Portland Adventures...

On Friday morning at 7am Victoria, my mom and I started our trip down to Portland, OR. Yes, we were going to Fabric Depot again (and some other fabric stores). 
Our first stop was EE Schenk. This is a wholesaler's warehouse full of all sorts of fabrics, notions, and patterns for sewing and quilting. 

EE Schenck

 After about an hour we met up with Cherie and some other friends and all ventured off together to the Fabric Depot. For the next couple of hours we gathered all sorts of fabrics and trims. We went with quite a long list for specific jobs but also got extra fabric for some children's clothing. We found everything we needed which was quite a relief! Next we headed to the Taylor's for a scrumptious lunch in the sun!

Fabric Depot

Lots of Elastic Lace

 After some of the ladies took off back home, we decided to take a walk along the boardwalk with our sister Naomi and Faith. On a sunny day this is definitely a "must do" in Portland. It was so beautiful! We stopped at a little ice-cream shop and got a double-scoop ice-cream cone. If you want a full portion of ice-cream this is the place to go. Their scoops were huge! I couldn't even finish it. Later we went out to dinner with Sarah then to another friend's house for games...

By the River in Portland

Delicious Ice Cream!

mmm...

 We rested up on Saturday and went fabric shopping again. This time we went to the Mill End first...if you are looking for a wide variety of silks, brocades, wools, jean and homespun fabrics, this is the place to go! Then we went to Fabric Depot again...(we just can't get enough of it!)

The Mill End

The Mill End

 Later we went to a cupcake shop and out to coffee with Elena. It was so nice to be able to fabric shop with a wide variety, and to spend time with our friends in Portland...

Ver, Elena, Vic

The Ride Home

How to Sew a Binding on A blanket...

Here's an instructional video that teaches how to sew a satin binding onto a blanket. It is very simple to do so you can make cuddly blankets and even give them away as gifts. Let us know if you have any questions about it!

Uniqueness in the details...Summer Dress

A few weeks ago we sewed Eloise a summer dress that she could wear in Maui. We wanted this dress to be unique and stand out. So we took into consideration every little detail we could think of. For the straps we shirred them...that is putting elastic thread in the bobbin and sewing straight lines. We also used this technique for the back bodice. This technique made it easy to get on and off and she can wear it for a longer amount of time. Using a coordinating material for a bottom band, also adds a great element. We then looked at all our trims and decided ric rac would look splendid! We applied it to the bodice waist seam and the bottom band seam. Buttons also add a great little element... So we applied them on top of the ric rac. Lastly we added little bows where the straps met the bodice...

Every little detail added so much to this dress! So next time you go to make something, think about what you can add that will make it unique and stand out!

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!