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Archive: Fashion
November 5, 2009
How-To: Rose Petal Applique Tee
Kayte Terry shares a project from her new book, Applique Your Way, for this stylish rose petal applique t-shirt over at Etsy's Storque. The rose petals are actually made from additional tees, making it a great way to upcycle old or thrifted clothes.
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Nov 5, 2009 10:00 AM
Fashion, Refashion |
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November 4, 2009
Ask CRAFT: Re-sizing Bust Darts
If you have a question for Ask CRAFT, shoot me an email at becky@craftzine.com, or drop us a note on Twitter! We'd love to answer your crafty questions on any topic: technique, projects, crafty culture, or anything else! Each week the answers are here; include your name, where you're from, and your website or blog if you have one!
Eyela A. from Oregon writes in:
I love to sew, but am not quite at the level where I can design or modify patterns. However, I'm getting there out of necessity. My biggest problem is that the chest darts in dress and blouse patterns aren't sufficiently long to accommodate a larger cup size. It's also not useful to buy larger patterns since the rest of the proportions stop working. I've searched high and low for a good tutorial or guide for how to appropriately re-size a dart, but there's not much out there. I wonder if you know a good resource?
I can point you to two books and one website that will help you get the shape you want out of your pattern. You should read up on bodice pattern construction and learn all about the the bust point and where you'll need to move it on your pattern.
Here are my two favorite books about pattern construction/manipulation:
How to Make Sewing Patterns by Donald H. McCunn features a whole section on changing dart locations.
Patternmaking for Fashion Design by Helen Joseph-Armstrong is a substantial book containing almost everything you'd want to know about making sewing patterns, and has a large section on darts. If you want the book but don't like the high price tag, look for previous editions that contain basically the same information. This is a textbook that is continually revised, and is priced as such.
Lastly, have you heard of BurdaStyle? They have a bunch of free tutorials for sewing techniques (including pattern manipulation) created by staff and users of the site. Check out this fullbust adjustment for princess seams turorial, a trick for natural-looking bust darts, and the staff tutorials on turning darts into princess seams and constructing the basic bodice block.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Nov 4, 2009 09:00 AM
Ask CRAFT, Fashion, Sewing |
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October 31, 2009
Plaid Fascinator
You know how when you are supposed to be working on a specific project, like say, sewing your costume for a party? And instead all you want to do is make hair accessories? I was caught in that conundrum today. While the task at hand was a last minute outfit, I instead became inspired, and singularly focused, on a little plaid fascinator made from some costume jewelry, a bit of tulle, and a clip. It's so easy, just choose a fabric scrap, sew some ruffles on, add a pin, and glue the whole thing to a clip. Now if only I can think of a costume to go with my new hair piece! Check out a picture of it on my head after the jump.
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Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 31, 2009 06:00 PM
Fabric, Fashion |
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October 30, 2009
Intern's Corner: Cover It with Crochet, Escama-style
Every other week, CRAFT's awesome interns tell about the projects they're building in the Craft: Labs, the trouble they've gotten into, and what they'll make next.
By Meara O'Reilly, projects intern
Ever since I found out about Brazilian craft cooperative Escama (featured in CRAFT Volume 03, "Pull-Tab Crochet") and saw some of their work at Maker Faire a couple of years ago, I've been on a thread-crocheting kick. I just love the way that the process involves a sort of functional, enterprising spirit (what can I cobble together and how do I invent the stitches to do it?) as well as a really interesting aesthetic.
Once I learned the basic stitches and figured out how to wrap them around just about any object, I was off!
Apart from making this pull-tab wallet for the CRAFT Archive and a few demonstration flowers from the article, I started covering everything I could think of: hoop earings, bracelets, and yup, recycled bra under-wire!
I'm still trying to figure out the best way to secure the ends of my crochet (I've so far used beads and glue on the end of each wire to keep the stitches on) but I love the structure of these bra-wire necklaces and I think somebody could make something really beautiful with the idea -- baby mobiles or lampshades, anyone?
Posted by Keith Hammond |
Oct 30, 2009 10:03 AM
Crochet, Fashion, Intern's Corner, Jewelry |
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October 27, 2009
How-To: Refashioned Sweater Shrug
I was shopping for some warm layers recently, and I got tangled up in a tiny dressing room with bad lighting. I accidentally put a loose and draping cardigan sweater on upside down. The funny thing was that it actually looked pretty cute. I was immediately inspired to stop looking for something new, and head home to cut up all my old sweaters and put them on upside down. With a sharp pair of scissors, you can take any sweater and transform it into a totally new shrug. For this tutorial, I used three different sweaters to demonstrate the versatility. The steps are the same, but the results are each one of a kind.
