Category Archives: TAV Studio News

Creative journeys, creativity abounds, TAV Studio News

Sewing Machine thoughts….

It has been a while…
I had been planning on sharing the following thoughts with my sewing classes, but then decided to  add it here. They can read it here along with anyone else who might be looking at purchasing a sewing machine for their own personal use or in order to best participate in classes.

So you want to start sewing regularily…

What is your sewing machine status ?

Option 1:

“I have a machine that I love and know how to use. It has all its parts, and manual.”

GREAT – Read through the manual and start practising with scrap fabrics to get to know the machine.  Use good quality thread, not the cheap stuff, and make sure to have a pack or two of needles of various sizes to test out.

Option 2:

“I was given a used machine but I don’t know how to use it.”

Do you have the manual?

“Yes”.   Read it and see option 1…

“No.”  Go get it online, then go to yes.

Option 3:

“I was given a used machine but it’s not working right.”

Have you done yes of option 2?

  • The manual shows “cleaning and oiling.”  Do that.

Still broken?

Take it to get tuned up professionally…

  • -ask at a nearby fabric/ sewing supply store for recommendations
  • – search online for local repair shops.

It cannot be saved? Buy a New or Refurbished one.

What type of machine should I get?

My domestic machine – a truck, good with basic sewing, buttonholes and stretch sewing

Minimum requirements for a domestic machine that will serve you well :

  1. Manual < remember you can get it online>
  2. Functions that are ideal:
  • Straight stitch with at least 4 stitch length options
  • Zig zag stitch with at least 4 stitch width options
  • Basic foot to allow for straight and zigzag
  • Zipper foot < optional invisible / hidden zipper foot

You can do almost all of the basic machine sewing with a lower cost machine.

Extra embroidery stitches are nice to have it you hope to do some deceorative work, but can also come later.

Do I need an industrial machine?

Not right away – most domestic machines can do most jobs.

Always ensure you have :

    • the correct needle size and
    • proper feet/ techniques for the materials you are sewing.

If you choose to get an industrial machine – follow the same steps above – manual, practice, correct needles, etc.

My industrial – straight stitches only

Do I need a serger/ overlock/cover lock machine?

Not yet – wait to see what direction you will go in for your sewing adventures/ work.

Some domestic machines have a “cover stitch ” option and foot, and that will serve until you decide how important it is to be able to trim and serge at the same time. A zigzag stitch can also work for finsihing fabric edges – just test the tension to make sure it’s not too tight.

If you do decide you want one, again, a basic domestic 3-5 thread serger/ overlock can do most finishing for general sewing.

My coverlock – high end domestic, does all the serger/ overlock/ coverlock things!

If you choose to make larger quantites of leisure wear/ athletic wear/ stretch wear, research and test the industrial options before investing.

Short and to the point, but if you have thoughts, add them in the comments!

Creative journeys, TAV Studio News

Client: I started this project… Me: Sure – bring it on over!

My elevator pitch used to be: ” I sew, I dance; I teach both.”

I have retired from performing and teaching dance< Belly and Bollywood>, but I still am lucky enough to be able to keep up the creativity with my sewing work.

Every once in a while, I am lucky enough to be able to assist another sewist in the completion of their projects that may have gotten away from them, their lives have become too busy, or whatever the reason…

Here’s the latest – and I love it – I want one for me now ! I don’t need one though… sigh…

TADA~ and yes, it will look better with a body inside and a bit of aging from laundering..

Click on the first thumbnail and hit the right arrow to go along for the journey!

So…. yes!
If you need help finishing a project, let me know and let’s co-create something amazing!

TAV Studio News

So, you already have a 2 layer mask….Now What?

If you decided early to go with a breathable fabric mask to reduce your impact on the environment and keep others safe – yay!

You may have purchased a Style 1E/1T TAVMask from me to help support an Ottawa based business, or you may have purchased from one of the many other awesome sewists who have been doing their part to try to help keep everyone a bit safer.

So, now it should be a 3 layer mask, but yours has no pocket to insert either a reusable or disposable filter!!!  And you have a few of them!!

UPDATE: EMAIL ME TO ORDER:

TAVMask Shaped Filter Insert $8.

