Hi there Reader!

Still playing with surface pattern design to make repeating patterns for fabric and wallpaper.

I get my inspiration from taking photographs of my flowers, upload to Adobe Illustrator, and use the pencil tool and the pen tool to outline them, then color them up. It is intense but so rewarding.

I'll share my portfolio soon. I'm working on it.

In the meantime, here is an alteration tip for you...

Weekly DIY

Alterations on a sequined dress for Homecoming Court. I always have plenty of alterations during Homecoming Court and Prom.

This dress needed to be shortened by six inches. It has a horse-hair hem in it. I don't know why they started adding this to ALL the dresses. It helps them to stand out and be wavy, I reckon.

You can hand pick the whole thing out and reinsert it higher; however, my client opted to take it out. With wrong sides together, sew from the right side 1/4" seam. It needed to be 6" shorter. 6" - 1/4" = 5.75" Take that minus 1.5" hem = 4.25" to cut off. So turn up 4.25" and sew the folded piece 1/4" from the fold on the right side. Cut off the excess. Turn up your hem and hand stitch it down. Using Gingher Double-Curved Embroidery and Applique Scissors (6 in.) for Cutting Threads Close to Fabric Sharp and Smooth is the best way to cut off the excess. (Affiliate link) These are the best ones.

Don't forget to hem the lining!

She also needed the straps taken up 3". The straps had piping all the way around the strap. The easiest way to do this, was to cut the strap. Take a seam and just hand stitch the excess down inside the strap. Otherwise, you would have to take the whole dress apart and practically remake it. This works for the possibly one time wear. Use a needle and thread to make sure the piping matches on each side. You can re-sew some sequins on to hide any flaws.

Had to sew the front up a little so it wouldn't be so revealing. Used a needle and thread.

Took the side seams in a little. Go up through the lining and grab where it needs to be taken in.

Y'all wish me luck. We haven't had her second fitting yet. 😬 😜

Community Spotlight

This week, I'm featuring Janna W. She recently had twin Grandkids, a boy and a girl!! Isn't that so exciting? She made each of them a quilt. These are precious, Janna. Great job and thanks for sharing.

I love babies so much! 🩷🩵

You guys keep sharing. It gives us so much inspiration!

Weekly Inspiration

Ps 1:3 NKJV

"He shall be like a tree...that brings forth its fruit in its season."

One key to fulfilling your destiny is realizing what season you're in. If you don't, you will feel exasperated and disappointed. For example, in some seasons learning to follow is more important than learning to lead. In some seasons handling failure offers more value than handling success. One of the biggest errors we make is concentrating all our energy on the next season, rather than enjoying the season we're in, maximizing it, and gleaning its lessons. God wants to get you where He wants you to go even more than you want to get there. So, enjoy the journey, and understand that God will get you there when you're ready. God is developing emotional endurance inside you!

Thanks for reading, my dearest tribe!!! 🫶🏼

Always Choose Joy,

Crystal

​crystal@frosted-saddle.com https://www.frosted-saddle.com​

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