Andrea Schewe Design
  • Home
  • Costumes
    • Reader's Gallery
    • Fantasy Costumes
    • Theatrical
    • Historic >
      • Easier to make
    • International
    • Costumes for Kid's and Babies
  • Crafts
    • Home Decor >
      • Pillows
    • Fashion Accessories
    • Doll Clothes
    • For Kids and Babies
  • Blog
    • Past Blogs by subject >
      • My patterns by number
      • Sewing basics
      • Personal sewing Projects
      • Fashion History
      • Fun and funny stuff
      • Guest Bloggers
      • Crafts and Home Dec
  • Links
  • Contact

Seeing outside the box

8/16/2013

3 Comments

 
The thrift store can be a treasure trove for a costumer on a budget, but you have to learn how to shop.  The more I do it, the better I get at finding what I need.

You have to go in with a very open mind and be prepared to see something as more than what it appears to be.

There was a lesson I learned a long time ago when I was working as a designer at a toy company named AmToy.  I made the patterns for My Pet Monster there.
Picture
One day I was working on a rag doll with a frilly lacy pink satin dress.  I wanted her to have an old fashioned bonnet and I had made a couple versions that weren't really working AND they were too complicated, meaning too expensive, to make in a factory.

My design director, Elaine Heigl, came in to see my progress.  She didn't like any of the hats I had made yet.  Sitting on my desk happen to be one of these ponies. 
Picture
Elaine, in a stroke of genius!, took the little felt saddle and cupped it around the doll's head.  It look really cute and it was just one pattern piece.  So, this doll got a horse saddle hat.  To this day, I think of that.  Things are not always what they seem.
Picture
So, when you go shopping let your mind be very creative.  I made a frock coat once using the trousers from a two piece man's suit for the lower portion, sewing it on to the jacket after trimming if off at the waist.  Always check out the sheets, curtains and tablecloths for possible fabric.  Don't be afraid to use women's stuff for men and the other way around.  And always have a tape measure with you.  The sizing is all of the map, because older clothes were sized differently than modern clothes are.

AND, Elaine Heigl also designs for Simplicity now and has a website and blog ... check it out.
Elaine Heigl Designs
3 Comments
Ann Wass
8/15/2013 08:10:53 pm

I went to a thrift store for an embroidered napkin to make my granddaughter's Josefina doll an over blouse. I found just what I wanted--natural linen with floral embroidery in one corner. Making the blouse was easy, but it impressed her (and her mother!)
But a frock coat from a suit-now I may have to try that sometime!

Reply
Elaine link
2/9/2014 10:49:08 pm

Hi Andrea!
When you worked at Amtoy, I always felt so great when you exclaimed "Thats a good idea!" It was really fun working with you. To this day I am amazed how you can whip out perfect designs!

Reply
Andrea
2/20/2014 02:36:45 am

Elaine!!
I just saw this comment. I'd set my comments for approval, but hadn't figured out how to actually approve them until today.
I'm so glad you found this blog post. I truly do think of that Doll Hat often.
It'd be fun to see you some day.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    From Andrea 

    I am a commercial pattern maker who is now "sewing over 50"!
    I love to sew and hope to encourage others to come back to sewing.
    The water is fine!!

    Archives

    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Archives by Subject

    To search for blog posts in specific categories, use the drop down menu above by hovering over the word "Blog"

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    RSS Feed

    Andrea Schewe participates in Amazon's associates program.