How cute is this dress???? I am glad that my mom saved some of my baby dresses. I had so much fun today pressing them and fussing over them. This is just one of a half dozen adorable dresses that I will post.

I have always known that underneath it all, my mom has had an enormous impact on my life. I always tease her that my underwear matched my outfits, and although she denies it, I still beleive it to be true!

It has been her influence from an apparent early age, that I have an eye for beautiful things. I am so grateful for that, because that is why I am able to do what I do. And from what I understand my grandmother had it too!

So, when I explain to people that I just have to have that piece of fifty dollar a yard fabric, all I can say it that I come by it naturally!

By the way, my dress is silk organdy! Naturally!

I love to knit! Socks are a favorite of mine and I usually always have a pair on the needles. This is a pair I knitted for my friend Owen. They are knitted using a wonderful cotton/LYCRA yarn.

I had a little trouble getting gauge because of the stretch in the yarn, but once I got used to it it was great fun!

This week I have learned that things don't have to be so complicated.

Being the independent type (to say the least), I was recently suprised to find myself very dependent on others. I realized that I was relying too heavily on other people to do certain tasks for me that I had not wanted to do myself in the past.

Having my own business means that I have to wear many different hats, most of which I like...when I have time for them. Over the last ten or so years, I delegated jobs to a variety of support professionals, ie. book keepers, graphic designers, web designers, illustrators, IT guys, computer techs etc., so that I could spend my time on the creative end of the business. I used to be able to do just enough of that type of work myself to get by.

Well, anyway, all of a sudden, like the light bulb coming on, I realized that a few of these jobs were not being done with my best interest in mind.

I understand everyone needs to make a living, and no one wants to shoot themselves in the foot by giving out too much information, but...

To make a long story short, I took over some of the jobs that I paid people to do for me, and I realized that with a little effort on my part, I could accomplish the tasks quite simply myself! Not only that, but it is empowering to know that I am in control of certain things again.

I was always proud of the fact that I had done every job that I ever hired someone to do for me. I felt that part of my success was based on that fact, so it really upset me that I had let things get so out of my hands.

I am glad that the time between my paralyzing realizations and my awareness of self was short lived. I am very lucky to have good friends that came to my emotional rescue and set me back on safe ground. You know who you are!

Simplicity within the details is my mantra for the creative end of my business, and now I will strive for it everyday on the other end.

Check out my website. http://www.cjpatterns.com/

This is my best friend in the studio! I have had this Brother serger for more than 25 years, and it is still going strong, just like new. It is very dependable, and consistently does beautiful 4-thread stitching.

Being an industrial serger the clutch motor is underneath the machine. It sits in a large table, which makes it difficult to move, but a machine like this is SO much cheaper/better/faster than the home sewing market sergers. If you have a permanent home for one you will love it!

It has a small presser foot that allows you to see what you are sewing. Best of all, it enable you to turn and serge a 90 degree corner without cutting off the fabric first! You can, of course, serge with 3 threads/one needle, and do a rolled hem. Another great feature is that it is very quiet and smooth running.

The next time you need/want a new machine, think about purchasing industrial equipment. Used industrial equipment is very dependable and serviceable. You will not be disappointed, and you will have $$ left over for fabric!!!!

A Good Monday


Today in the studio, I took pictures of new print fabrics for my spring/summer collection. These fabrics are very fun, unique and wearable. View all the fabrics on my website http://www.cjpatterns.com/.


They are Rayon/LYCRA "ITY" fabrics. The ITY stands for Interlock Twist Yarns. All we need to know about that is that it makes these fabrics drape incredibly well. It won't cling, does not wrinkle and will feel wonderful on your body.

The garments you make with this fabric will be the same ones you see at Saks for hundreds of dollars. It feels rich! A wrap dress comes instantly to mind.

There are also two very unique ruffled, block print fabrics from a new resource in Quebec. The one draped on the mannequin above is a beauty. They are just a taste from this fabric source that will be a main supplier for my fall/winter fabric collection. Their fabrics are beyond gorgeous and the quality is impeccable.

I am looking forward to being a part of the redesign of my website this Friday. I will learn to make changes and updates myself and hope to make the site look and feel more like "me"!