Altered Style

Metal Frame Purse Handles

2009-06-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

The tutorials will be up soon!

Ribbon Flower Project

2008-08-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

Ribbon Flower STEPS

2008-08-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

I only had a half hour to play so I decided to create something with the leftover ribbons on my desk. I love to layer ribbons and mix up the textures. I got one of the ribbons from a sale at the Sewing Studio. There's always something interesting on sale and it's all NEW stuff! Pat's husband Mark finds unusual trims and laces. So...
1. I gathered up two kinds of grosgrain ribbon and a pink faux crochet trim.
2. I sewed the narrow green and black polka dot ribbon down the center of the brown one. I
cut the ends on a diagonal to keep them from fraying. Then, I sewed the pink trim to the
edge of the brown ribbon. To stop the pink trim from fraying, I dotted the ends with

"Fray Check". When it dries, the pink trim is still soft.
3. I hand sewed long running stitches on the edge of the brown ribbon and pulled to gather.
4. I formed the gathered ribbon into a circle.

5. I put a dot of glue at the ends. A bit of the pink
trim was rolled up and glued in the center. This glue comes out of the tube "tacky" and
ready to hold.

Made a project with the Island Fantasy embroidery designs.

2008-08-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Island Fantasy Beach Bag - Perfect for a trip to a resort, going on a cruise, or to fill with fabric. This is the perfect example of "Altered Style". I purchased the bag because it had that grass skirt fringe and I knew I wouldn't be able to find it anywhere. I loved the lining and hey, the bag was already quilted. You can't ask for more than that. So I used the mermaid embroidery design as the focus and added the dolphins. I used the mirror image feature and made one of the dolphins smaller. I used "free motion" to create shimmering silver waves and framed it with a trim that looked like hand crocheted trim. I love that the bag already had my favorite colors of green and brown so I made a bow with chocolate brown and green/white polka dot grosgrain ribbon. Whew. Finished it just in time to send to John Deer of Adorable Designs. He was on his way to a Dealer Convention. I know he'll have a great show. Hope you'll try making this bag too!

My new embroidery designs are ready!!!

2008-08-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'm working with John Deer of Adorable Ideas creating exciting embroidery packs. These can be purchase on his secure site. Aren't these great for beach bags, towels, cruise wardrobe, or just some fun stuff on your shorts.

The summer may be ending soon but you can always have Hawaiian Luaus in your back yard. Buy an inexpensive grass skirt and wrap it around a table. Make great one-of-a-kind tablecloths and napkins. Make some Hawaiian punch and grill up some ono (Hawaiian for "delicious") kaukau (Hawaiian for "food"). C'mon kama'aina (locals) from Hawaii...write in with recipes and ideas!

Altered Style: sewing and embellishing wearable fashions

2008-08-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

This is my latest favorite book! It can be yours too. Visit my website www.stephaniekimura.com. I also have an events page that will keep you up to date as I travel. Hope to meet you in my travels.

This book is full of projects that help you "upcycle" the clothes that you already have. If you own them...then you loved them at one time. So, just embellish and update the look. I was at an upscale boutique in Palm Beach Gardens yesterday and "acid washed" denim is BACK....shades of yesteryear.

Get the Clorox bleach pen and doodle designs all over your denim. Check the manufacturers instructions to set and wash out. Once the color is gone you can replace the color in that bleached area with a Tsukineko textile pen.
Say what you mean...
Mean what you say...
Put it in writing...
Wear it on your sleeve.