Return of the blog?

Well, I can't seem to get any work done.

And I am getting sick of facebook as a mode of communication with family and friends who really care about what we are doing. 

So, I am going to ATTEMPT to blog again. 

Eventually, I will have a few more tabs to keep SewStella a bit separate from our little family adventures...

But here are some shots from our recent vacation to Illinois.  Now to catch people up... we are currently in West Georgia.  It has been pushing 100 and very humid since mid-May.  So, to escape the heat, I packed up the kids and we went to IL.  Growing up in northern IL, I NEVER would have considered it an escape from the hot humid summer... but that was before my sister in law got a pool!

 This is moments before we left... pouring rain... it made the 3 day drive pretty interesting... 

 Stop One: Nashville TN area, hanging with Bertolone Family!

 How else do you handle 4 kids?

 Skipped a few days... but here is Aunt Jessica w Stella (who refused to wear her floaties)

 Christopher just wanted to eat Doritos... who wouldn't???

 Fun at Aunt Katie's: trampoline running...

 screaming 4 wheel rides

 Christopher actually had a blast on 4 wheeler

 Visiting with Grandma Blood

 Got all four kids to sit!!  New Chicagoland residents: the Mahon Family

 Got to visit with my sister for a few extra minutes!

Lucky enough to have Cassandra ride back to GA with us... this is before we took her to airport downtown Atlanta--it was HOT. Well more humid than hot... so it was GROSS. 

And that was about it... Got to see some other friends and family and missed photo ops with them (Kellie, Patience, Jessica!) but next summer I might not always have one child attached at the hip???

Work Block

I have decided I need to stop trying to work during days and allot myself a 2-3 hour block of time about twice per week--I get SO MUCH MORE accomplished...

Today, I finished little nagging projects that are weeks/months behind.  Also I have been diligently working on a stash of tie shirts...

As you can see here, I can coordinate with girls dresses or skirts...


After an evening of sewing, I am POOPED. 

Can't run a sewing business without THIS

Well, well, well.  You might remember when I started this business I bought a new sewing machine.  I bought the Baby Lock Sophia, which sews and embroiders (hoping to learn to use that function one day...).

I had orders on hold waiting to get this new machine... waited almost 6 weeks on back-order.

That was last June. 

And now it is back at the shop...  I don't even know where to start.

Long-story short: she couldn't find any stray threads anywhere and she doesn't think a broken pin/needle could inflict the problem (it stopped working)... she thinks perhaps it needs real surgery and could be a broken gear... and it "might" be covered under warranty because it is less than a year old... as long as it wasn't something I did... leave it here and we will try to get it to you before you move (5 weeks) or we can ship it to you...

Deep sigh.

At least I have a machine on loan... from Steph.  So... I plan to finish up my current orders.  Get a couple samples done for upcoming holidays (July 4th).  Get a couple kids projects done (pants for C).  And then pray that my machine is repairable... and covered under warranty.

What's been going on??

Okay... you might find this hard to believe, but at one time I actually blogged on a regular basis... and had followers... 

I plan to get there again... soon.

How, you ask?

Pre-School!!!

Technically I am jumping ahead a bit... before we get to pre-school we have to move to Georgia and then move again to [destination unknown].

The short version is that my DH is attending a career level school, which is only 5 months long... so we move twice. 

Am I stressed, you ask?

Yes. 

BUT... more stressful is the clicking sound my sewing machine is making.  My [fairly] brand new machine.  I am about 99% sure it is a broken pin... did I attempt to take it apart?  Yes.  Don't tell the repair shop. 

Oh well. 

Regarding business... it has slowed, because I can only handle about one order per week.  The kids are very high energy and low in letting me work.  Nap hours are taken up with household stuff and a few minutes to myself.  So, when I have time, I am still sewing and making dresses for stock...

Plus I am trying to make stuff for house and kids...

Tie Shirts

Since the conception of SewStella, I have always known that I would roll-out something for boys (I am THAT parent who likes to match/coordinate!)... here it is:

TIE SHIRTS

This set was completed for a 3 year old and 2 year old, cousins.

The "tie" is ironed on to HeatBond, ironed on to the shirt, and then reinforced with a zig-zag stitch.

Here is the dress that matches!  This is part of the same set.  The whole order was for two sets of siblings who are cousins.  The first set is 3 year old boy-girl twins, and the cousins are 2 and newborn.  I just cannot wait to see photos of these 4 darlings in my work at Thanksgiving!!!

Etsy!

Okay, I did it!

I posted on Etsy.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60199091/gobble-gobble-pillowcase-dress-size-s

It was a pain in the rear.  But as Christina over at 2 Little Hooligans tells me... it gets easier. 

I worked on my 'blurb' to copy and paste... I like that.

