Ok, I can’t keep this news a secret any longer- I’m coming to NYC in August!
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE-
I’m actually going to be teaching a class at Workroom Social while I’m there! Yay!! This is something Jennifer and I have been in cahoots about since I visited in March, and we finally settled on a good date and I bought my plane ticket! To say I’m excited is an understatement (although I reckon my overuse of exclamation points probably hinted at something, haha) – I love NYC, I love sewing, I love teaching, and I love helping people get all excited about sewing! So! Let’s sew together, yeah?
I guess I should give you some class details! I’m running Jennifer’s Weekend Pants-Making Intensive on August 16-17 (Saturday and Sunday). Yep, we are gonna make PANTS (or shorts… you know, whatever floats yer boat) – and they are gonna be awesome! Y’all know how much I love a good trouser pattern, and how geekily excited I get about pants-fitting and pants-making-techniques, so I’m REALLY excited to have an excuse to share this loveee in Brooklyn!
If you haven’t taken a class at Workroom Social, you are in for a treat. All of Jennifer’s sewing intensives are stocked with pre-made muslins in all the pattern’s sizes. You start by trying on a sample to determine sizing and adjustments needed, then we go into full-on pants-making-mode over the 2 day class. The class includes the pattern (a classic trouser pattern with a front fly), use of the equipment and tools, ME, and plenty of food. Seriously. Coffee in the morning, catered lunch, snacks and oh, did I mention there’s a cocktail hour at the end of both nights? Yeah. There’s a cocktail hour at the end of both nights (just in case you didn’t hear me the first time!). So basically, we are gonna get our sew on, get to hang out, and then you go home with the knowledge and skills to make all the pants and shorts that your heart desires (and probably end up with a completed pair by the end of class!). Arghhh so awesome!
If you are interested in taking the class (which you SHOULD be, because I am so so excited to teach it!!), you can read more about it and sign up here. I think this is a pretty cool opportunity for both locals and out-of-towners, since it’s two days over the weekend. Jennifer has lots of resources if you need help finding a place to stay (assuming you’re coming from out of town), so feel free to holler at her if you have questions! Also, I just booked my plane ticket and it was under $250 round-trip for those dates, so… yeah. Class spots are super limited, so sign up early!
I will actually be in NYC from 8/14-8/18, so if anyone wants to get and/or get our shop on while I’m on town, holler! I’ll mention it again when we get closer to the date 🙂
Ok, done selling y’all (for now, ha!). Let’s dive into this week’s Me Made May round-up:
5/17, Saturday
Top: Banana Republic
Pants: McCall’s 6440
Brooch: Nashville Flea Market
Shoes: Mix No.6
Another dumb cold day, another excuse to bust out these sweet pants. Ha! I love these so much, but I have a hard time finding a top that I like with them (especially color-wise). This particular top is nothing special – it’s originally from Banana Republic; I thrifted it a couple of years ago with the intention of using it as a pattern (it’s actually very similar to the Moneta sweater hack), because I hated the fabric but loved the shape. Obviously that never happened, but it’s got me inspired!
5/18, Sunday
Top: Megan Nielsen Briar
Skirt: Self-drafted circle skirt
Cardigan: Peacock Eyes
Belt: Thrifted
Necklace: Gift
Shoes: Franco Sarto
As I’ve said a few times, I’m kind of over circle skirts these days. I tried to pull this one out and make it work – I think it turned out pretty cute, but I do wish there was less skirt involved! Ha! I also tried to mix up how I wear this skirt – I usually just pair it with a mint top (the Pavlova I made to go with it is currently residing in the big scrapbag in the sky… bad fabric choice on my part 😦 ), but I wanted to try a little print-mixing. I do like how the floral looks with stripes, however, I think this Briar may be heading to the same big scrapbag in the sky. You can’t tell in this photo because of my cardigan, but it’s just tooo big all over. Lots of weird wrinkles at the armpit, ugh.
I do love that cardigan, though. So so much ♥
5/19, Monday
Dress: Colette Hawthorn
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Fergalicious
It was about this point that I realized I wasn’t even wearing my favorite handmades this month! I’ve been “saving” them for… well, I don’t know what, but it’s dumb and I should wear my favorite clothes! That’s why I made them! So, cherry Hawthorn (I love this pattern, and I have plans for more that should be put into action asap) + favorite Ferg shoes = awesome outfit.
5/20, Tuesday
Dress: Vintage Vogue 1610
Shoes: Jessica Simpson
See what I mean?? How have I not busted out the silk jersey until just now??? Ok, well, I fixed it 😛
5/21, Wednesday
Dress: Handmade (will blog soon :))
Shoes: Nine West
And here’s me, on my birthday, in my birthday dress! 😀 This is a new me-made (I finished it with a couple of days to spare!) and I have no post about it… yet. Soon! What I will tell you is that the bodice pattern is Vogue 8664, and the fabric is stretch cotton sateen. Other than that, you’ll have to wait for the post 🙂
Also, thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes! I was basically bombarded all day with love (including a birthday tweet from Vogue patterns, hah!! YES!!) and it was pretty awesome 🙂 I had a great birthday, too – ate a bunch of amazing food (including a fried green tomato BLT because YES I DID), hung out with my BFF, and oh, wore a pretty awesome dress 🙂 Yay for bithdays!
