A CITIFIED WOMAN FROM THE SUBURBS...

...when I first started blogging I listed all my favorite sewing/crafting/cooking blogs on my sidebar for easy access.  The list grew and grew and grew, so I finally moved it to the very bottom area of my page.  I've long stopped using that list - some of the links may no longer function, but I leave it there because my Mother, Inell uses it from time to time.  Now, you know it's a good sewing/crafting blog when my Mother reads it, and then we have a really good discussion about it.

Such has been the case with a blog called SHEILAZ CTK.  I was just cruising around the world wide web one day long ago when I happened upon this Citified Woman From the Suburbs, and she's been providing crafting inspiration, motivation and encouragement for me every since.  Talk about a JANE of all trades!  She thinks it! She does it! Makes no apologies about it!, then struts right off to her corporate  9 to 5 in HIGH DIY STYLE!  If you haven't met this New York State lady that I call friend, take a little peek into her world...

     Sheila, what things excite and inspire you in your sewing and the designs that you create?

SHEILA:  I’ve always created things and it stretches back to my younger days.  Back then the most basic things inspired me to create:  walking around in a department store, back then it was Abraham & Strauss and Woolworth and being in those stores fueled my creativity tremendously, with its displays and multitude of colors & textures.  Of course, art, landscapes, street scenes, tv, also played a part.  Fast forward and the list grew and things that inspire me heightened by people watching, catalogs, even the advertisements on the train, sewing & fashion bloggers and I can’t forget social media… facebook, Instagram, pinterest, etc.

Can you tell us a little about your learning process; have you had formal training or are you self taught?

SHEILA:  There’s no formal training in this neck of the woods…lol.  The closest I came to any type of training was in school’s home economics class, wherein we learned how to make pillow cases.  To the heart of it all, I am self-taught and refer to sewing/crafting reference books, dvds, sewing blogger tutorials, of course YouTube, etc.

       What are your favorite items to sew?

SHEILA:  My favorite things to sew were tops, they are easy to make, especially in knits and they work so well with my uniform a/k/a suits.  However, of late it has been dresses.  So my favorite item to sew is always subject to change.

What garment or project has presented the biggest challenge to you?

SHEILA:  The biggest challenges have been sewing blazers.  Although, it’s getting better, it’s still a challenge with each new project.

What garment(s) to date would you call your masterpiece(s)?

SHEILA:  Totally giggling over that question… A masterpiece you ask... to date, I have yet to make one, but I have two that I like to call my labor of love pieces.

 Link:   Inspiredfaux leather dress using a deconstructed rtw wrap dress.

And Link:   McCall’s 6657

      What are your favorite fabric sources?

SHEILA:  My favorite fabrics sources are local brick & mortar shops: Fulton Fabrics, 123 Fabrics & Silk Road Fabrics, Brooklyn, N.Y. and Spandex World, New York City.

-Do you ever shop for fabric online? 

 SHEILA:  Since I am located conveniently near fabrics shops, I rarely shop online.

    Are there any sewing techniques that you have not mastered yet, but plan to work on?

SHEILA:  Sleeve plackets, bound buttonholes & welt pockets.

      If you could only have five (5) patterns, which five would that be and why?

SHEILA:  Butterick 5147: I love lifestyle wardrobes, which provides a variety of basics that work well with my lifestyle.

Butterick 4976: faux wrap dress: I can never go wrong with this pattern, and another great pattern that can be made repeatedly in a variety of prints yielding a different look each time.

Simplicity 1849: This top is everything, its figure flattering and can be modified to a basic pull-over tee.

New Look 6351: I love pull on pants and this pattern is perfect and yields a great fit & polished garment.

 McCall’s 3830:  I love a basic skirt and this pattern is perfect.  I even modified it for an elastic waist when I want instant gratification.

     Other than garment sewing are their other crafts that you enjoy?

SHEILA:  Now you have opened up a can of jelly beans… I love to crochet, knit, make body products, cards, diaper cakes & costume jewelry.

  Do you have a favorite sewing or crafting tip to share with us?

SHEILA:  My favorite sewing tip is using heat n’ bond adhesive for my dress and pants hems.

Last, but certainly not least can you show us your sewing machine arsenal?

Kenmore sewing machine  1622, Singer HD110, Kenmore embroidery/sewing machine 19005, Kenmore serger 16677, Siruba HSO-747D, Kenmore elite embroidery/sewing machine, Janome coverstitch 900cp

I so hope that you enjoyed visiting this Citified Woman from the Suburbs.  You can also find Sheila  on Facebook, and Instagram where she also posts her superior DIY styles...