Cutting Line Design Patterns, Events and Announcements II

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Hi all,

Thank you Linda for the kindness, as for doing more, I have been told a second part might be out in Feb of next year. I filmed both at the same time, but it is up to Threads as to the release dates.

I am here in Huntsville...day 2 of an 8 day teaching event. Sandy and her son (I flew him out to Kansas City to help her drive the truck home) are now back in Orlando. When I got a minute to talk to her today, she said is starting to get ready to ship all the DVD's that have been ordered over the web out tomorrow. Plus, all the other orders that have come in the past 2 weeks. 

I better sign off...very difficult to stay connected to the internet at some hotels....I will report later,  Louise

[Alice in Bama]

LINDA
  That's not fair   But it does sound like they are getting ready to ship ours too   Will be watching for my Mail delivery Person This week for sure . 

Alice

PS  Louise I love the new Shapes line

[Lisa Laree]

Ack!  you were at Martha Pullen???  That's what I get for picking last week to stay off the net...both my older kids work at the VBC..

[Alice in Bama]

Ack!  you were at Martha Pullen???  That's what I get for picking last week to stay off the net...both my older kids work at the VBC..

 I know what you mean Lisa I miss Her when she was In Tuscaloosa 

[Lisa Laree]

I think I assumed Louise was going to be at Martha Pullen's Texas event; somehow, I'm not on the registration loop for the sewing school she does here.

Mostly this event is about heirloom sewing, quilting, and machine embroidery...none of which occupy much of my sewing time.  Still, I would like to have heard Louise teach.

Ah, well, maybe next year.

[Linda 75142]

  My DVD came in the mail today.....Sweet!!!!!

[Alice in Bama]

Hey
    I got mine today too. Now I've got Louise in my living room any time I want her and she clear up a lot of confusion on my part 

Alice

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Dear all, been running from one place to another with only 24 hours at home on Tuesday. Linda Lee and I started out Tulsa retreat about 3pm yesterday afternoon with 'high tea' and 3 trunk shows...Cutting Line Designs...Sewing Workshop....Shapes....after the show and tell...ladies tried on just about everything we had. the were buying fabric like crazy and will start to stack up the patterns today. Linda and i start to work with each lady attending...we think there might be about 28-30...which is a full house!

thank you all for enjoying the DVD....I have been told there will be 'part 2' out next Feb...but is all I know. Sandy has been busy packing them up and sending out...she said her living room, dining room, and any other flat surface looked like Santa's workshop with all the packages. But with me on the road all of July, she really had to be pressed into service.

till later, Louise

[LOUISE CUTTING]

Dear all,

I am just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have been on the road since around July 4th. With only about 4 days home and not in a row...many things both business and personal started to back up. I have been reading what you have been doing on all the areas that I view...but always had to dash to get another thing done.

As far as business...I think I have filled all the orders for the DVDs (which have sold unbelievable well and received great reviews, thank you all) plus the special orders from the various shows have been filled (I hope). Sandy got many of the orders out while I was still away teaching. If all goes well, 'Ebb & Flow' will start to be illustrated this weekend. I have to make a garment as I illustrate it so that could take some time to get the collar 'wrap' illustrations just right on the lime green 'Flo' shirt for the directions.

I have drafted 3 new Shapes tops that will go into the next stage of production and be out next February. Yesterday was getting all the paperwork completed for teaching at Puyallup (Feb '09) and ASG Convention (July '09). This takes hours to complete each one especially  the wording for the new classes.

A trunk show of Cutting Line Designs is at the Fabric Gallery in Michigan for the next few weeks. And this weekend I will get all things ready to send to Atlanta for teaching next weekend there.

On the home front, have had a very, very sick kitty for the past few weeks, vet tech has been staying while I was away, but even she was worried...and here I am on the road. Daily IVs, force fed, antibiotics (now a second kind for a different ailment)...started as very bad upper respiratory and morphed into inner ear infection. Glad to say she is on the mend...head tilted to the left and at least is up and now is walking...albeit...almost sideways and tumbles every few steps...but I am seeing improvement daily. He never gets out and the vet tech fears she brought germs home with her on her clothes from the clinic and he caught all this, that way.