5/22, Thursday
Shirt: Express
Skirt: Sewaholic Hollyburn
Necklace: Me-Made
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Born (yeah, you can’t see them but just so you know… I’m wearing shoes :P)
Finally got to wear this Hollyburn! Yay! I need to make more tops to go with it because it’s kind of difficult to color match (hence why it hasn’t gotten wear yet!), but maybe I can make some of those Moneta tops 🙂 Ha! I wore this all day at work, and then afterwards to celebrate my birthday a second time with Landon (he had to work on my proper birthday, oh well!). And by celebrate I mean we got hot chicken. Yum 🙂
A few people asked if this was my sewing studio… the answer is I WISH. Haha! It’s definitely not my sewing space (I’m still sewing at home, which I have no intentions of changing anytime soon!); it’s Elizabeth’s sewing studio. It’s just as lovely as it looks in the photo – if not more. Lots of gorgeous natural light and pretty things to look at. Also, that machine I’m standing by is my main man Turbo and it’s fucking amazing. It backtacks and clips the thread and you do it all from the pedal so it’s totally hands-free. Seriously amazing, like to the point where I’m debating with myself whether an industrial machine is a good thing to buy right now hahaha. Because I want one! BTW, Elizabeth is still looking for part-time seamstresses sooo if you wanna experience the love of all that is Turbo, holler at her!
5/23, Friday (today!)
Dress: By Hand London Flora
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Sam Edelman
And here we are today! I’m working from home, so naturally I had to dress up like a princess 🙂 I love the Flora – thinking about channeling my inner Heather Lou and making a skirt with the pattern, because it’s SO much fun to wear. Seriously, every time I look at this dress in my closet I think, “naw, too fancy for today,” but then I actually put it on and it’s like, “idgaf I feel like a pretty pretty princess, whee!” haha. Anyone else feel that way with their me-mades? Man, I should dress up more.
That’s it for this week! FYI, the blog will probably be pretty quiet next week – because we’re going on vacation! Yeah!! Bout to take our annual trip to Santa Rosa Beach, FL, where I plan on spending the entire time laying on a towel, drinking beer and wearing my giant straw hat. I’ll still be updating my Twitter and Instagram for Me Made May, so follow along if you’re so inclined! I have a couple makes I’ve been saving specifically for this trip… including two bathing suits. Ooh la la! 😉
As a side note for those of you who are participating in My & Andi’s OAL, I was recently made aware that the sewing pattern we’ll be using is going to be on sale this weekend at Joanns! Definitely check your sales flyer to be sure (as it may differ for your state), but Simplicity patterns here will be 5 for $5 over Memorial Day weekend 🙂 Woohoo! Great time to stock up if you’ve been on the fence 🙂 And speaking of the OAL… I’m so so excited to kick this off. I bought my yarn last week, and while it was a liiiittle more than I planned on spending, it was totally worth it. It’s neon yellow and it swatched up so beautifully.
Ok, have a great weekend, everyone! 🙂
Hooray! That’s so awesome! I can’t wait to see you again, hopefully this time I won’t be in an exhausted daze – I felt like such the party pooper.
Yay! So excited to see you again :DDD
I would so love to go to NYC to take that class! I will see if I can figure out a way to make it work 🙂
Yeah!! It would be so awesome if you could make it 😀 Pantsssss for everyone! 🙂
If I didn’t live on the other side of the country, I would totally take that workshop in NYC. What a great topic and I’m sure you are a wonderful, fun teacher! *Sigh*
Can you turn it into an awesome NY vacation? 🙂 Haha!
I’m coming!!!!!!
Can’t wait to meet you! And make some perfect pants!
Sorry I’m a touch over excited
AHHHH awesome!! I’m so so excited, can’t wait to meet you too! 😀
Oh how exciting Lauren! Congrats on teaching class in NYC – of all places. I wasn’t able to make the last NYC meetup – but perhaps I can swing one for this time around. Will have to check with the hubs.
Yeah dude, I’m super excited!! You should totally try to make it out this go ’round, NY is calling your name 😀
I’ve been looking forward to see your versions of the swimsuit… I might have to re-connect with instagram!
And, your hollyburns totally convinced me, if I see one more picture of a perfect outfit including a hollyburn… well, I don’t know what I’ll do in order to get my hands on that pattern 🙂
Don’t wanna pat myself on the back too hard here, but I think both of the swimsuits turned out really cute 🙂 I can’t wait to show them off!
So excited you’re coming back to NYC, Lauren!
