All Posts By

sarah norwood

Bridal Show Breakdown…

Uncategorized January 23, 2011

Dan and I went to a Bridal Show this afternoon with my Mom. The minute I walked in, I immediately felt terribly overwhelmed by the flashing lights and terrible dance music, provided by a local DJ. I was instantly barraged by women selling me over-priced invitations, cupcakes, and “candy buffets.” We browsed at cheesy, overpriced wedding photographs, before we all decided it was a huge waste of time, and I left horribly depressed. I had a good cry this afternoon and spent an hour or so feeling sorry for myself… before I realized I really do have most of this wedding figured out.

I am having a hard time fitting into the “Bride” archetype. I’m finding my best strategy, is not paying any attention to the commercial wedding industry and just do everything myself out of my own imagination.

Now, here is something I am comfortable with, shaping fabric into lovely garments. This is the Betsey Johnson pattern I’ve mentioned before. I cut it out of a piece of small, floral print cotton, and lined the banded sleeves in broiderie anglaise. I sewed the vertical seams with a french seam finish, which is my favourite seam finish! The top is so cute, very “me,” cut in a near semi circle, flowing out from just under the bust. It has a tie around the empire line to cinch it all in. I’ll post more pictures as soon as I have some day light again!

Valentines Day Sewing

Uncategorized January 22, 2011

Earlier this week I worked on a few ready-made goodies for my Etsy shop. I wanted to create some gift pack undies, and decided to pre-wrap them in pretty, paper doilies! Voila! I hope my man gets me something yummy like this!

It has been a snowy, stormy few days here; très Canadien. Our little apartment has been freezing and I feel a little like Susanna Moodie in Roughing It In The Bush. We have literally been burning candles (and once, Dan’s homework) for warmth as we really can’t afford any more $200+ hydro bills. I am assured that one day we will look back on these days with fondness… When I am a famous handmade-lingerie designer, and Dan is Mechanic to the Prime Minister.
A girl can dream… for now I will keep my toque on!

Official Giveaway Post!

Uncategorized January 19, 2011


Leave a comment on this post and you will be entered into a draw for the pair of Signature Ohhh Lulu Ruffle Bloomers as pictured above! Bloomers some in small (max 36″ hip), medium (max 38″ hip), large (max 40″ hip), and extra large (max 42″ hip). I will ship these, by Air (or ground of local) anywhere in the UNIVERSE!

I will also be drawing for an Ohhh Lulu 10% off coupon for My Etsy Shop!

I will give 1 week for anyone who wants to enter, just leave a comment here. I will draw the contest winner in the evening of Wednesday, January 26th!

Spring Jacket… in January!

Uncategorized January 16, 2011

I purchased a huge lot of Vintage patterns off Ebay a few weeks ago, and received it early last week. It has some really special things in it, including a Betsy Johnson pattern from the late 1970’s. I really love the styling of 1970’s clothing – though I often dislike the original choice of fabrics. I am enjoying sewing these up in cottons and other natural fabrics.
Maybe I am feeling extra inspired by the clothing of the ’70’s because we were into the 1970’s in our Oscar Movie Marathon. Last night I slept my way through The Sting but have thoroughly enjoyed The French Connection, The Godfather, and Midnight Cowboy and am really looking forward to watching Annie Hall again! It is one of my all time favourite movies – mostly because I think Annie Hall is a copy of myself.I am super excited about this little jacket – I love the idea of the contrasting lapels and pointy cuffs. It looks very cute with a pair of dark, skinny jeans, but I am excited to make myself a pair of wide-legged pants to go with it. I bound all the seams in the contrast fabric, and added a sewn on facing to the back-neck to hide the collar seam around the neck opening. I really liked the faux-notched collar on this jacket, was really quick and easy to sew!I am also preparing for the give away I mentioned earlier – I should be posting a Great Big Official Give Away Post on Tuesday! Stay tuned!

Give Away? Free Stuff? Huh?

Uncategorized January 15, 2011

Why am I up so early? What happened to the days of Saturday morning hangovers? Oh yes, I am officially an ADULT now!

