Sewing with Carolyn

 Today I’m trying to start the sewing process for a red bolero jacket….and I’m just not feeling it! Taking another nap sounds SO MUCH better! Why am I having a lack of desire to make this jacket? Well it’s because of several things. I never originally planned on making it. Here’s the story. I used some $10/yard vintage fabric (from the 50’s….it’s only 35” wide so that’s the first clue that it’s vintage), to make a semi custom dress for a lady who messaged me of another dress I have listed on Mercari. She said this: “I just love your vintage dresses, but I’m a size 16. If you ever make a dress in a size 16, I will buy it!” So I chatted back and forth with her and showed her this pattern I had recently purchased (it’s a reprint “Retro” series that includes modern…larger sizes which is rare in actual vintage patterns). I also showed her this fabric. She said she loved it all! So I made this dress in a size 16. It’s a brick red print. Can look orange/rust to red depending on the light....

 Finished and on the market at Poshmark and Mercari! Next up will be a 1950’s bolero jacket that coordinates with a sleeveless dress I’m trying to sell. 

 But I should get this dress finished tomorrow and ready to list for sale! This will be a size 10-12. 36”-38” bust. $199. Frustrating things happen to novice sewists and to experienced seamstresses like myself. Today I lost a pattern piece along with the 6 layers of fabric I had cut from it. It wasn’t a very large piece but not tiny either. I looked everywhere! Blamed my 16 year old ginger cat for stealing it (he likes to drag things into his food bowl!) but I couldn’t find evidence of that. Maybe it ended up in the trash can (which was emptied on Tuesday night). Finally I gave up looking, drafted a new pattern piece, and cut out more fabric. The key is to just keep going! Stuff happens. I’m without my family tomorrow so I have grand plans to sew all day! Hope you all have a great weekend. Happy Mother’s Day! 

 I decided to sew on a few parts of this dress today. I got the skirt completed (this one is actually double lined), and I constructed the lined puffed sleeves. Next up will be the bodice front and back. Stay tuned.  My dresses (no smocked dresses) are for sale on Poshmark (@cjfiore27) and Mercari (Carolyn Fiore).

 I mentioned in my first post that I have made smocked dresses for years. My very first smocking project was in 1987 when I was pregnant with my second baby. I didn’t own a pleater machine (used to make the tiny pleats on which the design is hand stitched) so it didn’t turn out too great, but I was intrigued with the process. After my daughter was born in 1992, my husband gave me a pleater machine for Christmas and I’ve used it ever since. Here are a few of the many many dresses I have made for my daughters and well as for my smocking business. 

 Hello there! My name is Carolyn Fiore and I’m a self taught seamstress with over 50 years of experience sewing clothing, crafts, home decor including draperies, curtains and pillows. In my past I have made custom made clothing and home decorating items as well as done alterations. I also sold my hand smocked baby dresses for several years, where I specialized in creating Birthday dresses featuring a smocked cake and presents. I’ve considered sewing as a hobby but I have been able to sell my creations as a small business from time to time. Currently I sell my clothing on Etsy, Poshmark and Mercari. I’m also skilled in making quilts and other  quilted items. I also crochet and knit. Mainly I’m a wife and mother. I have 3 grown children from my first 22 year marriage (I’ll introduce them as I go), and I have a 9 year daughter from my second 15 year (and still going strong!) marriage. I was able to be a stay at home mother for most of this time, going back to work as an acco...