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Laura's Blog

 

June 5, 2008

Sew ... I am so excited about our new software program, My Label! I do have to admit, I have not done a lot of garment construction in the past few years. It is my first love ... outside of my husband and family (and new kitties!) and bicycling.

When I was in high school, one of my favorite past times was to draw floor plans for houses. I thought about the logic of stair cases, plumbing, doors, hallways, and traffic flow. I would post them on my bedroom door. One day my dad stood looking at them and in his industrial engineer voice said, “These are good. You should think more about pursuing architecture. You will have to take more math classes, you know.” MATH! The mere word strike horror in me! I’m a girl, you see, and we are not so good at these type of things!

I put aside the graph paper and run to my mom’s sewing machine - this I know about! I grab fabric and start making dresses for Velvet (Mattel’s 1974 version of the current American Doll), my sister’s doll. No pattern, just a silent, still victim.

After I got married 10 years ago, I found myself struggling between the new demands of a having a spouse and my love of hiding in my sewing room. Sewing most of your work clothing is a full-time hobby. After a while, it just got easier to go to Chico’s and buy a new clothing item. I started to buy the basic and create the center piece. I have a closet full of creative jackets.

Every time I construct a garment, I think about the logic of building something from scratch. My mind floats from stage to stage. This doesn’t happen with any other type of sewing. Maybe because garment construction has so many fast stages. One minute you are putting in a dart, the next, you’re setting in a sleeve. In a day or so, what started out as 2 yards of fabric, is now a jacket or blouse. It’s quick gratification! Next week, I can start something new.

But, fit is always the problem. Unlike Velvet, we change shape. And the pattern companies all have a different sloper (basic body shape). Dressmaking is part art and part science, and some math! We develop the science part when we learn the techniques and master the sewing machine. We incorporate the art part with our choices of fabrics and personal expression. But the math, that’s the fit part. I haven’t make a pair of pants in years. But, it’s not really because of the math issue. It’s so much work, and I’m afraid they won’t fit.

That is why I am so excited about My Label. It is “made to measure” software. So instead of using your measurement to change a commercial pattern, a pattern is created from YOUR MEASUREMENTS! You can even virtually sew the garment to your model and see how it looks. Does this take the place of doing a test muslin? No, not really, especially for a pair of pants. But, it’s going to be far closer to fitting me than a Vogue sloper!

So when my dad suggested I consisted going into architecture as a career, little did he or I realize, I did! Instead of wood and bricks, I use fabric and thread!

Note - next free demonstration of My Label is June 13 from 10:00a to noon. Call us at 614.436.2611 for a reservation. View Bernina's online demo.

March 23, 2008

Sew ... It has been a while since my last posting! Call it being a little forgetful, maybe just taking a breather.

I love winter! I love to “hole-up.” It gives me a chance to read more, cook, get lost in sewing projects, sit in the hot tub with my husband. Just quiet time. I almost dread to see it end. This winter has been no exception. As many are looking to green buds, I am panicked that I did not get as much done. I need one more month! I am not ready to plan my garden or get on my bicycle.

That leads me to not keeping up with my postings! As I look in my blog file, I find several I wrote in October while in a wave of creative writing frenzy. I put the finishing touches on them and will start to post them about every 6 weeks. In between those, I will post shorter updates on goings-on.

Which leads me to a update on a second blog you will see posted in a month or so, about My Label. I made the Flared Pants (the first pair of pants I have made in YEARS!) and they fit! I made a muslin first, with zipper and the curved waist band. When it came time to trying them on, I stood in front of the mirror with my eyes closed and my gut sucked in with the anticipation of not getting them over my thighs, let alone being able to zip them up! I was blown away! I made a pair of black cotton pants that are going to be great for warmer weather. I am chomping at the bit to make a pair of capris out of a brown, yellow, and white leaf print fabric that Jodell gave me. But before I do that, I will make the classic trousers out of purple silk twill. I’m going to be very bold and NOT make a muslin! And I’m not even going to close my eyes or suck in my gut!

 

November 15, 2007

Sew … Last fall I told my husband that I would like to get a dog. But for that to happen, we would have to wait until one or two of our cats died. We had three at the time—Buttons, our “favorite”; Ava, skittish yet, gentle soul (also a rescue from Jacquie Parker who used to work at the shop); Sweetie, a/k/a Squeaky, acquired from my mom whose doctor said to get rid of her allergy problem.

In The Monkey’s Pawl fashion, be careful what you wish for … it might come true. We ended losing my two favorite cats, alpha Buttons and shy Ava. Squeaky loves my husband … me, not so much. She now had become the household Grande Dame by default.

