Q. I design jewelry and ceramics and recycle items into useful but decorative home decor items. I just don't know how to find manufacturers of home decor that would buy my designs or how to submit them.
Can anyone out there clue me in on how to do this?
Can anyone out there clue me in on how to do this?
A. interior design magazine would be a good resource, especially the annual buying/ merchandise guide, as it has the vendors broken down by category, incl. home decor. This or any other magazine aimed at the trade would be a better bet than, say, magazines aimed at homeowners, because trade pubs will have more manufacturers and fewer distributors. Good luck!
What is a good sewing book for beginners who want to make clothing, not home decor?
Q. I have next to no experience sewing so i am looking for a beginner's book. But most of them are focused on making home decor which im not into. Looking to make my own clothing.
A. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Sewing is recommended by many fashion schools for prospective students. It covers almost everything you need to know. Tim Gunn of Parson's and Project Runway says everyone should have a copy. The older book is better than the newer editions, whatever edition you choose it is considered one of the classics: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Sewing-Readers-Digest/dp/B000CQ2THY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266502826&sr=8-2
For a book with even more, from beginner to advanced level skills the Vogue Sewing Book has information on embellishments, tailoring, hand sewing, linings, and more. The older Vogue book from 1975 is far superior to the newer ones and easy to find in used book stores, so it's also a thrifty choice. Similar but not quite as complete is the "Vogue Butterick Step By Step guide to Sewing Techniques." This book explains pattern instruction sheet instructions in greater detail. http://www.amazon.com/Vogue-Butterick-Step-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1573890049/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266502935&sr=1-5
And also look into sewing patterns designed for beginners. Kwik Sew brand has a line of absolute beginner patterns called "Kwik Start" and with these you learn by doing. They have simple t-shirts, skirts, tops and jackets and as you use them you learn all the basics of garment construction. The Kwik Sew website has a message board where you can ask for help if you run into problems
After you feel comfortable with these you can move on to any of the other pattern lines such as Simplicity, Burda, Vogue, McCalls and Butterick.
One reason why home dec is often taught first is because it is considered easier, it's almost all straight line sewing, there's little to no turning from wrong side out to right side out and most pressing is flat, not shaped. Of course if you don't need ten yards of curtains it's not very useful.
Finally, there are a few places on line that offer sewing help for beginners. About.com's sewing site is packed with tips, tricks, useful lessons for beginners and a forum where you can ask questions and they will be answered by one of the experts who post regularly on the board. or irregularly, like me. Simplicity pattern's website has lots of useful information for beginners and they have the "It's so Easy" line of patterns that are also good for beginners.
Kwik Sew's beginner line: http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Learn_to_Sew&Level=KWIK_Start&QL=KwikStart
Simplicity home page: http://www.simplicity.com/
The simplicity classroom site: http://www.simplicity.com/t-classroom.aspx
About.com: http://sewing.about.com/
For a book with even more, from beginner to advanced level skills the Vogue Sewing Book has information on embellishments, tailoring, hand sewing, linings, and more. The older Vogue book from 1975 is far superior to the newer ones and easy to find in used book stores, so it's also a thrifty choice. Similar but not quite as complete is the "Vogue Butterick Step By Step guide to Sewing Techniques." This book explains pattern instruction sheet instructions in greater detail. http://www.amazon.com/Vogue-Butterick-Step-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1573890049/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266502935&sr=1-5
And also look into sewing patterns designed for beginners. Kwik Sew brand has a line of absolute beginner patterns called "Kwik Start" and with these you learn by doing. They have simple t-shirts, skirts, tops and jackets and as you use them you learn all the basics of garment construction. The Kwik Sew website has a message board where you can ask for help if you run into problems
After you feel comfortable with these you can move on to any of the other pattern lines such as Simplicity, Burda, Vogue, McCalls and Butterick.
One reason why home dec is often taught first is because it is considered easier, it's almost all straight line sewing, there's little to no turning from wrong side out to right side out and most pressing is flat, not shaped. Of course if you don't need ten yards of curtains it's not very useful.
Finally, there are a few places on line that offer sewing help for beginners. About.com's sewing site is packed with tips, tricks, useful lessons for beginners and a forum where you can ask questions and they will be answered by one of the experts who post regularly on the board. or irregularly, like me. Simplicity pattern's website has lots of useful information for beginners and they have the "It's so Easy" line of patterns that are also good for beginners.
Kwik Sew's beginner line: http://www.kwiksew.com/Catalog/cat_thumbs.cfm?Cat=Learn_to_Sew&Level=KWIK_Start&QL=KwikStart
Simplicity home page: http://www.simplicity.com/
The simplicity classroom site: http://www.simplicity.com/t-classroom.aspx
About.com: http://sewing.about.com/
Where to buy unique home decor online?
Q. I'm currently shopping for home decor, bedding, lamps, etc for my new apartment. I love all the stuff urban outfitters has but unfortunately they don't have a very large selection. What are some other online stores where I can find fun, funky, and unique home goods for a somewhat reasonable price?
A. www.etsy.com is an amazing website full of handmade home decor. In the top righthand search box simply type in whatever it is you want (lamp, bedding, photography, ect.) and you'll be blessed with a huge selection of cute home decor items. All of them ship. And all of them are sold on www.etsy.com!
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