Go Team USA!

Last year, I made a couple of hoodies with very long hoods-just for fun.  I had seen an artist on Etsy named Katwise who made wonderful coats with long hoods from recycled sweaters.  The two that I made both sold to boutiques almost immediately, but  I had to move on to spring sweaters and didn't make any more.

The idea kept coming up  in the back of my mind until I decided to do a few more.  The first inspiration was the upcoming Olympics in London and Team USA.  Wouldn't it be marvelous if a US athlete wore my hoodie in the closing ceremonies?

With that thought in mind, I began crafting it from a navy Danskin hoodie.  I searched the studio high and low for great leftover or recycled materials, and then began cutting a more flattering style held closed by a giant shoestring. Fun ruffled navy and white trim soon found it's way around the perimeter, and I also added luscious red polka dotted minky cuffs.

The result can be seen in the pictures.  Not only would this look smashing on a member or supporter of Team USA, but also would rock on anyone who wants to wear their team colors proudly.  I've listed it on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/100711573/ladies-usa-medium-upcycled-cotton-fairy so that my  dream of seeing it at the Olympics has a chance to come true.

If you would like to see more Echo creations, I humbly invite you to my website at www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com.  You can also keep up with us on twitter- @braitzatl.

Taking a jacket and tee from fun to fabulous

Most of my fashion ingenuity is focused on upcycling sweaters into new creations better than ever before.  But occasionally I come across a jacket, skirt or tee that just calls to me with possibilities.  Two such garments grabbed me this week, and I decided to share them as I hibernate from the pollen haze that has attacked the ATL.  (I put my life-and sinuses-in jeopardy just by dashing outside to snap some quick photos.)




The first was a cute tee shirt that reminded me of an English Garden.  What made it so cool was that the back, sleeves and front were all out of different, but complimentary, patterns. It was also made of a heavier weight t-shirt material that might make a better bolero.












So, with a quick cut of the trusty sewing shears, I had a better shape.  Some fun pinky-purple striped trim (from another tshirt cut up long ago) was just what it needed to take it from English frump to British funk.














The second took some courage to cut as it was quite cute before I started.  I began with a lined  t-shirt blazer that was a cute blackish-navy and cream stripe.  Great basic pieces with tons of potential.  Drawing on my reservoir of courage, I cut the lower 1/2 of it off and started rummaging around the studio for something to take it from good to great.  Enter some black and cream polka dotted material- very soft and pliable.  By doubling a row of it, I was able to pleat it around the bottom to create a new, fresh take on the original jacket.  A row of red rayon trim- stitched on the edge to give it a slight curl- made it nearly complete.  Finally, a fun polka dotted rosette (stolen from my daugher- don't tell!) completes my new look.  It's called Peppy and will be rocking my Etsy site shortly. (www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com)

A Better Mousetrap?

Sometimes, I come across a great piece at a store that is almost perfect.  Key word? Almost.  Maybe it's the fit, the color, the styling, but it just needs a little something.   This past week, I stumbled upon a sweater at Anthropologie, one of my favorite stores- not only for their clothes, but because of their great displays.  The store inspires me, plain and simple.  So, when I saw a small striped sweater on clearance, I danced right to the checkout with it.

What I loved about it was the back.  The front is a relatively simple crew with two cute pockets.  But the back---wow.  Only two buttons at the very top, then totally open.  I thought of it over a long white tank, and mused---great potential. Yet, it needed a little something---perhaps in the way of color--- to tie it into my black pants or make it a smidge more interesting.














Enter some red sheer polka dotted material from my studio and a leftover black and white bottom from a sweater that had been made into a bolero.  By attaching them to the interior edges of the back and letting them drape, I created a more interesting back---- which still pays homage to the open idea, but without the hassle of pulling it together over my tank.

With the back complete, I needed to add clue on the front.  So, by attaching a leftover ruffle that could be tied on one side to the interior top of one pocket, I introduced just a little pop of color and maybe a curiousity of what you might find on the back.















