Monday Morning Inspiration/Fringe It!

I feel like this post should be entitled, "Great Expectations." I had the best intentions of doing so many posts last week...and then...I did nothing. Maybe it's winter, but, it really can't be that as I LOVE winter. Oh well, I'm here today, and I guess that's what counts :)

Some fun things, not at all sewing related...

I am having the best time with Berkley! The very first night that I brought him home, he jumped up on an ottoman that rocks back and forth. Most dogs would quickly jump off, but not Berkley! He just rode it out. The thought came to me that he might enjoy an agility class. The only problem was how aggressive he became when he would see other dogs. So, I decided to have a trainer come and help me with the situation. Last Monday was our first session. He was a little shocked by the experience, but the techniques really work! I had him out for a long walk yesterday. We encountered 3 dogs. I could see that he noticed the dogs, but he just kept walking. I was so very happy. There's still hope for that agility class :) 

My husband's nephew had mentioned that I should find a cabinet for the Christmas Creatures that I have made. I thought it was a great idea, but I was a little stumped on what the cabinet should look like. It really needed to have the same funky aspect as the creatures. 

I found the cabinet pictured below, made from repurposed wood and an old window frame. Perfect! The only issue was that it would need shelves, lighting, and glass in the door/window. I took it to a carpenter/artist that I thought would do a nice job. He did :) Now the little creatures have their own home.              

We hung the cabinet last week. It weighs a TON!!! And, it was a bear to hang. But, it's up, and until the end of the world comes, at least for me ;), this is where the cabinet will stay!
What has been nice is that everyone who has dropped by has been drawn to the cabinet, and they have just stood and marveled at all the little guys inside. So nice :) It looks like there's a crack in the glass in the picture below. There isn't, it's just a shadow.  

Becky of Trail Balloons and I are gearing up for a new February challenge. We will be using the Merchant and Mills Francine top/dress to create woven wool/tweed sweatshirts. We have set our weekly challenges, so we have a game plan. Now to decide what I'll be doing. I did a little snooping around on Pinterest for some design ideas. As it turns out, I was really drawn to fringe. 

I love this piece from Chanel. Pictured on Anna Wintour on the left, I love how it was cut on the bias. With this piece, the fringe is not a self fringe, but feathers. Regardless, it's a great inspiration piece.  

Here's a tweed jacket that was given added attention with the fringe trim. So pretty. 

The fringe on the dress and jacket below looks like a purchased trim. But, the fabric could easily be fringed and sewn back on to the garment.

Another Chanel piece with self fringe.

Two rows of fringe on the jacket. It really pops due to the added black trim.

An extremely simple top given a little interest with the fringe hems. Love the added detail of the fringe on the skirt as well.

The center panel on the dress below would have disappeared had the fringe not been added.

Another super simple top made more interesting with the fringe on the sleeves and the hem. Love the added detail of the knitted cuffs.

The last two pieces are skirts and not tops, but I really love the self fringe on both.

Bubblegum 4 Breakfast did a lovely post on how she created this beautiful bias trim. You can find the post HERE.  

Here's another great post on making fringe from KBDesigns. 

So, if you find that you would like to embellish a garment, especially one that is made with a fabric that will fringe, there's no need to search and search for trim as you just need to pull a few threads!

Have a great week!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration

The August issue of Vogue is a great issue. Lots of great articles and some interesting fashion. As I went through the issue, I noticed quite a bit of fringe. Of course the cowgirl in me did a double take. Although the layout is all photographed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is really pretty hardcore cowgirl, we can all add an element of fringe to our wardrobe as you'll see at the end of the post.     You can see more of the Vogue layout here.

The fringe detail in the skirt below is done with leather and feathers. The skirt is from Marni.

The coat in the picture above is from Burberry Prorsum. You can see a video and more of this fabulous collection here.
The skirt pictured below is from Chanel and features a fringe and grommet trim.

                 
The skirt above is from Micheal Kors and is the same skirt that was photographed for the layout. I love it paired with a cabled sweater.

A simple fringe detail gives this skirt a little added interest. Angela Wolf has a cute pattern for a fringed skirt that you can find here.

Row after row of fringe detail. Love it!

Here's a tutorial for making crepe paper fringed garland. Why not take the same idea and do it with fabric? You could do a few rows or an entire skirt as above.

Or, if you just want to try a touch of fringe, add a fun bag to your wardrobe. The fringe, studs and chain bag above is a lot of fun, but if you would like something a little more toned down, here's a fun little bag that you can make, http://transientexpression.com/how-to-make-a-fringed-leather-bag/.

Hope something inspires you to add not only a little fringe, and a little fun to your wardrobe.

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration

Happy new week everyone!! After my computer fiascos of last week, I am staking my claim that this will be a wonderful week. Gotta have faith!! So far, so good :)

While going through some old pictures that I had torn out of magazines for inspiration, I came across something that I decided to research and while doing so, I came across a site that had trends for the upcoming spring season. I thought they were rather fun, so I thought I would share them with you this morning.

Fashion Trends For Spring 2014

Baseball jackets are everywhere. Notice that two different sites agreed on the Marc Jacobs jacket. If you want to be on trend this season, quickly get a baseball jacket made up.  

Of course floral prints are always big, no news here.

Gingham. A little on the vintage side, but I think it's always so fresh and pretty.

Just this morning, Couture Allure posted this lovely vintage gingham dress on her blog. Love the use of the smaller gingham print as trim. Pretty neckline too. 

Culottes!!!! I love culottes!!

 Pleated Skirts, notice that they are small little pleats. Gives a fun little swish factor!

 Fringe! Talk about swish!!!

Two different sites agreed on the fringe trend.

Paint splatter

 Mules are back, yea!!

I'm not so sure about this selection of shoes.

Funky Hats

If you think that you might like to give the paint splatter thing a try, I found this on Pinterest.

I thought that it might be fun to do, that is if you can bear the thought of painting a freshly labored over new garment!! Here's a link to the tutorial, http://daretodoityourself.blogspot.it/2012/05/diy-dress-pollock-impulse.html
For a little theatrical fun, check out this video clip from the 1999 Alexander McQueen runway show.

Not something I would want to do, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless.
This season it looks like we have permission to pull out our vintage ginghams, mules and culottes. We can then release our inner child by throwing paint around all while wearing a baseball jacket and cap with a matching fringed skirt ;)
Hope you have a super fun week! I'm hoping to :)
Rhonda