Project #12: Printed and Pocketed Chic Button-Up Shirt

Finally getting back into a groove here.. It's Sunday, and I'm actually writing about my next project! Nice. I've been reading magazines lately (well, mostly looking at the pictures..) and I've noticed a big trend of mixing different prints on different items of clothing.. And I really like that. So, while I was obsessively looking for fabrics on my last order, I came across this elephant print that I was obsessed with. I put it in my cart and took it out of it a number of times, but in the end, I decided to just order it. The reason was mostly because the fabric was pretty expensive for me. But in the end, I thought that it would be fun to pair a nice loose elephant logo button-up with the blue floral skirt.

Now, I have a bit of a problem. When I ordered this print, I thought it was a cream color with green/gray elephants.. But when I recieved it.. It was definitely silver with black elephants.. And I'm pretty sure they screwed me. I could have returned it, but I'm just going to go with it and make it work. I doubt it'll match with the blue.. but we'll see how it goes when it's finished.

That long story aside, yes, I'm going with this elephant print and don't you stop me! It's definitely super trendy these days, so I thought I'd do a little magazine inspiration project.

The materials I'm using are:

- Elephant Print Chinese Silk/Brocade Fabric

- Buttons

Unsure on the buttons yet. I need to buy them still, so I'll probably go with small black or clean ones.. Or work blue into them to more fit the skirt. To me, subtle touches of color on a garment makes it match another piece of the same color in a certain way.. So, yeah, thinking about it now.. That's probably what I'll do.

It'll be a bit oversized, because.. Let's be honest.. It's silk and a girl could totally walk into a bedroom with an oversized button-up and be hott! Or she can pair it with a high waisted skirt.. Like I want to do!

This will give me practice on using a new fabric, silk.. As well as practice with adding a decent folded collar to an item of clothes. Oh, and let's not forget pockets! But I'm sure you'll hear allll about them when I post the finished project.

See the results Saturday or sooner!

A LOOK INTO THE PAST:

So, I did another fitting with my sister.. She got to try on Project #8, or the Slimming Sweater.. She really loved that, fit great, and I think it was effective in its slimming mission. I think she'd wear that one out if the opportunity presents itself. She also got to try on Project #11, or the Flannel Dress.. Not such a great fit.. A little small on the bust, and didn't do for her what I wanted it to.. A more leggy girl, it might work on. It was also a bit short.. Eep!

She also won't allow me to take pictures because she's "fat." Not true at all, but she promises by May/June (I know.. far) I can start taking pictures because she has to get super skinny for her wedding in September. So.. Hopefully you can see these better looks on people?

Also, having a fitting with Erica tomorrow. I don't have high hopes.. It has kind of become a mess. I fear it's going to be way too small, but we'll see how that goes!

Project #11 Completed!

Ahh, it's wonderful what a little break can do for your sewing. So, I finished this little dress early, so I figured I'd just put it up. Umm.. I think I feel this is the best design drawing to actual construction garment that I've made, as well as my best technical construction. I finally feel like this could be sold and looks close to legit.

I would like a bit of a thicker belt, but apparently no one in this house owns a nice belt. So, I had to use my ghetto one.

I think it's really cute, and I know it may look short, but, I did that to try to elongate the girl's legs. I think it's long enough to not have to wear leggings or something underneath, but we'll see. My sister will definitely be trying this on this weekend.

The fabric is a bit flashy, but I think it could be perfect for Easter and Spring! Perfect since we're so close to the season.

There was a bit of change in the construction because of how I wanted it to fit, so I had to add 6 small buttons.. So it cost about $6.50 to make, and about 4-5 hours to make? I don't even know why I add that because I honestly don't even know. I would probably sell this for $30.

So how did I make it? Again, it is in two parts. The top was standard with two top panels cut out and a back sewed together. Then I added the sleeves. I added a wrist cuff on the end of the sleeves.. And I really didn't have much problems in attaching the sleeves, which is a good thing! That means I'm getting better! Umm.. Then I went with the bottom skirt.. I made it a large width so I could put a few pleats along the back and front. (About 9 to be exact.) I sewed that on, and made a slit down the front and added buttons so it could easily go on and off the body. Finally, I cut out some ruffles by cutting out a flow-y pattern with two layers (well, at first I had three.. but I thought it was too much), and I sewed them on with overlap. And.. I guess that's about it. Oh, and I added a button on the ruffles, so if you want to be more slutty, the v-neck can go further down.

