I LOVE SARI RIBBON

                                          SARI RIBBON  -  YEA !!!!!!

I absolutely love sari ribbon. It is small strips of fabric from old saris that are randomly sewn together end to end. Some have metallic threads, some are kind of rough and some have an elegant feel. They come in solids and patterns and you can choose the general colors you want. Most of the colors are vivid. I get mine on Etsy but I'm sure there are other places to get it too. I find ironing it makes it a big difference in sewing with it. When I crochet with the ribbon I often don't bother to iron it out of laziness.

I sewed ironed ribbon around the edge of this upcycled beret.

Red, blue, maroon and black are sari ribbon that I've allowed to fray but have ironed before wrapping it onto necklace

green, red, purple and green are ironed sari ribbon 

The vest has sari ribbon sewn at the collar, shoulders and where pockets would be. Other embellishments have then been added to the ribbon. I think they work well together.

Small pin made from sari                               ribbon  both ironed and frayed

close up of blue

Piles of sari ribbon as it comes from India

The possibilities with these ribbons are fabulous. I will put up some of the crocheted ribbon necklaces later. What are some of the things you do with sari ribbon ????

More Ethnic Clothes from New York City

 More Clothes on fake people from the Museum of Natural History in New York City. What I like most in this one is the belt -  I didn't note the country, I felt lucky to get these pictures. The belt is multi-colored tassels in colors that are in the fabric and not at all in the fabric. It stands out and the different levels make it much more striking  and turn a pretty conservative dress into one with some pizazz.

I love the solid colors, stripes, brocades, textures, patterns and layering all in one outfit. I like the pants under a kind of skirt and patterns next to each that are unexpected. Lots of eye candy in this. I think it is both feminine and practical for horse back riding or anything else.

And, finally this long skirt and short jacket. I love the layers - short sleeved jacket with long sleeve brocade coming through to the wrist and the very textured vest showing through under the jacket. Some of the fabric is rich, shiny brocade, some simple probably reused flannel like material. The dyes are deep rich colors  and then in the middle is a bright pink sash with seemingly no relation to the rest of the outfit. On the top is a black blouse that reminds me of the black turtle necks I love to wear.
These inspire me to make more really outrageous clothes. In the hats and tops I make the more outrageous ones sell first.  

Next post will be more of what I'm making now.

Ethnic Clothes from Museum of Natural History

Just got back from New York City and saw some interesting clothes on fake  people at the Museum of Natural History. On the first, I like the length of the top over the pants,  the color combinations, (red and purple really work here) the rich depth of the embroidery that is many layered though not frilly, and the details at the arm and leg cuffs that are very detailed with 2 or 3 pieces of deferring colors defining the edge. The necklace seems to be attached to the top, neat idea but that may just be an artifact of no neck.
I will post 3 more outfits tomorrow.

First "stuff by Brooks" Blog Post   -   finally

Blue eye lash yarn and gold yarn separately go around this hat and
gold stars dangle from one side. Sold.  

part of my design wall with randomly placed patches I have just sewn

I am just going to start blogging and not wait for the 'perfect time". This blog is meant to keep up with and share my current art and craft and  and share ideas with other artists. These images are from the design wall where I have randomly put up patches as I have finished them.
.

close up of very free-form patch work on design wall

Here are a few of the hats I have up-cycled, meaning the hat already existed and I found it out there in the thrift world and embellished it and transformed it into a new fun hat. The blue styrofoam head wouldn't stand up alone so you can see the blender I set it in.

this  body of this hat  was reshaped and blue woven  

ribbon goes around it and flows out from the top  and

sides. 

these two images of brown hats are different views
of the same hat. It is a fun hat. It is sold.

This blog will improve with further posts and thanks for looking. 

Posted 3 weeks ago by Stuff by Brooks and Sea Borne Studio