Vogue Patterns Shoot @ Sew Moni!

Late night...

"Looks like our tree went club hopping again but this time managed to stop by Alberto's pizza and Dunkin D on her way home...Trees these days..."

DIY - Window Accents

The first order of business in my new apartment was to decorate. That being said, I was quite anxious to hang a few stained glass windows I found at Queen's Build It Green within the window frames of our entry hallway. All it took were a few eye hooks, metal wire and wall anchors---And the best part is that this DIY project didn't break my bank. Who's with me on that last statement?

xo Moni

Thursday Inspiration

Feeling the colors and brightness!

Pattern Making 101 - The Base

Someone asked me what I use as a pattern base.

Answer: I use craft paper from the dollar store to construct my pattern base(s).

It's relatively durable and long lasting. Plus, it's easy to find. Nothing annoys me more than having to wait for sewing supplies, especially if it stalls my process of design or cutting *

Can you believe it's November?

I sure can't. I feel as if the year went by in a whirl wind and that I'm still catching up. The only positive attribute of such a cinematic year is that it's been romantic.

From candle light nights to rocking out and admiring art, life is pretty decent.

What's making you feel up beat and positive today?

XX-

M.

November Class Line-Up

Don't get cabin fever! Join us this November for sewing classes in Williamsburg or Ridgewood and nurture your creativity.

See the current class schedule and register for classes here: www.sewmoni.com

Hope to sew with you soon!

xo- SEW Moni Team

Found at the MoMa

Last night I found this wonderful, multi-colored, textile rug incorporated into an exhibit at the MoMA. It was not only striking but reminded me of home, friendship and love. Enjoy. Xx-M.

Mixology 101

Join us November 10th, for an exclusive holiday cocktail hour. 

Amethyst, our Brooklyn mixologist will be sharing creative drink recipes and tips to spice up your holiday. 

Please RSVP to cocktails@sewmoni.com and we'll save a glass for you.

XO - SEW Moni Team

Fall - Fall - Fall

You Never Can Tell

Time to step it up.

Care Free Monday

Not in the mood for a manic Monday so how about a little Obladi Oblada to start the week off right.  

Obladi Oblada by The Beatles

Almost finished...

While we've been busily teaching students how to sew, we've also been designing out first round of textiles. The full launch of our designs will take place in a mere two weeks. Below is a mini peek of our hard labor. What do you think?

PS. It's been quite a feet juggling a our creative duties but I have to admit, the madness is somewhat exciting for me.

Love Note

Some kind of blue

This is a photo taken by a friend of mine who is in Germany right now. It captures a corner of his living space and a view of a another photograph, depicting a forest somewhere in that country side. Above all else, even that beautiful landscape, I can't get enough of the blue in this photo.

If I had floors such a color I'd be walking in air every morning---and loving it.

Mopping @1pm

It cleans the soul.

I Wont Sit Down.

I could listen to this all day.

Greek Time!

Today we are shipping out our first order of Greene & Sunset jewels to Oxford, MS. They're precious gold filled wrap bracelets, Greek inspired, with wooden hand-painted bead accents, all made by the Sew Moni team in Williamsburg.

Designing and crafting jewelry might seem left field when our first order of business is being seamstresses but honestly it's not. We've loved every minute of putting our creative minds to work in another capacity and found jewelry to be a perfect fit for us. (No pun intended)

With that, be on the lookout for more sparkles and shine from our team and till then, please support Lilly Pad and buy our designs from their store in Oxford. They'll love you and us much in return!

xo

Broken Heart

Have you ever had a broken heart? Did it hurt? Well, today my heart broke for numerous reasons and in an effort to cheer myself up, I decided to make hearts out of the textile patterns that we're about to launch for Sew Moni. The later might sound a bit strange but it really helped to be creative in a time when all I wanted to be was sad.

Which brings me to my next thought and words of encouragement for all other broken hearts: keep pushing, keep being spirited and don't forget that you are the best thing that ever happened. Take it from me, the world would be rather empty and heartless without YOU. xo Moni

Delayed Blogging Action

I'm using the words of a dear friend today, "delayed action", and adding "blogging" to them to create the title for this post because it's true:

Sew Moni has been in serious "delayed blogging action".

I never like to make excuses for lack of blogging and I'm not starting now.

So what has caused such delay?!

We've been crafting, designing and simply living so much that it's hard decide what to blog about and honestly it's summer so who want to be in front of a computer :-)

On that note, these summer days of play and laughter days have surely been sweet and below are just a few pictures to share along with thoughts that were bouncing in my head at the time.