Then I got to the photos... ugh!  They were too big and I don't have enough of the dresses... so I decided I will have a few to show the style of the dress and then the fabric that is being sold.

And that will do for now. 

Practice makes perfect, right?

"plan"

The serger has increased my productivity.

Being a busy mom has not.  HA!  I LOVE being a mom.  But I REALLY want to get into all my new fabrics--BEFORE the holiday season!!

My plan for the rest of the year is as follows:

1. miss my morning work time to take my DH some camis that he left here.

2. finish all the dresses on my table (20).

3. post holiday samples to facebook

4. Order fabric labels

5. list finished dresses on etsy!!!

6. wonder why I did not order MORE Micheal Miller fabric

7. Nov 1: start Holiday Sale (free shipping on 2 or more dresses--gulp!)

8. Announce that SewStella will be closed for custom orders Thanksgiving-New Years.  (See future post)

9. Sew like crazy to get all the orders done (hoping orders come in!)

10. RELAX over holiday and work on some other projects up my sleeve!

Serger

Oh. My. Goodness. 

I got my serger.  I ordered a brother 1034D.  It was a hard choice bc all the models in this price range (lowest) had mixed reviews.  People either loved it or hated it. But I figured, if I can't figure it out, I can always return it. So I did it. 

It came yesterday--I was told that it would be here on the 26th, so I was totally unprepared.  I didn't pick up thread at JoAnns 2 days ago because I was not sure if different machines used different threads or what. 

After I used all the thread they had in machine (pre-threaded--BONUS!!!)... I scrounged around and found some old thread of mine. I threaded it and started.  And then ran into problems.  And more problems. And more problems.  One of the threads kept breaking!!!  I adjusted tension. Checked my threading. Consulted the book.  Consulted the video.  And finally (after a few deep breaths) I decided to change the thread.  Put in a brand new Gutterman and problem solved.  Works like a dream.  It was then that I decided I would just do a practice dress and nothing else until I get some serger cones. 

So, I got out some fabric that was sitting around for a while.  And finished a dress, start to finish--this dress had NO seams--in an hour.  That includes the time it took me to put the kids to bed.  And changing the thread (I thought I had fixed the problem, started the back seam and the thread broke again--that's when I got new thread).  And disorganization of my sewing area due to no room for serger. 

Long story short: I love my serger.  And I think it is going to save me SO much time!!!  I cannot wait to get thread today (with the Buy One Get One FREE at JoAnns)!!!  I anticipate finishing 20 dresses this weekend!!!  I will keep you posted!

Future Craft Fairs

Well, I have the bug.  I do.  But that was a lot of work. 

So... I have decided that I will not participate in any more fairs this season.  I will use the winter to get ready for spring and summer.  Sell more stuff, to make more money, to buy the stuff I want/need for booth. 

I also want to take a week off this winter to learn how to use my embroidery functions!  I think being able to add that option will be AWESOME!!!

Additionally, my kids will be a bit older and easier to care for (by a sitter) or able to hang out at fair for longer... in my mind, anyway. 

Craft Fair

It was GREAT!!!  In all aspects! I made some money and I wrote a lot of things down for next time!!!

Of course, all the things I wrote down take money, and I need more shows to make money, so it will all happen one at a time.

The only problem with the fair was the WIND!!!  While we were setting up (late of course) the wind blew several tents over--one flying into the woman's windshield!!  She later told me that the tent was broken (thank goodness not her windshield) but she had borrowed it and now had to buy the person a new one.  Oops.

I want to do more fairs!  Especially next year.  Getting ready for the fair was A LOT of work.  And of course everything was on FULL here the last two weeks (husband's job, sick kids, sick dogs, busier than normal, etc).  But I somehow did and next time will only be easier, right???

I had a hard time guessing what sizes to make.  And I brought all my fabrics to take special orders... but only got USMC (and ARMY) dress requests... which, hey, I'll take!!!  So, I don't know if I will bring fabrics or not... but it seems an easy thing to do...

Another small problem I had were my homemade PVC garment racks kept falling over!!!  ha!!  Partly from wind but mostly from not being glued.  So I have to get those painted and glued before I do another show.  And if I have even ONE more dress than this time... I will need another rack!!!

This fair, the booth was shared with BonBonBows.  It was great having other people there--and Bows to accessorize with dresses... and if we do it again and are more organized, I will upsell more bows... but the down side was I only had 1/2 a booth.  So... I might either buy the bows from her or consign them or something.  Have a nice little bow rack in one corner, with her advertising, but have the whole booth to myself.  This time, however, I would have looked pretty silly.  I did not have NEARLY enough prepared for a whole booth.  And not even just dresses!  I want to have a photo board with the dresses modeled.  I want to have better displays.  Guest information cards.  Future products.  More products.

