Color and fashion trends - fall 2011

I bought my mom this fringe purse from H&M last Christmas. It was an impulse buy. I totally had to get it for her. But as I walked away I started doubting myself. Was it really as cool as I thought it was? Would she even like it? Turns out it was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten her. She said she's never had so many compliments on a purse before. Whew! Fringe was in.

I've been contemplating designing my own handbag. And as I started making sketches and jotting down ideas, I realized I'd better figure out what colors will be "in" this fall. Wouldn't want to make a new handbag in last year's colors, now would I? haha to be honest, I don't even know what they were.

After googling fall fashion 2011, here's what I found. The colors for fall 2011, according to Pantone:

Interesting palette. As I understand it, according to Pantone, the combination of muted tones as a base (like gray) in combination with a pop of color like bamboo, honeysuckle, deep teal (any one of the above) will be gracing our fall fashion.

So I've got the colors, what about the style trends?

According to Fashionising.com, the following will be in for fall '11

• 70s fashion
• Pleats
• Fur clothing
• Bell bottoms
• Wide leg pants
• Sheer maxi dresses

As well as The Top Trends From Fashion Week for fall 2011 (from Refinery29)

• Brightly Colored Pants
• Leather Skirts
• Chic Ponchos
• High Slits
• Mid-Calf Skirts
• Tuxedo Dressing
• Graphic Tartan
• Graphic Stripes
• Duster Coats
• Yves Klein Blue

Hmmm. Handbags and accessories seem to have their own trends as well...from clutches to oversized, buckles and fur, you name it (according to FashionSpot).

As for my handbag? After all that, I'm guessing I'll stick to neutrals so it can be used across more than one season. Maybe I'll even make two. I have to admit, I'm not one to change purses every year. And even though the color is pretty, I don't see myself sporting a bright pink honeysuckle purse anytime soon.

Curious about where all our fashion trends come from anyway? I found a few articles you might find interesting.

Color Trends — How Are They Determined?

Color Trends; How are they decided?

Fashion 101: Where do Fashion Trends Come From?

Sewing with a hemmer foot

I'm not gonna lie, I was totally tempted to title this post "It's Hemmer Time". But since I've had M.C. Hammer's song running through my head a bazillion times since then, I figured that was punishment enough. For all of us.

Anywho, ever used a hemmer foot? I went through a foot phase a while ago. Sewing feet, that is. I bought a couple hemmer feet (4mm and 6mm), one ruffler and one walking foot. And I have to say, although the hemmer foot takes a little bit of practice to get the technique down, it's a big time saver.

For this particular project, (Chic Pale Pink Ruffled Pillow) I'm using the 4mm hemmer foot.

I just love these delicious pink hemmed ruffles

Okay, for a close-up look: here's how each strip turns out after using the hemming foot:

back

front

It sure beats ironing and pinning, I'll tell you that. Especially when you have lots of hems to finish.

The trick to using a hemming foot is holding and guiding the fabric just right, so as to keep it in this area (shown in red).

You first start it out by folding the raw edge over twice, approximately the width that the rest of your hem will be. You make a few stitches to hold it, and maneuver it up into the hemming foot.

*I've included a couple youtube videos I found at the end, that might help.

There's also a technique to holding the fabric taut and at the right angle as you sew.

Believe me, it takes some practice. And sometimes when I feel like I'm a little rusty I do a few test strips to get me going.

With any luck, the hemmed edge will come out the other side looking like this:

Now before I go, here are a couple tutorials I watched that helped me understand the technique of using a hemmer foot. Hope these will help you too, or maybe you've found one on your own.

Happy Hemming!

Everyone seems to have their own technique (hers is a little different than the first).

On the shelf

We survived the week watching my sisters 4 boys while she was out of town - whew! (we actually had a lot of fun) and are back to our old routine. I went out to check on my consignment items and had a few new things to add to my shelves.

It's cherry season here in the Pacific Northwest, so what better time than now, to add some colorfully sweet cherry bibs and burp cloth sets?

I decided on adding bright green ribbon for an extra pop of color and style

I couldn't decide whether I liked the bow in the middle or to the side, so I made them both

I also added what I call my Pale Pink French Ruffled Apron to the rack. I love the feminine, dainty details.

The consignment season lasts through the end of October, so at the end of the month I'll need to refocus from summer to fall and make a few changes in my inventory.

