I just picked up a new book, perusing the shelves at my local Barnes & Noble, looking for something fashion minded and an easy read. Here’s what I ended up with…..”The One Hundred” is the new book by Nina Garcia, of Project Runway and Elle magazine fame. With the subtitle: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, I figured I had better get the scoop on what these pieces are, and see how many of them (if any!) I already had in my wardrobe. Even if you don’t read & take to heart Nina’s fashion insight and advice, just the illustrations alone from illustrator Ruben Toledo are entertaining and fun.

To my surprise (and relief) I did have a few of the must have’s on the list in my closet, but I am definitely lacking in several areas. I guess it is time for some revamping on my part, and a good excuse to do some Fall shopping. The Fashion 101 sidebars sprinkled throughout the book give you a bit of fashion history and industry background, tidbits that may help you out the next time you hit that fashion category at Trivia night.

Pretty soon it will be getting cold here, and curling up with a good light read like this one will be a welcome treat. And, be sure to check out the interview we did with Anna Maria Horner that we uploaded on Saturday. Her new book “Seams to Me” is a cute spin from her already super cute fabric line. Find it on the shelves this month, as it makes it’s debut. Congrats Anna….it’s fantastic!

Cindy

I traveled to so many places this summer…it has been exciting and inspiring, getting ideas for my Senior Collection. My favorite place of them all would have to be New York City. The last week of my summer break I took a nine day trip to visit the big city. I had a few goals in mind for the trip. Here is my list”

1.) Shop for senior collection fabric in the garment district.

2.) Have a great meeting with McCalls.

3.) Use what I have learned in my Pre-20th Century Costume class to identify garments on display at the MET museum.

4.) Learn the subway system enough so I will ride it on my own.

5.) Add to my collection of 500 inspiration pictures that was assigned for my senior year (that has not been a huge challenge especially being in so many different places).

Boy was I in for a wild ride. First of all, I stayed with some amazing girlfriends (love ya Julie & Danielle!) who love the fashion industry and were so great about teaching me about the city. My adventure began at the MET museum. It had been recommended by Kathy (at McCall’s) to be sure to see the Super Heros exhibit. It was a very interesting presentation of garments that were inspired by the super hero movies. These were the actual costumes used in the movies. The experience didn’t stop there. I ended up walking around the MET for six hours pointing out to my friend the name of every garment from the Egyptian period through the 19^th century that they had on display. I had just finished taking a summer class in the history of costume, and it was really incredible to see in person what we had been studying in books. A few of my favorites: seeing a sheath dress from the Egyptian period completely constructed out of beads, a Greek Ionic Chiton (modern day tunic) and himations (a large cloth used as a wrap) carved out of stone into amazing statues. You may think I’m crazy but I had fun hunting down 3000 B.C. fibulas (the world’s first ever safety pin–before people even sewed clothing together). I also got to view a few of my favorite painter’s works. I love Andy Warhol and Roy Linchenstein, and seeing their work in person was really cool. One down, four more goals to go.

Next I spent two whole days shopping for fabric in the garment district. The first day was discouraging at first because I didn’t have good direction except that I was looking for knit prints. We went to a ton of stores on 37^th and 38^th street between 7^th and 8^th avenue. They were small “hole in the wall” type stores. It was great to get a lot of good swatches so that I could go back for what I wanted if I needed it for my collection. Towards the end of the day I fell in love with this one piece. Picture this: dusty rose pink tulle with embroidery that totally covered it in sage green, lavender, and dusty rose. Then the piece is covered in black and brown feathers with a natural color bead at the top of each feather. It was an exquisite piece! Feathers are so hot this season and I plan to design a cocktail dress…….this would be perfect. I thought I wasn’t going to get anywhere in these small independent stores but I did, and I bargained with the guy to get a great price. One main collection piece, more to go! After that I went to Mood Fabrics. There I found some notions that could be used on my garments as well as my mood boards for school. I bought a piece of leather that was a pink embossed alligator with a pearlized finish. I plan on using it for the cocktail dress bodice piece or small accent pieces. The next day that I spent in the garment district was with great success. I went to B&J Fabrics and found a great but pricey silk charmeuse print that made my day. It was the perfect color palette and the look I was going for. On this shopping trip I also was able to find my chocolate brown wool coating fabric for my tailored coat.

