tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63974408039341291562024-03-05T18:30:46.514-08:00Ms. Fine Fabrics for Fashion and Fun!A fashion blog, fabric blog, couture sewing blog. A place to interpret fashion, from the inside out. Not just what we wear, but how its made, and what makes it unique. Frequently, its in the details of design and construction. A place where we can discuss how to make a perfect fashion wardrobe, using fashion fabric design draping techniques, flat sewing pattern construction and hone our couture dressmaking skills.Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-22470829675276447872012-07-01T17:38:00.000-07:002012-07-01T17:38:40.972-07:00Moving to FineFabrics.comToday, we added a new<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://&mvt:global:domain:name;/cc004.html%22%3E1%3C/a%3E,"> clients' creations</a> page to <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>. In so doing, I decided that it makes the most sense to concentrate our efforts in sharing, educating and offering in one place. So please, join us there, where you will find all that we might have offered here.<a href="http://finefabrics.com/"></a>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-71361956402196510982011-10-16T10:06:00.000-07:002011-10-16T10:09:33.083-07:00When A Flight to New York Was Fun and Exciting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a time when jumping on a commercial airplane was a big deal. I had done it once before. A flight from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City in an attempt to learn to ski and to visit my friend, Lisa, who was attending the University of Utah. My long distance childhood travels were generally made in convertibles in which we followed Route 66 from California to Detroit to visit family and buy a new convertible.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband, <a href="http://forcefin.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Bob</a> made his first trip on an airplane in 1959 when he and his family boarded a Lockheed Constellation travelling from Los Angeles to New York. They then boarded a ship for the trans-Atlantic journey and lived in Europe for a time. He recalls as a child watching the flames behind the engines, an experience which led to a lifetime of travel.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was no wonder that within a month of our moving in together, he flies off on a business trip, but before he leaves, he handed me a ticket to meet him in New York. Nowadays one can find designer fashion just about everywhere. At that time, 5th Avenue was one of the few places one could find a collection of designer boutiques in one place. While Bob was conducting his business, I made my way there.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have learned more about couture construction from turning designer garments inside out while in the dressing room. This method of education took on a new meaning moving in and out of the high fashion boutiques of New York. (Will have more on elastic casing later, as I recently used the technique I learned from within the Ralph Lauren dressing room on that trip.) My sole purchase was a red leather belt from Gucci that perfectly matched the silk dress I had made to wear to my 10-year high school reunion, that same year. It may have been the only time I entered a Gucci Store, although I did covet through a window recently a Gucci handbag.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its no wonder that I couldn't resist adding to <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=DS">FineFabrics.com</a> a collection of fabrics made for Gucci.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leave it to Gucci to keep their logo subtly embedded in the design.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll be adding more new designer fabrics to <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a> from this collection and others.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-83487452137171464942011-08-01T08:16:00.000-07:002011-08-01T08:16:52.787-07:00Moulin Rouge for the HolidaysMore on the opening of 5th Annual World's Finest Lace Show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_691242127"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OAoDCvm3Pq5sMLjIV5ByqyUH-4I5HrUkWLh7MRytdibvrNovsAGPF9xhC6CLeF22zcUX2gIRdw59Hk25a7OOl6hL4EAPZ6UvZ8D3CIvhT1GODeAPEJQmFTwa7RxmuNeNvyvwf45nmWU/s320/FineFabricsLace5.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">M.F. of Santa Barbara, California and Ms. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Fine Fabrics are inspecting Cindy's </div><div style="text-align: left;">perfectly matching zipper insertion </div><div style="text-align: left;">and back seam.</div></td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cindy wowed everyone with her 30's inspired black beaded number, made using <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1706032596">Solstiss' Black Beaded Lace</a>, and lined with Red Silk Duchesse. Full pictures of this beauty will be posted to the <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=cc003">clients' creation</a> pages of <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a> later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">L.G., of Letizia Alta Moda, Santa Barbara, California wowed and inspired everyone with her expert draping skills. Wouldn't you love to show up for holiday festivities wearing a dress made using this embellished flame patterned lace, with red silk duchesse train.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jMcq4ZYgXDCF_3I7NPgvVi1drpyE7xQ6-Ai4y6kumdA92hXt29cI_PyUA3-4MgkAlniEp8DC1s4i17Cr1Wm0wqwxyunxBKGgpWPJPn2LrNogwyr2unt27NjhnyJyt23gXb38_8A_wsM/s1600/FineFabricsLace6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jMcq4ZYgXDCF_3I7NPgvVi1drpyE7xQ6-Ai4y6kumdA92hXt29cI_PyUA3-4MgkAlniEp8DC1s4i17Cr1Wm0wqwxyunxBKGgpWPJPn2LrNogwyr2unt27NjhnyJyt23gXb38_8A_wsM/s320/FineFabricsLace6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for more on the variety of interpretations available from Solstiss in this flame patterned lace, and others. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-52163457226630561232011-07-31T16:17:00.000-07:002011-07-31T16:17:10.885-07:00Royal Couturier Visits Fine Fabrics<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine Fabrics is honored to host its 5th Annual World's Finest Lace Show, featuring the haute couture collections from Solsitss, August 2 - 31. Our opening reception was Saturday, July 30, when a steady stream of oohs and aahs sang through the store throughout the day. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashionistas from around the State attended, and toward the end of the day, C.M. of Santa Barbara, California brought her friend and fashion confidante, J.S to have a look. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">J.S. had been a couturier for Queen Elizabeth and her sister when they were children. When C.M. asked J.S. if this outing to Fine Fabrics World's Finest Lace Show opening made her day, J.S. responded, "You've made my life."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwIalQX-ukBCoYMtg76WyCWLIGXR54L8-GZ_Oxx3PZufJDVMur6mEsKL9B5hWJxqrJ0X0Hex54A8mXunozPfu_rM3g9be4EDM4n8BjFwRrXv_BjXm3G6o0jEAIhyQbpBZd0k0cHcSc94/s1600/IMG_2555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwIalQX-ukBCoYMtg76WyCWLIGXR54L8-GZ_Oxx3PZufJDVMur6mEsKL9B5hWJxqrJ0X0Hex54A8mXunozPfu_rM3g9be4EDM4n8BjFwRrXv_BjXm3G6o0jEAIhyQbpBZd0k0cHcSc94/s320/IMG_2555.