Sewing Lessons At Last

I know that Ive gone on a few times about teaching sewing lessons  at some point this year. And the fact of the matter is is that as more and more people struggled with this %$#%^&%^$ economy, I ended up struggling more too. Because when you stop buying, the artists and local businesses suffer. But whatever...........Ive survived and made a purse out of a sow's ear so to speak. Im not out of hot water yet, but I'll be ok. Because as you know, you cant keep a good woman down. But I got a bit distracted with that struggle there ...............so now here we go...............

Instead of buying tables and new sewing machines (you dont want to start out on my current ones), Im letting you know that I am available for one on one instruction on the weekends. You drag that sewing machine out of your closet or out from under your bed and I will show you how to use it in my studio. With this comes all my sewing resources available online and in various parts of this country. Maybe even overseas as I find them. And maybe you will find some inspiration in my costuming library!

We all want clothes. We want to decorate our homes or dress our kids. And many of us cant justify some of those wardrobe and costuming purchases any longer. But if you have the patience and the aptitude, you can learn some basics and start from there. You can learn to make some fun things. Being creative is very important - especially in these times when its easy to get depressed or frustrated. My spirits always rise when Ive made something with my own two hands. It gives you a sense of accomplishment!

Available lessons and prices are posted in my pages section to the left.
Basicly:
***Three hours of beginner basics for $55.00 using your machine.
***Three hours of Industrial Sewing Machine lessons for $75.00 using my machines.
The investment in new skills and mastering that machine can take you far!

Here is a great little blog that I just ran across! I stole some of her images!
And here is some oldie sewing machine info..........


































And for those of you who want to learn to sew and do not have a machine, you can get cheapo ones to start with at Big Lots and Target. Im sure Costco and some online shops have some bargains for you. Search the thrift stores and the garage sales - but just make sure that they work or that you can get them fixed at a reasonable price. There is no need to go out and get a fancy sewing machine unless you are sure you need one!

 It just doesn't have to be that complicated!

Oh, and my Fluffie Rufflie patterns will be available again soon. I got a little side tracked!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com

A Cut Above - Literally

 Lynne Rutter is one of those friends who started out as a client and ended up being an integral part of my life. Over the years we have made corsets, costumes, wedding attire, soft home furnishings and I even had my work studio in her garage for two years.

This woman is amazing - read about her Here and then go Here to read her blog. And HERE is a great recent SFGATE article about her! What exquisite talent and taste Lynne has! When Lynne gives you her opinion or assessment on any given subject, the woman knows what she's talking about!

Lynne was wanting a painters smock that was a cut above what was being offered anywhere else.  She had some ideas and off we went to Discount Fabrics to buy a roll of beautiful Belgian linen. She planned on wearing it on site and in her studio as well. It had to be well made and stylish as she often works in her clients' homes.  We made two or three of them and they have lasted her years and gone through some heavy wearing and abuse. This one still looks great! I think we did a good job with this project. Lynne looks well polished and represented as the professional artist that she is.

There is nothing like linen. Linen is one of the most environmentally friendly plants around and has been used for centuries. Every part of the plant can be - and is used. It is an extraordinary fabric and a joy to work with - as is Lynne!

Modern Combat

Modern Combat by kccc2011 featuring a long maxi skirt

Nina Ricci tiered dress
$1,790 - editnewyork.com

Herve leger dress
$1,150 - net-a-porter.com

Vintage floral dress
355 GBP - suzannah.com

Vintage cocktail dress
$150 - senseofashion.com

Long blouse
252 GBP - theoutnet.com

Rick Owens Lilies long maxi skirt
$492 - farfetch.com

High heel boot
449 EUR - jades24.com

G by Guess low heel booties
$80 - gbyguess.com

Black boot
$45 - hottopic.com

In honor of the fallen who gave their lives in order that we may prance around freely in our mock combat boots.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! by kccc2011 featuring gold earrings

La Regale formal handbag
$20 - endless.com

Carolee gold bracelet
235 GBP - houseoffraser.co.uk

Gold earring
$55 - ice.com

Sunglass
$13 - babygirlboutique.com

Background Picture Frame Bilderrahmen ab 79,95 € im Impressionen...
impressionen.de

CHRISTIAN DIOR - CHRISTIAN DIOR 'Cat Eye' Frames, 1950s
fashion.1stdibs.com

Harvey Berin - 1950s Applique Silk Organza Harvey Berin
fashion.1stdibs.com

1950s Fabric Topped Metal Footed Box Purse from fallsavenue on Ruby...
$50 - rubylane.com

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's of the World! Even if you dont have children, chances are, by your very nature, you have nurtured someone or something at some point in your life. This is just the nature of being a woman.