I’m not sure I am ready for that dog yet! Twice-a-day walk and kennels while we’re gone. And my sister’s new dog is part “we love her, we hate her!” I’m not sure I want to deal with chewed-up baseboards and potty training. We will have to shelve this decision for another few years. Besides, I am still looking around to see if a breed strikes my fancy.

A few weeks ago, the Columbus Dispatch had an article about the toll taken on the employees of the Capital Area Humane Society and the need to euthanize more than 80% of the cats that end up at the shelter. Our house was too quiet, so it was time to fill the void. We decided that two is a must, litter mates preferable. Kitten or teenagers. An adult will make Squeaky lose her mind (not to mention peace and quiet). Kittens would bother her but not send her in to a hissing rage!

After spending about an hour at the CAHS, we selected two sisters. They are exactly what we were looking for. They are not our first choice. “Betty” has already been adopted, the “available” tag neglectfully left on her cage. For some reason, both Scott and I did not notice these two girls. Maybe they were not in the cage when we would look. By the time we decided to take them home, CAHS is ready to close, and all adoptions are suspended. We must come back the next day. Scott was so mad that he wanted to just walk out with them! They were spayed and ready to go! We will sign the papers, here’s our check. Not so fast! We end up having dinner later that evening at a friends house and explain how upset we were that we could not bring home two little girls and, wow, what red tape! Here is another one! Save this one for a while, post the My Label one first, the purging one second, and this one later ... end of November.

Scott takes the morning off after checking his employer’s manual. His name is on the original “intent to adopt” papers. That means he alone can pick up the girls, not me. I have an appointment to keep, so he goes alone. He says he’s coming home with two kitties, even if he has to smuggle them out!

Four hours later (!) he arrives with his precious cargo! Two 4-month-old identical sisters! They layed on the front seat the entire trip home. Calm and beautiful. We show them the litter box and turn them loose …

 

November 2, 2007

Sew … The girls and I will be having a measuring session for the My Label software in a few days. We will all wear a tee-shirt and pair of tights or leggings. I for one also will be wearing panty hose because I wear them daily to work. Call me old fashioned! Rumor has it, no one wears them anymore. Hose and slips have gone by the wayside! I just don’t care to have my flab jiggling around as I walk across the floor! Not to mention panty lines. I am also one who thinks a bra strap is part of your undergarments and is best kept hidden. I won’t even wear a jog bra alone while bicycling, no matter how hot it is and no matter what the woman’s sport catalogs proclaim! It’s got the word BRA in it, and that it shall remain!

We will make this into a party! We will have pizza. We will open a bottle of wine. We will all giggle a little. And we will all swear on a stake of bibles not to reveal anyone’s measurement numbers outside of that room, let alone utter them aloud! One person will measure and record. The other will stand still and do as they are told. “Hold this end of the tape, hold this end of the string, stop holding your breath, stop sucking in your gut, stop laughing … this is serious stuff!”

It’s just a bunch of numbers anyway! We will plug them in to the My Label program and watch the virtual models become us. I am sure we will all say, “Gee, I don’t look so bad (read “fat,” “lumpy,” “out of shape,” or make up your own). I’m sure, for fun, we will all plug in a larger number for the high bust measurement!

In the end, we will all have custom-made patterns to play with. Down the road, I’m sure we will all sew up at least half of the styles. In time, we will challenge each other to manipulate the basic styles to match our personalities.

 

October 13, 2007

Sew… I’ve been really distracted the past few weeks. If you are a drug addict, come raid my garbage can. There are a just a few intravenous needles in there. I always thought it was crazy to have to do what I have in the past 7 weeks. You are suppose to drink water, not have it injected. Tell that to my cat. It’s like she won’t let go of us. The past few days I have been wishing she would just fall asleep and not wake up. Make our decision for us. Why isn’t she making this easy? She has only one kidney, and I can tell you right now, it stopped working a few days ago. She was always a “good eater” (and we all know what that means!). FAT is what some people would whisper. She’s almost skin and bones now. Her breath smells like she has been eating her own … well, you know.
My husband is lying on the basement floor where it is cool. She, with every ounce of energy she has, is snuggled up against him. I put a rolled-up beach towel under his head to use as a pillow. She is using his arm as her pillow. An extra towel from the clean laundry will keep them both a little warmer. She has her favorite toy by her, a goosh ball of black and hot pink that she could fetch and catch like the major leagues.
She is the same kitten who “helped” me make faux merrowing on a serger. I had to wait for her to get tired and fall asleep before I could finish yards of one inch strips. Without her help, I don’t know how I would have finished that jacket! It’s a really cool, and I give her part of the credit when I show it in a Serger IV class. She misses me when I go away for a while. She pulls my face toward her, so she can kiss me. She learned not to use the sandpaper part of her tongue, but she will not kiss my husband! We call her our DOG/CAT. All the benefits of a dog, with none of the issues … the type of cat (if you are not allergic) that can turn a cat hater in to a cat lover.
She not really a cat, but some being ready to be reincarnated. Ready to jump to the next level. Reincarnation is why some civilizations live and die so freely. Live this life today, and come back better tomorrow. I think this cat has lived her 9 lives, but not the way we think of them. I really want her to stay the way she is, but that is not fair to her. Give her a few thousand years and maybe she will be leading this nation or the world – that’s what kind of charisma this animal has.
Her name is Buttons. She let us, let her go, on September 20, 2007. We will miss her terribly.
In our Sep-Oct-Nov 2007 newsletter, I referred to a rain barrel set-up by which we catch rainwater. To the right is a photo, if you would like to go green and help save on your water bill.