I am contemplating a Ruffled Bloomer Give away, in your choice of Small, Medium and Large, as well as a runner-up prize of a 10% off certificate to my Etsy Shop. I am at 43 readers and would like to get over 50…

I will make an official post soon!

Uncategorized January 13, 2011

I feel like I never get as much done as I hope to on my days off. I did make some time to visit with a friend, and I am without a car right now as Dan is going to school in Toronto, so doing any running around takes 10x as long.

I don’t want to jinx it, but I will be sending some things (including the rompers above) to a independant shop in North Bay, Ontario in the coming weeks, to sell on consignment. My first store! While I hope to sell a ton of stuff, I am happy just to be given the opportunity! I will be sending a size run of rompers, lace and jersey Bra and pantie sets,Ruffled Bloomers , and some Cotton, Ruffled thongs . I am done the three rompers and three ruffled bloomers, the rest should be done next week. I am very excited about this whole venture!

I can’t believe two days flew by so fast… though I did do a lot, including registering my business… but for now, off to an 11 hour shift at the car shoppe.

Wedding…

Uncategorized January 11, 2011

I’ve done a lot of wedding thinking over this last week. I’ve decided on flowers – simple carnations in a tall glass vase, with candles around it. For bouquets – carnations and roses in not quite pink-not quite purple… or maybe purple. That hasn’t been decided yet.

I am trying to be very budget conscious with this whole ordeal – I recently read that the average couple spends $20,000 on their wedding. That is insane – I don’t even bring that home after taxes in a year! We going to stay far, far, far under that.

Our Venue for the ceremony is free and I just can’t get over how perfect it is – there are rocks forming two rows of seating. We just need a few chairs for a few of our guests and nature does the rest! We have already found our officiant and basically chosen our vows (which nearly made me cry just reading them, they are quite non-traditional but beautiful).

I don’t know what to do for music… for me, it isn’t that important, but others have said it is important. I’d be happy to hear opinions. I would love to have a live musician… I am also still trying to figure out how we are all going to arrive, and where I can stand so I am slightly out of sight before the ceremony. There is an area of tree’s off to the left, I suppose I could hide out in the forest!

We are going to go final dress shopping on the 29th. I was so surprised by what I ended up liking. I went in thinking I would like something like this: ball gown, simple, maybe some lace….

And wound up liking exactly what I told everyone I didn’t want. I didn’t want rouching, beading, didn’t want fitted… and I ended up liking something similar to this style. I think because I am so petite (maybe 5’1″?) the ball gown was way too much fabric. I have never felt so… va-va-va-voom in my life! I am curvy, I might as well show it off while I can.

I was super stressed about shoes, but I found these Pour La Victoire shoes, with the blue underneath, which will work perfect. I will have blue (shoes), old (an antique pearl necklace of my mothers), borrowed (my cousins veil), and new (my dress)!

I found this Alfred sung bridesmaids dress that we all like. I don’t know whether to do it in black or in a colour… the black is just so classic. I kind of want this dress too.

I believe I have found a photographer, and will meet with her soon. She takes very simple, vintage feeling photos, not cheesy and overly posed. I never thought I would get married so this whole process seemed very overwhelming at the start. I will be the first to admit, I know nothing about weddings or getting married, but I think maybe… it makes it a bit more exciting.
Dan and I have agreed on a few fun things for the reception, like buying vintage frames to put the table numbers in, and using things on sticks as name cards at the tables. Instead of doing a formal cake, we are going to do a help-yourself desert table with cupcakes. I am a little afraid of all the attention, but excited at the same time (I am a wallflower). I think we will do a slide show of pictures of us and friends and family. It is also the day after my Mom’s birthday, so I would like to do something for her as well…
I am still mulling over ideas for favors. I love the idea of something handmade or edible, like a pot of honey or jam… We still need to finalize the guest list. At last count we had 100 guests… that may be a terrible amount of cookies to make.

Sewing Marathon before getting back to real life…

Uncategorized January 6, 2011

Well, my two days off flew by, as usual. Back to work tomorrow. I am really hoping my New Years resolution comes to fruition quickly. I’m trying to decide what is worse… being terribly underemployed, or being unemployed… Every month, I cringe with regret when I pay my student loans. Surely I deserve more than to sweep the floor and scrub the toilet! Oh… I miss my old job….

