Closet Cleaning 101 Part 1

As you may already know I offer closet cleaning (jmcstudio) as a service. Some of my readers aren't from Connecticut though and would like some tips on how to manage their closets. So on this super lazy Sunday I've decided to stay in bed and blog about what I do to organize and add inventory to my closet. As with any project you start you have to plan, organize, schedule and strategize. Sounds pretty funny but hey I think it's necessary. So! With that said enjoy the blog entries I have in store for today!

Your Portfolio

Your portfolio demonstrates your creative design aesthetic and broad array of abilities. Hope my scans will help inspire your portfolio.

New Makeup Bags

Buy the Plaid Bag Now $5.00

Buy the Yellow Bag Now $5.00

These are probably going to be give aways for the website. Not sure yet. what do you think?

Snow!

Ok this is a fashion blog, but I think it's okay to get off topic once in a blue. Our last snow storm was in October. Halloween was canceled, and the entire state lost power, a lot of us lost power for weeks. So this is our second snow storm and were scared for a repeat of the first time. I actually see some lightening as well. I'm thinking maybe I should have uploaded those tutorials just in case the nights go out for a week again lol. Instead I'll go to sleep and hope for the best in the morning.

Well everyone, goodnight

Tips on how to measure your window for drapes

• Use a metal tape measure. Never assume that all windows are the same. Measure all windows individually.
• When using a plain traverse rod, measure from the top of the rod to the point you want the draperies to
end to get your finished length.
• When using decorator rods, measure from the eye of the ring to the point you want the draperies to end
to get your finished length.
• Floor-length draperies should be measured to within 1/2" of the carpeting. Sheers installed under draperies
should be 1" shorter than the over drapery.
• The finished length on short draperies should be 4" longer than the bottom of the window.
• On traverse rods, allow 7" for overlaps.
• On double traverse rods, allow 18" for returns & overlaps.
• Typical hem allowance is 8" (4" doubled)
• Typical header allowance is 8" (4" doubled). However, the amount of fabric needed in the header is related
to the type of pleating tape and the application method you will be using.
• For rod pocket with no heading, add an
amount equal to the diameter of the rod plus
1/2" to turn under and 1/4" to 1" for ease.
The amount of ease needed is determined by
the thickness of the fabric and the size of the
rod. Lightweight fabrics require less ease;
rod pockets for larger rods require more ease.

My Deviant Art Account

For starters, check it out : Deviant Art

I haven't submitted anything to my deviant art account in months, maybe a year, but decided to revisit it. I realized how much i missed it because there are so many people just like me there. Deviant art is a great place to review other people's designs, graphic design, paintings and more. They also have a lot of resources you can use to create your own things.

 

There' s a preview of my page and you can add me or check out some of my stuff on there. I suggest if you're an artist and want to network with other artists join this website!

Deviant Art

Review: Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine

So, one of the Christmas presents to myself was this Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine. 

I bought it from Joann's of course. It was on sale for $239.99, from the original price of $399.99. I bought it in store without the 40% off coupon because I couldn't find it. I bought it anyways because the price was amazing.

The sewing machine came with a bunch of accessories are you ready for the list?

1. oiler
2. screwdriver
3. seam ripper
4. lint brush
5. extension table
6. straight stitch foot
7. needles, bobbins
8. darning and embroidery foot
9. gathering foot
10. blind hem foot (love love love!)
11. zipper foot
12. buttonhole foot
13. all purpose foot

It's a great size too, it's not too heavy so if you're a fashion school student and you bring your sewing machine to school in your suitcase, this may be pretty good for you. It of course has all the stitches you need, zig zag, straight stitch ect...

So far I love this sewing machine it was a great investment. It's not too loud and it stitches at a good speed. I would recommend this to a beginner who is into small crafts, and basic garment construction.

Identifying Parts on the Sewing Machine

What is a mood board?

How to place a bobbin case into a side mounted machine

• Hold the bobbin case latch, and position the bobbin case into the stud of the machine.
• Release the latch and push the bobbin case into the machine until you hear a click which means it's in place.
• To remove the case, hold the latch and simply pull! 

How to thread a bobbin case

Remember!!!! Before threading your bobbin case, refer to the instruction book accompanying your machine. Here is what I do

1. Place the bobbin into the bobbin case so that the bobbin thread is in a clockwise position
2. Lead the bobbin thread into the slot and under the tension spring
3. Continue to pull the thread around and into the notch at the end of the spring. leave about 3 inches of thread hanging from the bobbin case

Easy!!! I hope this helped!

How to wind a bobbin

Bobbins are usually under the machine, remember to read the instruction manual on how to remove, put it in ect... But I will give you a quick tutorial on how to wind it.

1. Place an empty bobbin on the disk holder
2. Place a spool of thread on the spindle holder
3. Place the thread through the tension disk
4. Continue to follow the thread to the empty bobbin
5. Release the balance wheel tension disk
6. Push the bobbin winder against the balance wheel
7. Run the machine, and the bobbin will wind!

That's pretty much it! 

How to thread a side mounted sewing machine

All sewing machines are different, I have a front mounted, side mounted, and a serge machine. Here I will be giving a walk through on how to thread a side mounted sewing machine.

