A Deeper Appreciation

August has been a rough month for me. Between Summer family activities, unplanned mishaps and even a flash from the past can derail you from whatever project you had on the burner.

But what if in the middle of feeling overwhelmed, someone made you a kind and generous offer you can`t refuse?

I have always been lucky enough to be around friends who are gifted, loyal and kind. Enter Marla Dee. She hired me to do some design work on 2006. When she showed me the logo she had created a few years prior, I told her, “This logo is very good! Why did you hire me if you are this good?”

I don`t think she expected that reaction of me. She is indeed a gifted artist and photographer. She has generously offered to photograph me. I am thrilled. She lives in Pennsylvania and will be coming to my home in about 30 days. I have decided to sew, myself, 4 outfits and create 4 fashion inspired looks and select locales appropriate for the shoot. I also would like to lose an extra 10lbs from here to October 1st. YIKES!

Above there is a Chanel like suit from the late 60`s early 70`s. This pattern is a size 10. 40 years ago women were smaller. I have no clue why. :) There first thing I did was have a consultation with a couturier. My mother.

Most skirts are made with two pieces, a front and back. Not this one. It is one piece. It is so simple, it`s complicated.

The back of my skirt

We took my body measurements and added the appropriate amount of space to fit my body. We had to retrace the pattern, and recreate it to fit me. My mother is a genius. I just don`t know how she does it. I have sewn before. With and without a pattern. It apparently, is exactly like riding a bike. You never forget.

I measured for one hour to make sure those lines would meet. Those are the touches that make a garment a piece of couture, according to mom. I started to ask myself, “what would Chanel do?” Better yet, “what would my mother do?” :)

My mother is a strict follower of the rules of high  sewing. She made my clothes when I was little. How I took that for granted! Her sewing never had a fray, unmatched seams or crooked stitching. She knows all the proper finishing. She is an expert of her craft.

My first zipper

Thanks mom for teaching me how to sew.