Anyway... overall it was a great success and I have so many people to thank for helping me.  If I leave you out just remind me (thank yourself in the comments!): Patience for always believing in me, without even knowing it she pushes me in the right direction; Meghan for coming over and helping, running errands, manning the show with me, offering suggestions and support; Liz who is my ironing professional and did an AWESOME banner that I could not hang due to wind; Nanna for coming in this weekend to help with kids; Abbey for always being my sounding board with all things crafty; Bonny for accessorizing the dresses; and all my local friends for coming out to support the booth!!!  And a HUGE thanks to all my fans and customers who love SewStella and advertise for me all the time!!! 

Come out, come out, wherever you are!

So, I have this goal: 50 dresses READY TO SELL.

Yesterday I had 20 done.  Last night I got 10 more to the "armpit station".

I thought, "how am I going to sell more if I don't finish these dresses?!?!?"

I decided I would bring all my fabric and take orders!!  Bring my cutting mat, cut the fabric right there, tag the order form to it (collect the cold hard cash!) and BAM! more sales!!!

I was thumbing through a pile of fabric waiting to be worn by some special little girl and, what's this? THREE finished dresses!  Now, they are in my old style (before it occurred to me to use bias tape for the armpits)... so I am not super happy with them... but I can A. sell them for $10 or B. take them apart and re-do the armpits (not before the fair, though!!)

If I can finish everything that is cut I will have 61 dresses for the fair!!  I can live with that! 

White Rabbit

"Oh dear! Oh dear!"

I am running LATE!!  I had such high hopes for high inventory at the craft fair (THIS COMING SATURDAY!).  But, [enter excuse 1, 2, and 3] I am not ready.  Well, I don't feel ready.

I wanted to have 50 dresses, with all of the USMC fabric turned into dresses.  So far I have 10 dresses and only one of them is even seasonal!  Most of them are clearance (dresses I started with and I just don't like) or summer-ish.

But--I am working with every spare moment and my mother in law is coming out on thursday to pick up my "home slack" so I can sew my little butt off!! 

I promise after this fair, I will attempt to blog daily.  I used to blog every day and I really loved it!  I have so much to show and tell... I just have to make the time.

I will, however, let you know what I end up with for the fair!! 

Time management

Okay, I am working on making the time to iron, sew, sell, AND blog!  Oh, and all that other stuff, like take care of my kids, dogs, husband, house, etc...

I just need to make a schedule.  And stick to it.  I used to be able to do that.  Let's see if I can do it again!

My sewing schedule has been pretty consistent--I try to get 2 hours in everyday!  Even when I don't have orders--dresses have to be made.  I need stock to peddle at craft fairs and to photograph.

I plan on having a photo shoot in the next week or so with a bunch of neighborhood girls of varying ages, so I have to get a bunch of dresses done!!!  (I really wish some of photographer friends lived closer!!!)

So, for now, stick with me while I get all of this up and running!!!

Craft fair

I did it!  I signed up for my first craft fair!!  (Now I just have to be accepted!)

I have a goal of participating in FIVE this winter. 

Step one, finding 5 to participate in!  I am hoping between this first one (Oct 16th) and one that I am going to (Oct 9) to scout out the competition and buy stuff--that maybe I will meet some people nice enough to share information with me about local fairs/shows. 

Step two--making enough inventory to sell.  I am so scared.  I do not want to be left with 1000 pillowcase dresses.  Scary stuff.  Have to take risks to get anywhere... so Riskville--here I come!!!

Watch out world!

Sometimes I feel OLD!  This technology "thing" is crazy!!  I am learning so much (and want to, of course), but it is a bit overwhelming to learn it all WHILE starting the business!


I just figured out how to use PayPal!  I mean, what year is this!?!?!?!?  Ha!

The last week, people from all over the country have had to put real paper checks in the US mail and send them to me!!  Which is great, supporting the Post Office, but it seems that in this era, people want to go online, enter some data and wha-la, I send them their product.  DONE and DONE!  I am set up!

Watch out world--Sew Stella has learned the most basic part of operating in the on-line world!

(And the worst part is that I am not THAT OLD!)

Welcome!

You found us!  Sew Stella is run by me.  I make clothes for little girls, inspired by my beautiful daughter, Stella.  Who is named after my grandmother.  Sew Stella was started with one dress and took off!  After some trial and error, I entered into the market of boutique style pillowcase dresses.  Before having a girl, I never imagined the simplicity of this style dress that can be used as a dress, a long shirt, and a shirt!  And dresses that can be worn year round with the proper under garments!

Every dress is handmade by me in my "spare" time. I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old.  

I love to create things and hope to branch out one day... but for now I am loving the positive response to this new business!

Bookmark me and visit often!  Thanks!