Copyright

Please be aware that any of the design work I create that I place on this blog is covered by copyright. I have had to contact someone to remove imagery from their blog that is my design work.

I am more than happy to allow people to highlight my work on their blog as long as I am credited for it and they ask me in advance. This individual's use of some of my work however insinuated that the designs were their creations and not mine.

More New Scarf Design Ideas

I am currently working on creating a few different collections of 40cm x 140cm scarves. I'm trying to make collections of 3 to 4 scarves in each little mini collection.

As mentioned in my previous post, I'm currently not sure what fabric will be used when these scarves are digitally printed. I do however plan to have the scarves reproduced on a variety of fabrics. Once printed I will be advertising them for sale via this blog site.

Here are samples from my newest test collection. I'm not too sure of them at the moment but thought I'd start posting work while it is in its early stages to show how my designs progress and change before they become the final design.

Feedback would be appreciated.

New Scarf Designs

After feedback from several visitors to my craft stall on Saturday, I have reworked earlier surface designs into prints for scarves which will measure 40cm x 140cm. I plan to have these digitally printed but am not too sure as yet as to what fabric I will use. I may get samples made in several fabrics of varying weights and transparencies to see which fabrics/transparencies work the best with these motifs.

Below are the four designs. I Hope you like them.

My wonderful new purchases!

I finally gave into temptation and bought myself 2 fantastic patterns courtesy of the lovely Jeri at Delicious Patterns.

Anyone who has a passion for unique and rare vintage patterns should visit www.etsy.com/shop/deliciouspatterns and I promise you won't be disappointed!

Here are the patterns that I've bought. All I have to do now is wait for them to arrive. Shame I have no patience!

A Very Productive Day

I had some of my most recent hand made creations on a craft stall today and managed to sell some of my work. I also got some wonderful feedback on my work.

As well as having work with me for sale on my stall, I'd also taken 2 sketchbooks with examples of the variety of work I produce (digital, embroidery, lino prints etc) Several people were interested in purchasing some of the work they had seen in my sketchbook. The scarf design (as featured here in an earlier posting) was one of the most popular examples of the work showcased in my sketchbook.

I'm planning to attend a craft fair in Lark Lane in Liverpool in 3 weeks time, so will be focusing on creating Easter based creations for sale, as well as a variety of other pieces. I will post photographs of the products I make once I have recharged by camera batteries (why do they always run out when you need them?)

All in all, it's been a productive day and I'm pleased that I got such positive feedback from the people who attended today. I'm definitely going to take on board some of the suggestions I was given about practical application of some of my surface designs too.

All Eyes On William Travilla [Part 2]

As well as working extensively with Marilyn Monroe, William Travilla worked on a huge number of TV shows and Hollywood films. One of my favourite of these was the 1967 blockbuster Valley Of The Dolls. Not only does it contain several of his most wonderful creations, it also features 5 of my favourite actresses!

Below are several of the costumes worn by the wonderful Sharon Tate and Barbara Parkins as Jennifer North and Anne Welles respectively. I would have shown costumes designed for all the lead actresses [Sharon, Barbara, Lee Grant, Susan Hayward and Patty Duke] but this unfortunately was not possible. I wanted to show his original illustrations alongside photographs of the completed creations but was unable to gain access to any illustrations of the designs for my favourite costumes created for Lee, Susan and Patty.

Anyway I hope you enjoy the designs I have chosen to illustrate below. I also hope it inspires you to find out more about William Travilla.

Until next time.

And last but by no means least, below is a photograph of the man himself posing with Sharon and Barbara on the set of Valley Of The Dolls in 1967.

All Eyes on Alberto Fabiani

I've always had a real passion for the 1960s. Along with the wonderful music and films of the era I have always been inspired by the fashion, primarily the male and female mid sixties mod look. I have also been greatly influenced by the vibrant prints that were prevalent during the mid to late 1960s, as well as the innovative developments in pattern cutting techniques.

Two of my favourite designers in relation to print and pattern cutting were obviously Ossie Clark and Emilio Pucci. Recently however I have been introduced to the wonderful work of the Italian designer Alberto Fabiani.

He inspires me in a completely different way to Ossie Clark and Emilio Pucci. I love how he managed to make such wonderful garments that where both classically tailored but still had a very contemporary and modern look. He was often called 'the surgeon of suits and coats' and his work was described by Gloria Emreson of the New York Times as "a quiet marvel of architecture."

It was actually through my sister that I was introduced to this astounding designer. While visiting a local vintage fair she came upon a seemingly forgotten box of vintage dress patterns, and knowing of my passion for 1960s and 1970s dresses, she bought several for just 20p each. One was the Yellow Fabiani dress shown below [pattern number 2065]. I have since seen the very same pattern on sale via bestyvintage.com for £36. Boy did I get a bargain!

Below are a sample of some of his classic designs. I've also seen the pattern for the floor length white evening gown [pattern number 2537] on sale online for £27. It's so lovely, I'm oh so tempted to buy it! You never know, it may be the start of a Fabiani dress pattern collection!

Anyway I hope you're inspired by the beautiful designs of the great Alberto Fabiani, who was rightly referred to as "Italy's master tailor who creates wonderfully flattering suits, distinguished coats and exquisite evening gowns."