Fashion Week in Review

This September Fashion Week was chock full of inspiration for Optimistic Crafts!
Starting with FNO and leading up to some fun events.

At the Vogue Knitting Magazine presentation at The Yarn Company theyarnco.com, I tried on this sweater.


from the Wanderlust collection Vogue Knitting

same sweater on me!

VK Editor Trisha Malcolm reminded everyone to be open-minded when looking at what's modeled in the magazine. If it's not your style, think how you could modify it or how you could use elements of a knit pattern to create other items. For example removing a collar, shortening or lengthening the garment, using a garment's motif pattern for a scarf or shawl. Like it would be fun to use the textured pattern of this sweater on something faster to knit like a hat or wristwarmers.

Another key point--experiment with color!



Clothing silhoutte and fabric inspiration from the shows was endless! Loving the feminity, the soft, flowy fabrics and a focus on accenting the high/natural waistline. I saw a continuation of the Spring/Summer 2012 trends of lace, mesh, and color-blocking. Classic solid stripes, are shifting into horizontal patterned stripes, like this Tadashi Shoji dress. And I noticed lots of mixing of patterns and textures.

Tadashi Shoji (style.com)

Several rooftop parties, a few show-visits, lots of show-watching on liverunway.com, a late nite pizza slice and fun times with friends made for a great week! Were you inspired this week?



Sewing Progress Report

Wow. Lately have been pretty productive! Finished making this a couple weeks ago--the top in the middle...

(Will post an actual picture soon--see tiny herringbone print fabric swatch.) It turned out great and was really easy. I admit I left it hanging without a hem for about a month before finishing as is my usual procrastination method.

The same weekend I started on this, knowing I'd have to work quickly since it's a summery dark grey on black searsucker sheer cotton fabric.

And as of yesterday, it's done! (I know, need pics! I'll wear it this week.)
Another one that I'll make again, for sure. The armholes are very tight though, so must remember to make them a little bigger.



Also, I've been managing to knit A LOT on the wrap cardi the last few weeks while watching the TV series Borgia, among other things, on Netflix. Watching scandalous tales of history while knitting=fun!
How crafty were you this weekend?