Master’s Designer

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 15

Children are wonderful, unique beings. They are naturally imaginative, creative, inquisitive, and always looking to have fun. As a parent, I want to nurture these characteristics in every possible way. I sign my children up for experiences in art, music, sports, and play-dates. We attend special events and programs that will encourage them to think, develop, and grow into independent, free-thinking individuals who are problem solvers and decision makers. I know it is my responsibility to guide and encourage my children in the development of their own individual identity.

By selectively exposing children to activities, museums, friends, and other age appropriate books and television shows, children are able to develop into unique, compassionate thinkers with the guidance of supportive adults. With continued adherence to this philosophy, my young children are learning how every choice and decision affects their identity and who they are becoming. While this requires time and some planning, it is easy enough…most of the time.

One roadblock that provides me with endless frustration is shopping excursions with my children. When I visit the local shopping mall I am overwhelmed with cookie-cutter clothing, most of which is entirely inappropriate for young children. (But that’s another soapbox!) The clothing I see is identical from one store to another with little variety or creativity. Where is the clothing that will support my child’s need for expressing herself in a creative, unique way? Where is the children’s clothing which offers children individuality as opposed to the mass-marketed, trendy fashions?

As an adult, I have a plethora of clothing choices. I can usually find the styles that appeal to my artistic side. I can find one-of-a-kind pieces, wearable art that is hand painted, hand knit, or creatively designed which helps me to represent my personality through my image. I love finding clothing that reflects who I am whether it’s through the color, the style, or even how I choose to combine the various pieces to make an outfit. I expect clothing to let me reflect who I am…why can’t I expect that for my children’s clothing as well?

So why is so hard to find children’s clothing that can reflect a child’s personality? Baby and children’s apparel is a huge, growing market with annual sales in the billions. It is all too easy to find clothing manufacturers that like to sell “trendy” and “fashionable” children’s clothing, but where are the manufacturers that value “unique clothing” for children?

When I have to buy clothes for my children, I despise going to any retail store or shopping mall. The clothes I find are either adult styles that are often too provocative, poor quality, or I have seen them on every child walking through the mall. Children deserve more than that. Like adults, they deserve choice. Children should be able to choose clothing as unique as their own personality, interests, dreams, and desires. If we start offering variety to parents of infants we encourage individuality from the start. With variety and choice, we are teaching children that being unique is not only good, it is right. As adults we value each child as being special, and children’s clothing can strengthen their sense of self and their self esteem.

So to find clothing that my children love and I approve of, we search high and low. My children love colorful clothing with whimsical characters, bold patterns, and unique textures. I love seeing my children in clothing that is different than the mass-marketed “trendy” styles. I cheer when my children pick unique fashions that help them discover more of who they are and who they want to be. Clothing may not make the man (or woman or boy or girl), but it can help develop the identity and individuality of the child and strengthen their sense of self, preparing them for their future.

Marianne Mullen is Co-Owner of Polkadot Patch Boutique, a specialty boutique featuring unique children’s clothes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marianne_Mullen

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 13

Take one look at Obey clothing and you’ll instantly know exactly what you have been missing in urban fashion all these years. These designs are innovative, creative, and exactly what you have in mind for what you want your personal style to be. The man behind it all is Shepard Fairey.

Shepard Fairey was born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina. Always having a creative streak, he attended RISD as an illustration student. He was not only creative, but had a hunger for business and getting his designs out there. He quickly excelled and moved on to his own projects.

Shepard’s first business was called Alternate Graphics. He designed stickers, posters, t-shirts, skateboards, and more and sold them out of his own catalogs that he distributed. This audience gradually grew, along with his talent. This led to him being featured in a documentary called ‘Andre the Giant Has a Posse’ that showcased his designs and their popularity.

Shepard Fairey then went through a series of different business partnerships that included screen printing, a design and marketing firm, and even an art gallery. Currently, he is the owner of the Obey clothing line, which is a must if you’re into urban fashion.

Obey actually started out as a street art project called Obey Giant Street Art. While some think street art is better left to the streets, there are others who know what wearable art is an amazing form of expression. Shepard believes that art should be accessible to everyone. He’s even called the t-shirt a “utilitarian canvas.”

He believes that his clothing line represents what Punk Rock should have evolved into. It definitely showcases his personality and personal style, which is clear from the resulting look of the design. It is fresh and completely focused on urban fashion as an art. Whereas some things just can’t be conveyed with stationary street art, it can translate very well onto clothing for those who ‘get it’.

