How Aisha is Getting Her Sewjo Back

I've worked for a large telecommunications company for many years now, and I've found it common for most organizations and industries to adopt and use shorthand verbiage when its members communicate among themselves.  This practice absolutely extends to the sewing community - especially the online varieties - with "sewjo" being a common term used by many members.  For those of you who are novices, allow me to cobble together a definition.

The term has its origins in the word "mojo", which is formally defined as "magic power", and more commonly defined as having sex appeal or talent.  When used in the context of sewing, the hybrid term of "sewjo" is coined and generally refers to the creative energy used in sewing successive sewing projects in relatively short periods of time.

Since completing my Blog Like Crazy challenge, I've been suffering from a very anemic "sewjo" for a variety of reasons, and despite having several active WIPs (works in progress) , I just don't feel energized to work on any of them.  Desperate to not fall back into comfortable habits which lead to a void in sewing and blogging, I recognize the need for a quick sewing energy booster.  Motivated by the dumping of about 10 inches of snow we received earlier this week, I've decided to make winter accessories fashioned from a thrift store sweater.

"Nouveau Vivre" Knit Throw

Hello everyone and welcome back to my little corner of the internet.  After completing the Blog Like Crazy challenge in November, I took a couple of days to relax and think of the next project about which I wanted to write.  You may recall my sharing with you that I purchased several knit sweaters from The Salvation Army to make a knit throw to accompany the knit pillow cases in my Family Room.

BLC Day 27: Sweater Knit Throw

I recently shared with you details on the pillow cases I made from thrift store sweaters for my Family Room, and mentioned that I wanted to make patchwork throws to accompany the cases.  A while ago, while viewing images on Pinterest, I found this one of the patch-work sweater knit blanket Michelle made and posted on her blog, Yellow Suitcase Studio.  This served as my inspiration.

BLC Day 23: True Blue Original

If you've ever had to hem a pair of denim jeans, you know how difficult it can be to get over that "hump" at the seam line due to the multiple layers of fabric.  Including those involved in flat-felling the side seams, there could easily be 12 layers of denim your machine needle has to get through - and not always successfully.  One work-around technique I've used is to overcast the hem's cut edge then simply fold under the hem once and stitch in place.  While this process does accomplish the task, you do lose the original jean hem and its stitching.  Plus, the hem top tends to fold down which I have found annoying.  However, I recently saw Nancy Zieman demonstrate a faster technique which looked super-easy and maintained the jean's original hem, so I thought I would give it a try.

BLC Day 18: Edith Said It...

Hello Friends,

I live in the Metro Detroit area but traveled to Grand Rapids this week for work.  If you're unfamiliar with Michigan's footprint, Detroit is in the state's Southeast quadrant, and Grand Rapids is westward, practically on the other side of the state.  So, today I'm wrapping up my final work day here and have a pretty lengthy drive home ahead of me this evening - approximately 2 1/2 hours - so it will be pretty late when I get home.  In an effort to remain true to my Blog Like Crazy commitment, I thought I'd share one of my favorite fashion quotes with you.

On one of my Thrift Shop excursions a few years ago, I picked up a commemorative graduation shadow-box frame, painted it black, added a decorative paper background, adorned with an old cameo broach and hung on my Sewing Room wall.

On the paper, I printed a quote attributed to Edith Head, well-known and Oscar award winning Hollywood costume designer.  I love this quote and feel it still holds true today.  Enjoy!

Be blessed!

Aisha

BLC Day 11: Deconstruction and Empire Inspo

It's been quite a whirlwind for the past couple of days, and I'm so glad to shift my focus back to my favorite topic - SEWING!!!  I think I mentioned a couple of times that I follow many blogs, some of which focuses on refashioning clothing, most often using thrift store finds - i.e. Refashionista, The Renegade Seamstress and Thriftanista in the City.  Each of these bloggers has her own techniques she uses to restyle an existing garment.  I tend to do a full deconstruction to see what pieces I'm working with, especially if I intend to use a traditional sewing pattern to make the final project.  This was the process I used for my leopard print skirt, and it's what I'm using for the wool and leather coat I mentioned on Sunday.

BLC Day 7: Wool & Leather Coat Refash - The Plan

I can't tell you why, but I have a fondness for white wool coats.  Not white-white, but more winter-white. Something about them looks sophisticated and classic to me, almost regardless of style.  I shared with you yesterday my observation regarding the sudden trendiness of shopping at thrift stores, and that I, too, have shopped them to see what treasures I could scoop up.  Last week while traveling in Grand Rapids, MI for work, I stopped by the Goodwill store located on Kraft Ave. to see what they had.

I found this winter-white wool coat.  It was in very good condition, but it didn't fit me well, especially around the biceps which is always a fitting challenge for me.  But, I thought there was enough fabric to do "something" with it.

BLC Day 6: Empire Refash

Have you noticed that thrift store shopping has become trendy?  I wonder what changed to make this shopping experience "stylish".  I've had several recent experiences where I've voiced my admiration over something a person is wearing, only to hear them proudly proclaim it was purchased at a thrift store - and by young women, too!

I've supported The Salvation Army for many years, both financially and through donations, because I believe in their cause and the work they do.  About 2 years ago, I went to one of their thrift stores on New Year's Day because I wanted to purchase a supply of inexpensive white sweaters for a home dec project - more on that later.  While there, I was drawn to this red empire-waist pullover sweater.  I loved the color, the pronounced cable knits and the weight.  I could see this being a welcomed and much-appreciated layer of clothing on cold winter days.  And, because the store was holding a Half-Off Tag sale for the holiday, I was able to scoop it up for about $3 or $4.  Once I started wearing it, however, the sweater bodice felt constricting and the style almost maternity-like.

I went on Pinterest and found several sweater refashion images which inspired me, and because I still loved the color and knit, I thought I would like the sweater better as a cardigan than of a pullover.

Patchwork Design Elements - IDK?

The fashion design influences of the 1970s have certainly been making its mark in the ateliers of current design houses.  Everything from wide-leg pants, a-line skirts, gauchos (aka culottes), maxi-dresses, ponchos, peasant-style, etc. can been seen on the runways and in clothing stores.

Stella MCartney, $1,220

Rebirth of a Leopard...

Who else out there enjoys Pinterest?  I could not begin to count the accumulated hours I've spent on this social media site.  But unlike some others, I feel this one to be quite useful in sparking new ideas and sharing best practices.  I've been on Pinterest for maybe 2 years now, and have created 62 virtual bulletin boards with over 1200 pins.  Trust me when I say that is light-weight compared to some other Pinners whose boards I follow.

One of the pins I saved on my Sewing Inspirations - Skirts board is the image below.  Something about the "casual chic" combination of the animal-print skirt, plain white tee and classic denim jacket really caught my attention.