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Welcome to 2022

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Currently my cat is sitting on top of my notes. I am not sure what she is doing – other than sitting there looking pretty.

Jilly Sitting here reading my notes and looking pretty.

I am so grateful to have come out of our second year of Covid and the other side of 2021 relatively unscathed. But here we are rolling into our third year. When this all started I thought we would have it under control by now. Cases are rising faster than any other time since this began. This is alarming to me.

Because Covid has tore up small businesses like mine the world over; here at the shop I am taking every precaution to protect customers and clients as well as myself.

I was hoping to run into 2022 Screaming, “Take that 2021” but alas 2021 wasn’t done with me yet. A week before New Years, I decided to miss a step going down to studio (we all get in a hurry sometimes and distracted) and I sprained my ankle where it is going to take 5 – 6 weeks to fully recover. So, I limped quietly into the New Year – saying “just you wait”!

I have begun to implement some “minimalistic” standards into my life and my business. I will only check my mail 3 times a day – 9:00am. Noon, around 300/330. Email is rather distracting and once my rhythm is off – I may not be able to get back to it. I have also turned off almost every notification on my phone. 90% are irrelevant but I see them and must quickly reply or look or anything else that takes my focus away. I will let you know how this this plays itself out.

Looking back at 2021, I had a number of ideas that either got moved, changed, or left on the sidelines. Now, it is time to pick them up and make them a reality.

  • Complete the 1st Annual Edition of the L7S clothing line for home sewers
  • Decide on which Civil War dress I want to make and lay out the plan to make it happen.
  • Complete my 18th Century “costume” with all the appropriate pieces.
  • The website you are reading this on, will be receiving a “facelift” to provide customers accurate descriptions and what Lucky 7 Does
  • I plan to start on the 2nd edition of L7S clothing line for home sewers and finish that in the spring of 2023.

Other thoughts – I may record some videos while I work on things, those will post to the YouTube page. More photos while I am working on garments, may they be customer alterations, one of a kind garments, or well a sample for someone.

Keep an eye here and on Facebook and Instagram too!

Winter Solstice

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Good day, 


This is a letter of gratitude. I want to thank all of you that continue to follow Lucky 7 Studios and stay engaged. You are what keeps me moving forward. 2021 was a heck of a year. ( Keep an eye our for L7S a year in review). Here we are on the Winter Solstice and I am amazed at how fast that appeared. There were a lot more things I had wanted to accomplish by now, but life happens. 


The first day of winter reminds me that spring is around the corner. For many the next 3 months are some of the coldest, darkest, and gloomiest days ahead. This is when here at L7S and on the farm know there is a time of rest forthcoming. During our resting time, L7S will be looking at 2021 and then forward to 2022 and begin planning for what is to come. 


Be on the look out for more newsletters, social media posts, and preparations for 2022. If you have a comment or idea, feel free to throw it out. 


Once again, thank you all for your continued support,

Jennifer A Adams, Owner L7S

August 2, 2021

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Good Day all my good people. I hope July was pleasant and ya’ll had a chance to get out and enjoy the weather…. 

Todays update is about my wardrobe…

1 year ago (last August 2020) I made the decision I was not going to purchase any new or used clothing for a whole year (that is 365 days or 12 months or 52 weeks). If I wanted new clothes I had to make them (undergarments and socks excluded). I succeeded in this endeavor for the most part. Last Summer, it was friggin hot… and I have like a humungous garden and I was in it ALL the time. I had one pair of shorts I could wear – so I bought another pair. I did not purchase any other clothes until we were getting close to going to Georgia. My jeans that I have been wearing for many years (another story coming – see below) well, they look like the ones you spend hundreds of dollars on to get the “worn” look. Well, I obtained that look without the hundreds of dollars. I also purchased a few tank tops to wear under my other shirts. 

So what clothes did I make? I made two dresses, one I have worn (its green and it’s a wrap dress), the other not yet – its white with beautiful flowers and very flowy (its made out of Rayon Challis). I made a 6-panel slate grey skirt (its beautiful – pattern I made too – fits me awesome). I made a button down shirt – its light blue with stripes. I made a custom couture (yes that is what I said – couture) black and while plaid skirt – living on a farm and not going far (you know CoVID and all…) rather difficult to wear – but I am starting to be out in the world again… I made a silk slip with beautiful lace accents around the top and the straps. I made a beautiful dress to wear for Christmas – but it needs some alterations – this is what happens when you do not make a muslin, toile, or rough draft to work out all the not going to fit construction issues. So it has been basted for the alterations – but it takes a second person to zip up the back – next time I am going to put the zipper somewhere else – being a dressmaker – this I can do. I also made a pair of skirt overalls/bibs/dungarees… 

My Jean Jacket and Sweater – I made last spring – early. I made this beautiful skirt – with butterflies … it is in stretch denim – and the way I am built – without suspenders I don’t think it will stay up for long – suspenders might actually be cool…. Hmmm…. I made a button down early last spring also… I wear it EVERYWHERE!

