Most important buttonhole

Hi to All,

This is a quick tip for today, Do you know which is the most important buttonhole? No….. then I’m about to tell you and I might add, when I found this tip, it made my fitting problems disappear. So here is the……

Most important buttonhole

When your garment is nearly finished is the time to mark the buttonholes and buttons.

Mostly you start at the top and mark down, or copy where the pattern is marked.

The most important button and buttonhole is the one on the bust point.

Now you need to know just exactly where your bust point is, and here is how you do it.
Drop a tape measure from where the neck edge and shoulder seamline meet, letting it fall over your bust.
The point where the tape falls away from your body is your bust point.

At this point is where the buttonhole should be placed. If you are doing vertical buttonholes, then place the top of the buttonhole 1/8 inch above the bust point level.

Space your remaining buttonholes up and down from this one.

See, so easy when you know how.


Free Pattern site http://www.123moreforu.com/patterns.html

SewMoreForU is still available at the special price of $27.77 with the bonuses thrown in, 5 extra eBooks
http://www.123moreforu.com


SewMoreForU covers all the basics for your sewing as well as information on turning a hobby into a business, body shapes and lots more. Take a look at our contents and see what you will get http://www.123moreforu.com/contents.html

See you later

Take care

Carmel

Where Sewing Can Take You

Hi and I hope you are having a great day.

I am about to embark on my Saturday pleasure trip, to my
local fabric, soft furnishing, craft etc etc store. Yes I'm
fortunate, I have a wonderfully big store to browse and
buy.

Have you noticed how sewing can take you into other areas?

I'll explain what happened to me. My daughter wanted at
singlet top with a certain color beading around the neck. I
haven't ventured into beading fabric very much and not for
a long time. But this was a simple pattern, not elaborate
at all.

But......to get the right color beads, we could only get
them in a kit with several other colors and shapes. The
important thing was, we got the right color.

Now I had all these other beads, so.....you guessed it, I
made up a necklace and earings and now have the bug.

The beading bug, that is.

It's amazing just what you store away. I realized I had
beads put away from when I used to do macrame, some very
unusual ones, so out came the beads and off I went ot get
others to go with them. Then came the containers to store
the beads and other things that go with making up the
pieces.

So I'm set now. My daughter thinks it's great, as she has
"beads to order" right in her own home and as she is like
me, likes to wear individual outfits that no one else has,
this is so good.

It's fun and relaxing and gets a different side of my
creativity going.

The other thing is, they don't take long to make either.
I'm not into the finer chain type ones yet, I am making the
ones that are so fashionable right now. I have made a few
choker ones, but the longer, unusual bead combinations are
what I like.

Okay catch you later, I'm off for a browse, followed by a
coffee to contemplate my browsing. Great way to spend
Saturday afternoon, don't you think?

Catch you later

Sew well

Carmel

Have you gotten your free patterns yet and a copy of
SewMoreForU yet?
Free Patterns http://www.123moreforu.com/patterns.html
SewMoreForU http://www.123moreforu.com/indexnsp.html

How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag

Hi All,

This article is interesting, nothing like being ripped off to put a bad taste in your mouth. I do like to get what I pay for and get value for money no matter what I buy. Well, this article will tell you how 'not' to get ripped off when ourchasing that dream handbag.

Take care,
Catch you later

Regards

Carmel



How to Spot a Fake Designer Purse or Handbag


When you finally decide to dish out a large amount of cash for a handbag, you’ll want to make sure it’s the real thing you are purchasing and not a cheap knock-off. With the popularity of handbags at the present time, its no wonder so many companies are eager to produce knock-off versions of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other high-fashion handbags. We want to make sure that you know when you are being ripped off so you can spend your well-earned money on something that is truly authentic. Here are some hints which will help you spot a fake designer handbag when you see one:

The Fabric

The fabric used to manufacture top-of-the-line brand name handbags is noticeably different than the material used for fakes. If there is wrong stitching or if the material is flawed in even the slightest manner, chances are it is not a name brand purse. High-fashion handbags will always have real materials, they will not use fake leather or fake animal skin and you will get the real deal 100 percent of the time.

Small Detailing

The great thing about authentic handbags is that they are unique and hours upon hours go into making each one exactly right. Designer handbags will often have extra stitching and detailing such as little diamonds, buckles or zippers which make them truly unique to any other designer. As noted above, the diamonds on name brand handbags will also be real 100 percent of the time.

Study the Celebrities

The best way to determine whether or not a handbag is a fake is by studying the real ones and the best way to do that is through celebrities. Celebrities will always have real name brand designer handbags. Most people recognize the design of Louis Vuitton purses because of Jessica Simpson and the hype she has created for the company. When you constantly see celebrities sporting specific types of handbags you will be more inclined in noticing the difference between real and fake ones.

Brand Name Labels

Many brand name handbag designers will put a custom label or logo on their items which indicate that they are authentic. The names sometimes appear on zippers or pockets and some companies like to put it in the same spot on every handbag to ensure their customers know it’s real.

It is important to know that you are getting what you pay for when it comes to designer handbags. If you’re instincts are telling you that the purse is a fake, chances are you’re probably right and its best to leave the bag where it lies. With the amount of money you are spending on these items, you want to make sure the bag you’re buying is authentic and worth every penny you are spending.

About the author:
Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of http://www.designerhandbags101.com- a site that offers information about designer handbags, designer bags, Louis Vuitton purses and more.

Everything Comes Back In Fashion Even....

Hi Everyone,

How are you today, well I hope and enjoying life.

You know everything comes back in fashion, even the sewing machine. I found this article by Kathryn Whittaker and thought you might like to read it too.

