Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

SWFDS 2011: A Year in Review

Hello lovelies! It's a new year, its 2012! To celebrate, we will be recapping our best moments and greatest highlights from 2011. Happy New Year to you all and best wishes.


PS- This post is very link friendly. Clicks will take you directly to the post to read more about it (and check out the pics).


Let's start with January 2011 and run through the year chronologically
We started off the year with the last few days of our UNDER 100 Exhibit, pieces done by local artists all within the 100 price range. Our walls were beautifully decorated even with people dropping in and out to pick out art! Sheila was also featured in Urban Snapshot, a local blog putting the spotlight on Vancouver. Have you read it yet? 


Sheila sewing with Joel of Urban Snapshot!


February kicked off with a round of new workshops- KEEP ME TOASTY, featuring an infinity scarf, hobo mitts and fuzzy earmuffs! This was the first of our monthly themed workshops and it kicked off many more fun projects through the year.


The infinity scarf- versatile and trendy! (Gorgeous peach colour no?)


In March, another round of workshops with VINTAGE DIY! We made bows, clutches and statement necklaces all from gorgeous vintage pieces. Sheila was featured on Blanche Macdonald with a wicked article about her career after graduation! Read it!


La la love this fabric! We fancied up the clutch with a leather drawstring!


We made high waisted skirts and belted capes in April's SPRING FLING workshops. (The high waisted skirts were SO popular, we made them again in May!) We also welcomed our first in house designers, Davie & Chiyo Custom Clutches!


Stunning belted cape; this one was specially made for a bride!


May was bridal month in studio. We made gorgeous wristlet clutches and beaded headpieces in our SOMETHING MADE SOMETHING BLUE workshops! We attended EP!C 2010, and offered classes to make a clutch, an eco stash bag, and rosebud hair clips! We also featured a few local designers in our booth- Davie & Chiyo, Andrew Briggs, Nate Organics, and Picasso Designs. Did you miss it? 


Pearl and ribbon headpiece.. So beautiful! (Thanks Alisa for the pic!)


Is this rosebud not insanely adorable or what?!


We were feeling fun kiddy prints and June featured URBAN BABY workshops, making ah-dorable stuffed owls and baby tutus. Cute eh? We also celebrated the one year anniversary of our grand opening!


The stuffed owl wearing the tutu :D


July was SLUMBER PARTY month, and we made cozy throw pillows! Our house designers, Davie & Chiyo held a trunk show in studio! We also kicked off the first of our DIY Tutorials on our blog.. Make yourself a Balmain inspired tee! As an official partner of One of a Kind 2011, we joined them on a yacht, teaching wearable flowers for their media preview!!


Making flowers on a yacht- there's a first for everything!
We packed several DIY tutorials into August with the baby receiving blanket, frayed jean short shorts, recycled t-shirt stash bag, and beginner sewing kit!


The basics of everything you need to start sewing!


In September, we offered zipper workshops! We started our Sewing Tips Series on Twitter. (We've got them compiled nicely with photos here!) More DIY tutorials on a personalized comfy sweater, and protective iPad/ebook case! We also introduced our DIY rack in studio; picking from a huge variety including past workshops we brought back!


Don't you just adore this springy flower print??


DIY tutorials in October included fun headbands and a simple makeup pouch! Sheila debuted her line of custom designs, Lylah V Flowers!




November was an exciting month for media highlights! We were featured in TV Week Magazine and Vitamin Daily.com! We held an exciting giveaway to celebrate our partnership with One of a Kind. Davie & Chiyo held another trunk show in studio, this time debuting another label, Lylah V Flowers!
Sheila in TV Week Magazine!


Lylah V at the Trunk Show!


Our second show at One of a Kind in December, this round we taught sewing classes in the Make Something Awesome Lounge! (Rad photos!Read the recap if you missed out! We held a NYE giveaway with Davie & Chiyo, a lucky gal scored a gorgeous clutch! Sheila shared her fav dresses for new years!

Making flowers at OOAK!
Quick Facts:
We taught over 165 students in 12 months with approximately 60% being beginner sewers. 
On top of the 165, we taught 60 guests at the 2011 One of a Kind Show in 4 days. 
Oh and did we mention the part where we taught on a yacht?