Exterior of the house is being painted....decided to change the colors...that took  a few trips earlier this summer to the store pulling hundreds of colors for house, trim, shutters, mullions, front door, back french doors down to 5 colors that would go together...I have about 5 different 'looks' that I kept taking out while on the road, but came back to one of them over and over again...so now I sit with all the windows covered in plastic while other things get painted first on the house. Spots here and there had to be fixed (welcome to Florida and wet weather) 'kill' placed on other areas...I'm sure the neighbors are taking bets as to what the finished result will be. The one sad note was all the bougainvillea had to be cut way back that ran across the second floor balcony...but again, it is Florida...it will grow back and quickly.

Well, my little man walked up the stairs looking for me...he has been fed, so I guess this is for a visit. And my other cat is pressed so hard against my left arm it has become increasingly hard to type. 'Mommy's home...lets go pester her!'

till later, Louise   

[Terri K]

Louise welcome back.   I bought several yards of this shirting weight white cotton jacquard from Waechter's on Wednesday with your new Ebb and Flow pattern in mind.   I was picking through their summer sale items in the back and had to get this.


Can't wait to see your next Shapes offerings.   I'm addicted to them now.   Did you see what I did with the black and white group on the Shapes topic?     I'll finish the High Five Jacket closure today and move on to the next.

Glad to hear that your kitty is improving.   It's so hard when the pet members of the family are ailing.   My sister in Florida just adopted a 2 year old big black lab since they have a big fenced in place in the country now.   One of the local domestic ducks adopted them this spring - too funny.

On the home replace/repair mode, the new roof and all the clean-up was finished yesterday.   They started Monday and did a wonderful job.  This is the same local business who put the new roof on the brick house we sold in May.  The owner treats his local US citizen employees like gold and they repay that with excellent, high quality craftsmanship.    Isn't it rare to say it was a joy to have someone come in and tear off your old shingles?   No plywood on this old house roof - it had 2x6's instead 

[Velma42 (Barbara)]

I just recently joined the blog and have enjoyed reading it and seeing individual creations.  I learned about Louise not too long ago and attended her school at Martha Pullen and loved it!  Her designs are what I've been looking for to wear to work and church.  I'm looking forward to seeing Louise at ASG in Kennesaw, GA next weekend and learning more of her techniques.  Hope she will bring some of her fabrics and especially her wooden point presses - thought I'd seen one at my mother's house that my grandmother had.  But if I did I must have dreamed it.  I'm also keeping my fingers crossed that I can attend the workshop in Asheville, NC with Louise and Linda Lee.  Since attending Martha Pullen's and in addition to what we made at the school, I've made another pair of One SeamPants, High Five Jacket, and am working on the ABO jacket in a linen blend embellished with machine embroidery - can't wait to get it finished!

[LOUISE CUTTING]

I WAS BUSY THE LAST FEW ...eek cap lock left on...days getting ready for when and if 'Fay' was planning on hitting. After going through the 3 hurricanes 4 years ago exactly at this time....that just happened to close my store of 15 years...Fabric Collections, I don't go lightly into something...what ever it is...that is coming.

Orlando dodged the bullet as far as a direct hit...poor people on the east coast...just an hour away really got hit all day yesterday and it looks like today again. We did get pretty bad storms and wind last night and all night...right now it is very dark and windy, but no rain. I did wake up to hearing a drip...drip...drip...never a good thing...one of the sky lights in the sitting room off the bedroom is leaking...so that will have to be taken care of in short order.

I have been trying to stay up with all you have been doing here on the various chats. I love to see what you are think of doing and accomplishing. Always keep me posted.

I have been working on the paper work for the spring Sewing Expos...always takes time to make sure everything is done and filled out correctly before they are sent back in. Plus, finalizing the details for another retreat with Linda Lee in Stillwater, Minn next April.

The boxes of products and garments are on their way to Atlanta with me following on Friday. When I get back, I have to start to illustrate 'Ebb & Flo'...patterns are done, proofed, and instructions about 99% written....I am really trying to get everything finished so it can still come out in Oct....albeit very late Oct...isn't there 45 days in Oct???

