New woolens

I know I said I wasn't going to get any more new woolens in this spring, but I just couldn't help myself. I loved these and I thought you might too.5 new bolts of 60" wide wool gabardine: dusty rose, berry, silver, purple and black.

3 new bolts of 60" wide wool flannel: grey, black and brown

3 new bolts of 60" wide shetland wool coating: pale green, rose and watermelon

New lace

Ivory corded lace trim 1" $7.95

White Chantilly lace 56" wide $59.95

New Linens

Plaid linen 56" wide $14.95Charcoal linen and rayon blend 54" wide $12.95
Floral linen 56" wide $14.95
Brown linen and rayon blend 54" wide $12.95
Rust and beige linen and rayon blend 56" wide $12.95

Pattern Review: Retro Butterick B5605

I selected this pattern because I loved the back of this dress and I have been wanting to sew a dolman sleeve like this for a while. I have not sewn one since college and I was weary, but it was so simple. The only problem with this type of sleeve, is that it is sewn into the princess seams so it is hard to adjust the fit.
I altered a few things in this pattern. First and most noticeable, I made a straight skirt instead of the full skirt. This was because I only had 2 yards of fabric. Second, I took out the center seam. The print on my fabric is so big that adding another seam would make it look odd. Third, I shortened the sleeves by about 2 inches. The original hem of the sleeve hit at an unflattering place on my arms. Forth, I took it in almost an inch on each side. I should have cut a size smaller because I think this pattern sews a little big.

The only other recommendation I would give is to bring the neckline in the back up an inch or two. This is so you won't have to pin your bra to a set of spanks. I didn't bring the neckline up because the back is my favorite part of the dress. Now I speak from experience when I say pinning your bra to your spanks is not a problem until you have to go to the bathroom. Good luck and happy sewing!

April Classes

Flat Pattern Design; Bodice Sloper

Date and time: Monday, April 2nd and continued on Monday, April 9th 6:30-8:30 pm

Objective: Create a bodice sloper from your own measurements. This will help you to understand how to alter patterns, how to make your own patterns and how to pattern a dart.

Cost: $50 (all materials included)

Flat Pattern Design; Skirt Sloper

Date and time: Monday, April 16th and continued on Monday, April 23rd 6:30-8:30 pm

Objective: Create a skirt sloper from your own measurements. This will help you to understand how to alter patterns, how to make your own patterns and how to pattern a dart.

Cost: $50 (all materials included)

Flat Pattern Design: Using Slopers

Date and time: Monday, April 30th 6:30-8:00 pm

Objective: Learn how to use slopers to alter commercial patterns.

Cost: $30 (all materials included)

A-line Skirt

Date and time: Tuesday, April 3rd and continued on Tuesday, April 10th 6:30-8:30 pm

Objective: Have the confidence to break free of using patterns. Create a simple and elegant skirt that is custom fit to your measurements.

Cost: $50 + the cost of materials

Materials: You will need a zipper and 1 yard of 60" wide prewashed woven fabric for a knee length skirt. More yardage may be required for 45" wide fabric or for longer or fuller skirts.

Seam Finishes

Date and time: Tuesday, April 24th 6:30-8:30 pm

Objective: Give your garments a more finished, professional look by learning techniques to finish your seams. Techniques include:

French seams

Mock French seams

Hong Kong

Flat-feld

Self bound

Cost: $35 (all materials included)

Sewing machines and supplies will be provided. We encourage those with sewing machines to bring them. It is more beneficial to learn these techniques on your own machines.

For classes that do not include your materials, you may bring your own or you may purchase them from Yellow Bird Fabrics and receive 20% off.

If you are interested in taking any of these classes, email us at yellowbirdfabricsclasses@gmail.com, give us a call at 801-466-3110, or come see us at Yellow Bird Fabrics 2828 E. 3300 S. SLC, UT.

Escada to Dolce and Gabbana: It is finished

What do you think?

New lace trims

Ivory corded lace trim 8" wide $18.95Ivory lace trim 8" wide $12.95
Ivory lace trim 8" wide $12.95
Red stretch lace trim 3" wide $7.95
New buttons! Basic brown, black, and bridal buttons as well. They range in size and price, 10-20 millimeters, $.20-.60 each. Our covered bridal buttons have a fabric shank.

Update on "Escada to Dolce & Gabbana"

It's finally cut out, there's no going back now. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted. There was not a lot of fabric to work with. I ended up with less than 2 inches left over! I was cutting it very close. I would have had enough to combine it with another print, but I couldn't find the right print and I really wanted an all over lace dress. Now I have some hand sewing to do. I'll let you know how it goes.

New fabrics keep rolling in

Cotton and lycra stretch poplin solids in hot pink, baby pink, and lime green 45" wide $9.95Floral cotton and lycra stretch poplin 45" wide $9.95
Cotton print 45" wide $9.95
Lilac silk suiting 45" wide $14.95
Apple green rayon and linen 60" wide $12.95
Bamberg rayon lining in navy, sage, red, nude and grey 45" wide $7.95
Polka dot rayon 54" wide $9.95
Floral rayon challis 54" wide $9.95

Printed rayon blend knit 60" wide $9.95
Splattered rayon blend knit 60" wide $9.95
Striped rayon blend knit 60" wide $9.95
Purple cotton knit 60" wide $9.95

Nordstrom returns to downtown

Thanks to my friend, Catharine, I was able to attend Nordstrom's opening gala last night. It was a fabulous night and a visual feast. I'm very excited for the City Creek Center to open. I hope it will bring new ideas and fashions to Salt Lake.Me, Catharine and Ore Inc. Designer, Shane Larson enjoying the evening.
Some of the fashionable eye candy. The Marc Jacobs dress on the end is my favorite.
Lovely ladies in the latest fashions.
$6,000 worth of Prada handbags. No biggie.

Creative Customers

Here's what people are making with Yellow Bird's Fabrics:Julie made this great jacket from our Marc Jacobs reversible wool. She altered vogue pattern #8775 to create this excellent look. http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8775-products-15155.php?page_id=262 I love the reverse contrast on the collar and cuffs. Ingenious work Julie!
Sunni made this lovely shirt dress from one of our ponte knits. She drafted the pattern herself. It fits her perfectly. You can find this dress and many other wonderful things on her website: http://www.afashionablestitch.com Thanks for the inspiration Sunni!
Chris bought a blouse like this at Chico's. Being the clever woman she is, she returned it and decided to make it herself. Our embroidered Swiss dot, six rows of pintucking, four rows of entredeux, and three different laces adorn this delightful blouse. I bet the one at Chico's didn't look half as good. Splendid work Chris!

Mike is a talented young tailor. He made this smart sport coat from one of our wool blends. He has more suits than Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin's character on 30 rock) and is just as dashing. Keep up the good work Mike!

More new fabrics

Silk and linen reversible suiting 54" $14.95Rayon knit 60" wide $9.95

Cotton Swiss dot 60" wide $9.95

New arrivals

Cotton stripe 45" wide $9.95Cotton floral 60" wide $9.95
Cotton eyelet 54" wide $9.95
Cotton and lycra plaid 60" wide $9.95
Cotton and lycra sateen 60" wide $9.95
Cotton and poly burnout 60" wide $9.95
Cotton and silk floral 54" wide $19.95

Navy blue anyone?

We just got these beautiful blues:

cotton twill 58" wide $9.95
cotton knit 56" wide $9.95
wool crepe knit 54" wide $24.95
cotton and lycra pinstripe 45"wide $9.95