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Serger Basics (Sew with STRETCH!) - Satuday March 19th

Stretch your sewing skills with Serger Basics... learn to make your own tights, underwear, cashmere infinity scarves, t-shirts, hoodies, bathing suits and more! Classes start on Saturday March 19th from 1-4pm, and run for 6 weeks. Class fee is $280, and class size is limited to 3 people. Email themakeden@hotmail.com to register.

Saturday Morning Champagne at The Make Den!

You know it's almost wedding season when you're drinking champagne with 5 stunning bridesmaids on a Saturday morning...

Victorian Windows at 69 Vintage Collective!

One of the greatest things about working as part of a vintage collective, (aside from the glorious, endless stream of amazing vintage scores!) are all the awesome people around you. Marilyn Hartley, of the "legendary" Rozaneh Vintage is a virtual encyclopedia of fashion history. She brings all of her pieces to life with funny stories, fantastic styling, not to mention her amazing taste. This month she designed the windows to look like an Oriental inspired salon straight out of the Victorian era, and it's inspired me to fill my house with plants and rugs. She also has some original Balenciaga, Halston and Armani pieces in the shop right now for a song - come check them out before I grab them all!

Hip Hop Embroidery: Beastie Boys edition

Many thanks to Alison for bringing her good vibes and for sending pics of her finished project, a Beastie Boys quote from "Professor Booty".

"Think you can handle this ga-dunk ga-dunk dunk?"

The title speaks for itself - thanks for that, Missy. Hip Hop and Embroidery, together at last.
Yesterdays workshop was out-of-control. Allison, Kate, Jackie and Julia rocked it with their cute embroidered palm trees, graffiti fonts and environmentally friendly quotes. Going over the basic stitches was lots of fun - we used a simple back stitch to create the text, and then satin and chain stitches for the fill. Stem and blanket stitches cover lots of ground quickly, so they're better for borders. Transferring the text was a challenge on the opaque fabric, (usually you can trace it onto the fabric through a bright window) so we just stitched over the text instead and then soaked the paper in warm water to remove what was stuck under the thread.
And have you ever noticed how cute girls look when they're embroidering things? Amazing. Definitely planning a second one for Mothers Day!

Holly in St. Martins

When Holly picked a bright hibiscus print for her summer dress, it must have been good luck because she came to class the next week with good news - her boyfriend was taking her to St. Martins for the holidays! Here she is in Simpson bay wearing the summer romper that she made for herself on the beach. Adorable!

Funabashi on Etsy

I love my friend Dixie Rose's new pics for Funabashi on Etsy. I met Dixie in New York a few years ago when I was there to see a Philip Sparks show at the Gen Art competition. Dixie had a lowrider bicycle and animal print everything, so it was definitely love at first sight.

I also love Etsy a whole lot, but photography is not always it's strong suit. When I saw Dixie's new pics my jaw was on the floor. They look like they just jumped off the pages of a magazine - they have lots of movement, great texture and lighting, beautiful girls who look like they're having a tonne of fun and wearing cool clothes - what else can you ask for?

Dixie is the one in the black catsuit, 4 pics down. She also writes for a magazine called Kloset Kase, a really great online art/fashion mashup that made me want to move to New York.
Dixie Rose, I *heart* you!

Sew Fresh/Sew Real