Archive for the 'fashion design' Category

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Making a Wardrobe

It’s been a strange switch going from the 10-12 hour days at the office to staying home and raising our Iz. I remember when Iz was just 8 weeks old, and I had to go back to work. Ugh. I remember crying as I would leave the house, and once I got to the subway, I felt this unbelievable relief. This crazy lightness. I’d get to work and was so sad about missing Iz, I’d throw myself into the day (stopping to pump in the closet twice a day, and crying again, in the closet, while the rest of the office was outside joking about the pump…sigh..). I remember thinking what’s wrong with me, this going to work thing is SO EASY compared to the 24/7 momhood, why would I want to give that up?

But I did. It was important to me to be with Iz. To spend our days together. I planned on doing freelance or something, but it had to be from home, so I had the flexibility I need for playgroups and adventures. It sure isn’t easy, and some days, it’s just not fun, but all the good times make up for it. We have tons of fun together.

But other things have changed too. My wardrobe. I know, trivial in comparison to everything else, but important none the less. My changed body would certainly benefit from regular visits to the gym, less carbs (hell, eliminate them all together…) and a much better bra (maybe 10 of them…at once). I wear jeans all the time (I’m grateful I don’t have sweats, while they would be perfect for bending down and running around, and oh so comfy, I just can’t bring myself to do it, I would surely then be the girl in the don’t picture with the black tape across my eyes), I have a handful of knit shirts (v-neck is so much more flattering on me), some lovely sweaters. You know…all the basics. But I’m really ready to expand my wardrobe.

I regulary check wardrobe_remix for inspiration. The outfits are spectacular. The colors are really amazing. As I sit looking this morning, I find myself wanting more color in my closet. I have a lot of black. A lot of black. And I love it, but I’d love to throw together some blue and orange, or aqua and red, or pink and green. Red and Purple.

wardrobe_remix favorites

Click on the photo to learn more about each photo.
Click here to visit the wardrobe_remix
Click here to read more about wardrobe_remix.

Favorites – Sophie Digard

I’ve been trying to find out more about the bed linens in Nanny McPhee.  (I think the overall art direction of the movie is quite spectacular…candy for the eyes in my book.)  So every once in a while I google, lots of good articles to read but don’t really come up with anything telling me about those beds!

I did get my most recent issue of Selvedge, and noticed the amazing crocheted scarves and necklaces by Sophie Digard.  Beautiful little gems of scarves, crocheted with really amazing color combinations, and they really remind me of those precious blankets on the kids’ beds in Nanny Mcphee.

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Below scarves available at Ped Shoes

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More scarf images on Flickr.

Her necklaces are really, really precious.  I love these little star flowers.

Jeans, Jeans and Jeans, oh to have a pair of Perfect Jeans

Jeans - 01

I am so in search of the perfect pair of jeans. It’s been over 2 years since the birth of Iz, and well, I just can’t wear those lo-rise thingys. For really 2 reasons.

First – My middle hangs out over the waist band. I hate that. I hate it so much it makes my skin crawl. If I could join the gym, I would, but there isn’t one close by. I’m working on that middle, but in the mean time, I’d like to feel good about my bod, so I’d like a pair of jeans that don’t cut into me, yet support my mama middle belly.

Second – I bend over, squat, get on the floor what seems like every minute of my day. I don’t need people looking at my underwear, butt..ahem, or down my pants. Plus, my underwear just isn’t that fabulous these days (maybe that will change this Christmas dear husband..hint hint).

So, you see, I need a pair of jeans that fits me PERFECTLY. But perfect is a tough thing to come by. I’ve tried on so many pairs of jeans, inexpensive, moderate, better, bridge. I can’t really afford anything above inexpensive these days (and Old Navy seems to be catering to the lo-rise fan club), so I’m stuck. But not really anymore. I decided to do something about it. I’m going to make a pair of jeans that actually fit and look good. And, I’m going to do it with a few other stitchers…

Perfect Jeans

I’ve been doing a bunch of research. I found this old article in Glamour Magazine. Click here to see pictures from the article.

Of course, after trying on all these jeans, I can tell you what I want in my jeans:

I want them to fit, my butt, waist, thighs and look flattering, make me taller and slimmer looking.

I want them to be comfortable, yet provide a bit of tummy control.

I want cool pockets on the back, placed just so, so my butt looks smaller than it is.

Here are some other info links:

Susannah and Trinny on Oprah – They are my FAVE!

2007 Jeans Guide at StyleBakery.com

Tyra Banks Show

WikiHow.com

NZGirl.com

True Jeans via Erica B’s- DIY Style!

Zafu.com

Denimology

Click for more information on the class at LuckyStitches.

Up Next…T-shirt and coat

Goodies in the Mail!

I ordered these from SewingPatterns.com the other day.

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After reading this pattern review on SewingPatternReview, I decided I must try this coat. Looks like it is pretty versatile, good for spring, good for fall and winter. I’m thinking a faux persian lambs velvet in a hot color (umm, like GARNET!) with a contrast lining. And, because I live in New England, I want to use Thinsulate.

Then for my T-shirt class, I thought I’d try the t-shirt pattern from Jalie. I’ve read many a blog on stitchers working with Jalie patterns, and I’m pretty excited to try it. I have a favorite t-shirt, I love the neck drop and length, so I’ll be adjusting the pattern to match that T. I do love that the pattern is all sizes, so I’ll be tracing my pattern to pattern paper, so I can use the pattern again for my daughter (when she’s a bit older). Plus it’s a nice heavy paper, much less delicate than the normal tissue paper. I’ve got a few lightweight jerseys to try for this pattern, but I really want to find a cozy wool jersey. Can anybody share a good place on-line for light weight wool jersey? I might try this one. Or this. Perhaps this one.

