My Second Blog...well yeah...EVER!

I just finished My First (official) Blog...Ever and am diving DIRECTLY into My Second Blog...well yeah...EVER!

When I decided to start this blog my first intention was to use it to sell patterns and promote my company as well as help the independent seamstress along her journey of home sewing. BUT THEN! I realized I could include in this blog my own personal journey of building and maintaining a home based business.

For about 7 years now I have flirted and failed with the idea of starting my own business. But in the true example of Thomas Edison it may take 999 "failures" to finally "succeed". FYI It was rumored that Thomas Edison "failed", or what he liked to call it "improved", his invention of the light bulb 999 times before he officially and finally got it to work. Man, talk about perseverance!!
Anywhoo, after many classes, books, ideas, and attempts I have landed here in this place where I believe I just might have something that will make it! If not, well, I will die trying!

So here we go! This is the beginning of my travels down this path with Pin Up Patterns.

Step One: inspiration, idea, frustration
Recently I was commissioned to design and sew a burlesque costume for a very dear friend of mine. It was a last minute project over the holidays to boot! But, eh, I like to be stressed, so why not? So I agreed to do this project with only 9 days to accomplish and embellish a beautiful corseted burlesque costume.

Here's how it went:
Wednesday, December 30, 2009; wrap up holidays with family and fabric shop for burlesque costume.
Thursday, December 31, 2009; last day of the year, holiday, no work/just play.
Friday, January 1st, 2010; Inspire and search for costume ideas. Then off to work.
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010; Search and Destroy the internet and fabric stores for a sexy, modern, and different corset pattern. Then off to work.
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010; Ok, time to get serious, I only have 6 days left to get this non-existent costume off to its new owner. Thankfully, this friend composed an email of all things (burlesque-esque) that she liked, so I had some beautiful images to work from. However, all of these images came from well established corset/costume websites. So as I sit at home with the few corset patterns I have collected over time, I realize that they just don't suffice!!
A few things to know about me when making custom costumes, I NEVER like to make the same thing twice! In order to keep the flare there for me I have to change things up, try something new. I am not a manufacturing company, I am a Couturiere (not official, please don't tell the french couture police on me!)
Back to business, as I drool over these beautiful corsets online I realize the patterns for them are no where to be found! Normally for the custom designer this wouldn't be a problem, they would simply whip up a pattern from their clients measurements. Normally it wouldn't be a problem for me either, however, I only have 5 days left and no time to fit her! Besides, I'm a little lazy these days...
Thus borne the idea of Pin Up Patterns!

Step Two: Compile research, Asses idea, hmmm...and...haaaa
So as I work on my friends burlesque costume (i decided to use a Simplicity pattern for the corset and just make all necessary adjustments, thanks to my pattern making education!) I continue to day dream about the feasibility of my idea.
What do I want to make first? Do people even want to make corsets and lingerie? Well my answers to those are simple; a corset with cups, and HELL YEAH they do!
So I hopped online and compiled a list of all corset patterns I can find. Luckily I already own most of them and really don't want the rest of them. You see, most corset patterns are designed with the historical costumer in mind. Well, what about the rest of us? I'm no Ren-fair-goer (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I wanna look sexy, not historical, thank you very much!
Next, I compare the available patterns to the beautiful made-to-order corsets I see online, and identify what is missing. Mostly cups, better seamlines, and fancier embellishments.

Step Three: well, I need a product to sell...right?
I have already decided the first corset pattern I make is going to have cups in it. However, many home seamstresses don't want to deal with bras, underwires, channeling, and all that goes with cups, just yet at least. For a long time now I have had my eye on a corset made by Agent Provocateur, its sexy, frilly, and of course, waaaaaaaay out of my price range. FYI it has been recently knocked off by Victorias Secret. And now will be the inspiration of my first Pin Up Pattern.
Off to the drawing board! I whip out my paper, extra sharp christmas pencils, and ruler. After creating a moulage to fit my size 8 Dress Rite dress form I begin shaping creating the perfect corset.

Step Four: In the meantime...
In the meantime, life happens, work happens, and things kind of start falling into place. Like I said before, I have lots of ideas and am constantly "trying" to start a business. But nothing has really taken off before. Well being weary as I am I take baby steps. I contact a few people in the industry that I know, mainly teachers and associates, looking for any leads that may help me along my way. Low and behold I got one! A wonderful woman whose mission in life is to help little 'ol independants like me get started in this crazy world of pattern making. Next I find a local printer, still waiting their reply... And third, well once I make all these patterns who the hell is going to buy them???
So I sat down today researching sewing blogs, etsy sites, and the general web to see how I am going to get my idea out there... which brings us here to this moment. 3 hours later and I am composing My Second Blog...well yeah...EVER!

Thats all for now folks!

Sincerely,

Me.