*Sneak Peek*

I haven't had internet since last week so Chris and I ordered it yesterday. Comcast will be here Friday and then *miraculously* it appears to be working again today...because of this I haven't been online or posting anything and slightly slacking on the sewing! 

 

More so overwhelmed but that's another story for a different day...

Here is a glimpse of a few items to come Friday! 

 

I am playing around with Picasa but I am really missing Photoshop. I'm gonna need to contact my sister asap to get that hooked up!!

 

Also, Pride is this upcoming weekend in Chicago and I just found out that my friend's apartment will be hosting the pilot episode of a new show that follows the life of 8 people in Boystown - therefore...I need a new outfit and I have the most amazing-glitter-orange-lycra fabric that will become my dress very very soon!


I hope everyone has a great next couple days and check back on Friday for new postings and listings on Etsy!


Love,
Steph

*Here Comes the Sun* Bringing in 4 *NEW* Looks!

Here are *NEW* pieces from my Summer Line! Great mix and match separates for beach days and summer nights! Visit me on Etsy for more!!! *Love, Steph

 *LOVE this soft, loose sunny top! Great with a little camisole underneath or without and light pair of denim!

 *Fitted Navy with Gold woven throughout! Very fun for the 4th or for a summer night out on the town!














*This is my FAVORITE top! Fits like a glove! Lined on the bust and unrestricting throuhout the body. There is a little bit of ruching on the side seams towards the hemline which gives a great shape! *Convo me for another size (Small is listed on Etsy) or to have it made as a dress (which I might just make and list anyways!) LOVE!

 *Vintage tee (vintage silk crepe and linen lining under the lace). Frayed edges give a delicate and feminine look!











*Thanks for checking out my new items! Come see me on Etsy for more! Now back to work...I'm on my break eek!!!

Love, Steph

5-Hour Energy = Sleep Schedule Issues

So ever since I started taking 5-hour energy mid-afternoons (and of course a triple latte in the morning) I have been sleeping terribly! It's even worse if I have something on my mind - last night i was excited about the fabric store. Mind you, that Vogue fabrics doesn't open until 12 in the afternoon...

I went to bed at midnight by the way, i don't know if anyone else is watching "workaholics" on comedy central but it's amazing! and got up at 4am! I laid there for an hour and half and then decided to just get up, make an espresso, and sketch. After an hour nap I awoke and headed out!

After 3 hours of clapping and making dance moves up and down the aisles of Vogue, I managed to collect quite a collection of new fabrics! My goal was to find oranges, yellows, turquoises, and maroons...so I'm glad I kept rehearsing those ideas in my head all night...

Here are my new fabrics (extremely nautical) and soon to be an array of maxi dresses, light sweaters and fitted skirts!!

 *This is a Stretch Cotton Poplin aka my new favorite fabric. Plan - Convertible circle skirt with pockets and a jersey waistband (will also have the option to wear as a dress). It's a very lightweight fabric with an airy watercolor print.

*This Pink woven is SO soft! I have no plans yet really (maybe a longer button down sweater or a cropped jacket) but it had such a nice hand and color that i couldn't resist!

 

*Black and White graphic stripe chiffon - beautiful and classic! Long maxi and also a top to be!

 *So this is difficult to really see but it's almost an animalistic sort of washed print with light metallic hues. It's a power mesh that is extremely sheer and will be a maxi with a lining.

*Metallic Lavender rayon jersey knit. So pretty! I have a loose 3/4 sleeve top in mind here.

 

*More metallics! I don't know how i got so into this...Navy on the left with flecks of gold and on the right Cream with gold yarns woven in...the Navy will be a skirt while the Cream will probably be more of an accent on the garment.

And this is in progress! A taupe and white stripe knit! It's a dress and possibly a top...i think...Will be posting a couple finished pieces tomorrow to Etsy after work :) Also, a new yellow slub knit top and lace skirt to be seen then, too!

And yes, I'm done with that energy junk...

 

L O V E *new* Power Skirt - AMAZING!

I am so pumped right now! This took me literally no time to make and it came out PERFECT! It fits better then my designer power skirt (i will not name names because I don't want to lose my job...). I am getting knits down like no one's business! 

I was so sad when my serger thread kept breaking on my knit samples and then I went to my last resort - a machine Zig Zag stitch. But then, Voila! I wish I had more of this fabric because I would rock it in a heartbeat. 

