MONEY helps too, what does she do for her "major" job? I have the same taste, mostly (have Tiffany lamps but had to take down beaded curtains as they ate them....etc brocaded hangings...)sigh, like a Pre Raphaelite stunner she is like a painting in a gallery on a rainy day, you sit or stand and close your eyes and try to get into it, another land, or time or place huh Namaste, Zoe Just went to tidy a drawer- I had a Dior dress,a photo of one obviously and have never seen anything like it and suddenly the proverbial light bulb went on- ask the lovely and talented Christine! I got to speculating (I am a messy person) as to what Christine's college dorm was like...
People think im a "plant lady". They think I love plants and have this great green thumb. Im just really frugal and one thing most people will throw away or give starts to freely are plants which makes them very cheap filler decor. I couldn't keep anything alive for years... and then I actually tried harder to and now I have a ton of plants. I find myself joining gardening groups because I still have tons of questions and tons of issues they help me solve. Those pages make me realize that I am in no way a plant person....I have to make myself do it.
Does he have a channel? My husband is an engineer and excellent at repairing old and new things, but he's a bit nervous to tackle a few vintage machines we've purchased. If he does have a channel (or could point us in a direction), that would be amazing!
"Oh, I'm only self-taught, not a pro at all" *sews/embroiders incredibly fashionable aprons you would wear for a night out* *sews her own clothes* *bakes unbelievable cakes* *takes apart, redesigns and puts back together a pull-out couch* *recreates Winchester Mystery House with 500 lbs of gingerbread* *refurbishes whole house* *in the meantime poses for photoshoots as Nigella-Lawson-meets-Lovecraft pinup* Sure, everybody here is complaining of such a despicable lack of professionalism ;P
She did say in an interview somewhere she was fired as a Secretary even after trying really hard. Guess her boss didn't like bats on that half fat capichino low foam. Genius takes time to develop. Even Einstein was only a mediocre patent clerk and Da Vinci was still just a tag along with a famous archichect when he was 40. Glad she found her true gift. Thank you so much for sharing.
Fun fact: adding the little extra bits is called piecing, and it's super common in extant historical garments because fabric was narrower and super expensive! Also, I adore this! I've been wanting to make an apron for myself, this is the perfect project to base it on!
Okay, weird. This came up right as I was about to search for apron-sewing tips. My mom is also my best friend, and she recently became the proud owner of a food truck. Unique and feminine aprons are her signature - she makes all of her employees wear them from her collection while working - and one of her employees asked me to help her make a custom one for Christmas. This is such a bizarrely and perfectly timed video - thank you for sharing!
My sweet little 89 year old momma died 3 weeks ago today. It's wonderful that you made that gift for the girl who lost her momma, little gifts of love really help so much.
Make a tough one out of denim, duck cloth or even leather. Make it long and add a couple of pockets. You could wear it while doing any woodworking/repairs around the house,etc. I know a guy whose wife made a strong denim apron for him with pockets and a couple of spots to hook tools on. He never thought he'd use it but now says it's fantastic.
I have the same "problem" that whenever I sew something my cats would sit on the fabric or playing on the fabric. So I started to lay out decoy fabrics, so they would sit on them while I could work with the fabric I need xD
My fat cat likes laying on paper shopping bags, so I just set out a few when I am trying to work on something. My kitten, however, is too enamored with chasing the blades of my scissors or my sewing thread to fall for such a ruse.
Christine: "I do not know what it is with cats and sewing materials, but based on all of their behaviour it seems like the manufacturers of fabrics are lacing their products with..." Me: "Catnip!" Christine: "...crack cocaine." *oh... I see*
“A homemade look”, Christine this is 100% couture! , you’re an absolute genius and my hero! I admire you so incredibly much and hope one day I can create things as perfect as your creations! Also, your cats are everything! 😍🥰
Lost my mom when I was twelve. She used to wear an apron everyday and she made me the cutest lil ones. Thank you for your video: not only was it absolutely amazing to watch but you also brought back childhood memories for me.
Handsewing is so relaxing. You should check out Bernadette Banner, she does historical sewing. Everything is handsewn. I think the only time I saw her sew on a machine was when it was used for the period. It wasn't an electrical sewing machine.
Using a thimble on your middle finger while handsewing will save your fingers the pain because the thimble takes all the force of pushing the needle through the fabric :) The aprons are very lovely but I am LIVING for those coffin boxes 😲😭🦇
Before I started sewing I thought the thimble went on the finger that could get poked when you push it through... then I was like why does my middle finger hurt :’(
@death to a delicate ghoul THANK YOU!!!! What wonderful information that totally changed my life! You, dear person, I owe you a huge thanks. THANK YOOOU!
