WE are up to Our Knees in our new line of SKIRTS!

PS. But not too above the knees :)

Greene & Sunset: SEW Moni Sister Company!

Much is happening at SEW Moni and one thing that we are most excited is to expanded our creativity in a new direction via our Sister Company, Greene & Sunset.

We're still designing away on both scales at full speed but we just had to give you a sneak peek of what we are up to lately.

And if you are in Brooklyn please stop by the Brooklyn Lyceum Craft Fair this weekend, and you'll be able to purchase ALL items.

Hello Spring! We love you.

XO Moni

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a lovely day set aside to honor the mothers in our lives.  Starting in Grecian times, it developed over the ages and became permanently ingrained in the American culture when Woodrow Wilson signed a bill declaring it a national holiday 96 years ago.  It was all brought on by a daughter, Anna Jarvis, who wanted to memorialize the legacy of her mother who spent her life working on behalf of those less fortunate. 

So let us continue the tradition and honor those that have not only given us life, but have influenced it as well.

We here at SEW Moni feel that something handmade and heartfelt is the way to go.  Whether it be something sewn, painted, written, baked, or said, make your appreciation known.


Happy Mother's Day and Happy Sewing!

 - Katie

The Apron

As our first craft show of the summer draws near, production has been in a bit of a frenzy in our final stretch to the finish line.  We have been washing, cutting, pressing, sewing aprons and aprons and aprons oh my!

With the many aprons passing through my fingers, I couldn't resist thinking about their history.  How many other women have been in the same place I am at this moment, sewing straps and pockets.  Did they create their own patterns?  What kind of fabrics and trims did these women use?

So let the search begin...

The aprons of Victorian era mimic the fashions of the day and incorporate the same fine fabrics and trims found on the intricate dresses of the day.  

 

The apron made a drastic change in the 1920s reflecting the simplistic fashions of the time.  The fine fabric is no where to be seen and the trims are replaced by simple style lines and a long sash to secure the apron.  Functionality was the name of the game at the this time for aprons.

The aprons of the 1940s and 1950s sported brightly colored printed fabrics and ric rac trimmings.  Utility and functionality still came first but with a playful twist on the design.

all apron images from Ageless Patterns

I love looking through the pages of fashion history.  It's both telling of the times and quite inspiring for this Brooklyn seamstress.

Happy Sewing!

-Katie

Gearing Up for Spring

The last 2 month's have flown by with little time to genuinely sit, and reflect. Today marks the first day that I'm actually doing so, and it's strange. It's strange not to be in constant movement. It's odd not to be on the go or cutting fabric. Where is my steamer and where are my students? Why am I not on my way to run a "sewing" related errand?

And that's just the point.

To every small business owner out there, I encourage you to take time for yourself. Relish in the shear fact that you are paving your way to something that is your own. I have not done so in too long and I regret that it's taken me this long to make time for a personal high five!

My father encouraged the above this morning after he noted that I was concentrating on all the problems lately and not the achievements. He reminded me to pull my employees aside and thank them. He also said that it's not going to get any less busier for a while so I should enjoy the craze.

And I will! And that's just the point.

Goodnight.

Moni

True that!

While working on growing our craft business I also work as a freelance seamstress in NYC. Boy o boy the stories I have in regard to taking in clothing on the spot for photo shoots to quickly hemming a dress for someone who is off to a fancy dinner date! 

Sewing comes in handy and therefore I am fortunate to sew for a WONDERFUL boutique in NYC called True Boutique, owned by a fabulous woman named Katie Campbell.

True Boutique in located in the heart of Nolita at 278 Mott Street. They carry a great size range (00-16) and provide on the spot tailoring for all purchases. Which means you most likely will have either Beth Edwards (Master Seamstress) or I tailoring for you!

Working for Katie and the True Team has been such a blast. The best part is that we meet so many interesting and dynamic women while working here. Everyone who shops here is quite ecletic and savvy. While we do work hard and provide great customer service, it sometimes feels like we are simply spending time together and helping women find a true solutions for their purchases.

If ever in the neighborhood, stop by!

XO Moni

SEW Moni April Sewing Classes!

We have many great classes for Spring starting this April. Please check out our list of classes. Just click on flyer above to view in larger scale.

Thanks!

SEW Moni Team

Sewing Tool Roundup!

Being longtime seamstresses, the team here at SEW Moni has had plenty of chances to thoroughly test some products and have compiled a list of tried and true tools that every seamstress should have in her possession.

Scissors

A good, sharp pair of Fiskars are a must!  The brand has been around for ages, since 1694 to be exact.  Their products are readily available and have great longevity.  Not in the mood to buy another pair, make your well-used scissors like new and have them sharpened for a fraction of the cost.  No wonder they are the world's #1 scissor brand.

Available at Joann Fabrics, Target, Walmart, and just about any sewing supply store.

 

 Magnetic Pin Cushion

My mother introduced me to this wonderful invention, and I haven't used my tomato cushion since.  Not only helpful for keeping your pins organized and at your finger tips, it's perfect for post project clean-ups.  Just a slow sweep across your table, and it picks up any loose pins scattered about.

Grabbit is our brand of choice.

Pick one up at Joann Fabrics.  Sil Thread in the NYC garment district is a great source too.

Seam Ripper

I lovingly call this the "sewing eraser" and it's is a must for pulling out those little mistakes that seem to show up as we are sewing.  They are quite useful for creating machine stitched button holes too!  Seam rippers come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  I find that the one's with the longer handles are easier to control.

Available at Joann Fabrics, Sil Thread and Panda Thread of NYC.

Iron

Voted best iron by the SEW Moni team and prized by our current students, the Rowenta Focus Stainless-Steel Iron gets rid of those pesky wrinkles and presses seams flat with beautiful smoothness and ease.

Pick one up at Target or Joann Fabrics.

 Measuring Tape

Where would pattern making be without measurements?  Keep your sewing accurate with one of these flexible and perfectly portable rulers.

Available at just about any sewing supply store.  

SEW on!

-Katie Mann

Remembering The Local!

We were happy to have The Local of The NY Times write a quick plug for our sewing classes. Thanks!

XO

Remembering Daily Candy