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More pictures from the opening reception of Fine Fabrics 5th Annual World's Finest Lace Show to be posted later and within the<a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=cc001"> client creations</a> section of <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please join us for Fine Fabrics 5th Annual Lace Show, open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, August 2 through 31. You'll be surprised as to who you might me there.</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-67546531003785196572011-07-15T19:48:00.000-07:002011-07-17T06:10:54.843-07:00Overwhelmed!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its hard to believe that I left the last post up for so long without moving on. I could use the excuse that I've been overwhelmed with a lot on my deck, but anyone who knows me would say, "yeah."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In answer this week, I can say, "yeah. I am overwhelmed and you just wait to see what's coming down the pike to prove that this round of overwhelmed tops all others."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First on the list is July 30, 2011, opens Fine Fabrics</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/"> 5th Annual Worlds' Finest Lace Show</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cindy has been busy making a dress for the opening using:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1706032596"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/solstiss-2596.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with the same red duchess satin lining.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pips is going to show some funk using a piece of rose tone and gold lace, a pair of jeans and coordinating with the finest piece of designer silk charmeuse:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1stretchsilk"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/gucci.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, well, my selection is understated this year. My favorite, a pair of palazzo pants using our very finest designer silk and wool blend paisley print:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110313000075"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000075.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a shirt of my own design using a Solstiss mostly cotton lace:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=813225"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/813225.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a peach that matches the paisley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D&G eat your heart out. If I'm not mistaken they did use this pattern in one of their dresses.</span></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-61233699225454781442011-06-16T21:20:00.000-07:002011-06-18T08:44:07.430-07:00Let's Hear it for the Maxi Dress Becoming a Classic<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just discovered Facebook. Well, I didn't just discover Facebook, but I did call in the youth brigade, my niece's daughter Sarah to help work me through the set up and intricacies of Facebook so that we can most effectively work with it in sharing our couture adventures there as well. Please link through that you like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/FineFabricscom-Fine-Fabrics-of-Santa-Barbara/151126904928919?sk=wall">Fine Fabrics on Facebook</a>. It seems we need 25 likes to go live. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within 24 hours of consumption, and I do see how Facebook can become a consumption this picture appeared, posted by my nephew:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsDIMrYxWbcoRFfss0GUNdHgqU0wwGsCQ8HMECRZOalAVoUQWtrJUdbvIAel34ijMVQjL1FDghqVWBCRfpJ8utJAQh2XzdUfwlAiH1p9TO8UKUagZ8I8WYibYjCoXIoORWBxZ6czuhPQ/s1600/sus-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsDIMrYxWbcoRFfss0GUNdHgqU0wwGsCQ8HMECRZOalAVoUQWtrJUdbvIAel34ijMVQjL1FDghqVWBCRfpJ8utJAQh2XzdUfwlAiH1p9TO8UKUagZ8I8WYibYjCoXIoORWBxZ6czuhPQ/s320/sus-14.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes. That is a very young Ms. FineFabrics in her made for the senior prom at 14 years old maxi-dress. How appropriate that this picture should appear when maxi dresses are at their most popular since.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was invited to the prom the day before by the friend, of the boyfriend of a friend, who needed a date. I ran home from school and popped out this maxi dress from fabric in my stash. I remember cutting out Simplicity Pattern 9944 on the living room floor, with the afternoon session of Felix the Cat playing in the background.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Found today at</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pattern-world.com/images/Simplicity9446.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://pattern-world.com/images/Simplicity9446.jpg</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My date was in an Elton John emulation phase and wore a top hat, tuxedo jacket, striped shirt and patched jeans du jour. Well it was 1971.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've made one maxi dress since. I wore it to a <a href="http://msfinefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/06/festive-attire-solutions.html">"festive"</a> birthday party. It was perfect for the occassion, and I have no idea why maxi-dresses are not classics within our wardrobes. They are so much fun and when in style, so appropriate.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In celebration of the maxi-dress revival we have added to our offerings the following maxi-dress perfect fabrics:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110525000172"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110525000172-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=11052200169"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/11052200169-144.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=180830-064"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/80830-064-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110525000177"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110525000177-144.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1cotton_voile01"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cotton_voile-01-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110313000070"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000070-144.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110608000190"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110608000190-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110313000066"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000066-144.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110313000065"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000065-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=110313000067"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000067-144.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000057"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000057-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000035"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000035-144.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's hear it for the maxi dress becoming a classic this time around!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-26441572003087662642011-05-28T23:02:00.000-07:002011-05-28T23:04:49.980-07:00Print Dominance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My <a href="http://msfinefabrics.