Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...

I want to extend a huge virtual hug to my amazing research & development team (that's you guys out there, yeah!) for all the valuable help you've given me in the design & creation of my new line of boutique sewing patterns! (I'm preparing some nice goodies for a giveaway, so stay tuned!)

On my last posting I asked for suggestions regarding the "public restroom girls" -- or as one commenter, Annie, affectionately called them, "Potty girls" (hahaha) -- and lots of you out there piped up with great suggestions that would've never occurred to me!

Lisa, a.k.a thedomesticdiva, suggested adding "a simple bow in grayscale onto of their heads," which I thought was a fantastic idea! And lots of you agreed. But then, it got even better: binkiebo and trillium suggested adding "pigtails" or a "hair curli-que" and I immediately went "A-HA! why not both?" (btw, in the marketing world we call this "plusing," meaning adding one great idea on top of another to make an even greater one.)

So, I went back to the drawing board and made some quick changes to the restroom girls and VOILA!



So, what do you think? Better?
(BTW, those of you waiting to test Frida for me may have to wait a couple more days, sorry. I ran out of the big paper I use for tiling my pattern pieces and can't find it locally so I'll need to order it online so I can get these printed out and on their way to you guys!)

Also, anyone want a sneak peek of pattern #3? Well, you're getting one anyway.



I'm thinking of calling this one Kyoko, which means "child of the city" in Japanese. I'm not sold on this name yet, so if my R & D team has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I thought this pattern had a very metropolitan & chic look but with an obvious Asian flair so the "child of the city" name was fitting.

It has a criss-cross bodice with a very full attached stripwork skirt and features super flared out bell sleeves in short & long versions (so cute!) And the pièce de résistance is this amazing obi-style sash that just pulls the whole thing together. My favorite part is that it uses my 7/8" wide ribbon (or really any 7/8" wide ribbon you want to use) to cinch it closed, and it's a cinch to make... seriously, you can make this sash in less than 5 minutes!

For the test sample I used an old European fabric I've had sitting around my studio for years (don't ask me where I got it 'cause I have NO IDEA!) and paired it up with my Petal Jester and Michael Miller's Aqua Dumb Dots (one of my favorite fabric staples). For the ribbon I used my Petal Jester 7/8" wide jaquard ribbon.

I'm about to sew up a VIEW A for Sydney to model and another VIEW B using just my fabric for the cover of the instruction manual. Fun, fun, fun!

Oh, and speaking of changes, I gave my blog a little makeover yesterday, in case you didn't notice. ;) I thought it needed a fresh new look for the coming Spring months. I'm so excited about all the changes to come... just cannot wait to reveal everything to you guys. One thing at a time...

¿Donde está el baño?

So, I told you guys about my newly found relationship with Adobe Illustrator CS4, right? It's gotten so serious that my old buddy, Photoshop, is beginning to feel a tinge of jealousy and loneliness. The feeling is mutual, though. As much as I'm enjoying working with lines, I sure do miss the old pixels.

One of the things I've been working on in AI is the little mechanical diagrams that show what the pattern will look like when it's all finished... you know, the line art you usually see on the back of patterns and on the inside? I wanted to create a sort of "signature look" to my diagrams, something that looked modern and clean and simple and that could be easily recognizable. I came up with this idea of doing these sorta grayscale mod silhouettes of girls and drawing the outfit right on top in white so it would really stand out. The one I did for Lil'Chef is on the right and the ones for Frida are right below...

Well, I was feeling all proud of myself, just sitting back in my chair enjoying the fruits of my labor, when Jon walks in, takes a quick glance and goes, "They're like public restroom signs with boutique outfits on!"....

whomp... whoooooomp...

OK, so now you see my dilemma: I really liked these (and don't get me wrong, I still really do) but now I can't get the public restroom signage notion out of my head. Public restrooms aren't exactly a positive, comforting visual for most. You usually don't go in one unless you really, really have to, right? So, what do you all think? Keep them or flush them? hahaha I certainly don't want to conjure up any negative thoughts or bad memories! ;)

On a more positive note, I gave my new friend a break this weekend and hung out with my old buddy, Photoshop. I finished my Frida sewn samples using my Andalucia fabrics and the girls and I had a blast doing a photo shoot for the front cover. Here are some of the best ones...




I had about 50+ images to sort through and edit. Photoshop and I got reacquainted real fast and it was just like old times. In the end, the image you see here on the right was chosen, unanimously, by my creative team (a.k.a. Jon, Sophie & Sydney) for the front cover of Frida. I just adore the interaction between the girls, plus it shows Views A & B very clearly, and the kerchiefs too. I still have to sew a View C, and that photo will probably end up in the back cover, but for now I'm happy with what I got so far.

Just gotta figure out the bathroom signage dilemma, hahaha. I'd love to know what you all think. I promise you won't hurt my feelings either way! :)

P.S. My 2-year Blogiversary is coming up soon! Two years ago on February 16th, 2007 I wrote this post to introduce myself to the blogging community and never looked back. I've made tons of friends and valuable connections through my blog and am so thankful to all of my sweet commenters and followers. I have something special in store for this celebration, so please stay tuned!


P.P.S. So excited about the 1-yr. stay of the CPSIA! I know the battle is not over yet, but this gives the indie designers a lot more time to plan their future and give those folks at the CPSC a lot more time to read that silly law over more carefully and make the necessary changes. PHEW!