DEPART-ment

Look for Redskew at DEPART-ment (see banner above for location and times). I'll be working my shift at the jewelry island from 2-5 on Saturday, but I'll be floating around all weekend! Hope to see you there.

Here's the map to the location:

WHOOO!

So, I was off the map for a bit. I was away visiting family in Minnesota, and have lots of sewing to do now!

I also got the news that Redskew will be at the Holiday Depart-Ment here in Chicago, December 5-7. More details to come.

Not sure how this slipped by me, but here are two of my new designs...

Cherry Red Stretch Corduroy, with ginham applique and ricrack trim

Stretch cotton twill, with print trim and coordinating applique

Fall Skirts

Stephanie in Redskew Denim

Here are pics of the skirts that are on the floor at vive this week - Denim and medium weight twill. these waisted styles are typical of what Redskew is doing this fall. A variety of twill, denim and corduroy will be available, along with add-ons like pockets and trims, will be available for customization at FALL SKIRTS AND SWEETS, Thursday, October 23rd at vive la femme.



Typical fall collection waist detail, medium weight denim.

Fall skirts

brown cord, back
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Here is the back of the new style for fall, in brown corduroy with avocado trim.

Pics R Up

I put up pics of my late summer/early Fall skirts here.

Tan Paisley View 2
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Come and gone

So, I managed to NOT post about August IN August... short story short, with my assistant Amanda (no, I'm not kidding), we filled all the orders from the Skirts and Sweets party and all of my vive la femme orders for the month.

September will see the final summer-weight skirts, in beautiful transitional patterns and palettes and the realization of my next silhouette in corduroy. Pics to come.

July Recap - pt 7 (the last one)

With the big storm that blew through Chicago last week, my studio got flooded. I had a lot of cleanup, but didn't loose much of value. After that episode, I lost a little steam...

But, after spending time on my brand new couch this weekend (and as I write this :) ), I am feeling rejuvenated. Good thing, too, since I have orders to fill and my fall looks to develop!




Keep an eye out for corduroy and denim skirts, a print top and a fall outdoor piece...

July Recap - pt 6

CIMG0370
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Here are the treats, from Sweet Cakes Bakery. The mini cupcakes (in about 5 different flavors, including Root Beer Float!) were divine!

July Recap - pt 5

CIMG0371
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

The Skirts and Sweets party was solid- about 10 orders. Here are the treats, from Sweet Cakes Bakery.They decorated the cookies with "skirts" in different patterns and colors!

July Recap - pt 4

Sachet 3
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

For the Bucktown/WIcker Park sidewalk sale, I worked up a few sachets. Here's one. It's smells of lavender. Other scents include "Ocean Mist", and Vanilla. There are still some at vive, $5 each, or 2 for $8.

July Recap - pt 3

CIMG0347
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

So, on the knitting front, I had been working on (and finished on time) a pillow for my friend Andrea, who moved to Seattle. The pillow is based on a Kaffe Fasett blanket pattern. I made the back out of a med-weight denim. Andrea loved it!

July Recap - pt 2

Stephanie and Amanda
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

July 17, vive la femme partnered with John Fleuvog shoes and Eye Want for a little soiree. I, along with Stephanie and about 5 others modeled vive fashions, snazzy eyeware from Eye Want and killer shoes from Fleuvog. I came away with a BEAUTIFUL pair of teal boots....

July Recap - pt 1

Steph in Redskew
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Things have been a little whirlwind, but the overall pace has sped up and will continue to do so... So I will catch you up as much as I can...
I debuted a little shift, which I will re-release in the spring (after some tweaking).
Stephanie models.

Skirts and Sweets - You're Invited!

