In-Shop Renovations Give Ourselves, Students, and Customers more Space to Create!

You may have heard the old saying, "If it's not improving it's degrading." Well, at Bella Jean Boutique we are constantly looking for new ways to improve our shop. First because we want to give our customers (You!!!) a better experience every time they walk in. Second, because we want to expand the teaching portion of our business. We are adding more and more excited students each month and we want to have plenty of space for each of them to let their creative juices flow. So to keep you updated on our shop's progress here are a few recent pictures. Let us know what you think.

A few months ago...work began!

Insulation is in!

Sheetrock is on.

Mudding Begins

Tonight it is textured!

Texturing more!

Guides and References for Professional Sewing...

Because of the variety of jobs that we encounter we are always looking for resources that will assist us in getting the job done! I've added some helpful books that we have referenced and continue to reference for helpful sewing techniques to make your work professional. The first book I have posted will take you through each step of basic and intermediate sewing skills. There are very clear illustrated pictures showing each technique so you can easily understand them.

 Besides just normal sewing skills there are also tailoring tips and illustrations showing how to properly fit garments.  This is definitely a book you don't want to pass up if you love to sew!

 This book teaches how to professionally sew using delicate furs and leathers. We used this when we made a custom mink teddy bear. It clearly walked us through each step for cutting and sewing the mink.

 Let me know if you have any questions regarding any of the books!

Veronica

Making a Perfect Fit with Custom Clothing Alterations

One of the foremost parts of our business is alterations. Recently we have been altering a wedding dress. First we take pictures of every detail needing altered so we can have a reference to continually go back to. This is one of the most important things I've learned in performing alterations. Please feel free to email me for more tips on the best process for altering clothing.

 We do hemming for all styles of pants.

We can replace zippers in coats, vests, dresses, cushions and more. Replacing zippers is very enjoyable for me.

Thank you, Veronica

How to Sew a Dart - Bringing Dental & Medical Uniforms Up a Notch!

We've just created a new instructional video on "How to Sew a Dart". I hope our video helps you be able to easily understand how to sew darts. We recently used this technique while sewing custom blouses to create a fitted look.


We are currently bringing medical and dental scrubs to the next level. We are creating 60 custom blouses for a local dental office. These tops create a uniform and professional appearance while also appealing to the comfort and fit of each lady.

Here's a look at a completed blouse

the rest of the blouses after the completion of all the darts

Baby Summer Clothing!

Here are a few of our baby styles we have for this summer! Most of them are made from soft interlock knits.

I think we got a pretty sweet model for them!

Our shirred lime dress

This was perfect as a dress for Eloise and now it works great as a top!

The pilot cap is perfect for keeping the wind out of their ears

This is made with cotton - I love this style!

Dressing Up Our Shop...the Vintage Style

Over the the last couple of weeks we have gone to antique stores and other places to find items that would make our shop have a bit more of the shabby chic style. Our goal is to make our shop all flow together with one theme so it doesn't look so discombobulated and cluttery. I think we got off to a good start so far! Check it out.

We picked this up from Michaels - Everyone seems to be getting a little shabby chic section in their stores!

This one is an antique

An antique hat stand - it looks easy where I could copy it and make some more!

This is from Michael's too. I added the flowers and my mom made the birds!

On Friday night we took this plain mirror and dressed it up with some of our trims and scrapbook paper. Remember the antique lace we were given? Well some of that got used too.

this is some of the antique lace

burning some fabric for flowers

The blue paper is off of one of the antique laces

I think this decor matches perfectly for the business we're in :)

The little spools of thread to help represent sewing!!!