Need Fabric...?

Hi there!  Got a little backed up this week.  Will be getting to the rest of the Cornucopia Artist/Mom features in the next few days.

For now, I would love to share with you a great fabric shop!  Skyereve Fabric on Etsy here!  This new fabric line is amazing!!

And there is a GIVEAWAY going on now for her shop!  Click here!

Cornucopia...Celebrating the Artist under the Mommy...

From Scientist to Designer...
     introducing Eliza from KKNoodles

Carolina Top...See it here

Peasant Whimsy...see it here

Cardamon...see it here

So first tell us where your from and who you are, please:)

My name is Elisa Gollatz. I am a wife, mother, homemaker, scientist and children's clothing designer. I grew up in Pennsylvania and went to college in Pittsburgh to study Neuroscience. Upon graduating I worked in research laboratories in Academia. I continued to work after the birth of my first child Kiera, but retired from the industry after having my second child Kaitlin. When the girls were 4 and 3 respectively,I went shopping for their clothing. I was completely appalled by what was being marketed to our little girls. Why can't little girls be little!
Kknoodles was born. The name is derived from the girls nicknames, kk and noodle. Now I am a mother to four wonderful children, a clothing designer and very happy. 

So do you think you are now following your "destiny" of who you were to become,  those are 2 exttremly different fields!

So many people ask me that very question!  Ironically, there is a lot of science that goes into design.. I have always loved the arts. At a young age I started playing violin and singing. I really think that designing is the perfect blend of the sciences and arts. Design merges two of my strengths making a perfect profession for me. Sewing has become therapy for my crazy life “ motherhood”.
When did you start sewing?
 

 I began sewing when I was young. I can remember watching my mom sew in her sewing room. I was given my grandma's singer when I was about 13.. I have always had a unique style. I forced my mom to make me my senior prom dress. I hated the ugly poofy look!

Any advice for people getting started in boutique clothing
My advice to anyone is to do their research and start small. I have learned most of what I know about this business by going through it. Talk to many people who have started there own businesses. Find out what works and doesn’t work. It will save you lots of money and heartache. Start small and expand gradually. I have met so many women that started too big and very easily got overextended (physically and financially). Stay grounded and remind yourself daily the you love what you do.

What do you think about the concept "woman helping woman" ?Is there enough business out there for all of us and what makes your clothing different from other designers?

I am absolutely pro "women helping other women".  I have nothing to hide. We  all have different tastes and ideas.  Let's work together.  MY designs are "so me" I don't design things b/c I think other people will like it ,I design it b/c I love it.  I think that is why my designs are different.

What do you have coming up for fall, new designs, shop promotions?

Still thinking about it.... it was 100 degrees here in Atlanta today!  Moms Help Moms promotion: $25 off your purchase of $50 or more (full pricedtems only) code MHM valid 9/7-9/12





Thanks so much and good luck with your fall line!  Ladies be sure to check back for Kknoodles Fall...2010 preview.  Leave your email, if you want to be notified when "it arrives"

Cornucopia..celebrating the Artist under the Mommy...Butterflies and Bees Give Away

Scroll down to bottom of post for details on how to win this beautiful dress and headband.

So first tell us where your from and who you are

I grew up in a very small town in New Brunswick and then moved to Calgary, AB in 1998. I've worked in various jobs (Hotel, Administration, Accounting, Retail) but by far, I love being home with my 2 girls. It also allows me the flexibility to sew while my youngest naps and my oldest is at pre-school.


When did you start sewing?

I have done embroidery, cross stitch, scrapbooking, cardmaking, knitting - from a young age, I did not start sewing seriously until just a couple of years ago. I grew up watching my mom who sewed us clothes, costumes and decor. So I guess you could say a bit of it rubbed off on me.

So this is your first time trying to "SEW and Sell" as a business, what made you jump into this--did you always think about doing this


I've always enjoyed being crafty and I'll admit, I have a bit of an addiction when it comes to children's clothing. I'm a total fashion wreck when it comes to dressing myself, but for my girls, it's so easy. After discovering etsy and seeing what others were sewing, it encouraged me to give it a try.





Your clothing designs are very cute and classic, what happens if you get swamped with orders, any thoughts on how you would handle that?


 The key to it all though, is that my husband is very supportive of me. He takes the girls when I need the time to sew orders, doesn't complain when I come to bed late or have to sew all day on weekends.

What kind of machines do you use? 

I bought my first sewing machine 4yrs ago from Walmart for $99! It's a Brother CS4000 (Computerized) and was an ok machine, but not really one I would recommend. For Mother's Day my husband bought me a Kenmore machine which I really like!


WHY?

 It's a Kenmore MD-27 and I may just really like it because my old machine was so crappy! lol I did do some research before I started dropping hints to my husband and while Janome and Husqavarna were at the top of the lists for quality and great machines, they were out of my budget for what I could afford just starting out. That's when I started leaning towards a Kenmore. They are great machines when it comes to quality and are reasonably priced. For $300 you can get a good machine that has all the stitches you'd need for just starting out, as well as accessories (walking foot, 1/4" seam foot, etc).


Any advice for woman getting started in boutique clothing.

