I used to live near Lake Merritt in Oakland in the late 60's and worked in Berkeley at Cutter Laboratories down on 4th and Parker. During the week, I did some nasty things to rats, mice and rabbits (which still haunts me) but in the evenings and weekends I sewed hippie dresses and wedding gowns. Despite my middle-America suburban/retirement lifestyle these days, I still feel a warm kinship with the whole Berkeley vibe and love the drive to Stone Mountain. I heard that Chez Panisse just re-opened so me and a couple of foodie friends will be traveling down for lunch after a fitting with Suzan.
Guess who else is happy about my new adventure? Yep, Colette. One of the benefits of sewing for Suzan is that I also pick out gorgeous new fabrics for me (and Colette!). My new fabric of choice for the summer is Linen. Several weeks ago, I picked up a beautiful linen/flax fabric ("Nevada") to make a pair of crop pants. I made the pattern off of pair of Tommy Bahama linen pants that I paid way too much money for. Colette loves it when I save money by sewing for myself.
This week, I made the same crop pants out of a handkerchief linen with an elastic waist. Our mothers hated linen because it wrinkled, but we love it for the very same reason! It's cool, breathable and easy to sew - I swear, it took me less than an hour to whip these crop pants up! I even had Suzan try my "crops" on yesterday, and even though they were too big (Colette and I are a little heftier than Suz) she picked out some linen for a pair for herself.
Please join Suzan and I as we work together to get women sewing again. I've already had several friends drag out their machines, dust them off and start sewing. And since everyone loves a road trip, the list of friends that want to go with me "the next time you're going to Stone Mountain" just keeps growing!
Laurel. Colette thinks I should try Suzan's diet:(
Oh I am so excited for you and Colette and you a Hippy that is very cool.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more of your creations and I too like linen but it does wrinkle:) B
This is a wonderful new venture you and Suzan and Colette are on. Love the linen crop pants. I have always sewn however the price of fabrics and patterns has me forgoing the self-sewn clothing. Maybe you ladies with your two blogs will inspire me to rethink that. Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts...
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since we've seen Colette. I was getting worried about her, but I must say she looks fine. And such a snappy dresser.
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