When getting dressed each morning, wearing something as dark as my hair helps me look better. It’s a simple trick that can improve any outfit. Take a look and see what a difference adding a medium dark (hair color) accessory makes in my overall appearance.

When I’m out and about, guess what color accessories I’ll be sporting—-medium dark brown, just like my hair color.

Thanks for stopping by!

Katie

Here’s a peek at what we’re sewing-what’s on your cutting table?
…
Well, call me technologically challenged but it’s a video sneak peek and Facebook is the only venue (?) that will let me upload it. So you’ll have to go to this link to see the video-and don’t worry, it’s only 2 minutes long 🙂

Must be super hi definition, huh?

Maybe I should stick to sewing…

Next time you rummage through your closet looking for something to wear, keep your personal value contrast in mind.

Value contrast plays an important role in looking our best. When a person and their clothing appear equal or within their value contrast, magic happens.

To determine value contrast, the first step is to to take a black and white photo.

Next, plot hair and skin values on the grayscale.

Comparing the photo to the grayscale determines my hair is around a level 3 and skin level 8. The difference between these is 5 levels. My value contrast is classified as medium-high.

Why does value contrast matter? Staying inside a person’s contrast range allows the PERSON to shine. On the contrary, when clothing is too high in contrast, the person FADES into the background.

Take a look at the photos below to see what a difference the right contrast makes. The first set of photos shows too high of contrast, the second set is just right.

Personal value contrast is unique to each of us. Debbie, Kristin, and I have determined our individual value contrast. We’re attempting to elevate our fashion sewing choices with this knowledge. We invite you to explore yours and share your journey too.

Thanks for reading! —Katie

For those of you who may have missed the news, Kristin and I are now certified color analysts. We spent a week in Dallas studying with Elaine Stoltz, a master of image and color consulting.

Through the process, we learned more than just how to choose flattering colors. We learned how to identify personal value and its impact on how we look.

Let’s take a look at value, an easy way to identify it, and how to use these concepts to look better.

VALUE
A color’s value is defined as the lightness or darkness of a color. Black is the darkest, and white is the lightest. Value is measured by a grey scale.

Human hair and skin values can be applied to the grey scale. Simply take a black and white photograph of yourself and compare it. In the photo below (makeup free) it’s obvious that Kristin and I have different values. My hair is much darker. Surprisingly, my skin is slightly darker in value when compared to hers, too. Because hair is dominant, my OVERALL VALUE is classified as medium dark. Kristin’s OVERALL VALUE is medium.

You may be asking, why should I care?

My answer is this— if you want to look your best, incoporate your OVERALL VALUE somewhere in your outfit.

For example, here’s an outfit modeled at Fashion Sewing Club (see photo below). Although flattering, the colors are too light in value. The black and white photo reveals my hair is much darker in value than my clothing.

I can still wear this outfit, but next time will add accessories in my overall value: brown wooden jewelry, a darker bag, and belt are great options to “connect” my clothing with my head.

When dressing, repeat your overall value in your outfit. It makes a difference.

Katie

Due to weather, there will be no Fashion Sewing Club on Saturday, April 14th at Treadle. Please join us at SR Harris next Thursday, April 19th at 10:30a.m.

We’re back!!
You are looking at the new and improved Katie and Kristin. Standing between us is Elaine Stoltz who was our teacher and makeup artist for four days. We learned so much but have to wait for our color swatches before we can start practicing our friends and families 🙂 You’ll know when we are ready!

So we are scrambling to get ready for Fashion Sewing Club tomorrow at Treadle. We hope to see lots of you Tuesday or Saturday and because of the great turnout, we will return to SR Harris in Burnsville on Thursday, April 19 at 10:30.

Here is the calendar for April. Hope I won’t be late Tuesday as putting on more makeup than I’m used to takes time! The pressure….