Well, I want to check in to see if there is anything else I need to answer on Shapes or One Seams and then try to get some things off the 'to do' list. Why do I keep crossing things off but the list doesn't get any shorter??? till later, Louise

[Alice in Bama]

Louise ,
 I been thinking about you this week new the  TS FAYE  was going to be close I left Alabama gulf coast yesterday  late and we work for 10 days straight trying to get our place down there straight from when Hurricane Ivan show up Now looks like we might get some weather from Faye too  That way it goes Just got my yard look good down there
Till later
Alice

[lakestitcher]

This may seem to be a dumb question and obvious to everyone but me. But here goes..........I have a fabric question for all you ladies that love Louise patterns and.............live in the South. As in the Southeast US somewhere below Birmingham, AL.

I'm retired and live a very casual lifestyle as most retirees do. Located where we are (about 30 miles from Auburn, AL), we don't have much of a winter season, if any. I own one pair of RTW wool slacks that haven't been on my body in 4-5 yrs. 

Louise's patterns fit my style just perfect, I love every one!!! And linen is my choice for Summer, easy to find too. But, what about Fall into Winter??? Linen looks kinda odd in the Winter! LOL

What do you use for One Seams, etc ? And tops, like the A Subtle Twist or the little top in ABO  I guess just throw on a sweater or wrap over a knit top ? 
The pattern mentions silk as a fabric choice but that's much too dressy for a gardener like me. 
The wools I see on some of the sites are just beautiful but they are waaaay too hot for here (and me)!

I'm oh, so tired of jeans and khakis, what to do?
I have to order on-line as there are NO decent fabric shops near me, the closest would be Atlanta. Maybe a nice knit?? I ordered some of the Sophia from Vogue Fabrics and it's very nice, hope it's heavy enough.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Karendee]

Lake,

I agree with you; it is very difficult to have fabrics for seasonal clothes here in the South. Linen does indeed look funny to me, but as a natural fabric can be worn year round. Lower East Tennessee's winters have very few days really cold enough for woolens inside a home or establishment. And I even live on a mountain outside Chattanooga. We need a coat, but won't wear it often, unless we spend hours outside. Knits are a good choice, silks (for non gardening), tropical weight  wools and combos like wool/cotton or wool/silk. Both these last fabrics have a flat texture and are not overly warm.  I guess this problem "forces us" to buy various fabrics and try them out--in other words, increase out stashes. We MUST! LOL! 

Karend

[Terri K]

Lakestitcher, Alice (creations by alice) sews primarily Louise's patterns and fabrics and she's in Bessemer AL.   She has a fabulous wardrobe and can give you the scoop for the fabrics she wears.    I used to live in southern MD south of DC.  We had warm weather sometimes up to November and a lot of humidity so I liked blends, plus they are great for traveling. There are a lot of rayon/linens, rayon/wools and even tencel blends that are nice for warm winter places.    What works in California would probably work for you, so check out what Casual Elegance fabrics.  Also check out Waechter's Silk Shop web sites (and here in Asheville) which has a larger selection.   A lot of the GA and AL ladies shop Waechters and they have their fabrics nicely categorized by content.

[lakestitcher]

Thanks so much for the replys. I hadn't thought of Tencel, great idea. Maybe Louise will have fabrics again at the Expo in the Spring (Atlanta).

But for now, I need some new duds! It's so hard not to see & feel the fabrics. But the blends mentioned here sound like a good bet.

And, happy dance here, we are planning a trip to the NC mtns in Sept. Waechters is high on my to-do list. 

Thanks!!!!!

[Carolyn]

Lakestitcher,
I live in Prattville (for those not from AL, it's just north of Montgomery) and enjoy the one seam pattern year round.  In the winter, my favorite pants are one seam pants made of matte jersey.  They drape well and are very comfortable.  Tencel is also great.  Triacetate fabric sold my Fabric Mart on occasion would make great one seams.  There are so many micro fibers and new fabrics all the time.  I think that if you find anything that drapes well, it should work.