Sewing is a craft that covers so many areas, Katthryn has covered most of them in this article. The humble sewing machine is used in so many areas, fashion, home decor, craft, quilting, decorating, embroidery and through any of these can become a great business for any of us who want to go that way.

Okay, will leave you to read the article, Click here for the full article

Take care

Catch you later

Carmel


Sewing Machines Making A Comeback

"While we don't have to rely on sewing machines to satisfy our basic clothing needs, more and more people today turn to sewing to create unique, luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces. Every family has that hand embroidered grandmother's table cloth or a hand-made quilt ...

by Kathryn Whittaker


While we don't have to rely on sewing machines to satisfy our basic clothing needs, more and more people today turn to sewing to create unique, luxurious, one-of-a-kind pieces. Every family has that hand embroidered grandmother's table cloth or a hand-made quilt, and these pieces are as cherished as the most sophisticated haute couture creations. And instead of paying hefty sums to someone for creating these little pieces of luxury for you, you can develop the easy skills of making your own monograms, embroideries or even hand-sewn button-holes – all the little luxuries that make the difference. "


Read on here

Make Money With What You Love Doing......

Hi to one and all,

There is nothing better than to wake up in the morning and be really happy about going to work or getting started for the day in your own business, working at what you love doing.

If you enjoy embroidery, then you can make money with your craft. An embroidery machine makes this art more ready to go commercial.

Embroidery is and always has been very acceptable in the home decor. When you think about it, bed linen, table linen, curtains, cushions, all these provide an endless stream of opportunity for you.

Now in the fashion arena, embroidery is really out there. From the very young, babies, right through to the 'senior citizens', embroidery is featured on the latest fashions.

Take yourself around the boutiques, department stores and Wal-Marts, Marks & Spencers, Targets, have a look at how the latest embroidery is being done on the fashions. Then go home and do your own thing, use your imagination and create your own version of the latest trends.

You can specialize in childrens wear, or just a line of pretty tops for ladies, you can sell them at craft markets or on consignment to your local boutiques. Your friends and family will love them too.

Check the internet for free embroidery designs, I found this one Free Embroidery Designs
just click here

You just never know what you can do until you try. We have a chapter devoted to profiting from your craft in our DIY Sewing Companion, SewMoreForU, plus a bonus eGuide on how to go about setting up a business plan. Worth a look! Click here.

I hope I've given you something to think about, but don't think too long, take some action, the first step is always the hardest, but each one gets easier after that.

My best to you

Take care

Carmel

Color and You and Your Wardrobe

Hi again,

I just had a thought, when you are sewing for yourself, selecting fabric is so important and selecting the colors to suit you is even more important.

Not all of us can afford to have our colors done, but you can experiment with this.

When in a fabric store, take a bolt of fabric to a mirror, put it up to your face, more across at your shoulder. take note of how it affects your skin tone and take particular note of your eyes.

If it is your color, your skin should look a very good color, you wil look healthy and your eyes bright and alive. If it is not your color, the the 'color' will drain from your face and your eyes will look tired and dull.

You can do this with what you have in your wardrobe right now.

All colors have undertones, and the color experts have classified them for fashion as "warm" and "cool" or the latest "silver" and "gold"

We have an article here on the silver and gold and this may be the easiest for you to find your color.

If you like a particular color and you don't think it fall into your colors, this may not be true, you may still be able to wear it.

Most colors have an undertone, these undertones are what determines whether the color is "yours" or not.

Colors have a warm undertone or a cool undertone. If you want to wear that color you love, then find the fabric that has your "undertone" and this you will see by "laying" the fabric on you, by that I mean, draping across you and seeing the result, if your skin takes on a healthy glow, then that is for you, if it makes your skin look sallow and dull, then leave it where it is.

You can find the article on "Color Type, Your Colors" and another interesting article on "Fashion Tips to Express Yourself with Color" by clicking here


See you again soon

All the best

Carmel

Embroidery..Decorative Stitching On Fabric

Hi to all the embroidery enthusiast and those about to become one,

A little history about embroidery for you.

My introduction was many years ago, firstly by my Mum and the by the teachers at school.

We were taught all the embroidery stitches and had to make up 'samplers' before we could venture on the prettier doileys, corners of hankerchiefs.

No TV in those days, so embroidery was a great pastime and so satisifying. I have a beautiful lingerie bag made by my mother, it's classic, all white linen, embroidered in all white, very intricate stitches and design and the lace edge was crocheted by her too. It has become my family heirloom, I treasure it and my daughter will treasure it too. You just don't see that kind of work today.

But if you love embroidery, then the new machines make it soooo easy.

My book SewMoreForU will guide you through getting an embroidery machine if you are thinking along that line.

Ah well, enough of me, I'll let you get on with the article


See you again soon

Take care

Carmel

Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs

Embroidery is an ancient variety of decorative needlework in which designs and pictures are created by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of another material. Most embroidery uses thread or wool stitched onto a woven fabric, but the stitches could be executed in, for example, wire or leather strands, and embroidery can be worked onto many materials. ...

An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which colored threads are sewn on to the fabric to create a design. Embroidery may be done either by hand or machine.It is A term applied to a hill or mount with several copings or rises and falls.

Decorative stitching on fabric. Generally involves non-lettering designs but can also include lettering and/or monograms. Evidence of embroidery exists during the reign of Egyptian pharaohs, in the writings of Homer and from the Crusaders of the 12th century. Evolved from hand work to manual sewing machines and from handlooms and schiffli machines with hundreds of needles to high-speed, computerized multihead machines.

Ornamental needlework or trimming using silk, cotton, metallic or other threads.

