Saturday 15 June 2013

"Give me a closet* and I will fill it"

...the famous words of Picasso (*okay, so he was talking about a museum, not a closet). 
Where the early 20th century artist had Montmartre, we have Liberty!

I got to hang out at Liberty with my mom recently, when she was visiting.  We spent the afternoon wandering  wide eyed from floor to floor, inspecting the stitches on the stunning outfits on the fashion floors, dreaming up designs, gushing over the fabrics on the haberdashery floor and then replenishing our blood sugar with flourless chocolate cake, scones and cocktails in the cafe.  (All part of the experience, we told ourselves.)

If Picasso were a 21st century home sewer maybe he would have picked up this artist-like paint splatter Melly Tana Lawn (incidentally also purchased by Almond Rock around the same time - can't wait to see what Amy does with it).
I bought about a metre of fabric so I made this boxy summer blouse with a loose peplum, slightly longer in the back, and petal sleeves.
I went for a snap closure on the shoulder to avoid a centre back seam.
The petal sleeves are lined with self facing.  I didn't line the rest of the blouse, to keep it light and summery.
A final photo paired with my scrapbuster collar.  Too much? ...maybe... but can't a sewer be eccentric too?

At least temporarily...  

Friday 7 June 2013

Scrap Buster Project - Patchwork Necklace

Here's another quick and low effort scrapbuster project.  With this one, you won't burn a whole in your scrap heap but you can reincarnate some favourite fabric -  in a fun collar or fabric necklace. 
I used some scraps of sequins fabric and pink satin from a previous dress, that I couldn't bear to throw away.
 First, I sewed the scraps together in kind of a a slapdash patchwork quilt manner, to create a full piece to cut a template out of. The seams create an abstract effect which I think in a way is nicer than cutting out of a complete piece.  It would be fun to use different pieces of fabric too.
 I used my blocks as a template to trace a neckline.  When I was satisfied with the shape I added my seam allowance.
You don't need to use a block - you can trace the neckline of a favourite bodice pattern or draw one freehand, testing to make sure it lays flat around your neck.  Dropping the top of the neckline by a few centimetres will give you more of a necklace effect opposed to a collar.
One thing to remember - bear in mind the thickness of your fabric and give yourself enough space at the ends to pull the piece right side out - see below.
I cut out two pieces, and added interfacing to the satin fabric on the back.
Next you need to sew them right sides together, along to two long edges, in order to pull the piece right side out through the ends.  If you don't have enough space to do this, remove a few stitches as I've done below, which you can restitch by hand later.  
Sew on a ribbon or other form of closure.
VoilĂ ! 
Happy Friday.