Can you believe it's already August 1st? I tell you, when I flipped my calendar and saw that school starts this month, it made my stomach flip too. Back to my school jobs in a few short weeks. Yikes! I have to block it out. Summer has just begun here in Seattle! For now, I'll enjoy it while I can!

Linked to:

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The Creative Itch

Party of 6

{image courtesy of cherokeefocus.org}What am I up to this week?

The sewing will have to wait.

I have become an instant mother of 4 while my sister is whisked away as a youth camp leader.

What have we been up to so far?

• Games of hide and seek
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Silly pictures while jumping on trampoline
• Intense games of "Sorry"
• Video games (thus a moment at the computer)
• Riding bikes & skateboards
• Trips to the park
• Trip to McDonalds for lunch and play (just one trip I promise)
• Keeping track of appointments, meals, and bedtime rituals

Still on the list?

• Movies
• A visit to the Zoo (if it would ever stop raining)
• Water balloons (see above)
• More games of Sorry
• More hide and seek
• More trampoline jumping
• Pizza night
• And so much more...

Did you catch the theme yet? Yep, it's good old fashioned fun, in case you missed it. One of the perks of being an aunt and uncle.

They're good kids and it's been fun for my husband and I to spend some one-on-one time with them. It's certainly a lot more active than my usual day, I'll tell you that. Mothers, I salute you!

If I survive the remaining days I'll fill you in on the rest of the fun. :) haha
Hope you're surviving your week as well!

Seattle Skyline Pillow

I have to say, that I'm really excited about my newest pillow:

Seattle Skyline

I half-heartedly dropped it off this afternoon where I'm doing consignment...I secretly wanted to keep it for myself.

I love living in Seattle. I'm a Seattleite through and through. I love everything about this place. Yes, even the rain (although if it were sunny a few more days out of the year I wouldn't complain). I grew up here, lived away for a time, but came back to stay. It will always be home.

I'll share with you how I made it.

• The 16x16 pillow case is made of cotton muslin, pre-printed cotton jersey, and an iron on image.
• I took this picture of the Seattle skyline up in the beautiful streets of Queen Anne. I made sure to use my own photograph, since I'm selling this pillow.
• After plugging the picture into photoshop and trying out a few different filters, I decided on this one. I liked how the black and white etchings outlined each structure just the way I wanted it to.
• I flipped the image to mirror, and printed it on an iron-on transfer. Then I transferred it onto a piece of ripped, bleached cotton muslin. I liked the way the ripped edges gave it character (sorry, this picture doesn't show it). I washed the print a couple of times to give the stiff iron-on feel a little more softness.

• Next, I wanted to frame the picture somehow. Remember the newsie pillow? I had a few scraps left. So I outlined the ripped muslin with pieces of jersey "newsprint". I like how it turned out. Kind of gave it a grunge feeling.

• And here's the back. Nine times out of ten I make my pillow cases removable. I like to have options I guess.

See how easy it is to use your favorite photograph, transfer it to an iron-on and turn it into a unique pillow case? You should try it!

If this one sells, I will be happy that someone loves Seattle like I do and wants to take a piece of it home with them. If it doesn't, I'll think it's fate's way of telling me it was always meant to be mine. :)

Linked to:

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Making the world cuter

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Today's Creative Blog

Carolyn's Homework: be inspired

Inspiration to sew by: Anthropologie Music II

Some of you know how I love Anthropologie. I could wander around their stores all day...daydreaming of the possibilities. *Sigh.* The place just does that to me.

Some days while I'm sewing, I find I need a little extra something to keep me going. For those days, I turn to a source of sewing inspiration. The soothing, quirky, inspiring, eclectic sounds of Anthropolgie...and as if by magic, I'm transported to a little quaint sewing room tucked away within the secret back rooms of Anthropologie (if there really is such a place).

Back in September, I shared an Anthropologie playlist I found online. I have since found several more. A special thanks to those who compiled lists for those of us smitten with Anthropologie.

I simply find the songs on youtube and create a playlist.

Get ready, I've got TONS of songs. Lists and lists. Sorry if some are repeats.

***Revised***

In order to spare my blog (and you!) the ridiculously long post this music list created, I have started a page just for Anthro music.

Feel free to browse the list here: Anthropologie Music List

I'll update it as I run across any additions.

Enjoy!

{Photo credit: MyFDBlog}