Singer celebrates 160 years of sewing

Many Fashionistas only need to walk a few feet away from their closet in order to rest their eyes on a Singer sewing machine. Almost everyone who owns a sewing machine owns a Singer.  Sewing machines are used for many reasons in the homes of fashion-savvy, would-be seamstresses. They are used for shortening hemlines, repairing children’s clothing, making costumes for Halloween or school plays and also for creating designs of one’s own.

Singer has been the premiere choice for sewing machines for the past 160 years. In celebration of their anniversary, Singer has built a website which highlights the history of the Singer sewing machine. Singer owners can also enter the serial number of their machine and learn where and when their machine was built. Singer is encouraging machine owners to enter their stories on the website and automatically be entered to win one of the new 2012, limited edition commemorative machines which will be available January 2012.

I have a Singer sewing machine which was originally my Mother’s. The sewing machine was purchased in the mid-1960’s and still works great! My Mother made all of my Halloween costumes throughout my childhood on this machine. Being 5’4” my Mother also shortened all of my hemlines throughout my youth and taught me her skills. When I was nine I designed and sewed my first dress on our Singer sewing machine; with my Mother’s guidance of course. I was very proud of this dress. It was pink with large grey polka dots and bow tie straps. I made sure the skirt was large enough to create a big bubble when I spun in a circle. Now the Singer is used for my family. She still runs like the first day my Mother purchased her.

Do you have a story about your Singer sewing machine? Enter your story at mysingerstories.com

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From top: Singer circa 1868, Singer ad circa 1851.
Photos courtesy of Singer

Fall 2011 Shoe trends: The Loafer Pump

Shoes styles for fall 2011 are not too much different than the shoe styles we have been seeing over the past several seasons. There are platform pumps, two-tone colored pumps, ankle straps, open toe booties, lace up boots and shades of rose, burgundy and plum. There is one shoe style for fall which is fresh and new, giving Fashionistas a flashback to the mid and late 1990’s; the Loafer Pump.

In the mid to late 1990’s the Loafer Pump was found in everyone’s closet. The versatile shoe was being worn in various styles including penny loafers, oxfords, Mary Janes and classic tassels. The fashion world loved the Loafer Pump since it was heavy enough to be worn with pants yet sleek enough to be paired with a skirt suit or dress.

For fall 2011 the style is back and it is taking store shelves by storm. Everywhere a fall shopper looks the Loafer Pump is calling and telling shoe lovers they need a pair. This season’s Loafer Pump is being shown in a variety of colors as well as color blocking. There are classic penny loafers and styles with tassels as well as designer interpretations of the shoe.

The fabulous thing about a pair of Loafer Pumps is that they can be worn with almost anything; making them the perfect shoe for business travel as well as any vacation. It is always easier to pack one pair of shoes rather than five!

When shopping for a Loafer Pump this season, look for more classic and neutral styles which can carry you into 2012. There is a good chance the Loafer Pump, being new on the scene, will continue for many seasons to come. By making a neutral investment this season, you will find the shoes pay for themselves over the next few years. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

 

Fall 2011 nail trends trends: The new nail length

Nails are getting a new look for fall 2011. Gone are the days of short, neat nails. Fall 2011 nails are going to new lengths; long lengths. Over the past four years nails have been short and sweet; which has been in line with the dark nail polish colors that have been du rigueur of late. Short fingernails have been the perfect canvas for dark colors. Nail polish does not chip as easily or quickly when nails are short; allowing dark colors to last longer than if they were painted on long nails.

Although dark polish is still very much the look for fall, nails are turning up their nose to practicality and going long; very long. The long fingernail is back and reminding Fashionistas of days when they needed to use a pencil to hit the buttons on their calculator.

The shape of the tip of the nail is very important for fall too. The shape of the tip needs to be very distinct in the form of squared off, sharply pointed or well rounded.  Celebrities such as Fergie, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have been spotted wearing the new length in fingernails with very pointed tips.

Will this bring fashion-savvy nail polish lovers back to having tips applied? Perhaps. It should be interesting to see if this new look in nail length makes it off the runways, red carpets, stages, pages of glossy magazines and onto the hands of the fabulously fashionable.

 

Finger nails by bayareafashionista featuring chanel beauty products