Author Archives: katyturnerdesigns

Learn How To Sew, Or Just Re-Learn How To Use Your Machine!

24 Thursday Jan 2013

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Do you live in the Bay Area and want to learn how to sew? Do you have a sewing machine laying around that you forgot or don’t know how to use? I can teach you! And I will even come to your house!

Meet Carey, my most recent student who had a machine, couldn’t quite remember how to use it and had some projects that needed to be done:

“I hadn’t sewn anything since I was 16. I inherited a Bernina from my Mom when she passed away and it’s been sitting in my garage for longer than I care to admit. Katy helped me bring this machine to life and I am thrilled. She came to my house and helped me dust off the machine and plan my project. We designed a slipcover for my futon. She taught me how to measure and choose the right amount of fabric; cut a pattern; thread the machine; thread a bobbin; and complete the whole project in 3 days. I had considered going to a class but having Katy come to my home and give me private lessons was absolutely deluxe. She is a patient, kind teacher and her experience in fashion means that I can continue to get more advanced instruction as I advance in my skills. I am so pleased. I have since made 2 more covers for my futon and am now in the middle of making a linen slipcover for my sofa. Now I love sewing so much I can’t seem to stop. I can’t recommend Katy highly enough. It’s been such enjoyable experience learning to sew again. ”

She did an amazing job and I am proud to have her as a student. Check out her first project!

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So, if you are looking for a sewing teacher, look no further! Just contact me at katyturner@gmail.com or 510-299-7206.

Happy Sewing!

Reef turns 6

19 Sunday Aug 2012

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Reef is an awesome little dude who turned 6 yesterday. He also happens to be my neighbor and shares the back yard with me.

Me and Reef hanging in the back yard

Reef’s dad is a chef and Reef and his older sister Marley learned how to work in a kitchen, even using knives correctly since they were very young. I thought about what I could make for him and quickly came up with the idea of a custom apron for him. I talking with Marley about what kind of fabric to use and ended up learning that he is in love with carrots right now, so I was set! I also wanted to hand embroider a little customized patch at the top that said CHEF REEF.

So, he had his party today and I got to  give his his apron. He loves it, but did not like me making him put it on in front of everyone, sorry buddy!

looking sharp!

I can’t wait to do some cooking or gardening with this guy!

Happy Birthday Reef!

Andrea – Engagement Skirt & Baby Blanket

26 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in blanket, Skirt

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Andrea is my best friends husbands brothers wife…..yeah….that’s a little hard to follow! Basically, we are not related, but she is family AND she is now the mother of the first of the next generation!

About 3 years ago this gorgeous woman asked me to make her a skirt for her engagements photos, and I most happily obliged. I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but I do believe I was wearing my batik skirt at a holiday family event and it caught her eye. She was getting ready for their engagement photoshoot and asked if I would be willing to make her a similar skirt, but with a few changes to make it more her style. I’m pretty sure I simply pulled a measuring tape out of my purse, took some measurements and then went to work on it the next day! It was just close enough to when I had bought the fabric for my skirt that when I went back to the fabric store, they still had some! Score! (Especially since that was her favorite part!) I finished it up and then I actually gave it to Richard (her husband) at Trader Joe’s where they both work! That was the first and only time I have not delivered my work to the actual person buying it! I was a little nervous, but it turned out great!

Here are a few of the amazing shots:

Nerinna Valera Photography

Nerinna Valera Photography

Nerinna Valera Photography

As you can see, I made a very similar skirt to mine, but this one is no high waisted and the waist band is a bit thinner.

NOW, these two are married and just had an adorable little boy named Caleb. I had seen photos of the babies room as they were getting ready for his arrival and thought I would make a baby blanket to go with it. The theme was kind of a simple and modern jungle (that’s the best way I can describe it!) So off to the fabric store I went. I gave them the blanket about 2 days before the baby was born and totally forgot to take any photos of it, but this is better. Thank you Andrea for taking some pics of the little guy with his new blanket!

Enjoy 🙂

Caleb!

Snuggles with Mommy

…and the actual blanket!

I made it big enough that he could grow up with it, and padded it enough that it can be used as a floor covering. Can’t wait to watch this little guys grow up, just not too fast!

Making An Old Skirt New Again

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Skirt

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When I first learned how to use my sewing machine, I improvised a few skirts. It has been amusing to go back and look at them and see how little I knew about construction.

One of those was a floor length green linen skirt. I knew nothing of zippers so it had a ridiculous series of hooks and eyes in the back. It was far too small for me at this point, but I wanted to salvage it because it is the most perfect green and had a lot of sentimental value.

I cut off the top to make it knee-length, and amazingly enough found my fabric scraps from the project (don’t throw away your big pieces!!!!) and was able to open the skirt up and add another panel so that it would fit.

The last bit was to add some applique. I found a few amazing pieces at Deb’s Lace & Trims in the iron-on applique section for SUPER cheap. Ironed it on and voila!