This video almost made me cry. Not just because of the beautiful art you created, but my mother taught me how to sew. I lost her last month and sewing is the one thing that makes me feel closer to her. She sent me my grandmother's apron patterns from the 40's and 50's so the design of this apron is very familiar. Funny enough my mom sold Singer machines when I was a kid. Thank you so much for this.
For cheap fabric I hit up thrift stores for sheets. I look for 100% cotton but get what u want. This is how I make huge skirts for a couple of dollars. Also makes great practice fabric.
I work at a retail fabric store and can confirm this is how I learned, my manager learned, and most the lovely people who come in learn. It’s brilliant. I was about to comment this 😄 glad you beat me to it.
I was just thinking to myself how badly I need a new Apron and 5 mins later this pops up! the fact that its GOTH just makes it that much more satisfying!!
If you ever want some beautiful goth pattern fabric, look up Alexander Henry. I made myself a gorgeous case for my tablet using a design called "after dark". I love it.
If you´re doing a lot of hand sewing or embroidery, make leather thimbles! I have one for my 3 active fingers and it saves my poor fingies from the burning pain from hours of embroidering.
I really enjoyed your sewing lesson and your sewing methods. But, my absolute favorite thing of this whole video are your CATS, lol. They were so (sew) entertaining that I couldn't stop giggling. Your cats are such a delight to watch. Your apron turned out so beautiful and very, very well done! Beautiful color too.
Christine, you are truly one of a kind! Although I know nothing about sewing(or baking, or building furnitures from scratch) I find your videos so relaxing and healing! Something interesting I noticed, your voice cracks sometimes, and I Love it! I have never known anyone who can make cracked voice so elegant and graceful. Please never stop posting! ♥️
More beginner tips: Buy a second-hand machine! They're inexpensive and usually work just fine. Buy an older machine, as in not digital. If something breaks, you can fix it yourself. If thrift shops are cheap near you, check their fabric section or sheets for making wearable muslins (mockups). Also, that old lace! Ahh! Lucky you! It isn't made that way anymore, literally. There are only a few people who still make lace and it's expensive (rightly so).
I love sheets for sewing, but do be careful. Woven cotton are the easiest to work with. Be careful of the really shiny silky smooth sheets, the weave tends to be very loose causing your cut pieces to distort if you look at them wrong.
@Deborah McLaughlin Thanks for that tip! It’s my dream to one day own one, but I seriously doubt I could ever get one at that price, even secondhand. Sigh. A girl can dream! 😊
I have a closet full of leftovers from leather jackets that I purchased at second hand stores. I cut them up and make backpacks, tote bags, wallets, purses, fanny packs and my favorite, concealed carry holsters for myself. I made a smashing, very masculine Christmas stocking for my adult son.
Watched this again after 4 months and think I love it even more . My mind is running rampant with ideas for my own version of your creation . The world needs more Christine ❣
I am THRILLED to hear you are going to do more sewing tutorials!! I'm a very visual learner and get so much useful information from your videos. You're the best!
I love what you're doing with these videos. I've always been a bit ADHD with my crafting and projects, jumping from baking to sewing, to making chain maille and jewelry, to pulling together Halloween props, and its lovely to see someone with a similar aesthetic doing all manner of projects. I loved your Netflix series and look forward to more of this video series!!
I lost my mom a few year’s ago. She was my mentor and most of all my best friend! I couldn’t imagine my life without her! She was only 69 when she passed in 2016.I miss her so much!! Cherish every moment you have with the people you love most. She taught me how to sew, knit and embroider when I was 10. I have been sewing on and off for many years. We had a Singer machine that folded into the built in working table. I think my grandmother purchased it in the 50’s?!? It actually has held up until last year when it finally broke and wasn’t repairable. I bought a new Singer because the old one was so sturdy... but they don’t make them like they used to! My passion now is knitting! Another extremely expensive craft! Anyway, I love your podcasts and look forward to seeing more of your episodes in the future.
You put so much love into what you create! It was so very generous of you to make one for Mandy as well. It is not easy to loose a parent. I lost my mom only a few months ago unexpectedly and it has not been easy at all. But doing something kind for someone else is very therapeutic!
