Stripes Are My New Black

I'm going threw a phase right now were I am soooo into stripes. So I hope you can like them as much as I'm starting to. Lol. Take a look at some new things I put together and let me know what you think. I've been checking out a lot of runway shows lately and been getting really inspired. I also got my hands on some really nice fabrics the other day so I'm super juiced to make my ideas some real things. I think I'm going to get together and make a collage of all the things that I like and get my sewing juices flowing to help my ideas be a little more clear to me. I'm thinking about putting them into a blog for you guys to so you can get to know what Shank is really into. But anyways, thanks for stopping by to check me out and leave comments pleaseeeee.

My Little Pretties

Sooooo I know it's been a minute since I put some stuff together I've just been a tinsy bit busy lately. But there is no way I could come back without a couple new little things I threw together on the good 'ol Shank machine. First I've got another one of my infamous vintage sweatershirts. Made from the finest Target Hanes (Lol) and a vintage Prince T shirt I kept around for just about forever. In case you don't already know, I'm just about the biggest Prince fan in this universe. Besides the fact that he is a musical genius his clothing is a great inspiration to me. I always listen to him when I'm sewing my days away. My favorite song of his, Erotic City, puts me in the Zone. So without further blah blah blah,






I also have a few flower hair clips I made a while back and matching earrings but never got around to showing you guys. I get tons of compliments on the earrings. What I love about them most is the all the different colors int the stripes, which I throw on with just about anything. They're made from a really cool cowl neck shirt I got a thrift store a couple years back. The shirt was too be but me being the pack-rat I am, I kept it forever. And it came to use! Now I have a million of these little flower clips and earrings.

Just about my favorite item I put together recently has to be these high waisted striped leggings. I got the idea from an absolutely beautiful pair of high waisted jeans I saw online at American Apparel for $80 but I would NEVER spend that much money on one piece of clothing so I made my own legging version, and Tad ah!

Last but not least, a highlighter yellow black waist band skirt. It has bunch of gathering in the very front to give it that peasant sort of look but all around the rest is sewn flat. I found this actually a part of a dress at a thrift store but didn't like the top part. I love the color and the fall of the bottom hem. So I simply cut off the top part of the dress that I didn't desire and sewed on to a black elastic waist band. Can't wait til It gets a little warmer so I can wear it. But then again, leggings can always be an option underneath, or the fishnet type stockings I have in the pic.

Oh a pleaseeeeeeeeee leave comments let me know what you guys think! And suggestions of things you think I should put together would be nice to. That's all folks!.................Well at least for now.

New Year And New Colours.

Cinco days into this new adventure called 2010 and I already feel it will be a great one. I've been getting alot of business and hits thanks to Blogspot and Facebook. Its lovely. Sewing is such a great outlet for me. I love the fact that the things I make for me and other people are made by ME. A feeling of self accomplishment ya dig? Anways I decided to make my infamous hooded scarf into a few more colors and patterns. I'm going to be sending them to my sister Acacia who is a fab photographer. I'm soooo juiced to see what she does with them :) so here they are and also the "Tale Of Two Tities" T I said I was working on. Its absolutely the funniest thing to me. Well let me know what you guysssss think! I love feed back!

Got The New New

This one is a hooded scarf I made a few weeks back put never put up for people to see. It also is pretty versatile. I love articles of clothing you can wear lots of ways and that are a big statement. Both these items are jersey and very breathable. For the hooded scarf I chose a blue-slate type color which I felt was suiting considering its for wearing during cold times. Its actually really warm too. I got the idea of it from American Apparel of something similar looking but their version was $30 and me being the cheap-o I am, I just made it myself for way cheaper. So take a look.















\Let me know what you guys think! If you got any suggestions for things you'd like to see me make hit me up. Oh and of course if you see something you like just let me know and I can make one for you. Prices vary but I promise I don't ask for a grip. Lol.

Business Card. Back and Front.

What do you guys think?? Let me know!

Two To Tango

So I am currently in the process of a new project. An extreme high waisted pleated skirt which I'm so excited to finish. I've been tied up lately with my assistant manager position at the Fairfield mall store Styles so I haven't had much time on my hands but I'm looking forward to finishing it. I found some really great fabric for the skirt that is white an navy vertically striped.

If you didn't know that about me I'm absolutely in love with stripes. I'm in the process of getting business cards made that will be black and white vertical stripes on one side with YO SHANK! name on it. And on the opposite will be my info. I'll have pics of the card and the skirt as soon as possible for you guys and just hit me up via email or ask for the digits if your looking for more info or apparel.

I've also made a desicion to have two separate parts to my brand, YO SHANK! I love creating custom urban wear for my friends and peeps around town but I'm also really interested in high fashion and Have many ideas floating around in this cluttered crazed brain of mine. So there is two sides to YO SHANK! More to choose from!

I came across an ad for a screen printing machine for about $300. I've got funky urban ideas for tees I'd really like to make. I'm still deciding between saving up the $300 or DIYing screen tees for now. I've got ideas for both girls and guys. One I'm really excited to make it for girls that will have yellow colored sleeves (I've already got the shirts) and in the middle say "A tale of two titties" which to me is humorous and definitely something I would wear. I'll be on the Tee hype as soon as I'm done with this skirt though and I'll post pics. Let me know if you have any custom ideas! And leave comments please!

And So It Begins.

Just finished a sweatshirt for my friend Nancy today and a necklace too. I'm really excited to give it to her for Christmas. She absolutely loved my "What to wear?" sweat shirt I made for myself so I thought she would like something along the same line. I used an old T shirt from Target that was my favorite but It got all worn out and stretched over time so I just just cut out the graphic part, straight stitched it along the front and put in studs at each corner of it.


I made a cloth necklace as well from an old shirt that my sister had given me but it had shrunk and the wash, I loved the old bleached affect it had so I kept it. All I did to turn it into a necklace was shred it into 1 inch strips and connect them, tie and braid one half and layer the cloth on the opposite side and tie. Taduh! Cloth half braided necklace.

I'm seriously trying to get into expanding my clothing. I mostly do it for myself but I want to make a lot more for other people. One of a kind type items you know? With a lot of flair because that's my style. And even though I'm just starting to understand how my sewing machine works I've got TONS of ideas. I gathered some good stuff from this site Threadbangers. They have great DIY ideas for screen printing Ts and loads of other things.

My first step in getting all this started is hitting up Michael's toward the end of this week to get all the necessary supplies. I need to also get a small fold out table because sewing with The Shank Machine (my sewing machine) on the floor is killing my back. I also need to hit up the thrift store and missions here in Fairfield and I'd like to visit some vintage shops in Berkley and Sac if possible.

I'm thinking of starting an Etsy account when I get my selection up. It's a great sight to buy and sell customized things which is what I'm all about. I just have to get my hands on a photographer as well. My sister is a great one but she lives so far. Speaking of her, she's getting me some business cards made which is a good step to starting this all out too. Looking forward to this New Year. I've finally found my calling it seems and I'm juiced to spend 2010 all about my up and coming brand YO SHANK! so it begins...