Archive by Author | Jalene

What’s better than a dress? A dress with pockets.

Sep20

So I didn’t get around to making the two summer dresses I wanted to while I was on my PNW vacation. Who am I kidding? I should know it’s not really a “vacation” when I go there. It’s more like a workcation, where I’m working on my client work and hanging out with friends and family in my off hours.

But I couldn’t let this awesome fabric just sit there! It was screaming to be made into a dress.

When I got back to Brooklyn I decided to stop lying to myself about making the dress. I didn’t have the time or the space. But the dress had to be made!

I remembered a cute boutique in South Slope that offered private lessons in their sewing studio in the back of the shop. At first I thought about going that route, but when I found out that they also do custom work I decided to let the experts handle it. I handed off the fabric and pattern to Patti at Flirt Brooklyn and she whipped up exactly what I wanted. I almost squealed when I saw the dress hanging up in the dressing room for the first fitting. It’s so awesome working with someone who can execute your vision perfectly.

Having the dress made by a pro not only saved me time, I’m sure it saved me a lot of frustration. It also satisfied that constant craving I have to collaborate with others on creative projects that live outside the computer. Plus, I love supporting local small businesses and creatives who are doing fantastic work.

It’s kind of awesome to think that this dress, from concept to completion, was created entirely in the USA:

• Coney Island fabric design by La Sirena (me), available at Spoonflower
• Myrtle Dress Pattern from Colette Patterns
• Sewn by Patti at Flirt Brooklyn

Here are the patterns from Colette Patterns - the cutest patterns I've ever, ever, ever seen.

Here are the patterns from Colette Patterns – the cutest patterns I’ve ever, ever, ever seen.

Me with my freshly opened package of performance pique fabric from Spoonflower.

Me with my freshly opened package of performance pique fabric from Spoonflower.

The storefront of Flirt Brooklyn, where they have their shop and sewing studio.

The storefront of Flirt Brooklyn, where they have their shop and sewing studio.

Did a mini shoot at Coney Island with some of the hand-painted signs that inspired my design.

Did a mini shoot at Coney Island with some of the hand-painted signs that inspired my design.

More sign inspo.

More sign inspo.

lasirena_coney_dress_02

More signs! I love Coney Island. It was so hard narrowing down which ones to use in the pattern. I might have to do more.

I know I already said this but - This dress has pockets!!!

This dress has pockets!!!

lasirena_coney_dress_closeup_buttons

We opted for a little black button detail on the shoulder.

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I love the art walls at Coney Island too. So good.

I was a little nervous that maybe I made the dress to short and it would blow up in the wind, but it was totally fine.

I was a little nervous that maybe I made the dress too short and it would blow up in the wind, but it was totally fine.

lasirena_coney_dress_pockets

Did I mention that this dress has pockets?!

Wanna get your hands on some Coney Island Sign fabric? You can order pink or beige in my Spoonflower shop.

I want to see what YOU make with it. Follow and tag me on Instagram.

The Story Behind La Sirena’s Sweet ’16 Online Art Show

Jun8

Remember how January felt?

You had all those “things” you were going to do differently.

You were ready to TAKE ON THE WORLD with your newly discovered I-can-do-it-all magical New Year’s fairy dust.

I kinda remember. Luckily, I wrote most of it down and kept it simple.

I chose one word as my mantra for the year: PLAY

This key word is what I use to reflect on and evaluate the past six months of life and business. I think I’m doing pretty good so far.

One of the ways I chose to bring more PLAY into 2016 was to host an online art show in June. I also miss working on collaborative art projects with people and thought this would also be a great way to connect/reconnect with people in a more meaningful way.

I put a call out on social media for participants and 23 said they were interested.

My theory was: by setting a concrete goal (the art show on June 15) you will be more motivated to practice or experiment with art or complete a project than you would be by simply thinking to yourself, “I want to paint more” or “I want to do more creative things this year”.

The only parameters for the project was that it needed to fall under the theme “Teenage Feeling”.

AND HERE WE ARE. IT’S JUNE! THE PROJECTS ARE IN.

13 people submitted their projects and I’m super excited to share them with you!

 

WANT IN ON NEXT YEAR’S ONLINE ART SHOW PROJECT? Sign up here so you don’t miss the next call for participants.

Your new go-to summer bag

May30
Picnic time? Beach time? Concert time? Festival time?
It’s definitely summer time! (Or close enough.)
Get a tote bag that can handle it all. The large size (pictured in the blue and pink bag below) is great for holding extra large goodies like yoga mats or tripods.

SummerToteBags_coneypink SummerToteBags_greenmermaidmed SummerToteBags_mermaidbaglg

 

There are six Coney Island vintage-inspired designs to choose from.

Get your bag here>

 

 

Retro-inspired patterns for your summer sewing projects

May20

La Sirena's Retro Inspired fabric swatches

I just approved these fabric swatches and the new fabrics are now available for you on my Spoonflower Shop.

Let’s make some summer sewing projects!

I am not the best at sewing, but I am determined to make two summer dresses while I’m on my PNW vacation. One out of the pink Coney Island food sign pattern, and one out of the pinup mermaid parade pattern. I think I’m going to use this sewing pattern from Colette Patterns. But I’ve also been digging around on Sprout Patterns’ site and I kinda like this one too.

Sidenote: Have you heard of Sprout Patterns?

I haven’t used them yet, but I love the way it works.
1. You select a sewing pattern
2. Choose your Spoonflower fabric
3. The sewing pattern is printed right on the chosen fabric
4. When you get the fabric it’s all ready for you to cut and sew.
AWESOME, huh?

Let me know if you decide to sew something up, I’d love to see what you make. I’ll share my completed dresses with you at the end of June/beginning of July.

Get your fabric here »

Too sweaty to sew your own summer gear?
You can always check out the Redbubble shop for ready-to-go tote bags, skirts, pouches, pillows, and more.

Jewelry on Etsy

Apr20

Spring Jewelry

Looking for the perfect splash of spring to add to your wardrobe? Or maybe a unique Grad or Mother’s Day gift?  All of my handmade jewelry is currently being sold via the Etsy shop.

That Mermaid Life

Nov5

Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Are you in Fall denial? Well this might help:

Get a dose of sunshine and juicy colors while you help me celebrate the release of my latest project, the “Coney Island Mermaid Parade” series. I’m doing a few giveaways from now until the end of the year. But there is one catch, the giveaways are exclusively for my La Sirena Design Fan Club list, but it’s not too late to be a part of the fun, you can sign up here. 

On Friday, November 6th (2015) I’m giving away an iPhone or Samsung case. All you have to do is comment on this Facebook post at the top of my page and tell me which case your heart desires.

If you miss out on this one don’t worry, there will be three more before the end of the year.

Pssst… if you want your mermaid case now, rather than trying to win a contest, you can buy it now in my new Redbubble shop.

mermaid-phonecase-all mermaid-phonecase-pink mermaid-phonecase-blue-yellow mermaid-phonecase-green