This is my Etsy listing ~ Check it out :)

The Lexi Skirt

From ShedRow

Size XS/S available - other prints and colors made to order upon request - please convo for that option

***BEYOND in L O V E*** with this slinky little number! Fits amazingly and extremely comfortable! This skirt is no way restricting or overly fitted like other skirts on the market! It is incredibly soft and smooth.

The creamy white and sleek black threads create a fanciful wood grain design. The vertical positioning of the pattern gives any woman a slim, powerful look!

The skirt can be worn at the natural waistline or at the hip for a more professional setting. Tuck in a fitted blouse or slip on a simple tank and your ready to go!

I am so in love with this that I think this will be a staple in my line and I am making more very soon!

*Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry

Refusing to let Chiffon get the best of Me!

Almost 1pm and I've just finished a new top and took pics! woo woo! Except last night I drew 9 new pieces I want to make today - this top was not one of them - so I've got ALOT more work to do.

However, I did not use a pattern for this piece, which is kind of crazy...and i was actually intending to make a skirt but I didn't do my math right (surprise surprise) when i cut the fabric. I basically took a piece of floral chiffon, a piece of iridescent chiffon, and then a vintage piece of golden power mesh, stitched the 3 together at the top and started pleating!

I'm getting close to mastering the rolled hem too :) big things - chiffon is a PAIN to sew with and I just keep buying it up! I love prints and chiffon always looks so pretty.

So here it is...on to PLANNED ITEMS now - but i guess we'll see ....

Trails of Summer Lead to 2 NEW Dresses!

About to go to work but had to get this done first!! 2 new dress available at my shop as promised yesterday :) Check it out and heart them if you want to show some lovin'!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShedRow

*Dress on Left doubles as a shirt!!

*Dress on Right is a sweet little trapeze tunic perfect for summer and fall!




More to come tonight and tomorrow!!

Revisting the Revisited

Sooo my scattered flowers Indian Summer Revisited dress (that I posted about last week) has been converted into an adorable top and possible dress for us petite girls!! I also used another fabric from my college days to make another garment today. I'm almost out of my senior collection left overs yes! I can't wait to move on...they've been great to get samples done with though and I am still in love with many of the prints but it feels good to clean out my closet and start fresh with some new purchases...

I also was attempting to make a silk chiffon scarf which didn't work out so well. I am overly picky with finishes and the rolled hem was just not doing it for me.

Tonight, I will start sewing on the buttons that will go up the front for a faux button up-look that will finish this piece off - and then to Etsy it goes!

I love the deep pockets, that aren't so visible in this photo, on the sides of the hips. It's a really easy summer piece that fits an XS to Medium.

This one of my favorite dresses to wear and also to make! Very simple, A-line dress that transitions right into fall with brown tights and a pair of knee high boots! There are also little pockets built into the side seam of the dress. I'm getting into pockets, can you tell?

I have an obsession with belts. I bought this one from BCBG a few weeks ago but sadly can't find a thing to wear with it...except for this dress!! I have no more fabric left though so I guess I'll have to keep thinking about other ways to wear it with my current wardrobe. This will be for sale tomorrow :)

Here are a couple more pics. I'm really into long gold necklaces right now which is a great compliment to the dress if you choose not to do a belt... which i tell all of my clients to add to almost every outfit I style but don't have any at my store to show them to purchase so I need to stop doing that...

Here is the natural flare of the skirt without a belt along with the side seam pockets that are made with matching solid lining used to compliment the pattern in the dress.

I just got pink, turquoise, and white satin in too so I will be drifting away from my prints for a little bit - i think...

Almost Items to Be

So i got my labels this weekend!! and my hang tags!! Now I'm a little more professional :)

This past weekend was SO much fun! My family was in town for my little cousin's (Sarah Ann) 21st birthday and my girl friend's 25th birthday (Mary) - the only way i got through my day at work today was with 3 shots of espresso, a 5-hour energy, and a dose of advil (don't worry, i didn't take them all at one time). I am crashing right now for sure though.

However...all i can think about are these damn scarves Mary and I found while we were shopping this weekend!  And then we started talking about Maxi dresses...so now i cant get those out of my head either! Tomorrow night there will be dresses and scarves done FOR SURE!

Here is a fabric I bought last year that will soon be a maxi! I always cling to my fabric until I find the perfect thing to make with it...maybe I'll take a picture of my sewing closet one day...

 

I also ordered a couple new patterns a few days ago. Good thing, because I only have $6.33 in my checking right now (I hope all those rounds of shots I bought were enjoyed! It was worth going bankrupt for though I must say). I do make most of my patterns but sometimes it's just easier to make a pattern off an existing one and I hatteeee to make a pattern for easy stuff...I guess it's just more rewarding to make the more elaborate pieces from scratch. If i spend 2 hours making a tunic dress pattern I want to gun myself down - it feels like a waste of time.