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html">first sewing blog post</a> covered how studying a print before cutting can make a big difference in the results. I cannot under emphasize the importance of doing this when working with lively, bold prints, such as I used for my first project of 2011 - a jersey dress.</span></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned this axiom the hard way. I had made a pair of pants and cardigan coat using an African print inspired fabric. The pattern was so busy I thought there no need to concern myself with matching. I didn't think about the importance of <i>not matching.</i> When the ensemble was complete, there were 2 big black Superman logo looking "S" patterns, one on each of my buns. We called them my super suzzy pants. I could only wear them with their matching coat. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/jersey-dress-layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/jersey-dress-layout.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, when looking at this fabulous matte jersey print, you see that the royal blue swath of color is dominant. I was careful to lay the pattern pieces so that this dominant blue feature of the fabric was placed:</span><br />
<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Along the right collar - to bring one's eyes to my face</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upper left shoulder - for balance</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Center front hemline - to bring the eye down and offer a perception of length</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the left hip - to move the eye away from my belly.</span></li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc029.jpg" width="160" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc031.jpg" width="116" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: right; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, nowhere near my buns!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/cc001/cc031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">More great lively matte jersey prints available at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=K">FineFabrics.com</a>:</span></span></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-70452008218864722782011-04-14T20:28:00.000-07:002011-04-14T20:28:58.481-07:00Binding Fringe on Tweed or Matka<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One way to to achieve the perfect effect as you design your fashions is to create distinctive details. We've featured examples in earlier blog posts where clients of <span id="goog_414327558"></span><a href="http://finefabrics.com/">Fine Fabrics<span id="goog_414327559"></span></a> have used <a href="http://msfinefabrics.blogspot.com/2010/09/vests-for-work-and-play.html">fabric selvages</a> in unique ways to create trim that is perfectly coordinated, fresh, lively and delightfully apropos.<br />
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<a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=BR">Tweed or matka</a> fabrics, those that are woven using wide threads, are perfect for fringing. The large fibers of the warp, easily pull loose from their weft, and visa versa. The fabric is so easy to fringe that it is necessary to run stitches to stop the process, or the piece will deconstruct on its own.<br />
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It can be fun to use a complementary or contrasting trim to stop or set the fringed edge. However, the complexity of a tweed or matka can make it difficult to find a trim that not only matches, but also does not get lost or overpower the fabric.<br />
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The texture of the weave, the colors, and the body of the fabric that Ms. Fine Fabrics is working with here, made it essential that the trim not over power the finished piece, yet at the same time, it needs to have a deliberate presence, one that says "of course, it's perfect."<br />
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She chose to construct a trim by deconstructing the fabric into fringe and bind it with perfectly coordinating strips of the fabric itself. Since the dominant colors in the fabric are dark, she decided to highlight the fringe by using a strip of the color that had the highest contrast, the only light color in the weave, the peach. As high as the contrast, it is subtle because it is the exact same color and texture as repeated throughout the weave iof the fabric.<br />
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She created the binding by cutting strips of the peach colored fibers, then laid them over the fabric at the point out where she wanted the fringing to stop. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-158.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
Then using a zig-zag stitch set as wide as the cut strips, and thread the color of a dominant dark shade in the fabric, she secured the peach strips down to the fabric. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-152.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/00930-151.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To maintain a balanced proportion to the effect of the trim on the dress, she varied the fringe detail, a single row along princess and shoulder lines, double rows at the sleeve hem, three rows at the hemline and a collection filling the neckline.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/matka-dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/images/blog/matka-dress.jpg" width="166" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some tweed and matka with which this effect might be used currently available at FineFabrics.com, with more to come, are:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=1tweed_3083"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/tweed_3083-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=1tweed_3042"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/tweed_3042-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=1tweed_3027"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/tweed_3027-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=171111-2-076"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/71111-2-076-144.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=1redblacktooth"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/redblacktooth-144.jpg" /> </a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-42753852420784023012011-04-06T17:08:00.000-07:002011-04-07T16:32:44.737-07:00Searching for Valentino<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It is not as easy as one would think to find how Valentino would use the lively and lush wool and cashmere fabrics that just arrived at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>. Sure, you can search Google for Valentino Cashmere images and up pops a reference to 629,000 images, but verifying that they are truly representatve of Valentino's work, that is the challenge.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Then, I made my way over to <a href="http://style.com/" target="blank">Style.com</a> where it was easy to pan through runway shows and pick out those that look as if they might be made using our Valentino cashmere blends.