Bra Making/ August 3, 2016August 3, 2016

Learn Bra Making Live Instruction with Ann St. Clair

Learn Bra Making with Live Instruction by Ann St. Clair and hosted by Curvy Girls are Chic on Wednesday, October 5th and Thursday, October 6th, 2016 at Hobby Lobby Laurel, MD.

Anne St. Clair will instruction and fit for two days October 5th and October 6th, 2016
Agenda forth coming. Cost $130 plus 1 kit – $75 that can be purchased from Anne. The kit will make up to three (3) bras.
Continental Breakfast and Lunch and snacks included.
Please note: there will be no recording of this event. Ann teaches live only.

**Students must provide their own sewing machine, scissors, needles, and thread. Some basics can be purchased at Hobby Lobby and a discount code is provided when the class is paid for.
**The Basic Tool Kit list for the class is provided once the class is paid for

If you want to stay overnight let me know so can block rooms.
Tuesday evening with be dinner at Mike’s Crab House (Annapolis or Seaside Crab House (Glen Burnie, Maryland)

Deadline to pay for class is September 26, 2016. Please use the Pay Pal “Buy it Now Button” below to pay for the class:

Queen Anne Bra Inside — Queen Anne Bra created

Student Created Queen Anne — Queen Ann Bra

Class Payment

For More info you can join the Bra Makers – Beginners to Intermediate Facebook Group – Bra Makers – Beginners to Intermediate 101

Curvy Girls are Chic/ July 21, 2016July 21, 2016

Rainbows Melanin DIY Off Shoulders Top

Hello Blogger Fam!

Rainbows Melanin DIY Off-the-Shoulders Top Red Pants. I saw this beautiful cotton fabric at Metro Textiles in New York and I knew I had to have it. At first I was going to make a pair of pants but then the off the shoulder crazy reinvented itself and I decided to make a quick top, I used McCalls 6558 for the top — I had this pattern for a while but the photos on the outside envelope is hideous. Not sure why I ignored using this pattern but I did.

When everyone began wearing and sewing these tops again I knew I would make a few. I was even shocked by the sticker price of an Off-the-Shoulders dress in JCrew with the grand price of $138! While I love the brand and the simplicity of JCrew’s clothing, I won’t spend $138 a dress that I can make four of at that price.. anyhoo..

Rainbows of Melanin Off Shoulders Top M6558

Rainbow Top M6558 and Vogue 9032 — Rainbow Top and Red Pants V6558 and V9032

The Red Pants V9032

The pants were made using Vogue 9032 I have to say I really love this pants pattern as its definitely made for girls with curves. The back fit is probably the most important for me as the back pants pattern is in two pieces and it allows for the shaping of the rear and waist. I do have a tendency to cut my items bigger than necessary then I need to take inches and inches out 🙁

About the Camera

These shots were created with my new Canon EOS Rebel T5 and I am in love! I purchased my bundle at Costco but there are better deals to be had at Amazon. My kit came with two lens which I am still learning, the lens on these shots were done with the a Zoom Lens 18-55mm out on the streets of Baltimore. When I edited these in Picasa I simply cropped out the unnecessary body parts.. The colors were not changed at all.. I wanted to see how the images would come out before I dabbled in any other editing software.

Raw Rainbow Shot Backview — Very raw shot! Forgot to crop out the trash LOL

**This is not a sponsored post however this post does contains affiliate links. Although this post contains affiliate links, all opinions are my own.**

Sunnies: Gucci (old)
Bracelets: David Yurma
Watch and band: Michele
Shoes: Ann Taylor (old)

Curvy Girls are Chic/ February 14, 2016

New Business Venture Announcement!

New Business Venture Announcement! As you know, you can never have too many streams of income! While my passion is sewing, I also have a passion for planning. One of my Masters is in the field of Project Management therefore it only falls in like with organization. And being a sewer as well as working from home requires a lot of that..

Planners

I fell in love with the Erin Condren LifeStyle Planner (right now there is a sale on planners 30% and when you sign-up you receive emails about the sales) over a year ago and always sought away to incorporate that into some kind of passive income. Outcomes Planner Bits an online planner and accessory store! I will carry all sorts of fun accessories for your planner — stickers, custom-made stickers, stickers for planning your sewing, washi, fine writing instruments, cute Hello Kitty accessories, sticky notes, paper tabs, notebooks, pencil cases, and eventually some planners. I will also have some affiliate links and plan on offering affiliates to opportunity to earn. Some classes in the local area and I also hope to get more into doing things on YouTube since this is a huge driver to Do-It-Yourself information.

Planner Bits

Has its own site as well as an attached blog. The blog will talk about more planning tricks, designing, and creating of your planner!

Ipsy

I received a referral link from one of my Facebook friends to join Ipsy

.. I finally received this adorable bag and a few cute samples that will fit right in my new Tory Burch York Tote. I think the samples were great but they were just not in my shade. I think that is one of the most disappointing things when I receive these kinds of promos. You answer a good deal of questions about shades and background yet you receive shades that do no match my complexion. I will though look forward to receiving another glambag.. But if the shades stay the same I won’t continue 🙁

Follow the links to the site and the blog to enter in the chance to win!

Curvy Girls are Chic/ February 5, 2016February 5, 2016

Silk Leopard Maxi Dress made with Vogue 8921

Hey Hey! Happy New Year!

