We have talked about fabrics in my last few articles and I may well go back to that at a later date as nothing inspires creativity and the desire to sew quite like a beautiful piece of fabric.
Focal points are anything on an outfit that asks the viewer to look there. These can be used to detract from obvious figure challenges but alternatively can direct attention to somewhere you would rather not.
Some designers use specific elements to emphasise a design line. In her original and now very famous suit style, Coco Chanel used contrast braiding to emphasise flattering vertical design lines in order to create a slimmer silhouette. The shoes she designed had a darker toe to give the illusion of smaller feet. A white collar, for example, on a navy dress will immediately attract attention to your face but white cuffs on a shirt will direct attention to hips and you need to ask yourself, is this really what I want to do. The eye will immediately focus on the lightest or the brightest part of your outfit so care must be taken where this focus is directed.
Contrast and bright colours are by no means the only way to create focal points. Large design elements as well as jewellery will do the same. With the advent of sophisticated embroidery machines, with the ability to create bold designs, we as sewers need to re-assess where to place these designs to our best advantage. For example a rear pocket on a pair of jeans lends itself beautifully to an embroidered motif but not if you have a large derriere. Likewise a full bust will not be flattered with the addition of a motif at the centre of a tee shirt. Extra care should also be taken when cutting out large prints in order not to allow a fabric element to emphasize an inappropriate area.
Jewellery and accessories play their part and can be used to great advantage. A brooch high on a shoulder will direct attention high and away from figure challenges as will a brightly coloured scarf or pretty earrings. Madelaine Allbright, the former Secretary of State in the Bill Clinton era used these tips to her best advantage. A short statured woman with a fuller figure, she always wore the most magnificent brooches high on her shoulder or fabulous bright scarves on dark outfits. A full busted woman should be wary of wearing a necklace that sits on, and highlights this area. If you select a shoulder bag keep in mind that it will sit at your hips. If you have larger hips, select one that is a dark rather than a bright or light colour and naturally scaled to your size. To give the appearance of longer legs select shoes that are a neutral colour if wearing flesh coloured hose or black or navy if wearing that colour hose.
Next month we will discuss the right shapes for the right shapes, in other words choosing the correct pattern style for your individual shape.