Thread and Bobbin

I’m in love with Christopher Bailey!!!  What a refreshing(ly dark) and saturated Spring line for Burberry Prorsum!

Chunky beading, full skirts, fantastic ethnic fabrics and belts, platform open toe booties!!!!  Oh and those bags!!!  LOVE.  THEM.

It seems like there were some similar trends to the Mercedes Benz shows but they had a very different feel.  See some of the images below… and possibilities for recreating them.  Ohhhhh, I foresee some DIY tutorials!!  I’m totally inspired and ready for some Fall crafting nights!

I want to duplicate some of the looks from above… and I want to make (almost) everything myself. I’ll start with finding some basic clothing patterns like the one below from Butterick: B5613

I think you would be able to use the pleated version of the skirt on the left. It would just need to be altered a bit – maybe add some length to the hem and a tab with buttons in the center front of the waistband (if desired.)  I would probably use a medium to light weight linen fabric.
The cropped jacket can be made using this pattern from Butterick: B5648

I might alter the sleeves a bit, add some straps, flaps and buttons to the jacket and lengthen the collar. I think I’ll make this out of a medium to heavy weight canvas.

The final piece that I plan to tackle in the near future is the embellished T-shirt. I think the 1 piece Kimono Tee pattern from Burda would be perfect. And it’s free!!

Now, I just need to head to the bead district of NYC to see if I can find some flat beads. I’ll check back in when I find some good ones!

Oooooooh… like these!! **The Bead District is around 6th Avenue from 36th St to 39th St.

~kait

Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear was a first for Tory Burch.  She’s been designing for quite a few years but never took the plunge onto the runway until now! Worth the wait?? I think so.

Her entire show can be watched on her website. She has a great blog worth a visit as well.

Other big news for Tory Burch is the opening of her global flagship store on Madison Avenue in NYC. Right now the location is marked with a huge mural by James De La Vega (with whom she collaborated on the jewelry design for her runway show.)

Below are some of my favorite looks from Tory Burch S/S 2012:

These looks feel fresh and new even though we’ve seen some of the trends on runway this week – layering, mixing patterns and prints, horizontal stripes, skirts that hit just below the knee, embellishment, long, flowing dresses that cinch in at the hip and a nod to the vintage.  In this case, the 1920′s.  Burch captured this feeling using narrow silhouettes, long, multi strands of beads, pointy kitten heels with delicate bows and tiered layers.

I have to say, after this runway debut, I’m excited to see what Tory Burch dreams up for Fall Fashion Week!

~kait

Carolina Herrera is known for her beautiful, Oscar worthy gowns worn by the likes of Renee Zellweger and Dianna Agron. But in her Spring/Summer 2012 show some of her designs seemed light hearted and print heavy.
The sparrow print below showed up in several looks throughout the show in both green/yellow and red/slate. It’s so cute… I sort of wish it was a quilting fabric!

Herrera also used more geometric and sophisticated prints like below.

Other looks throughout the show incorporated beading and geometric details.  Note the “Art Deco” belts and the jacquard blouse below on the right.  Herrera also used metallic beading and sheer fabrics which look like they’ll both be popular trends next Spring.

The final looks that I’d like to include from this collection are beautiful gowns which are right up Herrera’s alley. LOVE that rich emerald green!

Another print heavy collection that caught my eye was Edun. I’m just going to show a few of the looks but if you’d like to see the whole runway show, here’s a link.
The color palette is so refreshing and includes a rosy red, royal blue, navy, white and tan.  Many of the pieces have a bohemian flare but remain chic since they are built with silk and some of the looks are paired with short sleeve, cropped jackets.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t know, Edun is a collaboration between Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson. According to an article in WWD (Tuesday, September 13th edition) 37% of the collection was made in Africa. The company is for-profit but it seems that they are trying to bring more trade to sub-Saharan Africa.

Tracy Reese is another designer who really shines when it comes to prints… especially in the Spring and Summer.  Her 2012 Spring looks have 1940′s vintage appeal (the hats, umbrellas and up-do hair styles help!)  Below are some designs from her show – which had a back drop of a park like setting.  This worked very well to support her fun, floral fabrics.

Reese hit on a few of the Spring trends – horizontal stripes, sheer panels, long dresses with much feminine appeal, print mixing and GREAT strappy platform wedges – some with floral prints!!

Ok, I’m off to check out all the shows that I missed yesterday… It’s so hard to keep up with all of this new fashion!

~kait

Oh, I love fashion week in NYC… and here’s my round-up of completely wearable fashion for spring/summer 2012 (so far):

The first, Organic by John Patrick, is relaxed and simple with slight details at the neck and just a few prints.  The designer used lots of neutral colors with a few hints of saturated colors.  The looks below are my favorites from this collection.  Oh, and it seems like every look has pockets!

Second up, Sachin + Babi…
This line is elegant (and sporty!) and many of the looks were simply finished with a large gold necklace. I think that the four images below do a great job of representing the elegant aspects of the line mixed with sporty details like the yellow stripe through the grey blouse in the look on the bottom left and the splash of royal blue on the simple, white, one-shouldered dress on the bottom right.

Next up, TSE.
If you love horizontal stripes and long, knit dresses, then you will love this small collection by TSE. My two favorite looks are below.

Ok, now for some 1940′s (out for a drive in a convertible) fashion: Vena Cava. There’s a blog too!