[emelle]

Lakestitcher, I live in B'ham...so know what you mean.....I wear wool very infrequently....since I still am working and have to have a corporate wardrobe, what I do may be different than what you need....but I find for pants/skirts I love slinky knit and a good rayon/poly/lycra knit (so called RPL). Also realize that EOS RPL is probably too heavy for the one seams, but works great for elastic waist pants from other companies (I have used the Lose Hinse European pant with much success).


I have used some of these http://www.emmaonesock.com/fabrics/rayonblenddk.asp from EOS and they make great weight pants and shells for fall/warmer winter days here. I have also gotten similar fabrics from Lucy's http://www.lucysfabrics.com/Bottom-Weight-Fabrics/ and Gorgeous Fabrics (link at bottom of page as advertiser)...but my search just now can't find basic RPL, so Ann may be out at this time. What I have gotten from her has made great pants. 

I have also used tropical wool, but have to line it and dry clean, etc...so my life is easier in a RPL or slinky knit. A heavier rayon can work (but wrinkles). Haven't sewn with tencel.

I too covet the lush cashmere, dense woolens etc., but know that my (however politically incorrect it is) fur coat gets such seldom usage, my time is better spent working on clothes I will wear. HTH....ML

[Linda 75142]

I've used the rayon/poly blend knits and heavier rayon crinkle in dark colors for one-seams for fall/winter.  I'm in central (DFW metroplex) Texas and we don't have much of a winter.   I rely on dark colors of whatever drapy fabric I find and like for "winter" here.

[LyndaC]

Re:  tropical weight wools in the south for oneseams:

I went to the Fabric.com in Atlanta sale last year and bought multiyards of their tropical weight wools just because the price and the designs were so beautiful.   I prewashed ALL of them on cold, did not use fabric softener, lightly dried them and let them finish air drying before sewing.  You can see them in Louise's oneseams and other things at the Singer store off I-459 Exit 6.   I was illustrating fibers at last night's class, and the wools were a surprising hit.  Yes, I did line them just because them look better, but they aren't scratchy and do resist wrinkles.   I believe there is some spandex in them.

The jacket is Indygo Junction's Retro Raglan Jacket IJ764, lined in Fabric.com's red silk.   Even in Birmingham, I can wear them on the cooler days comfortably.

Lakestitcher, if you can come by the Singer store at exit 6 off I-459 south of the Galleria, we have many Louise Cutting pants on display , including the famous 3-layer Armani, in several appropriate fabrics.   You can see quality, luxurious fabric made into garments.   We do not sell fabrics.

[LyndaC]

I obviously cannot do photo attachments.   I go through all the steps, down to SAVE, and the site freezes.   Any advice?  I use Flickr, click on my photo, hit copy on Properties, paste it on my post under attachments, highlight it again, then click Insert Image, and still get a boxed X.  It works maybe twice out of five efforts.   

[Terri K]

Lynda,   you need to upload your photos to a photo hosting site and then link the image location to this site.     So if I go to my flickr site and want to link one, or more of those photos here,  I would right click on the photo (image) and select "copy image location".   then paste it between the  brackets you get when selecting the image icon above.   HTH

[LyndaC]

Terri, how do I "link the image location to this site."   I use Flickr, and don't see a way.   Isn't that what I am doing when I copy the Properties and paste them on this site?

Well, something worked!   Thanks, Terri!     All I did differently was paste between the image brackets as you said instead of clicking on Insert image.

[fzxdoc]

Good job, Lynda. You did the image posting just right.  I love the outfit--the colors are great!  Thanks for posting the photo.  It's great to see your work.

Kathryn

[lakestitcher]

Oh my goodness! Thank all of you so much for the replys!!! 
I've been away from the computer today and was so surprised (and happy) to see the messages.

emelle: I actually have some of that EOS 4-way stretch fabric in my stash and had wondered if it would be OK for One Seams. Thanks for confirming my thoughts! Now I will use it with confidence. For me, I think the tropical wool is just too much because of the lining, etc. I'm into easy these days! 