 

September 19, 2007

Sew … We have all this wonderful dupioni silk fabric in the store now. I just love silk dupioni! You know how you can get those stickers that can be placed on windows, so that in the case of a fire, they know if any animals live in your house? I want to get one that tells them to save my 2 boxes of silk dupioni!
I began thinking why I started to collect this fabric. It took me a while to remember the quilt I saw in a European Quilt magazine. It had a crazy quilt look to it, but with roses. What made it so pretty was that it was made out of silk. Many, many colors of silk. So, that’s what started it. Now I need to find that pattern and get piecing.
One of the silk projects on my list includes a jacket with the silk layered on to organza. The layers are stitched and slashed, re-stitched, and then the fabric is ironed to one side. My test wall hanging turned out beautiful. I have named it “Worm Waves." It is currently hanging in the shop, from the ceiling, so you can see through it. I think I will offer a class in winter on a mini wall hanging. But before I can get started on any new projects, I need to rearrange my silk collection. I just added 21 new colors from our Silk Road Club. Now if I could just remember where that quilt pattern went.

 

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Sew … I had to ban someone from the store the other day. She desired it! She asked if she would be allowed to come to the ALL THINGS FASHIONABLE special class coming up on September 12 (6p-8p) and September 13 (10a-noon). I told her she could stand out at the window with her hand over her brow to see in, and if she had any questions, she could use a dry erase board. She asked if she could come as Nancy Bednar’s guest. Only if Nancy really groveled, I suggested. But, if she came incognito, I might not notice. I’m going to keep my eye out for a long-haired redhead with big boobs.
The person I banned is Sarah Armstrong, my Bernina District Manager. OK, she’s the best DM this store has ever had, but every time she comes for a visit, she puts more work on my overcrowded plate (or should I say PLATTER!) and ALL THINGS FASHIONABLE is no exception.
I had not planned on doing this special event! The newsletter would not be ready on time to include it, and I would have little time to do the planning, I argued.
“But, you’re the perfect store for this class, with your huge supply of garment patterns and silk fabric … with all of your students who take Ric’s tailoring classes and all of your great jackets. And Nancy is the best!” she argued back. “And you’re already on the travel route roster.”
Call me a push-over. She’s right. This will be a nice little program and a great way to get a bit of inside information about Bernina’s new pattern fitting program called MY LABEL, due out in late October (visit Bernina's My Label website and then join us on Nov 24 for its introduction). We will have fun, and we will act fashionable (except for that new pair of soft patent leather pumps I have my eye on). So join us and help me spot Sarah.
FYI - Sarah has short silver hair and has a slight build … like a runner, not a swimsuit model! Joins us for All Things Fashionable for only $10 - call 614.436.2611 to register.

 

August 22, 2007

Back from the Bike Tour

Sew ... I was thinking about including some pictures of our bicycling vacation. My husband had the camera hanging around his neck most of the week, and his photographic subjects are usually limited to things he thinks are "funny" – an amphicar, and old Dihatsu truck with "for sale" painted in the window (had the phone number ... yeah, like that was going to happen!), the quarantine area for ill cyclists, the "stink-o-meter" located between Traverse City and Elk Rapids. No beautiful vistas, no sand dunes, no quaint towns, no historical landmarks. Oh, did I mention the wildlife?! Yes, he did manage to capture several raccoon, squirrels, a hawk, a deer, some wax wings, butterflies, a porcupine, rabbits ... all road kill!
It might not be funny to most people, but when you are traveling by bike, you have a tendency to see a lot of it, road kill that is. Everyone looked forward to viewing his pictures at the end of the day, recalling the locations of his subjects, which, in turn, always led us to talking about all the other cool things we noticed along the route, such as the 20 kids on a bike tour heading in the opposite direction, beautiful vistas, historic landmarks, quaint towns.

