Family Affair

Hello there,

In December, I talked with a lovely lady who wanted me to make a skirt for her and matching skirts for her little princesses. She said there was no hurry so we took some time going back and forth online until she found the fabric she wanted. In January, when I went to get the measurements, it turned into the skirts plus vests and bow-ties for her king and prince and a pair of shorts for the prince.
I'm really grateful for the opportunity.

Enjoy the pictures below.
** I pressed the clothes before delivery; please excuse the creases below. **

All Together

King - Vest & Bow Tie

 

Queen - Gathered Skirt

Prince - Vest, Bow-Tie and Shorts

Princesses - 2-Tier Circle Skirts with Netting

Father & Son Set

Some Smooth Jazz

Always Learning ...

Hello there,

Back in SS1 (10th grade equivalent?), we were a handed a sheet of paper that listed occupations and what subjects you should be good at to succeed in them. Based on my teen-self's academic prowess, I had a lot of options (a lot) but I was drawn to engineering. The one thing I like about being an engineer today is the ability to assess a problem and design a solution. For my ZCD work, I usually break down the item to its basic shapes in my head and them build it up from there (unless I'm using a prepared pattern).

Today's post is a bit of a show-and-tell. I have added 4 more items to my 'I-know-how-make-this' list and I wanted to share them with you. If you've browsed the Etsy store (here), you know that besides clothing, I can make accessories. Until now, accessories = bowties, purses and earrings. After today, I can add wristlets, lapel flowers custom bias tape and peplum belts.

These new items were custom orders and I did some research, reviewed tutorials and figured out how to make them. Yay for learning!!!

Lapel Flowers

These are rectangular pleated strips with one zig-zag edge, can you tell?

This one is a folded over rectangular gathered strip. 

Wristlet 

(Zippered Pouch with Wrist Strap)

Had to rip and re-do a couple seams but I got it!

DIY Bias Tape

Peplum Belt

(hi-low style)

Start with a hi-low circle skirt, cut a line down the center, add a long waistband.

 

The Summer of 2015

Hi there,

It's the last day of the year!!!!
I am super grateful to God for bringing me this far. Can you believe it?
And best of all, I am ending this year better than I started it ... how wonderful is that?

In 2015, I had my first vendor/show case opportunities (3 in total) for ZiChiE Designs.
I also had an international order from the ZCD Etsy store (click here).
And a very busy summer. I'm guessing it is the warm weather but I had a lot of wedding orders in July/August/September. In addition to that, I made vests for the men in the LA Voice (my church choir).

To wrap up the year, I thought I'd put pictures from this summer's order in one post.

Enjoy.

ZCD Purses at a Showcase hosted by YAPPies (Young African Philly Professionals)

ZCD Vendor Table at ACANNA Festival

For the Sister of the Bride

Dress and Matching Vest & Bow Tie for A Friend's Wedding

Gold Lace Dress for a Friend of the Bride & Groom

Gold Lace Clutch

Pink and Blue Dress for a Friend of the Bride & Groom

My Birthday Skirt

Dress for Ms. V for our Church Anniversary Dinner

LA Voice

(Made the Vests for the Men and the Maxi Skirt [far left])

Skirts for Mummy and Daughter for a Wedding

ZCD @ ACANA Festival

* Hi there :)
So far, August has been buuusssyyy. And not just with my sewing.
I was talking with my bestie and mentioned that I am so busy that I hope I won't be too tired to enjoy my birthday (yes, it my birth month!!!!!!!!) when it rolls around.
Bestie said I always get so excited about my birthday so this year most likely won't be an exception.
I love celebrating my birthday - no matter how big or small the celebration is - I will take myself to dinner if need be :). But yeah, presents are welcome (hint, hint, hint).

** Anyhoo, here are some pictures and videos from my table at the ACANA festival on August 2nd.
Nothing like starting the month with a bang, right?
I have some other work in progress that you can check out here (disclosure: I try but this Orders page is not always up to date)

*** Don't forget to check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs.

My Table

& Me - Wearing my Ankara Pants (also seen here)

it was hot out there ... thank God for the tents :)

The Stage

(Couldn't see the stage clearly from my table but during the last act, I packed up my 'store' and went to enjoy the dancers in the video)

Videos

2 Days to ACANA Festival

* It's been a year of showcases so far and I thank God for all these open doors.
For my church (Love Assembly), this year is our year of Open Doors and God has been faithful to His promise.

So far we've had:

• Fashion Show at Widener University (post)
• Showcase at 'YAPPIES Showing Thier Creative Side' event on (post)
• Vendor table at SAANE Networking Event on (post)
  and coming soon ...
• Vendor tent at ACANA Festival on Sunday, August 2nd.
  ACANA = African Cultural Alliance of North America

For this event, my plan is to have one-size-fits-all items as well as skirts with elastic waists (one-size fits-most?).

** Below are pictures of some things I either or have in store or plan to make more of.

     2 days to go ... wow, almost here.

*** Check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs.

Skirts 

(Elastic Waists = One-Size-Could-Fit-Most ...)

Bow Ties

Neck Ties (... maybe)

Jewelry - Button & Charm Earrings

Purses

T-Shirts

Belts