In Sewing News Today...

I made another skirt. Do you want to guess what pattern I used? Yup, Vogue 1247, I don't think I'll never get bored of this pattern. I made my third version of this skirt in a blue cotton fabric with the same hem length (ten additional inches) as the other two versions. At this length they're perfect for work.

I do find now that I'm adding colour into my wardrobe that it has been a challenge to find skirt/pant length invisible zippers in my local fabric store that match my fabric.   

Luckily, I am able to find a match in dress length zippers. I can work with that.  

I start off with marking off where I want my zipper to end and I use a heavy weight thread to hand stitch a stop point.  

I can finish off the raw edge with the serger but what I like to do is sew on a small strip of seam binding to finish it off.

And that's how I solved the zipper issue.

I am going to take a break from sewing Rachel Comey skirts. The three I have in my closet right now should serve me well over the summer. Although, I might have to revisit the pattern for a winter version of this skirt in wool.

Until then, I've been thinking about my next re-fashion project.

Do you have anything in your closet that you have held onto for a long time and just can't get rid of even though it no longer fits?

I have a Precis jacket in a beautiful rose print. It is in a size 6, I haven't worn it in years because like I said, it doesn't fit. But I don't have the heart to part with it. I love the print.  

The sleeves are snug.  The button front of the jacket is well let's say it's decorative because it can't close the front. The back shoulder width feels snug. I really gained a few pounds since the last time I wore this.   

{Source}

Sew, I'm taking inspiration from one of my all-time-favourite designers, Jean Paul Gauthier. The plan is to give my rose Precis jacket a new life and patch it back together after I take it apart. I have in my fabric stash some ivory coloured cotton sateen that will match the stretch cotton of the jacket. 

I'm trying to save as much as the jacket fabric as I can including the ribbon. But before I can piece it back together I should get my seam ripper and get to work. 

Sew, I'll be off deconstructing a jacket.  

And for the moments when I want a break from the seam ripper I might head over to the sewing machine and add a few more pieces to the patchwork blanket.  I'm up to a hundred twenty squares! Just a few more hundred to go.   

That's all in sewing news today.  

Happy Sewing!  

  

Feathers!

Jean Paul Gaultier has created quite a stir with his Fall 2011/12 Couture collection.

Even though the collection has underpinning of the dark side of fantasy with hints of goth he balances it off with fanciful, colourful feathers!

From the hard lines of leather to the soft draping of his gowns his collection was nothing short of fantastical.

Gautier certainly is in tune of the feather's re-appearance in popular culture and clothing... or more precise, headgear and purses.

Feathers for some time have been a staple in the Kate-inspired fascinator looks that have trickled down to the retail stores in the suburban malls.

Gautier took it delightfully further!

Black feathers I used on a black
sequined dress once-upon-another
life

Of course, when the spectacle of the couture show is over how does one wear feathers?

Can the look be toned down and translated into the simple lives of the home sewer?

Or are they the trimming of fanciful can-can, samba or pow-wow costumes.

The conservative fabric store selections found here in the prairies hardly translate into the styles of the Paris runways.


None of the feathers found in my sewing supplies were discovered in Winnipeg. I came across them in the fabric district expeditions in Toronto and Montreal.

I have to say I'm excited at the possible opportunity and inspiration to use these trimming in a new creation. Likely, nothing as exciting as Gauthier's designs (I wish!), probably more in line with decorating a winter muff.

How about you? Are you inspired by what is shown in the couture collections? Would you use these delicious trimmings in your sewing projects? Do tell!