![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP_0W-bIl5SOW9GXvI6U3aCFYjEHGFIu6LvTsZsTZwQWTicg-oT1NLAUCpFUhscmX_1fJD8xUbbs0iKKzoCzxSVJvTgzszlMC9cdq5P7Hcn0LlxHa4XznjVlO29I2B5gEN9r8E5fSFLJx/s320/Inspiration+2011.jpg)
Many of us have vision boards that show what we plan to make and the steps we will take to produce an inspired garment. I have my vision boards, but they show other goals and ideas about the home, life, and family. So where do I put the magazine clippings and sketches for things I hope to make? Most are on a bookshelf in my bedroom or in a notebook kept on the night stand. The pages in my inspiration portfolio are motivation for some of the things I make and which accessories I choose to compliment an outfit.
Many of the things pictured don't necessarily inspire me to copy them, but to try a new look; try a new color combination, use a particular detail or finish on a garment. Last week, as I thumbed through the the portfolio, I noticed the dates at the bottom of the pages: 2004, 2006, 2001, etc. Many styles are over ten years old; but in my mind, they are fresh, a great platform to come up with a new wearable creation.
So, here are a few ideas about some of the designs that I like:
In 2007 Marie Claire did an expose' on Black and White, Hi and Low (price).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mDZY_Vf0QQMnsOg0IQmqCWezsIYELHckBWFljDgQ7A5sXwn2qlQlRNWfsxtUTwf5AU-lvjPHixxDxsq4VgE5t2O0CVwdpnkmP39j6OJU-DyRJrQUpbgNrpH6HMbDub7tgckIEe-wsLOj/s320/Inspiration+Black+and+White+2011.jpg)
I like white and black outfits, but looking closer I also found small details that I liked as well:
The polka blouse with the silver leather cuffs. I like this concept but I decided that I wouldn't make a blouse like this. I bought four yards of red and white polka-dot fabric from Vogue a few years ago. Two years ago, I thought I would be making a dress. Today I'm still undecided about the style of the dress.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1NKqlBfsBtchjHMYbStCMrCTWwrVQc9AQoflIYgs2GQUfK-wdytFZXQyN4YHOhzDCh83AsrEh471PTyLPh1m8S4_6vpEXD3XskpY_GvPO-CN3caWG8PYVj1LQJUAvCxnr79go4lfH2Ok/s320/black+and+white+polka+blouse.jpg)
The floral jacket and the ruffle blouse are the speakers of this outfit. The thing that I like most is the ring on the models right hand (I want one.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzUvSwbtbDdSu5Qw4b7KY-kCC87zZ-NsmuHWzxtQJ0sprQBMbEYTSSNw2Cgn_4ISHzehPFRHS6qJnqsECmzWxVjWvazaCd5sAWRWRGDek57s36oZPbh8fOMa9XKoUikaIP6xXxcbI_9EZ/s320/black+and+white+floral+jacket+with+ruffle+blouse.png)
The abstract print of the dress was the inspiration for the fabric that I purchased to make my sister a dress last year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3Bi72LVeVA7Ez9lVSyOE71i7pAB3VtL7c-u7pKcz2o6Of4vnFx4nstVzfbk3YBPWanaKW547pT3cIV6kEW4vzhemcN_nmi3yBjGdZg6bqBuuNHGjJwh_pJA59_NH7zdyhIKotzt0VYBl/s320/white+and+black+page+158-2007.jpg)
The white trench made me think of white dresses with full skirts. I've purchased several yards of white fabric (linen, georgette, and lightweight twill) to make white dresses.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JQR8tx65HvESHLlUT_r99BgUE686o1dE-YVqGEOcd43OHgeL41uF6IORRAc4IuOPt7ctZKOCBKR9qz7Gq756_TpIK8apyPkARA62XWAGvRxRDw5S_xH7Osi1NsUfvgpEpDlWJrLmr9nG/s320/white+dress+with+big+black+belt.jpg)
Finally, this page has a collection of black and white pieces, most of which I could easily see myself in. The white dress trimmed in black is the inspiration for a dress I'm making for the fashion show. My version is red and black. The pattern has only two pieces. Claire Danes's dress has a princess seam bodice with a multi-panel skirt.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1RRKi-o8h7ZgsoDBVsJC0kBbD4oLz9NypBqjayJf42gHFSn4MPrLI6YdvKRtEF9IYLmjJI9Q27EKPWQI8B57PhPWaibSxGw1sFb_CxFa9hDU2SSYWWfR_-0f9nRwu5Q9uFp2K-p5yvCY/s320/Blacks+and+whites+inspiration+for+LCW+dress.png)
So that's it for this installment of "what inspires me". Currently, I'm working on several fashion show garments and a few client projects. Oh yes, a few "me" projects here and there.
