My Creative Process

My daughter and I had an interesting conversation a while back.
She asked me how do I see something in my brain before I make it. 
It varies.
Sometimes I see a piece of fabric and I know it needs to be a skirt, or a scarf.
Sometimes I get an idea and it's just a blur or shape.
Other times I want to make something I've seen, but
once I get to working on it, I have my own idea how it should look.
The idea evolves as I work on the project.

When I was a teen, I would go window shopping at the mall
and see things I liked.  Because I am petite, most things in the stores
didn't fit.  That is one reason I learned to sew.  I would draw out
my ideas once I got back to the car and plot out how to make them.

What is your process?  How do you get inspired? 
Do you see it in your mind completed, and
work from there?  

In recent years, I've seen jeans with colorful

patches on them.  I fixed up a pair of jeans for
myself using some spring-looking fabrics, and
every time I wore them, I'd get comments and
compliments.

SO...I wanted to make a pair that have fall colored patches.

I had a hard time finding the right colors, fabrics, and prints.  I could picture it in my mind,

but I would get distracted when I went through my stash.

I would find fabrics that looked nice together, but it 

wasn't quite what I saw in my head.

Finally, I found a mix that worked.

These are the materials:

My car needed new brakes so I took this project to work on while I waited.

I love these colors!

Finished project:

Can't wait to wear them!

Another project was inspired after admiring some clothing designed by Tina Givens.
She has a deconstructed, romantic style that I LOVE.

I started with a main fabric. 
I've had this piece for a couple of years.
I bought it because it "called my name".  I didn't have a clear idea what I
wanted to make; I simply loved the fabric.
I pulled out a couple of scraps to use as patches.
Tina Givens does this on her garments and I just love it.

This is one of those projects I sort of knew what I wanted; the idea was a bit of a blur.

Once I got the main top made, I added the "flair" of patches.

I have a feeling this one will be worn quite a bit this fall and winter.

And lastly today, this is a sweet top I made from fabric I found in Paris...

Ah...Paris...

Yes, I stay occupied with sewing projects.

I have a pile of fabric

I'm trying to work through. 

SO many ideas!!!

Keep an eye on my blog.  You never know what you'll see next.

Crisp, Cool Air

Fall is gracing us with her presence.

The days are cooling down.

The sad part of telling summer goodbye

is closing up the pool.  I enjoy seeing the water outside

my windows, and floating around with family and friends.

BUT fall is my favorite season.  I look forward to pumpkins, colors

of the leaves, wearing layering pieces of the same colors

and scarves.

I recently found a nice knit fabric that is the color of pumpkins.  I used

Katherine Tilton's Butterick pattern 6492.

 Notice the pocket.  Raw edges are left bare. 

I love the arc on the front too.

I look forward to pairing this with skinny jeans, ankle boots, and 

a scarf or necklace.

I've been attempting to straighten up my sewing room.

I'll do a little and get distracted by a project that was buried

under a pile of stuff.

But the good news is I'm actually finishing or doing

some of the projects that were stagnant.

So I'm making progress.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had a friend visit me this past summer,

and she and I spent one day

playing with dye.  Some of our projects were successes.  Others...not so much.

BUT we had fun and that was the important part.

(When she reads that last line she will crack up because

of a video we watched prior to dying.  The lady on the video

kept saying, "It's a lot of fun," and that became our line

every time we did anything.)

BUT...in my efforts to straighten, I came across my pile of dyed pieces.

Two of the shirts I dyed were a little off, so I dyed them again

in a tea bath. I don't have a picture of the finished product, but I thought

this picture was interesting.

My daughter and her friend have a bit of a fascination with skeletons.

This is one her friend found.

He had a bit of a chill.

So...I made him a little hoodie

with skulls and bones.

Yes, I'm nuts.

That is a 4" separating zipper.

I had another bit of inspiration hit of a boxy top made from 

old T-shirts.  My ideas are usually not concrete until I get them made.

This was one of those projects.  I had to play with 

my materials to get it like it wanted it.

It is a process.  I took a few shots to show my work.

(the phrase "show your work" reminds me of days in math class.)

This is the finished product.

We went to the zoo yesterday with some friends. 

I don't know exactly what these are, but they are

gorgeous. They may inspire a jewelry project...

And one more little tidbit for your funny bone...

 This adorable lemur appears to be

doing yoga.

His legs were straight out in front of him,

his arms and hands facing out,

and a simple twist of the neck.

PRECIOUS!!

Have a great day and look for inspiration to keep your juices flowing.