Sarah's Threads

Pinterest: 2012 fashion board

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +0000

With our trip coming up in a few days, I don't have a ton of time to sew. But I am still capturing my 2012 fashion ideas on Pinterest one shirt, dress and skirt at a time.
Are you on Pinterest? Let me know. I'd love to follow you. You can find me and my Pinterest boards here.
Happy weekend!

Don't Regret Regret

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:46:00 +0000

I don't know if it's the winter months or just a random cycle of life. But I've been hearing a lot of people talk about regret recently. So, when I was cruising through Ted Talks, I found myself oddly drawn to talk called Don't regret regret. In it the speaker, Kathryn Schulz talks about biggest regrets.
I was surprised to find that people's biggest regret is rarely money. Finances were actually pretty low on the list. Education, romance, career, parenting and leisure all were way before finances.
I found her talk to be very inspiring and I recommend you give it a watch.

P.S. The photo was taken by my husband on one of our trips to South Eastern Oregon. Part of the charm of that trip is the long, beautiful and thought provoking stretches of road.

Letraset

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:17:00 +0000

I didn't know much about Letraset until Michael found it in a local shop here in Portland. (The dry transferable lettering was used before word processing or desktop publishing was available.)

So, over the weekend Michael converted a page of Letraset into a print using a craft colored poster and a black Ribba frame from Ikea. Some of the letters cracked as they went on the paper and appeared to "age" right off the page. Other letters look crisp as they would have thirty plus years ago. I think it has character and I can't wait to hang it up on the wall. I'll post the final product soon!

2012 Fashion Mood boards

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:23:00 +0000

Continuing on my fashion challenge this year, I've put together a series of mood boards for dresses, shirts and skirts. The dress (above) is from the new BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook. I love the collar and am looking forward to doing it in one of the colors of from my selected color palette.

Next up is the shirt mood board. I've picked two patterns for this. One is again from The BurdaStyle Sewing Handbook. And the other is the Jasmine blouse from Colette Patterns.

My third mood board is skirts. I still have my sights set on the pleated looking skirt that I blogged about a year ago. The other skirt pattern I'd like to focus on is the Ginger Colette patterns that I think I am going to make with a chevron pattern.

The next step is for me to decide which one to start with and which color to focus on for each pattern. I'm thinking about taking a few of my patterns to the fabric store to find some swatches and compare prices. I've never bought fabric online, but I may for this project.

New Year, New Moleskine

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:50:00 +0000

A fresh, new Moleskine is a great way to start the year, don't you think!? Every year I buy one and fill it. How gratifying to have a year of ideas, lists and sketches.

Cowl neck dress

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:03:00 +0000

Cowl necks and houndstooth belong together, don't you think? This was one of those - I can't find anything to wear, better make it the night before projects.
I used a pattern that my friend from Ajah Clothing helped me draft up several months ago at Sew Club. I'm still adapting it, but by adding a belt, it fit well. I'm happy.

Repurposed Lucky Buddha Beer

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:24:00 +0000

I've needed a vertical holder to neatly hold my bracelets for quite a while. A few days ago I was perusing the beer aisle when I saw this little guy, a Lucky Buddha beer, peering at me. (I think he was chuckling actually). So, for $1.25, I'm one happy Sarah. You could also do this using a sake bottle since they are about the same size. Like this one, how cute.

Progressive Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:17:00 +0000

We got together with some friends this weekend for a little progressive dinnerish sort of evening. We started at our house and hopped over to each of their homes. It had been years since I went on a progressive dinner. How did I let it go that long? This one made up for it though.
Here's what we had:

::The menu::

1st stop:
Eats: Prosciutto-wrapped figs, olives, cheese
Drinks: Gin & Tonics

2nd stop:
Eats: Spicy mexican turkey soup w/tons of accoutrements, like cilantro, homemade tortilla chips and avocados
Drinks: White wine

3rd stop:
Eats: Tarts and mini apple cake
Drinks: Port

Vintage Wedding Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:52:00 +0000

I let out a little gasp when I saw this gorgeous dress on Etsy. Look familiar? Okay, not the same but similar.

Dublin

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:28:00 +0000

We are heading to Dublin in a few weeks, so I've been scouring the interwebs to see what my favorite bloggers have to say about the Irish capital. And, it turns out, I had several posts waiting for me in my Google Reader over the past few months.

Eurocheapo talks about spending a day in Dublin - the sights, eats and stays.

Design *Sponge has a beautifully curated Dublin City Guide.

And, a blogger I just discovered, From China Village, who also contributed to the Design*Sponge City Guide, just started blogging all about Dublin's creative hot spots over at Poppytalk! Here's her first post.

Do you have any go-to travel sites that you know and love? Lemme know! Extra points for your favorite fabric stores in Dublin!

P.S. Don't you love this hand drawn map of Dublin via etsy!

To Resolve Project

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:49:00 +0000

To Resolve Project has developed some bold resolutions that are designed to live as desktop wallpaper. Great reminder of your resolutions you can use year round.

Focused Fashion: Color Palette

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:28:00 +0000

After much thought, I've decided on these 6 colors. I know I said five to begin with, but I changed my mind. (Hellofa way to start the year, making and then breaking my rules less than a week in.)

