How to make a Fabric Flower

1) Cut a 1" wide strip of fabric that is at least 16" long. Does NOT have to be on the bias.

2) Tie a loose knot close to one end of the fabric strip.

3) Wrap the fabric strip around the knot, twisting the fabric strip to resemble petals.

4) Once you like the size of the flower, apply a big blob of  hot glue to the bottom of the flower.

5) After glue has cooled cut an organic shape from green felt and sandwich rubber band or clip between felt and fabric flower. Hot glue felt to fabric flower.

6) Your fabric flower is now complete. The only limit is your imagination :)

Flower Power @ Saddleback College Fashion 'a la Mode 2012

Saddleback College Fashion department hosted a fashion extravaganza for a couple hundred OC high school students at the end of March. There were guest speakers, lots of people from the fashion industry, fun fashion competitions, and about ten different workshops.

My workshop was creating hair accessories ( read fabric flowers ) and three rounds of 25+ students meant lots and lots of fabric flowers blooming. 

I was so impressed with the enthusiasm, creativity, and fabulous flowers created by the high school students. 

That's why I LOVE teaching...it's ALL good!

Bright Boys on Coronado

HAS SPRING ACTUALLY ARRIVED?

Finally the sun came out after weeks of wet, dreary days in So Cal.

Spending a sunny afternoon on beautiful Coronado I began to notice that the sun wasn't the only bright thing...

Boys were rockin' the hot, brighter than bright, almost neon colors that are predicted to be the big trend for spring/summer.

Rock on!

Hats are where it's at...

I said it before and I'll say it again...cloche hats are where it's at!

Pulled low over the head to create the bell shape that the cloche is named for, you must be committed to wearing this style because you WILL have hat hair.

Laugh Out Loud

20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

Once again Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising LA is displaying a collection of costumes from current Hollywood films, many of the costume designers up for Academy Awards.

I've gone to this annual exhibit for years and years ( it first started in 1993 ) and it is extremely well done. Aside from the obvious delight in the creativity of the designers it is interesting to realize the actual size of actors. 

This year's exhibit included garments/costumes from 21 different films PLUS some wonderful vintage displays in cases along the walls; Marlene Dietrich gowns, Jean Harlow shorts, top hats, shoes, etc.

The gallery has undergone a renovation and a new prominent feature are security cameras :( So as discreetly as my friend and I tried to snap photos the guards were all over us reprimanding us " NO PHOTOS OR CELL PHONES ". Hello, all this stuff is on film somewhere if I was really motivated to capture the image. It was very annoying and EXTREMELY embarrassing when we finally noticed the security cameras.

Anyways, this gown is from Alice in Wonderland and is quite lovely.

I was dying to photograph the costumes from The Artist and also from W.E. Both films were from the 30s and had wonderful cloche hats and dresses. W.E. is about Wallis Simpson and I have no idea how that film slipped under my radar. I must see it !

The exhibit runs until April 28 Tuesday through Saturday 10am until 5pm. It is a nice way to spend a few hours whether or not you are obsessed with fashion and costumes like me.

All the info is at http://fidmmuseum.org/exhibitions/current/

Knits from FIDM Scholarship Store

If you go to FIDM and do not stop in the Scholarship Store you are nuts! Besides all kinds of wild and wonderful insanely discounted garments and jewelry there is a little fabric spot in the back with all fabrics $2 a yard.
I am feeling more like sewing than shopping so I bought 9 yards of knit fabrics.
Got some definite ideas for the fabric so stay tuned...