Well, since having started promoting my Sewing or Tailoring business, many projects I started for my own use or benefit, have had to take a back seat so I can get my clients work done, which is ‘happily’ coming in at a steady pace. I’m always open to more work though … Curtains, wedding gowns, bridal gowns, dresses, blouses, blazers, coats, vests, jackets, bedding, western shirts, sweatsuits, loungewear … well, you get the idea! 
Following are images of projects I started that have yet to be finished, though as I can, I will squeeze a few things in that are important to make, especially a vest that’s going to help me promote my Tailoring business. I’ll be a ‘walking billboard’ when its’ done!
This is my first seat cushion of many. I’m making seat and back cushions for the two different types of metal chairs at church, while they also fit the backs of another chair that’s stationery. One Sunday it was mentioned that the seats were quite uncomfortable with what foam cushions were there, so quickly I offered to make some new cushions for both the seats and backs of the chairs. The congregation was thrilled when I offered, and also happy when I brought in the first four cushions.
This is my sewing mess, or at least part of it! Not really a mess, but what I was working on at the time I took this picture. It’s actually the different sizes of back and seat pieces, along with ties, and side pieces for each cushion. I cut out as many as I can before assembling them since for me it’s a lot quicker to cut quite a few, then take the time to sew them individually. Just after I offered, I measured the backs of the two chairs that were going to be covered, along with the seat so I’d have an idea for the size, of which I made the pattern out of graphed pattern paper.
This is a design I made, and it’s on a blouse from the 70′s called the ‘Bandana Top’. It’s a slipover top that ‘s simple to make while this first one I’ve altered so when I get it done, it’ll be another piece of my work to show, tell, and sell, while the decorative pieces are also made from a lined graph pattern paper. It will be embroidered on my sewing machine, but moved by hand since I don’t have a computerized machine, and then when both sleeves, plus the front and back is done, it will be assembled and another picture taken of it, then uploaded here; to my main website; and an Etsy account that I’m going to start or reopen one I already have if I can change the name to what I have now. This top can easily be made real simple with plain material, but I just thought I’d add some flair to it! The next one will be done in plain material.
Here is the start of another vest in Patriotic colors. I started this one long before coming up with the idea for a billboard vest, and it will be finished ‘after’ I get the other one done, since it is more important. Like everything I wear just about, I get so many compliments, then while I thank the person for doing that, I hand them my business card. This is good for the same thing, but if I have a vest that tells who I am and what I do, then wear it when I go shopping and running errands, folks will see me in it, and if they need a Tailor, they’ll know right off the bat that I’m a Tailor and how to contact me, or view my website, while they could also come up to me and we could go from there with their needs. The image above is actually the yokes done in the same graphed pattern paper, while the vest is made from a pattern of a pre-printed Christmas vest panel that I got from Hancock Fabrics a few years back. I had made two vests, one for one of my instructor-friends, and the other for me. When he tried it on, it fit him, so I knew that I could make a pattern from the panels that were left, then use the paper pattern for more vests, while I can easily alter the design or create different yokes, while adding pockets, even on the inside while making it a ‘safe’ vest where you can carry cash with you, but it’s harder to get for the criminal – and believe me, there’s plenty here in the Antelope Valley!
Here’s the shot of the front of the vest with the pieces laid out. Like the Bandana Top above, this one will also get some machine embroidery around the edges. The border of the White will get either the white or blue gloss thread, while the red will get the red gloss thread. I know it’s going to look great when it’s done, while I also know I’ll get a lot of looks and compliments as well!
Always welcome
Here’s another look. Don’t mind the yellow fabric that it’s laying on, as that’s the fabric that I’m doing the Church cushions with. This shot is just to show you what the bottom of the vest looks like, while you can see the whole vest. It’s an XLG, and if requested, I can make it as large as the customer needs it, or reduce it down to a teen’s vest if need be. A child might be a bit harder, though isn’t impossible! With measuring, and also with another pattern I have for a different child’s vest, I could easily come up with one just as nice, or matching vests for father and son, or mother and daughter, or for the whole family!
Here’s the same vest, but close-up of the detail on the back. Again, this one is going to be machine embroidered with Red and White glossy thread to bring out the colors, while also highlighting the design as well. Later on I may put some Rhinestsones or Swavorski crystals on it. Or even do some beadwork.
Here’s the last picture of this vest. Again, this one as well is taken from a little farther back so you can see the size of the vest and what the back looks like. It’s just a straight back, no rounding or double points, though they could be added if a client requested, or when I make another one I can alter the bottom in at least two different ways.
There’s more projects that I have in my sewing room to work on, like a maternity top, and again, out of a vintage pattern from around the 60′s or 70′s. It’s going to be made out of Pink for the first one, with other color choices once I get it done and jot down the colors. I also have some Men’s shorts for myself to finish that I also started on at least two months back before I became busy and popular. I’ve also got some material for bush type pants with the side pockets, and a black and white western shirt that’s also going to have glossy thread embroidered to make it ‘pop’. Heck, I’ve got so many projects waiting to get done, but it’s more important to get my clients work done, then my own when I have the time, unless I can squeeze them in!
I’ve also got two table cloths that I started, while they’re both dyed. I wanted a sky blue, but got more of a dark blue. The reason being is that I am going to hand-paint them with Native symbols, designs, and animals. One’s about 90″ in diameter, while the other is about four feet wide by eight feet long. They’ll definitely take me quite a while to paint them, but when they’re done and if I sell them, which for now that’s my idea, I know they’ll bring a hefty price.
