In my world at least.
We'll start with the pretty flower and move on from there. It gets a little scary looking. I don't have a for real, all my own studio space. Well, technically I do, but it's in our basement with only the teeniest bit of natural light which really, let's face it, is a no go for an art-eest. So anytime I am tackling a big project, I haul everything up into our large sunny kitchen which is the heart of our home. Good for being near things, but it usually results in a gargantuan mess.
These rolls of paper are my patterns masters. (Not to be confused with puppet masters.) I sketch a design onto the paper, section at a time. So for example, I'll sketch an idea for a bodice, cut it out and sew it. Then I make changes as needed, draw another round, sew it up etc.. When all is good, I draw one last clean final version of the piece and move on to the next section of that pattern.
Fabric is everywhere. I don't use quite this much, but it's here to be at my fingertips. Well and I like to look at it too.
As soon as the whole line is drafted, I have the final sample garment with my drafted pattern on paper. Off they go to be digitized and graded. I'll sew up a sample in each size to make sure everything is good and then they will be printed, instructions written and sold. :) We're getting there.
I won't bother showing the picture I took of my computer. It's too scary to share. And the inbox showing 267 messages that need attending is equally scary. Give me one more day! I'm finishing this all up and having a whirlwind cleaning session tomorrow and will return all emails then.
OH-another bi-product of pattern drafting:
I am really falling in love with that fabric collection. I am going to try and find it this weekend when I run some 'errands' (a 2 hour trip to the fabric store and a 10 minute grocery run!)
Posted by: LeeAnn | March 06, 2008 at 01:38 PM
I'm so glad I'm not the only who moves from a basement studio to a kitchen. In my case it's the dining room but the result is the same; a sunny place to work and a mess everywhere. :)
Posted by: Jenn | March 06, 2008 at 01:50 PM
i loved seeing the picture of your sewing machines! i always wonder what people sew with and am often happily surprised to discover it's not what you would expect :D you are quite the talent Sandi!
Posted by: amy | March 06, 2008 at 01:52 PM
yey... patterns are fun. I get super messy when I'm creating too... I think it's just part of the job... at least that's what I tell my family. haha.
Jennalou
Posted by: Jennalou | March 06, 2008 at 01:52 PM
You can draft patterns while the kids are awake?? My kids are older, and I STILL can't do that! lol And your pattern drafting mess looks a lot prettier than mine! :p
Posted by: Muralimanohar | March 06, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Just wanted to add...I am TOTALLY enjoying your playlist on the sidebar. A whole bunch of new songs for me, and a whole bunch of old favorites. :)
Posted by: Muralimanohar | March 06, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Aahh, THANK YOU for validating my creative messes! And my kiddos, for that matter. :)
Posted by: Audrey | March 06, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Well my house looks like that all the time ;)
I just have to tell you I adore these fabrics. I'm having so much fun sewing with them!
Posted by: Katie | March 06, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Your fabric is absolutely beautiful. Hope it was ok to mention in my blog. I'm excited to see it in person!
Posted by: Carolyn | March 06, 2008 at 03:04 PM
All of the stacks of Ginger Blossom are so tantalizing! I find that I can be quite productive while the littles in my house completely gut one of their bedrooms. At least you have containment, they are happy, you are making progress on your project and it isn't that hard to clean up when you are finished with your work.
Posted by: Caroline | March 06, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Such beautiful fabric! I want to scoop it all up and take it home...
The explosion in the bedroom looks like my kids' room when I'm writing.
Posted by: Karen | March 06, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I cannot wait to get my hands on those patterns.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 06, 2008 at 05:49 PM
You seriously are SUPERWOMAN! Jess and I were talking and we really can't figure out how you do it all?!? I want to be Sandi when I grow up!
Posted by: Missy | March 06, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I can't wait to see these patterns!!! I'm so excited! And now that I have a stash of Ginger Blossom, I'm unexplainably paralyzed and I'm afraid to cut it!It's too beautiful! I'm sure I'll get over that soon. Maybe I'm just waiting for the right pattern? hmmmmm.....
Posted by: juliet | March 06, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I love the pattern authoring process, but I have never sewn ALL the sample sizes myself. What an undertaking. Very cool to see the elements. ~jen~
Posted by: jen eskridge | March 07, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Ok, so my kids room looks like that ALL the time. What's my excuse? =]
Posted by: Kira =] | March 07, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Just found this blog, love it and your designs...now to get my hands on some fabric. braagh ha ha (trying the evil laugh for myself) :)
Posted by: Tanya | March 07, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I love reading your blog! also ever since I read the tutorial on shirmadness... I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Joscelyne (Joscie) Cutchens | March 07, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I wish my kitchen table looked as yummy as yours! All that fabric stacked up looks like a delicious way to whip up some creativity!
Posted by: Stephanie | March 08, 2008 at 06:56 AM
OK - I have a silly question. What does it mean when they go off to be "digitized and graded?" And where do they go off to for that mysterious process? I love seeing the insider's look at how the magic happens - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Wendi Gratz | March 08, 2008 at 05:33 PM
LOL. Digitizing means that my hand drawn pattern is being scanned into the computer and cleaned up. Grading means that it is being "graded" into different sizes. And where it gets sent is different for every designer. There are countless graders out there and everyone finds one that they are happy to work with!
Sandi
Posted by: Sandi Henderson | March 08, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Don't talk yourself down - your house looks like a home rather then a show house - and you are teaching your children a valuable message about creativity and hard work. You may not say it in words, but they will absorb it by watching you, and it will be there for them as adults. Love the piles of fabric by the way!
Kim McB
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | March 09, 2008 at 03:09 AM
Wow and WOW! Loving your fabrics and designs! Awe-inspiring!
quick question, if I may.. where can I get some of your amazing patterns?? The dresses you make are just the cutest!
Posted by: Heather | March 09, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I love your mess! =) It makes me feel right at home. My brain has been buried is some design projects lately and I'm thinking your house is in much better shape than mine! Cheers to motherhood and design!
Posted by: lorri | March 10, 2008 at 02:12 PM
Your fabric colors are beautiful. Wishing I could sew. I would probalby cover my house house in fabric.
Posted by: stacy | March 11, 2008 at 06:40 PM