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00250m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> </a> <a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00250m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> </a> <a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00250m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00250m.jpg" /></a>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Valentino Red Suit</span><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00300m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Valentino Blue Coat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00310m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00320m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/F2007RTW/VALENTIN/RUNWAY/00320m.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Valentino Blue Suit </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Valentino Blue Jacket reads as if it might be suede, but I think it would work well in cashmere. The drop shoulder line is very flattering for most, and could also be used over a dress made using a coordinating fabric.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For example, consider using the Valentino <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000130">Red</a>, <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000132">Mint</a> or <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000135">Iris</a> for the jacket, worn over a dress made using this paisley wool and silk challis that coordinates with all.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110313000075"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110313000075.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion+shows/galleries/valentino+ready+to+wear+autumn+winter+2008+09,6130?pos=11#top" target="blank"><br />
</a></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-84340988025255735812011-04-02T09:10:00.000-07:002011-04-02T19:46:47.275-07:00Valentino Colors in Cashmere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I apologize for having stepped away from our blog to put some things in order at the store and an update and redesign of <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>. I also apologize to those of you who had sent comments that have yet to be published. They were temporarily hiding from us, but that is now fixed. We have a number of inspirational and instructional blog posts lined up, starting with..... none other than,.... Valentino!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I would not generally bring a wool and cashmere piece into the store at the start of the Summer sewing season, but when one of my very favorite vendors walked in with these colorful cashmere and wool numbers, complete with Valentino labels,..... I melted into their soft folds... Besides, if we start thinking about how to use these now, we can have the project finished when cold weather returns.</span><br />
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</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1490425826"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000130-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000130">Valentino Red Cashmere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_506852886"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000133-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentino Blue Cashmere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1490425839"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000132-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000132">Valentino Mint Cashmere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1490425844"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000134-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000134">Valentino Fuschia Cashmere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1490425849"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000136-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000136">Valentino Coral Cashmere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1490425854"><img border="0" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/110401000135-144.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=G&Product_Code=110401000135">Valentino Iris Cashmere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arrival of these exclusive fabrics prompted me to ask the question, how does Valentino use these?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a start: Valentino 'Voulant' Wool and Cashmere Coat. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Gigantic/9/_6247089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Gigantic/9/_6247089.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Details, such as an assymetrical, ruffle front and ruffle collar, can be seen at <a href="http://g.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Gigantic/9/_6247089.jpg" target="blank">Nordstrom.com</a>, where we found this picture. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyone who would care to chime in with more ideas, please let me know. Will have instructions as to where to post your answers later.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><div><div></div></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-64889095531770589952011-01-01T14:46:00.001-08:002011-01-01T16:21:30.409-08:00Relish in the Resolutions<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000038.jpg"></a><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000037"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000037-144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000041"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000041-144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000036"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000036-144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000039"><img style="display:left; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000039-144.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></span><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">We are proud to start 2011 with the launch of a new and improved <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>, which we will be once again updating nearly every day! Our first featured fabric is a fabulous line of viscose and lycra <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=K">knit prints</a>, made for us by a very exclusive fabric printer in France.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">These are a preview of what you will be seeing on the runways for Spring/Summer 2012!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">I have started making a wrap dress, inspired by Vogue Pattern 8631, using our <a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000038">Tropical Destinations, Inviting and Rejuvenating in French Knit Print</a> for our let's start the New Year living the way we are supposed to live vacation to Tahiti.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=FF&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1011000038"><img src="http://finefabrics.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/1011000038.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px; " /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The pied piper called us just 2 weeks ago to invite us on an 11 night cruise through the Society Islands and Tuamotus aboard the <a href="http://www.pgcruises.com/destinations/itineraries/10-night/default.aspx" target="blank">Paul Gauguin</a>. Instead of scrambling to finish a new wardrobe the night before leaving, I decided to let this dress be my first sewing project completed for 2011.