Among the Obey clothing designs you’ll find many basics with a new spin on them, political statements, as well as clothing with a sense of style. Best of all, you’ll find graphic designs that are distinctly Shepard Fairey. For fans of his street art and other endeavors, you really can’t go wrong with Obey.

Another interesting thing you’ll find among his urban fashion are some ‘cameos’ from other graphic design and musical favorites. Graffiti artist Zephyr, Ozzy Osborne, and the Misfits have all endorsed a graphic.

There are literally no rules when it comes to Shepard Fairey or his clothing. What you’ll find is a total freedom to be whoever you want to be, whenever you want to be. The man has had an interesting journey, but nothing is as pleasing to look at as his street art and clothing designs. One thing is for sure, and that’s that Obey clothing should top any list for urban fashion must-haves. Shepard Fairey and his clothing should only continue to grow and evolve to better and better things.

For the best resource for urban clothing and fashion accessories visit MiseryLovesCo.ca where we stock both women’s and men’s clothing, fashion accessories, graphic t-shirts, hoodies and woven knits. Misery Loves Co. is about self expression and feeling good in your threads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Piccolo

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 11

Everyday you see a mound of trash and a pile of junk – scrap iron, bottle and soft drink caps, paper, rubber tires, and other materials that are, well, scrap. Before you snub them, take a closer look. There is money in scraps and loads of it. A little imagination and some tools can set you in a lucrative fashion accessories business.

Scrap Fashion Diva

Remember the times you’ve gone over your grandmother’s treasure trove of souvenirs? You found quaint and outdated items that still held meaning for her. Her old charm bracelet and drop earrings were curiosities of an era gone by. Still, these fascinated you to no end. The same fascination can be derived from a heap of crap.

From the discarded materials, beautiful items can be fashioned for wear. Even the choosiest prima donna will be proud to wear them for their fashion statement of the decade. These are cheaper than the faux pearls and gold and silver accessories you see cramming the store shelves.

The environment-conscious are looking at scraps for fashionable art wear. They are making waves and earning public recognition towards a global effort to save the earth’s natural resources and the fight to reduce mounting scrap that’s filling up more spaces than a suburban neighborhood.

At a glance, these fashion accessories come in vibrant colors and designs. You can’t imagine that the earrings are made from soft drink caps, or that bracelet is a reinvented lipstick lid or a hubcap. The new generation artists are coming up with wonderful creations that are worth more than a second look.

This attractive eco-jewelry can hobnob with the expensive accessories at parties. These go well with everyday get-ups – mix and match them and you’re ready to turn heads. These are unique creations and can’t be found just anywhere. You’ll have to hook up to the Internet and browse sites offering this cheap but sensational wearable art.

Make Fashion Accessories From Junk

Fashion gurus are also claiming their niche in the go green revolution and are accepting these new wave fashion accessories as the next best discovery after the sewing machine. The nouveau art is the in-thing now, and doing wonders for the eco-friendly efforts.

The next time you see a worn-out clock, a fishing rod, and candy wrappers, don’t dump them in a flash. Sort everything and keep them away from rain and sun. Before you know it, you’ll be selling the scraps or fashioning wearable art from your junk.

You can make these trimmings from scrap for your own use or for a small home business. Do research on jewelry making and design. If you think you have what it takes – imagination and creativity – go and make your first set of handcrafted scrap fashion items. You can order the basic tools and gadgets for your project.

Basically you’ll need glue, wires, valve stems, tempera paints, old newspaper, and other what-nots to make your own wearable art and fashion paraphernalia. As you improve your craft, you’ll need soldering tools, wire cutters, a Swiss army knife, and other sophisticated apparatus.

Start looking up eco-jewelry designs and start collecting that trash. You can enlist your family members to scout bottle caps, wires, hubcaps, and other refuse that will give you a business opportunity. Like all enterprises, there’s grunt work to do. But if you’ve got time on your hands, why waste it? How about starting now?

Fashionable recycling make great gifts for men. You can start with a Swiss Army knife and old corporate gift baskets. Visit ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bradlley_Mckoy

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 9

Quilting alone isn’t the only way to add texture to your quilt. Manipulating the fabric and stabilizing it before you add it to your quilt can add visual interest. Imagine, for example, a solid color quilt with sections of differently textured fabric.
Three easy ways to add texture to fabric include gathering, pleating and crinkling. All of these methods require cutting a bigger piece of fabric than the finished size because all methods result in some shrinkage. Generally count on cutting a piece twice as big as what you need. Cut off the extra later, if any. And all will need to be stabilized, either by sewing it to another piece of fabric cut to your finished size, or by using iron-on interfacing. Before doing any of these fabric manipulations, always wash the fabric in hot water and don’t use fabric softener.

