![]() * * * One community of sewing enthusiasts remains optimistic and active, despite everything...the costuming community. Normally there are "events" and conferences throughout the year that feed the community with new inspiration. One of the last major festivals to take place was at the beginning of the pandemic, surrounding Mardi Gras. The aftermath of "Carnevale" in Venice proved to be catastrophic, despite warnings from health specialists to cancel or stay away. The SARSCOV2 virus traveled back to the United States with some of the revelers, landing in New York. Things have never been the same, and most "Carnival" and Mardi Gras events for this year have been put on hold. * * * However, innovation is what fuels creative people. Many people have taken this at-home time to learn. It is possible to add new skills and carry those to your own projects, looking forward to the future. That means online classes in creative arts are growing at an exponential rate! One of these creatives is Kristen Darville Foggie, owner of Black Orchid Atelier, an online purveyor via Etsy and Facebook. Kristen offers Custom Historical Costumes, Accessories & Patterns, made to order or ready-made. Kristen has gathered some of her industry contacts into a new online learning experience called Costume Skills Institute. With a low monthly fee, you can learn skills that may be new to you, but have been carefully preserved by this community of experts. If you join her Patreon project at the highest level; you get a discount of 10% off all classes taken, Plus free digital patterns, members only sewing groups to ask questions and discuss special projects, and quarterly yearly gifts. Learning is always fun, and you might even apply some of your new skills to your everyday wardrobing. Check it out! In addition, Kristen runs a "de-stashing" page on Facebook, where other costumers get to join in the fun of de-acquiring/re-acquiring no-longer-needed fabric yardages, trims, and even spec costumes and antique textile goodies. Kristen's "trunk show" page is filled with costumes that anyone can envy! Images used with permission of Kristen Darville Foggie.
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It used to be that we would flip through magazines for our seasonal fashion inspiration. Vogue and Bazaar September issues would come out just in time for Labor Day weekend, and we would page wistfully through the winter clothes as the summer's waves crashed to an end. Now we have everything at our fingertips, so why not made use of the information and inspiration! Our blogger below has her mind set on an outfit by Etro as her inspiration. Where do you get your inspiration? How do you keep your pictures? ![]() I We have these companion wools from a noted designer house. After some contemplation (and if we have any left by the time our orders are filled) I decided to use the heavier tweed just as a trim. I'm a big fan of Lagerfeld and I think he would have used these in a more innovative way than just "plaid skirt, boucle 'iconic French jacket' ". I have a favorite "jeans jacket" pattern that I have fiddled with for a perfect fit, and I think this will be just the new variation I need! Buttons later!
The color BLUE for you at 50% off through 9/30/19.
Wrap up National Sewing Month with a blue binge! Use the code NSM50 for 50% off our blue fabrics, including beautiful silk chiffons, a modal knit, woolens, and more! More about the color blue here. ![]() This is our store cat, Suki. She is in charge of patrolling the perimeter of the warehouse. She is a rescue, and she's actually 11 years old! She doesn't sit on the fabric, is not even interested in fabric, but she patrols and peers into corners where occasional "outsiders" might stray. She is good at her job! Sometimes she sits on the shipping table, because that's where the action is and she doesn't like to miss out. (Of course when I tried to get a picture she would not cooperate). Store cats and warehouse cats have always been a thing, especially in cities. See this article about the "Beloved store cats of San Francisco." Use code "NSM50" for 50% off selected groupings throughout the month of September, National Sewing Month!
If you follow us on Facebook you have probably noticed that we are rotating the color groups on sale this month. Currently we have "reds" and "purples" on sale. This is partly because we are re-aligning our website to enable our customers to order in fractions for most fabrics. Meanwhile we are expecting new arrivals for the fall and winter seasons. European fabrics typically arrive later than domestic ones, much closer to the season for which they are targeted. Look for more specials and sales as the season progresses, but in the meantime, enjoy our "Color Sales." https://www.fabricsdc.com/national-sewing-month.html |
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February 2021
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