Here's the info - check out the full evite here

Host:	vive la femme and Redskew
Location:	vive la femme 2048 N Damen, Chicago, IL 60647 US View Map |
When:	Thursday, July 31, 5:00PM
Phone:	773.772.7429
vive la femme and Redskew invite you to our first ever Skirts and Sweets shopping soiree! Currently exclusive to vive la femme, Redskew is the brainchild of one Amanda Johanson. Her simple handmade a-line skirts have been a smashing cornerstone of vive la femme's street chic style! Join us to order your own late summer and early fall skirts -- and check out the newest skirt and dress silhouettes! Customers will choose their materials and trim, and Amanda will deliver the skirt to you in three weeks. As fabric comes in small orders, these skirts are limited edtion and made with love right in vive la femme's basement! If you can't make the 31st, please stop by the 30th or 1st during business hours to place your order. Call or email to make your reservation. Friends and family are welcome -- please keep in mind these skirts run size 12-24. Sweets by Sweet Cakes!

Tonight's Event

Host:	John Flurvog Shoes, vive la femme, and Eye Want
Location:	John Fluevog Shoes 1539 N Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60622 US View Map |
When:	Thursday, July 17, 6:00PM
Phone:	773.772.1983, 773.772.7429
John Fluevog Shoes, vive la femme, and Eye Want celebrate the larger footprint with X Elle! Wicker Park and Bucktown neighbors John Fluevog, vive la femme, and Eye Want are pleased to announced their first-ever joint event, X Elle! Focusing on sizes too often overlooked by most designers, the shops will showcase shoes sizes 9 to 12 and clothes sizes 18-24. X Elle will pamper larger women with a dazzling array of fashion and footwear just for them. Informal modeling will take place with vive la femme customers and staff between size 18 and 24 highlighting late summer and early fall looks paired with the perfect Fluevog shoes. Customers can also purchase clothing from vive la femme and make pre-orders for fall shoes up to a size 12. X Elle will also feature glasses from Eye Want, purveyors of the finest eyewear that expresses curvaceous customers' unique qualities. Light refreshments and champagne will be served. Media sponsorship provided by Newcity.

Florals for mid July

This week I've got a pop Black and Purple print and a pretty, vintage look tan and blue... look for them at the store Friday, July 11.

Skirts for the Fourth

I got out a sharp stripe skirt and a slick black print out on the floor for July 4th.

Back in the Swing

Jeff and I moved last week soI took the week off. This week, I'm expecting a HUGE faric shipment and in addition to this week's skirt order, I'm beginning preparations for my Skirts and Sweets Party at the end of the month. Be on the lookout for more pics this week.

New Skirt Style

Last week I worked up a new, long skirt. It has a clever drawstring at the back that gathers the fabric and creates a small, modern bustle.

Back Detail

Back View


Front View

Press!

Vive la femme and Redskew are featured in today's At Play section of the Chicago Tribune!

Backing the picture train up, Part 2

And here are the ribbon straps for the sundresses.

Backing the picture train up

Here are the skirts I finished a week and a half ago. If you're interested (and local) the pink swirl will be on the floor at vive later this week.

And back to skirts

I'm back on skirts this week. I managed to procure more of the tone on tone red print I posted about early on, so I'll be using that this week for the current skirt incarnation.

Dresses, Round 1

Last week I put 1 dress style in 3 fabrics on the floor - a brown floral print, a lime green with pinks and white flowers, and a turquoise and green Hawaiian floral stripe. I added cute ribbon tie straps, but you'll have to wait for a picture of those.

Here is a pic of the brown floral print on one of the dress forms.

On the Dockett

I got another round of skirts on the floor at vive last friday - in the pink and blue prints I previewed in the last post. I received a supply order earlier than I expected, so this week I'll be making some kicky little sundresses , kind of like this....

Still in the bag

Waiting to be brought to the studio...

Next steps

Since May 8th, a couple more skirts have sold, including an aqua one that was photographed for potential use in an article in a local publication... I'll let you know on Thursday what the word on the street is.

I've also received and cashed my first check from vive la femme. What a Thrill! Thus far (hey, it's really only been a month) I've had a really positive experience and am VERY motivated to forge ahead with this whole thing. Good thing, because it looks like I'll be quite consistently busy for the summer. Stephanie has ordered new skirts to be ready for every Friday thru August!!!!!

First step... let's go shopping!


Stay tuned for a little fabric preview.

Whirlwind!