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That is my New Year's resolution, to relish in life and all we do while living. Its not about the project's completion, but the process. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">To that end, early this morning, before any other guests stirred, I started the year with a 2,000 meter swim in the infinity pool of the Beachcomber Intercontinental Hotel on Papeete, Tahiti. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Tired and still dehydrated from the 8 hour flight from Los Angeles, I had to fight to keep swimming. I had to keep reminding myself that there was no where else I had to be. No one was waiting for me to arrive at the office or store. I did not need to look to when my swim would have to end. I could keep swimming all day if I chose to. And with each stroke, I became stronger and more alive and enjoyed it more.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">That is the way I will approach my sewing, and each thing I do this year. I trust it will be reflected in the ever changing offerings we will have for you at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>. I trust that you will enjoy the results.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-35731965663736292522010-09-15T17:01:00.000-07:002010-10-07T15:25:38.479-07:00Vests for Work and Play<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://74.220.29.246/images/blog/IMG_0250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 300px; float: right; height: 450px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://74.220.29.246/images/blog/IMG_0250.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">As Fall arrives, and days and nights are getting cooler, a vest may be just the perfect piece to complete your outfit, while stylishly keeping you warm.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Vests can be casual, worn with jeans for play, or they can be dressed up and sophisticated, paired with slacks, a pretty blouse or nice shirt. Add details and accessories. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Now you're ready for fun, for the workplace, comfortable and in style . . .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">With this in mind, D.D. of Santa Barbara dropped in at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">Fine Fabrics</a>. Her mission, to fashion a new vest for her husband, Peter.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">She began her venture by perusing Fine Fabrics' new collection of <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=W">wool fabrics</a>, and the many new pieces arriving for Fall and Winter sewing.<br /><br />She then compared her favorite picks with vests Peter already wears - a gray with prick stitch, a tiny hounds tooth with hunter green as its dominant color, and a deep Autumn rust with leather buttons. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">She hoped to find just the right color and texture of wool so that she could complement his collection.</span><br /><br /></span><a href="http://74.220.29.246/images/blog/IMG_0247.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 300px; float: right; height: 450px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://74.220.29.246/images/blog/IMG_0247.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">With a smile on her face, DD shared with me that she had made each one of the vests she brought in (proudly displayed here). She admits that her first attempt at vest making took a bit of refining. The most difficult part was getting all of the measurements right, so that the vest had a tailor made fit.</span> After that, the other vests were a snap. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">And, the fun in making any piece truly unique comes from playing with the details and subtleties of the fabric.</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Here, DD creates a one of a kind vest by using the selvage of the fabric as a perfectly coordinating trim. <span style="font-family:arial;">Quite frequently, the selvage is formed by the weft fibers (those running across the grain) wrapping around the side warp fibers (those running lengthwise). In terms of color match, using the selvage in this way works because the warp and the weft mingle, allowing for a mix of the fabric's hues. The wool heather DD used to make the vest on the right is a deep Autumn rust that blends perfectly with the leather buttons. The olive. which is barely noticeable in the body of the fabric, is dominant at the selvage and she astutely uses the selvage to trim the pocket edges. </span></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=181207-085"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/81207-085-144.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;">For the new vest, after much consideration, she selected an Italian <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=181207-085">Gray Reversible Flannel</a>, with a pin stripe on one face of the fabric and a box plaid on the other - just what was needed to complete Peter's collection of vests. We can't wait to see how DD uses the duplicity of this fabulous piece of wool from Italy.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />As the cold weather comes our way, what will you need to complement your Fall wardrobe? -- Pipps writing for <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-16633716505242951302010-08-17T12:16:00.000-07:002010-08-22T17:45:35.168-07:00Never Too Young For Silk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7032oOMz4-ZuCkdnukQdnM6nD0Y7PKHrC2lHrJ1bnf16jQeN2OobJn5hURDHbOHlHbLrGP_h187iY8MOFM3V8HbeKIqxck2GwQF3fMZ0_icQNEh2OU-J5EaHz03qz15O7hsVpQ9FuD0/s1600/Ellen_Graduation.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 158px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506460114475085682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7032oOMz4-ZuCkdnukQdnM6nD0Y7PKHrC2lHrJ1bnf16jQeN2OobJn5hURDHbOHlHbLrGP_h187iY8MOFM3V8HbeKIqxck2GwQF3fMZ0_icQNEh2OU-J5EaHz03qz15O7hsVpQ9FuD0/s400/Ellen_Graduation.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">With the arrival of summer, comes graduations. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In this flowing dress made of watermelon silk charmeuse and pink chiffon, our young graduate transitions beautifully to the next stage, with dreams of her future . . . </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The dress was co-created by mother, (S.S., Santa Barbara) and her graduating daughter, whose idea it was to braid bias strips of chiffon in coordinating colors for neckline trim and straps. The benefit of cutting the strips along the bias is that the fibers cross-link, to hold raw edges firm and simple, so they can be left modernly unfinished, and will smoothly transition around curves. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>It's all in the details, and our dressmaking team brings together imagination and play to create softness and simple sophistication!<br /><br /></em></span><span style="font-family:arial;">At Fine Fabrics, we feature 150 colors of <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=S">silk in multiple weaves</a>, including chiffon, charmeuse in 2 weights (19 and 30 momme)*, four-ply crepe, heavy georgette, and Italian-style duoppioni. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Silk, one of Nature's loveliest fibers, appeals to our visual and tactile senses and is known for its drape, attractive luster and simply luxurious feel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em><br /></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>When wearing silk, one revels in beauty, confidence, and a sense of possibility . . .