I also decided to put up a picture without the belt, because I don't think you absolutely need one.. It can work on it's own.

Let me know what you think! Unsure what my next project will be, but I'm thinking pockets should be coming up soon!

Project #11: Low V-neck Short Flow Flannel Dress

Busy day! I'm trying to get back on schedule, so I thought I'd throw this up here since I'm going to start this dress next.

Yes, it's another dress.. But when I saw the fabric, I wanted to do something different with the colorful flannel, so I thought a cute long sleeved dress would be fun.

It's almost pirate like, with a spin of color and for fall/spring seasons with a small dress with long sleeves. I'm pretty excited about it because I think it could turn out really cute.

For the top, I'd like to do some ruffles with a low v-neck. And this will be the first time I'm trying something flowy.. And less skin tight.. So there you go!

I really need to come up with a list of goals I'd like to get done with this whole project.. Like what things I need to accomplish throughout the year. Such as.. Make a dress, use flow, use ruffles, make pants, etc. Yeah, that will make things much smoother!

The fabric I'm using is:

- Canyon Sunset Plaid Cotton Fabric

I'll have this done by Saturday for when I see my sister, and have her try it on! Having these seen on real people makes this soo much more exciting!

Project #10 Completed!

No wayy.. Did I really finally finish this dress? Yes, I did! And man, has a lot of work gone into this one. This has definitely been the most time consuming dress, but I personally think it paid off. I think it's quite faab.

Well, there she is. I guess this would be considered couture because there was definitely some hand stitching all up in it. I still have a bit of work to do, but very minor and wouldn't affect these pictures.

I also just found out that this weekend, I'll probably doing a fitting with Erica, and she may be wearing it to her gallery opening after all! I'll keep you updated.. because this might be small.. Especially in the midsection.

These pictures make it look a lot more shiny than it is.. I hope it fits only for people to see it in person.. It's much more beautiful.

I definitely took a risk with all of the swirls, but I think it came out just as I pictured it in my mind.

It's funny that this is one of my more expensive garments to make but still only about $8.50 or less. A lot of time went into this one.. Gosh, I'd say total.. Definitely between 10-12 hours. Possibly more.. And after fittings and readjusting.. Much more, haha. But hey! This is like my first real project! So excited! But, Erica, if you hate it at the fitting, don't feel obligated! Hahah. If I was to make another one, I would definitely charge a bit more for it. Possibly $60-70? It's quite time consuming.

The main fabric was kind of annoying to work with. It's very delicate, and it kept fringing on me.

So.. I did this in parts. I started with the top section, which I did much like the polka dot dress. I cut out the top frame, sewed it up, then added the back panels and front. Then I made a generic bottom skirt, sewed it to the top part, and added the zipper to fit it all together. Then I added the swirl affect down the bottom portion. I did this by stuffing extra taffeta into the black fabric, and sewing along the bottom so it still had a 3D affect. That was time consuming. Then I added the gray-ish, copper-ish, blue-ish taffeta belt which I love because it breaks up all of the black and white circles, but still matches. Finally, I added a piece of fabric along the back to try to cover the zipper.

I mean, all in all, it's probably not the most clean or perfect construction, but for my 10th project ever? I'd say it's pretty nice and I'm way into it.

Pair this with blue heels.. Come onn.. Could be pretty sweeeet!

A LOOK INTO THE PAST:

I did wear my cardigan out on Saturday, but so far I don't have any pictures.. I didn't bring a camera, but did take pictures with people.. I'll see if any of them allow you to see it.

A LOOK INTO THE FUTURE:

I'll keep you updated on all of what happens with this dress, but either way, I'd say it's probably my new favorite!

I'll probably be updating later today too with a new project since I'm a little behind this week! I have the fabric I want with no design.. Another one of those.. I'll make it work!

Project #10: Twisted Abstract Dress

Jeesh, I haven't updated in a while. I was struggling to even do this entry, but it had to be done.. Because I don't want to finish my dress before even announcing it!

But these projects are getting much more exciting! Basically because they can be worn by different people and have a purpose.. haha.

I've already started it.. and.. it's having its issues.. But.. I think I'm going to make it work with a concrete design. It took me a while to really come up with what I wanted to go for, but this is it:

Sorry for the bad picture again.. I forgot how to draw what I mean to..