There you have it ladies, and gents! SWFDS in 2011! 
Keep posted on our Facebook and Twitter as we zip through another year!
PS - We're having lots more classes coming this year, watch out!!
Happy 2012 and all the best :)

Cheers!
SWFDS Sewing Team

Monday, December 19, 2011

One of A Kind Vancouver 2011 Recap!

Hello lovelies! If you missed OOAK 2011, don't fret, we've picked out some our favourites from the show.
We had a great time making awesome stuff and meeting new people! If you visited us, we're looking forward to seeing you again in studio!

Can you spot us??

First up, very talented and crafty felt creator, Shima Itabashi of Him Creations. You can catch them again at the Granville Island Public Market from now until Christmas Eve!
Check out their website and find these cute creatures on Etsy!

Felt creatures by Shima

Smidgebox Designs, lovely handmade "this + that". Follow on their Blog or Twitter. Pick up some lovely gifts for the holidays in their Etsy shop too- Psst! They've got Christmas stockings!

Fabric basket for storing beauty goodies?

Fully lined with pockets and dividers!

THE cutest fabrics made into buttons, pouches, and hair clips by Roxypop Designs They've even got apple cozies to protect your fruit from damage :D One of our favs- the fruity teacup candle! Makes a great gift and smells divine. 
Find their next event by keeping posted on their Website and Blog
Follow them around on Twitter and Facebook for their latest happenings!

Adorable fabrics put to good use on Roxypop buttons
Festive teacup candles- the holiday gift!
Handcrafted bags and accessories by HOIBO- all season, versatile designs.. love em! Personal favourite are the hobo bags; gorgeous leather, fully handmade and fabulous with any outfit. 
Drool over the whole collection on their website!


Kove; gorgeous, handmade knitwear! They have those trendy tube scarfs that EVERYONE has been sporting this winter. Everything from cowls, scarves, leg warmers, and tukes to keep you warm this winter. 
Follow their Blog, Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates. 
Pick up your own knitted scarf from them on Etsy!


Have a good holiday and Happy sewing!

SWFDS Sewing Team

Saturday, November 5, 2011

SWFDS One of a Kind Sewing Package Giveaway!


     We are happy to announce that we are an official sponsor at this year's One of a Kind Show 2011! You can find us at the show from December 8th to 11th in our sewing lounge titled "Make Something Awesome". Show attendees will be able to sew something awesome with us! More information on the One of a Kind Show can be found here.

    To celebrate, we are giving away a DIY Sewing Package (valued at approx. $100!) that includes 2 complimentary tickets into the show, 2 spots in a sewing workshop held at the show, and a $20 gift certifcate for SWFDS! 

HOW TO ENTER: 
ON FACEBOOK: "Like" our page. Write on our wall and simply tell us what your favourite DIY project was! Easy! Click here to enter.

ON TWITTER: Follow @swfds on Twitter here. Re-Tweet: "@swfds is giving away a DIY Sewing Package! To enter, FOLLOW and RT this to WIN! #sewinggiveaway"

Contest runs from now until November 30th. Random draw for a winner will be held on December 1st.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

[DIY Tutorial] Safety Pin Shirt

Here is our DIY Destroyed Safety Pin Shirt, inspired by Balmain from their Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Learn how to make it yourself without paying the $2570 price tag!






























Materials needed:

Plain black shirt (any style)
Safety pins in a variety of sizes 
Fabric shears
Chalk

Instructions:
1. Use the chalk to mark where you will cut. Experiment with straight lines, diagonals, curves, longer, shorter lines.


2. Cut on the chalked lines. No need to be extremely precise; jagged cuts add an edgier feel.


3. Start pinning! Smaller safety pins will keep the fabric closer together, larger ones will let the fabric move more.. and show more skin. Experiment with various sized safety pins to get a different look each time. Try spacing them out or pinning in different directions.




Here's the final look! 




Celeb Inspiration:


Korean girl group, 2NE1, also recently sported many of Balmain's safety pin pieces from their Summer/Spring 2011 Collection in their music video "Lonely".

CL in the Safety Pin Destroyed Shirt and Leather Safety Pin Jackets


Minzy, CL, Sandara, Park Bom in White Leather Safety Pin Jackets. Other pieces from Balmain's Spring/Summer Collection as well.



Photos & Credits to:
Eiffel in Seoul

Black Vneck from Forever 21
Safety pins from Dressew