</em> </span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i0Gu5B2fgYkHIoM4-sqzzYJXHcQUsRMk4OfNe1Q6fZRIeoxy35yj_ieGIusvGW0XzEuNnwhDZL0afNmj93mnb5Y-ony2WgrOsME4VO8jefu-KI-hKhY6qFuuQpYR4VrhzTQo6r814xk/s1600/IMG_SS,+Santa+Barbara+edited.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508309692100685314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i0Gu5B2fgYkHIoM4-sqzzYJXHcQUsRMk4OfNe1Q6fZRIeoxy35yj_ieGIusvGW0XzEuNnwhDZL0afNmj93mnb5Y-ony2WgrOsME4VO8jefu-KI-hKhY6qFuuQpYR4VrhzTQo6r814xk/s400/IMG_SS,+Santa+Barbara+edited.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;">* Momme (pronounced "mommy") - Did you know that although most fabrics are measuted in thread count, silk is measured in momme weight, or mm. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">A silk's particular momme refers to the calculated weight of a piece of silk fabric when measured at a standard 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">For a piece weighing 19 pounds at that size, the calculated momme would be 19. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">A silk's momme gives body to the fabric. When designing your creations, you can use this - giving life, flow and inspiration to fashion. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />~ Check back with us as we will be uploading to <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com </a>new arrivals over </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the next couple of weeks. </span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-18116269536235348812010-08-14T12:43:00.000-07:002010-08-14T14:05:07.245-07:00Solstiss Lace Wedding Dress<span style="font-family:arial;">Best wishes on this month's Solstiss showing and my heartfelt thanks for making my daughter's wedding dream dress come true. </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Sincerely,<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">a.m., San Diego, CA</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41w41GvZkuiqn0FICSf6SEhypfNTiMlp9kFq0BP3xrZCRhKXS7sz1aUwt5ccHXCIUv_PjSByF56UzZJqFae-2eAhTf2RVF032-2Q7GGYVGt3H4OpF72gMTW4MBszjcm3myFpmYE_Pr9s/s1600/millea-wedding-dress.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41w41GvZkuiqn0FICSf6SEhypfNTiMlp9kFq0BP3xrZCRhKXS7sz1aUwt5ccHXCIUv_PjSByF56UzZJqFae-2eAhTf2RVF032-2Q7GGYVGt3H4OpF72gMTW4MBszjcm3myFpmYE_Pr9s/s400/millea-wedding-dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505354354971421762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">This beautiful gown was created for the Bride by her mother with fabric procured by Fine Fabrics from Solstiss.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1407662"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/407662.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">Through August 31st, Fine Fabrics is hosting its 4th annual Solstiss Lace Show. We will post new pieces online daily, but there are hundreds to see. Please stop by our Santa Barbara store to personally experience the beauty and artistry of each piece. Be inspired, dream and create something magical!</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-28263516850485214592010-04-09T06:48:00.000-07:002010-04-09T07:07:01.148-07:00Lace Sleeves<a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=166173101"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/80822-031.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes a predictable use for a fabric is so predictable because it works. That is the case with using a very beautiful fine lace as sleeves and necklines on just about anything. After much consideration through the collection of </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=ST">lace</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> available at </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, I decided that this black </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=166173101">chantilly lace</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> would work perfectly for sleeves and neckline of lively print silk jersey shirt made using </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8636-products-10778.php?page_id=260" target="blank">Vogue Pattern 8636</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> by Marcy Tilton.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Add_2_Full/V8636.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Add_2_Full/V8636.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">I plan to wear it with my new and finally completed </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=160801-001">black super 190 wool and cashmere</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, a very, fine and soft combination suit, made using my own design for the jacket and trousers using a vintage </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Vogue_1589" target="blank">Yves St. Laurent pattern</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. Will post picture of the completed garment later.</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-11021675124902401502010-04-07T09:21:00.000-07:002010-04-07T09:29:50.459-07:00Summer Blouse over Jeans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10cotton02"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/0cotton02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I can see this <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=10cotton02">soft cotton print</a> made into a Summer blouse like <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8657-products-11109.php?page_id=864">Vogue Pattern 8657</a> worn with jeans. The key to your fabric choice on this one is the soft drape of a high thread count cotton.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V8657.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V8657.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-14785540980543426192010-04-06T09:12:00.000-07:002010-04-06T09:36:31.187-07:00Keep It Simple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1silkmesh"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/silk.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1silkmesh">This piece</a> of silk has texture, body, drape, and sophisticated color and design. Its everything I look for when procuring <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=S">silk</a> and <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=C">cotton</a> prints for <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>. It could be used to make just about anything for Spring or Summer, blouse, dress, skirt..... My suggestion. Something simple that takes advantage of the drape and keeps it easy to match the pattern. Something like Donna Karan's Vogue dress pattern 1012.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1012.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1012.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-64240383388602279412010-04-05T07:42:00.000-07:002010-04-05T08:12:25.566-07:00Inspiration #3 - Opera Coat<span style="font-family:arial;">Spring can be bright, sunny and warm. Spring can be blustery. Spring can be cold and rainy. It seems as if it does not matter where you are, but Spring can bring the most variable weather. Spring can inspire us to sew a <a href="http://msfinefabrics.blogspot.com/2010/04/summer-fashion-inspiration-2.html">Summer dress</a>, a <a href="http://msfinefabrics.blogspot.com/2010/04/onward.html">cotton blouse</a>, a <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1tweed_3042">tweed</a> suit, or an Opera coat, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">a long, loose, fitting coat made using a luxurious fabric, such as this </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1tapestry03">wool tapestry</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, with lurex (metallic threads woven throughout) for sparkle. Made in Italy and available at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a>.