Fairy Tale Dress-Up with Fashion Forms

We're welcoming Klutz Marketing Assistant Devin MacDonald to the blog today to share her experience with a Klutz classic. 

While I’ve graduated from the baggy hoodies, baseball caps, and cargo pants of my middle school tomboy-hood, I’m still pretty much the antithesis of a girly-girl. I can’t apply makeup to save my life, I wear the same pair of scuffed boots every day, and I harbour the not-so-secret hope that I will live to see the day when it is socially acceptable to wear nothing but monochrome jumpsuits (think construction worker, not chic and catwalk-ready). But, despite my tendency to shy away from the frilly, blingy, and otherwise fabulous, I will always have a soft spot for pretty princesses.

With a shiny new take on Cinderella hitting the silver screen this week, I found myself with a familiar urge to indulge in a little bit of fairy tale dress-up. So, I grabbed one of the Fashion Forms kits that have been staring at me from our conference room for weeks, and I decided to get my design on. 

What I find so neat about Fashion Forms is that it’s all about combining basic shapes in creative ways. So, with patterns for six tops and three skirts, you can pretty much make any no-pants look that crosses your mind. It got me thinking about which classic princess costumes I could recreate with those shapes, and—after inspiration struck—how I could transform those outfits into modern-day ensembles.

I mean, can’t you totally picture the Little Mermaid roaming the beach in romantic, flowy ruffles and a sweetheart halter on her land-dwelling days?

Can’t you see Snow White rocking a Peter Pan collar and a cute-but-classy pencil skirt while holding court with her woodland friends in a cozy little home?

What about a fit-and-flare number for everybody’s favourite Frozen queen?

It’s amazing how scraps of paper can transform into miniature outfits for a princess with a dab of glue, some imagination, and a few sparkly embellishments. It’s also amazing how time flies when you let your inner little girl out to play; I was surprised to find that I’d been at it for a couple of hours when I finally shook the sequins from my fingertips to check the time, but I enjoyed every second of it. My craving to experiment with adorable attire: satisfied. I feel like I just played the ultimate game of dress-up.

Now, to find a fashion-forward little friend so I have an excuse to crack my kit open again . . .

Stay Warm for Winter with Klutz Knitting

When I was younger, I used to hate getting bundled up to go outside. My parents would send me to school in a hat, scarf, mitts, and snow pants. I was safe from the chill, but feeling pretty darn uncool because the cool girls would strut around the playground unbundled, in  only a jacket and jeans. Even though they probably lived on the edge of catching pneumonia, all I saw were rosy cheeks and a streamlined silhouette, next to my snowman-like proportions.

So one day, I screwed up my courage and shed my winter wear for lunch. I was feeling pretty cool and free to move as we played around in the snow, but soon I felt a chill creeping in. I was officially over it by math class, doing multiplication with soggy jeans and wet hair.

Later that week, I paid the price even more dearly when I came down with a pretty wicked cold. Since then, I’ve stopped caring about looking cool, and I have embraced cold-weather accessories with style.

So, you can imagine my delight when I discovered that Klutz had a kit that would help me save my hard earned money by making my own winter wear. Knitting is the easiest how-to-knit kit ever and comes with everything you’ll need, from needles, yarn, and buttons to instructions for making scarves, hats, a sunglasses case, a cell phone sock, and more!

I've knit so much winter wear that I’ll never be cold again!

Pretty Summer Suits (with My Fabulous Look Book)

The season of swimming is upon us, yay! 

But with it comes one of summer's most aggravating rites of passage...

The search for the perfect swimsuit.

To find it, you have to brave fluorescent lights, bunched up underwear underneath, and the inevitable comparisons between the way you look in the suit to how the model on the poster right next to you looks in it. Swimming season has its downsides…

But when you find a winner, oh boy, is it great! There’s nothing like hitting the beach, playing in the waves and soaking up the sun (through a thick layer of UV protection, of course!) without a care for too loose straps or a recurring wedgie.

So, in preparation for my summer swimsuit search, I grabbed a copy of My Fabulous Look Book to try and pick out my ideal styles before I hit the stores.

I mixed and matched bright neons with classic black, a retro high waister with a bustier top, a daring strapless beauty with a pretty gold accent, and a Minnie Mouse inspired skirt suit that I absolutely love!

So many choices, so much time in the change room avoided. Knowing what you’re looking for is half the battle. Now my only problem is deciding which I like best!

Can't Beat Klutz (with Fashion Forms)

One of the lucky perks of being 100% Klutz is that sometimes I get to try out stuff that hasn't hit the shelves yet. And, boy oh boy, getting first crack at those coveted kits is a great thrill for this craft-hungry gal!

You can imagine my excitement when I was presented with a very early production sample of the swoon-worthy, boxy, new Fashion Forms. This update on classic paper fashion fun is any style-savvy girl’s dream! Tiny, three-dimensional dresses, skirts, and shoes for you to make in all sorts of exciting prints. With a little help from Klutz, I figured I'd soon be well on my way to my own fashion label!

I got to work popping out pieces and setting up my mini-design studio. But my ambitions fell short when I discovered that this early book only had three sample pages of instructions inside. I paused for a second to regroup. Sure, the intricate paper outfits on the box looked complicated, but this is Klutz we're talking about, so I knew there would be some fun trick or handy tool to make it all a breeze. But, as I sorted through the materials and devised a plan of action, I realize that it wasn't the missing instructions I was worried about. What I missed most was the inspiration I get from the Klutz craft masters.

The first thing I do when I crack open a new Klutz book is to scan through the pages and earmark crafts and designs I want to try. And without that special Klutz magic to be my fashion muse, somehow things just didn’t quite come together.

I am so glad that I get a second chance, complete with pages of expertly-made Fashion Forms for me to choose from, because that’s when my clothing line really started to shine!

And that, my friends, is why Klutz can’t be beat!

Don't believe me? See for yourself!
 

Fall Fashion Fancy (with My Style Studio)

The weather seems to have teamed up with those dreaded commercials to bring the spirit of fall to these lazy, hazy, last days of summer. So I give in; I’m tired of fighting! Instead, I’m embracing the finer points of this time of transition… namely, back-to-school clothes!

 

I whipped up a crop of fall fashions to combat the chill with My Style Studio. This fully featured kit is packed with tons of supplies to help you style the season. Peel-and-stick, templates and tracing paper to start off, textured rubbing plates to create tons of cool prints, and the finest tip marker you’ve ever seen for the perfect finish.

 Here are a few faves from my fall fashion line…

Tall boots, houndstooth, and button down vests;  

Peter Pan collars, pencils skirts and summer maxis with a fall jacket.

And sure, my fall lineup is just fantasy, but with three weeks of summer dreamin’ to go, there's still time before I don my fall duds for good!

Paper Fashions Fix

Summer is my favourite season for fashion. Bright colours, flowy dresses, cute accessories; I love them all! It's the time of no muss, no fuss, throw it on and go casual, and I couldn’t be more pleased that this season has finally rolled around. 

And while my budget may not be as big as my ambitions, I found a way to get my summer style fix with Paper Fashions by Klutz. 

There are so many colours, patterns and stylish stencil silhouettes to choose from, so you can create any outfit with the simple snip of your scissors. I filled my fantasy closet with tons of trendy summer pieces!

 Printed Peplum and Cool Colourblock

White Hot Pants and a Marvelous Lace Maxi

The best thing about this cool little kit is, if you can’t find the pattern you’re looking for, any scrap of paper can serve as inspiration. 

Now, if only real clothes were this easy to create!