OK, newest shirt. Inspired by a D Squared shirt that costs $400.00 + ( no mass produced piece of clothing is EVER worth that much. IMHO ) My costs minus 6 hours of labour? $18.00. With labour- $138.00, wholesale would be $276.00, retail if I sold at that level-$550.00 made to fit. Some clients will give me a picture of a something and want it for pennies but I always charge full retail + . I am not a slave people. I can't live on a dollar a day.
 

   Anyway, their shirt had a red and black plaid collar on a white body, mine is a red paisley I had at the bottom of my scrap pile. Borrowed the tie holder from another of their shirts. I normally don't copy other peoples work but Rick liked it so much I had to make him one. I also used the paisley for the waistband on a pair of pants but I'll save that mess for another post.
   I started a pewter colored, croc embossed leather messenger bag for a gift awhile ago but the tannery put on a black antiquing dye that keeps rubbing off! Tried working on it again yesterday after cleaning it multiple times over the past couple of weeks but more black dye came off. I will just go ahead and finish the outside then varnish it. I'll post a picture later when it is done.
   Time to get back to the sewing machines.
Adios!
  

It has been awhile since I last posted so here are some of the projects I have been working on.

 

I ordered this book to re-fresh my pattern making skills. Tried it first on a Kindle app for my ASUS slate computer but found it to difficult to work with. Instructions and illustrations were not in an order that made it simple to flip back and forth, some were up to 6 "pages" apart. I returned the Kindle version to Amazon and ordered to hardback book. If you want to learn pattern making for men this is the book you need.

I double checked my shirt pattern against the new block I drafted from the book and only had to make a few "adjustments" so I went ahead and cut a shirt. I'll post a picture of the shirt soon. Today I made a block for a pair of slim cut trousers. I am going to make those up between today and tomorrow but I have to resist making this first pair to fancy with extra seaming, pockets, etc. I double checked the measurements against a pair of pants that fit ok so these should work right off the bat.

Went for my 3rd and final interview at Linda Z's sewing center in Arlington Heights  (www.lindazs.com) yesterday for a job I want soooo badly. I'll be teaching sewing, pattern making from scratch, how to alter a store bought pattern to arrive at a different look, fitting, redesigning RTW and selling sewing machines. Boy I hope I get it!

What should have been a 45 minute interview turned into 2+ hours while we discussed what I can do, what I can bring to the company and what the plans are for the company. Seems I am exactly what they are looking for.

Adios for now!

 

    Finally Done. A custom shirt in a wood/ bark print cotton. I embroidered ants on the shoulder, took 3 tries to get them to look like I wanted. 2nd picture is the first attempt, 2nd attempt then the final attempt.
   Tomorrow I get to start a messenger bag in pewter croc embossed leather.

My Boy Togo

Just registered "sewnonuro.com" as my domain name for my website. Now on to the next item on the list!

Well so much for posting every day! Funny how time flies when you have no time for the "other" things in life. Anyway, I have set up a Facebook page for my sewing @ http://www.facebook.com/Nonuro and I am slowly getting that updated.

   Finished a linen tunic for myself for next spring. Had the itch to make some clothing and that was the only fabric in my fabric closet that said pick me up. I was making it up as I went along and I think it turned out really nicely. I did go fabric shopping on Sunday and found more fabric for next year. I could have easily spent several hundred dollars even after using all the coupons I had but alas I held myself to 4 fabrics.
   My friend Loralee came over last night to show Rick and I how to do wire wraps on jewelry and to take some pictures of my bags. We had a great time of it and I am looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
   Remember, I do accept orders for bags, knit goods and clothing so don't hesitate to ask!

   The last few days have certainly flowen by! Two of my sisters came for a visit and they rearranged my kitchen and stocked it all up. Thanks to the two of them I know have food for a month in the freezer and a fully stocked pantry.
   I did manage to make one purse in the last few days but that is all, I am having trouble with my neck and shoulders again so I haven't felt up to sewing or doing much of anything lately.
   I am thinking of trying my hand at producing videos for making bags and machine knitting when I feel better. Just a thought for now.
  

Pee-chures!
   On the top is my Pfaff 130-6 that my Grandmother gave to me. 50+ years old and runs like the day she brought it home. Couldn't make the cabinet work because my knees didn't fit. The middle picture is todays metallic embroidery and the bottom is my new to me Pfaff Creative Vision. The C.V. replaced a Viking Designer SELE that was a true POS. That machine was constantly breaking down and the last repair was going to cost $800.00 plus labour so out the door it went. The C.V. is everything that the Viking wasn't.
   Tomrrow more pictures an update on today's project and shirts!

So it is Friday already. Started a new embroidery for a bag this morning using a gold metallic thread. Big mistake, the thread keeps breaking so this will take the better part of today.
   Between today and Monday I have to start writing the outline for my business plan (lord help me).
Would anyone be interested in sewing/knitting videos?
Food slepping at 5 today and a double tomorrow. I so want this sewing knitting business to take off!

Sooo,let me try AGAIN! I have been very busy sewing and knitting along with the purchase of our first condo. I met with a business advisor to see about taking my sewing/ fiber obsession and turn it into a viable business. She was very impressed with the quality of my work but not my prices, seems I charging waayyy to little and I am actually loosing money on each piece I sell. I kind off knew that but hearing someone I don't know tell me really hit home.
   I also need to focus on 1 or 2 products and then grow from there. I really want to make men's shirts at the moment and knits but I should forget the knits for now and do basic shirts for men  and also stick with the bags. I also need a web page ASAP along with a thank you card/ tag for my products. I suppose the biggest hurdle will be finding more outlets for my products.
   Here are a few pictures to start things off-

 

 

Of course I am on the wrong computer for pictures so I'll post somemore tomorrow.