Everything 50% off!

I AM HAVING A 50% OFF SALE ON EVERYTHING- INCLUDING CUSTOM ITEMS- IN MY SHOP!!!

I am working on some new items I have drafted patterns for, 

it would be great to clear out past creations

COUPON CODE: SPRING

THE SALE ENDS MAY 7TH!

STOP BY AND SHOP!!

Does Anyone Want Some Free Patterns?

Are you ready for some new projects? I have a few patterns I would love to share with everyone.

Children's Spats

Any mother is in need of this pattern! Why? When your child dresses up for halloween, school play, or just at home this pattern is essential! It is essential because it gives finishes off the entire costume. Who wants to see sneakers on a Knight of the Round Table, or on Spider Man?

Something else this pattern can be used for is a base to attached stuffed bird, bear, anything feet! The sky is the limit!!

Fingerless Gloves:

These gloves can be made out of any fabric. Or if you have any old t-shirts or sweaters you would like to recycle why not make a pair of Fingerless Gloves!

SunBonnet:

This pattern is one I recently drafted. The size I drafted it in was fine for my five year old and also on me! You can make one using cotton fabric with fun prints! Or various colours! Or silks with some pretty subtle decor!

I began with a paper pattern, but I adjusted the brim/cape to be slightly smaller. And the middle piece to gather with my brim at the back.

The brim is also very beautiful folded back at an angle! This is just another of the many ways this can be worn!!

So, begin sewing! To download PDFs of the patterns just click on the pattern image!
Hope you enjoy these patterns!! I would love to see what you make with them!

Finally, some new spats for my shop!!

I finally completed some new spats for my shop!

And I have a whole sketch book of more to come!!

Multi-Colour Spats

This fabric is a wool blend, when I first laid my eyes on this fabric I thought to myself, what in the world would I make with this. I then begain sketching out some ideas. In the end I was happy with them, they are kind of inspired by Coco Chanel's signature Chanel coat.

I now love the textured multi-colour fabric and the clean black satin!

Brown Wool Spats

I just loved the feel and the look of this wool!

Many more new styles and patterns to come, stop by my Etsy shop for a look!

Moving Right Along!

Projects, projects, projects!

Recently I have been very blessed that I have had work coming my way! So little time, so many ideas!

I had to stop from my goal of two new items a week for my Etsy shop. But I am fighting against time to begin a couple of new ideas I have had!

Wristlets

The cold weather is here, I hate it when I am working and my hands are cold! Therefore I drafted a glove pattern. Varying that pattern I have started making Wristlets, gauntlet length.

All the current Italian Fashion Magazines contain variations of gloves, fingerless, gauntlet and opera length. I have been inspired! I am beginning to fill up my sketchbook with ideas!

I just wish I could sew faster!!

Inspiration for my Wristlet Collection.

Spats

I began making men's spats! Soon I will be able to post them in my shop!

Oh, I am also making this pair for a friend and client who is a performing artist.

Spats!

Using an orange and pink cotton fabric which I have cut 1 1/2 wide stripes, then stitched together, will be the top layer be very appealing and fit perfect with the rest of her costume and show! (I am also constructing a similar men's pair.)

The photo on the below that one, is the base made of canvas which the top layer is attached. They will contain a hidden lacing closure at the center-back. This closure will allow comfort for all types of movement which she requires as a performer. The closure will also allow her the ability for the spats to be worn with a variety of shoes.

Other

I am also working on a few custom orders including two dresses, one blouse, and a hat!

Dress Decor.

This photo is the decoration of the first dress which will be sent out on Monday!

Back to my workroom I go! I sure do love to create, I just wish I had more time!!!

---

Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

Wow

I just realized that my spats were on the Front Page of Etsy, twice in one day! Wow! What a surprise, no wonder I almost hat 2000 views!

Thanks Administration!!

Spats, Spats, and More Spats!!

WHAT IS A SPAT?

Spats are a type of shoe accessory covering the instep and ankle. They were primarily worn in the late 19th and early 20 th centuries. Originally they were made of leather. Those for horseback riding continue to be made of leather. They can be made of any and all materials, a few examples are wool, polyester, and canvas.

Traditionally they are used as an accessory in marching band uniforms, pipe bands, in various militaries, and in everyday clerical clothing. They are also used for safety reasons in certain industries such as, in foundries, by welders, and even chainsaw operators.

WHY DO I MAKE THEM?

I am inspired by that lovely feeling of completing a three piece men's tailored suit! Or even the completion of a corset. I refer to my spats as, " little mini corset's for ones ankles. " I love to incorporate various classic tailoring and corseting techniques !

A pair of nicely tailored spats can add so much more to one's shoe collection! You can completely change the look and feel of your overall outfit! And when the cold weather comes around you can continue to use your summer shoes year round! I continue to get inspired by glancing though Italian fashion magazines!

MY 15TH PAIR!

This morning I completed and posted my fifteenth pair in my Etsy shop! Eighty percent of their construction is using hand-stitching. The lining and outer wool's, center back and front seams are machine stitched.

Navy Blue & Black Spats- Monjio

I have used a beautiful black Italian wool. Individually I have hand-stitched fourteen silver metal loops for the lacing closure. I love incorporating the lacing closure into various pairs because it allows them to be more versatile. They can be used over a variety of shoes and boots!

Inner side of foot view.

I have a great passion for traditional military uniforms with elaborate amazing decoration!

Of course I will continue to make more! I have an ongoing research and sketchbook with many other designs and styles ready to go!

