Fabric a Day - Madras

Vintage style inspired women's shorts from Boast.com

I took a writing class last night at the Brooklyn Brainery in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Part of the class was finding new ways to write and keep writing. 

For the month of February I am going to be posting a definition a day.  I think this may be a good idea. What kind of definition? A definition of fabrics.  Different types of fabric.  Yesterday in my Introduction to Sewing class I was teaching the students how to read the back side of the envelopes that patterns come in.  A pattern will have suggested fabrics.  One of the fabrics was madras and a student asked me what is madras.   Most people know what madras is, most people have seen it, they just don’t know it is called madras.   Madras is a type of plaid getting it’s name from Madras India, now called Chennai, where it was originally made.  It is a certain plaid design, a large, colorful plaid with mismatched squares.  Traditionally the colors are bright, vibrant and fun.  Originally madras were not colorfast so they would fade which added to their character.  Today with current technology normally they are colorfast so they can be washed with other laundry. They are very lightweight and breezy therefore Madras plaids are often seen in the summer in shorts, dresses, shirts and usually is 100% cotton.  

http://www.justmadras.com/

Madras patchwork

Stevan Allan women's madras shirt

http://www.lyst.com/clothing/gant-rugger-madras-plaid-dress-shirt-multi/


Do you have any thoughts on madras plaids?
I love plaid so I do love madras. It could look vintage or new, fresh or old.
Do you have madras plaid items in your closet?

Radiant Orchid, Color of the Year

I've been reading a few blogs and apparently some find this color difficult to use.  I think my mother was onto something last year.  I noticed in her house she started to use lavender shades with navy quite often.  Mostly towels in the bathroom and kitchen.  I really liked the combo, and started pairing it myself in quilts,  reversible napkins and bandannas.

Pantone carefully selects the color of the year.  They do thorough research of fashion, beauty, interiors and industrial design to decide what the color of the year will be.   Radiant Orchid is a beautiful blend of cool and warm undertones.   It will look lovely with red, turquoise, teals and lighter yellows.  It will complement olives and deep hunter greens.  And it will pop neutrals, greys and tans.  You can't go wrong adding this to your closet, home or beauty regime.  Which is exactly what Pantone is looking for.

Holly of decor8 blog has a great post on Radiant Orchid.  She shows many different ways of decorating with this new shade.  

I think it is a great way to add color to a room.  I would love to use the color in a bathroom or on one wall.

Check out this post and the beautiful and simple floral shot.

From stagetecture.com

Lucky Mag

Ok the above clip is from Lucky Magazine.  The shoes and clutch are pretty boring in my opinion but they are demonstrating ways to add the color to your wardrobe.  I do love the model wearing two shades of radiant orchid.  Her outfit looks fantastic!  Color blocking, eye catching and vibrant!

This is more my style: this simple, geometric handbag from MaxMara shown on the runway last September.

 (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

http://www.glorioustreats.com/2012/05/purple-ombre-mini-cakes.html 

What about adding this color to your wedding celebrations?

Check out favecrafts.com for this inspirational post on adding radiant orchid to your special day!

I am so not a fan of the bridesmaid dresses.  Well I am just not a fan of matching bridesmaid dresses to begin with.  However the flowers, the cakes, the chandelier or the purple drinks???? A little goes a long way!

Seeing that ombre radiant orchid cakes makes me think of radiant orchid macaroons. 

What do you think of the color of the year? Will this be a radiant orchid kind of year for you? Maybe nail color? Dress color? Cakes? Chandelier? Might make a beautiful quilt.

Kona cotton swatches.  This is something I was playing around with in Illustrator.  These are Kona Cotton fabrics.  I love the dark blue into the purples finishing with the pool color.

Or a patchwork:

Playing with color can be exciting.  This can be peaceful, vibrant, cheerful.  You decide!

DIY Pom Pom Making

Pom poms say 70's to me throughout the year but around the holidays they just seem festive and fun. They can be snowflakes, ornaments, jumbo, tiny and any color.  Last year I made a few large turquoise ones for my tree. This year I started an Advent Branch, making a pom pom for each day before Christmas. Here is how you make pom poms with the pom pom maker, which makes life much easier.

I have to say when I first bought this instrument I was completely dumb founded.  And this past year a friend borrowed it and it confused her as well.  So I decided to break it down for you and take photos of each step.

1. Buy a Clover Pom Pom maker.  I bought mine at Purl Soho.

2. The maker opens up 2 ways.  Open up so both sides pull over to one side.  Wrap yarn around colored plastic piece until yarn becomes almost flush with both flat pieces.

3. Now that yarn is wrapped around both sides get your scissors.  Note I am showing photos from two different types of yarns.  The turquoise yarn is Cascade Magnum and nice and fluffy!  The purple below is Madeline Tosh, that has a nice varigated dyed look.

4. Cut yarn. 

5. Then cut a long piece of yarn, about 18" and pull the yarn thru the pom pom maker.  See where the yarn was just cut thru?  That is where you are wrapping this new piece of yarn around.  This is going to keep your short yarns of the pom together.

6. Pull tight and make a knot.  Then pull apart the pom pom maker.

Last step you need to trim and fluff the yarn.

Now you can trim the tree or make your own Advent branch. 

Happy Pom Making!

Holiday Prep - DIY Decor and Gifts

I love the holidays! I love this time of year right before Christmas.  The temperature is cool, fire places lit, crafting is full on.  In the next few weeks I will be sharing some of my DIY decorations and gifts.
 I am teaching two workshops at the Sewing Studio  which is in Chelsea on W 29th but I will also share with you here some fun crafty things to do.
Check back often, this is what we will be making!

wine bottle bag
pom pom countdown
holiday runner
lavender sachets that will make any stocking smell fantastic!

Two Workshops in NYC for the Holidays

Liberty of London fabric lined with Shot cotton

Ok are you trying to think of something to make for the holidays?
I will be teaching 2 different workshops at the Sewing Studio this month.  One is holiday based, the other is not.  Both of them are for beginners to intermediate.  If you don't know how to use the sewing machine don't worry, I will teach you.  You will also learn some hand sewing, working with applying embellishments and interfacing.  If you are looking for something fun to do with your friends you should come on by!

Workshop 1 Learn to Make a Tie

December 18th 6:30 to 9:30

Alexander Henry Day of the Dead fabric with Shot cotton

Workshop 2
Craft a Keepsake Stocking
Saturday December 21st 3 to 6

Wool felt is so lovely to work with.  With Harper now in my life I decided to start a new tradition, maker her a stocking every year.  I have been playing with wool felt alot lately.  Besides being warm, it is super flexible, forgiving and comes in so many colors!  Don't be surprised if you see more projects from me using this fabulous fabric!

felt bundles from Purl Soho

 One of the above bundles is great for details and trimming but the size of each piece is not large enough for one stocking.  Suggestion: you can always sew a color blocked stocking and piece the felt together.

samples I am working on

You bring the felt, fabric and what ever embellishments you want.  Some suggestions are sequins, smaller pieces of felt, rick rack, pom poms, embroidery floss.  How about some metallic or glow in the dark floss? DMC makes both!
We will provide needles, some trim, glues, templates, the pattern and the sewing machines of course!
Come take a break from the crazy holiday shopping on December 21st and have some fun!

rick rack, pom poms and green metallic sequins

 The felt pom poms and metallic sequin strip I bought at Purl Soho.  The rick rack I purchased from etsy years ago, it's from my stash.

Mini stocking measuring 6"

And hopefully you won't be having a cat sit in your supply box....what can I say the wool is warm and cozy!

Homer