Yesterday I read an article in our local paper (Beth Hughes/San Francisco Chronicle) about how sewing classes are bursting at the seams as sewing enthusiasts and wanna-be seamstresses are taking this retro craft to new heights. There are many reasons for this, we know - the recession, the desire to simplify one's life, the inspiration of television shows like Project Runway, the DIY movement, self-expression, etc. According to the article, it's all these reasons and more. It's an attitude lined with a can-do spirit and stitched together by how-to home-sewing videos on YouTube. Born of the desire to be more self-sufficient, the result is a creative all-gender antidote to a workaday world, a truly individualized look and, for some, a possible career move. "In a survey, we found that the No.1 reason for our members to sew is to have a creative outlet," says Nora Abousteit, co-founder of Burdastyle, which has more than 400,000 members and gets 6.5 million page views per month. Interest in sewing has grown out of the craft and DIY movements. While in can be cheaper to buy 'disposable' clothing at retail stores like Forever 21 and H&M, people are interested in something unique, something they made with their own hands. Today, sewing is the latest 'lost art' of our grandmother's art that is being revived. There is something so satisfying when you engage your creativity and make something yourself. 
Places like the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica, Selvedge Sewing, and The Crafter's Studio in Santa Cruz offer sewing classes and DIY inspiration, as well as other craft offerings.
Places like the Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica, Selvedge Sewing, and The Crafter's Studio in Santa Cruz offer sewing classes and DIY inspiration, as well as other craft offerings. 
Stockings - HGTV
Snow Globes - West Elm
Santa Lucia Snowflake Set - Anthropologie
Novelty Nut Crackers - West Elm
Luminaries - HGTV
Peas in a pod - by Unseen Products
My very favorite felted things are these incredible felted dogs by Domenica More Gordon. She was featured on Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel. Host Keith Johnson found her in Edinburgh, Scottland, and fell in love with the little dogs which were auctioned off for charity.
Scarf and purse from Anthropologie.
Floral motif by Kunstgewerbe Ursula Gehlmen
Cut outs - shawl from JurgitaMi on Etsy
Pillow by Unseen Products
Door wreath and garland from Anthropologie
Did I hear it correctly? Justin Beiber has designed a line of nail polishes for Nicole by OPI. Huh? Is there nothing celebs won't plug to make a buck? The polishes are bold colors with lots of glitter. Called the One Less Lonely Girl collection, the shades are inspired by Beiber hits. The nail polishes will debut this December at Walmart. 
By the way, the 16-year-old Beibs is also designing his own fragrance line for the ladies, which is slated to launch in high-end department stores next year. 
My love of Anthropologie continues to grow. I just received the November 2010 catalog and I am flipping over the whimsical, dreamy, vintage, grandiose scale and playful nature of the images. I am less about what they are selling (I love it all!) and more about how they are selling it. I want to step inside the pages, much like Alice stepped through the looking glass.
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