Neutrals - Always Trending

Good day!

How about a little fashion talk?  Today, I want to share a few thoughts on neutral color fashion.  In my world neutral tones are always trending.  All of the colors are in my color palette (above image).  The brown and green hues compliment my warm dark brown skin and eye color.

Neutrals colors are not extremely eye grabbing but perfect for mixing and matching with other colors and prints.

Throughout the years, I've made it a point to up-date my wardrobe with several neutral pieces to fill in a grab or to update a look or styled outfit.  Sometimes my neutral garment is the main ingredient of my outfit like in my previous post. And other times I add a neutral to mix with a bold color.

In both cases, neutral are in important to my wardrobe and at times can save an outfit. My neutrals are like staple.  My wardrobe would not be complete without them.  So recently, I took a good look into my closets and noticed there weren't many neutral staples.  So this year, I decided to concentration some of my creative efforts towards filling in the gab.

So for the ladies and gents that share a similar state of wardrobe, please join me in my quest.  Or tell me how you feel are "being neutral".

In the meantime, enjoy the inspiration included in this post.

Happy Sewing!
C

Color - New Life New Beginnings with Greenery - 2017 Color of the Year

Pantone has named Greenery the color of the year. It symbolizing renewal.  It speaks spring.  Greenery is the new neutral.  Pantone has provided several color combinations from brights to pastels. Surprisingly, there are many color combinations that I didn't imagined would work together.  Luckily enough, many of the palettes contained a few colors from my personal color palette (outlined in red) that will work for me.

Below are the palettes each having a catchy name associated with them.  My favorites are Moody Blooms and Fathomless because they contain many of my favorite colors. What are your favorite combinations?  Will these palettes influence the color fabric, garments, hair you select this year?

 

 

 

Thank You!

Good afternoon everyone!

Thank you so much for your comments and compliments on my recent sewing project. I love hearing from you and appreciate every time you leave a comment. 

Lately, I've been feeling better about sewing and blogging.  I am motivated to complete several UFO's and new projects on the table.  So in the meantime, I'll blog some trends and Note of a Patterns.

Happy Sewing and Have a Fantastic Weekend!
C

Spring Fling with Supreme Neoprene

I'm so pleased with this project. What better way to start my spring wardrobe than with a supreme neoprene. I began my hunt for it after I saw a neoprene dress made by Ms. Erica B. Three weeks ago, I found it, the perfect, smooth neoprene.

At first glance I knew I had to have this audacious, attention getting print. I didn't need a swatch to know this fabric was a winner; good quality and sews like a dream. Too bad it's all sold out. Not to worry, Mood has a good selection of neoprene in stock.

Neoprene is on trend now. And Ms. Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) has a weekly showing of body hugging dresses that are a great source of inspiration. Her "standout" dresses inspired me to pair this fabulous fabric with Simplicity 1314 modified. Of course, I made several modifications to get the fit right for me.

It is a princess seamed dress with some center front and back details. The actual pattern is more a-line than straight. I made view C with the flange used for view D. Also included in the envelope are pants (view A) and sleeved dress (view B). It comes in sizes 6 to 22. I used size 16 with lots of modifications.

My dress is slightly different because of the changes I made. I was going for a slim dress instead of an a-line one. Other than that the dress looks like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope. The instructions were simple and easy to follow.

This was a good choice for the style of dress I had in mind. Princess seams work well with my body shape. And it is easy to make the pattern adjustments. I also like the curve of the dress panels. They add interest to the dress and can be used to create the illusion of a curvier body with a small waist. For my dress though, it's hard to see those details. Finally, I like the way this dress goes together. No sticky points.

I only had one dislike regarding the construction, and it was due to the thickness of the fabric. Where the flange and the armhole facing are finished, It was hard to get a polished finish. So instead of following step 25 I tacked down the facing by hand. The stitching does not show through to the right side of the fabric. I preferred this finishing to the recommended technique.

