Craftside

How to ask good questions that lead to good design from the book Form, Fit, and Fashion

This is really interesting and I think just about anyone who makes anything will be interested in these questions for a bit of self discovery and help to think about how to move forward in a creative plan.

 

Click on these images to enlarge and read about the Socratic method and some really great questions that can help make a plan.

 

These intriguing questions are from the book:

Form, Fit, and Fashion
All the Details Fashion Designers Need to Know But Can Never Find

By
Jay Calderin

An indispensable primer for students and first-stop reference for professionals, Form, Fit, and Fashion guides the fashion designer through the entire design process, from conceiving a garment to marketing it.

This handbook collects the information and ideas essential to planning and executing fashion projects of every scale and distills them in an easy-to-use format that is compact enough to slip into a tote. Linking six central phases in the cycle of fashion--research, editing, design, construction, connection, and evolution--Form, Fit, and Fashion will help designers to develop effective strategies for building a cohesive collection and communicating their vision.

Jay Calderin teaches a wide variety of fashion and professional development courses at the School of Fashion Design in Boston, where he is also the Director of Creative Marketing. He founded and serves as Executive Director of Boston Fashion Week. Calderin’s designs have appeared in the pages of Vogue and Elle magazines.

Japanese Bunnies and Moon Art from the Book and CD- Pattern Sourcebook: Nature 2

I love clip art books, they are such a great source for making just about anything! Here is a beautiful Japanese bunnies and moon piece that I thought would be cool to share and perfect for fall art:

 

This is just 1 of the 250 great pieces of art from the book and CD:

PATTERN SOURCEBOOK SERIES

Pattern Sourcebook: Nature 2

250 Patterns for Projects and Designs

By

Shigeki Nakamura

This book presents a collection of carefully selected nature inspired patterns for use by designers and artists in their projects and personal work.

A companion CD-ROM provides 250 patterns in high-resolution JPEG format along with PSD format from which you can freely manipulate and modify the patterns to customize them for your own use. This is an inspirational and highly practical reference and sourcebook for anyone working in the area of visual art.

Shigeki Nakamura began his career as an art director in 1964 in Japan. He established his office, Cobble Collaboration, in 1987, which has produced design pattern books under its own brand.
He is a member of JAGDA (Japan Graphic Designers Association).

How to fold a ric rac border with a paper strip from the new book The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts

Ric rac is one of my favorite trims and guess what? You can make ric rac with paper! Click on these images to enlarge and read how to make folded paper ricrac:

 

 

These cool pages are from the new book:

The Complete Photo Guide to Paper Crafts
Over 700 Photos - Cutting - Folding - Weaving - Quilling - Punching - Collage - Casting - Journals - More

By

Trice Boerens

This book provides a reference for all kinds of crafts that involve decorative papers. It includes step-by-step photographed instructions for a wide range of techniques as well as projects to accompany each area of paper crafting. This is a comprehensive guide.

Most books on paper crafting are specific by technique or end result (card making, stamping, paper embellishments, collage). This book explores a wide range of techniques and end products, making it a valuable reference for any crafter.

Trice Boerens is an author of paper crafting, quilting, jewelry making and stitching books. She has also worked as an art director, a magazine editor, and a product packager. Living and working in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains in Ogden, Utah, she is always on the look out for new techniques and unexpected inspiration.

Cutting-Out Tips from "Making Trousers for Men and Women" by David Coffin

In addition to all the great content in the book Making Trousers for Men and Women: A Multimedia Sewing Workshop by David Coffin, there is a DVD that comes with the book and I thought I'd share with you one of the clips today. It is filled with some great tips on altering a pants pattern that are so easy and great for restyling!

Making Trousers for Men and Women: A Multimedia Sewing Workshop

By David Coffin

Comfortable, flattering pants can be challenging to make—but they’re wonderful to wear. In this book, David Coffin provides his inventive, sure-fire methods for getting it right.

With his characteristic precision and straight talk—and with the help of photographs, drawings, and a series of video sequences on the accompanying CD-ROM—Coffin teaches the reader how to get great results—whether making a showcase garment or just whipping out an everyday pair.

For more information and book-related extras, visit David Coffin's blog makingtrouserswithdpc.blogspot.com, all about making trousers and specifically designed for the readers of this book.

A former editor of Threads magazine, David Coffin (Brookings, OR) is the author of Shirtmaking: Developing Skills for Fine Sewing. He has appeared on several online sewing forums, hosted live chats, and appeared on Sandra Betzin’s HGTV sewing program. He has conducted sewing workshops throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, at guild meetings of the American Sewing Guild and the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers, tradeshows, fabric stores, and conferences.

And if you want some more insight into the videos pop on over to this video.

Fabulous Fall Crafty Blogger Links and a great source for beautiful jewelry findings- Vintaj

First up: If you like making jewelry or using vintage elements in your work like in the book:

Rejuvenated Jewels:
New Designs from Vintage Treasures

By

Amy Hanna

then check out this cool source for bits and pieces that have a great vintage quality:

Vintaj

Not only do they have great parts there are also lots of ideas there too!

Cathie Filian
Make a warm mug of Chai Tea at home with this traditional recipe from Cathie.

About Family Crafts
Sherri offers several free pumpkin carving patterns for you to download and use!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Polymer Clay Candy Corn Beads Hot out of the Oven made using a "recipe" from the book The Polymer Clay Cookbook

Aileen's Musings
This week Aileen offers a free pumpkin label for you to download and print. Also, a very cool photo manipulation site, so gather your favorite pictures and have some fun!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Diggity Doggity, the crocheted dog blanket is done!

Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style
Linda revisits a quilt she made a while back.

Mixed Media Artist
Do you have a signature style? Cyndi wants to know what it is and wants to help you show it off!

The Artful Crafter
Make a pretty fall triple wreath wall hanging for your own wall or as a housewarming gift. With a little imagination, you can adapt the design for Christmas or just about any other occasion/season. 

The Impatient Crafter
Madge scares up another fiendishly fabulous mixed media design for Halloween!