Sign In
Poll: Where do you find inspiration?
Since we’ve been talking about inspiration lately, and since the worldwide fashion weeks have just wrapped up, I’m curious to hear from you guys: Where do you get the most inspiration for the things that you sew?
So I made this little poll for you: What are the top three place you find inspiration? And if your favorite isn’t listed, feel free to shut it out and discuss in the comments!
[ETA: Poll is closed now, I’ll post the results soon!]
{image above: ilestmoncheri on Flickr. Isn’t she lovely?}
Comments
Casey
October 6, 2010 #
While vintage clothing for me is probably my top favorite place to find inspiration (Ebay has long been a spot where I stalk the vintage categories in search of new style inspiration and vintage details!), I had to also vote for “people I know”–even though many of those people I’ve only met through their blogs! I think it’s safe to say I get inspired by my friend’s style every time I open my feed reader… :)
♥ Casey | blog
Sarai
October 7, 2010 #
I really should have listed blogs on there!
Catherine
October 6, 2010 #
At this moment I feel very inspired by your website actually. Thank you for that. Im looking forward to get my patterns over the big ocean and get started :-)
Greetings from old europe, Catherine
Sarai
October 7, 2010 #
Aww, thanks Catherine!
Jenny
October 6, 2010 #
I’m inspired by this photo! Good god, the colors are absolutely gorgeous!
Madelaine
October 6, 2010 #
I’ve been getting a lot of inspiration from vintage sewing and home ec guides.
Crionna
October 11, 2010 #
I love vintage too! I’ve been inspired to use some vintage fabrics my mom gave me especially vintage chenille fabric. Problem is I don’t have much and wanted to buy more, do you know where I can get some? The only place I’ve heard of so far is on etsy called alorasadorables (sp) I think. Clerk at Joann’s told me about it. Do you know them or any others? Thank you.
Amy
October 6, 2010 #
I agree with jenny, I am inspired by the photo! I am definitely inspired by fabric and materials and I lump style icons and film together because my style icons are old film stars. After reading Casey’s comment above I think people I know have a bigger influence than I first thought since the last skirt I made was inspired by Casey’s potting shed skirt! And all the blogs I read really keep me going everyday!
alison
October 6, 2010 #
I find a lot of my inspiration for sewing ideas comes from the various blogs and sewing sites that I read, and I wasn’t sure that counted as “people I know”…
I have chosen patterns that are now on my “to be made up” list based on seeing what others have written about the pattern online and seeing their pictures, where I wouldn’t have chosen the pattern based on the pattern picture on the envelope
Melissa
October 6, 2010 #
Definitely from vintage clothing, and classic old movies being my favorite forum to gather ideas!
Corvus
October 6, 2010 #
Sewing bloggers, of course! I can’t think of any place I get more inspiration, for sewing and other crafts, than the online community.
Nicole
October 6, 2010 #
Sewing blogs are my favorite inspirations. They should be listed at the bottom of the poll as “all of the above!”
Corvus said it best: “Sewing bloggers, of course! I can’t think of any place I get more inspiration, for sewing and other crafts, than the online community.”
Jessica
October 6, 2010 #
“My own closet” in the sense that whatever I make has to match with what’s already in the closet [or where the gaps exist]! But other bloggers are a huge source of inspiration for me … sometimes an idea will percolate for months or even years.
Mary
October 6, 2010 #
I would say that nature and the colors found there inspire me. A color combination will inspire me to imagine a fabric and then a design or pattern. I love to look at blogs and find so much inspiration in those places-I count them as “people I know”.
Catherine
October 6, 2010 #
I love a lot of the photography used on creative blogs and etsy… a lot of the photographers have a great eye for re-seeing the every day, and it’s taught me how to re-envision my own life and find inspiration lurking. That, and the gaps that exist in my closet ;)
Sara
October 6, 2010 #
Pattern envelopes and pattern company websites.
Liz
October 6, 2010 #
Sewing blogs is my TOP inspiration. :)
Gina
October 6, 2010 #
The photo for this post is inspirational. I love the colours and the contrast. It’s modern with a nod to vintage. I like it.
Judy
October 6, 2010 #
Vintage styles using new fabrics. Blogs full of information. I still like to read magazines, spreading out pictures on my work table, mainly Japanese sewing & British lifestyle.
romney
October 6, 2010 #
I love using sewing blogs for inspiration or doing whatever the fabric absolutely demands be done with it. But I work in a fashionable quarter of a major city, so there is an awful lot of wacky street fashion to enjoy too.
jenny
October 6, 2010 #
sometimes just bringing out seasonal clothes that have been packed away for winter/summer inspires me in new ways. And definitely street fashion blogs.
sew4my3
October 6, 2010 #
My seventeen year old son loves to draw fantasy figures and at the moment I am making two costumes from his drawings. However, I relate to the vintage clothing from days long ago and love the figure enhancing designs no matter what your size is.
There are so many wonderful ways to gather inspiration and I love that they are expressed these days via internet! Keep sewing with a smile!
Sølvi
October 7, 2010 #
Couldn´t agree more with those of the other comments who lists sewers blogs/flickr groups as my top inspiration station. Vintage patterns are a good number two.
Corinne
October 7, 2010 #
All of the above! Vintage sewing books, including the older Vogue’s, offer so many ideas for embellishment and construction standards. But certainly in the last few years the internet and sewing blogs have contributed to the sewing community that was never possible before. Like-minded people can express themselves and share like never before. Sites like this one gives those of us who sew insights into a designers process. This level of understanding in turn stimulates us to stretch our imagination, perfect our skills, and perhaps even encourage non-sewers to jump in and give it a try!
sew4my3
October 10, 2010 #
Well said!
the_kcar
October 7, 2010 #
Another inspiration: walking life. Sure, a classic B&W movie will show outstanding fashion ideas and concepts, but sometimes….
Let’s say I’m grocery shopping. I see seasonal candies – and note that the caramel apple candies – brown/tan and green – those colors, together, would look great on ______, with her hazel eyes.
I go to the nearby craft store, and see a woman with a tank top on that is held in place with a series of brass rings – cute, but it would be impossible to clean. Still, it’s a curious thing…maybe if it had removable rings. She has her boyfriend’s suit jacket on – nice contrast of red tank and navy jacket – but the jacket would need darts put in for a feminine touch. Hmm…
Stopping in the craft store, there’s last summer’s buttons, notions, etc. – and several are there, in that shade of green I was looking at – and there’s a smaller gauge of plastic rings that would work in a modified version of that girl’s tank top. Also on sale is a toffee colored spool of ribbon…and remnants of a sort of chocolate colored bolt of tulle. Ideas begin to form.
I pick up these things, head to the car, and note the clasp on a nearby shopper’s bag – interesting use of frog closures – and while thinking about a cheongsam I once owned, I start to think of how asymmetrical closures are starting to return…if I created a one-shoulder, with ring assembly in green/tan, and made it tie-in with an asymmetrical tan with green closure…
There’s a lot to be found for inspiration, just walking around…I’d recommend carrying a 3×5 spiral bound notebook in your pocketbook to catch these errant thoughts!
Sarai
October 8, 2010 #
I love the way you’ve explained this! There is so much to be said for just keeping your eyes open around you.
mon cheri
August 29, 2011 #
oh my! it’s me! =)
Sarai
August 29, 2011 #
I just love that picture of you, lovely lady!