Ah, I work at a fabric store and the other day I wa trying to help someone grab fabric for this, i thought it was so darling and then it pops up in my recommended yay
I think what you did for Mandy, the lady who lost her mother, was very sweet and kind; I know we are in a different world now with COVID-19 and unfortunately for me and my family, we lost my mom to this deadly virus on July 10th; and today August 21, we laid her to rest along with her brother (my uncle, who passed away in 2018, just 3 days shy of my moms 75th birthday AND 30-minutes after her visit with him) and my sister Kimm (who died in 2015 after a 6yr battle with breast cancer); so it's been a very painful time. ALL were laid to rest Friday.....Why am I telling you this, because you've shown a heart of love and understanding. 🤍💜 I have my moms sewing machine, her sewing basket, her moms sewing basket and her moms (my great-grandmothers) sewing supplies!!! I feel truly blessed to have been given these things long before my mom passed. I learned to sew by my mom and my grandmother and I never lost the passion to sew. Your work is amazing and I can't wait to see more. Thank you for sharing and for these videos. There is hope sprinkled inside this video.🤍💛 P.S. (the kitties and your pup are the Star ✨of your show..LOL. They are adorable and I'm so sorry you lost your other kitties)💔🤍
I’m in awe of you. My mom and I are best friends as well, so for you to make an apron for this girl who lost her mother is extremely touching and a labor of love. You did an excellent job!
Love how it turned out! And the special gift and boxes. Those of us who are tormented for not having our wonderful mothers anymore, really appreciate your kindness shown here. Camera work and music is stellar. Maybe equally creative hubby can make us some good snowy videos on the side. He would be perfect for it.
I’m 36, and I’ve been sewing ever since I was 13. My mom sewed, her mom did as well. My grandma had over 30 grand children before she died, but I was the only one who sewed, so one day when I was 16 years old, she gave me her antique iron Pfaff sewing machine. She said she wanted me to take it before anyone else had a chance to grab it when she passed away. She passed away about eight years after that, and sure enough, my aunt was looking for that machine lol. I don’t use that one, I keep it strictly as a decorative piece in my sewing room. But I do have three other machines, and I use them all. Two of them were given to me. One came from my mother, the other came from my ex-husband‘s grandmother, and the third one came from Goodwill. It is vintage and all metal, it was only $16 and it came with its case, user manual, everything...and looks as though it was never used! I think it’s from the 1950s or 60s. Anyway, Christine, you are so great at this! It’s amazing you’ve only been doing it for 10 years and you are self taught! You give attention to detail and all of your work is very tidy… I’m actually taking pointers from you! My grandma would be very impressed by you, she was always very picky about her projects being perfect. I still have and use the sewing shears that my mom gave me when I learned how to sew when I was a kid, and I’ve never had to sharpen them. The other day, I was at Walmart (ugh)… And they had this really pretty cast metal pair of sewing shears with gold handles for $12, and I had to have them just because of how they looked. Turns out… They cut extremely well and I love them!
Now all Mandy and Rachel need is an apron for their apron. They would not want to get that masterpiece of an apron dirty with messy cooking substances.
Suggestion; for fabric, estate sales, flea markets (your in the vicinity of the Rose bowl?)and thrift stores. I have been blown away over the years by what I have found and deconstructing clothing is the best way to learn how a garment is constructed.
I am a huge multi-tasker. I can't usually just watch something and only do that, so often I'll set up some youtube videos and maybe sew, maybe paint or draw, anything while watching. But with you I cannot do something else. I have to put my sole attention to watching this because it's so wonderfully produced! I know I will have to work harder at my sewing/painting/whatevering later but right now I have to put my full attention to this. Thank you Christine:)
I need this and never knew it!! Was just thinking I should sew myself a new apron today while making dinner. This is so much better than what I was thinking.
Ugh. Isn't she just THE BEST?! I normally think DIY is so boring to watch since I don't do DIY...but her videos are so simply interesting as is...and I wanna be reincarnated as her cat 😸
There might be a lot of people in this world who will never understand the pure joy and rush of finding a bag full of victorian lace at an estate sale for a dollar. I feel truly sad for those people and lucky that I belong to the group who does.
Christine you have an amazing gift for being so incredibly versatile in all that you create with an impeccable eye for detail! These aprons are stunning and the box that you made to put them in are beautiful! A true artist indeed! 💕❤🦇❤💕
I love how you’ve just posted videos on all sorts of things. I’m not really a hands on person. But you make me feel like I can do this 😂 anyway I’m going to ask my Nana if she can help me with this ❤️
As someone that is a self-taught seer and very passionate about aprons, from all eras. I have so enjoyed this video. I absolutely love the bat embroidery. So feminine with a touch of Victorian darkness. 👏👏👏 Bravo!
I love my mother, she is the BEST mother and so much like you. You remind me of her, even the way you look, your taste, interests and talents and clear compassion and natural, ladylike elegance. I am hoping to make one of these for her and have the middle section say either "Mama" or "Mother," just need to purchase the pattern from your site :) Much love!