 

July 31, 2007

Bike Tour Preparation
Sew … I’ve been packing for a bike tour. There is a lot to pack when you will be traveling for a week by bicycle and sleeping in a tent. I needed to get my bike ready and have been putting off getting a new saddle. You see, the lycra cover has worn away from the nose, and it looks a bit, well, worn out. When it comes to my cycling equipment, old and worn looking doesn‘t mean it‘s ready for the trash. A fellow cycling friend called on Sunday and was desperate for seat covers for her and her husband (who will both be on the same bike tour). Seems like seat covers are hard to find in all of the local stores. I wouldn’t know, my first cover was stolen from my husband, and I made my last one.
I dug to the bottom of my lycra drawer that stores all of the fabric for my custom crazy-printed bike shorts. I had tossed in an old saddle with a rough pattern I had drafted. Inside the rails of the seat, I had stuffed a few forgotten prototypes. They didn’t quite fit the saddle the way I wanted, but my friends and my personal bike seat were in need! The biggest problem was the elastic. The kind you buy in the store is just not strong enough. I nipped, ripped, sewed, and clipped until those covers fit tight. The elastic will end up being used like a drawn string and tied in a knot so as to fit our 3 different shaped saddles.
Debbie and Dave will have to choose from several crazy covers. Me? It’s one of the few times my sewing gives back ’cause I’m pretty selfish about the time I spend in front of my machines. A little favor, for two friends, reminds me how important this little craft is!

Japanese Sewing Magazines
And for a little sewing inspiration, I've been delving into the latest in sewing magazines from Japan. Check out my latest musings.

 

July 16, 2007

Bernina University Wrap-Up
I would not recommend spending a July week in Florida … unless it was in an air conditioned hotel! At which, of course, we were! Robin, Jodell, and I just got back from a week at the Grand Cypress Hyatt in Orlando—the location of the 37th Bernina University. We learned a lot and bought a lot of goodies for the store.

My Label
The big topic this year was the introduction of Bernina's new fitting program called MY LABEL. "Nina" is the 3-D model whose shape will morph to YOUR shape when you input the proper body measurements into the program. View your garments on "Nina" (you can name her what you want!) to see how they fit. The garment will wrinkle, sag, be too big, or pull funny if the fit is not right. You can even see how tight or loose the garment will fit by using a "tension indicator.” It works a lot like a heat sensor does, showing tight spots as red and loose areas as blue. We are really excited about this new program and have a demo copy at the shop . You will definitely hear more about MY LABEL soon, as we eagerly await its arrival in October.

Silk Road
BCS is also very pleased to announce a new program of our own, SILK ROAD. One of my favorite fabrics is silk dupioni, a fabric becoming very popular among quilters. I have ordered 20 bolts of this yummy fabric and will start a fat quarter, 1/2 yard, and 1 yard club. to get the first cuts off the bolt and get 2 to 3 new colors every 4 to 6 weeks. My goal is to have at least 60 to 100 bolts of silk, but – I must be honest – some of this fabric will be sold off to other Bernina dealer friends who also want some silk but do not want to order a whole bolt (in other words, I have formed a silk fabric cooperative with several dealers). SO … membership in SILK ROAD will be limited. I am not sure when the fabric will arrive, so watch this site for more details to follow in a few weeks.

Epilogue
One of the other classes I took at Bernina University was about blogging from Heather Bailey. She is a fabric designer (her mother-in-law is Eleanor Peace Bailey). She was quite spunky and funky, and I just loved her! I have feared the whole blogging thing and have mostly been a lurker. My web-gal has been encouraging me to blog for a few months and has even put up a few as a "ghost writer" to help get me started. So, I am going to give my hand at this and hopefully will put up a few words once a week about things in general. I will try not to make it about trying to sell you something or be only product-driven. I will try not to get overly winded. It will be kept light and personal! Sew, see you next week … I'm going out to ride my bike!

 

June 28, 2007

UFOs
I have 'em, and I bet you do, too — those infamous UnFinished Objects. It's my goal this summer to clear my sewing table of all my UFOs. If you want to join me in this effort, bring yours to "Open Sewing" classes during July and August, and let's get reinspired together. It will give you some time away, you can make new sewing friends, and you can get your projects finished. Learn more and sign up today. Come sew with us.

