The Atelier's Fashion Notes

How to Make Slippers

2009-09-29T13:35:00Z

How to make couture slippers and boots.

Thank you Apprentice Aria for your questions Yes, mais oui, shoes and boots can be a little tricky. Here's how:

1. Start with the same design process you have already learned: Explore, observe, sketch, and do it again until you know what your slipper is, what matériels are needed from the forest, and size proportions.
2. Draw a sole pattern to size.	3. Fold & glue sole matériel to the size of the pattern.
4. Attach slipper sides to the sole. Turn sides up towards glue seam. Fold and glue top of sides to inside for proper depth.	5. Fold & glue heel flaps; same for toe flaps. Now, lightly coat inside and out with glue. Let dry overnight. The form is now ready for adding layers of the final matériels of any color.
6. For a more durable form, sculpting mesh can be first formed to the desired design and then applying matériel.	Remember to use the most sturdy and plentiful matériels for the first/under layers and saving the more precious matériels for the outer layers. .
7. Boots require the same steps. Even with wee leather, it gives a better boot to use forming mesh. If not using mesh, use a pencil or rolled paper as a form just as a cobbler uses forms or a dressmaker uses a mannequin. As you know, Aria, my mannequins and forms are made from anything that will work!

Tip Toe Thru the Azaleas

2009-05-12T23:37:00Z

NEW PHOTOS from our tip toe thru that wonderful private garden on May 1 have just been posted. The couture fashions are certain to be fabulous after this new materiel is dried and shaped. We look forward to your comments. Thanks ,DA

Design Contest for Fall 2009 kicks off in Spring, 2009

2009-05-11T06:03:00Z

SO IT IS Still SPRING at least until June 21, the days will continue to grow longer. But, this is the time to be thinking and designing what "They" will be wearing this fall. Now is the time to select petals, blooms, leaves, sea shells, all materiel and prepare them for the Atelier's inventory of precious pretties. With all of that potential inventory in mind, gather up your ideas and enter the Atelier's:

                                        Societe de Fashion Illustration "Mais Oui"
                                    Design Contest Fall 2009

The contest is juried. Judges include the Atelier (me) and others: a fashionista-model from Italy who modeled hats in Argentina in the 1950's, a fashionista who is an experienced couture patron, a professor from the entrepreneurial college of a large university, and an art teacher from a private art studio.

The winner's design will be illustrated and made by the Atelier out of selected materiel in the Atelier's vast inventories. Drawings, pen & ink, watercolor, photos, will render a digital image to be featured in The Gazette Papermag, October 2009 issue. Cash prizes, and other benefits await the 3 winners: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places will be awarded.

Learn more about this by visiting the entry form. It is all explained, easy to fill out, and so much fun to imagine fabulous fashions on a wee scale made from the forest and imported fineries from sea shores to mountains around the world!

May Day Trip to a Private Garden

2009-05-02T03:08:58Z

Selecting only the most beautiful blooms, we spent several hours in a private garden hunting for the perfect sizes, colors, and texture for wee fashions. What would "They" wear?, the question always on our minds. Duncan, a handsome teen just graduating from hight school, was my assistant on this day. As we traversed over walking bridges and around the squiggly path, up and over, picking this and that; he turned to me with great delight in his eyes and exclaimed"What is that?" He came scampering back with beautiful clusters of ivory tipped in red with small bearded two-lipped flowers opening from inside the clusters. We are still researching these gorgeous clusters...now identified as ginger. They are now blooming everywhere, here in the Livable Forest.

Welcome

2009-05-02T01:02:50Z

Welcome to my blog. Please check back soon for new entries.