November 1, 2019
Happy All Saints Day! I went to a girls school in Vicksburg, MS named All Saints School for Girls and grew to have a great affection for this day (and Sine Nomine which is the typical All Saints Hymn - here's a version that will rock your socks).
I also think of this as the beginning of the holiday season, which means fun neat clothes. AND there's no better way that to take some of your core collection patterns and use those for some great holiday looks.
I thought it would be fun to go through some basic patterns and make them into some fun holiday looks, so here we go.
TOPS
Often all you need for your tops is some bling and you're off and running - even with an old classic.
(All came from MoodFabrics.com & Fabrics-Fabrics.com online)
Here are some great examples - from top left clockwise:
1. A beautiful brocade - yes this isn't stretch, but think of this as a contrasting trim (more on that in a minute), because you can add contrasting elements to your knit top that will keep it stretchy and comfy without being confining.
2. A beautiful beaded lace, on the sequins on this are more brushed shiny that reflective shiny.
3. A gorgeous panné velvet that has a celery background - this would make a great scarf or accessory piece to your holiday look.
4 & Center. A tamed but still festive holiday look. This sort of stretch fabric can go all year round, and wear it for more formal occasions.
6. Sequin embedded stretch fabric (more on that later, too).
7. A not so shiny, more classic looking holiday knit (for background or an area you don't want to show off as much)
8. A glimmering holiday black - no sequins or metallic look, but still blingy enough for holiday wear.
OK - let's look a little closer at the #7 sequien fabric, because this is on a stretch tulled background which is semi-sheer, and no, I'm not recommending you wear this sheer - TMI and all that. But look at what happens when you put this behind a "hot" stretch active wear Lycra or stretch charmeuse (and yes they do make such a thing).
What I did here was mask out the sequins and the tulle and put a color behind it, but this is exactly the same thing that happens when you layer a really hot (meaning shiny and bold color) behind a tulle like this. Changes the whole look considerably. So getting a sheer blingy tulle with sequins or whatever beading on it, means you can literally change the color of the whole look.
Further let's look at thinking about our stretch garments a little differently. We forget that there are many variations that we can do to a stretch garment that will make it pop and make it different from when you make the pattern up in your more casual fabrics. The chief difference is the fabric. Yeah, I know, I can hear you now, "Claire, fabric doesn't make that much difference!" Oh but it can make a huge difference, and here's the
proof:
Would you ever dream these are the same pattern? Well, they are, and this makes my point. So don't discount a pattern.
Here's another example:
These two examples on the left are the original pattern, while the one on the right is my holiday version.
This makes use of two ways to change out the pattern and gets to something really fun to work with.
1. Mixing woven and stretch in one garment.
2. Change of fabric to a more formal fabric for a completely different look.
Adding woven or non-stretch accents - like ruffles, collars or tailored cuffs is a fantastic way to add a classic detail to a knit garment that still retains it's comfort and forgiveness, and yet have these classic details that make for very different but not weird additions to a holiday look.
There are these and many more in the Resource Center on the SewingArtistry site. I'll feature more here in the newsletter so you can plan for something really fun, different AND comfortable. You'll be the envy of all those others who are wearing something confining, restricting and basically very uncomfortable.
What Sewists are Saying About SewingArtistry
"Hi, I just wanted you to know how much you have inspired me to sew things I've never thought I would!" ~ Terry, OK
"I want to thank you for yor posts and beautiful sewing inspiration over the years!!" ~ Carole, NV
"Thank you for such a supportive, caring and realistic post about fundamental truths that apply to all of us, in sewing and in every other aspect of life." ~ Judi, US
"I can't say thank you enough!! I am more humbled by your outpouring of faith & encouragement." ~ Karen, OK
Something Special is Here at SewingAritistry
For the last long months I've been working on putting together some of my most requested programs into a new Resource Center. I've heard your problems and questions and have been wanting to design a way to deliver the best solutions to you in the most accessible way possible. Browse through the selections over at my new Resource Center!
On the Blog
That sounds like a monumental task, but here’s the deal: when we understand where the products come from that we purchase, there’s a much better relationship between buyer and seller. The seller learns better what the buyer wants and needs while the buyer understands what’s possible and […]
Read more →
Think A Well-Edited Wardrobe is For The Birds?
 Think Again! Apparently the well-known designer Thakoon doesn’t think so. This is the designer known for selling $800 flower dresses, and yet he’s changing his whole way of operation. Here’s a designer who’s actually trying something new. I’m an advocate of the old adage: This means that […]
Read more →
 Skin Tone Background and How To Use It Here’s the first lady again in a wow outfit. What I love about this outfit is that it makes my point about having an opaque nude background. Here she is at the “Medal of Freedom” ceremony at the White […]
Read more →
PS - I do a lot of posting on Facebook as both Claire Kennedy and SewingArtistry - if you want to friend me to check out the goodies over there for free!
To see this email in your browser, click here (and yes this link really works now!)
|
|
|
|