Again, we’re seeing neutrals – beige, black and cream – mixed with a splash of saturated color – deep orange, seafoam, sienna and mustard (not pictured above.) The designers artfully paired their looks with simple leather satchels, fantastic wedge heels and bold bubble necklaces in white.

Stay tuned for a print round-up tomorrow!

~kait

I’ve been working on a blog posting for Spring/Summer 2012 fashion week… which has been incredibly fun since there was (and still is) so much great design work!

I LOVE some of the trends that have hit the runway and I think that Jason Wu has successfully touched on a few of them.  He gets his own posting since I was completely impressed by a few looks from his collection.  Below are some of the highlights:

The above looks are reminiscent of 1940′s pin-up girls especially with the bright poppy lips, the high waistline, structured bodice (on the right) and the fantastic bow (on the left.)  These looks have tons of vintage appeal enhanced by a black, grey, cream and celery palette which has the feel of a tinted black and white photo.

The color palette seeps into a saturated blue which is represented above. The first look carries through the high waisted shorts and adds another element that has been prominent on the runway this season – sheer fabric. Jason created a sheer blouse using the petal print which matches the high waisted shorts.  Full printed separates also seem popular this season as well as full, short sleeves.  The look on the right is so feminine, delicate and full-bodied at the same time!  I love the full skirt and the drop waist gathers!  This is the perfect look for a cocktail party.  He also incorporated a high hem line in the front that drops several inches in the back which you’ll see over and over again in S/S 2012.  He finished off the look with a delicate bow belt and great strappy platforms.  Have I mentioned that I really like his choice of shoes for this show??

Once again we see the high hem line in the front. It’s amazing how well the idea works for these full skirts! But, it’s nothing new… remember can-can costumes??  These are just more sophisticated versions

Pink is one of the most popular colors for 2012… and Jason didn’t miss out!  He chose a very 1950′s “poodle skirt” shade and then shocked us with a bright chartreuse/yellow for another version of the gown.  This color looks amazing with the poppy lipstick!

Jason Wu S/S 2012 is sophisticated, feminine and completely wearable.  The simple details that he adds to each look are understated but add just enough to keep each look interesting!

I’ll be back later with more highlights from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week…

~kait

I just joined the Cargo Collective!

Cargo is a creative publishing platform that I plan to use as my online portfolio for styling. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the photos that I published…

(Above) Flower arrangements in recycled jars from the book, Thread & Bobbin

(Above) A photo shoot for an embroidered apron from Thread & Bobbin

Here’s a screen shot of my current layout…

Check it out and let me know what you think!!
cargo collective/kait witte

Thanks!
~kait

What a whirlwind of a summer! I had big hopes and dreams… and TONS of sewing projects to work on. Instead, we decided to move and this process has completely consumed me.

Moving in NYC = ZERO FUN.

Now, all of the pretty dresses that I planned to make are on the back-burner. They’ve been replaced by pillow and window treatment projects. I’m actually planning to trek out to Rahway this weekend to see what’s new at the Fabric Warehouse. If you live in the area and you haven’t been to the Fabric Warehouse, you MUST make it a priority…. especially if you’re in need of drapery or upholstery weight textiles. They have incredible discounted prices and a huge inventory. I usually drive when I go (since I often leave with a HUGE bag of fabric) but I noticed that NJ Transit drops you off less than half a mile from the warehouse if driving is not an option.

Before I moved I was able to complete one project– a gift for a baby shower. I used one of my favorite patterns from Thread & Bobbin (with some slight alterations.) Here’s what the gift looked like wrapped–

I’m such a sucker for wrapped gifts! I love how this one turned out… maybe even more than the gift inside

…and here’s the gift (Notecard holder and matching cards)

I also made matching “thank-you” cards using cards, envelopes and stamps that I purchased from Paper Presentation in NYC.

I should be back on my blogging schedule soon! Maybe I’ll post a tutorial about easy handmade curtains since I have to make them anyway!

~kait

Janome featured a project that I submitted on their website!  It’s called Sewn With Love…  I used McCall’s pattern M5873.  It looks like it’s out of print now but you can still buy it through the McCall’s website.

If you’d like to submit a project of your own, just check out the Sewn With Love page here.

The original blog posting for this dress along with some helpful hints can be found here.

Thanks Janome!

~kait

Here’s a sneak peak of the tropical fabric that I found today…

Stay tuned to see what it becomes!

Above flower photo from this Flickr photostream.

TROPICAL COLORS!!!

After my “brief” hiatus from blogging, I’m back to talk about summer color.  Lately, I’ve been swimming in tropical combinations.  I’m so drawn to the deep, bright, saturated colors as seen in Philip Jacobs‘ new line for Westminster.

Vivid pastels have also been on my radar– think Miami.

Above, Art Gallery Fabric- Modern Affair, Orange Peacock Eye and Essie nail colors.

Above credits:
top- Cloudeight Screensaver
middle- Molly Dean tropical photo
bottom- SuggestSoft, Surreal Sunset

Above credits:

Top left: Delia’s, Vintage Tropical Tank

Top right: French Connection, Tropical Print Strapless Dress

Bottom left: Lilly Pulitzer, Essie Printed Shirt Dress

Bottom right: Nanette Lepore, Tropical Heat Dress

Hopefully, all this poking around the net for tropical colors will inspire me to sew a bridal shower gift tonight.  I have an idea, I just needed fabric inspiration!

I’ll check back in later with my fabric finds…

~kait