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Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 27, 2009 12:00 PM
CRAFT Projects, Fashion, Refashion |
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October 23, 2009
Captain Electric and Battery Boy
Captain Electric and Battery Boy is a heady fashion project with electronic elements in the clothing that respond to the actions of the wearer. The three dresses in the collection, Itchy, Sticky, and Stiff, each create a different thought provoking paradox. Stiff translates pressure into soothing music, Sticky harnesses the power of the wearers struggle against restraint into blue light. But my favorite, Itchy, makes good use of the agitated fidgets caused by it's purposefully uncomfortable and oversized wool necklaces. With enough fiddling, the kinetic energy powers jewel-like LEDs.
Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 23, 2009 11:00 AM
Fashion, Fashion Tech, Tech Accessories |
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October 22, 2009
Ruff Roundup on Coilhouse
Coilhouse recently ran a roundup of ruff collars full of enough inspiration to get you moving to the ribbon isle at the craft store, plus a collection of awesome how-tos for making your own ruffs. Warning: there's one NSFW fashion image, all the way at the bottom of the page. [Thanks, Gareth!]
Posted by Becky Stern |
Oct 22, 2009 03:00 PM
Fashion, Halloween |
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October 21, 2009
Customized Star Wars Shoes
Bonnie Burton, our crafty pal over at the official Star Wars blog, shares an interview with Star Wars devotee, Damian Dayton, who customizes his shoes based on his favorite characters from the films. He explains his tips and tricks for making your own. I'm thinking I may need to make a pair of these for my Star Wars-obsessed son, and then .... a pair for myself.
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Oct 21, 2009 03:00 PM
Fashion |
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Easy Blouse Gathering Alteration
Amy Karol of Angry Chicken shares a quick and easy way to add a simple gather to the back of a blouse for a more form-fitting, formal look.
Posted by Rachel Hobson |
Oct 21, 2009 06:00 AM
Fashion |
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October 19, 2009
DIY Faux-Fur Vest
With faux-fur looks hitting the stores this fall, why not make your own soft and furry DIY faux-fur vest with this tutorial by ...love Maegan.
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Oct 19, 2009 04:00 PM
Fashion, Sewing |
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October 18, 2009
Sadie Fox's Wicked Scarf
Rachel spotted a beautiful version of the Ruffle Scarf inspiration I shared for the Me, My Scarf, and I Singer Sewing Challenge. It was created by Sadie Fox, who has the scarf up on her own blog, and posted on Wardrobe ReFashion. Her site has a ton of fun fashion projects with clever recycled and repurposed twists. I love the color she chose for her scarf, it just looks so great on her, and I hope she had a great time wearing it to the musical Wicked! I also hope that you will enter the contest, for a chance to win a Singer Serger.
Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 18, 2009 06:00 PM
Contests, Fashion, Fiber Art |
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October 16, 2009
Jeweled Tee Tutorial
Still Dottie gets fashionable and shows you how to turn a simple t-shirt into a trendy jeweled tee.
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Oct 16, 2009 04:00 PM
Fashion |
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October 15, 2009
How-To: Make a Tutu
I think I might need a tutu for halloween. I'm not quite sure what I want to be yet, but I think that about 10,000 yards of tulle will be incorporated. I found many tutu tutorials on the web, but this massive, ultra colorful, punk rock version is exactly what I was looking for. The designer Emi took great photos, wrote clear instructions and makes it look so easy!
[via cutoutandkeep]
Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 15, 2009 02:00 PM
Fabric, Fashion, Halloween |
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October 12, 2009
Fairytale Fashion with Diana Eng
CRAFT and MAKE friend Diana Eng a new wearable tech project going on; it looks awesome! The project description:
From October to December 2009, I will be making magical clothes for Fairytale Fashion. These might be clothes that have blooming flowers, living clothes that breathe, change color, transform. And guess what, YOU will be leading the design! Each Monday, FairytaleFashion.org will have a new video that introduces a technology like inflatables, deployable structures, muscle wire and microcontrollers. At the end of each video is a design question. Answer the weekly design questions on our website. I will use your answers to create the Fairytale Fashion. Finally, the finished garments will be presented in a fashion show in early 2010. Fairytale Fashion is produced with the support of Eyebeam.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Oct 12, 2009 04:00 PM
Fashion, Fashion Tech, Soft Circuits |
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Knit Watermelon Hat Pattern
Susan B. Anderson shares her knit watermelon hat pattern which is just so adorable to knit up for kids. Click the link and take a peek at the adorable photo of two little girls wearing their watermelon hat and eating watermelon!