My next goal was not too hard to achieve. For my senior collection we were assigned to take pictures that would inspire us for our garments. It could be anything from architecture to nature to garments. Walking the streets of New York gave me lots of photo opps. The window displays were incredible. My favorite was Dior’s window! It had a carriage in the window with suits and dresses on display. Being a visual merchandiser would be fun but hard work! I also always get inspiration from Betsey Johnson, so I had to go to her store off of Madison Ave.  I almost camped out on their doorstep for the rest of the trip once I found out that she just lives right around the corner from her store! That would have been too cool to meet her.

I was super excited for our McCalls meeting. I felt like I had been preparing for the meeting for weeks. I prepared boards, sketched, and bought some supportive sample garments. I was so excited how my boards turned out and the great samples I found, I even found some great swatches of the fabric that I thought would be perfect for the garments we were proposing. Everyone seemed pleased with McCall’s decisions, so look forward to more great DIYStyle designs for 2009! Thanks to McCall’s hard work to making our dreams come to life! Only one more goal to achieve!

Julie & Danielle had explained the subway the first day that I arrived, so I was able to take the subway the whole trip. The girls live in the East Village so it was good practice taking the subway all over the city instead of taking cabs. I feel like being in New York for that amount of time helped me to prepare to be a better designer. Through inspiration, great fabrics, seeing in person a history of garments, and working in the offices of McCalls for a day really has helped my creativity and motivation as a design major. I will definitely be back in NYC soon!

Allyce

This New York trip was very special because I actually had time to explore the city! Many call it the city of opportunity, I call it the city of inspiration. It’s everywhere whether you find it in art galleries or museums, fabric stores or retail shopping, even just walking down the street and observing peoples’s outfits! Well the fashion capital of the world never lets me down, and neither do all the exciting people living in it!

I walked around Fashion Avenue, and visited with The Jones Apparel Group and got to see their innerworkings! It was great to see the day in the life of a fashion house! It helps to understand the important factors that go into being a designer. It’s a much larger process than what first comes to mind. But the people who do it, love it!!!

I found many treasures in the city but some that I must mention are the resale consignment stores in NYC. Take note of “A Second Chance” on 78th and Madison and “Michaels” between 80th and 81st and Madison. You can find great deals on the top designer clothes and even inspiration from some of their vintage collections. Even though you sometimes have to dig, it can really be worth it.

After the consignment shopping I headed down to Chelsea where you can find the most amazing art galleries! Galleries are a place where I get my artistic inspiration because I am an artist and painter myself! I saw some fasinating exhibits including pieces from Chuck Close. One of my favorite exhibits was one that was interactive. Besides the fact that you could play pinball and smash rocks that contained hidden treasures inside, I loved the color themes and the geometic shapes within the paintings. One display was done on multipe canvases which were strategically hung creating a beautiful collage of art. Another work that I took inspiration from was a painting of a distorted cityscape, I loved the urban feel and again the bright colors!

A piece I saw that sewers can relate to was embroidered wall art that pieced together differend fabrics. I was thinking of telling the artist about the Quilt Show!! I always hate leaving the city, but I am now returning to Portland fully inspired and full of ideas to be drawing, designing, sewing and painting with! Thank you New York City, I’ll be seeing you again soon!

Love,
Melissa

Wow. I have been just engulfed by design projects from the moment I stepped back in the door at Stephens. This is my senior year, and boy do they have us off and running! I just completed this Rejectamenta project, and thought you would like to take a peek. The challenge is to make a garment from all recycled materials, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Our garments will be judged by a jury and some will go on display at the Komen Foundation annual conference.

My theme is “Don’t gamble with your life….get regular mammograms”. Unfortunately the pic does not do it justice, it looks way cooler on a model with the headpiece, necklace and train that makes it all come together. When we get some professional model pics done I’ll be sure to post one.

For now I’m onto finishing a tailored and lined wool coat, and matching dress that is due shortly, sketching hundreds of illustrations for my upcoming Senior Collection, and sewing my heart out at every turn. I’ll try to come up for air once in a while to give everyone a quick up date, but for now just send me lots of positive energy………it’s going to be one challenging and exciting year in fashion design school!