I made a rose colored kind of like a shift dress – but, the fabric (it is a jersey type knit) is too heavy and not very flattering for a shape like mine. 

I currently have a denim skirt on my table that is calling my name to be sewn – patch type pockets and front button up. I have the mock up of a Classic French Jacket for myself needing to be adjusted and tried again. The most important lesson for dressmakers – make a muslin, toile, mock up – this will save endless hours and a LOT of money!

I almost forgot – I did make a tailored blazer with the most beautiful light green linen and silk lining… I was hoping to have it completed for my trip to Georgia –  even worked on it while we travelled… but alas, it is on my mannequin awaiting the final top stitching. 

So… why such a crazy thing – only make my own. There are a handful of reasons, let me count them for you:

  1. I get to choose the fabric! Even denim from Denmark (that is what I said)
  2. I get to pick the colors, notions, etc… 
  3. I make a mock up once, and I can use the same pattern over and over in different fabrics and colors and etc…. 
  4. The garment is made to fit me, yes, me and only me and no one else but me! 
  5. It saves me money in the long run
  6. It keeps me from purchasing something because well, who doesn’t need like a gazillion something or other (insert what it is that you spend all your money on – garments).
  7. It allows me to be a little more cohesive in my wardrobe. 

I have been slowly removing clothes that do not fit and probably never will again from my 2 (yes I said 2) closets. Who doesn’t have two closets full of clothes (ok, well if they were all in the same room – might be one walk in full)? Anyway, … So I have been looking more at being cohesive – a capsule type wardrobe if you will… And adding more dresses and skirts – I want to be more feminine and treated like a lady… Doesn’t mean 100% skirts/dresses… but at least 2 or 3 times a week. 

To help me see what I do wear and what I do not (even though I can look at my closet and tell you pretty much) – I have decided to sketch every single day of August what I wear. For example, yesterday, I wore two different pair of jeans, (I had to go to town) put a sweater on later in the day and in the middle somewhere I think I might even have had shorts on. Farm life! 

As I get older, I want to simplify and minimalize where I can. And I do NOT need half the clothes that I have… it is so hard to donate some of them… they are so beautiful and well… I quit smoking in Dec 2017 and put weight on that I do not believe will ever ever go anywhere – therefore the beautiful clothes in my closet will be donated as I make new clothes that fit me, my shape, my comfort level etc… 

Follow the link to the images for this post…. https://jenniferaadams.com/#jp-carousel-638

The Big Announcement

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Each Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer collection will be available as a custom design for each individual person… And each year, Lucky 7 Studios will provide a book that contains all the patterns, sample photos, and step by step instructions for both the A/W and the S/S Collections so you can make your own Seasonal Collection at home. These will only be available to purchase directly from Lucky 7 Studios. The 2021 book will begin pre-sales in August, with production in September and shipping in October 2021.

Follow along this journey with us on our Instagram and sign up for the Newsletter so your are the first to know when these become available.

Periods of Costume – An Introduction

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Costume definition – a set of clothes in a style typical of a particular country or historical period:  distinctive style of dress of an individual or group that reflects class, gender, profession, ethnicity, nationality, activity of epoch. (en.wikipedia.org)

Why an Introduction? This is the first in a series of blogs about different costume periods in time. When beginning the research for this post, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of books, blogs, academic journal articles, and more that are related to this particular topic. I will not bore you with all those details. But I will say this series may never end…. As time goes on, there are more and more periods of costumes being defined all the time – even as I sit here, what I may think is 21st Century 2000 – 2009 may really be something else. 

So the story goes, here lies the time periods I will post about: 

  • Ancient World
  • Middle Ages
  • 14th Century
  • 15th Century
  • 16th Century
  • 17th Century
  • 18th Century
  • 19th Century
  • 20th Century

Each of these is broken into smaller categories/time periods. For example, Ancient World contains prehistoric, Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Sumerian, and Minoan. I will start at the beginning and blog to the present two to three times a month (I may jump around every once in a while… you won’t want to miss these). They will arrive on Tuesdays. My greatest hope is some converstaion can be started! 

Custom Pattern and Instructions

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Good Morning,

While you are reading this I am busy baking breads and cookies to share this holiday season.

It has been a rough year for everyone – even my cats are confused!

I wanted to share another service that Lucky 7 Studios offers to our customers and clients – custom patternmaking with personal instructions! Yes, that is exactly what I said – if you are a sewer – we can make a custom pattern using your measurements – I know that is Crazy!

The overall process is well…. Here let me explain …

My mother has this dress that she absolutely LOVES! She is a sewer and could not find a pattern that matched that dress. We scoured the internet and looked at all the big name pattern companies and as many small independent ones I could find. We could not even find anything similar to her dress. She was sad to say the least.

She knew I made patterns and custom clothes – She asked me of I could make a pattern using her dress. I said “of course” – this was going to be easier than recreating something from nothing.

