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(ARA) – Clothing is an extension of a person’s personality. It projects their tastes and is an important part of making a first impression. Some of us love shopping for clothes and others loathe the task, but what everyone wants is a wardrobe that represents who they are and how they want to be seen.

“A major wardrobe embarrassment that we’ve all experienced is going to work, to a party or simply walking in public and seeing someone else with the same shirt, pants, jacket or purse as you,” says Natasha Forth, a fashion expert at CustomizedGirl.com. “There are many ways to get unique clothes that are special to who you are and the image you want to portray.”

Brother XL2610 59 Stitch Function Free Arm Sewing Machine
List Price: $149.00
Buy New: $119.99
You Save: $29.01 (19%)

Features:
• 59 Stitch Function Free Arm Sewing Machine
• Built-in Automatic Needle Threader
• 4 Step automatic buttonholer
• Built in stitches for quilting, garment construction, decorative sewing and mending
• Drop-in Bobbin

Here are some tips for creating a wardrobe that no one else has:

Customized Printing
A big trend in many fashion circles is getting shirts, tanks and jackets custom printed. In magazines we see celebrities making a variety of statements on their T-shirts. From unique designs to political statements to declarations of love, customized printing is an affordable and easy way to create unique pieces in your wardrobe.

Web sites like CustomizedGirl.com are user friendly and provide many clothing options so you can get a unique item that no one else has. Shirts, tanks and jackets can be customized with symbols, designs, names and other phrases in a variety of sizes and font styles. You can even upload your own logos and pictures for a specialized item. For ideas, visit the community page on the Web site and see what other users are creating.

Shop Vintage
Secondhand stores provide an array of styles and clothing options for those looking for something different at an affordable price. Whether it’s your local vintage boutique or a chain donation store such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill, you will find lots of clothing that you’re not likely to find on anyone else.

The key to shopping secondhand is to make sure you have enough time to go through the items. Often these types of stores have a lot of clothing and you have to dig and search for that special item to add to your wardrobe. Look for clothing from different eras to add flare to one of your current outfits. A 40s cardigan is the perfect addition to your favorite dress or a 20s hat can add style to an old pantsuit. Maybe a broken-in pair of jeans from the 80s will become your new favorite item for casual Fridays at work.

Shopping vintage is like a treasure hunt because you never know what you’re going to find, but you can be sure that you’re not likely to find it at your local retail store or in anyone else’s closet.

Details
Often what truly stand out on an outfit are the little details. Whether it’s a standard wardrobe item from your local retail store, or a tired piece of clothing you haven’t worn in years, adding special details can give these pieces style and new life.

Visit your local sewing and craft store to find unique appliqués, sequins, buttons, studs and other details that can easily be added to any fabric. Embroidery is another option that can add flare to otherwise boring clothing.

And remember, adding a funky necklace or unique belt can change an entire outfit and make it stand. Look to the details and accessories to add pizzazz to your wardrobe.

For more information on customizable clothing visit www.CustomizedGirl.com.

Technorati Tags: Sewing Machine

Fast and Fun Ideas for Simple, Last Minute Halloween Costumes

(ARA) - Halloween is around the corner. You run to your local Target or Big K to find a costume, but all the cute ones are gone. What do you do — a ghost again? Not necessarily, says Jocelyn Leiser Herndon, an instructor in Fashion Design at The Art Institute of California – San Francisco.

“Two simple costume ideas that are great for both kids and adults are ‘The Cat in the Hat’ and a witch,” says Herndon. Several years ago, says Herndon, her brother came for a visit on Halloween. Short on time, Herndon had him purchase a black shirt and pants. With red and white felt to make the hat and a small amount of black fabric to make a tail she built around a coat hanger, Herndon finished off the costume using a pair of white gloves.

“For the witch, just about any black dress paired with striped socks or tights and black boots or shoes will do the trick,” she says. For the hat, Herndon suggests picking up an inexpensive hat at any Halloween store (there are usually lots of these left, even after Halloween).

Another great costume for an adult is a cobweb. Pick up some cobweb printed fabric and make a poncho out of it by cutting a hole in the center for your head and wear with black clothes. For men, get a shirt that has spiders on it. For ladies, pick up a pair of spider covered tights (available at Halloween or specialty hosiery stores). For an added touch, buy a big furry spider from the decoration aisle and attach it to your head with hair pins or elastic as if it’s the spider in the web.

For the minimalist, a scary face is a simple way to go on Halloween. There are many good one-time-use inexpensive latex scarves available in all sorts of shapes and sizes these days, says Herndon. To enhance the “boo” factor, Herndon uses the following fake blood recipe (not suitable for eating, she cautions):

1 ounce red food coloring
1 tablespoon blue food coloring
2 ounces water
1 pint light corn syrup
Combine ingredients. Scare at will.

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 35 locations located throughout North America providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.

Brother 10 stitch free arm sewing machine

List Price: $99.00
Buy New: $78.88
You Save: $20.12 (20%)

Home sewn fashion at your fingertips. Sewing Machine with ten built-in stitches each with multiple stitch functions, including elastic and blind hem, you’ll be stitching like a pro in no time. An included twin needle feature allows for two-color sewing, while the flatbed/free arm convertible sewing surface and quick-change presser feet perfectly compliment your personal sewing style. A quick bobbin winding system and electronic speed control leave you more time to create. Lightweight, compact and portable with a built-in handle. 25-year limited warranty. Model #LS2125I.

Technorati Tags: Sewing Machine

Brother SE270D Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

Step up to a sophisticated but surprisingly easy to use computerized sewing and embroidery machine. It features Brother’s exclusive new quick-load thread cassette system. Simply place a spool of thread into the cassette, insert the cassette into machine and the needle is threaded automatically! Built-in embroidery designs, 1-step auto-size buttonholes, and many other time-saving features: Features: Versatile Brother computerized sewing and embroidery machine.

Features 98 stitch functions. 97 built-in embroidery designs including Mickey Mouse & Friends designs. 70 additional designs include florals, seasonal themes and more. 10 border shapes in 12 border styles for 120 different border combinations. Large 4-inch by 4-inch embroidery area. Built-in memory card slot - compatible with our extensive optional Brother Embroidery Card and Disney Embroidery Card Collections. Exclusive quick-load thread cassette system. Automatic needle threading. One-step auto-size buttonholes in 10 styles. LCD touch-screen panel with computerized stitch selection. Programmable needle-stop position - great for quilting. Drop feed for free motion quilting-5 Quilting stitch functions.

Sew fleece, elastic and other stretchy fabrics with the built-in stretch stitches. Create delicate family treasures using the built-in heirloom stitches. Free arm/flatbed convertible sewing surface. Includes soft cover. Instruction booklet in English and Spanish. 25-year limited warranty. Dimensions: 19.7″H x 10.8″W x 10.7″D. Weight: 15.4 pounds.

Technorati Tags: sewing and embroidery machine