3 layers of fabric – 1 Organic cotton/ hemp blend for support; 1 layer polypropylene for filtering; 1 layer organic cotton sateen for comfort with support boning to gentle hold the mask away from your lips but still allow it to sit securely against your face.
Organic cotton side rests against the face for comfort.
Support in the centre added, creating that bit of space between the mouth and mask…
burgundy organic cotton/ hemp on the side that will settle into the two layer mask…Small size shown here.
All TAVMask sizes will be available. The Standard size and Small sizes are shown here.
standard size TAVMask with the filter insert in place

FILTER OPTIONS:
I now have receive and can provide the appropriate polypropylene, but there are some suggestions that may help you add your own filter in the meantime:

In September 2020 this article was published by the University of British Columbia and it suggests dry baby wipes work well..
https://news.ubc.ca/2020/09/09/ubc-researchers-run-tests-to-find-best-materials-and-styles-for-face-masks/

and the latest from Canada.ca

Filters add an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 by trapping small infectious particles. Consider wearing a mask that includes a filter or filter material as one of its layers, such as:

non-woven polypropylene fabric, which can be found as:
a craft fabric
the non-woven fabric that’s used to make some reusable shopping bags
a disposable filter inserted into a pocket on the mask
Reusable masks with a non-woven filter layer should be washed daily, and can be washed multiple times. Disposable filters should be changed daily or as directed by the manufacturer.

Creative journeys, creativity abounds, TAV Studio News

#NewNormal for TAV Creations…

As Ontario looks at how to reopen businesses, I also am looking at how to safely conduct business in my  highly up-close and personal main operations.

I specialize in custom garments, making them with multiple appointments to ensure the look and fit are what my clientele wants in…

  • Bridal wear
  • Proms
  • Dance costumes

And even with these jobs I am often still looking at at least one fitting to ensure a good final result when providing…

  • Tailoring
  • bridal alterations
  • clothing repairs and renovations….

So what to do?

I have been making masks steadily since March 2020 , and I will continue to do so as demand exists, that will be one of the streams of income I will be dedicating time to. Curious? email me 

Be sure to use  #TAVMasketeer or #TAVMaskateer if you post a selfie in one I’ve made for you!

No-contact alterations will be available

 – you mark it, I sew it can work reasonably well for pant and sleeve hems, and likely straight skirts…contact me if you have projects like this to get finished!

This will also work for curtain hems, and repairs of clothing!

Resuming fittings with safety protocols in effect:

For my bridal clients and custom clientele who are looking at having their special garment made or altered/ tailored for a future event, I have been postponing fittings until we have a better flattening of the curve happening.  As we begin to open up, I will be looking at slowly setting up more appointments with the following protocols in place for my health and yours.

– both of us wearing masks -if you have your own cloth mask, cool, if not, let me know and I’ll make you one and will wash and  iron it to kill off germs right before you come.
–wearing disposable plastic gloves or washing hands immediately upon entering < if you prefer to bring your own soap, I won’t be insulted, or you can use our bar soap in the bathroom>
 
-personal items kept to a minimum and put on the removable sheet on the futon in the studio – it gets removed and laundered after every appointment.
– limit it to just 1 person coming in. We can set up a FaceTime or Skype over our internet with whoever wishes they could be here but cannot.
–more efficient fittings…Fittings presently are  limited to 20-30 minutes, and I hope to reduce that, depending on what needs to be discussed.
I also plan to offer variety of platforms for video chats in advance of even meeting – so let me know if you want to explore that option!
Above all, I want to keep sewing, contributing to the economy and helping others when I can with donations when possible.
I look forward to the new adventures in creativity we will go on together!
Creative journeys, creativity abounds, TAV Studio News

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on: The Traveller

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.
This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !
Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The Traveller.

Travelling through time with flare, The Traveller once was a delicate maid, with a flowing dress and gentle smile. She has evolved into a fierce no-nonsense character, with her dress evolving as well into a sharply styled jacket, and worn here with an ivory gown remade into a walking skirt, along with a lovely sleeveless blouse for the times she needs to really move!

The Design:

The Traveller  was a bridesmaid in the lovely teal satin dress many years ago. And the dress waited for a new life.