So, I worked my butt off the last two days and sewed 5 (well 6, including the bodysuit) new items for my Etsy Shop.


I’ve been renewing my interest in Victorian Fashion lately… unearthing some old Victorian magazines that I had been collecting. This Chemise and Pantie set remind me of a delicate, Victorian woman’s under-things. Frothy with lace, crisp white.

They photographed nicely on my vintage, turn of the century dress form. I have to thank Dan for that one.


Lately, I’ve had an obsession with sewing contrast bibs onto everything. I suppose I just like any excuse to add a little ruffle and some lace, so I added one to a pair of panties… the fabric I used is so soft and worn-feeling, it feels vintage.


I made myself 2 of these thongs about a month ago, and I have to say they are the most comfortable pair of underwear I own. The fabric is is light and airy, the elastic perfectly stretchy, it feels like you are wearing nothing at all. I can’t stand man-made fibers or too-tight clothing!

I am actually going to keep the sample for this black set for myself to wear under my work uniform. I like to wear something ultra-feminine under my hideous man shirt to remind myself that, yes, indeed I am a woman!

While I was photographing my new items, I flipped through my 1876 Munsey’s Magazine and saw this interesting advertisement for Burnett’s Cocaine For the Hair! Apparently it will cure you of your dandruff…
Dan started back to school on Monday. It’s a 2 hour drive there and then back again. I feel like I have hardly seen him. It’s only Wednesday and I already miss him tons… Luckily the course is only 2 months, and when he finishes he will have his full Mechanics License! I am already so proud and excited for him!

I am looking forward to the Weekend already, even though mine doesn’t start until Saturday Evening. Our plans are to stay in and play some video games and follow up on our Oscar Movie Marathon!

Polka dots Forever!

Uncategorized January 4, 2011

I am finally getting some sewing done after a most wonderful Holiday break. Dan and I spent New Years in – I cooked a terribly dry turkey and some gravy that would have better passed for Flubber – but it was wonderful, and we stuffed ourselves and had the best New Years (in my opinion) ever!

I finished up this romper this morning, after a quick run out to the post office to send out goodies and do some other errands. I was afraid, half way through this project, that it was turning out a little clownish, but I think it’s turned out pretty cute!

I have high hopes for Ohhh Lulu this year and am really hoping I can make it my full time job.
Also, lets not forget, I am getting married this year! I am at a standstill with the planning… we have booked a venue, caterer, picked our bridal party, chosen the person to marry us… now I don’t know what to do! I haven’t even thought about the wedding in a couple of months and I’m afraid I’m going to get super behind… I’m finding this whole process way too easy which makes me think that I must be doing something wrong!

Best Gift Ever: Organization for my Sewing Stuff!

Uncategorized December 26, 2010

Dan got me the greatest Christmas present this year! A lovely, antique hutch to store all of my fabric, threads, trims, and other doo-dad’s. I packed all of my fabric into it this morning. I absolutely love it!
I have all my fabric rolled, and organized: Jerseys in one area, cottons and linens in another, all my lace is together as are all of my “novelty” fabrics, like satiny prints, velvets, etc. I have a drawer full of thread, a drawer full of “Ohhh Lulu” tags and the like… I even have a drawer with all of my lingerie elastics, ribbons, and fastenings organized in little slots.
We spent the morning re-arranging and I am so, so very happy with how much larger our small, 1 bedroom apartment looks!

I couldn’t be happier! It is absolutely beautiful, matches my dining table beautifully, and completes my dining/studio area! I feel like I finally have a real work space. Before, I had been storing my fabric stash (which is huge because I worked for Fabric stores for years) in bags stashed throughout the apartment. I’m embarrassed to admit, but I kept all of my trims in a big knot in a plastic bag, which hung off my sewing chair. This is so much better. It makes me wonder what everyone else’s Sewing Area’s look like…
Tonight we are headed off to my Aunts for Christmas Lasagna, and tomorrow we are having our 2nd Turkey dinner with Dan’s family. In my opinion, you can never have enough turkey dinner.