Embroidery is the embellishment of cloth with designs made by needle and thread; an art that stretches back to antiquity. Over the centuries, embroidery has been used to adorn everything from handkerchiefs to the most sumptuous state regalia. With the exception of leather, embroidery in India has been done on woven cloth of cotton, wool and silk.

In India, natural colors used for dying distinguishes the work done in India from the others. The Indian embroider never uses too many colors in any one piece. Each state in India has a style unique to its tradition. The satin stitch is used in Kashmir.
The darn stitch, which produces the 'bagh' and 'phulkari' stitch of Punjab is vibrant like the people of the state. The interlacing stitches of Kutch and Kathiawar are as beautiful as they are intricate. The 'kasauti' stitch of Karnataka too is popular due to its traditional value. The white on white 'chikan' work of Uttar Pradesh is breath-taking and requires a lot of skill. The silk embroidery done in Surat has exquisite patterns.

Indian embroidery uses many stitches as well as variations of basic stitches. The running stitch, back stitch, stem stitch, feather stitch, interlacing stitch, satin stitch, cross stitch etc. are just to name a few. Indian embroidery exists in exquisite variations and vibrant colors, with each state having a unique style of its own.

Chikan

The chikan work of Lucknow is perhaps one of the most popular embroidery works in India. It has a certain grace and elegance, which ensures that it never goes out of style. The word chikan literally means embroidery. It is said to have been originally introduced by Nur Jahan, the beautiful wife of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir. It has since evolved and attained its glory and perfection in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The work became popular in a number of important cities of the Indo-Gangetic plain such as Delhi, Agra, Rampur, Banaras, Patna and Gaya. But the supremacy of Lucknow remained unchallenged.

The designs depend for its effect on the variety of stitches used and different grades of threads used to form the patterns which include, the lace like jali, the opaque fillings and the delicacy or boldness of outline and details. The most beautiful part of chikan work is the open work ground, an effect of drawn thread work is achieved without drawing out any. Tiny raised flowers done in what seem to be French knots are balanced by the flat stem stitch and large areas of open work to prevent either a crowded or too scattered appearance.

A variation of the chikan work is the bakhia or shadow work. Here the work is done from the back, the stitches completely covering the design in herringbone style. The shadow of the thread is seen through the cloth on the right side. To give a richer appearance, the designs are produced with tiny backstitches on the right side over the shadow. A similar effect is created by cutting out tiny flowers and leaves in the same material as the basic fabric and then applying them on the wrong side. The work is done so dexterously that the turned in edges of the cut pieces are scarcely visible from the front of the work.

The refinement of taste dictated that not even the seams should be straight. So the material of the kurtas were cut in waves along the sides. The stitches employed are back-stitch, chain stitch, and hemstitch forming an open work pattern, jali or openwork ground. The introduction of color in to the kurtas is a recent innovation.

Embroidery has been a craft for women, Banni, a small village in the Rann of Kutch is known for its artistic embroidery work. Small mirrors are interspersed to lend glitter and charm. The finest type of such embroidery work with small mirrors is called Abhla-Bharat. When a bride is sent to her husband's house, she carries with her some pieces of skirts and cholis exquisitely embroidered with minute details.

About the author:
For more information on free embroidery designs art please visit the free embroidery designs art resource center at www.embroidery-help-guide.info

Get Sewing Some Sexy Stuff for Valentine's Day

Hi there,

Well, isn't this year just going so fast? I can't believe we are well into January, but we are and you know what happens in February?

Valentine's Day, yes, 14th February is the day.

Valentine's Day has gotten more serious over the years, it used to be a fun day, a day when the secret admirers were able to declare their love without declaring themsleves. It was a day when someone found out that someone cared, but didn't know who that someone was, a little bit of mystery.

Even though that fun part seems to have gone by the wayside, there is another fun part we can have and that is, as we are all sewing enthusiasts, why not make that special someone something with the Valentine's Day satin material that is all about at the moment.

For "him" you can make some 'sexy' satin boxer shorts, they are so easy, and/or a bathrobe to match. You can even make yourself a sexy nightie, get very fancy with sweet little ribbon roses and pretty lace.

Let your imagination run, these garments don't take long to sew and you can show how clever you are.

I found this article and instructions for you to make some great Valentine's cards using what you have in your notions stash. You will be amazed when you start at how creative you will become.

Check it out by clicking here
There is even a template for making the matching envelope.

Okay, get started, you've only a couple of weeks so let's put the fun back into Valentine's Day and don't forget the romance too.

For sewing tips, tecnhiques and how to do them, take a browse through my new book SewMoreForU click right here and also check out our free patterns here


See U Later

Regard

Carmel

PS Why not check out the Sew News Magazine by clicking the link in the side bar, find out what special subscription offers they have going right now, it's a great magazine and can be delivered right to your door.

Hip Hop Fashion, Is It For You?

Hip Hop Fashion, A Very Fast Growing Field Of Fashion: "Hip Hop Fashion, A Very Fast Growing Field Of Fashion
by: Brent Wilson

In the hip hop fashion world, few things are the same as in other clothing lines. Because everything in the hip hop world is out of this world, it just makes sense that it has its own clothing line. And, it is one that is fast becoming a hot seller. Sometimes, items sell out faster than they can be put on the shelves. Because of the huge demand and the great looks of hip hop fashion, people just have to have it and wearing it, just means that you know what you are talking about. There are very few other fashion industries that have such a hardcore following. Look for hip hop fashions to keep popping up and becoming more and more available."

Read the whole article here


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Sewing patterns from 1940s, '50s and '60s become today's fashions

Sewing patterns from 1940s, '50s and '60s become today's fashions

By Deborah Deasy
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, January 31, 2002

Hang onto those old McCall's, Butterick and Vogue patterns. What's new in home sewing is decades-old dressmaking. "Vintage" is the tag used by Vogue Patterns to distinguish some of its latest projects for the fashionably creative.

