The Importance of Good Photography

It was a fun and tiring day working on this photo shoot with Michael Grills but it was definitely worth it. Because I put a lot of time and effort into the designs I make I decided that I would be cheating myself if I didn't have some professional photos taken to show my work. Like this article on the Importance of Good Product Photography from RGBDIGITAL says "one thing you can never do twice is make a first impression" and I really wanted my designs to look good online because not everyone can come by the shop to see for themselves.
Good photography can make a big difference in whether or not you present your product effectively and whether or not you make a sale!  Everybody now days has a camera and can take photos and post them online but a professional photographer knows how to use the right angles and light to make your product look it's best when it is intangible.

Here are some fun shots from my last photo shoot with Michael Grills Photography!

 

Michael Grills setting up for shooting.

 

I don't think the photographer is used to getting his picture taken 

Here are a few more articles on the importance of good  product photography.
http://ukhandmade.co.uk/content/business-importance-good-product-photography

http://kspicknell.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/importance-of-good-product-photography/
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/etsys-guide-to-photography/

Circle Wrap Sweaters

These very versatile circle wrap sweaters are perfect for dressing up or down. Wear them with your favourite comfy jeans or your best dress slacks. When closed the sweater hugs around your shoulders creating a nice shawl look around the back, pin with a large kilt pin or your favourite brooch! When worn open the fabric drapes beautifully in folds creating a look of comfort and carelessness. Available In The Shop or on my Etsy store. Also available in grey, brown and heathered grey.

Photography by Michael Grills Photography

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The Sewing Bible

Ok this isn't really a tutorial, it's more like a guide...no it is the guide. Every sewer or aspiring sewer should have the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Sewing. The book is full of step-by-step instructions and explanations on everything sewing from how to sew a button, different types of interfacing and fitting your own pants.

 

 This edition is from 1976. It belonged to my Grandmother and I love it! There are several editions of the guide to purchase. I believe the latest was published in 2002.

The Recycled Gingham Jumpsuit

One of the fashions I have noticed the ladies about town are wearing this summer is the one piece jumpsuit and I love this look.

So when a friend of mine dropped off some cast offs, a two piece, gingham summer suit inspired me to create this...

from this...

So, what I did was..... I attached the top and bottom (obviously), reinserted the drawstring in the waist and added an elastic casing. I cut the top down across the underarm added elastic to the top of the shirt and shortened the legs to a walking shorts length. Voila, a summer jumpsuit.

Summer time

This is one of my favourite summer dresses I've made. It was inspired by a vintage pattern I found at the Sally Ann one day. I really like the madras pattern and colour, it's vibrant and sweet! Instead of the scoop neck design in the vintage pattern I used a cross over front on the bust line for a more feminine touch.

My Inspiration Book

Every designer gets their inspiration from somewhere whether it's fabric, some awesome trim or some funky notions. I get a lot of my inspiration from styles I see in magazines and to keep track of what I like I cut and paste the things I see into my inspiration book. Whenever I'm in the mood to design something new I just flip through it and get inspired. As well as the magazine cut outs you can glue in swatches of fabric you love and ribbons and trims and notions too, anything that inspires you!