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 held a Project Runway marathon the other night that was so exciting. I missed some of the episodes the first time, so now I am catching up. I watched the finale of Season #3, which I thought was amazingly creative. All of the designers are exceptionally talented and with extremely different styles. It was so exciting to see them debut their final collections at Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park in New York, which is a dream come true to any designer! I hope that everyone will tune in to this new Season #4; it already looks like there are some very talented designers and it is the only reality show on TV that has people actually sewing! Very cool.

While procrastinating doing my marketing management homework, I came across MySpace’s fashion website, which is fairly new. They show a Featured Designer, a Featured Profile AND a Featured Video. The one that’s airing right now is on designer Nicki Hilton’s lines Chick and Nicholai, and what’s really cool about this video is that you get to see Nicki’s studio, with pattern makers, sewing, construction, trend boards, color boards, and garments in process. FINALLY fashion sewing is making its way into the limelight and this dying art is resurrecting! We want to help people once again see that sewing is stylish, and even though it might take work, you will learn how to be creative with your personal style and wardrobe.

It’s getting chilly in Portland and I just got inspired with a project idea after watching a favorite TV show. It is a tube scarf (watch for a how-to on an upcoming DIYStyle vodcast!), and I was able to whip it up in a half an hour, even after I had to seam rip it twice from trial and error. But that’s how you learn to sew–even when you don’t have someone looking over your shoulder telling you exactly how to do each step. Personally I think that I will remember better now that I had to figure it out on my own. And friends don’t be afraid of the “dreaded” seam ripper; it’s my best sewing friend, next to Allyce of course! Keep tuning in everyone!

XXX Melissa

We’ve been up and running with DIYStyle for about three weeks now, and boy has it been a whirlwind for me and for all of the DIYStyle team! I hope you like what you’re seeing here, on both our website and the vodcasts. If you have a comment, an idea to share, or a suggestion, please let us know! There is a lot more DIYStyle to come, so we hope you’ll keep checking in with us every week. Between our blog posts, new vodcast episodes published bi-monthly, and all the projects and tips, there’s always something fresh. Look for a new DIYStyle vodcast next Tuesday, Nov. 20th. And I’ll give you a hint about what the free project will be… we’ve had too doggone much fun here at DIYStyle. Gotta share a little outtake from our photoshoot…

OK, so that’s a pretty lame joke! But here’s what we are all waiting for: The premiere of Season #4 of Project Runway! It debuts tonight at 9pm CST on Bravo. Check out the line-up of the contestants. I know where I’ll be tonight, what about you? Let us know your favorites, we’ll be following the show, and rooting for our pick designers, too. If you read Allyce’s last blog entry, you know that we had the chance recently to spend some time with Chloe Dao, winner of Project Runway Season #2. She shared with us her excitement over this season of Project Runway‚ it’s going to be one tough competition, with several experienced designers.

Just like on Project Runway, there is SO much that goes on behind the scenes, making the episode actually happen in the end. Keep watching our website, and we will share with you some of our behind the scenes info (and pics!), as we interview some really interesting and inspiring designers, and tape our Season #2 episodes of DIYStyle. We are planning all of that now, so if you have suggestions for projects that you’d like to see on DIYStyle, just add a comment to my blog. Who knows, we may use your idea, and give you credit on the show!

One last thing. Tell your friends about www.diystyle.net. We are growing a fun community of fashion minded sewers (and those that want to learn), so spread the word!

Cindy
Creative Chick (and Mother Hen)