Friday, January 19, 2018

Color Matching Solutuions


I often need to go buy fabric to "go with" an existing outfit or existing fabric, and when I'm not doing a Ready To Wear fast I might want to buy clothing, too.

But as I found out when i was in fashion design school...dragging around a baggie of fabric swatches is not fun...

And dragging around your five favorite skirts is impossible!

So i started bringing home paint swatches. (the photo  above is a bunch of purple and violet tones i picked up recently)

  Once i get home i can match the paint swatch to the color of clothes or fabric, use a paper punch to cut a small bit out of a paint card, etc.  It makes it MUCH easier  to match a color if i just pull a small Altoids tin of paint chips out of my purse, or have them pasted into a notebook!





I also use "swatch buddies" (see photo above) which is sold for quilters to carry small swatches of fabric neatly. ( you can make your own of course!) I started with the original as shown, but because i work so much with prints i moved to the larger size Swatch Buddy so you can see more of the print

And finally...
When i was accepting commissions i found out that my clients "royal blue" might not be MY "royal blue" (sometimes their "royal blue" was my "turquoise" or "navy"!)

 ...and explaining a match online could be difficult since computer colors look different on different monitors. ..

Most of us can't afford Pantone swatch books ( even if I had one, my clients wouldn't)

The solution was simple: DMC embroidery floss is matched to within a hair worldwide.

I would tell my client to tell me the code number for the matching DMC floss, and i bought the sample book so i had every color. 

Its a lot easier to carry paint chips, bits of floss, or orderly swatches of fabric with you when you are shopping for a matching blouse, or the fabric to MAKE that matching blouse!

I hope this helps!


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Swatch Buddies can be found in your local quilting shop or fabric store, but  if you dont have one near you you can make your own with key tags, or punched out gift tags and double sided tape, or: http://www.swatchbuddies.com/

Monday, January 1, 2018

2018 NO RTW Challenge

Every year i say i am going to sew my wardrobe , not just buy things, and every year ... well.. obviously i need incentive, so...

This year i am joining the RTW fast hosted by "Goodbye Valentino " .  Every year there is a challenge to buy NO Ready To Wear except for underwear, socks, and shoes.

Here is the  social media badge for people in her group:

"What constitutes an RTW fast? Refraining from buying ALL outerwear, dresses, tops, pants, shorts, sweaters, coats, exercise clothes, jeans and bathing suits. Shoes, socks and underwear are permitted"

So if you see that badge it means the person is particpating in her challlenge.

If you are doing it according to her rules... that includes no buying thrift store clothes either (although yes you can accept gifts) the ONLY exception is wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses.
ouch

if you want to give it a whirl, but you aren't up to  the Goodbye Valentino version, i made a logo of my own.  so if your version includes thrift store shopping, or "only buying tailored jackets" or whatever... this one is available for you to use (just credit me if anyone asks and don't put your name on it, thanks)