I had ordered some fabric online (crepe viscose) for a jumpsuit I was going to make but didn't quite like the texture and feel for the look I was going for. I put it to the side for a later project and here it is . I ended up making another jumpsuit.

I know I wanted a kimono top style and had a great pattern in mind, can you guess which one? V9253 which I hacked to make into a coat (Blog Post here). I skipped the zipper and opted for a V back higher than the front V neck.  I also used the bottom part of V9075 and instead of pleating it, I gathered and added an elastic. This was an easy make and I love love how it fits feels and looks. Also works great as off the shoulder and you know I like some off shoulder action. What do you think? Want one? Get in touch with me to set up an appointment for your custom piece. Book here

I absolutely adore my husband and my aim is to make him as happy as he makes me feel. So that means looking good for him on HIS Birthday hahahahahahaha. Okay any day is an excuse to sew something.

I was inspired by this dress I saw on my facebook feed and said OMG this is gorgeous I have to have it.

Inspiration Look

Inspiration Look

Inspiration Look

Now Velvet is trending right now and its one of those fabrics that once's it's out of trend you ask yourself what on earth was I doing, but hey, live a little right.

So I found the perfect velvet fabric and pattern and went to work. This was an easy sew and the only thing I would have changed is lengthening the hem and sizing down. Other than that I came close to the inspiration version. Hubby loved it and we had a great day celebrating his birthday.

Fresh of the Sewing Machine

Steamed the Velvet

 

 
 

 

Love the look? Want it for yourself? Can't sew?

I have a listing available just for you. Click Here.

The holidays are coming and you know you have an event that you need a dress for. Work Party, Birthday. Let me help you get ready for that.

When I first officially started sewing for other people Desiree was the first person to jump all over it. She was actually one of the very first people who actually saw me take my first steps into all of this and has been extremely supportive and encouraging throughout this journey (it's just who she is).

Fast forward one year later I still had not made the jumpsuit I promised to make Desiree, mostly because I was super sensitive and scared I would mess up (nervous laugh). So I kept making jumpsuits for myself and maybe one other person and the rest of the world lol. Desiree was not having this and subtly kept hinting on social media that she was still waiting LOL.

Anyways, I said I had been making things for everyone else but her and so I got myself together and told her I was ready to make her jumpsuit. As per process, I asked her to show me ideas of what she wanted and colors that she liked.  She finally picked out an off shoulder jumpsuit inspired by Style Pantry

Desiree wanted a different bottom style and so I asked her to bring me her favorite set of pants so I could make the bottom in a style that she loved. That right there was what sealed the deal.

I got to work and completed her jumpsuit in time for a conference Desiree was speaking at. Desiree came in for her fitting and everything fit perfectly. I used a lightweight Crepe fabric with an elasticated waist, the off shoulder feature and for ease in and out an invisible zipper on the shoulder.  Let's not forget the pockets LOL We love our pockets. All I remember afterward was her saying "I love it" I love it"

Day of the conference I managed to connect with Desiree again (She looked gorgeous) and before I could get in a word she was like OMG I have gotten so many compliments on this Jumpsuit. I love it it is so comfortable, I love it and want it in all colors.

This is the joy of sewing for me. Watching Fabric transform into something wearable but then making someone feel beautiful, comfortable and have them hear those compliments ring in. I love it

This post is slightly different from the rest of the business series but I thought there were nuggets of wisdom that could be shared for the entrepreneur on the way up.


I was fortunate enough to be selected to attend the Level Up Conference (no charge) here in Memphis organized by Cynthia Daniels of Cynthia Daniels Co. It was the first of its kind, a conference to help elevate your passion by exposing entrepreneurs and business minded individual to experts in the industry, Taking Your Business, Career & Personal Life to the Next Level! 

The conference was full of dynamic speakers that discussed  topics that included: defining your life goals, Volunteering into a new career path, Navigating global travel, community development strategies, maximizing your day and balancing career family and faith, Automating your business, Nurturing your network, Playing the corporate game and Creating multiple streams of Income. The topics were broken into sessions and I managed to attend about 3 of them with panels that included friends of mine. I will give a few tips on what I learned from each panel even though it felt like I was drinking from a firehose LOL

Me  and Latoya waiting on the panel discussion

Lessons in Defining your goals

• Be intentional and take ownership of your goals
• Don't be ambiguous. Be very specific about what you want to achieve
• Define what success looks like for you and set up success milestones
• Have an accountability partner that can call you out and check on you to keep you on track
• Don't sacrifice your time. Be mindful of where your time goes and prioritize.
• Give energy to what gives back. Energy is neither created nor destroyed only transferred.
• Don't buy into the dream, that other people project on you. Live your life

Lessons for Nurturing your Network 

• At a networking event, see the room, see people and stop trying to be seen
• Be willing to listen to other people and their stories
• Be prepared to speak about yourself (1 to 2-minute elevator pitch)
• When you follow up don't pitch. Recap your meeting and what stood out
• Building a network is about building relationships and that is only done with time
• Don't be about the hookup. Businesses fail because of constantly being about the hookup
• Be respectful of people's time. If you do get the opportunity to meet, pay for their order

Each new day surprises me. How did we get this far in the year? How is it October? As the saying goes  "time flies when you are having fun". I must be having a lot of fun ha ha ha. Time is zooming by.

Anyways, I have been busy and I am super thankful because each time I get the opportunity to polish up my sewing. I am challenged and pushed beyond my skills, making me better each day.

I had the opportunity to work with Dedria this past month. She wanted two dresses, one for her baby shower and one for her maternity shoot. She was originally inspired by Evelyn Lozada's Shower dress but eventually settled on a Seraphine Emerald green dress. I had my work cut out for me. I, fortunately, found an exact pattern  Simplicity patterns S1360 but this was the hardest pattern I have ever used. The instructions weren't clear, the pictures didn't help either. I finally made it work and I think the results came out perfect. Dee looked gorgeous for her shower. 

Seraphine Emerald Green Dress

 The second dress for her shoot was inspired by J and L Design Boutique. I loved working on this dress and used a pattern mash-up of McCalls M6884 top modified to look like an off the shoulder top and M7047 for the bottom. I raised the waist so it hit just under the bust and picked a fabric with a great amount of stretch to accommodate the bump but still be comfortable. Dedria looked beautiful in the complete dress. I am glad she chose me to work on them.