For all the beautiful sewing you do id recommend a bernina sewing machine! They are more on the expensive side but they are durable, I am a costume designer and I work as a student stitcher in a costume shop at my school and we use berninas, we do a lot of period shows and these machines have always been really reliable 😊
@stephanie castro They are expensive. I use an older Janome machine, as they are sturdy and incredibly reliable. They’re also much less expensive. For my lightweight projects, I have a cheaper digital Janome machine with Hello Kitty branding. I love it as well, but it’s harder to thread and it can jam. Berninas are hard to beat though. In my day (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), Husqvarna made incredible machines. I think Singer bought them, and now they’re... Singer. 😕
Yes! Bring on the cocktail dress tutorials!!!! Tip for saving money on fabric - the thrift store is a great source. There are lots of old garments and occasionally curtains made of interesting, even luxurious fabrics. Ps, a good seam ripper will be your best friend if you go this route! I've made some lovely pieces this way
Hi Christine! I just found your channel yesterday & I am HOOKED! My Husband & I live in Brentwood, Los Angeles. About 4 years ago, he bought us an Old Silent Movie Star era Gothic Castle with two turrets on it. It was vacant for about 10 years. I cant stand anything modern, so when my Sweet Barry bought this place he KNEW I'd love it. AND, to top it all off its haunted. I love your taste & I'm in awe of your creativity. I have upholstered all my own furniture. I sew, paint etc. Everyone always teases me because I constantly have paint under my nails or little bruises here & there from putting together cabinets & just being clumsy. When people walk into our home they either love it or they're too scared to come in. lol I went with a lot of antique Tapestries, European Antiques "True Gothic" style. I want to give you a little hint on where I get my stuff. There is a FANTASTIC Thrift Store in Van Nuys, CA. They're called MTA Thrift Store. I've known the owners now for well over 10 years. They get a lot of their goods from the Movie Sets here in Hollywood & they also get a lot of Estate Furniture & just really cool stuff from the widows & widowers in Beverly Hills. I've even bought real old garments just because I love the material & either have made throw pillows outta them or even made clothes. This place is a real "Feast for the Eye." and their prices are unreal "as in low." Anyway Christine, I'm going to Binge watch you & get more ideas. You really are not only AMAZINGLY talented but your also very kind. It comes through in your videos Hun. Thank you & have a lovely day my Sinister Sister! xo
I lost my mother just before Christmas, and I am still having a hard time with it. Christine, that was such a wonderful gift to give Mandy, it will always put a smile on her face.
They are called a sewing basket, every little girl had one back in the day (probably since Roman times and before). Your cats as paper weights, perfect. Love this vlog!
Dear Christine, I just cannot stop thinking how multitalented you are...this blows my mind...what you do and your skills are amazing!!! Each time I look at a video from you I never know what to expect and each time I am so surprised to notice how everything seems so easy for you. Thank you so much for sharing your creations with us, you are truly an inspiration, Merci beaucoup from France 🇫🇷 Maryline
There is nothing you do that I'm not in awe of. Just STUNNING 😍 I have 4 children, my eldest daughter passed away when I was 5 months pregnant, my son and 2 daughters are my life and I always make sure that I have a great relationship. They are my best friends. Unfortunately I don't have this relationship with my mother, I love her dearly but she doesn't agree with my lifestyle. You inspire me to be just me. Thank you, lots of love from Australia 💖💖 xx
Cats love all the hobbies involving fabric , paper and strings. My mom always had our two old giant floofy cats on her fabric as soon as she laid anything down. They even braved theloud sewingmachine because they just wanted to be near and on the work. Even if it involved laying on an open box of sharp pins. It's good they had the thick fur protection. I myself am not sewing beyond a few little alterations but it will still be laid on by a cat and knitting wool will have had catdrool on it, I'd pull my string and suddenly I'd have a wet spot of a broken thread altogether and I'd look down at a happy cat. They pur just being there so I'm sure they enjoy it without even playing. And I second the suggestion for leather thimbles for hand sewing. Other people on youtube making historic garments have them too.
I'm so happy I found your channel as not just the end result but the fact that you take your time and don't speed up the small sewing details is wonderful.
I own a 1960s pink "Atlas" sewing machine (okay two). They are divine and I could see you using one for display and to sew with. The never need to be binned for a broken plastic gear! I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend a Singer 401A which came in tan/brown but have amazing little round knobs for stitch selection. So perfect. I have seen them re-painted in amazing pinks and blues. Vintage sewing machines can be very pleasing to look at and I love the all-metal ones. pre-1965