LyndaC: Your outfit posted is wonderful, I love it. And I have the addy to the Singer place in my book of to-do stops next time I am in B'ham. Thank you.

Carolyn: We just visted Prattville and the Bass Pro Shop there. What a place, my hubby was in heaven. Where do you find a good matte jersey for your One Seams? I see some online but don't know if it's what I need and how to judge the quality/weight. 

I'm off to digest all the great info from you all, thanks so much. 

[Terri K]

Lynda your tropical wool Indygo Junction Retro Jacket looks great with it's matching One-Seams!   I made the jacket twice in linen before all the pattern companies came out with similar ones.

[LyndaC]

Terri, I have noticed the plethora of similar jackets, too.  I bought a Vogue (should've known better, I know) cap sleeve dress with similar top to check it out.   The construction techniques and pieces were much more complicated - unnecessarily so - than the Indygo Junction Jacket, so I morphed the two.   It really wasn't necessary.   I could have stayed with the Indygo Junction one and  modified it easier.  The cap sleeve dress was also a poor fit.   By the time I had fixed it, I could have adapted one I have in stock.  (I have a stock? )

[Alice in Bama]

LAKESTICHER, 


              I thought I better try to comment again I wrote a comment the other day but it did not post and lost the comment urg .  But since Terri said such nice things about me felt like  I need to make a comment. Mostly everyone has touch on all the fabric I use but I do use some wools mostly Tropical or light weight blends I do like tencel blends too I wear linen as long as I can for it is one of my favorites . I read in Opra magazine while on vacation last week . That there is no more set rules about were  colors or fabric in each season as long as the weather permits it . Other words as long as it’s not too cold or hot for the fabric go for it ,

Alice

[Lisa]

I thought I better try to comment again I wrote a comment the other day but it did not post and lost the comment urg . 

Alice, I'm so sorry to hear that you "lost your comment." What happened is that you timed out (according to the board's software).  I've had this happen too   But not anymore!   I've added a post to the Forum Decorum & Handbook (FAQ) titled Worked on a post for a long time? don't lose it! just for us (and those like us who've "lost" posts ). 

Hope it helps you, but please let me know if you have questions!

Lisa

[Terri K]

Lisa that was very nice advice to help out our Alice.   Thank you.

I heard from Louise by e-mail today.   I had asked her a question and she took time from all the craziness caused by the hurricaine and e-mailed me from a friends house, saying that she has a leak in roof because of Fay....and 50-60 feet of water up back yard...creek overflowed.    Oh my.    Let's send good wishes for the water to recede and no damage to her house 

[Alice in Bama]

Louise ,

    I pray that nothing bad happens to your house or to you Know how that feel been through house fires before I know the insurance coverage on Hurricanes  Is not what it use to be if you have any thing at all 

[Alice in Bama]

Louise ,

    I pray that nothing bad happens to your house or to you Know how that feel been through house fires before I know the insurance coverage on Hurricanes  Is not what it use to be if you have any thing at all

But some times you just need a 

[artistwhosews]

We had the most fun with Louise this past Saturday at our ASG Atlanta workshop! She is one incredibly inspiring and fun lady! And Louise brought her samples, including the new Shapes patterns. Gawd, those fabrics are gorgeous!!! Drool, drool.... Fortunately () she didn't haul any fabric to our workshop so the damage to my credit card wasn't as huge. Whew! We did give her a hard time because she kept losing her scissors  Poor Louise was so exhausted, and having to go back to her "flooded" home can't be fun.
If you ever get a chance to take her workshops, do so. I went thinking "I know how to sew. I don't need to really be here." WRONG. Every tip she gave us was worth the "admission price." Plus hanging out with her was the best part.  She really inspired me.
Hellenne

[PatTM]

Oh yes, Louise is the best!   I do so hope nothing too serious is happening to her house. 

I am signed up for the retreat with Louise Cutting and Linda Lee inn Asheville in Oct and I can hardly wait.  I was there last year and had such a great time.

Louise, we are thinking of you and send you our love and APPRECIATION for all you do for us sewing folks.