Sentiment and Souvenirs

Happy Friday!

So when you live in a very small space, and you are inherently someone who does not like to get rid of things, editing the new stuff you bring into your space becomes very important. Although it's taken over 3 years, I am getting better at it, just don't look in my closet- hehe. In my tiny apartment, I want to be surrounded by those items that have meaning to me. 

When I travel, I feel like one of my languages is fabric- it's how I connect to the people and culture of the place I'm in and it's usually the only souvenir I'll purchase. A while back, my fiance came up with the great idea of using fabric from our travels to make throw pillows for our sofa. It gets him involved when I'm hunting for fabric on trips and keeps us surrounded by our fun travel memories. It also keeps our place tchotchke free.

Almost a year after our Columbia trip, I finally got around to making our pillow. You can read more about that trip here: http://erinelsie.blogspot.com/2013/06/cartagena-mania.html . I had found these beautiful hand printed/ batiked wraps. 

 Our eclectic pillows: our Columbia and Hawaii pillows added to his Morocco pillow.  

(You can read more about the Hawaii fabric here: http://erinelsie.blogspot.com/2012/08/small-island-big-inspiration.html )

Also, speaking of sentimental projects- I recently did a custom tee-shirt blanket for a customer to give to her daughter who is about to graduate college. It was special to be handed the responsibility of preserving these memories and more special that she loved the final result. If you have sentimental tee shirts that you perhaps no longer wear but don't want to discard, tee-shirt blankets are an awesome solution. They are so cozy and even better you can just throw them in the washing machine like any old tee shirt! 

So colorful and cozy :)

Alright friends, thanks for taking a little time out with me- back to work I go!

Have a happy weekend!

 xo
Erin
http://www.erinelsie.com
Follow me on Instagram: ErinBlank_Designer

I've got mail...

Happy October Everyone!

 I'll keep the pictures to a minimum as I am in my pajamas and covered in thread- one of my happiest ways to be! I'm at home working on my new fall things. The weather is so beautiful here in New York and inspiration abounds! There is a change in the air and in the momentum of ErinElsie. I received news that some of my items at a boutique out west have sold. As always, I celebrate the little things, little stepping stones on my creative journey. 

To my delight, I also received a package in the mail from a dear blog reader, Joy Lee. She has been hanging on to a unique, huge, patchwork suede cape for the last 20 years. She has only been able to wear it once, and now has no use of it in southern Louisiana. Joy offered to send it to me to use as I'd like and I could not resist. I love a good vintage piece with a story. She bought this cape in Deadwood, SD, and it was originally made in a leather factory in south Texas. It feels good when others trust me enough to hand special things over to me. Finding and using unique materials is such a huge part of my work, and a huge source of inspiration. I can't wait to get my hands on this cape. I love the basic idea of the cape, so I plan to try and update it into a shorter, more wearable one. I'll use the leftover suede for some other pieces I have in mind...

Also, speaking of Texas, I received an email from a sweet, stylish, and accomplished blogger named Tori Johnson from San Antonio, TX. As a souther girl myself, I love the warmth that comes across in her blog, The sTORIbook. I will be working with her soon on a little promotion and I'm so excited that she reached out me. Please stay tuned and check out Tori's blog :)



Okay, back to work for me. Thanks for reading and have a super weekend!

xo,
 Erin
www.erinelsie.com

Coffee Talk and Craftsmanship

Hello!
It's October already...wow, where does the time go. I have been quite the busy little bee.

It generally takes long days, many late nights, and lots of coffee for some of my clothing designs to be completely done. I am patient because I know that all the little details will be meticulously finished, and I am certain I would not be content with anything less. When my mom taught me how to sew, it was more than just a basic construction lesson. It changed the way I analyze clothes and the quality of the craftsmanship.   

My mom and I always love to shop together and still do. I think it was often just the two of us because not many others would not want to put up with our tedious critiques. Often, when I would pull something I like and show it to my mother, it would be followed by,"Erin, but the front is all sewn crooked" and then me "Oh yeah, your right mom." I use to find these moments annoying at times during my teenage years, but in hindsight I am so grateful for this type of education. Another big pet peeve is when certain items were overpriced without lining or proper under-construction. In most cases, these 2 aspects have everything to do with how something looks, fits, and feels against your body.

Our fitting room sessions could often turn into fit sessions. If we loved something enough, and thought it was a great deal for the price, we would be content to actually purchase it and alter it slightly to be perfect. Women often complain that "nothing fits" when shopping for certain items, but often this is really true. Clothing manufactures, although they try, cannot accommodate every person out there. Every body type is different, and so every item you try on may not fit you perfectly. Find a good tailor, make a few minor adjustments and you'll see the difference. Also, if you ever have the opportunity, collaborate on something custom made for yourself. Nothing beats something tailored made specially for you. Then you'll have a one-of-a-kind garment you can pass down to your family.

At my previous corporate fashion job here in in NY, I was responsible for the overall fit and look of each and every garment we produced. I saw all this past life experience come full circle. Now, I am pouring ALL of this knowledge and experience into my own work. I am as passionate about the inside of each garment as I am the outside, and I hope that comes through in my work.

Here's a sneak preview of one of my latest projects- inside and out. A big thanks to my dear friend Jessica for sending me a box of vintage materials with this awesome, inspiring print! Other materials in this dress include more fabric from a vibrant, purple linen jacket and and a few pieces from a leather jacket.

 

 About to sew down the front bodice lining

 

Still trying to decide how dramatic the sleeves should be...

Slightly stressful learning experience: Inserting an industrial zipper from an old leather jacket into a a dress. Mission accomplished!

Stay tuned for the the finished piece! To find more of my work, check out my website at http://www.erinelsie.com/ and click on the Shop the collection link.

Cheers!

 -Erin