As we exited the huge industrial elevator at the seventh floor it was immediately obvious this place makes A LOT of garments. The sheer volume was only slightly more amazing than the efficiency of the operation.

This sign was everywhere and it is a real philosophy. Less waste means more $$ and if a hairband can be made out of remaining fabric from cutting out t-shirts they go for it. For awhile a purse was even made out of actual scraps of fabric sewn together.

The garments are made and shipped literally the same day. As soon as the boxes are full they are labeled and whisked away via conveyor belts to the shipping building adjacent to the factory.
 The building, the concept, the number of employees, the production, the noise volume is all HUGE!

These are a few of the knitting machines that every household should own. One machine can knit a glove, sock or beanie in minutes.

Everything at American Apparel factory is about speed and efficiency. And then you add in the very real goal of taking care of all the employees needs ( subsidized meals, medical facility, child care, high wages, production bonuses ) and you begin to understand the energy that fuels this business.

The most exciting part of the tour was being allowed to enter the red doors! It is the nucleus that creates  the whole American Apparel mystique. There were designs, inspirations, marketing, and more happening behind those red doors and I promised not to tell.

Of course as a shopper the next most exciting thing was the discount given to us to shop in the company store. We left American Apparel on that wet, wet afternoon filled with awe and bags filled with...you guessed it- American Apparel!

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