So, I have been going to the Art Institute for Fashion Design for the past year and have been getting into the nitty gritty of sewing these past 6 months. I've been through two Clothing Construction classes, Textile and Fabrication Analysis, and Trend Forecasting. My favorite class, though, has been Patternmaking. I once heard a professor say that patternmaking is the "make or break" moment for a Fashion Design student. And I can definitely agree. Luckily, I fell IN LOVE with this class and it led me to search for a patternmaking internship.
Anyway, blah, blah, blah. Let's get to my final project!!!
Eeeeee!!! I am so proud of it, can you tell?? I decided to do two pieces, so the top is a peplum sleeveless blouse with a Peter Pan collar and the bottom is a simple pencil skirt.
The top has a separating zipper and the pencil skirt has an invisible zipper.
The top was a little big on the form, and if time had allowed I would have taken it in, but that was my last priority.
The top has an all-in-one facing with a Hong Kong finish, and I lined the peplum with a beautiful cream-colored lining. Can you tell that my inspiration was a cupcake?? I named the garment "City Confection."
Don't pay attention to the fact that my kick pleat overlaps the opposite way of the "correct" way. Just pay attention to the fact that I did a lined vent!!! This process was not without tears, and I actually had to RE-DO it twice! But let me tell you, if it had not been for the most amazing tutorial on YouTube, I would have been up s*%# creek without a paddle. People, I have to share it with it you, not only because it is amazing, but because the guy in the video has a cute little accent as well;)
I literally have gotten 8 hours of sleep combined over the last 3 days, so needless to say, I'm due for a big ol' nap. All for now!
Well, the kids are in school, I'm finally feeling settled and now it's time to talk about my latest project. It is one of the newest Simplicity patterns, 1775. I fell in love with the silhouette and knew that I had to try it out.
My little one jumped in for the shot:) I used a deep burgundy heavy cotton blend that I actually received in one of my mystery boxes from Fabric Mart.
I chose View A with the View B hem. I also left out the pockets.
I left the back collar open instead of adding button closures because I love the shape of it as is.
This dress was all about the details for me. I did a Hong Kong finish on all seams because I'm really into making the inside as beautiful as the outside.
This is a beautiful vintage button I found at a local fabric store...
This project took me quite some time due to the finishing on the inside seams, but I absolutely love it. If I make it again I will shorten the bodice by an inch. It is a little long and bunches slightly, but overall, I am quite happy with the results!
I was browsing JoAnn's one day and just fell in love with this bright butterfly fabric. I had originally decided to make a dress for my oldest daughter, but thought it would be such a cute button-down shirt! My plan is to wear it with a pair of tailored high-waisted shorts to give it more of a modern look and keep it from looking too cutesy...a styling challenge for sure.
I used Simplicity 2255 and made a size 8 without any adjustments. I made View A and left off the side tabs and ruffle detail. Too busy with the butterflies.
I really am trying to work on clean finishes so I used french seams. Yes, it is more time consuming, but the end product really is more satisfying, don't you agree? And I chose a lime green single fold bias tape for the armholes.
Hopefully now that I am into the swing of school my posts won't be so few and far between!!
And finally, a moment of zen...I snapped this picture at midnight the other day. I don't know about you, but for me, there is nothing quite like a sleeping house, a fantastic Pandora station, and the whir of my sewing machine...
Did you miss me?? Well, I missed posting!!! It has been a while, but in all fairness, we moved from California to my hometown in Connecticut, I transferred to the Art Institute in NYC, and now the girls and I are finally settled.
I was doing online courses through the Art Institute when I lived in Cali, so these campus classes are like a breath of fresh air. This is my second degree and I must say, it is much more fun this time around. I love the interaction with the professors and I know how lucky I am to be going to school in one of the fashion capitals of the world. That is certainly not lost on me.
If you can remember a couple months back, I was working on three Easter dresses for my daughters and finished them in the nick of time. Pictures??? Yes!
I used the Stella pattern from Violette Field Threads. See this post.
My youngest was napping at this point, I believe, but her dress was exactly the same in pale blue.
For my Easter dress, I chose Simplicity 2222 and made View B. I really love how it came out! The waist is drawstring and it fit perfectly on the bottom half. The hem is short, so I suggest adding a couple inches if you like a knee-length. I cut a size 6. I used a 100% cotton print that I ordered from Fabric Mart in Honolulu.
The back looks like it is pulling a little, but it didn't feel uncomfortable when I was wearing it.
And of course, here are some action shots of the egg hunt!!!
Thanks for sticking with me through my little absence, and hopefully I will have more to show and share soon!
Finally, a new post! I felt like I was going to get in trouble with my teacher for neglecting an assignment! No, really. I always feel a little twinge of guilt when I don't blog for a little bit. Why is that?
So I'm secretly working on a couple final projects before we move to CT. I say "secretly" because my husband wants me to focus on putting away my sewing stuff and not taking any more sewing jobs before we leave in 2 1/2 weeks!!!! I get it. He doesn't want me racing to meet deadlines for clients, but I can't help it! So I'm finishing up my last 2 orders before we leave.
Here is Burda 7339. This is the second time I have made this bag, and I think the third time I make it, it will be for myself:) It is the coolest version of the fanny pack and such a breeze to put together.
I used black duck canvas and silver clasps and zippers.
And this last picture is just for fun. I was feeling a little frisky at the nail salon on Monday, so voila! I don't think I have gotten acrylics since I was in college, but I needed a little vavoom in my life! It's fun for now:)
As you may remember from a couple posts ago, I mentioned that we are moving in a few short weeks! My husband is being deployed for a year and I am heading back to my hometown in Connecticut to be with my family while he is gone. This moving date sneaked up on us, and now here we are. Four weeks from the big move and I'm going a little loco!
We have our movers scheduled and are starting to put some stuff in boxes, but it's the other stuff that is making this move difficult. I'm a fashion design student and I am transferring within the same school but to a different campus and this has proved to be the most frustrating task EVER. I don't want to sound heartless or inconsiderate, but I hate when people tell you that they are "busy." Listen, everyone is busy. I'm busy, you're busy, so let's not make this a pissing contest (excuse my French). I am freaking out because class registration started YESTERDAY for the upcoming quarter and I am still in limbo. I am being the squeakiest, most annoying wheel ever, so let's hope progress is made by tomorrow at least!!! Yep, I have completely bombarded several people (including some innocent bystanders) with tons of emails and voicemails. I'll update you when I can reach an actual person and not some sort of technological road block...
Now, to the good news!!! Before my husband leaves for the "sandbox," we are taking a family trip with our girls and my parents to Disney World! What is the first thing I thought about? Meeting Cinderella? No. Riding Space Mountain?? Of course not. What am I going to want to make for my vacation wardrobe??? Ding ding ding!!! Here is a pair of shorts that I made from this CUTE vintage Simplicity 8698. It needs a bit more pressing, so use your imagination a little bit.
The pattern calls for 4 buttons down the front of the fly and I am contemplating between a couple options (or just leaving it as is!)
The waist fits perfectly and has the perfect rise. I am even thinking about a crisp white collared shirt a pair of suspenders for the glamorous nerd look!
So I have these shorts, a couple of t-shirts, and two 5-yard pieces of gorgeous oriental fabric I ordered from Fabric Mart on my cutting table. Wanna take a peek?
I'm thinking one for a skirt and one for a sundress....
