SarahLizSewStyle

Over the last few weeks I have introduced the basics of colour analysis using the seasonal system along with an introduction to five style personalities; By now you should have an idea of whether you have warm or cool colouring, and whether you prefer lighter or deeper colours.  Don't worry if you haven't yet worked it out yet, because in a few weeks I'll work through this again. Also, don't worry if you have worked out the colours that suit you from my introduction but don't like them or would never wear them.  It could be due to your style personality. For instance, if  rich pink is in your palette, you may want to wear it if you have a romantic personality style, but not if you are a natural.  Naturals prefer more subdued earthy colours. Most of you could easily work out what style personality you have.  It's quite common to have a mix of two or more style personalities, or maybe one at work (i.e very classic if you work in a conservative office)

Earlier this month I mentioned that I was thinking about starting a low key stash challenge.  Some of you missed the post, so here it is the link: http://sarahlizsewstyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/style-stash.html A couple of you have already indicated interest so I thought I should mention this proposed sew-a-long so I could get your ideas about how you would like to use your stash. There are no formal rules or guidelines - just a promise to use some of your stash for the rest of this sewing year, and then to let everyone know what you have made from your stash.  Plans can also be posted.  I'm still at the development stage and will probably formally commence the sew-a-long in a few weeks, to allow people to find out and get their ideas together.  My thoughts were that many of us stash - probably for all sorts of reasons.  And then we don't ever quite get around to using the stash - again, for all sorts of reasons, including the fabric is too good to use. I also have

Hello everyone Another week has flown by both in my real world and the blogosphere.  And once again, it is that time of week when I welcome new followers. This week I would like to welcome Ellen.  I also found two people I do not think I have welcomed before - Becky and Lynette.  My apologies.  Kristy is following me on Bloglovin, and so is someone else - I'm not sure who you are, so I can't say Hi personally. ***** This week I talked about a sew-a-long for people that want to use more of their stash.  I have a huge stash, collected over years of dreaming about sewing but not having time to sew.  I also stash because nice fabric is hard to come by. Many of you wish me well in this venture, but prefer to sit this one out - mostly because of the fact that people fall of the stash wagon. Believe you me, so will I.  I think the point of this was just stash awareness and the ability to sew-a-long with no pressure with some emphasis on using some of the stash befo

After last week's run of wannabe muslin wadders (total of 3) I decided it was time to break from muslins and actually make something. (Of course I am still working on the muslin project, and have one made that is FINALLY nearly okay.  I'm going to do another of course, and then I think I will have a master shape to work with. I do not easily give up). These trousers are not quite TNT trousers, but as near as I could get them to be while I was studying.  I used McCalls M5239. I can't remember what size I used originally - I've been working off a tracing which has nearly disintegrated.  McCalls M5239 I used a stretch cotton twill - I also used a piece of this same fabric for my exercise pants.  I am not used to working with stretch fabrics for pants, so decided that using it for a pattern I was already familiar with was a good idea so that I could see how the fabric sits and handles, and also  how much ease is required when compared to woven non stretch fab

Vogue Patterns V1232 The clothes we wear generally reflect our personality and lifestyle.  In some clothes we feel comfortable, and in others we don't feel like "ourselves".   There are quite a few different clothing styles - some systems use 4 and some many more, but I will introduce your to five today.  You may find that you are one of these, or a combination.   I will not be posting pictures of people to illustrate these clothing personalities.  I know many people do download images of celebrities for this sort of reason, but ethically I will not do this without permission - and I don't know these people!  Also, you are infringing all sorts of laws, and that can have repercussions.  As you are all sewers, though, I think you will have good enough imaginations to be able to work out what each type is on your own and probably already know what style personality you are :-).  THE NATURAL :  Vogue Patterns V8810 The natu

Over the last two weeks, I have shown you the how the seasonal colour system works.  Some of you have commented that you do not seem to be an obvious season, while others do recognise their season. Some of you have commented that you can't see yourself in the seasonal system, while others clearly can.  There are a number of variations on the seasonal system  (the seasonal flow system and also the tonal system) also developed in the 1980's that address this issue. I personally find that these systems still anchor back to the seasonal idea (which was based  on the theories of artist Johannes Itten (Bauhaus School) - he claimed that a person's personal colours should be complementary to their skin tone, hair and eyes).   For those of you who are going to see a colour consultant, be aware that he/she may use a different system, but what is important in any of the systems is finding colours that harmonise with your skin, eyes, and hair. And for those of you still wond

