Every sewer has their own creative process. When it comes to sewing I rarely plan, depending largely on serendipitous encounters with places, people, and things that inspire my projects.

I certainly want to be able to wear what I make, but I don’t limit myself to sewing only what I absolutely need.  I like to let my creativity lead me where it wants to go. Below I share some of the things that fuel my creativity, and my creative process.

Books and magazines

I have amassed a library of not only sewing books, but also books about fashion designers (favorites include Bonnie Cashin, Geoffrey Beene, and Hollywood costume designer Helen Rose), fashion history, textile design, along with vintage fashion magazines, and books about men’s style. When I’m experiencing a dry spell, I look through any of these to get my creative juices flowing.  A few of my favorites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I often use the book Color for Men by Carole Jackson (of Color Me Beautiful fame) as a reference, despite its age and application primarily to Caucasian skin tones. According to Jackson, I’m a “summer,” and the book recommends colors that flatter people who fit that season. I was never drawn to teal shades, but I learned that they look good with my coloring. This definitely influenced my decision to purchase a Peanuts-themed quilting cotton, which I turned into a shirt last year.