​Recently, we went on our Annual DFW Anthropologie Christmas Tour. Anthropologie is on the frontlines for inspiration during the holidays.  Dallas/Fort Worth has a number of Anthropologies to visit for elevated ideas for special holiday decorating, insight and motivation. 
We are always particularly keen on anything that has to do with animals and birds. We constantly ask ourselves, "How do we incorporate their ideas into our own art pieces?" and Anthro has the answers.
Take their displays & merchandise and recreate that idea into your budget & skill set.
This year's catalyst was creating personal art for a family member. It's about how you know the gift recipient loves their animals and anything that would portray their likeness, a true act of love.

How To:
Using printed photos, canvases, pencil, fabric scraps, needle & thread, scissors and a knack for tedious & artistic focus, these appliqué pieces will come to life. 
A folded grid was created on the photo and recreated on the canvas with pencil. As with enlarging your pattern onto the canvas, sheer white fabric was used to create individual pattern pieces.  Cut the fabric you choose to make your applique art.  Each piece was added and sewn before being attached to the large piece of fabric which is then stretched onto the canvas frame.  Staple the corners by lightly stretching the fabric, cut corners at 45 degree angle, stretch and staple beginning in the middle of each side.  Lightly stretch and pull from middle, stapling to each corner.  Caution:  Don't over stretch your applique art, could become distorted.  
This project is easy to over think, so go into it realizing this is supposed to be a cartoonish version of the pet.  Enjoy the process and the results!
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https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/patchwork-pup-pillow?category=decorative-pillows&color=069

When working with burlap you have to keep several things in mind.  It sheds, it is woven very unevenly and when creating a curve or a circle, it's like sewing water (unpredictable).

Here are a few helpful hints when working with burlap. Keep in mind, it will never be perfectly even.  I measure then  top stitch where I want the unraveling line to begin and cut along the thread line where I want the fraying to end.  I prefer not to cross over to another line of thread to prevent uneven fraying. Using a glue or stay-stitch product is good, but it is easier to see a seam line than anything.

You rarely see a burlap tablecloth or runner that is round or oval.  They are rectangles and squares, no curves.    This DIY is to help you maneuver around that dreaded curve with success.  Rectangle tablecloths do not look right on oval tables.  The corners drop to the floor and look awkward.  Burlap doesn't hang softly, it is a stiff product and has a mind of it's own.  Beware of how you use this.

A recent client who ordered a 10' x 6' tablecloth complained that the tablecloth shed all over her guests while sitting at their meal.  I believe they all went home thinking a tan cat sat on their lap at mealtime. This is particularly disheartening when sweaters or fancy clothes are worn.  Burlap can dig into fabric like a sticker or burr. If there is a baby or toddler at the table, think twice about the burlap.  Their faces and sticky little hands will become covered in the loose burlap.  Ingesting the burlap or getting it into their eyes can really be a problem.

This client had spills on her burlap tablecloth and called to see if she could wash her tablecloth.  She could but it would never be the same.  It would be much smaller come out like a misshapen mess. I recommend a squirt of hydrogen peroxide to remove food stains.  Rub gently, holding the back with a cloth as well to keep the shape in tact. 

I am highly allergic to burlap and it prompts me to do the project quickly to get it out of my studio.  I usually make big cuts outdoors to prevent excessive shedding. There is no stopping, it's like a nervous dog - shed, shed, shed.

I am by no means a burlap hater.  One forms a different opinion of a product when they have to work with it up close and personal. Other projects can't be in the area of the burlap for fear of shedding on other fabrics.  I'm allergic to the red dyes in fabric too, but it doesn't stop me from doing my job.  Just sayin'.

Burlap is loved by many as the inexpensive "go-to" product for shabby chic, prairie  or country design. It is inexpensive, but let's keep it real.  I say, use burlap runners and painter's drop cloth as the tablecloth.  The drop cloths come in so many shapes and sizes, while it is easy to launder and sew.

Oh, you don't usually know you are allergic to burlap until you have full contact with it.  Keep your guests in mind with all of this too!

DIY Round Burlap Tablecloth

Lagenlook, or the layered look, is a trend that has come and gone for the last 20 years and seems to have risen to the top again. A loose design that adds style to comfort. This is complimentary to all sizes and shapes of women. As we know, weight fluctuations keep us from wearing some of our favorites.  Nothin' like showing off your puddin'!! Remix, restyle, reimagine & recreate your closet besties.  Knowing your body's best lines and working with this style can really help you put your best look forward.

We ask, "How can I achieve this look with my existing wardrobe, can I hope to make a few changes to already existing closet faves that don't fit?"  Absolutely!  

Let's strip this down and come up with creative upcycling opportunities. The trick is to give your garment flow, fit and fashion. There is a fine line between beauty & botched and each remix will tell you how to proceed. If you have to question "Does this look right?", you have already answered your question - No. Good design flows naturally.  When it is right, it's right. 

Once you start a rhythm on this journey, your confidence will grow with each garment you redesign.

Let's start a simple project and see what we can bring to the sewing table!

More Lagenlook style tutorials to come . . 

I've held off for years creating those perfect little dresses for myself.  The trapeze-style peasant dress is the easiest thing to sew and the time has come.  It can be a simple process without a pattern, but with this tutorial we have used a portion of an old peasant blouse pattern as a guide.  

A simple, fine tuned method for designing & creating Christmas stockings.  The perfect project for beginners and master sewologist alike!  With our help & your stocking design -- no more store bought for you!  Traditions begin like this . . . 


Christmas Stocking DIY