My real job

I have a full time job as a pattern maker at an apparel company where we make custom medical garments. I make the patterns and they are cut and sewn on site by a team of sewers.  Not high fashion but it is fun and allows me time to do my own business on the side.

suit alterations

Shortened sleeve - but there was a placket, with buttons and a lining.  Blind hem on pants and took in at waist.  Altering ready made suits is hard, especially sleeves

Challenging pattern work

This client wants to put something in to production. She has a proto that needs work and a pattern that has nothing on it.  I actually don't think the pattern matches the proto. So I am now figuring out how to re-create her proto and make it work. 
This is why folks should always hire real pattern makers who will leave them with good patterns and tech packs.

wedding skirt for snowy wedding

Kind of ironic that I am doing this right now. My client is a beautiful tall young lady who is getting married at a ski resort, on skis soon. She has white ski pants, a white sweater and wanted a white skirt to wear. So she bought 3 dresses. We picked one that fit best then I it was up to me. I cut the bodice off (and dealt with the boning), finished the edge and made sure the zipper was good. Then I had to make a casing and I put some drawstring elastic in. I was worried she would need that to hold the dress up in case the removal of the bodice would cause issues.
We fit it last night. Awesome. Now I am going to do some final stitching and deliver. She has promised me wedding photos.

still in one piece

after first cutting and finishing

drawstring elastic inserted

snow day activities

Snow days are useful if you have a ton of sewing to do. This is a jacket I am making a pattern for a client who wants to duplicate a jacket she saw a photo of. It is hard because the inspiration is of mystery fabric and on a perfect body and probably photo shopped. 

Camel worth saving

I thought this was just a "regular" repair. But it was hard!  I had to re-stuff it completely then try to sew it together from the outside.  Unlike apparel fixes, I could not turn it inside out, sew it then turn it right side out.  But I did it!

After I finished my client told me why it was so important. She had been a soldier in Afghanistan and it was something she kept with her when she was there. She brought it home and her little boys snuggle with it now.  

What seemed simple . . .

This is a heriloom doll (made by my client's grandmother) what was mistaken for a toy by their dog. Part of her face and scalp were totally gone. I thought I put some muslin in as a new base and go from there but the original fabric was so old and fragile, it was almost like I was weakening when I pierced it with a needle.
So, I had to use the fabric that was there and sew it back together. Then I mushed her head around to try to re-shape it. Then I put the  hair back in a way that hopefully hid the repairs.