Hello everyone, I found an old book a few years ago "THE CUTTER'S GUIDE " , A MANUAL OF DRESSCUTTING AND LADIES' TAILORING, by M.E. Roberts, published in Sydney in 1928.  At the back of the book, I found guidelines for form (what we now call style) and colour, and I've been  sharing these with you over the weeks. This guide was written specifically for women's styling. The language used is so different from our very direct way of speaking ninety years later, but the principles outlined  are as sound now as they were then (with the exception of some, which just amuse us now.  So, whatever you think of the ideas,  please enjoy them :) Image sourced from www.lepetitechodelamode.com . This week the author is discussing how the colour, fabric and purpose of the garment work should work together. 43.  There must be one prevailing colour in any garment. Different colours in equal quantities are only worn be mountebanks.  some part

Last week I introduced you to one system of colour analysis  which has four clusters of colours that suit different skin tones.  These are Winter's cool colours  (blue based colours that are sharp, clear, and vivid), Summer's cool colours,  (softer neutrals, blue based, softer and lighter than winter's colours), Autumn's warm colours (browns, tans, golds, oranges, yellow greens), and Spring's warm colours (yellow undertone,  light, clear and crisp). Today  I am going to explain which colours are your best for your  neutrals, basics and brights. WINTER NEUTRAL COLOURS:  Whites, greys, black, navy and gray-beiges - will go anywhere, anytime. BASIC COLOURS: Reds, blues, and greens, in medium to dark shaded -will go most places, anytime.   BRIGHT COLOURS: More intense, medium to dark shades.  Used as bright accents with neutrals, used in prints, good for fun/active wear.  Can work in dresses or evening wear  in a good fabric in a simple design. L

Last week I confessed that I had an enormous stash of fabric.  I don't think I have told you quite how much yet - possibly because I don't even like admitting it to myself - but collecting fabric did keep me sane during quite a few tedious, impossible to sew time sieges.  And it does mean I have a lot of lovely fabric to work through now. And patterns.  Lots of them.  Lots and lots of lovely patterns to work through.  Some will not work out, and will be consigned to the rubbish bin pronto.  Others will be winners. So, I have decided to set my own challenge for the rest of the year.  To actually use the fabric I have before purchasing another roomful.   I could join another stash challenge, but I rather want the flexibility to sew what I like when I like from my stash, as part of the sew your own wardrobe for a year challenge. I am not sure if others will want to join this low key challenge.  If you would like to, please let me know.  I haven't

Hello Everyone, It's Sunday afternoon again, the time when I sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and write my blog post and read yours as well. And on Sunday's post I always welcome my new followers - and this week I would like to welcome Mary from SewFast, Juliet, Rhonda and Kat.  I look forward to getting to know you all, both on my blog and yours.   I also welcome my two new BlogLovin followers - unfortunately I have not received an email from Bloglovin  about you,  so I am not sure who you are, but welcome nonetheless :-) This week I have written about my stash, and about colour analysis and about my wadder wannabes.  There were lots of lovely comments on all of these posts, and I have, I hope, replied to all of you.  But I would also like to add one or two more points here. STASHING AND HOARDING It see ms that most of us have r ather extensive fa bric stashes and pattern hoards (to say nothi ng of all the sew ing ideas buzzing a r ound in our heads

This was the week of the wadder wannabes.  I wanted to make a pair of slim fitting casual pants and coat from Burda pattern 7162, already sized for petite. Burda 7162. I wanted to make the cropped version, and wear them under the coat.  I have slim legs so thought I could get away with it.  The pattern stipulated stretch fabric for the trousers. I decided (wisely, in hindsight) to make a muslin out of some stretch cotton that I do not like - I think I bought it when it was cheap, and then regretted it.  This was the result: Lovely hip pouches and tight tummy area (both of which could be easily remedied), but look at the wrinkly legs, and knobbly knees!  This is not the chic, slightly sophisticated look I was fantasizing about! And that's before looking at the back:  A seriously non sophisticated look.  I know they are designed to go under a coat, but still!!  So, I decided to bin that project before my angst grew too troublesome. Next, sti

Depending on your colouring you may or not be able to wear black well next to your face.  Of course, some of you can - those with winter colouring, although even winters may find that they need a lift of colour  near the face. Black is a very handy neutral and most of us have it in our wardrobes.  In the 1980's when I trained in colour, we were quite rule bound, and if you were a season other than winter, then you were practically forbidden to wear black.  As I was a summer, and black is not in my palette, I always found this difficult, as I cannot easily find my colours in clothes or fabrics.  And many of my activities required black clothing (and during the 1990's nothing much was available!). Times change and it became more accepted  that people will wear black (for whatever reason) whatever the colour consultant thought best! But if it is not in your palette do wear it in a way that flatters you. Here are some ideas for wearing black if it is not such a great colour