Remember darts, fitted bodices and full skirts? They're back in home-styled couture.

The McCall's Pattern Co., which makes Butterick and Vogue patterns, has re-issued more than 50 sewing patterns for dresses, suits, gowns and hats out of the 1940s, '50s and '60s. Many feature unusual seams and form-fitting lines. All come with updated directions.

"The suits especially are amazing. They have so much detail," says Kathy Marrone, editor of Vogue Patterns Magazine.

People can find the vintage patterns in Vogue and Butterick catalogs at area Jo-Ann Fabrics and Hancock Fabrics stores.

When Mary Ellen Kubit of Oakland couldn't find suitable bridesmaid dresses for her June 2000 wedding, Kubit ordered 10 gowns in a Vintage Vogue pattern.

"I could not find a style I liked under $400 or $500. ... I wanted a dress with sleeves," says Kubit, director of development for the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

Gretchen Jackowski of Parker Button Co., Downtown, made Kubit's bridesmaid dresses with Vintage Vogue pattern 2267 - first published in 1954.

"It had a fitted bodice and fitted waistline, and full skirt," Jackowksi says. The dress also featured short sleeves, a square neck and covered belt. The bridesmaids wore pill box hats with their silk satin and organza gowns.

"I was so very happy," Kubit says. "I wish I had one made for myself."

Sewing teacher Ginger Krenn used Vintage Vogue pattern 2444 in her latest jacket-making class at the Thornton Co., Ross. Students used the pattern to make a 1947-style swing jacket in Polarfleece.

Such patterns typically call for some advanced techniques in clothing construction.

"They're made in the tradition of the older patterns, where there's a lining, underlinings, facings ... a lot of darts," Krenn says. "They also are fitted much like the older patterns.

"The problem we ran into - especially with our jacket - was that the arm hole was cut so high," Krenn says. "We had to recut the arm hole to make the jacket comfortable."

An illustration of the vintage jacket - pictured on the pattern envelope - also made the garment appear longer than the finished product.

"A lot of the vintage patterns have drawings on them. ... They are not really true to what you're going to have when you're done," Krenn says.

Krenn, who also sews costumes for the Pittsburgh Public Theater, attributes the rebirth of vintage sewing patterns to public interest in anything old and collectable.

One can bid for old sewing patterns, for example, on eBay.

"I think it's a fad, or a trend, that's kind of in vogue right now," Krenn says. "I think it has a lot to do with the 'collecting thing' that everybody is into.

"The styling of the vintage clothes - especially clothing in the 1940s, after the war - is not a particularly flattering style for older women, or mature women," Krenn says about the garments. "They're very form-fitting."

McCall's Pattern Co. introduced its Vintage Vogue and Butterick Retro patterns in 1999.

The Butterick line includes patterns for a Holy Communion dress, plus a 1960s sun dress. A hat pattern is the best-selling Vintage Vogue pattern.

"The sales started out phenomenally. ... They're still very good," says Marrone of Vogue Patterns Magazine, a spokeswoman for the McCall's Pattern Co. "We continually feed in styles, but twice a year we do take out some styles."

McCall's Pattern Co. resurrected the patterns after successfully marketing some new Vogue patterns for 1950s-style Barbie doll clothes.

"The doll clothes were very successful," Marrone says. "People started writing to us, saying 'Why don't you make them for adults?'

"We did some research - sent out some feelers - and discovered there was a craze starting to happen with 1940s swing dancing, and 1940s nightclub-type things, and there were people looking for vintage clothes," she says.

"We actually found some Vogue patterns from the 1940s," Marrone says. "We gave the actual patterns - the tissues - to our pattern-making department, and said, 'Make this exact pattern, but make it in our sizes that we have today.' "

New life for old patterns

Vogue Patterns Magazine invites home sewers to join its search for yesteryear apparel patterns.

Do you have a decades-old Vogue pattern with all the pieces and instructions intact?

The McCall's Pattern Co. copies such original patterns to produce its Vintage Vogue line of patterns. The company's archives provide a number of the originals. Others come from the collections of employees and individuals.

If you have an old Vogue Pattern that could become a new "Vintage Vogue" pattern, simply photocopy the pattern envelope (keep the pattern) and mail the copy, with your name, address and daytime phone number to: Vintage Vogue Search, Vogue Patterns Magazine, 161 Sixth Ave., NY 10013.

If your pattern is selected, you will receive five Vogue patterns - of your choice - at no charge. Your original pattern also will be returned.

- Deborah Deasy

You don't sew? Hire a dressmaker

Maybe you don't sew. But you like retro-style clothing. How can non-sewers obtain new apparel made from vintage patterns?

Finding a personal dressmaker might be as easy as calling your nearest fabric store, or paying an online visit to the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers - paccprofessionals.org.

The Fabric Place in Mt. Lebanon, and Thornton Co., located in Ross and Monroeville, are among area shops that keep lists of self-employed dressmakers.

Parker Button Co., Downtown, also accepts orders for custom-made clothing.

It's OK to request references - or to examine someone's finished projects - before agreeing to pay anyone $500 for a new wool suit in your favorite Vintage Vogue pattern.

"There are people out there who will do it, but it's an expensive venture," says former dressmaker Ginger Krenn of Ross.

A good wool fabric, for example, might cost you $25 per yard.

Some dressmakers charge by the hour - expect to pay at least $20 per hour - while others charge by the project. Some work in their homes. Others have shops.

Judith Bixler, for example, employs several seamstresses at her shop, Judy's Originals, which is in Bixler's home in Chippewa Township, Beaver County.