Each pair is amazingly unique, and I never make the same pair twice! The assortment of styles allow for wear of shoes with heels, or without. To see the other fourteen pair, please stop by and take a look at my shop!

P.S. I always enjoy working one on one with a client for the creation of a one of a kind personalized pair of spats!

---

Bing™ brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now.

Memories

This weekend I saw so many images of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Of course it made me recall over three years of commute to work, I always had to pass down that street.

I also had to recall that night so long ago that I waited in anticipation, as almost everyone did, for the premiere of the Thriller video.

Now the Staples Center is the location for one of the most anticipated events of the year for one of the most amazing performers to ever exist.

Living out of the States, we have felt some of the aftermath of the death of Michael Jackson.

The below image is an amazing creation, it is a wonderful, classy goodbye.

In Remembrance of the Amazing One and Only King of Pop!

Maide Spats

---

Windows Live™ SkyDrive™: Get 25 GB of free online storage. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.

Custom Spats

Today I will be sending out a cutom order for a pair of velvet spats .

They are made of a light grey velvet and a darker grey satin ruffle. It took me longer to locate the velvet then it did to construct them .

I was pretty satisfied with the outcome. They do look lovely!

Velvet from the UK, satin and everything else from Italy, and off they go to the USA!

---

Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out.

Summer-Spring Spats Anyone?

This ruffle sensation is the first of my Summer-Spring Spat collection. The collection will include an entirely new series of patterns and construction.

This first piece is made of a white cotton containing woven squares. For the ruffle I used a cotton plaid of blue, beige, and white. The other side of the spat, or the inner-step is made of matching plaid fabric.

A spat will be an accessory that will take your outfit to a whole other level. The collection will be in soft spring colors with varying detailing. I am very excited about the collection!

The entire collection will all be sold in my Etsy shop. Enjoy!

Do you know Maide?

Take a look at this amazing artisan!!

She is located in Germany and has a background in tailoring and art . Her pieces of work contain such wonderful detail, using materials from the 1900's to the 1930's. As stated on her website:

" Nostalgia is one main theme of my work which I can not deny, obviously."

Maide items can be found in maide's shop-maide schmuck gamaschen on DaWanda.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also at http://maidestreasuries.blogspot.com/

Amazing pictures, I sure wish I knew German!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The picture above can be found in her shop. Entitled- Mucha Romantic Unique Spat

Three spats in three days.

White Cotton Spats, originally uploaded by mariposa_73.

This is my second creation! Using an assortment of white cotton fabrics I constructed this classy spat.

The main fabric contains sections of lace. The fabric used for the inner part of the spat is a textured cotton which I also used to for the the bias finish along the edges.

This pair is very adjustable in size because of the lacing along the back.
It is beautiful and classy! I was happy with the end result.

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

-The Third Pair!

A wonderful romantic pair!

On the third day I constructed this wonderful pair. The top layer is a beautiful lace over a layer of heather grey fabric. The edges are finished off in a bias matching edging.

I am really having fun!

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

My first pair of spats.

FW:, originally uploaded by mariposa_73.

I just completed my first pair of spats! Once my pattern was ready to go I looked through my fabrics. Wow! I came up with so many ideas I had to start writing them down.

For my first pair I used a black and white wool fabric. I thought it would be nice to add a section of lace to add some contrast, it was a little flat. So along the lace section I accented it with some black piping. I also used the piping for the top. I finished it off by using three black plastic buttons.

There will be more to come!
Oh! Please excuse me if the picture is not too clear. I am still trying to figure out my camera and picture taking.

Note: This post was first published on 2/9/09

Military Uniform Inspired

Last weekend I acquired several beautiful fabrics. They arrived just in time for something I had been researching. I found some amazing decorative military applique shoes, vests, bags, so many thing in recent Italian fashion magazines. Two of my favorites are, Alexander McQueen's wonderful suede boots, or Versace's men's vest.

In my book collection I have a wonderful French tailoring book. It is entitled, "Cours De Coupe Du Tailleur De Paris. " Apart from wonderful drafts of various tailored military uniforms it also contains illustrated decorative military appliques.

So recently I have been doing a series of spats with this very theme, I noticed since the first one they have been transforming into something more detailed, more exciting.
I enjoy how it can be juxaposed with the femininity of a female spat!

Note: This post was first published on 3/9/09

Spats or Gaiters?

Spats are a shoe accessory worn in the late 19th and early 20th century. Traditionaly they are still an accessory in many marching band uniforms in the United States. Internationally they were used and are still to this day being used in various militaries. Today they are also used in various industries for safety reasons. Such as welders and chainsaw operators.

Gaiters are used over the leg and boot lacing they are worn by equestrians. In Latin America, gaiters extending over the knee are traditional. I found it interesting that, until the middle part of the twentieth century, they also formed a part of clerical clothing of bishops and archdeacons of Anglican Communion. The purpose was for riding horses to various parts of a diocese.

One difference I found between the two is that, spats are primarily used for display, and they tend to be shorter, around the ankle mainly. Gaiters main purpose are for practial use and tend to be longer.

I actually find them intriguing. I also found it exciting that they are being used presently. One can actually change the look of one's shoe collection they are also a nice fashion statement. They are reminiscient of the costume of history, design elements of the past can be transformed into the present.

So I just draped my first spat pattern. For me it is a piece of fashion that is constructed by utilizing tailoring and corseting skills. Then embellished as a milliner embellishes a hat.