1. Place a spool of thread on the spindle holder and lead the thread across the top of the thread guide
2. Continue the thread across the top of the machine into the second thread guide
3. Guide the thread down the beginning of the tubing hole
4. Continue to lead the thread through the tubing hold
5. Guide the thread around the tension disk, making sure the thread falls between the two disks and up and over the take up hook
6. Lead the thread under the take up spring
7. Continue to guide the thread up and through the slot of the take up disks
8. Pass the thread down and through the thread guides
9. Lead the thread into the clamp near the needle holder
10. Guide the thread through the eye of the needle 

Again, if the machine isn't threaded properly it's going to knot up at the bottom, skip stitches, or will unthread. 

How to thread a front mounted sewing machine

All sewing machines are different, I have a front mounted, side mounted, and a serge machine. Here I will be giving a walk through on how to thread a front mounted sewing machine.

1. Place a spool of thread on the spindle holder
2. Lead the thread across the top of the machine into the first thread guide hook
3. Guide the thread down to the right of the tension disk.
4. Guide the thread around the tension disk, making sure the thread falls between the two disks. 
5. Continue around the tension disk, and lead the thread into and under the tension spring lever. 
6. Lead the thread back up and through the hold of the take up lever
7. Lead the thread down and through the thread guides
8. Guide the thread into the clamp near the needle holder
9. Guide the thread through the eye of the needle

if the sewing machine is threaded incorrectly, the thread of the stitch will loop on the bottom layer of fabric, the machine will skip stitches, or the needle will unthread after you sew a few stitches.

Parts of the sewing machine

Hey guys! A long with my video I figured to compile a list of the parts on the sewing machine.

• Balance Wheel
• Bobin Winder
• Backstitch, Backtack
• Stitch Regulator
• Spindle Holder
• Take Up Lever
• Presser Bar Lever
• Thread Guide
• Needle Thread Tension
• Feed Dog
• Throat Plate
• Side Plate

How to purchase a sewing machine

A sewing machine uses a needle and a rotary hook to interlock threads above and below a piece of fabric and produce a stitch. These stitches can be designed to simply lock two fabrics together, encase the raw edges of a seam, or decorate fabric with a specific pattern.

Purchasing a sewing machine can be a daunting task. From older models with basic functions to top of the line models with internal computers and a variety of features, a profusion of sewing machine models are available on the market today.

Keep in mind that the machine choice must be suitable with the planned usage. An artistic home sewer might want a machine with many creative stitch functions, while a garment facoty would want a machine with basic stitch functions and a stronger motor for sewing speeds.

Here are some links to some great deals on sewing machines 12/18/2011

Singer 2277 Tradition Sewing Machine $98.99

Singer® CurvyTM 8763 Sewing Machine $198.99

Singer® Futura XL-400 Sewing & Embroidery Sewing Machine $698.99

Brother® VX1435 Mechanical Sewing Machine $89.99

 I hope this helped! All of these have slashed prices because of the holiday. They are worth taking a look at.

 

Fashion Marketing- Business cards and brochures

It is critical that you have business cards made up to give out to prospective clients. As a fashion designer, you will use a lot of them. In face, you should just get in the habit of handing your business card out to everyone you meet.

• Hand them out at trade shows
• Leave stacks of them at boutiques in case someone wants custom design work done
• Give them to prospective buyers you meet with
• Mail them out with brochures.

Most print shops will but these together in boxes of 500 or 1000 for you between $50-$200. A slightly cheaper option is to use Vistaprint.com, you can get $250 cards printed for $19.95.


Your brochure should include your company name, contact information, and web address. You can also include:

• Photographs of garments or collections
• A list of all the benefits of your products or service
• Comments or testimonials from satisfied customers

A brochure can be bi-fold or tri-fold, in black in white or in color. You can easily design these yourself by using a computer, and printing it out.

Fashion Marketing-Who will wear your designs?

Knowing your customer is important because it allows you to identify their likes and dislikes, and tailor your designs to accommodate them. You need to hone on who exactly is likely to buy your designs, and if your first response is an enthusiastic "everyone," you need to rethink your plan.

Everyone is not going to want what you have, regardless of what it is. People who need prom dresses are teenage girls, not grandfathers, and sports collectors.


When you're just starting out, you may need do do your own market research. Go to the mall and take note of the people who are buying products similar to yours. What do they like? What do they have in common? How are they dresses? What accessories are they wearing?

Asking yourself those questions will help you further define your perfect customer.

How to define your market--Product or Service

You HAVE to think about the type of business you want to run. Are you selling a product or a service? You may choose one or the other, or your business may incorporate a bit of both.

You are running a product business if you sell ready made garments or accessories to individual clients or boutiques, department or retail stores from your own boutique, or over the internet from your home. If you are selling a product, your clients will include wealthy individuals, boutiques and stores.

You are running a service business if you are selling your designs only on a freelance or contract basis. In this case, your clients would include independent design companies, manufacturers who buy designs, or house design departments for retailers.

How to define your market

Whether you intend to sell private clients, retailers in your area or national chain stores, you need to do a little leg work before you start. If you dont understand what you are selling and who you are selling it to, you'll be out of business quickly enough, regardless of how much talent you have. To defind your business, you need to answer the following with clarity and confidence:

• Are you selling a product or service?
• What type of garment are you designing?
• Who are your clients?
• What is your general price range?
• What is your unique selling point?