Just made! Silk Leopard Dress Vogue 8921 – here is Vogue 8921 made with a Silk Jersey Fabric from Mood Fabrics and I knew it would be some sort of Maxi Dress.. I wore it on Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit with the family but my Grandmother was insistent on me shorting it and it was too long lol. I digress Grandma “it should be long” LOL. I like it when it kisses the boot or show and you see just a peek, you do need to be careful though and have a hem that is longer than your heel height so it does not get caught and cause a disaster!

Maxi Dress Vogue 8921

This was quite an easy sew only 4 pieces that are easy to adjust. The back called for a back zipper but it wasn’t
necessary so I omitted it.

The above shot I really love and it shows a great deal of detail on the dress and the jacket I made.

Vogue 8921 and McCalls 7257 Side-View — Vogue 8921 and McCall’s 7257 Side-View

Leather Bolero

I never blogged about this leather bolero, but it was also made with McCall’s 7257. I cut my own strips of leather and gathered them as well as made the puffs from some fur I had here. I created one bound button hole although the pattern did not call for one. I generally look for leather skins no matter where I shop. I can’t stand pleather its hot, it does not breathe, and the sound of the swish swish just annoys me! These skins were great and I actually had more than I could use, I got these skins from New York.

McCalls 7257 Self made ruffles, bound buttonholes, fur puff — McCall’s 7257 Self made ruffles, bound buttonholes, fur puff

Vogue 8921Sideview — Vogue 8921 Sideview

I think it’s a good transition dress, it can be worn late winter, early spring, into summer as well as most of fall until early December “its an all purpose dress” – Jodi from Baby Boy! LOL

Thanks for reading! Let me know how you like it! Until we meet again! **Mauh*

Nail Enamel: CHANEL
Booties: (old) COACH

Curvy Girls are Chic/ December 5, 2015

Week 5 Vogue 1467 Coat Sew Along – Top Stitching

Hello Curvy Girl Fan..

I will not talk no more about my frustrations with my photos.. it’s just not happening unless I get married in the next few weeks OR I hire a photographer! The later is probably the cheapest route LOL No seriously I am picky to say the least but I also what to take photos with out a lot of drama or cheer leading — just snap my photo let me see!

Anywhoo so that answers why these posts are delayed.. Someone promised me they would be by to take my photos next week — lets hope because this sew along has gone one too long.

This will be the final installment before the big reveal.. I have not worn the jacket yet and I am anxious to wear it..

Today we will look at the top stitching, the collar, and finishing.

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Coat Top Stitching

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This coat has top stitching all along the seams, the pocket, back center, and side seams. This is a view of the back joined together with the top stitching. I have to say I am impressed with myself LOL This fabric was sooooo easy to work with and so forgiving. Basically I inserted my top stitch needle, marked the 1/4″ seams with my FriXion Erasable Pen and ruler, and sewed slowly.

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More Top stitching, Front Flap closes to the right.. the white thread you see is my basting thread that’s keeping the hair canvas in place.

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Top stitching and back belt prior to buttonholes and buttons

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Side View of Sleeve and Top stitching

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Coat Collar Attachment

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Collar after Pressing and Top Stitching

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Thanks for following!

Next post will be the complete coat and outfit 🙂

Mauh XXXX

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Curvy Girls are Chic/ November 12, 2015December 4, 2015

Week 4 Vogue 1467 Coat Sew Along – Coat Shell, Sleeves

Hey now! We are in Week 4 and down to our final three posts for Vogue 1467 Coat Sew Along whew! Today we will look at the outside construction Coat Shell, back belt, and the sleeves. Below you see the back construction of the jacket, the most challenging part is that triangle at the top which makes this pea coat very unique. Initially I set it in using the reversed side, I let it set for a day to see if I like it and I did not. I took it out and flipped it to the side you see now. Everything else was then top-stitched.

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Vogue 1467 Coat Shell

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Then you add the faux belt, button holes, and the buttons. If you notice the belt is not the same as the fabric, I thought it would be different if I lined the belt with the lining that I am using for the coat 🙂 No one says the pattern must be followed to the letter!

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Below you see the sleeve cap. I cut 2 x 12 strips and sewed them along with the sleeve.

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Vogue 1467 Coat Sleeves

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Inside Sleeve Cap Vogue 1467

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Cut the 2 x 12 strip from your interfacing (preferably non fusible)
Baste the strip to the top of the sleeve head
Sew long stitches from one notch to the other notch.]
Gather your sleeve spreading the gathers out evenly, steam press the sleeve head slightly to shrink it a bit. Then, pin into the armsyce. You will use lots and lots of pins — oh yeah they hurt when they stick you lol
Sew in your sleeve.

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My Lining came from Patron Fabrics in NYC they dont have a website but there is a good review on Yelp.

Wool and Cashmere Fabric Mood Fabrics. love love love their selections!

Curvy Girls are Chic

DIY Fashion Blogger with the passion of sewing specializing in fashion for Curvy Girls.

Category: Curvy Girls are Chic

Learn Bra Making Live Instruction with Ann St. Clair

Class Payment

Rainbows Melanin DIY Off Shoulders Top

Hello Blogger Fam!

Rainbows of Melanin Off Shoulders Top M6558

The Red Pants V9032

About the Camera

New Business Venture Announcement!

Planners

Planner Bits

Ipsy

Silk Leopard Maxi Dress made with Vogue 8921

Hey Hey! Happy New Year!

Maxi Dress Vogue 8921

Leather Bolero

Week 5 Vogue 1467 Coat Sew Along – Top Stitching

Hello Curvy Girl Fan..

Coat Top Stitching

Coat Collar Attachment

Week 4 Vogue 1467 Coat Sew Along – Coat Shell, Sleeves

Vogue 1467 Coat Shell

Vogue 1467 Coat Sleeves