The sun is shining....

Yay! The sun is shining and the sky is blue! (Did I just borrow that line from Bob Marley?). I'm in a great mood and feeling uber creative today. It could be one of those days where I draw a lot of wierd and wonderful design ideas!!!! Do you have these type of days!???

I'm buzzing for another reason too ..... Yep in just a few short days I will be pounding , okay relaxing and enjoying, the streets of the LA textile district again. Covering some 90 blocks there are around 200 retailers and wholesalers of fabrics and notions! This place is heaven I tell you! Getting off the DASH bus by Maple is almost overwhelming. I mean where do you start?! Riots of colour, textures and fabric types hit you in one fell swop. 

Oh and guess what the prices are so fab!

As you might guess I'm travelling light so I can travel full on the way back! 

The District is the hub of textiles and fashion on the West Coast and you will see the guys from the film industry there buying up stuff to use in the movies. 

If you are ever in LA you just have to take a day to visit. Don't forget to wear super comfy shoes, take a bottle of water, use cash and haggle! 

Hi! I'm taking a survey!

OMG! Two posts in one day!
Listen, I need your help, I only ask the most knowledgeable, helpful and amazing people for help and YOUR opinion is wanted!
I am currently carrying out extensive research to finely tune the Ruby Summer Sewing School classes and courses and I really want your thoughts.
Please spare just a couple of minutes to complete it. I will love you forever, honest! xxxxx

Fab drawing taken from www.karenland.com 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/N8TMM23

OMG what a year!

. 

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last wrote- I can only apologise! 

I've not been lazy, ( honest guv!). Restructuring Ruby Summer, creating courses for the 2014 launch of Ruby's Sewing School, designing a new baby range AND planning my first novel has kept me super busy! 

I am sooooo excited that Ruby's Sewing School is finally going to launch this year! I've had lots of interest in it and am currently hunting out perfect locations to host the school! Wow! 

What sewing skills do you want to learn this year?

Do you fancy a sewing hen party or corporate event? Let me know, I'd love to know exactly what YOU want. 

By the way I help run a craft club at a sheltered housing unit in Balham. Here is one of their creations from this weeks session. I thinks it's gorgeous. Xxxxx

Oh Knickers!

Today I finally faced the scary and humongous task of sorting out my wardrobe! To be honest the fact that clothes were falling out was a quite a big hint that it needed tackling!
I discovered that I own more knickers than I thought possible - certainly the shareholders of Marks and Sparks must love me!!!! Needing more space for all my tops I took all the undies out of the wardrobe drawers ( or should that be I took my drawers out of my drawers?) and wondered what the heck to do with them all. My solution is in the photographs below! A reversible knicker bag that can hang in the wardrobe. I'm really pleased with it. Hope you like it too!
Have a fab crafty week
J xxxxxx

Which frame for my wedding bag? Help!!!

Just a very quick post.
I need you help!
I'm getting ready to design my wedding bag this week but I can't decide which frame to use for it! Please can you help me? Let me know which one and why- I think it just might be what I need to stop being so flipping indecisive!!!!
Thank you my darlings xxxx

Should I iron? Hell yes! (ok, with caution!)

I've had a wonderfully mad week making up a couple of designs I've been working on. Tomorrow sees the start of my sailing inspired design come in to fruition!
Until I started sewing seriously I always thought that the word "iron" was a four letter letter word in good company with some of those other well known four letter expletives! But I have been reformed! Okay I admit the ironing of clothes is minimal and I love a stretchy, easy care filled wardrobe but when it comes to my sewing do I iron? Hell yes!
It doesn't feel like ironing mind you. I picked up a great idea from my fabby sis in law when we visited her in Los Angeles last year - its a portable ironing mat. It is laid across the top of a chest of drawers in my studio and hey presto I've got a non ironing board that I actually love using!
Now, I'm not so sad that I love sewing ironing just for something to do. It's because it's the only way to get a truly professional finish to your work. Yesterday I was creating a patchwork star. This needs super sharp points etc.
If I still haven't convinced you have a look at the pix below. Notice the difference in the length of the ironed strip compared to the non ironed one. Also look at the backs of the strips too.
Are you convinced? I hope so or you might as well not waste your time and money trying to create something of beauty!!!!
Until next time.......happy sewing xxxx j xxxx

Hey you! Yes YOU! I'd love your thoughts.......

Hello everyone!
Okay, so lots of pattern writing and testing is going on in the studio right now but it got me wondering........
How do you prefer to buy your sewing patterns and where do you look to buy them? Do you prefer a cd, emailed link or paper based? Do you prefer to purchase from a shop or online? Which store?
As I constantly strive to ensure that my customers get customer service which is over and above their expectations I value your opinions.
Can't wait to hear from you!
As ever have a happy crafting week
J xxxxxxxx