ago, and I have to say they are the most comfortable pair of underwear I own. The fabric is is light and airy, the elastic perfectly stretchy, it feels like you are wearing nothing at all. I can’t stand man-made fibers or too-tight clothing!

I am actually going to keep the sample for this black set for myself to wear under my work uniform. I like to wear something ultra-feminine under my hideous man shirt to remind myself that, yes, indeed I am a woman!

While I was photographing my new items, I flipped through my 1876 Munsey’s Magazine and saw this interesting advertisement for Burnett’s Cocaine For the Hair! Apparently it will cure you of your dandruff…
Dan started back to school on Monday. It’s a 2 hour drive there and then back again. I feel like I have hardly seen him. It’s only Wednesday and I already miss him tons… Luckily the course is only 2 months, and when he finishes he will have his full Mechanics License! I am already so proud and excited for him!

I am looking forward to the Weekend already, even though mine doesn’t start until Saturday Evening. Our plans are to stay in and play some video games and follow up on our Oscar Movie Marathon!