DC Threads

DC Threads hosted DC’s czarinas of vintage fashion to a packed crowd at Bits of Threads Sewing Studio.  Lisa of Quarterlife 202, Erin and Nora from Ginger Root and Shannan of Junction Vintage shared their collective wisdom and tales with over 50 sewists and vintage fashionistas.

Shannan started the evening off with “ReFab 101″ discussing the difference between thrift, consignment and vintage.  She also shared with us how she took the vision for Junction Vintage and grew it into a thriving business.  Lisa, with her expnsive knowledge of the DC world of vintage, gave us some insider’s tips on how to make sense of the madness that sometimes besets us as we approach a consignment or vintage store or collection.  She also had loads of tips about how to “shop your closet”.  Last, but certainly not least, were the girls from Ginger Root.  Their amazing mission of translating landfill bound garments and fabric into uber-chic garments captured the crowd’s creative hearts!  They brought along some amazing examples of their work!  The crowd had LOTS of questions and the panelists didn’t disappoint!  Here are some of the resources that they referenced during the event:

• The Swapaholics: www.theswapaholics.com
• This Google map of thrift stores in the area is pretty awesome: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=nrl&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivnscm&resnum=1&biw=1408&bih=645&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=thrift+stores+washington+dc&fb=1&gl=us&hq=thrift+stores&hnear=Washington+D.C.,+DC&ei=ug_DTZvIAs6gtwfw9omlBQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA8QtgMwAA (oops it is larrrrge)
• The Vintage Fashion Guild is a good resource to have on hand: http://vintagefashionguild.org
• Hidden Treasures
• Preparing to go thrifting
• Day of thrifting tips
• Vintage resource websites

And many thanks to Fabric and Trimmings for donating the chic seersucker cut of fabric!

Let’s let the evening’s pics speak for themselves!

Ginger Root transforms an 80′s style jacket into lattice-inspired work of art

Some of the 50 vintage fashionistas at the Bits of Threads Sewing Studio

Another garment rescued from the landfill and “refabbed’ into a flirty summer skirt

Allison and Laura draw the winning raffle ticket for the fab fabric from Fabric and Trimmings

Another 80′s style “K Street Lawyer’s Dress” refashioned into a chic peek-a-boo back sheath

Many many many thanks for your support of DC Threads and our Sip and Stitch Events!

DC THREADS

is hosting a

HUGE FABRIC SALE

Saturday, May 14th  from 2:00pm – 5:00pm

at the Bits of Thread Sewing Studio (1794 Columbia Road, NW Suite 6, WDC 20009)

Yards and yards and yards and yards of cotton, silk, wool, knits, denim, and more -

All fabric $2.00 – 7.00 per yard

We’ll also be selling several used sewing machines in great condition, $25-50

Purchases can be made by cash, check, or credit card

All proceeds will go to support DC Threads’ Sewing Lounge and Sip and Stitch events!

Come on over and get your SEWING ON while supporting a terrific cause……

For more information contact  dcthreads@gmail.com

Join DC Threads for an evening of VINTAGE FASHION, sewing chat and wine!

On Wednesday, May 4th from 6:30-8:30 (at the Bits of Threads Sewing Studio) DC Threads will host an insider’s look into the world of DC vintage fashion as well as offer tips about how to “refab” vintage finds.

The gals at Ginger Root (Kristen, Erin and Nora),  Lisa Rowan (of vintage blog fame - Quarter Life), and Shannan Fales (owner, Junction Vintage and Resale Boutique ) will join us to share tips about how to “approach” a vintage store – what to look for, how not to get overwhelmed – and to demonstrate how to take a vintage or consignment find and “revamp” it into a fabulous garment!

This is a truly unique opportunity to hear from DC’s most talented vintage fashionistas!!

Space is limited so RSVP here ASAP!!!

Please note - we ask for a $5.00 donation for our Sip and Stitch events.  Thanks for your support!!