Allyce

Amy Butler is a fab friend of DIYStyle. See what she has been up to…….she’s one busy (and talented) lady!

Cindy

From Amy:

It’s been an incredible summer! The season has been full of many exciting launches and loads of new product development. This is one of my favorite times of year! My gardens explode and I love watching the drama unfold before my eyes, it brings me so much joy, I love hanging in the garden in the evening at the end of a long day. The Lotus bog is soothing and if feels wonderful to be surrounded by lush plants in bloom. All the hard work in the spring nurturing the beds really pays off! I was able to extend my “August experience” this year with the launch of my newest home decor collection of prints for Rowan…. “August Fields”.

The collection is made up of four diverse color stories celebrating the inspiration of gardens and wild fields in high season. Everything peaks in August! Poetic combinations of elegant natural prints and modern textures make it easy to mix and match designs for your next home dec or fashion project. Here’s a sneak peak below with some fun shots of my AF photo shoot last weekend at my friend Brian’s house! I’m using AF for everything! Bedding, pillows, bags, ( of course right?! ) and clothing. My friends here at DIY Style will appreciate the fashion focus with this collection! I’ve made tons of beautiful garments. Check out some of the shots.

In the first shot above my friend Andrew captures Jesse in one of my new dress designs! And his beautiful shots follow!

Drenda is wearing on original necklace made by my dear friend Kim Mettee. You have to check out her Etsy shop…… amazing, crazy cool jewelry. She uses rare materials and gems to create her organic and spirited masterpieces. Thank you Kim! I love to work alongside my friends and loved ones, it makes the creative process even more thrilling and rewarding.

Here’s Mr. Butler caught red handed in one of my sets! We had an incredible day of shooting. Just the night before he had a rock and roll show with his band the Black Owls! I don’t know how he looks so rested…….. he’s my Dave!

Here are my friends Christina and Nichole shot by Mr. Butler just a few minutes later. The girls are wearing my new apron design made out of August Fields!

Here’s the props room with all the details and goodies to embellish my girlfriends.

I’ve staged all of the props and accessories by color stories….. of course! Everything on hand to style my ladies!

The details in and of themselves tell a beautiful story! Color explosions everywhere! I love it!!

Another long awaited addition to my fabric mix has also launched this summer! Amy Butler Solids. The material is beautifully woven with a gorgeous feel, my solids come in both home dec and quilting weights to coordinate with all of my print collections with Rowan. The pretty colors will enhance and compliment any project and are sure to stir your creative passions! I have a fun mix of projects on my web site that feature both the home dec and quilting weight collections. I also have a great free quilt pattern you can try……. I named the quilt after my friend Thea, she’s a wild creative fire! I just love her. You can grab the project as a download under my “free patterns” section on the site.

This month I will be introducing my newest quilting and fashion weight collection for Rowan. The line is called Daisy Chain and it is embellished with artistic flourishes that give a nod to our free spirited past! Daisy Chain is filled with earthy chic prints with a modern folk feel that harmonize in the four zen like color palettes. These romantic prints are perfect for fashion, home dec or quilting projects. I had a blast creating several fashion pieces to show off the range! It’s the best when all of my worlds collide…… color, prints and fashion. Building the story with my style shoots is one of my favorite things to do. This shoot we invited our friend Andrew Baasch to take some pics with Dave. The results are amazing! You’ll have to check back on my web site soon to see all the gorgeous inspirado! Enjoy!!

Drenda above models my Angel Dress and Christina is styling in her Daisy Chain head scarf, lounging on my new Daisy Chain quilt. The quilt will be a FREE pattern on my web site soon! I can’t get over the color of her eyes and how she blends so beautifully with the navy DC palette! These shots were captured by Dave…….. gorgeous Mr. B!

One of my most recent product launches featured my new GIFTWRAP GREEN collection with the Giftwrap Company. The line is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper and is printed with soy inks. The line includes gift wrap, bags, and giftcard boxes. I’m very proud of this partnership with the Giftwrap Company, we worked very hard to create an ecologically sound line. It’s incredible to be able to offer a green alternative to gift giving and entertaining.