If you are not a pattern maker (I am not!), research your patterns. I found when I first starting looking for patterns that while there are a ton available on Etsy, not all are good. Some have poor directions, some poor pattern pieces or the outfit just does not fit correctly once sewn. Feedback is not always helpful as I found a lot of buyers would leave the feedback before they even tried out the pattern!

Also double their shop policies, everyone has a different policy when it comes to selling items made from their patterns. Some want credit on your listing, your hang tag, or want a licensing fee, which I've typically found to be in the $20-$30 range for unlimited production for at home sewers.


great tip! 
As well, be prepared! No one wants to receive a clothing item from you with out tags. Things like labels, sizing tags, business cards and hang tags take time to get in. You don't want your product out in the 'wilds' without a tag. As a mom of two girls I can't even count the number of times I've been asked where I bought an item they are wearing or playing with, a tag with your name/logo on one side and your online shop name on the reverse is an easy way for the buyer to share with someone.

What do you have coming up for fall
For Fall I have a new Top being added to my shop, more dresses in holiday fabrics (Halloween and Christmas) and I'm hoping to add yoga pants and wet bags to my shop.  Just added  three Classic Dresses, one of which is a give away!


So ladies to win this beautiful dress and headband from Shelly's Autumn Rose Collection, pictured above, go to Shelly's Shop, Butterflies and Bees here, come back, leave a comment telling us your favorite item in shop.  For a second entry leave a comment on Shellys blog by clicking here.   **If you post on FB leave it in your comment.  Winner will be picked this friday night!

Good Luck and thanks for supporting Cornucopia  and  Handmade!


8/20

OK..So just took this off Shelly's Blog, she picked 3 winners!  Stephanie gets the dress and headband and then there are 2 other $10 gift cards!  Thanks everyone and Thanks Shelly for your genorosity and good luck with your shop and your beautiful creations!

Who is Stephanie Z who said:

THIS is my favorite item! I am getting one for Lauren for her birthday!
And I chose 2 more people who receive a $10 gift card towards anything in my shop.  Those 2 winners were Terri and Andrea B!
Congratulations everyone! And thanks for all the lovely comments about the items in my shop! Stay tuned, I just may have another contest coming up really soon.

Vintage Rosies...1940's..Woman To Admire...Woman who Inspire

The symbol of working women during the war, the Rosie look is personified first and foremost by trousers, which was something very few women wore up till that point.

Women's fashions in the 1940s focus mostly on the dresses, but for most women, their daily wardrobe consisted of loose, comfortable trousers or overalls and sturdy boots

Hair was carefully tied up in a colorful scarf

A "Rosie" might still wear lipstick and keep her eyebrows well-manicured, but she was an important part of the war effort, and style was not part of the equation.

SUPPORT WOMAN IN AMERICA and HANDMADE USA!

Cornucopia...Celebrating the artist under the mommy!

Hi out there! Next week, I will be featuring a few shop owners and celebrating their individual style. Please check out their shops and support Handmade USA. Let's help get our country back on track by supporting small business in America! And, getting adorable original clothing at a very reasonable price in the process! A quick peak! And on Thursday, HipChic will be having a giveaway for one of her ruffle applique tees.  Be sure to check back.

Monday Butterflies & Bees

Tuesday KKNoodles.com

Wednesday Bunny Lane Designs

Thursday HipChic

Friday Sugar Bumps Appliques

Pattern Testers For Sewing Tutorials...

Ok Ladies, thanks for all the emails, will try and get through them this weekend and let you know if your picked for the first go around. Right now, I need to test these baby leggings. I need a 3 month old, a 6month old and a 12m old. If interested, please leave a comment here with your name, email and age and lbs of your little one and turn around time.  *Also, a serger is needed for these and a yard of cotton lycra fabric--this is a 2 way stretch.  And a digital camera to email ohotos of leggings when complete. Thanks Laura

Sewing Tutorial for Baby Leggings

SEWING TUTORIALS FOR KNITS!!

Perfect to use with Patty Young's new knits!

Hi and thanks.. Why buy my ebooks? I have been a designer and patternmaker for over 25 years. I specialize (obsess!) in knits. These are cut for toddlers who where diapers. Its a roomier fit. These fit great!  *Serger need for these! Available in sizes to fit 12m,18m 24m.  And without diaper in sizes 3t,4t,5,6  For more info click here.

SEWING TUTORIAL...BOGO

Buy this sewing tutorial and pick another one for the same or less value free. Leave a comment here or email me at  Email@gingerlouise.com tell me which ebook you woud like for your 2nd choice. Ebooks will be sent once payment is made! Make sure you check spam and bulk mail!

Great Tutorial for all your new fall fabrics.

Lots of Variations!

Go to my etsy shop to see whats available here

From this EBook, you can make 3 variations of a dress or top.  The Basic, The Boarded Bottom or The Paneled Front.
Sewing Skill required:  Intermediate

Sewing Tutorial $5

A very simple beginner sewing tutorial on special for just $5.  Follow the link here!

Custom Boutique...Fall 2010

I Wasn't Going To Do A Fall Line, but.....

I just can't help myself...