Me too! :DDD
That is awesome news! Hopefully we can all get our margaritas on again! I’m not having so much luck getting down your way (‘rents still searching for a place) so this should work
Oh yes, I’m totally down for some margarita time 🙂 And hey, when you ever do make it to Nashville – we can go out for margaritas again 🙂 Haha! I’ve got the perfect spot in mind 🙂
Your class sounds awesome, totally wish I wasn’t on the wrong side of the planet! Trip to the US is going to have to happen sometime soon…can’t wait to see your swimsuits (ok, that sounds slightly weird and stalker-ish…erm…), your bombshell last year totally sold me on the pattern and I love mine!
Not weird at all! I love seeing when people make stuff like swimsuits and undies- you don’t see a lot of that stuff, so it’s really interesting to see photos and read about experiences 🙂 Think you’re gonna love this one too! 🙂
If I had your wardrobe I would rotate everything all the time! I am surprised you ‘save’ your dresses, dresses are the easiest thing to wear (one piece of clothing) and they look so put together.
Lucky students in NYC! That course sounds amazing….food, socializing and sewing – perfect.
I dunno, it’s some kind of weird hang-up I have. I do it with all my clothes – and it’s worse now that I don’t have a washer/dryer in my home (because omg the laundromat is sooo hard to go to ::white whine::). So I look at the stuff I love the most, and think, “no. I’m going to save that for another day because otherwise I might want to wear it and then it will be dirty!!1!” and then I don’t end up wearing it because I’m saving it and… you know what, it’s just fucking stupid. Trying to get past that.
I really wish I could take this class. I could really use it actually. Plus hang out with you and other lovely sewist.
I wish you could take it too! Omg we would have so much fun 🙂 You can’t finagle a fall vacation out of it, can ya? 🙂
I will see. I will keep an eye on airfares. 🙂
Weren’t there going to be hilarious outtakes featuring Ameeeeeeliaaa? #poutycommenter
Oh wait. A person could always do their checking BEFORE their writing, couldn’t they. You said “end of the month,” not “in the weekly roundup.” Sorry…
Haha yes, sorry! End of the month 🙂 Although, there are only like 2 funny outtakes right now; she’s not being very cooperative with the photos 🙂
Seriously considering getting a flight from London for this!
omg if you do, I’m going to be so beyond flattered you have no idea haha 🙂
But really! It’s gonna be a fun weekend! 🙂
I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing everything you sew and knit – I wish I was as productive as you appear to be. The pants class sounds great, but too far away to come to from Switzerland. I’m pretty bummed about your “Simplicity patterns here will be 5 for $5” comment – I went to my local fabric store yesterday looking for a mens shirt pattern and the cheapest I could find was about 20chf (about $22) and don’t even ask me how much fabric is…
Aw, I’m sorry! 😦 I’m offer to pick some up for you and send them your way, but I wonder if the shipping would cancel out the savings? If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure everything else about Switzerland trumps the US – don’t you get free health care over there? Jealous 🙂 SUPER JEALOUS 🙂 hahaha
I picked up the Simplicity pattern at Jo-ann’s earlier today! I also pick out a pretty fabric for the dress at a local fabric store. My knitting group is going to WEBS in Northampton, MA for some yarn shopping next Saturday – heaven! I can’t wait to get started on the OAL!
omg that sounds amazing!
ooo! this has captured my imagination! i am writing to jennifer for more info on logistics (aka where to stay and how much will it cost). but a long weekend vacation in nyc, a city i have yet to visit, sounds superb. and i would come back with pants (or rather more pants, since surely i will wear some whilst i am there?) and perhaps some awesome fabrics. st. louis is not famed for its fabric options:(
Yay!! I hope you can make it – you’re right, that sounds like a superb way to spend a vacation 🙂 Add a big fabric shopping trip into that equation and then it’s definitely worth it (that’s how I justify my trips, anyway – cheaper to travel there and buy, rather than buy here. Really!)
You are so awesome!! Not to mention inspiring!! I wish it was a Canada trip 😦
Find me a place to set up camp for the weekend and I’ll do it 🙂 I’ve always wanted to visit Canada, haha!
Totally make a moneta top, they’re awesome (and double as a bodice muslin). Be careful if you decide not to do a collar, I used a 1″ neckband instead and its just on the edge of comfortable against my neck.
Ooh, thanks for the tip!
Come to Seattle and teach a class pleassssee!!!!!!:)
Help me find somewhere to teach and I will 🙂 Really!
NYC–so cool! Outfits look great and so does your house.
I’d love to meet up for a little retail therapy while you are here. It would be nice to meet you in person!
I’m going to try to plan a lil fabric shopping on Friday, so yes!
Whee! I wish I could make it up there and pants party with you. Also, having those pants muslins pre-made is a BRILLIANT!!! idea! I may have to try that if I ever get my shit together and start hosting workshops in my apartment.
I wish you could too! I need Heather Lou hangs in my life!!
Thanks so much for the Joann’s tip!! I went yesterday and got 5 patterns – which would have been ~$90 if not on sale – for only $5!!!
fuck yea!! Glad I could help 😀
ugh! while I wont have enough money to attend, Workroom Social is literally my backyard. So I’ll probably climb the fence and say hi! 🙂
START SAVING NOW!!! Hahah! But seriously… come say hi!! I’d love that 😀