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Oct 12, 2009 11:00 AM
Fashion, Kids, Knitting, Patterns |
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October 7, 2009
7 Ways to Refresh Your Shoes for Fall
Ecouterre, a new green fashion site from Inhabitat has a great roundup post on 7 ways to refresh your shoes for fall. I love this project by ...love Maegan on MissMalaprop where you can turn a pair of regular high-heeled sandals into stilettos worthy of Carrie Bradshaw.
Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Oct 7, 2009 11:00 AM
Fashion |
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October 1, 2009
Handmade Vintage Dress Form
Handmade clothes are one thing. A handmade dress reminds us that DIY hasn't always been a lifestyle, it used to be just life!
I found this treasure at my local junk store. This vintage piece is almost more art than function at this point. I love all the worn details: the bent and rusted metal neck, the faded blue pattern marking lines, the frayed edges of the canvas.
Posted by Brookelynn |
Oct 1, 2009 02:00 PM
Fashion, Sewing, Tools |
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September 29, 2009
From Russia, with Love: Cabled Balaclava
From Russia, with Love: Cabled Balaclava
By Nikol Lohr
The balaclava, named after the town of Balaclava in Crimea (now Ukraine), was originally worn by Russian soldiers in the Crimean war. While the balaclava retains a military association, it's also well loved by skiers and climbers for its flexibility and warmth. A sort of sock for your head, the balaclava is wonderfully warm and efficient — doing double duty as both hat and scarf in a single garment, without the added bulk and fuss of a separate scarf. It has an opening in the front, which can be stretched to reveal just your eyes, your eyes and nose, or your whole face. The extra length can be folded over to make an extra-warm hat, or you can pop your whole head through the front opening and wear it as a cowl.
The balaclava is a marvelously practical garment that everyone in a cold climate should own. It eliminates the trouble of finding hat and scarf and bundling up like Ralphie if you're just running to the mailbox or walking the dog on a bitter cold day. Of course, the classic black or olive drab balaclava might give you a S.W.A.T./bank robber vibe that you're not really going for — and it might not be the wisest look when you're popping into the corner store for some beer. To shake off the alarm factor, I've made this one in a totally plush sugary pink cashmere blend, with lots of cushy cables for added warmth.
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Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Sep 29, 2009 02:00 PM
Cozy Up to Yarn, CRAFT Patterns, Fashion, Knitting |
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September 28, 2009
Alice Wrist Warmers
Alice Wrist Warmers
By Vickie Howell
When a professional knitter and a movie critic live in the same household, there's bound to be some crossover. In our house, that convergence takes form as "Movie Mondays" on my blog. Every week I post screenshots of the knitwear I spot in one of the many flicks we're watching — we've become veritable eagle eyes of Silver Screen yarn; my sons even commenting when a beanie or blanket flashes across the television. Recently, while researching Twilight for his movie news website, smellslikescreenspirit.com, my husband came across this photo still of Alice wearing fingerless mitts in the upcoming sequel, New Moon. Enter this project: simple wrist warmers for a complicated girl!
(Photo: Summit Entertainment)
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Posted by Natalie Zee Drieu |
Sep 28, 2009 12:00 PM
Cozy Up to Yarn, CRAFT Patterns, CRAFT Projects, Fashion, Knitting |
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September 27, 2009
Live at the Handcar Regatta
Today the Craft and Make teams held it down at the Great Santa Rosa Hand Car Regatta. The scene along the tracks was controlled chaos, with equal parts corsets and mustaches. Hand built mechanical wonders flew down the tracks, drag race style, and my team and car, the Bumpin' Contraption finished 4th!
Les Claypool announced the races. Children ran rampant on the rail road tracks. Costumes were SO inspiring. Musicians and magicians roamed around. It was like traveling through time to the past and the future simultaneously.
I'm off to pack up the Make Firetruck. Phew! If you were there, share your images in the Craft Flickr pool!
Posted by Brookelynn |
Sep 27, 2009 06:00 PM
Events, Fashion, Gadgets |
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