by Sheryl Borden CREATING WEARABLE ART
Consider this scenario: You pull out your favorite vest pattern and look forward to sewing it up again. It fits perfectly, looks great, and goes together in a snap. But while you study the pattern envelope, you wonder, "What can I do to make it different this time? Surely there's something I can add or change to make this look special. I've got to think of a new creative touch-where do I start?" If you have trouble coming up with good ideas for turning a basic vest into wearable art, here are some starting points for firing up your imagination:
COURTESY: Kate Mathews
- Browse through your closet and notice the details on your favorite garments. These might include applique decorations, braid trim, or buttons used as embellishments. Simply adapt these special touches to your next vest project.
- Look for inspiration all around you. Notice interesting garments on people walking by, in magazine ads, mail order catalogs, movies and television programs. Then make a mental note to try some of these good ideas in your own sewing room, or keep a small notebook handy to sketch or jot down ideas.
- Start an "inspiration library" in a scrapbook or on a bulletin board. Collect sketches, clipped photos or drawings, and your jotted notes about things you like. When you need some creative inspiration, you can look through your personal library of ideas. Let the fabric speak to you. A fabric's color or design can often inspire an interesting treatment, and two very different fabrics that are combined in the same fashion can result in a bold and beautiful statement. Build the vest around the buttons. There are so many fabulous buttons available these days that they can be the centerpiece of a vest; just choose a fabric that sets them off and let them be center stage. Embellish for excitement. Beads, buttons, braids, and other decorative trims can be added to the simplest vest for some terrific design interest. Plus, it's quick and easy to do. Sign up for a class or seminar to learn a new technique or rejuvenate your creative spirit. The instructor will inspire you to try something new, and the interchange with your fellow students will be richly rewarding.
- The world around you, and even the restaurant patron at the next table, are great sources of creative ideas for you to notice and use in tour own projects.
Lark Books
Sheryl Borden is the Producer and host of the PBS series, Creative Living with Sheryl Borden. Celebrating its 23rd year, the magazine-formatted "how-to" show is produced by KENW-TV in Portales, New Mexico and is carried in 40 states and 100 markets. It airs on KENW (Channel 3) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon, Tuesday evenings at 9:30 PM, and on Saturdays at 2 PM.
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