Quarter Life’s Collection

Ginger Root – Revamp Design and Tailoring

Junction Vintage

See you on the 4th!!!!!!!!

Here’s a little something from BisNow DC! Thanks much to Katherine Limon for her amazing vision and incredible generosity! What a great evening!


Eco Chic!

BisNow went to Woodley Park’s Carbon for Mother Earth Inspirations: Earth Day Eco Fashion Show for an exclusive look Friday at NY eco designer Auralis’ Spring 2011 line. Proceeds went to DC Threads, a volunteer-driven initiative promoting the art of sewing and stitch crafts, whose reps, Laura Lee and Allison Lince-Bentley, are with Carbon owner Katherine Limon.

Auralis’ Suset Laboy and Jenny Macgregor-Dennis look chic in pieces from their line. The ecologically conscious designer uses hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo to create trendy apparel.

Guests enjoyed organic wine and hors d’oeuvres while browsing Carbon’s sustainable items. Before the fashion show, we saw Kenya Wiley and fashion blogger Fashion Cloture’s Telena Cassell.

And thanks to those wonderful folks at MetroMix for some more fine pics of the evening!

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On May 1st from 3pm til 6pm, DC Threads will be channeling Project Runway! DC Threads is excited to present a new feature: a design contest! Thanks to special support from NESTLÉ® RAISINETS®, we are hosting the “NESTLÉ RAISINETS Design Challenge”, a contest to design and/or redesign one of the most popular projects at our lounge sessions, the lined totebag. Winners will receive cash prizes, DC Threads Guaranteed Admission Passes, and of course some delicious samples of NESTLÉ RAISINETS!

HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS

Lined Tote Bag

The goal of this contest is to design or redesign this totebag. You can add pockets, change the strap length, change the bag shape or size, add buttons, ruffles, or other embellishments — you decide – you’re the designer!!!! The original pattern and instructions can be found here.
There will be two categories for this contest, At-Home entries and Day-Of entries. See below for the challenge details.

At-Home Participants
• Please register online at in the RSVP page in the “At-Home” category.
• Create your bag and either submit photos to dcthreads@gmail.com or bring your completed bag to the Bits of Threads Sewing Studio by 5:15pm sharp on May 1st, 2011 (if you plan to bring your bag to the Lounge for judging please do not come before 5:15pm due to space restrictions).
• Judging will take place at 5:45pm, so no late entries can be accepted.
• PRIZES: 1st prize will receive 3 DC Threads Guaranteed Admission Passes, a $50 gift certificate for Spoonflower (an online custom textile design company), samples of NESTLÉ RAISINETS. One runner up will receive 2 DC Threads Guaranteed Admission Passes and NESTLÉ RAISINETS samples.

Day-Of Participants
• Please register online at in the RSVP page in the “Day-Of” category. There are limited spots, so please register soon. Come promptly by 3pm on May 1st to get started on your bag. We will be offering a 10-15 minute tutorial at 3:15pm on how to make basic pattern alterations so you can learn a few new tricks (for those who are interested)!
• You can bring your own fabric or use donated supplies here at the lounge
• Bags must be finished by 5:30pm
• PRIZES: 1st prize will receive 3 DC Threads Guaranteed Admission Passes, a $100 gift certificate for Spoonflower (an online custom textile design company), and a 10 lb novelty box of NESTLÉ RAISINETS. One runner up will receive 2 DC Threads Guaranteed Admission Passes and NESTLÉ RAISINETS samples.

May 1st “NESTLÉ RAISINETS Design Challenge” Schedule
3:00pm: Design Challenge opens at DC Threads Sewing Lounge
3:15pm – 3:30pm: Tutorial from Allison and Laura on how to make pattern changes and alterations
3:30pm – 5:30pm: Bag construction time
5:30pm: Judging by DC Threads Coaches and special guest judge Valerie Williams, local handbag designer and owner  of the online boutique Holland Cox
6:00pm: Winners Announced and Prizes Awarded!