See you tomorrow chiffon, I really don't want to stay up thinking about you all night long, I need to sleep!

3 - 2 - 1... LAUNCHED!

So excited!!! I did it! I JUMPED! The pics might not be the best yet, the labels still haven't arrived, I have no idea how much shipping is going to set me back, and I have about 10 more things to finish up buuuttttt I finally started my Etsy Shop!!! The dream I've had for over a year now! I am really really proud of myself! Please check out my shop ( I love that I can say this now!)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ShedRow?ref=si_shop

Shed Row is the shop name and you can locate it in the search field on the top of the Etsy home page. Send some love (heart my stuff :)

Here's some pics loves!

The "Seeker's Cape" is a woven silk/linen blend which cascades effortlessly down the body. A voluminous raglan sleeve keeps the top fun and whimsy!
$95.00 (the fabrication is very expensive and will last a lifetime!)

L O V E this fabric! It's double layer knit and extremely soft! I can't wait to find someone else to be in my pictures haha!
$60.00 - I think I don't want to part with this one :(

I named this the Free Falling Tee and again - very soft to the hand! I paired a light flannel print with a burnt red jersey fabric for the bottom portion of the tee...I need to start making doubles so I can wear these items....
$30.00 - easy, breezy top that would look great with a cropped leather jacket and denim with a knee high boot in the fall!

Floral Fever Dress! Clean and Loose fitted dress is made with a back zipper to keep the waistline looking lean and the silhouette curvy! Perfect for those hot summer nights! THIS IS A SAMPLE SALE ITEM!
Only $49.00! I can make it out of a different fabrication but the original pricing is $100! What a steal!


Family is in town - Cousin's 21st and girl friend's 25th!!! BIG NIGHT! What will I wear... :)

So with Memorial Day weekend here I inadvertently drank on Saturday when I had to work all day Sunday and now it's Sunday night and I'm too tired to be anything...great - so productive! Well, I did find a number of new blogs to follow now that I am addicted to blogging!

This link is for me to keep updated on new posts from them! Now it's bed time and I WILL be sewing before work tomorrow! Still waiting on my labels...grrrr

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2615391/shed-row?claim=bms3r45ty9f">Follow my blog with bloglovin</a>

Indian Summer Revisited

So about to be running late to work if I don't speed this up! I have a client appointment and 12! Eek! and I'm not dressed yet or packed up and that takes a good 15 minutes...about as much time I have!

Here is what I got up at 7 am to start working on...

The fabric is from my senior collection is school. I didn't end up using it then so I figured it would be a great little summer dress! I should be able to finish it tomorrow! I already started making another pattern from this pattern, too.

That's something I tend to do, start another project in the middle of a current project :)

And It Finally Begins...

This is my first post! I am very excited to begin sharing what goes on in my head and life. My goal with my blog, starting out because Lord knows i change directions very quickly all the time, is to share what I love looking up on other people's blogs and sites the most - the design process!

I have so many ideas and am constantly striving to achieve various dreams. I hope what I write about and share can be used to help motivate others.

So, having said that....here I go!

Although I have been working for 1 year and 1 month on starting my own Etsy shop (the most amazing website that I obsess about daily and log onto more times in a day then I can count!) I have no yet posted anything. After this weekend though, I am finally kind of sort of ready!

I wanted to only start posting product until after a full line was finalized all they way down to packaging. But honestly, starting your own line involves so much more then merely finishing a garment. I only solidified a name last week! and am still waiting on my clothing labels from Wisconsin :) can't wait to see them! So no more excuses - I'm jumping in!

As of right now, I've finished 2 dresses, two tops, a light jacket, and a couple other random pieces. Pics to come tomorrow morning. Therefore, I still need to take pictures for Etsy, come up with pricing, sew in my labels, finalize my shop policy, and come up with some make shift hang tags (those are coming from Isreal but won't be here for another 2 weeks - they are all unique too so they will fit in great with the randomness of my line). If I can finish those few things, then i will be able to get other things ready.

Well, time to finish a dress pattern that is in the works and pick out my outfit for tomorrow event at BCBG Max Azria on Damen. My fabulous friend James, and lead stylist for the company, is throwing an event showcasing an up and coming artist in Chicago. I also just went tanning and it hurts to blink - therefore my outfit needs to look great in order to offset the burn that I will be showcasing...