Gathering is simply running a straight stitch, by hand or machine, across the total length of the fabric and pulling up the stitches until you reach your final measurement. If you use a sewing machine, read your manual to find out how to do a basting or gathering stitch. Alternatively, you could zigzag stitch over a length of thread or lightweight yarn making sure you don’t catch it within the stitching. Then pull the thread to gather. You can run gathering stitches only along the edges of your piece and this would give you a lot of fullness in the middle. A better result would be to run a series of gathering stitches in parallel lines across your fabric. Or stitch randomly all over your fabric.

Pleating is very like gathering, only in a more regular format. To get a feel for how much fabric it takes to make your finished square, make a sample. Start by cutting a six inch square and an eight inch square. You then need to pleat the edges of your eight inch square enough to lose two inches of length. Fold the fabric along the edge, pinning as you go, until it fits along the edge of the six inch square. Do another sample with a six inch square and a 12 inch square and see how much extra pleating you need on the bigger sample. Pleats can be regular, say, ¼ inch pleats folded in the same direction, or of random width.

Crinkling is done by wetting down your fabric and twisting it until almost dry. Bind with string or yarn if necessary to keep it twisted until completely dry. Open out gently onto an ironing board, right side of the fabric face down, and flatten it as much as possible without losing the crinkles. With a piece of iron-on interfacing cut to your final size, iron it onto the back of the fabric. Once it’s cool your fabric won’t lose the crinkled effect.

These are just three ideas to add texture to your quilt or wearable art and they can be used for either a subtle or dramatic effect. Make some samples and see for yourself how easy it is to texture fabric.

About the Author

Trish Doornbosch is and artist/graphic designer living in Northern Illinois. Her designs and portfolio are available through her web site at http://www.trishadstudio.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trish_Doornbosch

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 7

Unlikely though it may have seemed a few years ago, it now seems that the ancient pastime of knitting, borne out of necessity through the centuries, has now been given a new lease of life with many, including celebrities, busy clicking their knitting needles at every spare opportunity. It seems that after the ‘naughties’, the next decade may be the decade of creating ones own wardrobe, with sewing, knitting and crocheting all seeing a great surge in popularity, and it can’t all be just down to the credit crunch, with many of the more ‘well off’ sections of society joining the trend.

Of course, one very important issue is fashion. It appears that as soon as the fleece jackets and jumpers appeared on the scene, the hand-knitted garment was soon thrown out in favor of a machine washable, tumble dry-able, easy wearable piece of clothing which was just as stylish and warm, but more trendy and in keeping with our busy modern lives. Well, they’ve been around for many years now, and the tables seem to be turning a little, with a definite turn towards the fashion of more traditional hand knitted garments, some big and chunky, some delicate and lacy (not at all like your Grandmother knitted for you as a child).

We were all (well, most of us anyway) taught the basics as a child, knit one, purl one, knit two together, and as soon as you see a pattern it will all come flooding back to you, the language of knit. It really isn’t difficult and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you learn to make a quite intricate looking pattern if you so desire.

So, get the pictures of Grandmother out of your head, find a stylish pattern, pick up your needles and get at it. You can do it almost anywhere, while you’re watching TV (if it’s nothing too complicated) or traveling. You’ll get such a feeling of satisfaction being able to walk out in style, in something of your own making from start to finish and soon all of your friends will be at it too.

If you enjoyed this article check out some of my other work at majorica pearl necklace or my other site on pink shag rug. I hope you found this article informative and entertaining.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_L_Leigh

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 5

Fabric Art is different from fiber art in that fiber art often evokes images of the processes involved with gathering, combing, spinning and weaving. Fiber art utilizes rustic fibers as well as the textural elements of refined fibers usually to create functional items such as rugs, placemats or runners, wearable items such as shawls, skirts or jackets, or wall decoration.

Fabric Art brings forth images of quilting, piecing and appliqué of manufactured fabric-on-fabric or perhaps sewing with cloth in general for the purpose of creating clothing and home accessories. In the fine arts and crafts business, fiber is becoming more and more popular. Years ago, a lot fiber art was rustic in rapture. Do you remember all the woven and knotted plant hangers, rag rugs and burlap sculptures? But weaving with fine yarns, many with interesting additions of silk and ribbon and chenille has brought forth appealing and trendy wearable clothing items which buyers find desirable.

