Customer Showcase: Sarah!

A few months ago, Sarah came in to our shoppe with her mother Lisa and younger sister Hannah. They were looking for materials for her 4-H sewing project. Sarah chose a great black and white print by Alexander Henry, perfectly suited for the jacket pattern she wanted to make.

Just this past week, much to our delight, we received an e-mail from Lisa. In it she attached this great photo of Sarah modeling her completed project. She also told us that the lovely young lady, age 15, won an Outstanding of the Day at the the Ohio State Fair as well as the Fayette County Fair.

Good job Sarah!!!

Keep up the great sewing!

This is the first of many....

We have often said how we love seeing what all our customers create as well as hearing about their shopping experiences and sewing stories. Now, we have decided to randomly showcase (monthly or perhaps even more often) the customers and stories that we feel must be shared with the masses.

You too can share with us, via flickr, e-mail or comment (you could even send us a link to a specific blog post you've writen).

Oliver & S Trunk Show

Starting today, Tuesday, November 4th through Saturday, November 15th. . . the Oliver and S Trunk Show
is on display in the front window of Sew to Speak.

These wonderful pattern makers have sent us several samples of their adorable fall clothing line. The pieces are darling. Exquisitely well made! We've left some of the garments folded on the table inside so that you might pick then up to look over the stitches in awe, as we have. The quality is outrageously good and their use of fabrics and trims is very inspiring. I must say that my absolute favorite piece in the show is the little pleated skirt hanging in the front window. If only it were about four times bigger...I guess I'll just have to make it, or maybe have it made, for my Aelyn. I always dress her in the things I wish I could wear! :)
We also have a few samples made by our friend Shelly of Figgy's children's wear and my mother, Anita will have the "Sunday Brunch Jacket" finished for Aelyn any time now. It is looking super cute in rusty orange velveteen with blue gingham bias as a surprise on the inside and four vintage buttons on the breast.

Also. . . Anita is giving 10% off these patterns during the trunk show, so be sure to take advantage of that and stop in to pick yours up.
Keep in mind, even if you don't have little ones of your own, handmade baby and children's clothing make wonderful gifts. Mommy's go gaga over this stuff... I speak from experience. I am blessed to have a mother with many crafty friends and was gifted with tons of great hand made goods before my baby girl arrived. We still get great new things made for her all the time (grandmothers are the greatest!). I can't get enough of it! These are the things I'll cherish forever, and I'll share them with my daughter as she grows and one day becomes a woman with baby's of her own.
hmmm.... this blog is making me feel a bit sentimental.
I'm reminded of when my mother and I used to get into her old cedar chest and pull out the blankets and things to find the box of my baby clothes she had tucked away. There was the outfit they put me in when I was first born, my hospital bracelet and hers, a soft, silky pink baby blanket, some photographs and several diffrent hand made outfits, rompers and such. She would talk to me about each piece. . . I remember feeling very special when we would sit and do that. . .


I love you so much Mom!
your baby, April

Mad for Modern Wool

As Anita (mom) and I peruse the catalogs of our favorite ready made stores (ie Nordstrom's, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie
and others) we've been seeing so many wonderful uses for plaid, gingham, hounds tooth and checks. So we were thrilled when she received samples from her newest supplier of salvaged designer fibers. We ordered our picks pronto, and they came just as quick.
Now in the Shoppe we have this great selection of both classic textured wools and super sweet plaids and checks. The gingham pictured here has been in for a little while but now looks fresh, perfectly paired with these new cloths. Whether used together or on their own they are deliciously stylish with that vintage appeal that both mom and I go crazy for.
Bold plaids are being used for everything from skirts and caplets, to handbags, hats and scarves. Solid wool patches could be added to the elbows of a sewn or ready made jacket! Wearing just one or two louder pieces with other more subtle, textured solids, or neutrals/denim is very fashion forward. Throw on some boots and you'll be set for fall.
P.S. Our new wools are 60 inches wide :)