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Open up your favorite fashion magazine like Vogue or others, and take a good look. The fashion gurus are constantly reinventing, repackaging, and redefining the newest fashions. While it can be a challenge to keep up with all the changes, it can also be exciting and glamorous.
Even more incredible than seeing the newest styles, is making them. That is right. Those of us who sew have a unique opportunity to make our own exciting fashion statement. When we something we like, we can imitate it. When we get a flash of genius, all we have to do is enter our creative wonderland and sew together what we imagine. We can construct our own styles the way we want them. We can express ourselves in ways others can only wish.
Fashion changes so fast it can be dizzying. Every season brings fresh new styles. Magazines, shows, and advertizing put a spotlight on the new trends, but as fast as the new comes, the old fades away. Hmmm, how long has it been since your saw a double knit leisure suit?
King Solomon said, There is nothing new under the heavens. When it comes to fashion, he seems to be right on. A close look at the current fashions, reveals that designers resurrect features, styles, and trends of the past. They pick and choose to create new twists and turns to create fresh fashion styles. What stops you from doing the same thing? Nothing. You too can pick and choose from thousands of patterns to create your own fresh styles.
Determine the neatest, newest, most exciting styles of the new fashion look. Then consider what kinds of sewing projects could you envision?
If you are fearful that your projects might not turn out just right, there are several practical solutions. There are hundreds of patterns produced by the pattern houses like Vogue, Simplicity, and McCalls. You can always use parts of old patterns to make new applications. There is also, design software available including Dressmaker and My Design. To gain more confidence, enroll in a class on fitting or even pattern design.
You might consider projects like: a slim skirt, great fitting slacks, fitted jacket, wide belt, shaped t-shirts, wrapped blouses and dresses, denim projects, and all kinds of embellished projects.
Consider all the possibilities. They are endless. You can start from scratch or take a ready to wear item and convert it to something amazing. Remember, the projects you sew can produce you own distinctive fashion statement.
Maybe you are one of those sewers who like short cuts. Instead of worrying about designing your own pattern, laying it out, cutting it out, sewing, and fitting; you might take advantage of the ready to wear world. Find simple even plain ready to wear items, and transform them with your own special flare. Embellish with embroidery, metallic embellishments, add ons (like pockets), sparkles. What you can imagine you can achieve.
Sometimes the newest fashions, can be made by recycling stuff already in the closet. By making some alterations, adding some distinctive embellishment, or just using the item in a fresh new way; we produce our new style. It is so exciting when friends respond, Wow, how much did that cost? It is so much fun being the envy of my friends.
What about color? The department stores cycle through different colors and styles based on what they think will sell. One year I wanted to buy a light green dress, but found the stores were in a blue cycle. There were no green dresses. But, I sew. So, I quickly put together my own fashion green. Now I didnt, but I could have even died my own fabric if I had wanted to. Color make a big difference. A touch here or there changes everything.
Sewing has so many great benefits. Sewing relaxes us. Sewing gives us deep inner peace. Sewing expresses our creativity. Sewing builds our self confidence. Sewing satisfies our inner passions. Fashion Sewing empowers us to create our own styles with the colors, textures, fit, design, comfort, and personal statement like nothing else.
The next time you visit a department store, look at the items with a new perspective. Look at how the item is made and the fabrics used. Consider how easy it would be for you to make the same item. Then check the price tag. You know, you could make that item usually or half or less. Of course, if their item is 70% off, because it has been on the rack for year it might be work. But dont you deserve the best, especially if you can sew it yourself?
Unlike the cast iron workhorses of ages past, the modern sewing machine is fun and easy to use. It has so many convenience features and sews so smoothly, that sewing our own styles is a pleasure. The satisfaction we gain cannot be measured. The supports and resources available to help us create and produce our own styles make it easier than ever. So, lets do it. Lets create. Lets sew our own styles.
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