Fabric art can be described in other ways aside from quilting and appliqué work. Anyone who designs and/or sews can be considered a fabric artist. People have done so for centuries. Stiffened fabric is now used to make decorative bowls–it’s sometimes used as wallpaper and certainly fills our homes with color and texture in every conceivable way on furniture, coverings and draperies. Artistic in design, by texture, by choice of color and by application of myriads of gorgeous trims–home décor is truly “fabric art”. From following patterns to make a simple baby layette to the most involved evening dress, sewing is also truly “fabric art”.

However, in taking Fabric Art that “extra step”, there is a process of applying hundreds of bits and pieces of fine fabrics to form pictures and images that has been adapted by artisans’ to adorn evening bags, purses, totes, pillows and wall art. It is innovative and unlike other processes currently on the market.

This process, which utilizes double sided fabric adhesives as well as heat elements, special glues and stitching, is unlike other forms of piecing because it is not meant to look quilted or appliquéd, but rather more like a water color or oil painting in its finished form. It is not just an explosion of little pieces dropped or placed to form a textural interpretation of a scene or object as in a craft known as “snippets”, but rather it is the use of the blended and shaded areas of various hand-dyed fabrics which are meticulously cut and placed to look like artists brush strokes. The selected pieces highlight with hue and texture to create light, dimension and depth. It requires an artist’s eye for the most effective execution. It can be done on canvas and finished with artists gel medium to capture the essence or an oil painting, or applied to clothing and accessories. It’s also very effective on decorator pillows. Utilizing the right adhesive and protective finishing processes, it can be washed or cleaned.

Designer clothing accessories like handbags and specialty evening bags are the rage right now. Everywhere you turn, stores are loaded with them. There are entire stores featuring nothing but handbags and jewelry. Not only are the big name brands doing a whopping business, but anything that looks close to those designer name brand bags sell like hot cakes. The quality is not equal, but the trend is to go for the “look” rather than the real thing for the sake of today’s fashion trends.

For those who hold out for the real thing, there are unique and one-of-a-kind fabric art handbags, purses and totes available, most often through private artist designer websites or galleries. We’ve been creating custom Fabric Art for a number of years now for those who look for the unusual. The discerning buyer, while nodding to fashion trend, also embraces lasting quality and enduring style. Perhaps that is the true essence of purchasing something created at the hands of a Fabric Art master.

Authentic FabricArt designer handbag, purses, and home accessories are available for purchase on our site.

[http://www.sandradalechristdesigns.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Dale_Christ

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 3

The exact origins of quilting are unknown, though it is believed that it may be traced to the Middle East as early as the Egyptian First Dynasty. Surviving examples of quilting are seen in tomb statues and manuscript illuminations of quilted armor. Scrapbooking and quilting are each two-billion-dollar industries, and patchwork and quilting are both enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity around the world, particularly in the United States and Japan. Sewing and quilting are hobbies that never go out of style.

Sewing Machines, Sergers, Quilting Machines, And Embroidery Machines

Today’s sewing machines give us the ability to work on larger quilts with more intricate custom designs. Their bobbins have more than double the capacity of older sewing machines, which helps in not changing bobbins as often with other home quilting machines. Prewound bobbins are compatible with most home and industrial machines and longarm quilting machines.

There are many beginner patterns to get you started quilting, and gives you thousands of free quilt patterns to choose from. All over the internet are a few basic, popular patterns which beginners can easily master and become more comfortable with quilting. With a little searching, you will find several types of patterns that you can use to enhance your machine quilting at home.

Quilter’s Curved Needles

What machine needles are you looking for, and how many? The most likely needles to come in a box of 100 are quilting needles. ‘Betweens’ are shorter needles, good for detailed handwork, such as fine stitching on heavy fabric, as in tailoring. John James Needles are a favorite because of their high quality. Embroidery and metallic needles are each designed for use with specific thread – embroidery floss and metallic thread respectively. You are going to want to take stock and organize your needles and put them all in one place.

Many people have lost interest in knitting because the patterns and possibilities of quilting are much more appealing. The assembling of the fabric pieces into an artistic design, the coordination of colors, and the workmanship of the construction and quilting are just part of the fun. Many have forgotten that patchwork and quilting are two different and distinct crafts and only over the last hundred or so years have merged together. New quilters, quilters with years of experience, hand quilters and or machine quilters, all produce beautiful works through this enjoyable, relaxing, and highly artistic hobby.

