by Dave | Mar 7, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Color Theory (history of fashion)
Not the most entertaining part of creating apparel, but the most crucial when designing and sewing garments.[envira-gallery id="2923"]
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- Can you believe the first color wheel was invented by associating each color with a note one a musical scale? This was accomplished by Newton.
- 100 years later psychological studies began on the effects on colors.
- Goethe divided the psychological effects of colors into two groups.
*Plus side (red, orange, yellow) colors producing cheerfulness and excitement
*Minus side (green, violet, blue) colors of weakness and unsettled feelings.
THE REAL DEAL (COLOR RULES)
- Any two colors opposite each other are harmonious.
- Colors spaced around the wheel forming a triangle, or rectangle are also harmonious.
- Color schemes——also known as harmonies remain so no matter what the rotation angle is.
BASIC COLOR SCHEMES[envira-gallery id=”2926″]
- Monochromatic Color Scheme-The use of color tints and saturations of one color.
- Analogous Color Scheme– This color scheme uses colors next to each other with one color ore dominate to enhance the color scheme.
- Complementary Color Scheme- One of the most used schemes, the colors are opposite each other on the wheel. This scheme is used best with a cool color with a warm color.
- Split Complementary Color Scheme- Uses three colors. One color is chosen as well as the two adjacent to the first color, providing a high contrast.
Triadic Color Scheme
The triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. The triadic scheme is not as contrasting as the complementary scheme, but it looks more balanced and harmonious.
Tetradic (Double Complementary) Color Scheme
The tetradic (double complementary) scheme is the most varied because it uses two complementary color pairs. This scheme is hard to harmonize; if all four hues are used in equal amounts, the scheme may look unbalanced, so you should choose a color to be dominant or subdue the colors.
http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-theory-basics.html
![Palette aka Fabric Hoard]()
by Dave | Mar 5, 2016 | Lucy's Sewing Lab
You know how it goes, with a palette, the seasons begin to change, Pantone releases the colors, and you are itching to make it work. So, I took a little shopping spree.
Every single solid below matches with all the prints. Not to mention, a great deal of these solids are part of the Pantone’s pick for the season. [envira-gallery id="2899"]
[envira-gallery slug="palette"]Look at these prints, I think the first would be an amazing pair of palazzos. The second prints with the mix of browns, pinks, and mustard is simply unique and perfect for a top to accompany the solids below. All the prints incorporate the same palette of colors and will create a unique Spring/Summer 2016 wardrobe. Stand by and watch me work!
![Palette aka Fabric Hoard]()
by Dave | Feb 21, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Fashion, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab
Welcome to Fall 2016 Pantone Colors. These colors are so versatile, I love them! You have vibrancy with New Riverside (shades of blue), Spicy Mustard (shades of yellow), New Bodacious (shades of pink), and Meadow Lush (shades of green). Actually they are each their own new shade of blue, yellow, pink, and green. I love them! They can be worn alone and make a statement, or paired with other colors to further define their vibrancy.
Potter’s Clay is one of my personal favorites! I love this color and will gladly mix it with Spicy Mustard, Taupe, and Sharkskin. This color is very versatile and lends itself to a neutral as much as a color that can stand on it’s own.
Dusty Cedar can be as romantic as business. Mixed with Sharkskin and black screams business. While mixing Dusty Cedar with Warm Red and Warm Taupe can lead to an exciting night out on the town, Fall 2016 Pantone has hit the nail on the head once again!
Warm Taupe, I have to admit is one of my favorites. I am biased to shades of brown though. Potter’s Clay would make this 2016 Pantone color pop. It can be mixed with all the colors, a few at a time or all at once. This color can also stand alone. It reminds me of the naked dress from Sex and the City. Airy Blue is a fall version of serenity. This color would look great mixed with lush meadow’s vibrancy as well as aurora red for a punch of confidence
The color combinations with Fall 2016 Pantone’s colors is spectacular! Stock up now. I know a few local stores already selling these colors which is perfect for warmer climates. What do you think of the selection? How will you use it? ENJOY!
by Dave | Feb 20, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Blog, Experimentation, Fashion, Inspiration, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
Fashion hacks are my favorite sewing inspiration. Do you specifically shop for fashion in pattern catalogs or on pattern sites? I found myself really wondering if these things are really in fashion or just look good to other seamstresses. I started about a year ago shopping in fashion magazines and stores for hacks. I didn’t want to look cool to the sewing community, I wanted to look cool!
Free People Fashion Hacks
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[envira-gallery slug="freepeople-lace-up"]This is one [envira-gallery id=”2855″]of the better descriptions. It not only lists the fabric but also the exact fabric content and points out the seaming around the bust as well as details about the hem we cannot see. Thanks for the help needed on our own fashion hack. 🙂
This dress! [envira-gallery id=”2853″]I cannot wait to make. Do you see the simplicity of the lines? The photo boasts, “Made in suede!” Easy peasy!
We all need casual I don’t care clothing in the warmer months, right? Here’s another of my favorite fashion hacks.[envira-gallery id=”2851″]This is a Raglan top with a wide neckline. They have Shirred the neckline, but you could get a similar look with elastic. I would hem the neckline. Then sew the elastic directly to the hem. Encasing the elastic would take away some of the free spirit. If you want to know how to shir, Seamingly Kitten has a great tutorial. Basically you need elastic thread.
By Gum By Golly is a really hip seamstress. [envira-gallery id=”2849″]She sews like I sew, a lot of self drafting. In case you haven’t heard, the turtleneck is making a comeback! She nails it and gives great instructions to make your own. WHO WHAT WEAR is featuring dark denim. I’ve had dark denim [envira-gallery id=”2847″]in and out of my stash for over a year now and I just bought quite a lot of some very lightweight dark denim at Hancock Fabrics. I love the look of this dress they featured. It’s essentially your favorite tee-shirt, nipped at the waist, and made longer.
by Dave | Feb 16, 2016 | Beginner Tips, Lucy's Sewing Lab, Tools and Technique
I found my serger! After too much research, comparing, interviewing, and asking for demonstrations I found the one! You see, I have a friend whose a “real” designer. One of her designs even made it to the red carpet. I asked her opinion on which one to buy and why. I really, really wanted a Singer. You see, I’m married to Singer! Love at first sight for us. Singer got us through the 80’s and when I started sewing again, Singer was my first choice. She assured me Singer was a great choice.
She then told me she used JUKI. I asked why, I mean, who wouldn’t want to know, right? She told me she worked with and worked on a lot of different machine brands. JUKI is the strongest and best produced machine, in her opinion. So, of course I kept researching. My researched turned up the same information she already gave me. JUKI is a very well made machine and the lowest end of the line performs just as well as the top of the line. The company was given the Deming Prize for quality control in the manufacturing of industrial sewing machines in 1981. If you would like more information and convincing of the brand go here. Amazon testimonials are also a great source for information when looking for a new machine. The machine I am looking at buying is the Juki MO-50E 3/4 Thread Serger, the customer reviews made me a believer! ENJOY
Feature image retrieved from here.
