The Creative Cookie

Upcycled Aprons, w/ Cookie!

I'm so excited about all the fashion camps and workshops that I'll be leading this summer! Here's the link to the Upcycled Apron class that I'll be teaching on Monday, June 18, and July 2, from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Brooklyn Brainery...unplug and hand sew with your favorite Cookie, xo!

Rule The Catwalk + Get Street Style

For the 2nd summer in a row I'll be collaborating with Spoke The Hub, at Camp Gowanee, to develop two ultra fashionable summer day camp experiences. Drop a line for more details!

studio times

photos © Lesley Ware

our 1st Place

In August I picked up the keys to The Creative Cookie's new studio located inside of the Gowanus Arts Building! It's amazing to have dedicated space for creating, teaching and learning.

Three cheers for growth!

I'm in the process of decorating the studio and making a page with classes & events. Feel free to send us some snail mail, in the meantime, to:)

Lesley Ware (aka The Creative Cookie) | Gowanus Arts Building, 2nd floor | 295 Douglass Street | Brooklyn NY 11217

let's sew!

bat mitzvah dress I made for a client (hanging in the cutting room)

Look at the totebags we just finished -- DIY rocks!

photos : from iPhone © Lesley Ware 2011

Full Circle

Circle skirts are fun and easy to make. My student completed this polka dot piece last week -- so cute!

photos: Lesley Ware © 2011

Dream & Create

Earlier in the week I designed this little flyer. The illustration is from the November 1967 issue of American Vogue.

Sewing class details soon:).

Levels of Greatness

Every Wednesday I teach a Runway Fashion Design class at a fab school in the Bronx. Yesterday, we watched the first 10 minutes of the latest episode of Project Runway and then fast forwarded to the runway show. I wanted to give my students an understanding of the design process, from inspiration to execution.

I was very giddy when one girl grabbed a marker and started to create a bar graph after watching the runway segment. We paused Project Runway and gave our assessment of each collection in numeric form, ranging from 0-100, and then averaged the totals equaling each designer's "level of greatness".

When we pushed "play" Heidi announced who was going to fashion week and who would be out (bye, bye Laura). It was astonishing that the students assessments were correct and in sync with the judges.

I'm inspired by the connection between mathematics and fashion that they found! What an unexpected lesson.

...congrats Anya, Victor, Josh and Kimberly:). 

Fun at Fashion Camp

Last week I taught fashion design at Camp Gowanee during Spoke The Hub's Street Art, Dance, and Fashion multi-arts day camp.  In addition to design, I taught them how to strut their stuff on the runway. Camp ended in a fab fashion show where students modeled their creations for parents, siblings and babysitters! Read their run of show (they wrote their own outfit descriptions -- cute!):

Some campers were inspired to sketch outside of class. Here's some of their work:

 They learned to sew by hand and machine. We also explored the lives of designers and even dyed fabric.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2011

I had just as much fun as the campers did. They knocked my socks off with innovative designs and loads of enthusiasm. I'm so looking forward to the next time!!

In Good Company

Last Saturday night we hosted a wimsy little dinner party. We were celebrating a friend, Marlon, that is moving away from the City for the summer. Our timing was perfect -- before National Vegetarian Week and on the day predicted to be the end of the world. 

I had a hoot with the planning. I made a tablecloth from Marimekko's Unikko colorway in blue. The table was set with our lovely new dishes, some older pieces & vintage things. Each bite of dinner was delish but the company was better. Thankfully, it was not our last supper -- I can't wait to throw the next party;-).

Cute, right?

photos: kamau ware © 2011

Here's what was on the menu:

• kid "caprese" salad (arugula, tomato, pesto, mozzarella)

• pink bean chili (cooked in the crockpot overnight)

• PLG dogs (veggie hotdogs w/ a bar of toppings)

• pom frites (yummy)

• vanilla ice cream & bailey's brownies w/ dried fruit & nuts (my new favorite desert to make) 

** you can make Bailey Brownies too -- keep reading **

Happy. Easter!

I sitll remember this Easter in the '80s. My mother stayed up all night sewing this hat, coat, and the little white eyelet dress underneath. Wishing you grand success and happy times this Spring. Enjoy your Easter!

Flower Girl

During New York Fashion Week, I dropped into Starbright Floral Design to live blog and was inspired by what I saw. Each bouquet had a personality of its own -- from the pansies to the orchids they were all charming and sweet. Here are some of my photos: 

I find flowered prints to be wonderful...especially in knits & silks. I made a visit to MOOD fabrics and decided on this super comfy rose and daisy printed cotton flanel. I like how the fabric mimics some of the colors and spirit of the flowers that inspired me at Starbright. 

Using this retro pattern from Simplicity, I'm sewing a spring jumper. View #2 is my favorite -- now that's what I call a 'petal pusher'!     

Check back next week to see my progress with sewing. I'll also post my tips on wearing flowered pieces & prints this spring. PLUS a bit about our wedding flowers for April 30th, too!