We hope you’ll find this special event as fun as we do! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Allison and Laura

Incomparable Buttons was started as a small company in 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Working around a kitchen table, often late into the night, Jennifer Pascall was busy transforming small pieces of clay into buttons of all shapes and sizes. Many of the first designs, which are still popular today, were inspired by Africa’s rich ethnic artworks and distinctive wild animals. Over the years Incomparable began specialising in the creation of handmade buttons, craft pieces, craft kits, painting kits, greeting cards and jewelry.

As the company evolved, ladies from the local community were hired and trained in the art of button making. Today, Jennifer’s entire family, as well as 45 women from the local community are involved in the business. Most of the Incomparable team had never held a paintbrush before they joined the company and are now absolute masters of their brushes and justifiably proud of their work. The ladies sense of belonging within the company and skills as crafters not only gives them tremendous pleasure but also provides them with economic empowerment and has uplifted all their families.

“The yellow buttons are the color of the desert sand – a very natural shade.

I will probably use them on a dark colored shirt or dress.  Thank you.”

“I won the button collection with the scissors –

I think I will make a bag where one or two of the buttons are used as buttons but the others will be used as decorations.”

Betz White brought her whimsical style and environmentally-sensitive approach to design and crafting to “Sip and Stitch” at DC Threads last evening.  Betz is the author of two best-selling books, “Warm Fuzzies” and “Green Sewing”, a leader in the world of re-purposing, and a delight with which to spend an evening of conversation and wine!

Tables were overflowing with colorful bags, adorable children’s clothes, whimsical pet coats, and myriad other amazing garments and objects all made from felted old sweaters.  She provided us with endless ideas about how to re-purpose worn and used garments or other objects into lovely and useful “re-newed” items.

Betz will be teaching a workshop – “Sewing Green” ” at the Bits of Threads Sewing Studio on April 9th – don’t miss this great opportunity!  Betz will guide you through the design and construction of one the projects included in her “Sewing Green” book. There are only a few spots left in the workshop so wander over to the Bits of Threads‘ website and register today!

Join us on Friday, March 25 from 6-8pm for our next Sip and Stitch with designer, author, and green crafter Betz White. Betz will share a little from her experiences in the design and sewing world, plus the inspiration behind her two books, Sewing Green (2009) and Warm Fuzzies (2007).

Betz White combines her whimsical color and design sense with a love for repurposing. In 2005, she left her career as a childrenswear designer to pursue a new love: creating one-of-a-kind items from secondhand materials. Her line of home and fashion accessories is sold online and in boutiques around the world and has been featured in Martha Stewart’s television show,
in Country Living, Adorn, and CRAFT magazines, and on numerous craft podcasts. Both of her books will be available for purchase and signing at the talk, as well as patterns from her new line “Make New or Make Do.” She will also be hosting a hands-on workshop on Saturday, April 9 at the Bits of Thread Sewing Studio featuring projects from Sewing Green.

ABOUT SIP AND STITCH: “Sip and Stitch” is a series of events that brings together local and national sewing experts and DC area sewists (of all experience levels) for a relaxed evening of information-sharing, hands-on
learning, wine, and light refreshments. “Sip and Stitch” events are sponsored by DC Threads and are held at Bits of Thread Sewing Studio in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC. RSVPs are required, along with $5 contribution for refreshments, payable online or at the door.

REGISTER ONLINE NOW

Would love to have you join us for a modern day “sewing bee” to make amazingly beautiful dresses for amazingly beautiful little girls!!

Sunday – March 13th –  3:00-6:00pm.

Bits of Thread Sewing Studio

1794 Columbia Road, NW, Suite #6

Washington, DC 20009

NO SEWING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY

There are lots of ways to help  without sewing!

So let us know if you’d like to spend a relaxing afternoon helping others!!

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

Please see RSVP at the sidebar to the right….