Kathy Hildebrand is a professional writer who is easily bored with her “day job” assignments. So, she researches anything and everything of interest and starts writing. Writing about an extremely wide variety of subjects keeps her skills sharp, and gives her food for thought on future paid writing assignments.

More of her research and articles can be found at her web site and other sites around the internet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Hildebrand

posted by Masters Designers on Apr 2

Accessorize your wardrobe with wearable art and create drama with your everyday look. I have always admired the wit and imagination of designers who transform everyday items into wearable art. Wearable art according to Wikipedia refers to individually designed pieces of (usually) hand-made clothing or jewelry created as fine or expressive art. There is a lot of interest today in recycling and so we see lots of wearable art coming from this eco drive to recycle. I have seen stunning jewelery made from:

-recycled PET bottles
-phone cards
-hair pins
-elevator buttons
-tooth picks
-acetate
-old wire
-and the list goes on.

Wearing jewelery pieces that are artistic masterpieces will certainly get you noticed as most pieces are individually designed and handcrafted. I like to call them conversational pieces as people will strike up a conversation with you which starts “where did you get that”. Many persons are usually intrigued by the use of everyday material to create fashion. The last time I wore my hairpin necklace; a perfect stranger approached me and asked “are those hairpins?” She has since become a friend for life. So it turns out to be a good way of meeting people as well.

Wearable art comes in all shapes and sizes and takes its inspiration from many aspects of nature. Some designers use non-fiber materials such as leather, plastic sheeting, metals, etc. to create truly unimaginable, breathtaking and lifelike works of art.

As always, it is a matter of choice when selecting jewelery accessories for your wardrobe. You can go for jewelery that is fashioned after a flora and fauna theme where designers for example produce lifelike interpretations of nature. Look for ethnic and exotic jewelery pieces including brooches in:

-Copper and Brass
-Stone
-Clay
-Glass
-Silver

A banana leaf in copper and brass in the form of an earring or pendant or orchid brooches made from leather are just a few examples. The more lifelike they look the more they will create intrigue and interest.

Most recently I came across a leather necklace in the shape of a hibiscus flower widely grown in the Caribbean. This necklace draped delicately around the neck and created a soft dramatic impact. Alternatively you can opt for the more abstract or eclectic pieces that are simple and eye-catching.

Accessorizing your wardrobe with wearable art does not only mean jewelery accessories but also includes belts, handbags, scarves, hats etc. Again look for accessories where designers have imaginatively transformed an everyday item into a work of art. Texture also becomes important. Look for bags for example which:

-combines leather with other materials such as goatskin, crochet, studs
-has an unusual shape
-uses leather with an embossed background or colored leather
-has an unusual handle
-has a bold pattern

Look for elegant and timeless handcrafted accessories that you can use time and time again. Even if they are a bit more expensive than traditional jewelery just think that if you paid £50 for a piece of wearable art and was able to use it 25 times then the cost per wear is £2. More importantly you will have it for years to come providing it is a well made quality piece.

Then again can you put a price on the pride of wearing it and the compliments and attention you receive…priceless.

This article was written by Arline James-Thomas for Munique Fashion – muniquefashions.com. Munique brings you unique, quality handcrafted fashion and accessories from artisans around the world. These exotic designs communicate rarity and say something about you the wearer.

Our simply stunning collection of funky unusual jewelery handbags and sandals are specially selected for their uniqueness and are not available on the high street. We are sure to find something special from our range of Ethnic jewelery and gifts. Buy online and start that conversation with fashion that begins “Where did you get that?”

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arline_James-Thomas

posted by Masters Designers on May 24

 Unique And Fun Wearable Art Patterns

Colorful fabrics and trims combined with unexpected bindings and designs make any garment unique to the creator of the garment.  This adds to the fun of wearing those items and gives an amazing sense of satisfaction that begins with the fabric choices and layers through all of the steps until completion and the final satisfaction of wearing your amazing garment.  Find award winning clothing patterns for quilters here:

http://www.mastersdesigner.com/quilters

Designer Knit Patterns

Award winning designer knit garments that are unique and fit beautifully for girls and ladies.  Find patterns for knitters here:

http://www.mastersdesigner.com/knitters

Taking Woven Patterns To A Designer Level

Handling woven fabrics can be quite challenging if you don’t have the insider secrets to the garment construction with this type of fabric.  Find patterns for designer garments made with woven fabrics here:

http://www.mastersdesigner.com/weavers