If it's not moving, monogram it.

We all know that famous quote by Reese Witherspoon fits every preps life, "If it isn't moving, monogram it." When I first received my embroidery machine from my grandparents for my college graduation gift, I knew the first thing I wanted to do with it was to monogram everything. From pillow cases, towels, Nike shorts, and  everything else I own that I could possibly get my hand on. I have continued to monogram different items for friends and family; for Christmas last year,  monogramed a robe for my grandfather that bought me my sewing machine. I even had an option that you could get a monogram placed on a bow tie, still available upon request.

One day at work, it wasn't a busy location, I was thinking of ideas of what to create next. (shhh....don't tell my leads, even though they may be reading this right now, shhhh....) I came up with the idea of monogramed coasters. Cute right? I think so! I made a couple to get some practice with the initials and monograms of my roommates. I really really loved how they turned out so I have decided to start selling them in my Etsy store!

These are the patterns that I have available at the moment, along with the Maryland Flag pattern of course! You can also choose the style of monogram and color of thread! 

Seersucker has Sprung!

Since spring is officially here,well it's been here in Southern California all year long(we didn't get a winter) and even though Maryland just received another blanketing of snow a few days ago, that doesn't mean you can't bring out some of your spring like clothing to be apart of your wardrobe a little at a time. I know on the east coast, in the Carolina's, the Carolina Cup is a pretty big deal for horse racing. Along with the horses, the girls dress up in their Lilly and big hats & the men sport their bow ties and pastel pants/shorts. I have never been but it always seemed like such a wonderful event to attend; I feel like this event is the start of the real spring time fashion coming out, especially the seersucker. 

Seersucker is easy to wear with anything and is light and breezy, making it comfortable for those hot hot hot summer days and nights. Did you know it was originally worn by a "lower" class of people until the 1920s when some undergraduate students decided to make it a "preppy" statement. Crazy right? I have worn seersucker ever since I could remember and still wear it to this day, thank you Lilly Pulitzer! 

Since creating and making bow ties, the seersucker bow tie has always been a winner for Chesapeake Tides. I actually stopped creating them for a while because I wanted to try some other patterns and styles. For the collection this spring/summer 2014, I decided to bring back the classic pieces in a variety of different colors. 

I'm really loving how all these colors look together. It would be so hard to choose which one(s) to pick from to add to a bow tie collection.

Can't choose between one or two colors? How about four?! I love the look of the multicolor bow tie, especially in seersucker. Super preppy & classic...yes? 

Along with the seersucker bow ties that I've been creating, I have also made hair bows(that I can most definitely monogram upon request) in the colored seersucker fabric.

Blue Seersucker

Pink Seersucker

Tan Seersucker

Seersucker has always been in style and it always will because it is such a classic piece of fashion, with history behind it. Even though it's not too popular of a fabric out West, I hope everyone back East will be sporting some kind of seersucker piece of clothing or accessory in their wardrobe this season! 

Happy Maryland Day, Y'all!!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/chesapeaketides?ref=si_shop

Chesapeake Tides Turns 2!

I seriously can't believe it's been two years since I started my little business of creating bow ties! It all started when my group of guy friends had this phase that, that's all they would wear. After having some background in sewing from taking a class in my sophomore of high school, I decided to purchase a machine and some seersucker and gingham fabrics. One weekend, for hours and hours at a time I didn't stop; I continued to cut of the bow ties from a pattern that I found online, ironed the interfacing, and began sewing.

It was seriously the most exciting most enjoyable thing I could ever do for myself.

After two years I have completed numerous orders of so many different fabrics that I could get my hands on. In late 2012, I asked around...mostly to my friends...what they would like to see! My first response was to make Maryland Flag bow ties and regular ties. What? How the heck was I going to find that? I searched high and low for that fabric and not one person or store sold anything like it. It wasn't until I discovered this online store that could put any design on a piece of fabric that I dreamed of. Before the fabric even came in, I was getting orders. It was so exciting and it made me so happy that people wanted to wear my ties and show off their Maryland Pride! (we're pretty proud of our flag)

In 2013 is when I took my first order for a wedding. When I saw I was super surprised, I mean it. I couldn't believe that some one had found me on Etsy to create the ties the groomsmen would be wearing on the couples special day. After that, I received a few more and feeling even more blessed and excited. At the end of summer, I traveled to Ocean City just to get away, before I moved across the country to California. While in OC I cruised up and down Coastal Highway looking for a place to eat that I had never before. When I discovered this new little shopping center on 67th Street I decided to pop in and check out the new shops. One of the shops was perfect...BEYOND perfect! Summer House Trading Co. had everything I ever wanted! Whether it was something to decorate my house with, or some fun clothing accessory, I wanted it! After seeing what amazing products they had in the store, I knew this was the perfect place to start selling Chesapeake Tides Bow Ties!

To celebrate two successful years I would like to offer a little special!

So many new fabrics, designs, & products are now available on the Etsy shop and I hope you find a special something for yourself or for a friend!

Thank you for all your support these past two years, I can't wait to see what's to come in the future!!!