As the Downton Abby High Tea approached, and costumes were on the minds of the attendees, we had some fun deciding to use her dress to make her outfit for the tea!  

Striking a pose
Bridesmaid gown REMADE into jacket

 

Remake of 2 dresses into Jacket and skirt :

Labour: $945

The wedding dress used to make the skirt was one of the many donated pieces found in the TAV Creations reclaimed textiles stashes and the ensemble came together!

Supplies:

    • Bridesmaid dress to remake into jacket
    • Wedding dress to remake into skirt

Blouse  – sleeveless shell with ruffle collar
Labour = $90

Supplies:

  • .75m cotton rayon blend
  • .5m lace for ruffle

 

 

 

White satin wide brim hat with blue accent and lace and satin roses
Labour $280

Supplies:

  • 1m buckram
  • 1m wire
  • Matching satin and accessory fabric accents
Those back details….
Creative journeys, creativity abounds, TAV Studio News

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on “Magnificent”

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The Regal ” Magnificent“…

Wearing beads and sequins on silk chiffon, a glorious green colour and exuding an ageless elegance, Magnificent, AKA Queen Ivy, holds all to a higher standard.

She commands attention to the finest details in her own endeavours and expects nothing less from others. Her superpowers challenge those around her to excellence.

The Design:

Vintage silk beaded dress redesign

Labour: $260 for the second Renovation/ incarnation

This two piece gown is in its third incarnation –  having been once a dance costume < approximately in a size 18, worn by 5 feet 8 inches /173cm tall Halyma>,   and before that, it had been a two piece set with full sleeves, and a higher front neckline.

The ultimate in upcycling is keeping these vintage pieces in circulation, adjusting in ways that allow for future changes and resizing it for our Magnificent who did not fill it out –  in height or width, but it now flatters  her frame !

Worn by Halyma back in 2015 for a performance in Ottawa. Photo taken by WTL < darner media.ca>

 

It was adjusted for size and style once again, and tailored to make it wearable for the Downton Abby High Tea!
Magnificent judging you…
Using the fullness of the skirt to create a new design of flattering pleats in the back, this helped reduce the size as needed.

 

We also had some fun at the Capital Wedding Show…
Magnificent at the Capital Wedding Show…

One more fun thing that we were able to enjoy at this year’s Capital Wedding Show was meeting and participating in 3DAvatar‘s booth:

You walk into their time machine and are immortalized instantly!

Head over to my Facebook page here to see the dress in 3D –

creativity abounds, Events, TAV Studio News

Studio Sale/ Open house – BY APPOINTMENT!

Ok – I have items that need new homes!
Instead of trying to choose a weekend date or evening date that might work for some, but not others, I will be setting up 30 minute appointments for folks to come and check things out at our mutual convenience this month!

Costume items:

TAV Creations originals
Gently used Halyma pieces < bely dance and/or Bollywood styles>
A very limited selection of items from colleagues who have just a small number of pieces they have left with me, hoping to move them along.

Accessories:

Jewelry – mostly costume/ dance related, some recent retro < 80’s90’s>
Plus:
Other stuff as I go through things.
 
How it works:
EMAIL ME to book a viewing appointment:
tracey@tav-creations.com

Appointments can be made between:

  • October 1 and 29th
  • Tuesday through Saturday
  • 11am – 6pm

When you EMAIL ME for your booking, let me know a few options that will work for you within those days/ times.

 
Prices will be mostly by donation – cash preferred.
Some items will have set prices but I am flexible.
Partial proceeds from sales of my items will go to iSisters
Events, TAV Studio News

Come see me at Ottawa’s first QueerSphere 2019


This is the first year for Queersphere LGBTQ+ Expo!

And I am very pleased to be taking a quick break in my bridal season sewing to be there, in booth 304, to let folks know that I am here, happy to sew for you!

I just want to make beautiful things with my clients, and I want to know you are a creative soul, and that’s it!

If you are interested in meeting amazing business owners who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community here in Ottawa, come stop by!

And if you would like to get a 20% discount on your tickets < Trade Show and AfterParty>, use this code:

TAV20
when you purchase your tickets online here!

 

 

The After Party will feature Chad Michaels..