Thursday, July 5, 2012

Goodnight Moon

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I cropped this photo by the awesome Chicago designer Anna Brown, www.annabrown.com. Isn't it dreamy? I love how the huge moon reflects on the apartment windows.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Spring 2013: inspiration beginning to form

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I just love the colors on a morning run as Spring announces it's here to stay. I had to stop to take this picture. I'm always so fascinated by Chicago's lakefront path.

As for colots... I've been pretty taken with green, blue, and violet lately but more in a pop color way. Something about those colors in this picture beckons a quite calm.The serenity juxtaposed with the texture of the tree branches draws me in.

Oh hi lovely lakefront, I think I've found my inspiration for spring 2013!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

4/27 BUSINESS WORKSHOPS!!

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http://janehamill.com/blog/live-chicago-workshops/

I am so excited for these awesome workshops with Jane Hamill on April 27th! I get so many calls and emails from new and aspiring designers, I wanted to find a way to help. Jane and I decided the best way to begin would be with a workshop! I can't wait to see everyone there! Click the link above for more info.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Monday, March 26, 2012

Final Designs for #DIYwithIOU @source4style @theiouproject

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Here are the final images! My favorite piece is the reversible jacket and the scarf made from the madras scraps. I loved the opportunity to work with wovens again and the challenge I gave myself of creating a zero waste collection. Thanks for following my design process and for your feedback!

Knitting the last of the scrap #diywithiou @source4style @theiouproject

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I'm knitting the last bit of the left over scrap and in about 2 hours the whole collection will be done! I'm so excited! I've really loved having the chance to work with such a gorgeous hand woven fabric. It's always a fun challenge to step outside of your comfort zone with design. I'll share photos of the collection this afternoon. Thanks again for your support and feedback!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Piecing together a vest from scraps # diywithiou @source4style @iouproject

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I have just a few more large scraps left, I'm piecing them together to see if they'll work as a vest. If not then I'll cut them up and add them to the scrap scarf. Excited to share the final collection tomorrow night!

Sewing the last of the scraps #diywithiou @source4style @iouproject

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I've really loved figuring out creative ways to use the little bits of Madras scraps. I'm wrapping up sewing each of the garments tonight and realized there were a few teeny scraps too small to knot into the scarf sew I figured I'd sew them into one long strand to knit into the scarf instead!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Pattern Making Saturday #diyforiou @source4style @iouproject

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Making patterns for the shadow pieces this afternoon, so fun to see everything coming together!

Friday, March 23, 2012

More draping lungi scraps for # diyforiou @source4style @iouproject

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Draping scrap madras #diyforiou @source4style @iouproject

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It's so fun to create a garment from scraps! I've been knitting for so long that I forgot how much I love to drape!

Using every last bit of scrap #diywithiou @iouproject @source4style

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Some of the scraps left over are too small to drape with so I'm knotting them together and knitting them on my hand to make a long scarf. Have you ever knit on your hand? It's so fun and super easy! No needles required just your two hands and yarn! Our model Valentine Kopjo showed us how at the fall photo shoot and I've been knitting on my hand since. I'll post a tutorial soon.

#DIYwithIOU update @source4style @iouproject

I really love working on the DIY with IOU project. Everything is starting to come together for our Monday deadline!

Doing a zero waste collection with Madras is a fun challenge. Each pattern piece needs to line up precisely with each vertical and horizontal stripe so that when the pieces are sewn together the garment is flawless. This typically means a lot of waste. To combat that I've created a collection of traditional pieces and their "shadows". I'm cutting out the traditional garments and then using the leftover scrap from the negative space to create additional shadow garments.

For my traditional garments I decided to make some of my most popular woven pieces that from my archived collections, the Jay Shorts, Bahar Pants, and Wrap Hogan Jacket. For the shadow garments I'm playing around with ideas for a shift dress, a vest, and a wrap skirt.

I spent last Friday morning with our fabric cutter Pastor Vasquez laying out some of the traditional patterns I made, making sure each line matched up. He cut my patterns this week, then yesterday gave me every bit of scrap back.

To be sure every last bit of the fabric is used, I've cut off the selvage and have begun knitting it on my hand, one of my favorite quick and easy knitting projects to do.

Today I've been draping additional patterns while Herminia, my seamstress sews the traditional garments. I'll be back soon with more updates and pictures.

Thanks for checking in and for your comments, it's so neat to hear everyone's feedback!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Sketches in process #diywithiou @source4style @iouproject

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Here are more sketches from tonight. I'm about to start pattern making next, but can't decide which garment to start with. I wish I could make them all!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Madras for #DIYwithIOU @source4style @iouproject

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Here's my Madras fabric, isn't it beautiful?

It is so special to know that each tiny cotton thread was woven by hand. I want to be sure every inch of the Madras is put to good use.

It's a bit scary to cut into something so special but also exciting! There's a sense of responsibility. My garments need to be respectful of the craftsmanship of the fabric. Functional and perhaps simple at first glance. Wearable yet as individual as each unique woven yard.

I'll continue to keep everyone updated!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

#diywithiou package @source4style @iouproject

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Here it is! I can't wait to open the bundle to see the gorgeous fabric & to scan the qr code to learn more about it!

Sketches for DIY with IOU

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So excited to finally get started on the @source4style @iouproject DIY with IOU collection! Taxes and studio cleaning have kept me away from the computer and from this project, but now that both are wrapping up, I'm excited to jump back into things, beginning first with the challenge of designing zero waste wovens again after I've been knitting for so long.

I'm heading back to my studio now and can't wait to open my package of Madras (Lungi) fabric!
I wonder what it will look like in person since I've only seen a small picture of it. And I can't wait to scan the barcode to learn the story behind my fabric!

Here are some quick sketches of my initial ideas... I'll be in touch as more develops.

I'm so honored to be amongst such a talented group of designers working on this project. It's hard to think of it as a contest. I really think it's just an awesome opportunity to work with gorgeous and completely traceable fabric. So so cool!

Monday, February 13, 2012

<3

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Yarn love! Sending Valentine wishes with our hand painted Bret necklace. Hope you each have a special day filled with love & laughter!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Ralph Waldo Emerson wisdom for a new day

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I love "A Life's Style Blog", Linnea's post are always inspiring.  Her recent "Friday Wisdom" post reminded me why Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite authors.

* Full link to the post below.

** It also reminded me of one of my favorite names, Emerson for a little girl, Emmy for short. Definitely have to knit an Emerson sweater soon!

Goodnight and here's to tomorrow!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Convention Center Patterns

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I've been collecting pics of the carpet patterns at convention centers at marathon packet pick ups and somehow out of context they're all insanely gorgeous and full of geometric inspiration. <3

Monday, January 16, 2012

Behind the Scenes - Product Shots with Bret Grafton

Friday night was a ton of fun!  The awesome Bret Grafton stopped by the LM studio to shoot product shots. We had such a great time brainstorming and planning for an awesome and inspired 2012. Here's a behind the scenes peek...

Starry Night. Star filled Dress.

A little while back I posted about the celestial trend... here's a great dress from pixiemarket for you to transition the look into spring. I love how the pleating adds texture to a simple print.

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