Debuting Soon... The ULTIMATE Denim Sunrise Original from Londa

4 min read

I've been working and taping video for several weeks now on a brand new creation that I feel is one of my VERY BEST pieces! Here's a few 'peeks'.....

Denim Sunrise my newest upcycle art is scheduled to 'drop' for adoption on March 20!

A new young friend of mine, deep into internet marketing, told me she feels it is by far the most unique and intriguing piece in my entire Collection. 'Sew' for what that's worth... here are some pics of the day I started what turned into my Denim Sunrise wearable art piece.

It is hard to describe to you how VERY MUCH FUN I have when I'm back in my Sunroom Sewing Studio creating, draping, cutting, stitching, UN-stitching, - all with my trusty feline friend watching every move I make.

Adorable black-and-white cat resting inside a Brother sewing machine, bringing charm to a sewing class or women's fashion shop setting. Perfect for adding a playful touch to denim sunrise projects, showcasing the intersection of pet-friendly creativity, DIY fashion, and couture techniques in a stylish sewing environment.

These days, I find 'regular' sewing to be boring, opting instead to do upcycle sewing. My 'fabric stores' have become thrift stores and estate sales. In fact, it was at an estate sale where the woman had owned a clothing store, where I hit a JACKPOT earlier this year. These jeans with distressed and inserted copper-colored 'nail head' type thingies was the prize.

Below, I've shared closeups of these 'accents', on the leg fronts, both outside and inside views.

Next to teaching in my Studio, engaging in UpCycle Sewing is my most fun and FAVORITE pastime. I feel SEW very fortunate to have found my love of sewing very early in my life.

HOW I STARTED TO SEW

Just as with many Sewists, it was my dear Mom who got me going. She sewed in the corner of our kitchen. A fond memory is watching her stitch rows and rows of netting onto muslin bands to create the TuTus for costumes of students of the dance studio where I took lessons (at a big $5/month!). I believe she charged around $12 for those costumes - which, before knits, meant fitting a muslin base to the girl, then using that as a pattern from which to cut the satin leotard portion of the costume - which was then all trimmed up with sequin trim fringe, etc. for tap costumes or tutus for ballet students. Of course..... all with a zipper (only metal existed back then) up the back. In 1965 she saved enough money from her labors to fund taking our family on a vacation to Disneyland in CA from central Illinois! She was one hard-working lady.

I digress.... So, I grew up loving clothes AND I loved all that she made me. Unlike others whose Mom made their clothing, I can never remember wishing I could have 'store-bought' instead. As with all teenagers, the day arrived when our tastes differed a tad, and I wanted more clothes than she thought I needed, so to solve that 'issue' AND to teach me money management, she put me on a clothing allowance - all of $25/month. I know - that doesn't sound like much, but I just asked my new friend, Chat GPT, and learned:

$25 in 1966 would be equivalent to [approximately $243.40

Looking back...that was quite generous on her part! Let me be clear, that was to cover EVERYTHING, from undies to winter coats - even heel replacements on my shoes (yeah, we did that back then). I learned to budget for all the different needs with dollars (and coins) in envelopes.

AND...the most important thing - and why I'm telling this story - is that I figured out the only way I could have as many clothes as I thought I needed was if I MADE THEM MYSELF!

SEW... I started sewing - and never looked back.

I only ever had 1 semester of sewing in 8th grade Home Ec class - and, to this day, I can remember the lime green shift with fabric -covered navy low hip belt that I made (and had to model at Edison Junior High School in Champaign, IL. By the time I hit high school, I figured (or at least I thought) that I knew more about sewing than the teacher, so I never even took Home Ec in high school! All the time - I knew I'd be majoring in Home Economics in college. Again, my wise Mom's answer to me when I asked her what I should major in was, "Well, you always say that you want to definitely become a good wife and mother, so why not major in Home Ec - be a teacher?" Indeed, that is what I did.

I'll share more of my 'career path' in another Blog Post, but for this post here are a few more of those 'Peeks' at my new favorite creation:

Denim Sunrise - up for 'adoption' 3-20-25.

Starting Tie Selection - watch for a Reel/Short on my FB and Instagram coming soon sharing how I 'filtered' my ties for this project.

Vibrant collection of fabric scraps for women's denim sunrise projects, featuring a mix of brown, blue, and patterned textiles on a sewing grid. Perfect for a sewing class inspiration or showcasing unique material choices in a women's fashion shop, highlighting DIY fashion, couture techniques, and creative upcycling ideas for denim designs

This next pic shows the jeans, with a potential cutting line determined with this great skinny, kinda sticky 'drafting' tape. I bought a bunch of these in different colors from Amazon a few years ago. Sorry - I looked, but couldn't find the exact product - but they are there somewhere. I love using them for designing....

Creative women's denim sunrise jeans with vibrant red stitching and eclectic patchwork details, laid flat on a sewing grid surrounded by colorful fabric scraps and sewing supplies. Ideal for a sewing class project or showcasing innovative denim designs in a women's fashion shop, emphasizing DIY fashion, couture techniques, and upcycling inspiration.

My experience is - that it is IMPOSSIBLE to plan out an entire garment - RATHER, that it is a 'journey' of creative starts - refinements - and often UN-STITCHING, and RE-Designing. It's great practice in making decisions after weighing options, and surely teaches one PERSISTENCE!

If you're scared to 'jump in' all by your lonesome, consider this opportunity: book a 3 day Sewing Escape Workshop with me. There's even room to bring a friend if you like! Together, I will teach you how I work through the design, stitching, and RE-designing (if necessary) process.