"There are so few people who do serious sewing like we do here," Bixler says.

Customers generally supply dressmakers with the pattern and fabric for any garment, but dressmakers can offer suggestions and advice. Expect to pay extra, however, if a seamstress accompanies you to a fabric store.

At Judy's Originals and Parker Button Co., people can work with dressmakers able to draw original patterns for your own original fashions.

Allow at least six to 12 weeks for a dressmaker to complete any custom-made garment. Dressmakers typically perform two or three 15- to 30-minute fittings before completing any project.

- Deborah Deasy

Best sellers

Sewing clothes at home used to be a money-saving way of life for many people.

"Now, because ready-to-wear (clothing) is so available, I don't think people feel the need to sew," says Kathy Marrone, editor of Vogue Patterns Magazine.

That's why today's home sewers tend to be creative types with a passion for what they do.

"I put it in line with men who golf. The equipment is very expensive," Marrone says. "You do it because you love doing it. You want the best fabrics, and you want the best designs. ...You're your own personal Calvin Klein, your own personal Donna Karan."

Marrone makes a number of her own clothes at a sewing machine in her bedroom.

"All of our (Vogue and Butterick) patterns have sewing ratings on them - 'very easy,' 'easy,' 'average' or 'advanced.' For the most part, the vintage patterns are rated 'average,' '' Marrone says. "I wouldn't say they're for a beginner."

The best sellers:

Vintage Vogue Pattern 7325, a package of six hats.

Vintage Vogue Pattern 2535 (circa 1928), a sheer, dropped waist dress with an attached caplet that's worn over a slip dress.

Vintage Vogue Pattern 2494 (circa 1948), a fitted evening gown with unusual seams.

Vintage Vogue Pattern 2476 (circa 1949), a fitted suit with unusual seams that extend into a clever pocket detail.

"We also have a men's 'zoot' suit that's very popular," Marrone says. "It is Vintage Vogue Pattern 2367."

Deborah Deasy can be reached at ddeasy@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7989.

Who Says What Your Fashion Statement Is?

Hi to you and welcome,

This article I found for you today is about your fashion statement.

Whether we know it or not, we all make a fashion statement, some good, some bad but if we make a bad one then it means we just haven't found our own style and that is something that can be fixed.

In our sewing companion, SewMoreForU, we have chapters on how you can find "your style" and how to sew for 'you', good stuff....

Anyway...... onwith the article, hope you enjoy it.

Cheers

Carmel




Who Says What Your Fashion Statement Is?

Who exactly should say what your Fashion Statement is? You of course! Each of us has our own likes, dislikes comfort zones, body shape & size, and life styles. Yes its wonderful to pick up the magazine that shows this years top stars like Sarah, Jessica, Nicole, and Gwen but hey we aren't them right.

Perhaps my comfort zone is a loose fit, maybe yours is a very tailored or tight fit. I like turtle necks, you've got cleavage and like to show it. Maybe your a rancher and functional is important, or an office executive where a professional look is critical. Tweeds in and you hate tweed, then don't buy tweed. Hot colors are in but your skin is washed out, then stick to the colors that look good on you but perhaps dress them up with a little color. Low rise pants are in but they aren't attractive on you, then don't buy them.

It's all wonderful and dandy for the fashion world to tell us what is in, what we should wear. But the bottom line is clothes that we buy and hang in the closet never to be warn are a waste of our money. Don't feel pressured to stay with the trends. Trends come and go. If you stick with your basics and then add a piece here and there that fits the current fashions you'll be much better off.

So pick up the popular fashion magazines like Vogue, Style, or Elle. Have a flip through. Then take what you like and use it and toss the rest away. What really matters is that you feel "good" in the look you present. When you feel good about how you look your confidence level jumps, your happier, and your positive energy flows around you.

If a pair of blue jeans with a tank top and big bold earrings is your thing then that's your fashion statement. If you like long skirts, heels, and gold jewelry then that's your fashion statement. Don't let anyone or anybody change you from who you are. Because you are your fashion statement.

Now that's not to say we can't all take a lesson or so, get the creative juices flowing, or freshen our look. The magazines are terrific ways to do just that. There are plenty of great web sites that can also be very helpful.

Don't forget accesories can spice up any outfit. Denim can be very classy with the right shoes and jewelry. Your black dress can become quite informal and fun with the right jewelry or belt. Change the entire look of an outfit with your accesories. Utilize all your wardrobe by mixing and matching pieces, jewelry, shoes, and other accesories. The more jewelry you have the more looks you can create.

You are your fashion statement. Say what you want, say it how you want, wear it how you want! If your comfortable in your look your going to show your confidence. Be you!


About the author:
Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/

Get Your Basics Right

Hi there,

Hope you’re week-end has been relaxing and enjoyable.

I’m a great believer in getting the basics right. That goes for your wardrobe as well as everything else too.

Today’s article is all about getting the basics right.
You can sew your basics.. Get your patterns right for your basic wardrobe and you are home free.

You can build on the basics and don’t forget these basics can last you several seasons, so use good quality fabrics. You can add colors and styles with various pieces in the latest trends.

I find these articles are helpful when planning a wardrobe and I hope you do too.
Don’t forget to check out the free patterns offered here
If you need a good sewing companion try this one here there are some great free bonuses with it too.

Cheers
Carmel

Basics That Won’t Break The Bank
There are plenty of basics you can pick up that there’s no need to pay the extra to obtain a “design name.” From the outside no ones going to know they aren’t designer and no ones going to see the label so their a safe bet!


Items such as white jeans, flirty skirts, cotton T’s, crocheted shrugs, or shorts can be purchased without the designer name. Also watch for T’s put on sale by some of the big online retailers for as much as 50% off. Bluefly.com quite regularly puts DKNY and Rebecca Beeson T’s on for a serious reduction in price.