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1tapestry03"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/tapestry03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Consider making the coat using Vogue Pattern 8549. Love the collar and shoulder detail on this one. The wool tapestry has the body to support the collar, and a softness that will fall into the drape.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Add_3_Full/V8549.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Add_3_Full/V8549.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Think about wearing over a <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1062711-010">black velvet</a> tank dress, or jet black cotton with a bit of lycra for stretch pant weight poplin for casual elegance.</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-47562121681908193902010-04-04T08:58:00.001-07:002010-04-04T14:40:44.169-07:00Summer Fashion Inspiration #2<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In my opinion, the fashion designs by Tom and Linda Platt are among the most elegantly simple available. Their entries in the Vogue Patterns Summer Collection are no exception. Take the dress of Vogue 1180 for Summer walks. A simple dress with elegant lines.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Add_2_Full/V1180.jpg" alt="" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" border="0" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The beauty of this dress is how it falls from a proper fitting bustline. Made using using a fine <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1cotton"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Japanese cotton</span></a> double gauze, with wispy painterly quality, it will be the perfect dress to wear on hot Summer days.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/0cottongauze.jpg" alt="" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">If a bit shear for your liking, then consider lining with soft, high thread count pima cotton <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Broadcloth"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">broadcloth</span></a> in eggshell, made in England and available from <a href="http://finefabrics.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">FineFabrics.com</span></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-36660022529552144742010-04-03T19:08:00.000-07:002010-04-03T19:31:19.616-07:00Onward!<span style="font-family:arial;">Is it a primal throwback? Something ingrained in our dna? No matter how consistent our lives might be... with climate controlled shelter and cars to enclose our travels year round..... Spring comes and,.... well..... It's inspiring...... and to inspire your sewing obsessions, we have a fresh collection of <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=C">cotton</a>, <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=N">linen</a> and light weight <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=W">wools</a>.<br /></span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br />Inspiration #1:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1165.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 475px;" src="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/filebin/images/product_images/Full/V1165.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;">Vogue Pattern 1165 by Sandra Betzina. I just love the pleating detail on the front of this blouse. It will prove to be a challenge to keep the pleats straight along their angle. Not something to do when you are tired or in poor light.<br /><br />I envision making it even more daring, collapsing into the pleats the colors of a brand new cotton print from Liberty of London, now in stock at FineFabrics.com</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1003liberty03"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/003-liberty-03.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">What is your Spring inspiration?</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-48711518095190102242010-02-06T19:25:00.001-08:002010-02-06T19:40:49.231-08:00Be Humbled<span style="font-family: arial;">I am going to move from fashion and sewing and parties to a blog of a friend, whom I have had the honor to sit beside at a number of parties, Dr. Paul Auerbach, Director of Emergency Surgery and Medicine at Stanford Medical Center. Paul contacted us from Haiti last week, and well, you can imagine how humbling it is to hear from him. As busy as he was directing triage, coordinating between military, media and patients, he still found the time to journal his experience. His blog entries start on January 20, 2010 at </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.healthline.com/blogs/emergency_room/2010/01/first-days-in-haiti.html">healthlines.com</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and move forward from there. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Take the cue from him and do what you can to support organizations offering aid to the victims of the quake in Haiti.</span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-9050615484857551402009-12-25T21:04:00.000-08:002009-12-26T10:03:16.705-08:00Warmth in one hour<span style="font-family:arial;">This year the family decided no gifts for Christmas, but like everyone else, at the last moment, you know we all succumbed to the temptation of tradition. In a last minute flurry, I chose something for everyone. My last minute choice was to grab from the shelf at Fine Fabrics a square of warm, soft, cuddly fabric, each piece of which with large enough fibers to fringe easily. I cut each into a square by folding diagonally, meeting the selvage with the edge I wished to cut.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I jumped onto the sewing machine and sewed a sealing top stitch about 5/8" inside each cut edge. I created a fringed edge by pulling threads to the sealing stitch. Within about 1 hour, 1 hour, I had made 4 gifts.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/blankets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 497px; height: 375px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/blankets.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">I added a chenille rick rack as the sealing stitch on the red and black blanket on the far left.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Each member of our family received a warm blanket like those we used to call car blankets, but they work just as well when sitting on a couch with a good book before a warm fireplace.<br /><br />From right to left, the </span><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=BR">boucle</a> and <a href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=W">wool </a>fabric used for these blankets are:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=171111-2-076"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/71111-2-076.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1tweed_3027"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/tweed_3027.