So she sent me her dress in the mail – COVID and all…. What follows are the general steps to complete such product/service. (There will be more photos at the end)

  • Step 1 – evcaluate the garment to setermine the number of pattern pieces
  • Step 2 – take measurements of everything – more than once.
  • Step 3 – begin to draft the pieces
  • Step 4 – verify their accuracy to measurements and to the garment
  • Step 5 – Determine seam allowances
  • Step 6 – Draft final pattern pieces
  • Step 7 – Photograph and upload each piece
  • Step 8 – Complete the instructions for client/customer (this is a LONG process)
  • Step 9 – Ship pattern & instructions to client, including the Lucky 7 Studios label

This same process can also be done from a sketch, an idea you have, a photo of a garment that you love, or many other things. Your measurements and the idea are all that are needed to get started!

If you are interested in this service and would like more information please contanct Jennifer at jennifer.adams@lucky-7-studios.com to discuss your project and recieve a personalized quote.

More Photos:

Historic Bonnet Recreation

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A client came to me from the Salem Historical Society and needed a replica of a bonnet. The one they were using was falling apart and needed it replicated without removing a stitch. 

Historic Bonnet from Salem Historical Society.

Once I received the bonnet, I set to work on a plan to recreate such a delicate piece of history. 

The first step was to determine how many pieces there were to the bonnet and how they went together. 

Next, was to begin preliminary measurements, then check and double check. 

This is my assistant Jilly Bean!

Next, create a pattern for each and every piece. Checking and double checking as I go. 

Finally, cut the fabric and put the bonnet together. I do not have any final photos of the bonnet, as I returned it to the Historical Society before, I thought about it. 

Once, she got it home I had made an error, it does happen, the side pieces were too far forward and blocked her vision, so she took part of it apart and “fixed” it. 

This particular recreation was an amazing learning experience in my sewing career, it allowed me access to an original historic garment to see their process of garment construction. There were many hand stitches. If I were to make another as such, I would feel better using the original method of construction, even if it took a little longer, this way it would be more authentic. 

If you have an item you would like recreated, I am available for a consultation, and would look forward to the opportunity. 

Happy Thanksgiving

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This year is a little rough for most, some have lost family, and others cannot be together. As the saying goes. we will get through this one way or another. We will persevere. With that said, let us take a moment and be grateful. Let us show thanks and gratefulness to our front line workers that are in healthcare, without them, where would we be? Let us thank the post office and the shipping companies, without them, how could we order online and stay safe? We salute the retail and the dining businesses also.

However, I want us to thank ourselves. I want us to recognize where we were when this all started and where we are now! We are an amazing people. We are showing that despite it all, we are grateful and proud! We are not roiling over and putting our bellies in the air, saying “I am done”. No, we are going on, moving forward. We are supporting each other in ways I haven’t seen in a very long time. We are getting to know our neighbors and lending a helping hand when needed. And they, in return, the same.

As we move closet to Christmas, with black Friday tomorrow, Shop Small on Saturday, and all the other retail campaigns, remember the small business on your “Main Street”, without your sales, they may not be there for you next year. This is a hard time for small businesses, let us reach out and pull them back to safety. Let us support every single local small business. Let’s flood them with kindness, and gratefulness as we visit their stores. The items may cost more, but they are made with love, care, attention to detail, and by a person, not a company that send their product elsewhere to be mass produced.

As I small business, I too fall into the category of needing pulling back. Keep an eye out tomorrow for a Black Friday special.

Thank you all for all you do. From all of us at Lucky 7 Studios, Happy Thanksgiving!

Custom Clothing and Design

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I wanted to take a few minutes and provide a short explanation of Custom Clothing & Design as it relates to Lucky 7 Designs. 

Most times when one hears custom clothing, they think screen printed, or embroidered, shirts or sweatshirts. They begin with an already produced, by someone else, garment and then something is added to it. 

Lucky 7 Studios does not begin with some other person or company produced garment. 

Custom  = “made to order”, individually – one of a kind, not mass produced

Clothing = “clothes considered as a group”, wearing apparel, “a covering”

Design = “to conceive or fashion in the mind; invent”. “to create or execute”, “to create designs = a drawing or sketch”

Therefore, Lucky 7 Studios creates one of a kind made to order garments tailored to each individual person. 

Lucky 7 Studios does not mass produce garments, we may at one time, or another create designs that may be used again and again but each garment is specific to one person. Lucky 7 Studios will no longer make memory quilts, even though we have in the past, there are plenty of those “custom clothing and design” companies around. The only alterations we will do are for our individual clients on garments we have made for them. We also do not make masks, unless they are to match a client’s garments we have created. 

With all that said, Lucky 7 Studios will provide you with a one of a kind, client focused, custom designed and made (often using couture techniques) garments. 

There are a few ways we do this: 

  • begin with a design in one of my seasonal fashion lines; 
  • start with your idea in your head, sketch the design, create the patterns, and tailor the garment to your ideas; and 
  • we can also take an image of a garment that you might like, create the pattern, and then create the garment for you. 

We can also create a pattern with instructions for you to make your own garments. The pattern would be created using your personal measurements. 

If you want to know more use the form on the contact page and reach out!