Ladies Bus trip to Stone Mountain and Daughter

Last weekend I went on a bus trip with the Haute Couture Societe.  It is a wonderful way to spend a slightly rainy day.  Our first stop was at Stone Mountain and Daughter fabric and sewing store in Berkeley.  This store has been in business at this location for many years. They must have the largest selection of quilt fabrics I have ever seen, and they have a huge selection of knits, wools, and specialty evening fabrics.

http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/

 


Up stairs is where you will find the sale bolts, all 50%off.  I found a gray snake skin pattern knit that I will make a top in.  (of course will she you later the final project.)











My personal favorite instructor would be Sandra Betzina  My mom knows Sandra, and from the times I have met her I can tell you she is vivacious and excited about sewing.  She is the host of the Power Sewing WebTV Show and designs a full line of patterns for Vogue under the Today's Fit Tab. She has produced a skill series of 11DVDs and is the author of: More Fabric Savvy, Fast Fit and Power Sewing Step-by-Step. Her new book, The Power Sewing Toolbox: Tips & Techniques.  Sandra is also a popular speaker and hosts several week-long Sewing Retreats in San Francisco throughout the year. For more information about Sandra Betzina and Power Sewing visit www.powersweing.com.  I also loved this Sandra Bitzini Skirt with layered fabric strips in a stripe.  There was a class scheduled to teach these techniques.

  
 


  
 
 
 
 

 Upstairs is the classroom where the very best instructors teach(http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/sewing-classes.htm With over 150 classes in their catalog it was no surprise that a class was busy sewing up skirts and I loved the teachers skirt, a vogue patter that has been discontinued darn it.  She was clearly an accomplished sewer and as I listened to her teaching she was a very good teacher too.  The offer a lot of sewing classes, and bring in top notch teachers to share their expertise too.

They have a full selection of patterns, including independent company patterns.  They had one binder filled with discontinued independent patterns, now that is a find!  (Here I am sharing pattern ideas with fellow member.)











I would say this place is a quilter's paradise.  They have wonderful cotton prints for quilts. 

The cutting tables were filled with ladies grabbing pieces of their favorite fabrics.  The walls to the back of the store were filled with sewing notions.  I like that they always have things on sale.  Check out http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/special-offers.htm for special online offers.



To keep up with the store events and trends in sewing why not read their blog http://www.stonemountainfabric.com/daughters-blog.htm  You can follow along with co-owner and Daughter, Suzan Steinberg as she talkes about the store, Berkley and her favorite things to make.   I'll tell more about our bus trip tomorrow.

Jonelle

Tennessee Music Highway - Tennessee USA

Memphis in December

"From Elvis and Tina Turner to Carl Perkins and The Kings of Leon, the Tennessee Music Highway is the most important geographical location of musical influence on the planet."  http://tnmusichighway.com/  This was the stretch of road for me today.

First thing I noticed when I walked off the plane was how polite everyone is. The moment you step off the plane there are senior greeters, there to say welcome to Memphios and give you direction to your next gate, the baggage claim or a quick stop for food or shopping.  I also noticed that most everyone  was reffering to me as  "Mam" and in a completely positive, well manored way.  And never mind that it made me feel a bit "old"

I rented my car (Budget, and yes it was a "budget" especially for a one way rental) and hit the road for my first three appointments.

With an afternoon free we shopped at Worlds Away www.worlds-away.com.   We went there to see interior furnishings and accessories that are sold in the larger and finer department stores.

My recommendation is to give yourself plenty of time to go through the store.  There is so much to see and it's a little un-organized.  (See picture below)

What we discovered is that they carry seconds and returns, all priced to sell, off their retail floor. Many items are damaged with deeper discounts that reflect it.

World's Away also has showrooms in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles.  This one in Memphis is their public outlet. Worlds Apart is located right next to the Liberty Bowl.

Designers can shop wholesale at Worlds Away, and anyone can browse the stock.  Their items are manufactured abroad and sold to high end store and through catalogs.  They carry small furniture, light fixtures, home decor and fabric from the company's collections catalog.  (TI went online and ordered their catalog when I returned home.)  If your in Memphis I say "Check it out!"

http://www.worlds-away.com/
Contact:
HOME OFFICE:
WORLDS AWAY
322 SOUTH HOLLYWOOD
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE 38104
(901)529-0844
(901)527-3406
PLEASE CALL FOR APPOINTMENT TO OUR
SALES MANAGER, NEAL EDWARDS

I found it!