April 2018 Fashion Sewing Club:

Tuesday, April 10, 10:30 and 6:30 at Treadle
Saturday, April 14, 10:30 at Treadle
Thursday, April 19, 10:30 at SR Harris, Burnsville

Classes at Treadle Yard Goods, St. Paul
Sewing Kids Clothes, Tuesday, April 17, 1:00-4:00
Unlined Outerwear, Tuesdays, April 17, 24 and May 1, 6:00-8:00
Serger-Basic and Beyond: Tuesdays, April 24, May 1, 1:00-4:00

Classes For Kids at Treadle
Kids After School Sewing: Tuesdays, April 10, 17, 24 and May 1, 4:15-5:45

Classes at Edina Yorktown JoAnn
Sew Social, Thursday, April 12 and 19,1:00-4:00
Learn To Sew, Monday, April 16, 5:30-8:30
Serger Down and Dirty, Monday, April 16, 1:00-4:00
Serger Bells and Whistles, Monday, April 23, 1:00-4:00
Three Seam Pillowcase, Monday, April 23, 5:30-8:30
Learn To Sew With Interfacings, Monday, April 23, 6:00-8:00
Comfy Pant, Monday, April 30, 5:30-9 pm

Classes For Kids at Edina Yorktown JoAnn
Kids After School Sewing, Thursday, April 12 and 19, 4:30-6:00

Our trial event at SR Harris had 27 attendees!! Talk about not enough chairs and thanks to our regulars that also showed up to support us. It was so overwhelming, I couldn’t figure out how to get photos of show and tell. We’ll be ready for next month-we’ll be at SR Harris/Burnsville on Thursday, April 19 at 10:30 along with our regularly scheduled Treadle times-Tuesday, April 10 at 10:30 and 6:30 and Saturday, April 14 at 10:30.

Two things to pass on from SR Harris show and tell: a link for hemming napkins-almost guaranteed simple and fun?
And check out the Genevieve Jacket from StyleArc-

Three asked-about topics from Treadle meetings were:
1. The style guidelines we are featuring every month from Triumph of Individual Style. It’s hard to buy the book but this link will get you an e-copy for $19.95 along with the instructor’s guide.

2. “Design Your Own Wardrobe” 4 week course from Seamwork. Looks like they’ll offer it twice yearly. Check it out here.
3. Printing PDF patterns-here’s an online source that will ship to you (even says “pattern printing” on the main menu). And Pattern Review now offers to print any PDF pattern you order from them for $4.50 (or $4.05 for members). Great deal!!

Exciting news in the Material Girls’ World! This week, Kristin and I are training to become certified color analysts.

Long gone are the days of the four season color plan. The majority of people don’t fit strictly into these categories. Many are a combination of cool and warm. A nuanced approach is often necessary when taking personal color contrast into account. It’s not uncommon for an ideal color to change as a person ages. These are some reasons why Kristin and I want to add this service to our toolbox.

My color journey began with Nancy Nix-Rice, a certified consultant from St. Louis. She identified tones in my skin, eyes, and hair and provided a custom color palette to enhance my personal coloring. I was blown away by the impact for the following reasons:

1. I look so much better! People have noticed that I sparkle and look younger when wearing my ideal colors.

2. Shopping for fabric is streamlined. Focusing on fabric ideal for me saves time. I simply bypass numerous gorgeous bolts better suited for someone of different coloring.

3. Use of a color palette increases my ability to mix and match successfully. When the color palette is based on innate personal coloring, wardrobe pieces go together.

My color journey has convinced me that no matter how cute the pattern, or how well its sewn, I’ll always look best when sewing my personal best colors.

We know how great it feels to love what we sew. Our goal is that you’ll love your results too.

Just wanted to catch up with what we’ve (and some of you) have been sewing-
First, Sewing Kids’ Clothes at Treadle:

After School Sewing at JoAnn and Treadle:

Sew Social/Workroom Social

And then a bit of stashbusting/saving favorite fails from final banishment

I must confess that the dots look very “Lite Brite”-ish-do You remember that toy?
And now it’s time to get serious about Fashion Sewing Club garments-looking forward to seeing what you’ve created!

I know-waaaaay past that! But I had the idea and need to let it go to move on with…spring?
OK, Valentine’s Day? Easter?
Anyway, the sewing that got done over Christmas-hope it inspires you to finish some UFO’s and bust some stash.

A few numbers missing…maybe next year 🙂