Biannual Fabric Swap
Start preparing today for our Biannual Fabric Swap to be held the third week of September 2007. This is where you can bring in your surplus fabric for sale ... and probably where you can find a piece or two that you've been looking for! This event has proven to be quite popular. In fact, the classroom usually is FILLED with fabric! Right-click to download a form and properly label your items in advance — we need the fiber content (note that this event is not limited to quilting cottons), yardage, any special care instructions or notes, and the price you want. Roll up your fabric and attach the entire form with a rubber band. We'll do all the rest. Watch this website for details. (Note that you can [1] type in the form on-screen and then print it, or [2] print the blank form and then please write clearly.)

 

May 16, 2007

Annual Bernina Convention
Jodell, Rebecca, Robin, and I will attend the annual Bernina convention in Orlando FL in July. This is our opportunity to participate in the Cure Cancer Walk/Run, visit with other Bernina dealers, and get the latest information straight from Bernina. We understand that Bernina will introduce its new pattern fitting design program called "My Label." Watch this website for details! Additionally, I will be joining the Bernina study group—dedicated dealers who take the extra step to advance their businesses. The week is shaping up to be power-packed!

Enter the activa 210 Drawing
Need a starter machine or a second sewing machine designed for portability? Then remember to sign up for the Bernina activa 210 each time you visit our store. We will be drawing the lucky winner on December 31, 2007. No purchase necessary to enter, but please one entry per person per day, and you must be 21 years of age or older to enter. Good luck! Learn more about the activa 210.

 

April 23, 2007

This is an exciting new step for Beth's Creative Stitchery!
I am pleased to announce the launch of www.bethscreative.com, a long time in planning and development. I've had a vision that it would become a sewer's resource ... for ideas, inspiration, machinery information and service, etc.
In the "News" menu on the left of this page, sign up to receive E-Bits (our periodic email with the latest news and special offers) and our quarterly newsletter (quicker delivery and help save more trees!) — both are offered to you at no charge. Back issues of the newsletter will be available for you to download in case you want to refer to something in an earlier issue.
Help us build our Customer Gallery page. It will highlight your projects, special tips and tricks, etc. Our customers have created some masterpieces, and you deserve recognition!
Watch the Staff Gallery page and keep track of our latest projects. You might just get a new inspiration!
Need a place to visit with others and just sew? Let us host your guild meetings.
The Classes section will keep you up-to-date on the latest offerings to help you get the most out of sewing and the most out of your Bernina.
Keep your machine running smoothly at home and know when to bring it in for service by checking out the Service pages (and, yes, we service machines other than Bernina!).
We love sewing, and we love Bernina! Sure we sell Bernina sewing machines, embroidery machines, and sergers, but additional items will help make your sewing experience more enjoyable, so we carry Horn cabinets and specialty items, too. And our vast array of books and patterns will challenge you to create like never before.
This website offers something for everyone excited about sewing, and we welcome your so let us know what you think and what features you would like to see incorporated at a later date!
Scattered throughout this website are photos of class projects or ideas that will help inspire you. So enjoy the world of sewing and the world of Bernina. Remember, nothing sews like a Bernina ... nothing!
Laura Livingston — Owner, Beth's Creative Stitchery

 

May-June-July 2007 newsletter

Embroidery ER
Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 4, 2007. Learn the secrets from the professionals at Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design, with three hours packed with some of the best embroidery information you will find anywhere. Door prizes.
Fee: $20. Call 614.436.2611 or for information.
Read about more special events and closings.

Surfing vs. Sewing
I have spent way too much time on the Internet lately, mostly doing a little information gathering and checking out a few blogs. One belongs to a friend who is riding her bike across the country. So far nothing really interesting has happened. The other day, we looked up the funny cats videos on youtube. While looking up an author from a craft magazine, I ended up on her blog and felt like I was listening in on somebody's conversation at a restaurant. She was mostly ranting and raving about this and that and talking about people I don't know. A few cold Sundays ago, I looked up to note I had just spent more than 3 hours doing nothing on the computer. Tisk, tisk on me! I just lost out on 3 hours of life, because - take my word for it - nothing I read or saw was going to impact or improve my life. What a waste. I wish I had spent those 3 hours sewing. How about you? How much time have you spent on the Internet?
So here's your assignment. Write to us about you and your sewing. Tell us about your Bernina experience. Send us pictures of you, your sewing room, and your machine(s). I have started a customer page on our website. And when you're done, go sew. Better yet, share sewing with a young person.

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Remember ...
Nothing Sews like a Bernina. Nothing.