Happy Anniversary to Me!

This month marks the 32nd year of business for me.  32!  I didn’t think I was much older than that……

My senior year in high school, I got to thinking….What should I be when I grow up?  I like to cook, I like to sew…..It might take some capital to start a catering business or a restaurant, but sewing?  I’ve got my machine, all I need is some business cards and I can get this party started.

Sure enough, one advertisement for 2 weeks in the local Pennysaver paper and I was off and running.  And then they told 2 friends, and they told 2 friends, and so on.  I sewed many bridesmaids dresses and clothing mostly for businesswomen  and a sweet kindergarten teacher.  She would always ask me if the fabric she picked would “look good with green paint on it” with a little wink.

Then one day, a friends’ sister called up and said she wanted me to cover her couch.  She was sure I could do it, and in fact had bought the fabric and would like to know when she could bring her couch over!  Thus began Phase 2 of my career as a seamstress.  (Or as we are often called now—a sewist).

I have been blessed beyond measure to work from home, providing some creative relief for myself and a bit for the family budget.  When my oldest was small, I was a single mom for her first 2 years. I had the fortune to be able to stay home with her and work while she was napping and late into the night.  With God and my trade and help from my family and friends, our interdependent life flourished.

I am thankful to all my clients over the years, and look forward to meeting many more!  I have some projects brewing that involve clothing and home decor, with possibly an Etsy store.  Also pondering teaching basic sewing classes—I have been asked so many times if I could pass the skill on.

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In the Meantime

I can sew almost anything.  But computers and pictures?  I am so glad there are people in this world who are good at those talents. We need each other! I have several items from the Ruffles and Rust show that need new homes, so my 12 year old daughter Pearl had fun with a photo shoot on Saturday.  She loves photography, as my computer’s hard drive can attest.  Who knows?  If she doesn’t make it big as an actress in Musical Theater, another passion of hers, maybe she’ll make her mark through the lens of her camera.

I hope to tear myself away from my sewing machine long enough to start up my Etsy store soon.  But now the news is out that the creators of Ruffles and Rust, Come Junk With Us, will be hosting another show in February, so my little fingers better get busy!   In the meantime, enjoy the pics below.  All items are for sale, or I can make any one of these custom for you in your own fabrics/colors. Contact me at marvelousmiscellany@gmail.com.

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My Trusty Companions

Meet Josephine and Beatrice.  They will be accompanying me to the show this weekend.  Josephine sports the Uptown Coat, ready for our  crisp fall weather. Beatrice’s outfit is almost ready…..You’ll have to come to the show to see what I created for her.

It seems since my daughter announced her engagement in June, I have barely taken a breath. Finishing up our homeschooling year, planning Ana’s wedding (at our house!), starting school again…..

As soon as the bride and groom left to start their new life, I hit the ground running getting ready for Ruffles and Rust–and it’s almost here! I will have some very fun stuff to pretty your home for the holidays. But what I want people to be able to do when they visit my booth is to think about what is possible when hiring a custom seamstress. (Or as I saw it on an Amy Butler pattern…”sewist”.) What about that well-loved armchair that needs a new cover that is made to order? What about a special gift for a baby or bridal shower, or Christmas?   Maybe a new coat or skirt for the holidays? There are so many patterns and ideas out there to choose from.  I have a list of resources that I love to use, online and local.  I have a 10% off coupon waiting for you when you stop by.  If you can’t make the show, but would like to talk about a project you have, comment here or email me at marvelousmiscellany@gmail.com.

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Fabulous Flea Market/Vintage Show in Monroe!

This is the next part of my adventure….I will be hosting a booth at this fabulous show coming up in 3 weeks.  Ruffles are the order of the day—-many ways to pretty up you and your home for the holidays.  Have a fun day out with your friends, get inspired, do some Christmas shopping, order a custom project…… Next blog will have some pics to get you thinking that you really can’t miss this fun event!

Friday night is the Early Bird shopping and admission is $25 for the privilege of first pick.  I have one ticket to give away!  Just leave a comment here and tell me why that ticket should be yours!  Winner announced on Sunday, October 10 right here on my blog.

Please join us on Friday evening Oct 22nd for early bird shopping and our Blogger/Facebook Fan Ball. Create a pageant sash that represents your blog, Facebook page, business or just yourself. Come dressed in your interpretation of ball attire, Ruffles, Rust, or Ruffles & Rust. Win prizes for best sash and best outfit. The best of both will be crowned Queen of Ruffles & Rust.
Tickets for this event are $25 per person and sales will be limited. Tickets are on sale at www.comejunkwithus.com

Saturday October 23rd join us for a day of shopping with some of the best vendors in the Pacific Northwest. Doors open at 9 am until 4pm
Entry fee $8. Your favorite blogs, vendors, and stores will have discount coupons available, and at www.comejunkwithus.com I have coupons, so make sure to ask when you see me!  Or if you live a little farther out, you can print them off the website.

We will also be holding classes during this event. Classes will be taught by Beth Evans-Ramos formely of The Salvage Studio. These classes will be from $40- $60 and are limited to 35 students per class. Information on these classes will be posted soon. Watch the Come Junk With Us website and Facebook fan page for information on the entire Ruffles & Rust Event.

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Sewing for Pin Money

Frances Henrietta Kramer, circa 1925

This is my grandma, when she was 18.  She learned how to sew from her mom, and my mom learned from her, and I learned to sew from my mom.  So it’s sort of a genetic thing, really.  At least that’s what I tell people when they say, “Oh, I wish I could sew!” My great-grandma wouldn’t touch any new fabric for clients, but did alterations for many people in town.  My grandma and my mom also sewed for ladies in their neighborhoods, which kept what they called “pin money” in their pocketbooks.

In my senior year of high school, I decided I also wanted to try my hand at earning a bit of pin money, so I hung out my shingle (which consisted of a $10 ad in the Pennysaver, a free paper people read to find services like seamstresses or plumbers or the like). Over the last 30 years, I have sewn and sewn and sewn, all sorts of projects for many people for all sorts of occasions. From scores of bridesmaids dresses to clothing for a sweet (and very short) kindergarten teacher, I have had the privilege of meeting needs in many different ways. Before the days of Ross and Target, a client would come with their pattern and fabric and all the findings and I would make their garments custom. With the advent of discount stores, the call for custom seamstresses has largely been relegated to hemming pants or fixing a broken zipper.

About halfway into my sewing career, a friend called to say that she wanted me to make her slipcovers for her couch and loveseat.  She had the fabric and she was coming over with the furniture and everything I needed.  She was confident that I could do it.  And so I did….and have loved this process of transforming great (yet ugly) furniture into new loveliness!

Yesterday, on the first glorious day of fall, I had a precious hour to myself while my daughter was taking her first voice lesson.  I happened on an amazing quilting store in a quaint little village of shops.
http://www.keepsakecottagefabrics.com/
.  I do believe I heard angels singing. And I think they were hiding in here:

The Jelly Roll

I have been taught, I have practiced my craft for 35 years, and I have the passion for creating whatever comes into my little heart next. Maybe I’ll be sewing something for you soon……;)

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