where i'm at.

My most recent spoils. One of the perks of the theater district abutting the garment district and its many, many fabric stores and having a 2 hour break between shows...

It seems with the changing of the seasons, I get mentally inundated with new ideas for clothes I want to make. I always (and have for years) sketched them out, and dreamt about how to go about making them. Occasionally I have a corresponding pattern, but most often not. That used to be a real problem and resulted in some ridiculous attempts at winging it as well as utterly unwearable items and loads of wasted fabric and endless frustration. I probably learned a thing or two but who really cares after all that?

That is one of the many, many reasons I am forever indebted to these books, as well as this newer addition to my How-To library. Without them, I would be unable to do exactly what I am doing today: sew some of my own clothes from my designs from my very own head (dresses, in this case).

I thought I'd show some of my sketches as well as some of my progress so that maybe we can be amazed if I get somewhere in the ballpark of what I was attempting, or be...amused, shall we say...should I fall a bit short :) Either way--I think it will keep me motivated to actually finish something which can be a problem in these parts. What can I say--I'm a sprinter not a marathoner.

I should mention here that I am completely obsessed with the black/ivory combination. As you could maybe tell by my fabric choices. So all of these are of that world.

This is one I drew in my dressing room while I was off-stage last night. It's actually changed quite a bit (in my head) since then, but the basic idea is the same. Details to come.

This one is a black sateen cotton, a beige-y net tulle at the top, and a fabric belt with vintage buttons. (At least for now.) Details to come on this one, too.

And this is one I'm working on today. I started it last night using the raglan t-shirt pattern from the BBW Sew U: Home Stretch (I'd like to marry her, please). And using my fledgling drafting skills, I altered it in many ways, including re-working the arm seams which totally confounded me for an hour or two but I finally figured it out. I wanted to err on the larger size knowing I could always take it in if I needed to and it ended up being big enough to fit 17 people inside it. It meant I wasted some fabric, but what the hell it had been lying around here for ages and its way better than making something too small because then what? So I took it in here and there, shortened it and here's where I'm at so far:

It's a black knit, by the way. The idea was a cute-throw-it-on-comfy-but-still-classy-and-great-that-vaguely-resembles-the-silhouettes-of-the-20s-and-30s-with-a-sprinkle-of-sexy-but-never-over-the-top-sexy-because-thats-boring kind of thing. You know, the usual :)

So today--I've got a hot cup of coffee, Radio Dismuke playing and I'm about to start drafting out the collar. Which shall also be a black knit, and lined underneath with a cream-colored knit, as will be the cuffs, and possibly cream covered buttons (and oh, what I wouldn't give for a dress form...truly. I'm desperate). And I will be posting the progress to keep me honest!

And that, sweet folks, is where I'm at! (Dangling participle and all.)

Hope you're having a lovely day!

 

P.S. Thanks so much for the sweet comments both here and on Facebook for the new drawing. It feels so good to get back into something/try something new and feel the hugs :)

Comments

[Emily]

Oh, these are all just gorgeous!!! I wish I was a woman of independent fortune, because then I would totally commission you to design and construct my spring/summer wardrobe! Can't wait to see the finished products.

[Teeny]

Oh dear, you've totally just inspired me!