Black and White Trench

This is the article from Belle Armoire magazine that I told you about earlier. The article is written by Amanda Crabtree. My trench is the top one with the white pockets and trim. This is one of the first items I submitted to Somerset magazines. Since I hadn't heard from them for over a year and a half. I assumed they weren't going to use the trench. I was surprised when I received the email telling me that it was going to be published. The article is actually three pages. The last page has two photos of details of my coat. The trench is made from a thrifted vintage designer trench and a white formal gown. It really looks great in the magazine, don't you think?

Altered Couture "No Sew Sweater"

I just returned from vacation to find my complimentary copy of the Winter issue of Altered Couture magazine. I have two items in the magazine. This is one. The 100% wool sweater has been embellished using a Embellishing (felting) machine. The flower petals are wool fabric that has been felted to the sweater. I them added the strips of a multicolored wool fabric and novelty yarn with the felting machine. The entire upcycled sweater was done with the felting machine. No sewing involved. The sweater and wool fabric were purchased at the thrift store. The novelty yarn was from my stash. I used my Huskystar ER 10 embellishing machine.

Just Sold on Etsy

This little altered jacket just sold in my Etsy store and is on it's way to a new home in Pennsylvania. I'm hoping to add more items to my store in the next few weeks. I have neglected my store for some time and just reactivated it this week. Just click on the Esty link on my blog to see my Etsy store.

The jacket was embellished with pink lace and rickrack. I added a machine embroidery applique on the back and added fabric to the collar.

Exciting News

I recently received proofs for two of my articles for the upcoming issue of Altered Couture magazine. It is amazing the great things they can do to make my altered clothing look sooooo good. Both items will be technique articles. Each will have a two page spread. They both look great. I can't share the photos with you. You'll have to buy the magazine in November but I can tell you that one involves a child's overall and a vintage apron. The other machine needle felting. I can hardly wait until the magazine arrives. We receive a complimentary copy of the magazine just prior to it's release in bookstores.

I also have an item in the November/December Belle Armoire magazine. It's so much fun to see your works in print. I only sent in one item for the Spring issue of Altered Couture. Things have a little crazy this summer. I do have some ideas for the Summer issue due in December.

Belle Armoire Magazine Selection

I received great news today. One of my items has been selected for publication in Belle Armoire magazine. I hadn't even submitted anything to Belle Armoire but they selected an item I had submitted to Altered Couture. I'm excited to see my work in another of the Somerset Magazines. So exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a peak at the item.

Altered Couture Summer issue Arrived Today

My complimentary issue of the summer Altered Couture arrived today. I am so pleased to have been selected to do a techniques article in the Children's Section. The article is "All Dressed Up". This is my first techniques article. It appears on pages 70 & 71. It features a child's denim jacket embellished with doll clothing. What fun seeing your name in print.

I submitted an ensemble for the Fall issue but have been notified that it will appear in the Winter issue. It involved an argyle sweater. Perhaps that is more appropriate for winter.

Altered Shoes - Golden Fiesta

I recently recieved an email from the editor of Altered Couture Magazine encouraging me to submit altered shoes for their Spring issue. This is a sneek peak at the altered shoes that I submitted. I call them "Golden Fiesta". They began as a pair of gold leather pumps and were embellished. The finished shoe reminded me of a fiesta. So "Golden Fiesta" they became. Won't know for a few months if they are accepted for publication. This is my first pair of altered shoes.

Skirt is Back from Altered Couture Magazine

My Going Green Skirt arrived in the mail yesterday from Altered Couture just in time to display at Bernina Southwest. I will be teaching a class on how-to make a skirt just like the one feathered in the fall issue of Altered Couture magazine. The class is called "Glitzy Jean Skirt" and is offered as a two session class in October at Bernina Southwest. Check out their schedule of classes here and click on the classes tab for more information. I'm looking forward to teaching again after the summer off. I hope to add more classes as time allows.

A little bleach!

Altered Couture magazine is having a challenge to use bleach in an altered garment. I have been working on this piece. Just put on the finishing touches today and I will submit to the magazine next week. Hope they like it. Can't show you the entire garment but here is a little clue.

Another "Apron All"

A week or so ago, I posted about an idea I had for recycled/altered overalls for children. I did a sample one and posted the picture here. I have since added vintage rick rack on the apron edge and removed the buckles from the straps. I made buttonholes and sewed on vintage green buttons. I will be listing it on etsy.

The "Apron All" above was made from a recycled overall and a vintage children's apron. I removed the pocket from the apron and sewed it to the top of the overall. I then cut the apron to a shorter length and gathered to a new waistband cut from the left over skirt. I shortened the ties and attached to the waistband. On this garment, I left the buckles as they were. This item will also be listed on etsy.