Looking fresh like they just came off the rack is important. If you purchased budget items then you’ve save quite a few dollars so once they start looking not so fresh get rid of them.


Shoes are another arena where you can save some money. No need to buy designer. Most important is fit and comfort, and of course you need to be certain they’ll work with your wardrobe. This season the wedge, as well as flats for the summer season, are in style so have some fun. If you shop carefully you can add several pair for the price of one pair of designer shoes.


Lastly you can save a whole lot of money on your jewelry. Costume jewelry is affordable and the selection is great. If you stick to costume jewelry you can buy pieces for this seasons fashion and not feel bad because you spent too much and they are out of style next year. There are many good online store with very reasonable prices. Don’t forget to have a hunt through your old jewelry as well – you might be surprised at what you find that has made it back into style. Large clunky jewelry is certainly in. As is wood and bone jewelry. Color is making a big statement this year. This is a very fun season because just about anything goes provided you complete your look.


If you need to get some ideas for the spring season – this months women’s magazines have some great articles and examples. Vogue, Elle, and In Style are all full of excellent fashion pages.


So don’t fret, you can look like a million dollars on a shoe string budget with a little creativity and hunting! Make your fashion statement!



About the author:
Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. Please visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/

Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags

Hi there,

Thought you might like this article on handbags. They really are the fashion accessory to have a few of.

No more do you have the 'all purpose' bag, you know the one where you put all your worldly goods in and take everywhere no matter what the occasion or if it matches the outfit you are wearing or not.

No siree!!! Today it's, Yes!! your handbag is part of your outfit. Now you don't need to have it "match" your shoes etc like many years ago, no, you need it to compliment and go with your outfit.

There are so many wonderful options so, when I found this article I thought I would share it with you.

And, as we are all into the sewing tips, I have a free software program you can download and it has patterns for sewing, yes! ..... you guessed it....bags.
Download it here from my Free Patterns Website.. click here
(when you get there, right click on the link and "save as target" or "save as link" to your desktop and follow the "set up" instructions.

Okay, on with the article and catch you later

All the best

Carmel
123moreforu.com

Top 5 Most Often Carried Handbags

Handbags have become the most popular accessory on the market and there’s no reason to wonder why. There are so many styles and trends to choose from that it’s hard for a woman to choose just one handbag. Each outfit calls for a different type of handbag so it’s hard to distinguish which types are most popular. In order to help you determine which types of handbags are in style right now, I have compiled a list of the top five most often carried handbags. You do not have to choose one of these as the type of handbag you’re going to carry but use this as a guideline illustrating which are in fashion at the moment:

1. Shoulder Bag – A shoulder bag comes in many different sizes and shapes. They are usually larger, providing more space for essentials such as your wallet, books, makeup etc. Shoulder bags are meant only to be worn over the shoulder and provide a combination practicality and style in one handbag.

2. Handheld Handbag – Handheld handbags are handbags which are designed to be held in the hand and no other way. They are usually smaller and provide less space than a shoulder bag. The difference between this form of bag and a clutch is that a handheld bag usually has a strap or handles. These types of bags are best suited for shopping or cruising around town.

3. Back Pack – Back Packs are very popular bags which are most beneficial to students of all ages. Back packs have two straps which make them better suited for carrying since there is a balance of pressure of both sides of your shoulders and back (as opposed to just one with most handbags).

4. Tote Bag – Tote bags are very popular because they are casual yet very practical. These bags usually fall in the middle of the body, around the elbow. They are big and provide a lot of space for the user. They usually only have one or two compartments and are available with a number of images on them or a simple solid color.

5. Clutch - A clutch is a handbag which does not have handles and is meant to be carried in the hand. That said they are usually quite small and only provide enough space for the bare essentials which you will need. These bags can be casual or dressy and are often worn to parties or nightclubs because they are so small and efficient.

The handbag you choose will depend on your style and your personal preference. As a woman you will probably feel the need to change the style of handbag you carry on a regular basis. The style of handbag differs each day depending on where you are going and which type would be best suited for the occasion. Have fun with your handbag and let your personality show through the style you choose.


About the author:
Cathy Feldman is an avid purse enthusiast who has more handbags than she can count. She has become complete addicted to name brand bags and enjoys sharing her knowledge as a contributing editor of http://www.designerhandbags101.com - a site that offers information about designer handbags, prada handbags, coach handbags and more.

Fashion After 40

Hi all,

Sewing a wardrobe and fashion go hand in hand. Many of these articles I am finding for you, are fashion related.

There are heaps of tips for you for styling your wardrobe and this one today is for the over 40s. I often relate the 40 to 50 age group to the older version of the 10s to 20s. It's not young and it's not old, so many times we can get the style confused.

So I hope this article will help if this is your age group.

Cheers

Carmel

Fashion After 40

With so many designers and trends targeting the svelte body of the twenty-something, is it possible to look fashionable as the years pass and your body begins to tell the tale?

Absolutely!

In fact, with a little ingenuity and sleigh-of-hand, it's easy to be fashionable and stylish regardless of how many candles are on your birthday cake.

Now let's be frank: unless you work out religiously, you probably don't have the same body at 40, 50, or 60 that you did at 25. Time, gravity, and pregnancy all take their toll on the female body, as does menopause. And when you mix a mature body with fashions obviously made for a younger person, it can lead to self-doubt, frustration, and confusion.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Getting older also means getting wiser, and like a fine bottle of wine, you're improving with age. So you don't have the same body as those twenty-somethings you see in magazines or on TV. So what? Would you REALLY trade everything you've learned since your twenties for the body you had back then? Probably no sooner than you'd like to re-live puberty, thank you very much.

