Back in April I wrote a blog entry about my favorite sewing technique: reverse appliqué. Well, it’s November and it’s still my favorite! I love the look and the simplicity of this technique.
Last year I bought this simple cream knit cardigan on sale. Unfortunately I've never worn it. I think it was one of those "great deals" that's hard to pass up - a perfect candidate for embellishment! I added reverse appliqué flowers on one side using my newest fabric fromFree Spirit Fabrics / Westminster Fibers. The collection is called Leanika. To see the line in its entirety, go to the Free Spirit website.
Reverse appliqué with knits is especially great because the fabric won’t fray along the cut edges like woven fabric, so you can embellish a plain t-shirt and still wash it. See my how-to April blog entry on the reverse appliqué technique here.
Posted by: Dena in Announcements on
Nov 08, 2009
My newest fabric collection with Free Spirit Fabrics / Westminster Fibers is called Leanika. It’s coming out this month to a fabric store near you! (And many online shops.) The Leanika collection was inspired by my love of vintage textiles. Combining vintage inspired prints with more mod hip prints gives this collection the modern twist that I love.
Last month we had lots of fun with the photo shoot, once again involving a white poodle. This time it was my own dog, Ruby, sitting inside the Leanika cut and sew tote bag. We posed Ruby in all kinds of positions, accompanied by my assistant Katrina who’s wearing the cut and sew apron. Here are some of my favorite outtakes, along with the final Leanika ad:
Both the apron and tote bag will be available as sewing patterns printed on a yard of heavyweight cotton, so all you have to do is cut out the printed pieces and follow the easy sewing directions. They're a perfect compliment to the 30 patterns that make up the Leanika Collection.
To find store locations and to see more of my fabric, go to FreeSpiritFabric.com
Whenever I take a trip, I love to bring back things from that place. While I was in Japan earlier this month, my husband Danny and I quickly popped into a bookstore. Poodle Fashion by Hitomi Kusunoki was the first thing I saw and I had to buy it! It’s a sewing book that teaches you how to make clothes for your poodle – and the photo shoots and captions are hilarious! I think my tiny poodle Ruby is going to need a fashion makeover soon. Then I can walk around with her in Harijuku, the most stylish area I visited on my latest trip to Japan.
Posted by: Dena in Living the Embellished Life on
Oct 30, 2009
Happy Halloween, everybody!
xo,
Dena & Ruby
Hello!
Last week I returned from ten days in Japan! I was there for some business meetings, but I also spent a lot of time soaking up all of the visual inspiration in the streets of Tokyo.
One day I went to the Harijuku area of Tokyo, famous for its shopping and street fashion. The girls that live in this area dress to impress – and that’s putting it very mildly. I got out my camera and took some photos of the style that stood out the most: “Lolita Fashion.”
For more information about this look, check out the Wikidepia article here.