April Giveaway - Mention the Poor Jean Blog and Win!

Mention "Poor Jean Blog Giveaway" and win this Plain Jane Neck Ruff

The first customer to mention the Poor Jean blog will receive a free Plain Jane Neck Ruff!  Poor Jean is about to make 20 sales - and we're excited for more to come. To celebrate this impending milestone, please include the following words in the buyers notes when you purchase: "Poor Jean Blog Giveaway".  The first customer who mentions the blog will receive a free Plain Jane Neck ruff with their purchase.

Happy shopping!
 - PJ

Supplies - Purl Soho

 Just a few notions, found at Purl Soho

New York is a long distance from Seattle, but fortunately this little gem has an online shop!  Purl Soho has an enticing array of decorator fabrics, as well as knitting supplies and notions.  I plan to order a few yards of this 'n' that online, although nothing compares to buying the fabric in person and feeling the texture and the weight of the material for yourself. I will be darkening their door the next time I visit the Big Apple.

Owls - Japanese kokka print

Oil cloth print by Amy Butler

Check them out at http://www.purlsoho.com/purl

 - PJ

Find Poor Jean on Twitter!

 Lemonade Beach Skirt - Custom order at Poor Jean

Poor Jean is Twittering with excitement!  Check out http://twitter.com/Poor_Jean/http://twitter.com/Poor_Jean/ on Twitter for updates on designs, progress,and coupons!  When trying to find me please don't forget to add the underscore (Poor_Jean).  I'm new to Twitter, so I'll need some patience while I figure this thing out...

 - PJ

Friday Pounce

It's Friday again, and time to pounce on some new sellers!  Check out these recently opened shops:

I'm loving Loft777s swinging mid-century vintage housewares

Check out the sweet paintings and prints at The Project Room

I love Ardy1991's Boxes and Lines t-shirt...

This reusable fabric gift wrap/scarf/ whatever you want it to be at A Collective Thread

Happy Friday!

 - PJ

One of a Kind T-Shirts

This is a busy week at Poor Jean, but between filling orders and shipping I am also working on some vintage button T-shirts.  These shirts will each be one of a kind - one unique vintage button per shirt.  Here is a sneak peek at some of the fantastic buttons I've collected over the last few weeks.  Soon they shall festoon the new shirts at Poor Jean!

Late Spring Beach Skirt

Late Spring Beach Skirt at Poor Jean

The Late Spring Beach Skirt is back up for sale due to its popularity.  Available in all sizes, this skirt is serged,  unlined, and has a cased elastic waistband.  Head over to Poor Jean and check it out.

 - PJ

Weekend Dreaming

Silkkikuikka by Marimekko

The weekend is for dreaming up new designs.  Inspiration can stem from anywhere, not just other apparel websites.  Here is what is inspiring me today:

The humor in Landon Nordman’s photography: http://www.landonnordeman.com/

The colors in this new Poketo wallet: http://poketo.com/shop/wallets?product_id=1079

Marimekko 2010 patterns – well, they are always inspiring: http://www.marimekko.fi/ENG/interior/fabric/maijaisola/spring2010/silkkikuikka_630.htm

The emotion in Nikki McClure’s papercut art: http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=nikki-poster-rely

Have a good weekend, everyone!

-          PJ

Friday Pounce

Poor Jean is a new shop, and it is sometimes discouraging and difficult (and exciting) to be a new seller.  On Fridays I will pounce on some newly opened stores and feature them, but remember that there are hundreds more!  When you have a minute, take advantage of Etsy's pounce tool and give it a try.

Check out these great shops:

Bella Bags and Accessories
Luxe Debris Vintage
Mudcapped Madness
Rustik Rick's

 - PJ

Beach Skirts...they're coming...

I don't believe that fashion should all be unattainble and expensive, which is why I will be designing and featuring a series of beach skirts that are all priced under $40.  All will have elastic waists, some will feature vintage buttons and upcycled fabrics, all will be unique!  Look for more beach skirts at Poor Jean in the coming weeks.  For now, here are three that are currently available.

Enjoy!

 - PJ

Freestyle Beach Skirt (xs)

Late Spring Beach Skirt (sm/m)

Lemonade Beach Skirt (sm) Coming Soon!

Sneak Peek - Four Sunny New Skirts!

These four bright and breezy skirts will be available on Poor Jean by the end of this weekend.  All three are made of both new and upcycled material, and all four will be available as made to order.  Here's a little preview of what is to come!

Enjoy!

 - PJ

Thursday's upcycling tip: Spring cleaning!

Upcycled Linen Blouse at Poor Jean

If the spring cleaning bug has bitten you, chances are there are some household items and articles of clothing that are sitting in a box, waiting to be dropped off at the local Goodwill. Before you toss out those old boot-cut jeans and teal placemats look at them with a critical eye - an eye for scavenging.  That shoulder-padded button down blouse may be ugly, but what about the buttons?  Pull them off and put in your button jar.  Jeans with out-of-style shapes can be made into shorts, like these Urban Renewal Lace Shorts a Urban Outfitters or these Tomboy Crops at Anthropologie. Try cutting off the back pockets and sewing them to a heavy piece of canvas to make a handy pocket office organizer.  Old neckties are now being upcycled into amazing creations, like this Neck Tie Belt by Berry Unconventional or these super creative half-aprons by Forevercraftydotcom

Finally, I leave you with this fantastic example of spring cleaning upcycling - a T-shirt by Mountain Girl Clothing.  Enjoy!

- PJ

Ruffing It.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have never worn a neck ruff before, but I think I am about to start - after all, I never make anything for Poor Jean that I wouldn't wear in public! These collars are a fantastic way to keep warm while wearing a strapless dress, fancy up a t-shirt and jeans, or to add a little flair to your every day office attire. In the late spring they fend off the cool of the evening, and in the fall they artfully cover up whatever the collar of your sweater can't. Check out these great ruffs that I found on Etsy...

I love the beautifully crafted Cartwheel ruff No. 1, by Artlab , the velvet ribbon on the Mabel 1, by Misfitchic, and the crocheted layers of the Exponential Neck Ruffle by fringe.  These are some of the more voluptuous ruffs for sale, but this neck accoutrement can also be very delicate, such as the Madame du Barry ruff by Viennalarouge and the Black Net Neck Ruffle by waywardseamstress.

So far, Poor Jean's ruffs are a bit more casual.  These are accessories that you could actually pair with jeans and a pair of ballet flats.  Check out the Plain Jane Ruff, and the Royal Hops Ruff at Poor Jean.

 - PJ

Late Spring Colors: Yellow, White, and Blue

Canary yellow twill, soft blue denim, and crisp white cotton - these are some of the colors and fabrics that will soon be in the store, including a remnant with a charming vintage tulip pattern (found in a small antique mall in Mt. Vernon, WA). This week I am working on pleated skirts, and bringing the hemlines a little high as the weather gets warmer!

Welcome!

Brand new blog, mostly new Etsy store! Welcome to Poor Jean, the blog. If you are interested in browsing the shop, please visit www.etsy.com/shop/poorjean. If you are interested in upcycling tips, design ideas, or sharing design ideas, keep reading...