How I wore it yesterday (this was AFTER an entire day of work, hence the wrinkles)

With Flash to Show the Color

This photo is from my photo-shoot…..I’m just not happy with how I styled it, but it so pretty I had to include it 🙂

Photo by the amazing Drew Beck

For more by the amazing Drew Beck, click here.

A Simple Striped Skirt With Pockets

16 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by in Skirt

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When I was a student at FIDM, we would often get fabric for a class that we never ended up using. One of these was a simple blue and white striped fabric that we were supposed to use to learn about matching up stripes in seams, but never did.

SO….I decided to do it myself. I made a simple 3 paneled skirt with in-seam pockets and learned that if you go slow and are careful, it really isn’t that hard to get striped to line up!

Here are the results, hope you enjoy!

WITH the petticoat:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

WITHOUT the petticoat:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

OUTSIDE!:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

AND GIVING A TWIRL!!!:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

For more of the amazing Drew Beck’s work click here.

What To Do With A Plain White Tee…

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by in Shirt

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I love hand sewing. I learned when I was really young and having a needle and thread in my hands is as comfortable as a pen or pencil. Most of my creations do not involve a lot of hand sewing though so I thought I’d give myself a little project to keep my fingers nimble.

I found these shell paillettes at JoAnn Fabrics and decided to get to work on adding a little fun to a plain white t-shirt. They came in two different sizes and I had a large one I used to use as a pendant.

I got to work by laying the shirt on the table and then playing around with the design. Once I was happy with where everything was placed, I took a photo and then did my best to recreate the pattern once I started hand sewing on each shell.

I also wasn’t super happy that the shirt was BRIGHT white, so I soaked it in some coffee for a few hours to change that up! It almost all washed out, but it left a slight yellow/brown tint to the shirt that went much better with the shells.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

and lets not forget the back!

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

I love this shirt now. It eliminates the need for accessories and makes a fun noise when I walk! Looking to spruce something up? Let me know!

For more cool things by Drew, check out his site!

An Apron For Maman

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Two years ago for Christmas I made aprons for everyone in my family. The guys got custom-made reversible grilling aprons while I went a little more old school with the women. I wanted that prairie feeling so went with a Roman Square pattern for the front with 6 different fabrics for each and then added a waistband and attached a gathered skirt portion for the bottom with strips of each of the 6 fabrics. I did not end up putting pockets on them, I think it was a time issue….and one I should fix! All good aprons have at least one pocket in my opinion.

The one major design change I made was to do away with the standard behind the neck strap and waist tie. I wanted something that was not uncomfortable around the neck and felt nice and secure while you were wearing it. I came up with the crossing at the back and tying at the waist. I need to make the straps a little longer to help facilitate tying this on your own, but I like the final look and feel of the design.

Want your own apron? I’d love to make you one, any style, any fabric. Leave me a comment and we can get to work

-Katy

Archives – Fleece Coat

23 Monday Jan 2012

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ATTENTION! I have enough of this fabric left over to make another one. GET YOUR OWN FLEECE COAT MADE JUST FOR YOU! Leave me a comment and we can get started!

This coat is made of an incredibly soft dark grey fleece. There are patch pockets, large flared sleeves, a big collar, a fitted princess bodice and a large removable hood. It is incredibly warm and comfortable.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

I added a lot of top-stitch detailing which helps with structure.

To see more by Drew, click here.

Archives – Jessica

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Commissions, Dresses

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I now have a sister-in-law, and she rocks. Her name is Jessica and she came to me a few years ago, along with her friend Cristin to ask me to make her a dress.

She had a photo in a magazine and we started from there. She wanted a simple shift style dress with a few cool style details.

As it tuned out, I already had the perfect fabric. When my great-aunt Kathleen passed away, I inherited a TON of fabric. A lot of it was a little funky and not quite my style, but hidden in the piles were a few true gems. I had about 4 yards of a gorgeous raw silk in a lovely deep purple color.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

We ended up with a scooped neck in the front, and a nice V in the back. The dress has an empire waist and I added some geometric ruffles to the seam under the bust to add some detailing. The skirt part of the dress also has some tucks and darts to add shape and fullness.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

This dress ended up being my payment to her for spending 4 entire days with me cleaning out my apartment. WELL worth the trade, I would say!

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

Doesn’t she look gorgeous?

All photos by Drew Beck

Archives – Suzanne

18 Wednesday Jan 2012

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Did you know? I have a super-power!

I have the ability to look at a fabric and know what it should become!

At least I’d like to think so.

This is my gorgeous friend Suzanne (or Suz). She was one of my very first commission, if not the first and that is super cool.

She came to me, wanting a summer dress that came to a V in the front, and pockets of course! Those were her only guidelines. So, we went to the fabric store and I found what I thought was one of the most beautiful fabrics I had ever seen and showed it to her for approval. She looked at me like I was a crazy person, but trusted me enough to let me go with it. And….

THIS is what happened:

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

It is a simple dress with a slight surplice top, coming to a V in the back as well. There is a waistband and the the skirt has a little fullness from some pleating. In-seam pockets as well.

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

photo by the amazing Drew Beck

Thanks Suz for being such a pro at modeling! and Drew Beck for the great pics.