Last week I was asked to guest post at Project Run and Play and talk about Signature Style. I thought it would be fun to put this up today and ask you your thoughts.
How do you create? (this is not just for sewing…it is for everything)
Do you have a method you find yourself most often using?
Can you define your style?
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts in the comments!
If someone were to ask me what I do, I tell them I am a graphic designer…but having outlets to sew and create in different ways have been a big influence in finding my Signature Style. It’s really funny, but as I thought about talking about HOW I design each of the outfits I put together, it almost directly mirrors how I also design a new print. Whether you look at my paper art or my sewing, I think there is a definite style. When I sewed as a competitor in the final week of PR&P, I described my style as bold with whimsy (which is also how I would describe my art prints). But how do I get there?
Each time I make something I think about 3 things:
1-color
2-details
3-the extras
The very first thing I do when sewing an outfit is pick a color scheme. I get inspired from so many places…magazines, nature, Pinterest, and I have a site I go to anytime I feel stuck with color. Have you ever heard of Design Seeds? It is one of my favorite. I love colors that are bold. I love interesting combinations…and enjoy seeing how the colors of an outfit can completely change the feel of the style. As I put together an outfit for this week, I was inspired by the Pink Mermaid Fabric in Sarah Jane’s Out to Sea Collection. My daughter is currently obsessed with mermaids, so it was a perfect choice. From there, I chose the navy anchor fabric and found a perfect large chevron print from Riley Blake as well. I have loved this color combo for awhile, so I went with it. I also really loved the bold and graphic chevron and anchors paired with the whimsical mermaid print. I like using different kinds of fabric, but my all time favorite is just a designer cotton. It is soft and durable and the colors and prints you can find are SO fun!
As a starting point, I always use patterns, but I love the details that you can add when you sew your own kids clothes. Those little details that you add (I have some that I do each time) is what make those clothes you sew your own. They are a part of that Signature Style that make your designs recognizable. I adore the shoulders of the shirt I sewed for this week…I could have made it be a simple tank top style, but instead I added a cap sleeve, and had it close over the shoulder. My daughter hates zippers to open and close on her shorts, so I made them elastic and my daugter always seems to be wearing at least 3 layers, so by adding the jacket, she was right in her element. Being able to make the clothes as I like means that I can personalize them to the taste of the recipient (and I always think that is SO fun!)
Lastly, after designing my outfits, I end with my favorite thing: finding the perfect accessories (or the extras)!
You can see here the sweet necklace and gold belt I found for my daughter at Downeast Basics, the flower brooch I made and the sweet little bow that was perfect in her hair. I LOVE making the accessories, but let’s face it…a lack of time and being able to find accessories for a good deal are a perfectly good reason to purchase them too. Either way you do it, accessories can really take your outfit from good to great!
And just remember…sometimes I think the hardest thing to do when talking about Signature Style…is defining exactly what yours is!
In whatever medium you use, can you put your style into words? What would you call it?