archvillain for STYLO 3

November 6, 2014November 6, 20148 Comments

any good detective has a nemesis out there, just one step ahead and always hatching evil plots. for STYLO i knew i wanted to make two looks, and i thought it would be really interesting to have the same kid playing both roles. whereas my detective look was classic, i wanted the villain look to be fashion-forward. i wanted a dramatic silhouette and to push the envelope a bit.

my villain resides in an ultramodern lair on top of a mountain. she is shadowy, angular, cunning. i used basic patterns sewn in new ways with interesting fabrics, and made a few accessories to complete the look. but oh man, the location was the icing on the cake!

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girl detective for STYLO 3

November 5, 2014November 5, 201414 Comments

and now, more about my detective look for STYLO 3! have you made it through the magazine yet? so good, right?

to tell you the truth, i’d been keeping a secret pinterest board with STYLO ideas since before the second issue came out in the hopes that someday it might come in handy. i had sort of an ethereal floral theme going on that was pretty, but once i was actually invited to participate, i had a different brainstorm. i really liked the idea of creating a detective, a smart, strong, capable girl – Sherlock Holmes influenced for sure, but still feminine, layered, fallish.

bit by bit, i gathered ideas and built my pinterest board with the help of some friends. i tend to approach creative challenges by mulling them over and over in my mind until i’ve figured the whole thing out, and only then can i dive into the actual making. i like to start with a general idea or theme, then work out the details – using the powers of deduction! Continue reading →

STYLO 3

November 3, 2014November 3, 201418 Comments

one of my favorite projects in kid’s sewingblogland over the last year has been STYLO Magazine, the brainchild of Celina of Petit à Petit and Family and Jess of The Sewing Rabbit. it’s an online magazine featuring fashion-forward kids clothes – and all of the outfits are handmade!

when first issue came out in January, it blew me away with how editorial and different it was from the usual fare – the looks pushed the envelope and i saw something really fresh and new going on. it inspired me, as did issue two, which came out in May. C was too little for me to participate back then, but i put a bug in Celina’s ear that i reeeeeally hoped i could join in for a future STYLO, and i was so excited to contribute to issue 3, which is now live!

i made up a storyline of a “girl detective” hot on the trail of her “archvillain nemesis” and sewed two outfits for E so she could play each role. i sewed 7 pieces of clothing, knitted a scarf, and made accessories too, and i’m thrilled to have brought my vision to life. it was a lot of work, but so creatively satisfying. E and i had a super fun photoshoot where she really got into character – she’s cunning, she’s stylish, and she’s trying to take over the world!

the photo above is a preview of my villain look…you’ll need to head on over to STYLO to see my detective look and to check out the fantastic projects by my co-contributors. there’s some serious talent in there. gorgeous photography, great ideas, it’s so exciting to see everyone rise to the challenge.