My usual fit adjustments:
 - FBA - Swayback
 - Prominent Shoulder Blades
 - Inch or two to length of skirt

After making these adjustments. The dress was too large everywhere, even in the bust area. I started with size 16, but the finished dress was between sizes 14 at the neckline and shoulders; 14/16 at bust; 14 waist and hips(with bust adjustment); and 12/10 below the hips. After all of these changes, I will probably use the pattern at least one more time.

I think this pattern is definitely worth a try. I like the design lines and it's not difficult to make. It's a good pattern for a princess seamed sloper dress.

This is my first dress for Spring 2015. I'm so glad that spring is on it's way. Neoprene is a great fabric to wear during this transitional period. The pattern; easy and sew up quickly.

That's all for now.  Happy Sewing!
C

Notes on a Pattern - Updates

I bet you're wondering what happened to the "Note on a Pattern" series.  It's still on the table, but I have not made anything progress with the first two installments:  bomber/baseball jacket (still looking for the right lace) and something with fringe (debating on whether or not I can make my own fringe).  I wanted to complete one of the two before moving on to more Note on a Pattern. I may very well have multiple Notes as I have multiple projects going on at the same time.

At the beginning of the summer, I hoped to complete a dozen or so reviews from last year and early 2014.  Work and some personal issues are still in the way of me doing as much blogging and sewing as I would like.  Summer is quickly slipping away and the reviews remain on note cards and pattern guide sheets.  Some of my hesitation can be attributed to the whether or note the project is note worthy.  Often I ponder should post a review on garments made with older patterns. Or if the process of making the garment merits a post.  Some of my projects, believe it or not, simply got trashed.  But I still wanted to make some note of those "never to be worn" articles.   So today, I decided do what I can and forgot about the rest.  Keep it moving..,

"Notes on a Pattern will continue".  Some will be linked to trends and others will be related to some goal or interest that are on my list to achieve.  So you will definitely see more trend inspirational posts.  The posts may have style element or color that I'd like to try or it may be purely trend based notations for the season.

I hope you will continue to come see what's new on my blog.  As always, I appreciate your visits as well as your comments.

Thank you,
C

Do you Follow Color Trends?

Do you follow color trends? Or do you stick to the colors that complement the color of your skin, eye, and hair? With each season comes a trendy color palette that many follow because it features the "in" colors of the season.

Ethel Harms did a color analysis for me while I was in Portland, OR. It revealed that I should use a bright-medium autumn palette. Many of the colors are not in my current wardrobe, and there are many colors I've worn for years that are. My palette has no pink/fuschia or grey hues in it (I love these colors and have plenty of fabric to proof it. Lol). These colors make me look pale or grey.

The spring/summer colors this year are tangerine, mint green, bright yellow, kelly green and coral. My first thought was oh..., I can wear all of these. To date, I have not made or bought anything of these colors. My color palette contains only one of these colors. Surprise to me!

During the color analysis, Ethel placed the colors swatches close to my face, I could clearly see how the colors reflected or repelled the vibrate natural tones in my complexion. What a revelation. I'd never thought to have a color analysis, always thinking I was sure of the colors that work well with my skin tone. I'm happy that I now know that many blues, greens and oranges (especially) are great colors for me. So think about it. What colors work best with your skin, hair and eye colors? Trends are okay, but every trend is not good for every fashionista.

Here are a few of the photos that Pati Palmer took during the color analysis. (warning some pictures are without makeup, just lipstick.  Lol)

Me being silly at the start of the session (I was a little nervous at the beginning.).  Black (hair) is okay and the three shades of brown (eyes).

Draping scrafes and swatches - The first drafted color not so good.  Doesn't really complement.

The blues and browns - better

The brown, gold, and cranberry tones are a perfect complement.

Ethel placed the colors that worked well with my skin on the table.

Next, a few close ups of the plattetts that work for me.


Browns, Reds and Oranges

Greens and Browns

Blues and Browns

A Hand Full of Colors

That's it on color.  So, how do you feel about color trends?  Do you follow them or use colors that work well with your skin tone? 

Happy Sewing and Wardrobe Designing, C

PS - DD's jackets are done.  I will show them in next post.

Color Analysis photographs are compliments of the Pati/Palmer Company.