*****New students have graced our classes*****

^^^^Get ready for a new line of jewels from Greene & Sunset^^^^

~~~~Photo Shoots are our favorite~~~~They give us an excuse to explore new Williamsburg neighborhoods~~~~

////Could not and would not live without summer BBQ block parties/////

And more.

Let us know what you've been up to and send pics please.

Xo

Moni

Lingerie 101

This weekend, we hosted a Lingerie Workshop at our Williamsburg Shop (it was totally fun!). Our students, June & Sylvia, made half slips from vintage lace and learned to add embellishments using simple hand stitching and beaded trims. Here's a few snap shots from the workshop...

Like what you see? Take a look at more student projects here.

Care to join next time? Find a sewing class or workshop that fits your schedule here.

Bicycles Baby

Bicycles on my mind..

1. Love the overlapping in this Duralee bicycle print

2. Find this cutie at WhipStitchFabrics

3. This Avelis Bicycle fabric goes way back.

4. Lovely whimsical bicycle illustration by BeckandLundy
 
xo- Aja

Patchwork Pillow

Image via mad mim

Image via mad mim

Make a patchwork pillow for yourself using scraps of fabric and a simple zigzag stitch. Taking some inspiration from a designer Anthropologie pillow, Miriam Tribe makes her own version for a fraction of the price! Create this stunning pillow with her simple DIY.

Happy Crafting!
xo - Katie

The Mini Garden

Image via Maize Hutton

Image via Maize Hutton

Love this idea of using vintage tea cups and mugs for a mini indoor garden. I think it would look pretty cute in my apartment.

Ho Hey !

So happy to have stumbled on this song tonight, but I have a feeling it's going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the week

"...took the bus to Chinatown, I'll be standing on Canal and Bowery..."

Ho Hey by The Lumineers

Xo-Katie

SEW Moni Presents: Fall Craft Pop-Up Shop

Join the SEW Moni Team for our Sunday Craft Pop-Up Shop series this fall!

We will be showcasing all things handmade from clothing to fashion accessories, décor items, stationary and more! We love supporting our local craft community and are excited to start the fall pop-up shop series.

Join us on...
September 2, 2012 11am-5pm
September 16, 2012 11am-5pm

Where...
SEW Moni Williamsburg
330 S. 3rd Street - Brooklyn NY 11211

If interested in becoming a vendor at the Pop-Up Shop please email katie@sewmoni.com

Hope to see you there! 

Get Twiggy

Image via Fossil

Nature does it best and these twig candle holders are no exception. I love the way the light shines throw the twigs, it makes such a warm romantic glow! Take a look below and learn to make your own twig lights:

Materials:

Glass candle holder

Adhesive for multi-surfaces (wood and glass)

Garden snips or wire cutters

Dry twigs

Image via Fossil

Image via Fossil

Step 1: Prep it

Wash candle holders with soap and water and dry well. Cut down the twigs to match the height of the candle holder.

Step 2: Glue it

Dab glue along twig where it will lay flush with the glass. Hold in place to allow glue to set-up before gluing the next twig. Continue until the glass is fully covered.

Image via Fossil

Step 3: Light it

Place votive inside of each holder and light. Arrange lights on a mantle, as a center piece for your dining room table or on your bedside table and let the ambiance begin.

Have a great weekend and happy crafting!

xo- Katie

Colorado

I've taken refuge in Colorado for a whole week with loved ones. I've been feeling quite low and thankfully their spirits along with positivity are reigniting my creative spirits. Here are a few pics of my trip this far. Mile High's flowers are most striking. I may just pick a few for my scrap book :-)

Do you scream for ice cream?

Image via Faith Durand

This might be the most amazing things I've discovered all summer. One ingredient ice cream...pure brilliance from the Kitchn! Cinnamon Dulce is my favorite. What's yours?

XO- SEW Moni Team

Take a Dip!

Image via I Spy DIY

Take your denim to a new level with this color wash out idea from I Spy DIY. With just a few materials and some simple steps you can give some summer lovin' to your favorite clothing pieces or thrift store finds.

Image via I Spy DIY

Materials: 

2 Buckets (One for bleaching and 1 for rinsing)

1 Gallon of Bleach

Step 1: Dip it

Fill up one bucket with bleach and dip your clothing into the bucket. Let it sit for 3 minutes in the bleach. 

Step 2: Rinse it

After removing your clothing from the bleach let it hang over the bucket to drain for 30 minutes. This will allow the bleach to work it's magic. Then fill up the other bucket with water and dunk the bleached portion of the clothing under the water to rinse out the bleach. 

Step 3: Dry it

After rinsing, let it air dry for about an hour to get the full color affect. 

Step 4: Wash it

Throw your newly bleached duds in the wash to get the bleach smell out. 

Image via I Spy DIY

 Can't wait to try this on my denim cut-offs!

XO- Aja

Graduating Class Highlights

It's the last week of classes for our July students and students are finishing up their projects. We're always excited to see the creativity come out in everyone's designs. Check out some snap-shots from our Beginning Sewing and Beginning Dress students:

Jin us for the next round of classes in August or September and make a reversible tote or dress for yourself!

XO - Katie