Messing Up

Happy Wednesday friends todays topic comes out of wanting to share the not so fun part of sewing that happens from time to time but this is also a part of the process. Even a seasoned designer or seamstress will have these days. Creating pieces can sometimes be very time consuming and at times you can spend hours on something only to have it end up in the trash. This can be very frustrating especially for a beginner sewer. There are many reasons sewing projects can fail sometimes you may measure wrong so then your garment can be too small other times your fabric can be ruined by your machine or a cutting accident. Another thing that I personally don't like is even though I take pride in creating things to wear myself I want it to appear as if I could have bought them from a store. Yes I want to stand out but I want it to be because a piece is unique not because it looks like a craft project gone wrong. Just like anything else you get what you put into something this applies to sewing as well. Even with all the possible things that can go wrong it is still a rewarding activity for me. If it's something your passionate about you'll work through the kinks and you always learn from each failed project. I've grown so much in my ability but I still mess up from time to time. I'm still learning and getting better after each project and thats exciting and far outweighs the failed attempts. You learn by doing so practice often watch videos there are many sewing tutorials on different sewing sites also on youtube. It's also great to have reference books on hand many have step by step instructions on different sewing techniques many of which you can find at your public library. Only thing left to do is let your creativity run wild then you can make your possibilities realities. I hope this information has been helpful it's important to know that everything doesnt go as planned, but when it does it's sweet and that will keep you pushing through to your next great piece.
Have fun creating til next time
~Shutoka

Animal Prints

The trend of animal prints has been around for a minute but popularity seems to be at an all time high lately. Which is music to my ears because I've always been a fan. The cool thing about animal prints is that you can wear them any season. Wearing the prints all over in a dress or just in a belt or scarf either way they always make an impact. Now days you can find animal prints in all colors my eyes light up at the fabric store at all the options. You can make yourself some cool unique scarfs easily and very inexpensively. Take one of your old scarfs to the fabric store with you use it as a guide to measure how much fabric you need. Most cases you'll come out cheaper making your own. Once you get home just simply cut around your scarf using it as a pattern then hem the fabric all around if you don't have a sewing machine you can do this by hand with needle and thread next iron then your done with the satisfaction of having a one of a kind piece.
*Below there are pics of things I've made with animal prints and I have plans to add more to my closet this fall
*Have fun creating til next time ~Shutoka

Pillows, Pillows Pillows!

If youre not quite ready to tackle making your own clothing yet how about starting in your home. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with pillows. Pillows are a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to transform a room. Don't have the budget for that new sofa spruce up your old one with new pillows you made yourself. Create a fresh new look or color scheme for your space. I have several sets of removable pillow covers I've made so if I feel like a change in decor which is often for me I can do a switch and refresh any room. The easiest pillow to make is the envelope inclosure pillow a yard and a half of fabric can make 2 to 3 pillows depending on the size you want. You can definately do it yourself. Be your own interior designer you know you best. It is my belief that your home is a reflection of you. If your an outgoing colorful person why live in a vanilla box. Bring your personality into your space. Pillows can be one way to get you there have fun creating friends til next time
* Heres a few pics of my pillows ;)

Where to start?

Happy Monday! Lets talk about where to start. If your thinking about sewing or just beginning to sew the easiest way to start is to use what you already have. You'd be amazed at how simply some of your clothes are put together. Some things especially summer clothes have only 2 to 3 seams tops. Grab that summer dress you love turn it inside out and examine it that is the blueprint of how the manufacturer put it together. When I first started sewing I would be in the stores turning clothes inside out like mmm mmm I can make this lol. As I stated in an earlier post I dont make everything I wear sometimes you find steals or some things I don't wanna tackle like jeans, but it makes sense for me to make some items. A lot of times I can't justify how something is priced in relation to how simply it's made besides that I have a fabric by the yard pricing calculator going in my head at all times I'm a lil weird I know. But seriously who doesnt want to save money and you can come out with something uniquely you in the process. So start off with something simple the blueprints are already hanging in your closet ;)   
* below I've attached an example of reacreating something you like, the dress in the magazine is really expensive but you can make it yourself. My version I love too but comes no where near the price of the designer one. Money in the back  ;) happy sewing friends                        

Why Sew?

Happy Sunday!  Todays topic (Why sew?) Why not sew what are you doing all day anyways watching tv lol I'm kidding. Today a wanted to talk about why I sew. Theres many reasons that I sew but I'll just name a few to start. Number 1 for me is I enjoy not blending in with everyone and creating something yourself can make you stand out from the crowd. I don't make everything I wear and I love stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Akira here in Chicago but everyone else loves them too so it's not hard to spot your outfits on others. Another reason I sew is for necessity I'm a tall girl at 5'11" so sometimes I can't find things that fit the way I want. For instance maxi skirts and dresses which I looooooove and lived in this summer not all store brands hit the floor on me and I end up looking weird. Lastly I just really enjoy being creative and creating something that I can be proud to say I made. It's a really cool feeling when your out and about in one of your pieces and someone stops and says love your dress whered you get it and your reply is oh thank you I made it myself ;) 
* Below I've included a pic of a maxi dress I made this summer , also some fabric I will be working with over the next few days
Again Happy Sunday enjoy your day!

"Tokie's Sew Unique": Inaugural Blog

"Tokie's Sew Unique": Inaugural Blog: Hello world I finally took the leap to start this blog about my sewing escapades it's been a long time coming for me. I'm no expert but I k...

Inaugural Blog

Hello world I finally took the leap to start this blog about my sewing escapades it's been a long time coming for me. I'm no expert but I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2 and really wanted to share what I know, what I'm still learning, and what I've been up to. Looking forward to this new journey via the blog world in hopes that it will get some people to dust off their old sewing machines or pick up a new hobby you'd be amazed at what you can do yourself and save money in the process. Below I've attached a few of this summers creations. More to come later thanks for stopping by and don't be a stranger.
-Shutoka ;)