There are good mothers and bad mothers and mothers who just muddle through. Some love us, some hate us, some adore us, some dont like us at all.

They say that we choose our mothers before we come back to this life in order to learn things that we didn't learn from the life before. I learned a lot in this life. I learned that I have to be more tolerant of all people because we have no idea how someone else's experiences have come about. We live in a time where mental health issues are seen in a different light. We have more access for correcting our own behavior. We have every means to educate ourselves on self help and to better our thinking and consciousness. Our parents may not have had these things so readily available, they may have been stuck in old rigid patterns of thinking that do not pertain to modern life as we know it, and their parents certainly did not in most cases.

So we do our best. And we use our parents as guides to our own inner and outer development. They hold up the mirror and we either like what we see or we don't. And if we don't, its up to us to change - and not the other way around. Easier said than done, but its the truth.

XXX

Sulamith Wulfing

Back in the 90's when I used to hang out up in Marin County a lot,  I scoured the thrift stores religiously. A friend of mine and I found an old polyester housecoat from the 70's that had been made from fabric screened with Sulamith Wulfing  images. I don't know the term for that type of printing, but it was very popular back then. I made something for my friend out of this coat and then kept the scraps for myself. I made a corset from the bits I kept. This corset is one of the things I have made that I cant part with. This fabric has been one of my favorite scores because when I discovered Sulamith Wulfing in the 70's, her art pierced my heart and stayed there til this day. How powerful to be able to do that to someone through one's art.
Tonight I googled "Sulamith Wulfing" and my corset popped up in the images!

 And here is a front view. Kristine Adams is the lovely model. Her tattoos blended in so beautifully with the corset - the upper image is one of my very favorites!

So here are some images of Ms. Wulfing's that I hope bring you as much inspiration as they did me. Romance and sadness of spirit, medievalism, intricate embroideries and jewels, crowns and magic, nature and the mystic...............I read somewhere once that she fled Nazi Germany because Hitler wanted her to paint for him. That's what I remember and cant find any of that info now. She did leave Germany and was separated from her husband, but they were reunited.

Here is a picture of Sulamith......

Happy Royal Wedding - Those Kids Are Sure In Love!

It seems that you either have an opinion, or you just don't care. Of course, over here, there is a buzz, but we don't have Kings and Queens and all that goes with it. Our Empire is pretty dull and boring to watch. I, of course, would love to be part of that British world, but I just have to do my best to live vicariously through others.

I didn't get too excited until I turned on the TV to see what the new Princess was wearing down the aisle. Because what she wears is setting the trend to what women will be wanting to wear for the next few seasons. I was afraid that I would see something I hated.
What a relief when I saw her wearing vintage modern. (or would that be modern vintage ) What a relief!

But my mom is super excited about it, so when I turned on the TV, I knew she would be happy to see what Princess Catherine was wearing.............
 tra la - Princess Catherine wore a modern version of my mother's wedding dress ala Grace Kelly. The collar, the lace bodice and sleeves with the big skirt was very much in vogue in the mid 50's. I was super happy to see  Catherine in her Sarah Burton dress and matching shoes. I wish a had a photo of my mom's dress. It was probably pretty classic for back then, and of course, not rich like this,  but I always loved it.

And all this is going right along with the Wedding Dress Samples that Im working on - once again, I am right on trend!

Here is the official website with lots of photos (it says its "official")................and Here is where you can read about the dress!

I admit that I was terrified that I was going to wake up this morning  and see her in a strapless dress wearing a shrug.  I really was afraid. You just never know. Ladies - don't do this anymore. Most of you slouch. Not pretty. Lets move on to something else now. Hey! How about sleeves and button detail!

Now, they have been calling her a commoner, but those two are distantly related. And Im sure that this is how this whole prince marrying a commoner thing  is being ok with everyone. She is highly educated and they are distant cousins many times removed. It works.

She is beautiful. He is a cutie and they were obviously happy to be together. So refreshing!  I wasn't happy with her hair down and the tiny  bouquet. But that's just my opinion. I would have liked to have seen a stiffer veil perhaps and her hair up. But they are the new Royals and this is 2011. Nothing is ever going to be the same as it was before. And this is a good thing. Its going to be fun to see how the kids transform the monarchy and all that goes with it!

Congratulations!

kc.costumecouture@gmail.com