Here's why I picked them: This palette is broken into three basics and three colors that really pop. I LOVE color and wear it constantly. However, I recognize that it's good to get some foundational colors like the brown, black and gray that would look great with a pop of color from a scarf or some earrings.

The three colorful choices I selected based on the colors I've been gravitated to as shown most clearly through my Pinterest boards. Especially this one. And, notice a certain orange. (Hint: Tangerine Tango)

So, my next step is to pick out a few fabric swatches and a few patterns to focus on. I'm thinking a blouse or two and a dress will be in the mix. What kinds of clothes would you make to support your 2012 closet?

Minimalism wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:22:00 +0000

This desktop wallpaper is a great daily reminder as I start off the year and my exploration of design constraints.

"Minimalism is not a lack of something, it's simply the perfect amount of something." - Nicholas Burroughs

All sizes are available here from Design Milk .

2012: focused fashion, exploring constraints

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Happy New Year! A few weeks ago I was thinking about what kinds of projects I wanted to work on in 2012 when my husband said, "why don't you pick 5 different fabrics and focus on those for the year?" What an amazing challenge.
So, I created a Pinterest board for 2012 fashion and have been culling through my patterns and clipped magazine articles trying to select the perfect projects.
What colors/patterns of fabric would you choose if you could only focus on 5 for the whole year?

Day bag with leather straps by Bookhoathom

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The leather straps make this bag. Yes, the fabric is eye catching, but imagine if this artist had put black webbing instead.

The Versalette, a Kickstarter project

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

This is one of the coolest Kickstarter projects I've seen, and, since it involves fashion, I had to share it with all of you. Essentially the Versalette is a garment that's made out of recycled fabric and can be worn 15 ways. But the project is rooted in changing the way people think about the products they purchase and consume.

According to their Kickstarter page:

"It has become more about the effects of pesticides for cotton crops and the hardships of exploitative factory work. All so that the rest of us can consume. And throw out. And consume again. Over and over, until we realize that thingswill never truly fulfill us.

We have been fortunate to experience countries so rich in culture, so full of life, that we can't seem to shake one repeating thought: We don't need all of that.

Even more, we can't reason why the developing world should bear the brunt of our consumption. Environmentally. Economically. Personally."

My kind of ladies!

Here's all of the different ways to wear the Versalette. Don't worry, the one shown is in white muslin. They will be available in beautiful colors like black, plum, grey and green.

If you'd like to get one, you have a few more days. Currently, they have more than doubled their amount of money they needed to produce this project.

Check out their lookbook here.

Tape

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

It's probably because of the holidays, but I am seeing decorative washi tape everywhere.

Like these on Etsy (Image 1, Image 2, Image 3)

Can I rationalize buying some? What could I use it for?

Vintage fabric

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:45:00 +0000

I can’t stop looking at this photo. This dress! Her flowers and beautiful hair. The way her hand is resting gently, just barely touching her dress. How beautiful and calm she looks for such a big day. This is how people looked in 1934.

I was recently given this photo and this dress by a distant family member. (She’s my husband’s aunt’s stepmom’s mother. Got that?) She’s a wonderful woman who knows my obsession with fabric and buttons and gave it to me so that I could repurpose it for something. There are dozens of satin fabric covered buttons and yards of matching creamy satin fabric.

So I pose the question. What do I do with this beautiful dress?

Guest Blog Post on sodapopgirl

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:14:00 +0000

I just wrote a guest blog post about DIY holiday gifts over at sodapopgirl. All of the projects are easy to do and great for last minute gifts.

If you haven't been to sodapopgirl, you should add it to your RSS immediately. Emily is the fabulous blogger behind sodapopgirl and I feel lucky to have been part of her blog. Head on over and check out my post and her blog and new jewelry line.

(I bought these earrings from Emily and have been wearing them constantly!)

Lace necklace

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 06:42:00 +0000

I spent my childhood fighting against wearing things like lace. Now, I'm in love with this lace necklace on this antiqued copper chain via Etsy.

Snips

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Every sewist needs a good pair of snips. Scissors like this type from Best Made Company are supposedly one of the oldest tools in the world. I have a pair similar to the Best Made Company snips and LOVE them.

Portland Bazaar

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:17:00 +0000

For the past two weeks I have been giddy about the Portland Bazaar, a weekend event here in Portland that puts a modern spin on the holiday fair. It stood up to the hype.

From housewares and clothes, to letterpress posters and jewelry, many of the vendors were modern, but all had a slightly different take on their own craft.

One woman sold the most beautiful leather clutches that me and my sister melted all over right there in the booth.

This artist made a print of Reykjavik, which touched that special little place in my heart for Iceland.

The event was inspiring and beautiful. I hope it becomes a yearly tradition.

Choose Your Own Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:37:00 +0000

Check out this choose your own adventure from Madewell. (I know it's marketing, but its so darn cute!)

Pantone's Color for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:53:00 +0000

Me and my husband have always liked the color orange. Apparently we are one of only like 13% of the world that considers that our favorite color.

So, I was excited to see that Pantone just named an orange/reddish color called Tangerine Tango, the color of the 2012. I can already tell that 2012 will be a good year!

Music to sew to

noreply@blogger.com (Sarah) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:46:00 +0000

Sewing Tunes by sarah lemmon on Grooveshark

My perfect sewing playlist. Grab a glass of wine and get yourself to your sewing machine.