unleash the power of inspiration...

                                         unleash the power of inspiration...

Thank-you for reading.

This month's photos are close ups of my designs that feature I-cords, including my latest design as part of the Web's Designer in Residence program - the purple one in the top left hand box called "In the Loop".


Please check back next month to find out what my latest fascination is.


See you next month!       
Fiona xxxx

It's all in the details


One of the things in design that I feel really passionate about is attention to detail, especially finishing touches.

This in turn gives rise to a few of my pet peeves  when it comes to store bought items; stripes that don't quite match at a seam or cheap plastic buttons that do the job but nothing more - to me these things are like fingernails on a blackboard.


These of course are all places where manufacturers cut corners to increase profit margins and because they know that we have come to expect to pay very little for clothing. I find it disappointing that, even though we all wear clothes, generally speaking there appears to be a large swath of the population who either don't know how or, even worse, don't care enough to look for well made garments. It's one of the reasons I like being around people who can make their own garments, they too see the details that can set something apart, taking it from adequate to something special.


When it comes to my own design work I try really hard to adhere to strict standards that I have set for myself. These have developed over my career but I know that they spring directly from a pride in doing my very best - instilled in me by my high school needlework teacher - her name was Mrs Rogers. Whenever we turned in a completed project Mrs Rogers would ask if we thought it was the very best we could do...and if we wavered she would return it, telling us not to hand it in until it met that standard. I ask myself this every single time I'm about to submit a project ...even now.


It has led me to develop what I hope are interesting details for my work and has somehow morphed into one of the areas where I feel that I can be really creative. But there is a danger in being too creative. It's also important to remember that the details have to fit with the overall design, they can't just be tacked on, even though they may be making a statement. 


I often agonize over which buttons to add to a garment. I know that's kind of geeky, but it's important to me. Plus I'm fortunate enough to have access to a great button store (more on that here). But I know that not every knitter is in that position so I like to include knitted details for that reason.


I have had a life long love affair with knitted cords (read about that here). Then when you marry that with my love of cable patterns it becomes a match made in heaven! The cords look like the cables are spilling out of the fabric for me it's a perfect detail....one which I hope would make Mrs Rogers proud.


Allow me to set you a challenge; as you complete your next project please spend some time thinking about finishing touches rather than just rushing to the finish line. I promise it will make you happy that you paid that little extra attention when you add the perfect edging, button or other detail.




On-line, On-Nine
Monthly post on the 9th of each month! 


On-line, On-nine April 9th 2015