So how can you be fashionable without wearing all those body-conscious clothes so en vogue these days? By remembering the "3 C's" when you dress: clean, classic, and coverage.


CLEAN

Clean lines create a clean silhouette which makes the body appear more youthful by skimming the trouble spots instead of calling attention to them. Complicated cuts, seams, and details usually call for a killer body to pull off, so if you haven't got it, steer clear of those styles.

CLASSIC

Classic styles are called classic because they remain in style year after year. Why? Because they look good on so many bodies! Sheathes, A-line skirts, flat front pants - all tend to flatter a variety of shapes. What's more, because they remain in style year after year, classics are
easier on the budget than trends.

COVERAGE

Covering appropriately is the key to aging gracefully. If your upper arms, thighs, and décolletage have all seen better days, it's time to cover them up a bit instead of sharing the wear-and-tear with the world. Now I'm not talking about draping yourself in a tent for the rest of
your life. Far from it. I'm talking about wearing short sleeves instead of going sleeveless, Capris instead of shorts, and modest necklines instead of plunging necklines.

Now I know that covering up the parts that used to turn heads and draw envy can be tough to take for some women. Which is precisely why beautiful jewelry and fine fabrics are the revenge tools of choice for many well-dressed mature women.

So your bustline isn't as perky as your twenty-something daughter or granddaughter. So what? Add a beautiful necklace and draw envious glances from women of all ages. Don't have the same backside you did as a teen? Encase it in a fine fabric and see how many men go out of the way to hold the door open for you. People will look where you focus their attention, so use that knowledge to redirect their interest to the parts you want them to see.

Or, as actress Cybil Shepard once said, "I like to flaunt what I have left."

Don't flip through fashion magazines and bemoan the fact that you don't look like the models. Instead, look at the various fashion elements to determine what will and won't work for you. Are printed scarves all the rage this year? Grab a few and be trendy. Are mini skirts the style of
choice? Pass and bank your money.

See how easy this is?

"A woman has the age she deserves," Coco Chanel once said. You don't have to go under cover and dress "like a little old lady" just because that's what your mother or grandmother did. You're your own person.

If you remember to dress in clean lines and classic styles and cover appropriately, you can still be fashionable - AND draw long, lingering glances from handsome men -- whatever your age. And if THAT doesn't make you feel like a blushing girl again, then honey, nothing I can say will!

About the author:
Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes. Visit her online at www.fashionforrealwomen.com

Dress for Success to be Your Best!

Success in the business world depends on two things: your abilities and your attitude. Now, your abilities are generally due to your education (both formal & non) and natural talent. However, your attitude and the way people perceive you may be altered with just a few seams.

For example, wearing the right clothes to an interview, meeting, or seminar can determine your success or failure in that arena. Many a person has gone into an interview with the perfect credentials for a job only to leave disappointed because he or she did not reflect the look and attitude that the company wanted.

How can Haute Couture help?

One way to create a distinctive personality is to purchase clothes made just for you. The French word haute couture represents just this idea. This phrase meaning high fashion is now synonymous with beautiful, distinctive, original clothing created in the best design houses in the world. Using the best designers, the best fabrics, and the best seamstresses, haute couture clothing will fit you perfectly and help you to give an air of confidence, composure, and success.

Do you want to be the most successful you can be? Do you want to create an attitude that encourages future employers to choose you and present employers to give you a promotion? Do you want people at all your events to recognize you for your abilities, style, and attitude? Then, you need to purchase at least one haute couture suite or main article of clothing.

In order to obtain one of these exclusive suits, you will need to make an appointment with the design house before visiting Paris. Each house creates model garments for their biannual shows, but sometimes these clothes are sent out of the country for shows elsewhere. Other houses will create a video of the shows so that serious buyers may watch either from the comfort of their home or in the design house while the model clothes are away.

After making your appointment, seeing these luxurious clothes, and choosing what you want, the design house will do a fitting to make sure that your clothes are perfect. After the first measurements when you choose the model, you must be prepared for a minimum of three more fittings. Adjustments are completed mis a plat, which means* that they take apart the outfit and put it back together before your next fitting. When you receive the final product, it will fit you perfectly, hiding any negative points in your figure and emphasizing all the good.

What about Haute Couture and men?

Business people all over enjoy haute couture. Especially men.

"Be Bold. Be Noticed. Be You," said Gregory Scott Reid, well-known speaker and three-time #1 best-selling author.

California native, Reid created this unique design when he realized that Men's fashion was primarily left unchanged. Each day he typically wore his shirt/tie/suit combination to the office and for special occasions. However, he questioned why he was spending exorbitant amounts of money on wonderful ties that he couldn't show off.

That is where his inspiration began. Reid teamed up with Haute Couture Fashion Designer, Kimberly Mac. Together they were able to take Reid's idea of cutting 'slits' into one of his dress shirts, and "weave" a tie through it, enabling people to not only show off more of the tie, but also creating an original look that was long overdue in men's fashion.

"Voila! The look for today's man," said Reid.

Original, first ever, never available before, Reid's shirts feature double pearl button cuffs and superior quality fabric in Jarkarta White, Skyline Blue and Midnight Black. This woven collar shirt, as seen in GQ, Ebony, FHM, SkyMall, Washington Post, 944, Skope and across the globe, comes to you from Mui Fina at MuiFina.com.

So stop worrying about the impression you are making as clients, employers, friends and family. People will be able to immediately recognize your new air of confidence and success with haute couture. More information on haute couture can be found at http://Amazon.com and at http://www.presssuccess.com/muifina

Dress for success and create your success!