So... The first round of 14 skirts were all on the floor Thursday May 8. The store was beautiful...


I saw lots of lovely ladies trying my skirts on....

And by the end of the night, half of my skirts had sold... so I'm feeling pretty great about my new venture!

multi directional scarf

multi directional scarf
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

So, in between sewing, I've been working on my first multi-directional scarf. I used Noro Silver Thaw in Color 2 - purple, greens, pink. It's a very easy pattern, great for the bus, and I REALLY dig how the long Noro color runs work with the pattern. I will have used 2 hanks when it's all done, yielding a cozy, long scarf.

The scarves I make for myself - very few, surprisingly, tend to not be the long cuddly kind. Once finished, I'll get to pine away for it until it gets cold in the fall :)

SOLD!

SOLD!
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

So, Tuesday, May 6 vive la femme sold two Redskew skirts. Here's a pic of Mary, the very first person to buy one of my skirts! She was kind enough to let me take her picture with the skirt. YAY!

Skirts, round 2

Turquoise floral fabric
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

This turquoise floral fabric has been sewn into skirts already, but you'll have to wait until after Thursday to see it all done up. I'm onto my third fabric in this skirt style and looks like I'll be quite ready for the party on Thursday.

Skirt on Body

Steph modelling
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

This is the lovely Stephanie Sack, owner of vive la femme, modeling the yellow floral skirt with a magenta Schaart canvas jacket.

Skirts, round 1

Yellow floral fabric
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

This is the fabric I chose for the first round of skirts. This fabric ( cotton with a little lycra for stretch, typical for this design) is a sunny yellow with magenta, tangerine, pink and lime floral.

Revamp

Patterns
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

So, last week I got some very good advise from another designer, which resulted in revamping my approach to meet my deadline. The first skirt has been simplified and I made sturdy chipboard patterns to cut from. Onward ho!

Almost ready to sell....

Almost ready to sell....
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

I'm still working out some kinks in the design, but I should be ready to go by the 8th. A lot of sewing got done last week, and I figured out the hang tags for the first run. I'm waiting on a fabric order. I'm anticipating 2-4 different colors/fabric patterns to be available in the first round of this straight forward A-line skirt. For sale beginning May 8th at vive la femme.

First Fabric

First Fabric
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Here is the first fabric I'm preparing for my skirt line. It's a two tone red floral print, cotton and lycra.

The patterns

The patterns
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Here are the muslin patterns, hanging in my studio, from which I make the skirts.

So, here's the story

I realized this morning that I haven't really explained what is going on. Short version - after my mom died in February (from an aneurysm after 6 months of treatment for pancreatic cancer), I was laid off from my architecture position in a small firm. That was the 2nd time in about a year that I had been laid off from jobs I was less than happy in. I took it all as giant billboard on the road of life to take the exit I've been dreaming of and planning for on the back burner. After discussions with my husband and closest advisors, I decided to start my own clothing design business.

Redskew, LLC was offically born (in the state of IL), April 16, 2008. I'm currently in design and development of my first line of plus size (12-24) skirts, which I've been documenting here, and will continue to. They will be for sale at vive la femme, 2048 N. Damen, Chicago, IL beginning May 8, 2008. If things go well, I plan to sell on etsy.com and surely expand my market from there.

Knittingwise, I've been doing more theraputic projects since mom passed - my second clapotis, a short row hat, both in Noro Silver Thaw, and a couple of easy, pretty gifts to have on hand. Check out the pics at flickr

So, that's the story. Stay tuned for regular updates...

vive la femme front desk

vive la femme front desk
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

I was quite busy at vive last week. I worked with Stephanie to get some accents up at the store. I completed 4 floral arrangements for the storefront and the front desk. They're SO pretty and really make the place pop.

Storefront

vive la femme storefront
Originally uploaded by redskewknits

Here's a shot of the vive la femme storefront. 2048 N. Damen, Chicago, IL. Starting May 8, you can find Redskew skirts here. Stephanie Sack is the awesome owner of this boutique, specializing in sizes 12-24.