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1062811-005"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 373px;" src="http://www.finefabrics.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/062811-006.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">These and more can be found at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a></span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-33248720521165426992009-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:002009-12-12T13:55:39.013-08:00Wedding Clients<span style="font-family:arial;">One of our clients, Danyel Dean, was kind enough to allow us to share with you pictures from her recent wedding. The wedding took place at the elegant <a href="http://www.sanysidroranch.com/weddings.cfm" target="blank">San Ysidro Ranch</a>, in the foothills over Montecito, California.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShL01S60GVI/AAAAAAAACsU/TPCAHFQbFBA/s512/IMG_7996_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 341px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShL01S60GVI/AAAAAAAACsU/TPCAHFQbFBA/s512/IMG_7996_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The dress was made using a soft blue silk heavy georgette, and lined with sik charmeuse. Both were 19 mm. The bodice overlay was made using a French Lace. All fabrics are available at <a href="http://finefabrics.com/">FineFabrics.com</a> </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShK4K7F1ZbI/AAAAAAAACj0/OJKyFfwJPfM/s640/IMG_7380_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 427px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShK4K7F1ZbI/AAAAAAAACj0/OJKyFfwJPfM/s640/IMG_7380_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShLh31ylAUI/AAAAAAAACrI/kPZUVUypY-M/s576/IMG_7953_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 576px; height: 469px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Mtyj-gacHwA/ShLh31ylAUI/AAAAAAAACrI/kPZUVUypY-M/s576/IMG_7953_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The dress was inspired by a satin silk organza, bias, tier skirt wedding dress she saw in a couture store window in Paris. Danyel made her interpretation in our sewing studio, and we cheared her on and assisted with fitting and construction advice.<br /></span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-32628136356680032032009-11-15T17:32:00.000-08:002009-11-15T19:25:01.717-08:0050th Annual NOGI Awards Gala Dress<span style="font-family:arial;">On November 5, 2009, I was honored to attend the 50th Annual NOGI Awards Gala in Orlando, Florida.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/2009-nogi-4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0px 0px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 344px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/2009-nogi-4.jpg" alt="" border="3" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Dating back to the 1950's, The </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://auas-nogi.org/nogi.html">NOGI</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> is the oldest and most prestigious award in diving. An acronym for "New Orleans Grand Isle Fishing Tournament", which had an underwater division, and where the original statuette was bestowed upon its winners. Originally carved of balsa wood, then cast of polywood, in 2005, the statuette was updated by </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://wylandfoundation.org/">Wyland</a><span style="font-family:arial;">, and now is cast of lucite in molds of his making.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">In 1993, The Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS) was incorporated by the recipients of the past 33 years, and with ongoing sanction and support from the Underwater Society of America, the AUAS administers the NOGI, which each year is awarded to 4 individuals who have made a global impact on the exploration, enjoyment, safety, and preservation of the underwater world, and have distinguished themselves therefor in Arts, Science, Sports and Education and Service. </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">My husband, Master Fin Designer and Underwater Photograph, Bob Evans (NOGI, Sports and Education, 2005) is the current President of the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, and as such hosts its black tie Gala Awards ceremony. This gives me the opportunity to stretch my sewing ability and make a new gown annually.<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: arial;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/2009-martha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 829px;" src="http://finefabrics.com/images/blog/2009-martha.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">What makes this endeavor extra fun is that Martha Watkins Gilkes, President of the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.wdhof.org/">Women Divers' Hall of Fame</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and proprietor of Fantasea Island Divers Scuba in Antigua, sharpens her needles and makes a gown as well. Our annual creation have become a friendly contest of sorts. I have to say, Martha took the night this year! I had anticipated this as much when she called me early in the year to inquire whether the mother of pearl shells completely covering the piece of Chanel couture fabric she found might have been harvested. If so, their impact on the ocean would be adverse, and it would not be appropriate to wear, particularly at this event. It took a bit of digging, but what she and we found is that the shells are harvested from California abalone farms - not far from </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://finefabrics.com/map.htm">Fine Fabrics store location</a><span style="font-family:arial;">! </span>Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6397440803934129156.post-21270770677170222612009-10-18T16:15:00.000-07:002009-10-18T17:48:15.813-07:00High Priestess of HumanityThere is a thread running at <a href="http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/topic,8702.35.html">Artisanssquare</a> about the prospect of living over 100 years, not as an anomaly, but as a sociological norm. I, for one, believe an aging population bulge will increase the sociological force of elders within our society. I also believe that the population increase that will inevitably coincide with this extended life span will accelerate our Earth becoming more species homogeneous. A sad fact is that we are not reading about increased longevity for species other than humans.<br /><br />That started me thinking about the responsibility we will weld as "Elders Who Live Longer Than Those Before" in a world that is human, which brings us to the question of what it is to be human?<br /><br />I grappled with answers that have great ethical value -- that of choice, to learn from our choices, to love and care for those whom we love..... To be honest, these qualities are not unique to humanity. There was but one answer I could find that made us uniquely human and that was clothes. We must clothe ourselves to live on Earth.<br /><br />The Priests and Priestesses of "The Society of Elders Who Live Longer Than Those Before" in the species homogeneous Earth are those who make clothes. Fellow sewers I anoint you today!<br /><br />A love for sewing is a spiritual awakening! Sew away!Ms. Fine Fabricshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14344125093396100905noreply@blogger.com0