May 05, 2017 2 Comments on Hats - Miss Fisher, Metropolitan, and Derby
I just finished watching my first episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries on PBS, and though I've heard a lot about the great clothing on the show (and it is great), Miss Fisher's hats were my favorite. I love the colors, embellishments, and the style. They are fabulous and she wears them well!
We are featuring the #269 Metropolitan Hat this month (May) in our store. It is a great hat to start building your own hat collection, and similar in style to Miss Fisher. There are so many ways to interpret this hat - from floppy linens to structured wools, fabric prints, and pins, bands, flowers, or your own creation to add to the brim. This hat can be a statement piece or a casual sun hat (and it makes a great sun hat!). I created a new Pinterest board that is starting off with hat inspiration for the Metropolitan Hat (Board is called Hats and Bags, so I'll be filling it up with Folkwear hat and bag photos and inspirations). The Metropolitan Hat is on sale this month!
All the hat inspiration also came from the excitement leading up to the Kentucky Derby - and all the amazing creations coming from that event (or series of events). One of my best friends is from Louisville and she always shares photos of her friends attending Oaks and Derby in their incredible hats. I love seeing the creativity and color of those hats. My friend also pointed to Dee's Hats as great place to get hats made in Louisville, and their website was fun to look at, so if you love hats, you should check it out.
Happy Hat Making!
And, as always, we love to see what people are making, so tag us if you post pictures on Instagram or Facebook or Pinterest. Or, join the Facebook Folkwear Patterns Sewing Group and let us all see what you've made!
April 17, 2017
Kimonos are a beautiful and classic garment of Japanese origin and influence. The Folkwear Kimono pattern is for the yukata, or unlined informal kimono, worn by all classes of Japanese in summer. The word "kimono" literally means "clothing" but has come to distinguish the Japanese national costume from other clothes.
Kimonos are great garments to be used as robes, house coats, jackets, or outwear. They can be statement pieces or simple and elegant garments. Kimonos can be made with beautiful silks, medium to lightweight cottons (cotton gauze is a favorite of mine right now)., or even heavier fabrics like denim or brocade.
I found a great book in our collection entitled Kimono Inspiration: Art and Art-to-Wear in America, from the Textile Museum at George Washington University. I've put some pictures from the book on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. If you want to know more about the history and tradition of kimonos, as well as see some amazing artistic interpretations of them, you should check out this book. Kimonos can be a canvas for your art - quilting, painting, dying, embroidery, weaving, etc.
Traditional kimonos are a work of art themselves, so however you want to make one (traditional interpretation or modern art interpretation), it is a rewarding garment to make.
In our kimono pattern, we give information on the history and use of the kimono, styling and dress information, and instructions for traditional handwork (sashiko) and dyeing (shibori).
Have you ever made a kimono? What would you be inspired to make now?
** FYI, #113 Japanese Kimono is on sale for all of April (it is a great deal). Enjoy! **