T-shirt Class info at LuckyStitches:

Skill Level – Advanced Beginner (must know how to sew)
$125

Saturday Oct 13, 20 2PM-5PM

Working from a commercial pattern, we’ll fit and stitch up your best fitting t-shirt yet! All of this while learning / practicing how to sew a knit! FUN! Seriously, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to work with knits. For fun – since it’s winter, pick a wool jersey to make your t-shirt, nice an cozy!)

Supplies Needed: Your Sewing Machine, Your Sewing Kit, a commercial pattern, fabric and notions as noted on your pattern envelope. Pattern Paper will be available during class.

Download a Dress


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The Victoria & Albert Museum exhibit, The Golden Age of Couture, Paris and London, 1947-1957 opened yesterday. (Makes you just want to jet off to London, doesn’t it?)

The exhibit looks spectacular, with wonderful selections from innovative designers.

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There are more reasons I love the exhibition. Open Source Sewing! You can download the pattern for the couture dress below and MAKE YOUR OWN couture inspired dress. Can it be any more fun than that?

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It does get a bit more fun…you can enter the Design a Shoe Contest, which will be judged by Professor Jimmy Choo. And you can always pick up the book for the exhibit.

via Gorgeous Things

While you’re visiting V&A (whether on-line or in person), be sure to check out New York Fashion Now.

Spark…

I have always collected pictures that inspire me. I used to keep them in blank books, but now they spend some time on my boards, or into folders and 3-ring binders. I’ve always referred to them as my “Spark” books, because I would constantly refer to them when thinking about projects. I still do.

I was looking for something yesterday, and I found some old Spark Books. I still have the ones I created in high school and college. It’s been a while since I’ve pasted up a blank book with tear sheets, now they are in binders or folders, but I still have them.

Here are a few shots:

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You can find more pictures here.

Sewing Machines at School

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I don’t think you need me to say it, but I will in case you weren’t sure how I feel, kids can learn to use the sewing machine early.  4 or 5.  Yep.  It’s true!   Michelle received a sewing machine for her classroom.  Check out what this little seamster has already made and read about what her other kids are making.

You can totally get your little one up and sewing.  Check out One Hour Craft for some Sewing Lessons for your kids (there are 3 total). (or come for a lesson at LuckyStitches)

There is no need to purchase a “kids” sewing machine, they can learn on yours, or grandmas.  Start with paper or felt so the kids can see what the needle does when they wind the flywheel or step on the pedal.  Make something fun and simple.  It’s fun and…in case you weren’t sure, sewing helps your kids practice eye/hand coordination, patternmaking, math, color theory….learning as it should happen…while playing.

Seeing Aqua and Red

Twirly Skirt - Detail

I don’t know what it is , but I’ve been dreaming about aqua and red lately, and lucky me had a bit in my stash to make Iz this skirt. She loves it. I love it. I think the next skirt I make will use twice as much tulle. I pictured it differently, more full or intense.

Twirly Skirt II

Aqua and Red faves

But this red and aqua thing has been on my mind for a while – you can tell from my Flickr favorites (click on the photo to go to Flickr and learn more about each photo).

I’ve got a few gifty things coming up and for the longest time I was struggling with color ideas, but I think aqua and red are really fresh and could be fun for little ones I’m thinking of.

Open Source Sewing

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Have you checked out BurdaStyle.com yet?  I love it.  Open Source Sewing.  You can download their patterns at no charge, and make your own clothes.  Or download their patterns, use them as a starting point and make something new from them.  I love a bunch of their stuff.  I especially love the Anda Dress and check out what nikkishell has made with her Anda Dress Pattern.  I’ve downloaded this dress pattern and plan on using something in my stash for it.

Yes, no fabric shopping for me.  I have so much fabric, I’m looking for projects to do so I can thin the stash out a bit.  I really need to buy fabric for projects instead of just buying fabrics.

Just a reminder – the Pants Class at LuckyStitches starts this weekend.  We will be taking a commercial pattern and adjusting it to fit YOU!  There is still room – email me from the LuckyStitches website to sign up!  (There’s a free pant pattern on BurdaStyle.com if you can’t make it to the pattern store in time!)
Happy Sewing

LuckyStitches A-line Skirts

LuckyStitches A-line Skirts, originally uploaded by zannestar.

Well – we finished! Having missed a class due to a snow storm, we met at a student’s home (thank you!) and finished out skirts! The A-Line skirt is really ultra fabulous because it is perfect for so many different body types.

First – we drafted a basic skirt sloper onto paper using our individual measurements. Then – we traced our patterns onto muslins and stitched them up. It was really fun to see everybody’s expression when they tried their muslins on – and they fit! There were a few minor alterations, but those were transferred back to the paper pattern.

Now, with our new paper patterns, we slashed and pivoted, closing the darts (this is a fitted waist A-Line skirt – and I love how they look without darts…) and creating our A-Line. This new pattern was then transferred to the muslin and stitched up. Another fun facial expression time….they still fit! and they were the shapes these girls had been dreaming of!

Now we were ready for our final fabric. We had a few curves to smooth out so our final was fab…and once that was done we cut them out. One cool trick that I learned in college (and haven’t looked back) is to cut the pattern out using the open piece of fabric, not fold the fabric in half – you wast so much fabric that way. And – we cut these on the bias. Who doesn’t love a bias skirt! Sewing was fun, I was able to share lots of fun tips and tricks and I think everyone learned quite a bit.

I do know that these skirts looked awesome on – and everyone has a pattern so they can make more…all year long. How awesome would these be in wool!!!

Skirts are fun for summer – there are two skirt-a-longs that I know of going on right now – so it’s the perfect time to GET YOUR SKIRT ON!

Check these out:
Sew, Mama, Sew!
Sew What? Skirts sew-a-long