Stay tuned!
C
Many of the things pictured don't necessarily inspire me to copy them, but to try a new look; try a new color combination, use a particular detail or finish on a garment. Last week, as I thumbed through the the portfolio, I noticed the dates at the bottom of the pages: 2004, 2006, 2001, etc. Many styles are over ten years old; but in my mind, they are fresh, a great platform to come up with a new wearable creation.
So, here are a few ideas about some of the designs that I like:
In 2007 Marie Claire did an expose' on Black and White, Hi and Low (price).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mDZY_Vf0QQMnsOg0IQmqCWezsIYELHckBWFljDgQ7A5sXwn2qlQlRNWfsxtUTwf5AU-lvjPHixxDxsq4VgE5t2O0CVwdpnkmP39j6OJU-DyRJrQUpbgNrpH6HMbDub7tgckIEe-wsLOj/s320/Inspiration+Black+and+White+2011.jpg)
I like white and black outfits, but looking closer I also found small details that I liked as well:
The polka blouse with the silver leather cuffs. I like this concept but I decided that I wouldn't make a blouse like this. I bought four yards of red and white polka-dot fabric from Vogue a few years ago. Two years ago, I thought I would be making a dress. Today I'm still undecided about the style of the dress.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1NKqlBfsBtchjHMYbStCMrCTWwrVQc9AQoflIYgs2GQUfK-wdytFZXQyN4YHOhzDCh83AsrEh471PTyLPh1m8S4_6vpEXD3XskpY_GvPO-CN3caWG8PYVj1LQJUAvCxnr79go4lfH2Ok/s320/black+and+white+polka+blouse.jpg)
The floral jacket and the ruffle blouse are the speakers of this outfit. The thing that I like most is the ring on the models right hand (I want one.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzUvSwbtbDdSu5Qw4b7KY-kCC87zZ-NsmuHWzxtQJ0sprQBMbEYTSSNw2Cgn_4ISHzehPFRHS6qJnqsECmzWxVjWvazaCd5sAWRWRGDek57s36oZPbh8fOMa9XKoUikaIP6xXxcbI_9EZ/s320/black+and+white+floral+jacket+with+ruffle+blouse.png)
The abstract print of the dress was the inspiration for the fabric that I purchased to make my sister a dress last year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3Bi72LVeVA7Ez9lVSyOE71i7pAB3VtL7c-u7pKcz2o6Of4vnFx4nstVzfbk3YBPWanaKW547pT3cIV6kEW4vzhemcN_nmi3yBjGdZg6bqBuuNHGjJwh_pJA59_NH7zdyhIKotzt0VYBl/s320/white+and+black+page+158-2007.jpg)
The white trench made me think of white dresses with full skirts. I've purchased several yards of white fabric (linen, georgette, and lightweight twill) to make white dresses.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9JQR8tx65HvESHLlUT_r99BgUE686o1dE-YVqGEOcd43OHgeL41uF6IORRAc4IuOPt7ctZKOCBKR9qz7Gq756_TpIK8apyPkARA62XWAGvRxRDw5S_xH7Osi1NsUfvgpEpDlWJrLmr9nG/s320/white+dress+with+big+black+belt.jpg)
Finally, this page has a collection of black and white pieces, most of which I could easily see myself in. The white dress trimmed in black is the inspiration for a dress I'm making for the fashion show. My version is red and black. The pattern has only two pieces. Claire Danes's dress has a princess seam bodice with a multi-panel skirt.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1RRKi-o8h7ZgsoDBVsJC0kBbD4oLz9NypBqjayJf42gHFSn4MPrLI6YdvKRtEF9IYLmjJI9Q27EKPWQI8B57PhPWaibSxGw1sFb_CxFa9hDU2SSYWWfR_-0f9nRwu5Q9uFp2K-p5yvCY/s320/Blacks+and+whites+inspiration+for+LCW+dress.png)
So that's it for this installment of "what inspires me". Currently, I'm working on several fashion show garments and a few client projects. Oh yes, a few "me" projects here and there.
Stay tuned!
C