Alongside the gift wrap & bags, we’ve developed an eco line of paper tableware (plates, napkins & guest towels) that coordinate. The plates and napkins are printed with 100% soy ink, plus the plates use a water-soluble coating so that they can be rinsed and recycled too! I had my family for the 4th of July and it was great to rinse the plates and then toss them in the recycle bin. The plates are very sturdy as well as stylish! The perfect combo!

I told ya I have a lot of fun Projects and books releasing this season! I love my new Little Stitches sewing book! It’s lavishly illustrated and inside you’ll find charming and contemporary projects for the nursery, baby wear, soft toys, and many more surprises! The projects are designed for babies 0-12 months and their mothers, featuring beautiful photos of the finished designs by our friend Colin McGuire. It was fun to produce these little treasures, and I think you’ll find many projects in here for all the wee ones in your world.

Here are a couple of my favorite projects……. the Cheeky Monkey Laundry Bag and the Sleepy Snail with removable Shell Pillow. The other detail I love about the book is that I rated the projects by difficulty level so you can ease right into a project that’s perfect for you. This is a keeper! A great book to keep on hand for gift giving!

I wanted to give you a little peek at my upcoming December launch of Midwest Modern 2! This small release includes brand new prints to compliment Midwest Mod 1. Here are a few shots from my camera that I took during our shoot at Brian’s. Luscious and floral inspired! You also get a peek at my new apron pattern for Fall!

I hope you’ve enjoyed our time together. I sure have……. thanks for spending a piece of your day with me and my dear friends at DIY Style! DIY Gals……….Keep doing what you’re doing and sharing all of your lovely inspiration and ideas. What a fun, creative and loving community we work in! Thank you everyone!
XO Amy

Worn out deck cushions? Well, that was my dilemma, and after shopping the stores for new replacement cushions (eeek-the prices!!), I decided on what I thought was the smarter option…slipcover them myself! But whoa…have you seen the prices on that treated outdoor fabric?! It would have cost me more to cover them with that than to buy brand new cushions. I knew there had to be a better option, and after some sleuthing, I found my solution!

A local department store was clearancing out their outdoor tablecloths (treated for sun, water resistant….AHA!). Used as my “fabric” this was a fraction of the cost of the outdoor fabric I just could not afford. So I bought the largest tablecloth they had, and some coordinating inexpensive natural colored canvas, and made slipcovers for the cushions. It’s a super simple design, made with an opening like a pillow sham, to insert the cushions (the opening sets under the seat where it won’t show). I added some matching ribbon ties, and now I can slip them off for washing and storage when I want.

I even went back and bought the matching tablecloth that zipped around my umbrella, and now I just need to hem it to fit my curved oblong deck table. All for WELL under the $200 the other fabric would have cost! Now with deck re-painted, I feel like we have a brand new outdoor space. And the weather has been so nice here lately in the St. Louis area, I’m hoping to enjoy some breezy evenings lounging with a glass of wine after a long day here at DIYStyle!

Let DIYStyle know what you have been sewing this summer, and what you’re wanting to sew for fall. And, we’d love to see some pics too, so send them along. We’ll even post some of your projects in upcoming blog entries–so send us the results of your creative endeavors! I can’t wait to see what you have all been busy with.

 Cindy

I had so much fun at this seasons Quilt Market! I have gone to all the quilt markets (two per year) for the past few years and this one was especially interesting. It was also memorable, because I got to spend time with Melissa in her hometown. It was neat to see some “faces” (usually we’re on the phone or email from across the country!) I catch up with only at this show.

My favorite fabric designer, Phillip De Leon from Alexander Henry Fabrics, had some really great prints that were new for the upcoming season…young looking cotton prints great for a little pop in your wardrobe. I was honored to do two demos of projects from my book at Krause Publications and Brewer distributing. I showed buyers the projects from My Style, My Place and gave away signed copies. It was really cool to talk to people about the young customers that come into their stores and what they have to offer our age group.

I also got to catch up with my good friend Mark Lipinski the editor in chief of Quilter’s Home magazine. I’m not skilled at quilting but I love his magazine (if you haven’t checked it out, you should)! I was also really excited that Robert Kaufman debuted their new line of knits! I love working with knit fabric. They are a fabric company that specializes in wovens, (I even used their fabric in my book) and now they make knits too. My favorite part about market was doing my very first schoolhouse presentation! I had the opportunity to present my book to buyers, show the projects, and Melissa and I presented our McCalls patterns.