Materials:

- Black and White Circle Charmeuse Satin Fabric

- Dusk Taffeta

- 1 Black Zipper

First off, the main fabric is so fab, and completely reminds me of my muse for this dress: Erica Simon! This dress is meant to be a tribute to her art, and inspired by her upcoming senior gallery display.

Also, have you ever seen taffeta? It's a mess.. But I kind of love it. It's only being used to break up the crazy fabric a little bit. When I ordered that fabric, I had originally thought it was going to be a lot more gray.. But it's actually a combination of a tannish color and blue.. and changes depending on where the light hits it (what's the word for that effect?) But I feel like it works well with the dress.

It should be finished by tonight, but I'm giving myself extra time to finish if I can't because tomorrow is cancelled out since it's Scranton's big parade.

Hopefully update later or Sunday and maybe have a picture of me in my ghetto cardigan?

Project #9 Completed!

Well, I guess I can say I've finished my first "menswear" item.. Photographed on a petite woman's mannequin. Haha. Though I haven't slept in forever, I couldn't sleep until I finished this and put it up, because I've done well with sticking to the deadline!

I can't get a decent picture, and I feel like it looks better on a person, but this was the best I can do in my tired state. I like the design, but it's definitely not that great in the execution department.

It was difficult, and a lot of sewing went into this, AND I didn't know how to handle the swerve design. I still think I'm going to work with it a little before I debut it.

I don't really like the colors.. It's kind of teenage mutant ninja turtle.. I still wish it was beige, just because I think it would have looked a bit more classy but.. I'll rock the blue.. At least it's bright.. Bright is always good.

But yes.. I will most likely be wearing this out on the town. It fits decently, and I'll just have to make it work! I don't back down from a challenge, haha. Though, it makes me sad that one of the poorest executions will be seen.

I definitely have to better position the middle button, I think.. Hmm.

*So far, I decided to reject the elbow pads.. I thought it'd be too much blue. But I may add them later.*

I would say this cardigan cost me at most $2.00 in materials, and it probably took me.. Ehhh.. 5 hours to make? I really wasn't keeping good track.. I'd sell this at $25 (if properly executed). Less than $5/hour.. Perfect!

How did I go about this hott mess? Well first of all, it was difficult because this mannequin torso is much shorter than mine.. So I had to a little compensating. Anyway, I did the standard things for the front panels, back, and sleeves (a lot of pinning inside out, and pinning together the proper pieces, and sewing). What was left was all the blue fabric. I pinned the trimming along the front by taking two layers of fabric folded over in the front, and the extra fabric along the inside of the garment, and sewing it close to the edge. I basically did the same for bottom and sleeves, but just with larger pieces. I didn't want to add so much blue, but I had no choice because it was too short for me without the length. Then, buttons! I had an issue with my machine and the buttonhole sewing function, which sucked.. But I made it work, ghetto-ly.

So overall, a big fan of the design, not a big fan of the execution. Check it out in person if you see me next Saturday!

PS - Gloria Vanderbilt buttons again! Why did my sister have so many?? Love them!

Next project in the works.

Project #9: Swerve Puzzle Cardigan

Completely excited about this one! Not only because it is my first menswear item, but because I'm going to get to wear it! (Well, if it's sweet..) I knew I wanted to make a cardigan, but I didn't want it to be completely standard.

So I decided came up with an idea to have puzzle button-in design, and add some elbow pieces (I think..) If it comes out the way I see it in my head, I will be VERY happy to wear it!

The materials I'm going to be using are:

- 60" Leprechaun Green Rib Knit Fabric

- 21" Royal Blue Rib Knit Fabric*

- Buttons

[*Originally, I had ordered beige knit fabric for the trimming (which I still think would have worked much better for what I was looking for) but I have some extra blue fabric that I think will still work with the look]

So Leprechaun Green? Of course I'm making this for Scranton's Annual St. Patrick's Parade Day! Please.turn.out.right!

Everything but my waist fits my mannequin, so I'm going to have to try make that area a liiittle bit slouchy on her.

My fabric order came, and I'm pretty disappointed. Upon first looking at it, I'm not impressed and some things definitely don't look like I thought they might. ..But I've had that feeling before, and I just need to find the right projects to incorporate them. And it also took over a week for it to arrive.

Project starts tomorrow!