Finally, I attached two buttons--- different sizes, but complimentary.  Not only did they complete the look, but helped hold the pocket upright as well. Different, unique and colorful---just what I had envisioned.



When I was finished, I realized what had inspired me. I had inadvertently created a simpler, backwards version of one of my favorite designs from 2011- a turnstyle (see Smoke Flowers below).  Perhaps my upcycled sweater was a slightly better mousetrap (for me at least), but it's nearly impossible to improve on Anthropologie.......

Smoke Flowers

Tee Toppers Are Born

If you live in a warm place like Atlanta during the summer, you are constantly bombarded by hot and cold, hot and cold.  It's hot as blazes outside, so you are comfortable in a sleeveless top.  You walk into Willy's, the movies, Yogli Mogli, Target, (fill in your own blank here), and it's oh so cold. Enter my idea for "tee toppers", named for the perfect little shrug to throw over a tee.

In my post as designer for Echo Clothing, I am constantly grabbing up gently used tees and cutting them into shreds for trim.  Sometimes, it pains me to do this because they are cute and beg to be left whole.  As luck would have it, I started to come across good as new tees at my favorite thrift haunts, as well as super-reduced tees at regular stores ($3-4).  An idea was born.  Why not take them, recut them just like our bolero sweaters, and trim them with strips from other tees?


 







Not only would they be lighter than ordinary sweaters that might be too hot in the south in the summer, but they would be "green", original and a great way to transition between hot and cold. As an extra bonus, they could be washed in the washing machine, hung to dry----unlike some sweaters that have to be dry cleaned.  Even better!








Just like with sweaters, where we can alter a pullover, cardigan or crop into another shape, I decided to let the sweater lead the way (which I guess makes me a "sweater whisperer.") If it has a regular scoop, it typically gets a hook and eye (hidden of course) at the top.  If it scoops lower or is a v-neck, it may just be a standard bolero with no tie or hook.  Check them out. They are as unique, different and fun as the women whom I am hoping will enjoy them.

If you want to see what inventory we currently have available, check out the new on-line arm of Echo Clothing- www.echoclothingcompany.etsy.com. We keep posting as we make them.

Rag Pillow Reveal!

Several posts ago, I blogged about a project we had begun in Art Studio to make rag pillows from t-shirt strips (see Rag Pillows on a Rainy Day).  Well at long last, and after about 6 t-shirts worth of strips, I have finished it!  Woo hoo!

Check out the finished product sitting pretty with other flirty pillows.  I had a ball stuffing it full of colorful patterned tee strips and matching it to my guest room. (This is totally different than matching a painting to your sofa----I promise.) My friendly little pillow is now happily ensconced on my window seat....that is until I make my bed and take a follow up pic.

It was fun and easy to make and I often worked on it while I was watching Alcatraz, Castle, Glee, Vampire Diaries, or any other treat.  Here's a close up of the materials. All recycled--- even the back which I did in a cheery black polka dot.  Try one yourself, or better yet, grab a teenager and get them started!

Neat Ninja Assemblage

Who doesn't love the cute ninjas that run around in one of Gmails' email themes?  Well, in one of our recent Art Studios, I challenged the girls to create an assemblage as a sketchbook assignment.  (see "Collage is not just for Ransom Notes").  Enter Nikki and the Ninjas.





She has recreated a ninja painting at a low table.  Love the way she used a page of writing for the face, and cool paper for under the Ninja hood.  Love the pop of red!
















To complete the page, she used other Ninja pics, cut outs from magazines and flyers, and then finished it off with complementary prismacolor markers.  This side represents his work life.

The left side of the page, below, is full of his romantic escapades.  She snagged some fun pics with his lady and continued the theme across.  Love the overall effect and the color palette.

Overall, charming and very creative.  Just what entries in a sketchbook ought to be.  Think how much fun she will have coming across these pages for years to come.