The "ah ha" moment of the day was discovering the most delightful shoes.  Yes delightful and shoes in the same sentance.  These comfortable smart looking shoes were for sale in the back of the showroom.  These shoes are hand made by the Charleston Shoe Company and the owner of this showroom is the mother of the developer of these fantastic fabric shoes.

Www.CharlestonShoeCo.com

We loved the colors, simplicity and contemporary style. I decided to try on a few and they were indeed comfortable.  They are made of elasticated fabric, and they can be machine washed in cold water on the gental cycle.  (I saw directions on YouTube.com) I fell in love with the wedge bootie ( in black) and the flat brown suede pair.  I went online to see what else they offered and will be ordering the boots soon.  I'll keep you posted when I get a list of locations that sell these shoes and a review when mine arrive as to how they fit.

We had a long drive ahead the next morning, and bad weather to boot so I turned on my GPS and drove East on the Tennessee Interstate freeway. Highway 40 traverses the entirety of the state from west to east, running from the Mississippi River at the Arkansas border. We drove the stretch of land between Memphis and Nashville also known as the “Music Highway”  Driving across the state we noticed the landscape was beautiful and getting ready for winter. The trees barren of leaves now were thick and lined all the rivers and creeks.  More on my trip tomorrow

Jonelle'

 

 

Workshop with Christopher Collins - American Fashion Designer




Christopher Collins addresses the group during the
workshop sharing his thoughts on attendees projects.

Workshop: Inspiration: Where to Find It and How to Put It to Work”





This was a beautiful piece of fabric with large print,
Christopher is seen here draping a skirt several different ways

Working with stripes was a fun demonstration.  Christopher shared some ideas as the entire group gave comment of what style they liked best.

These are Delta College students who brought several of their fashion projects to share with the group, and get design feedback from Christopher.

 

In the creative workshop there was opportunity to ask Christopher to give his thoughts on individual’s projects and ideas.  Christopher showed us how to really listen to a fabric and start by draping it on a manaquin.  It’s okay to have a fabric, and later find a pattern that makes sense with the fabrics, weight, drape, pattern, and feeling.  Christopher showed us how to do draping on a mannequin, how to change directions on fabric and make Chevron patterns from stripes.  He spent time draping fabrics around women's bodies, and talked about finding




From the youngest member of the group to the more seasoned sewers, everyone had opportunity to speak with Christoher.  Here you see him going over some of the junior members drawings - getting encouragment to sew some of her designs.



Christopher learned about a "Bog Coat" from one of the attending members

Now of course I want to go to see his entire Fall Collection at his store in San Francisco (2.5 hour drive from our home)

Link to the store that carry his designs: http://christophercollinscollection.com/stores.html

Want to see Christopher Collins Fall line?  http://christophercollinscollection.com/

Want to know more about Christopher Collins?  Watch this you-tube video where "Combine Couture" has a personal chat with nationally known fashion designer Christopher Collins in his San Francisco studio. Hear his thoughts on his time on Lifetime's hit TV show, Project Runway. http://youtu.be/oUVOoxun6TU

Christopher Collins: Yes. I would have to say that I am inspired by historical fashion, especially Elizabethan fashion and especially Rococo fashion  of the 18th century with its usage of light silk, and taffeta. Textures create romance & mood. Literature inspires me; music inspires me; currently I am listening to Beethoven on my IPod. Fashion is an epic moment.

Enjoyable article on Christopher’s experience on Project Runway Season 8

http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-8/designers/christopher-collins

List of links:

Check out his boutique at: 1112 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 T: 415-440-2464
http://christophercollinscollection.com/

Absolute Vodka link - http://www.sfgate.com/style/article/Christopher-Collins-off-Project-but-not-runways-3169903.php#page-1

Link to Season 8 of Project Runway. http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/season-8/designers/christopher-collins

Visit: www.HauteCoutureCA.org  This unique Haute Couture Societe offers its members:

  *Monthly meetings with creative speakers and presentations 

 * Workshops by artists on various techniques and skills. 

  *Field trips to special events and unique shops

  * Extensive library for member checkout.

  *Discounts with local shops using the membership card

  *Special fabric and notion sales at some meetings.