Market is a great way to connect with what’s new in sewing, and this trip was perfect for that. If you ever get a chance to attend a trade market, GO! It’s really cool to see all the new stuff that will be in the stores in the coming months, and to talk with the people who design all of it. Too cool!

Allyce   XXX, OOO

Hi Everyone!

I’m finally done with finals and out for the summer! YEAH!! I actually got that tailored jacket done…I never realized how many hand stitches you can fit in a jacket. I also got all my fittings done for wool tailoring next year! I feel like I have accomplished a lot this semester. And, I’m now officially a SENIOR!

Another thing that comes every year around finals time is a meeting with our instructors for next year. As seniors, our main focus will be on our senior collection, so we had a meeting to cover what will be involved in that and expected of us. As an “unofficial” assignment we are to make and keep a senior collection design journal over the summer. This includes collecting items that inspire us whether it be a candy wrapper or a picture of a cool building. In addition we are to start collecting fabric swatches that we like and think may work too. For our collections we are to pick a theme, customer, and market. I am not sure exactly what my theme or customer will be but I will let you know (I hope to get inspired, now that I have a bit more time to slow down). I will keep you updated on how my journal goes this summer…maybe I will even let you have a peek!

Allyce xxxooo

Well, that flu bug that was going around (that I thought I had escaped!) caught up with me. I fell hard, right in the middle of prep for finals week. I lost two whole days. But the good news is I feel SO much better now, and am running off here in a bit to take an exam in Management of Information Systems (sounds like a mouthful, but it’s really pertinent info to anyone in marketing fields, and that’s my focus).

The bonus of being sick in bed for two days is — you guessed it — I got to catch up on my favorite reads, the current fashion mags. I rummaged thru the March issue of Vogue, the hefty volume of fashion, celebrities, socialites, designers and artists, in one day. It took a bit of concentration. But if there is one volume you need to pay attention to, it’s the spring Vogue, setting the mood for the season. It’s practically my bible! Another interesting source I have been tapping into is the NY Times. They have a fab Fashion & Style section, including articles about new and seasoned designers.

What magazines and websites are you guys looking at for inspiration this season? Do dish on some of your must-reads!

Hope you are all checking out Season #2 of our vodcasts and getting into the projects and interviews. I’m getting back to finals. I’m so excited for this term to come to an end! So what’s up for Spring break?!

Melissa

Hey there! I’m Elizabeth Cecchettini, the creative director for DIYStyle. I work with our team to develop the projects for our vodcasts and website. I hope you like what you’re seeing so far! It’s exciting to be a part of something that is changing each week. We have so many more ideas to share with you in the future!

I’m often asked where the inspiration for all the projects come from, well let me tell you…some days are better than others for finding new ideas. But, if you are open to seeing opportunities around you, than the ideas come in all forms.

I look at magazines like everyone does, but besides tearing out projects that are complete like a purse or a skirt; I will also save the pages with great color combinations. A skirt idea I pulled out may be a great shape and have wonderful lines, but the color may be that of say, bird poop. Yuck!! So, I’ll go to my color pages and decide what fabulous color would enhance the skirt design for ME! That is the great part about designing; it can be totally what ever YOU want.

Back to that color thing, very important! Companies pay big bucks to make sure the colors they use in advertising are pleasing, hip, and up to date. So, when I’m in stores, driving around (be careful!!) and just out and about, I’m always aware of my surroundings. I’ll take a picture with my camera phone or jot a note about a store window dressing or a billboard that has great design, color, or shapes. So, let them pay the big dollars and use what you like!

Also, look to nature, the combinations of color in nature are remarkable. Look beyond the flowers, onto the leaves and the bark. Or take in the countryside, say springtime when lavenders, eggshell whites, smoky grays and fresh greens cover the hill sides. Then translate that into a jacket and slacks or a great quilt.

Color is usually the first thing that draws a person to something they like, after the color knocks them on the floor, then they will start to look deeper into the actual design of the project. So take the time to consider a great color for your next project and always be looking around for the next inspiration!

Take care,
Elizabeth