#9 Sparks! Spring 2008
Diane Ericson’s Creativity Newsletter & Studio Notes
We are several days into spring….and even if it doesn't look like it yet where you live, lets begin with some ideas to get your creativity out from under that down vest!
>> SPRING COLOR COMBINATION
A good place to start is your design file (it may not be organized, but I'm talking about all the things you tear out of magazines, or from catalogs of things you'd love to make or have someday). Those spring clothing catalogs have started arriving in the mail, and they are a great way to start getting yourself out of your winter darks. To pull new color combinations for spring projects I use my design file of catalog images, inspiring landscape pictures, sketches or photos. I am in California, and since it IS spring here already, one of my favorite inspirations is my yard. The Magnolia tree is solid dark pink flowers, lined with white shantung and tiny lite green shoots, like rolled linen, just starting to appear on the light brown branches. The fruit trees are in full blossom too. The crabapple tree has gone from pink to a huge white snowball with pink "french knots" and bright green pointed leaves that were surely cut with pinking shears! Lots of bulbs are up too and the
smells are divine and the bees are having a field day. So right out the door can be your canvas for new colors to fold into your sewing or other creative projects.
>> DESIGN EXERCISE
Using your favorite inspirations, pull colors from your fabric stash that represent those colors and textures. Cut small (2-3" swatches) from the pieces you have chosen and using a gluestick, arrange them and attach them to a piece of cardstock or other white paper. You might find it useful to do several with different percentages of each color. I like to put these design cards up on my wall. A favorite piece of fabric can also inspire a design card where you explore different amounts and placements of the colors in the original print. I have been teaching a new color class this past year for the Sewing and Quilt Expo. I have enjoyed meeting some of you at these classes. The color class has been focused on how to explore and create new color combinations and how to really use a good color wheel. I have a good one available on my website.
It is an important tool that can help you build your creative skills. It is a great teaching wheel if this is new for you. You can learn about tints, tones and shades …as well as different kinds of color combinations. Did you know: In combining fabrics, one of the best accent colors for the colors you love to work with are the colors on the opposite side of the color wheel? These are often times colors that aren't your favorites. They can be bright or dull…light or dark…but these complimentary colors can add a lot of interest to your work in the way of piping, linings, buttons and trims etc.
SEE CLASS INFO FOR THE SEWING & QUILT EXPO -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/c/Classes/Classes.html
SEE MY COLOR WHEEL -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/ColorWheel/NOTIONS/Color+Wheel
>> YOU & SKETCHING YOUR IDEAS
I want to encourage ALL of you to be sketching. Just starting and doodling everyday will begin to give you more confidence if it is not a skill you have developed. It is very satisfying to be able to sketch out some of your design ideas and see how they might look. Get yourself a sketch book that you like, and some pencils, chalk a small watercolor set or whatever medium is calling you and just start.
FACT: If you don't consider yourself an artist mostly what is missing is that you don't do it enough to get better. I love sharing my passion for this. (I can feel another DVD coming on) I am also teaching two levels of Fashion Illustration which have been well-received at the Sewing and Quilt Expos. We have more of these classes scheduled this spring and fall as well, so join us when we are in your area.
>> '08 RETREATS
I am looking forward to my Design Outside the Lines Retreats with Marcy Titlon (www.marcytilton.com) coming up at a beautiful new location for us this June in Sisters, OR and then returning in Sept. to Taos, New Mexico. I enjoy playing with Marcy and sharing our creative edge, design play, and construction in different ways at each retreat. We have a few spaces left in each one if you want to come and play!
SEE CLASS INFO FOR THE SEWING & QUILT EXPO -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/c/Classes/Classes.html
>> NEW GARMENTS FROM GREAT OLD PATTERNS
My Skyelines pattern #105 is one of my favorites. It is always a good choice for re-inventing a new garment. In my gallery, I have a short sleeve version in pieced silk organza with bits of trim in the seams in a dupioni. The neckline works well, and without a long sleeve, it is perfect as an undergarment in the warmer weather.
My new version using a crisp, pin-stripe shirting. I have used a second, bolder stripe in black and white for an accent and a solid black for the corset shape around the middle. Here are some design tips & notes: I cut some extra width in the shirt around the middle to start with. The corset shape is actually an appliqué, which I applied to each piece before I constructed the garment. It is laced with loops up the back to give more fitting options. I used some exquisite ribbon for tabs and with ½" snaps behind they become the closures. At the end of construction, I took long tucks (from the inside) just the length of the corset appliqué. This uses the extra width I cut out in the beginning and makes pleats in the shirt at the edges of the black making the shirt look pleated underneath like it is a separate garment!!! So clever. I love the look of this shirt! It is inspiring me to do more exercising and find my waist again!!!! Consider changing the width and contrasting col
or of the corset pieces to flatter your figure. Remember, it doesn't have to be fitted to be a fun and flattering detail.
SEE SKYELINES PATTERN -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/Pattern-105-SkyeLines/homepage/Skye+Lines
SEE SKYELINES IN THE GALLERY -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/gallery-SkyeOrgan/WEARABLES/SkyeLines+in+Silk+Organza
SEE NEW SKYELINES GARMENT IN PIN-STRIPE -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/GAL-Skye/WEARABLES/Skyelines
>> DESIGN EXERCISE
Using one of your favorite patterns, revisit it with 2-3 ideas for new garments it could be. Adding more construction details, a shaped edge or cutting out a larger width so you can pleat it in, etc. These are all creative ways to explore how your favorite pattern can transform! This kind of play is really some of the most fun I have with my sewing.
>> MY STENCILING DVD : FINISHED AT LAST!
I am pleased to have my first stenciling DVD available now on my website . It has lots of close-ups that cover all the basics of how to great results from a stencil on fabric…plus lots of design tips for getting lots of new designs from one stencil, overlapping them and using tape as a mask. This 33 minute DVD is divided into sections for easy reference and includes a gallery of my stenciled clothing and accessories. On my website gallery , I have some stenciled pieces. You might enjoy my recycled chairs I am getting ready to do another chair soon.
SEE THE NEW STENCILING DVD -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/stencilVideo/STENCILS/Stenciling+Techniques+on+Fabric
SEE RECYCLED CHAIRS -->
http://www.dianeericson.com/pc/gallery-Wingback/COLLAGE/Stenciled+Wingback
So I am off to draw in the back yard. Remember to schedule some creative time for yourself everyday to play!
Enjoy, Diane
