SEWcial Butterfly Series Project: Woven Pencil Skirt

This week's SEWcial Butterfly Project is a woven pencil skirt. This is the first time we will be working with a woven fabric and inserting a zipper in this series. I'm so excited for everyone to try something new. Receive $10 off when your purchase your ticket by Thursday August 11th. Hope to see you there!!!

Details below:

Saturday August 13, 2016
2pm-5pm
Ace Blakley Showroom
4355 Orchard Street, Suite 3A
Philadelphia, PA 19124

This is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Sewing Machine) Event
If you DO NOT have a sewing machine please let us know when you register

 Also bring...

 
*2 Yards of woven fabric (non-stretch)
*9" Zipper (regular or invisible)
*1/2 yard of interfacing (optional for waistband)
*Sewing Machine Pedal
*Standard Presser Foot
*Universal Machine Needles
*Thread
*Bobbin
*Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter
*Pins
Attendees must be able to do the following prior to the sew along:

 *Thread a sewing machine
*Wind a bobbin*Sew straight lines

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ENDS Thursday August 11, 2016

Registration ends 
August 12, 2016 at midnight for this event


THERE WILL BE PATTERN MAKING INVOLVED...PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME

 

 

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha

Sewing With Sequin Fabric

As you all may know I not only teach sewing and pattern making, but I make custom clothing for clients who want to stand out for special occasions. I decided recently that I would take pictures from start to finish when working on more intricate projects to give you guys a look into the process. 

Even as an instructor there are projects that I struggle with. Some that takes me longer to finish than others and some that are downright a pain to do! The sequin on this dress gave me issues initially. My old reliable Brother sewing machine would only allow me to sew the first two seams. After that it completely gave out on me. Every time I tried to get the fabric through it just jammed. Of course I turned to YouTube for help. I already knew that most would say to remove the sequin from the seam allowance. Who was doing that? Not this girl! I have to admit I did try, but to no avail. There were no other answers I could find online so I decided I was going to hand sew the entire dress…Yup, you heard right! The whole entire dress. I did finish 5 seams by hand, but who was I kidding? I must’ve been delusional due to lack of sleep. 

I had friends calling me and suggesting different options, but I couldn’t comprehend any of it because I was in a fog. One friend suggested that I use one of her machines and at that moment I was sure it wouldn’t work. After I got off the phone I realized that it would be worthwhile to at least try one of my other machines. The on/off switch is missing from my industrial machine so that was a no-go (must order a new one ASAP), but there was another machine in my showroom closet that I never used before. It was gifted by one of my clients last year. It was a Euro Pro. I can probably count on one hand how many times I’ve seen this brand. I plugged it in and started sewing scrap pieces of sequin and to my surprise it went over the feed dogs like butter! You can imagine my excitement at this point. EURO PRO saved the day.

My client loved her dress and no matter what I had to do to get it done that’s all that matters.

See all pics below from the prototype, draping & finished product…If you have questions feel free to drop me a line. Find out more about having a custom dress made or scheduling a sewing session at www.chachankole.com

 

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha 

The Launch of The SEWcial Series- The Sewcial Butterfly Brunch

We're so excited! Join us for the SEWcial Butterfly Brunch Sunday June 3, 2016 from 2-5pm at the Ace Blakley Showroom in Phila., PA. Receive $10 off when you register by Wednesday June 29, 2016.

Eat...Chat...Sew

Register at www.chachankole.com/sewcialseries

Sunday July 3, 2016
2pm-5pm
Ace Blakley Showroom
4355 Orchard Street, Suite 3A
Philadelphia, PA 19124

This is a BYOS (Bring Your Own Sewing Machine) Event
If you DO NOT have a sewing machine please let us know when you registerAlso bring...
*2 Yards of 2 way stretch fabric (3.5 yards for sizes 18+)
*Sewing Machine Pedal
*Standard Presser Foot
*Ball Point Machine Needles
*Thread
*Bobbin
*Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter
*Pins
Attendees must be able to do the following prior to the sew along:*Thread a sewing machine
*Wind a bobbin*Sew straight lines*Zig zag stitch
Early Bird Registration Ends
Wednesday June 29, 2016


Registration ends 
July 2, 2016 at midnight for this event

On Facebook? CLICK HERE to join my Facebook sewing group, Sewing With ChaCha N'Kole.

DIY One Hour Maxi Dress

Hello Lovelies!

I announced yesterday on social media that our Sip & Sew project for this week would be a maxi dress (voted by popular demand). Honestly I never really cared much for maxi dresses on myself so I don't even own one. I've seen so many people rock them in different colors and prints and they looked gorgeous. I just felt that since I am so short or vertically challenged as some would say, that it just wouldn't look great on me. Boy was I wrong!

After I received numerous request for maxi dresses I knew that I would have to make one prior to class to show which style we would be making. On Monday I cut out and pinned the fabric for my maxi dress which took about 35 minutes and on Tuesday I sewed it all together which took 25 minutes. Within one hour total I made an easy, breezy and adorable maxi dress. Come to my Sip & Sew this coming Saturday, April 16th to learn how to make your own maxi dress www.chachankole.com/sewalong .

Makeup by The Pink Sistah www.thepinksistah.com

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha

My First Sip & Sew Along

Hey Guys!

Yesterday I had my very first Sip & Sew Along event. The project of choice was a circle skirt. It came out so adorable. I love circle skirts. They have such a nice flow to them. Movement makes everything pretty, right? I'm thinking about doing the Sip & Sew Along events every Friday night or every other Friday night? Maybe even in some other cities...Would you come? What city would you like me to host a Sip & Sew Along? Let me know :)

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha

Meet Me At The Cafe

This Sunday is the first Sunday Sew Cafe...I'm really looking forward to it! Probably for a reason that you wouldn't expect. I don't get out much...go figure...so the Sunday Sew Cafe is kind of like a person who never has anyone over their house, but wants friends and all of a sudden someone calls and says "I'm coming over" LOL... Sometimes I just want creative people around. People I can bounce ideas off or give suggestions to or just enjoy each others company. Everyone needs to be in the presence of other passionate people in their field. It helps you stay motivated and gets your juices flowing. 

Will I see you on Sunday Friend?

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha

YouTube Sewing Channel?

I was contacted today about an opportunity to reach hundreds of people around the U.S. with my sewing and pattern making classes. The organization sounds great, the idea is awesome and it will definitely help me expand my brand. After our over-the-phone meeting it had me thinking. Should I start a YouTube sewing channel? 

I've been asked this plenty of times along with the usual " Have you ever thought about applying for Project Runway" or "When are you moving to New York? You can't be a designer and live in Philadelphia!" (side eye...) I am a designer living in Philadelphia smh...

I know that a YouTube channel would take a lot of my time...a whooooole lot of my time. I barely have time to blog now. With a video blog I have to worry about hair, make-up, lighting, scenary, camera set-up and editing just a few things. I don't want to sound completely pessimistic. I'm just trying to think logically and realistically. There are plenty up-sides to doing video blogs including more traffic to my website, the potential to have more sewing students, teaching people all over the world and interacting with other creative people. 

I'm really undecided. What do you think?

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
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Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha

Give The Gift Of Sewing

Hello My Loves!

Now accepting students for private sewing sessions in Philadelphia, PA...All skill levels welcome. We offer group sessions upon request...Register before the new year and receive $10 off your 2 hr. Session. GIVE THE GIFT OF SEWING ***Gift Cards Available www.chachankole.com/sew

Remember... I want to hear from you!!!
Comment/Like/Share/Subscribe

Love:Love:Love,

ChaCha