Claire Kennedy Design

More on Vogue Fabrics, Jan 2011

Oops - I'm registered on Vogue Fabrics by mail, and some of the links I provided on yesterday's post are for those registered.  It's free:  granted it's another password and username to remember, but it does give you access to the latest fabrics by mail.  I think after a month they are all accessible.  In the meantime I do have some of the pictures up of the fabrics.  What my intention was that if you receive the samples by mail, but are looking for ideas for the fabrics.  Hope that makes sense.

A perfect example is the Parity Tweed.  It looks like a tweed (and is even called a tweed), but when you put your hand on it, it's a lot like a blouse weight.

So you can definitely add backing to the tweed to make it structured like a typical jacket-type fabric, or you can think outside the box and do something a little different, but something that works.

The first idea is to do some sort of blouse look.  (This does not require any backing)

This is BurdaStyle #104 from May, 2010, but you can download it on the Burda site here.  This would be an easy solution, and sort of a "folk" look.

But what about something different (this doesn't require backing either):

This is from the same issue #126 or you can download it here on the Burda site.  This looks much more like the jacket that the tweed is meant for, but it's loose, and would make a really fine look.

For a fun variation a slit up the back taked with an embroidered arrow would also be a neat look:

You can do this one of two ways...you can insert a block pleat with a stay at the waist, or an opening (this would entail you always wear a shell or camisole under the jacket, unless you want a really big raise at work (OK, not funny!)

Following is a short tut on how to make the embroidered arrow tack.  I like to place this so that the flat edge is at the bottom and the point is at the top.  The stay needs to be at the bottom of the tacked area, so that should be where the bottom, not the point of the arrow needs to stay this area.

Vogue Fabrics by Mail, Jan 2011

I get a lot of questions about what fabrics go with what patterns, so thought I would go through Vogue Fabrics by Mail January (Winter 2010) selection issue and look at the fabrics.  If you don't subscribe to their fabric by mail, it's well worth the annual fee of $30 to put your hand on these.  But if you do subscribe, then read along for some ideas about what makes a good jacket, blouse, shirt, skirt or whatever you're thinking.

The first thing that pops off the first page (Gabrielle) is this jewel, which is 100% cotton.  This screams jacket to me.  You want to put the more dramatic fabric closer to your face, because that's where you want all the attention.  There's also a nice red linen that coordinates with this beautifully either another piece or binding/contrast for this fabric piece.

Here are two classic Burda patterns...#127 (1/2011), and #108 (2/2010).  Both would be fabulous in this "district check" red and white.  Plus, this red and white and these jacket styles classify as "classic" and get into the investment wardrobe builders in your closet.  And you can elect to trim #108 which would be easy to do, in the red linen coordinate.

This first page features more of a cherry red, rather than a tomato red, and with white and bright colors as the coordinates, so this would tend toward someone who wears cool colors very well.

 

The next one is a couple of pages on and for the warm side of the color wheel:

This photographs a little lighter than what it actually is (one of the advantages of holding it in your hand).  This is also 100% cotton, and with backing (that's either a nice silk organza which is the easiest and safest thing to back with) or a woven (I just prefer non bondable when backing which prevents bubbles from appearing later in the garment), to make a more tailored and structured jacket (like the two Burda examples above).  If you do the jewel neck version (#108), you can trim with the great turquoise stretch.  Yes, it's stretch but just back it.

There are other coordinates with this, but these are two solids, and wanted to make a point with these.  Both are stretch, but the turquoise has much more body, and is excellent for pants or structured skirt to use with stretch-type fabrics.  The brown is a tad darker and a little lighter weight and would probably best be used in a looser structured garment like a fuller skirt or blouse (not tailored shirt).

Just a quick run thru the next couple of pages.

Parfum page - The tweed (a hemp with a beautiful sheen and great price) is the jacket/top (VF111-32), and the others are coordinates....the VF111-35 could be used as trim/contrast/binding for the tweed, and the VF111-33 would be fabulous for pants or structured skirt.  This might seem to be a little off the beaten track, but if you live in the warm side of the color wheel, these colors are neutrals for you. 

Upheaval is mostly greens and I've already done plenty of those so onto the cool side of the color wheel.

Comeback - I'm not a blue person, not that I don't like blue, I do.  It's just I can't wear it...why even look at it if I can't even wear it.  But this blue brocade beautiful.  To me this is almost year round.  It's a cotton, which means it's cool in the summer, and it's dark enough to be gorgeous in the winter.  For a cool palette, this is a great selection, especially for those who wear deep rich colors.  This is a perfect MOB (Mother of Bride) jacket, if the wedding is spring, light dress, if winter, dark dress.  And again if you live in the cool side of the color wheel, then this is a classic color in your wardrobe or should be.

Fashion the last page is an unusual page with some fun fabrics....a little on the dressier side, with some normally casual fabrics.  The polyesters 49, 51, & 53 all would make great tops or blouses, no shirts, and the 54 & 52 would be great for pants or jackets.  The 52 is particularly interesting cause it is stiff enough for pants or something that requires a lot of structure.  It has no stretch in it, but is almost gun metal color and hint of shine.  The other idea for 52 would be a leather-type designed jacket....something like this

I particularly like #114 - both of these are out of the August, 2010 BurdaStyle.  #114 has so many great seams to fit and with a kickin' zipper in that VF111-52, would b e stunning - for a person who lives on the cool side of the color wheel.

OK - hope that gave you some ideas!