Balenciaga exhibition in New York! A must go

If you happen to be in New York, don't miss this unique event.

BALENCIAGA: SPANISH MASTER
Friday, November 19, 2010 - Saturday, February 19, 2011

Over 70 garments of the legendary Spanish fashion designer Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) can be viewed at the New York's Queen Sophia Spanish Museum.

Here is the link to the museum's site with more information.

Organizing patterns: COSTS!!!!

Ok, when I was writing my last post I was assuming that costs would be high, but here is more precise calculation  for 300 patterns after my trip to Staples:


1. 4 x 3" binders ( I went for 3" instead of 4", and took 'durable' instead of 'heavy duty' binders to save money) = 4 x $10.99 = $43.96 total

2. 3 packs of 100 pc each of 9"x12" manila envelopes= 3 x $8.29 = $24.87

3. sheet protectors ( $19.99 for a pack of 100) = $19.99 (I haven't bought more because I had some at home)


total: $88.82

I am sure that ordering online woudl save money. But if you want to cut costs of this project drastically, do not buy Binders and use an iPhone app, such as Pattern Pal or Sewing Kit (I prefer the latter)

Organizing patterns: a sane way to navigate through 300+ mostly vintage patterns

This night as my small one kept me awake I as always was googling some some sewing content on my iPhone, at some point I came across the Gigi Sews Blog and her great entries on organizing he sewing studio.

One post, however, was particularly interesting for me, as I was a (vintage) pattern fanatic. Over the past three years, since I have arrived to the US, I have collected literally four large boxes full of patterns. I am going to let go half of the stash, but what do I do with the other half. While I am quite confident with patternmaking and draping, it hurts not to keep a great vintage or designer pattern. But seeing them cramped in boxes, with some pattern pieces loose... I could not bear it any longer.

Just yesterday I was thinking of how to get this situation under control. So, here is the link to the original blog post.

Basically, she suggests the following:

1. Remove the contents of the pattern envelope and place them into a 9x12  manila envelope, indicating the pattern company and a number on it. (Envelopes are organized by pattern company and then numerically)
2. Place the original pattern envelope into a sheet protector and place them into a 4" binder. (pattern envelopes are organized by garment type)
 

Materials needed for this organizing project:
9x12 manila envelopes
sheet protectors
4" binders

Costs, I guess it's not cheap. But read my update.

Clutter reduced: No! You will need more space (because of the binders)

So, what are the advantages of this system?

1. Well, it does look very tidy and organized!
2. It is much easier to browse through patterns, without the need to unpack the whole bix of patterns. Just grab a binder with dresses and search for your favorite one while sipping tea in bed.
3. You can store all kind of related stuff in manila envelopes  (fabric swatches, copies of patterns, etc etc)

It's a great system! Thank you Gigi!

If I had less space I would have used iPhone app only. I will post a review in  my next post. Now, I am off to Staples to buy the materials for my new pattern collection.

Plagiarism on Project Runway

Look 9 from the final collection by Andy South for Project Runway, Season 8.

Well so much about top three fashion designers on Project Runway. This design by Andy South is identical to one featured in a cult Japanese pattern-making book by Nakamichi Tomoko. Check out page 52.



By the way, if you can draft a pattern for a basic bodice and a skirt and want to try something more challenging and creative 'Pattern Magic' is for you.

Matching Prints

This post was inspired by Mondo Guerra, Project Runway Season 8 designer. So, in the semi-finale judges continue to praise his skills and his feeling for mixing prints, and so do I. I really love what he comes up with - his clothes are so memorable.

How does he do it?

Is it really so difficult to mix patterns?

Well, no, not that difficult if you follow few rules of thumb. (Yes, there are some rules for mixing prints).

Follow these time-tested combinations Claire Schaeffer shares in her great 'Fabric Sewing Guide'

- foulard and paisley
- foulard and plaid
- plaid and paisley
- stripes and dots
- two jacquard patterns in the same color
- one jacquard pattern in different colors
- plaids and stripes in the same colors with similar scales
- two plaids in different scales
- plaids and checks
- a positive and negative print
- two geometrics with the same colors

In this book, Claire Schaeffer also notes that the scale of the print is related to the size of the garment. Generally, you would want to have a larger print on larger garment. A polka dot top and large flower print skirt would work well, for example.

The next thing to consider is that the larger or dominant print draws the eye. Bold prints add inches, so use it with caution, and use this property to your advantage.

PRACTICE SUGGESTION: Start collecting images of garments with prints from fashion magazines and paste each onto a page in an inspiration sketch book. Analyze the garment, make notes. You will see that after a while you will feel very confident in matching prints, whether for your sewing or just for everyday clothes selection.