*Source: "Haute Couture Fashion History" By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com

About the author:
By Diana Barnum is a correspondent for Savvy Style News at: http://savvystylenews.com. She can be reached at: (614) 529-9459 or mailto:diana@ohiohelp.net

How To Read Fashion Magazines to Benefit YOU!!!

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year to you all,

I found this article on how to read a fashion magazine and thought it interesting enough to pass on to you. Sometimes we all get a bit down when we see the models, clothes etc but, all is not lost. Read the fashion magazines as Diana suggests and we will all enjoy them more, I'm sure.

Take care

Carmel

How to Read a Fashion Magazine

When I recently advised a client to study a few fashion magazines to glean some ideas for the
upcoming season, she flatly refused.

"I HATE those things!" she told me vehemently. "Skinny girls, expensive clothes - what does that have to do with my life? Nothing!"

Now since this isn't the first time I've heard this argument, I realized that she was missing
the point of the exercise - much like the women who tell me that VOGUE or W are "their bibles." In this corner, we have someone who's way too caught up in her own reality; in the other, we have someone who's much too caught up in someone else's. Let's all move a bit more to the center and learn how to read these things properly, shall we? We'll all dress a lot better for it.

Let's start with a little dissection first, then move on to the "how to" part of the lesson.

THE MODELS

Overall, fashion magazines tend to show young, thin, attractive people in their pages for the
exact same reason that grocers tend to polish their apples and car dealers tend to have you
test drive clean cars: because it sells more. It's as simple as that. Fashion Marketing 101.
Whether you agree with it or not is beside the point; it works -- VERY well.

So well, in fact, that somewhere along the line, many women went from trying to determine whether the clothing being shown would work well on their bodies to bemoaning the fact that their bodies don't look like the mannequins. Let me let you in on a secret: those girls don't look like that every day, either. They have an army of people to get the hair, makeup, clothes, and lighting just right. If that doesn't work, they airbrush the photos to get the right look. And if the model packs on a few pounds or starts to show signs of ageing, she's replaced. Nothing like being a "has been" by the age of 30, eh?

What a shame that so many teenage girls and women have allowed the slick marketing to muddle their thinking and impact their self esteem. Don't be one of them. Look at the clothes and the mood that the picture evokes; don't compare yourselves to the mannequins.

THE SETTINGS

In fashion magazines, you'll often see a beautiful girl in gorgeous clothes in an enviable
setting surrounded by handsome men. If only, right? Well, that's part of the marketing. It's
called projecting, and if you've ever envisioned yourself swapping places with the gal in the
picture, the marketers have done their job. It's a set up. A complete fabrication. A ruse.
Remember that the next time you see a shot that makes you want to rush right out and buy the
clothes you see so you can be just like the girl in the picture.

THE ADS

Ever wonder why you see so many high end designers advertising in fashion magazines and
why the fashion magazines, in turn, show so many of those same designers in their editorial photo spreads? It's no coincidence. Those one-page ads are VERY expensive, often costing tens of thousands (or more), depending on the magazine's circulation. So the fashion houses don't spend all their advertising dollars in one place. Oh, no.

They'll put a portion of their budget into ads, a portion into lending clothes to magazines for
photo shoots, and a portion into creating clothes for celebrities for red carpet and other media events. That way, they spread the name recognition around. It's clever - and expensive.
But it works. If you love labels and see a look you like in a couple of fashion magazines and on a favorite celebrity, wouldn't you be more inclined to buy it if you had the money? Many
are. A look through the society pages will tell you as much.

THE LESSON

So now that we've addressed the models, ads, and editorial spreads, here's what you SHOULD be
looking for when you read a fashion magazine (and yes, it's okay to rip out pages and put them in a file for future reference - but only if you own the magazine!):

1. The Trends

Fashion magazines will call them "must have" items, but look at trends skeptically to see
whether they fit your body, clothing personality, and lifestyle. Don't worry about the price. If you find something you like and want to wear, look for an inexpensive version of the trend at your favorite discount or outlet store. Buy cheap, wear often, and discard when then trend is over.

2. The Updated Classics

Most women recognize that classic styles are a good value, and fashion magazines know this. So
they'll show trendy new ways to wear classic styles and give you plenty of ideas in the
process. All you have to do is take a moment to break it down to see how you can apply this to
your own closet.

3. The Designers

If you have a "thing" for designer labels, high end fashion magazines (Vogue, W, Marie Claire,
Town and Country) are a great place to learn about the different fashion house philosophies.
Even if you can't afford those brand names, don't fret. If you find a look you really like, you'll probably be able to find it a little later in the season in a budget-friendly copy-cat version.

4. Styling Ideas

Styling refers to the way the clothing and accessories are presented in a picture. Look at
how the clothes are layered, draped, or wrapped. Look at how the jewelry is worn. See what they did with the bag and shoes. Look at the hair and other accessories. If you see something you like, try creating a similar look with pieces from your own closet. You'll be surprised how you can breathe new life into your old standbys just by wearing them a different way.

5. Hair and Makeup

Are you in a hair and makeup rut? Peruse a few fashion magazines to see what's hot for the
season. Not only will you glean some new looks, you may discover that a new 'do may be all you
need to look "au currant" this year.


Fashion magazines are a great way to learn all about what's happening in fashion AS LONG AS you
remember that they're created to sell clothes and accessories. Forget about the models and the
price tags and focus instead on the clothes, trends, and styling ideas that might work for
you. Then copy or adapt them to your own budget and lifestyle. Before you know it, you may look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine - whatever your age, shape, size, or budget.

============================================

About the author:
Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an
ebook that shows women how to transform their unruly closets into workable, wearable wardrobes.
Visit her online at www.fashionforrealwomen.com