Rag Pillows On a Rainy Day

This week in Art Studio, we are going to take a run at rag pillows.  With the mounds of scraps in my studio from Echo Sweaters, I have tons of material.  So, in advance of my students, I decided to try a smidgen of the concept yesterday (see the end of my entry called "Collage is not just for ransom notes") and it appeared to work pretty well!

First, here's the picture of what inspired me in the first place.  It's a fun find from Pinterest----in great beach colors.  I was a bit concerned about not only the size, and the suggested t-shirt backing, so I've opted to try a throw pillow face instead.  (After I finish, I can face the underside into the fluff of the pillow and protect it.) Maybe a rag rug next if this goes well!

In brainstorming with my friend Pam, we thought of different backings that might give us a bit more strength and linear guide.  We wanted something with a tad more structure, that would be easier to handle and thread the t-shirt remnants through.  We couldn't find plastic canvas (used for yarn projects) with wide enough holes, and it was too hard to enlarge them.  We needed a cross between a miniature silt fence and irrigation plastic--without the nasty plastic feel.  So, when nothing emerged as the perfect dream base, I went with cross stitch canvas in Ivory- size 11.  It has the grid and it was relatively easy to cut slits into it as needed.

I selected a smattering of t-shirt remnants from the studio that would work well in our orange bedroom. (It has a black and cream toile spread with a few red accents in the room.) After cutting my canvas to a 15" x 15" area to allow me to have pillow edges to sew, I bound them with blue masking tape so they wouldn't ravel.  Then the strip making began--- cutting them roughly 1.5" wide by 6" long.  No need for perfection here.  By cutting slits about 1/2" long and about 2/3" apart, I had plenty of holes.  The first two rows came out well, but I can tell this is going to take a very long time. Perhaps the students will make 8" x 8" pillows.  Anyway, I am encouraged by the fluff that emerges from just two rows!  Here's the beginning of the pillow!

Valentine's Day is Almost Here!

Well, the art studio session with the girls was great!  They were so creative, and inspired me to do a few more Valentine's for those boys in my life, as well as some more friends.  So, thought I'd play show and tell and display a few more.

 For my son, the golfer who loves lime green and black



























For my friend, the little fashionista, who loves black and cream with a pop of color

For my life-time sweetie who loves orange---even in pansies


















For my dad who loves blue and is also a fashionista


This week, we are drawing eyes in the studio.  Stay tuned---I'll post the best later this week.

Handmade Valentines Rock!

It's hard to escape the fact that Valentine's is fast approaching.  The myriad of red, pink and white in nearly every window is a lovely reminder to get busy.  So, we did.  In my first afternoon "art studio" get together with my daughter and her friend, we are going to make handmade Valentines for friends and family.  Had to try it out first---and loved not only the making of them, but the result.

I began with a package of 8 over-sized white tags from Michaels for......$1.  They even have matching envelopes.  Love it!  Zipped to my computer, found the perfect quotes from quotegarden.com, and printed them onto one side of the tag. I did this by testing the position on a piece of regular copy paper, then taping the tag lightly over where the message printed and sending it through again. (I have one message for friends, one for Nikki, one for my son, husband, etc.)  Here is one of them.












So, then the fun began.  Scooting up to my studio,  I trolled through my flat files of paper to find just the right combination of colors for my friends.  Before adding hearts or circles, I used double sided permanent tape to cover the non-message side entirely with a fun paper, so that it would be the background for my little tag "canvas".  Using the same double sided tape (no mess, no fuss) , I added various hearts, circles, etc. that I cut out until I had the look I wanted.

Once done, I re-punched the hole at the top. (You could reinforce it with the little donuts, but I wasn't near anything but the edible kind.)  Next, I added my ribbon to allow the tag to hang or to double as a bookmark.  Selecting from my button bins, I also looked for a complimentary button.  With a quick shimmy to the sewing machine, I attached the button on top of the ribbon so that it would not come loose.

Voila------a Valentine as individual as the people who will get them. Though they don't come with fun-dip, a smarty or sweet tarts, or even chocolate, they will hopefully remind my Valentines of how much they mean to me each day of the year.

Art therapy rocks!!!!