WeSew

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

I Made it My Way

This extremely green peplum top was irresistible on the sale rack at Anthropologie.

I loved the fit, the lace, the silhouette...everything but the overwhelming green.

BEFORE

Thought about tea dying to soften the green but, was afraid it may just turn an even more jarring muddy color. Finally decided to change out the sleeves ( my newest obsession ).

AFTER

After placing a safety pin where the sleeve cap lined up with the shoulder seam I then carefully removed the sleeves and I had the perfect pattern for new black sleeves.

( In Los Angeles I had found a wonderful polished cotton/linen (?) that really looks like leather )

Sleeve caps are asymmetrical so I folded the fabric on the lengthwise grain ( the stability of the lengthwise grain will also help prevent sagging elbows ) and traced the shape of the front sleeve cap and then traced the back sleeve cap on other side of the side of the fold adding seam allowance.

After unfolding the fabric I double checked the measurement and marked where the sleeve cap lined up with the shoulder seam. It is usually about 1" towards the front from the middle of the sleeve cap.

Cut the sleeves out so there was a left sleeve and a right sleeve, sewed the sleeve seam and then basted the correct sleeve into the correct armhole. Tried on the top to be certain sleeve cap was not tilted too far forward or back and then used a permanent stitch to secure each sleeve...

and the top was just not pleasing.

Somehow I needed to bring the black INTO the green.

So I decided to outline a few of the lace flowers with a machine sewn black satin stitch because I am not good at hand embroidery.

Selected the flowers and then pinned and hand basted the lace to the lining fabric. But, the machine foot massively interfered with seeing the flower outline so I had the great idea of tracing the flower with a black fabric marker.

Problem solved :)

I am very happy with the final result of my never-ending quest to change the appearance of my irresistible sale item.

And if you're wondering what happened to the lovely green lace sleeves well...

I told you changing sleeves on my clothing is becoming an obsession!!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

LifeTime Leather

I have a confession:

My wardrobe borders on excessive.

The only new acquisitions I am interested in must be either unique, practical, funky or one-of-a-kind treasures.

etsy.com/shop/LifetimeLeather

When I stumbled upon master leather smith Kye Rorie IV on the streets of San Francisco his gorgeous hand tooled leather goods fit all my criteria.

Plus I adore old hippies.

They just make my heart sing.

Mr. Rorie has been working with leather for decades. His tools, know-how and love of his craft were inspiring. It was a real pleasure to make his acquaintance.

The beautiful one-of-a-kind leather belt I selected from the large inventory was custom fit to my size.

And a phenomenal deal at $35 !

I'm lovin' my new belt because it is a hand-made piece of Americana.

And it's beautiful.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Costumer's Guild West

As a new official member of the Costumer's Guild West I was able to attend the annual meeting/fashion show on October 8, 2013.

I really miss costumes, the theater and interesting people.

Darth Vaders mother

The fashion show was a delightful mix of historically correct garments and fantasy costumes.

Civil War era

Life size American doll

Mardi Gras costume

Sack back gown

Edwardian era ( ? )

In addition to the meeting and the fashion show members brought in some historical and fanciful reticules.

Ostrich egg reticule made by an CGW member

Two unique reticules from the 1930s

Another interesting antique reticule

This was a display of a recreated military uniform. Although the materials were new the methods used to recreate the uniform were original. I think it is a Russian uniform but, I misplaced my notes on all the interesting costumes at this annual meeting/fashion show :(

The gold braid on the jacket and the feather plume of the helmet were most impressive.

The meeting and the members of Costumer's Guild West were very interesting.

I am looking forward to many more memorable events...

and maybe even wearing a costume!

Free Idea

Free People is one of my favorite brands because of its' boho, hand crafted, casual look.

Unfortunately the prices are not casual...

this sweatshirt with trims was $88.

So I purchased a $15.60 light weight sweatshirt from Forever 21...

and my next trip to the fabric district in LA I selected a bunch of trims.

( I took the sweatshirt with me to be certain that trims looked good and it took about 35 minutes to select all the different trims that still worked together ).

Approximately $22 in trims.

Laid out the trims and then began the nightly ritual of hand sewing on some trims while watching Hulu on my computer.

Had to edit my trims when I realized the trims would go past my elbow.

Unfortunately I neglected to try on the Free People sweatshirt so I don't know how high the trims went up the sleeve.

I really am lovin' my finished trimmed sweatshirt.

Thanks Free People for the free idea!

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection

Had been planning and plotting my escape to Seattle, Washington for weeks when I realized departing a day early would put me in town for the first night of Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection.

I bought a ticket for the opening night fashion show and lucked out with a great seat.

A surprisingly large crowd turned out for the fashion show.
Outside the venue were displays of fashions and accessories by local Washington designers.
There was also complimentary beer and wine.

The energy and enthusiasm of these up and coming designers made for a spirited pre-show environment ( the complimentary beer and wine may have also helped )

Most designers already had well established businesses so the skill level was very high.

Hats by Boring Sidney Hats
www.boringsidney.com

These hats were phenomenal and the designer showed up at my next stop; Hat Camp!

The designer/milliner Belle McCluskey

Finally it was time for the show and I took my awesome, great seat.
Eleven independent designers presented their lines and I saw about 100 fashions parade down the runway!

Below are some highlights;