Project Runway Ain't Got Nothin on Us

Special treat for you today...straight from my classroom!

I'm teaching Fashion Merchandising this fall, on a 4x4 block, which translates to 1 semester of class delivered in 9 weeks! (i.e. I'm locked in a room with the darlings for 90 minutes each day.  90 MINUTES WITH 27 TEENAGE GIRLS.  That explains alot, huh?   Nah, they're all really sweet and most of the time they're not giving me the eye glare of doom.)

It helps they still think I'm fashionable.  Lord help me when they figure out how old I really am.

The week before Thanksgiving, they had a project to practice their understanding of the elements & principles of design, and basic garment shapes (straight, a-line, bouffant, bustle, etc.)  I like to call it Trashy Fashion, and it was inspired by the Season 6 episode of Project Runway, where they created fashions from newspaper:

In essence, each group has two days to design a garment and accessory from newspapers, packing tape, and any recyclable materials they bring from home.  On the 3rd day, we have a little fashion show and then they get to parade through a few classrooms of willing teachers. (We've never been invited through the math hall. I have no idea why.) 

This year's fashions may be the best bunch ever!  They're amazing!  Group shot (heads chopped off for obvious reasons):

And some closer detail shots of the dresses!  The hot pink on this dress is recycled Forever21 bags:

Some of the little trims I allowed because these girls are master negotiators.  Their argument was..."but it's leftover from a previous project, so technically it could be considered trash".  Um, OK. Pickin my battles, daily.  And that's not one of them! haha!

There was so much detail on this next one, I wish I had taken closeup shots of each little piece.  It was incredible!!

Yes, this is a boy, and his girlfriend is in the class.  She insisted he be the model for their group.  He was cracking me up in his runway walk.  By far the best runway model!  The dress is beautiful. It has an intricate woven/pieced bodice that this photo doesn't do justice to.  And the fanned ruffle placement on the skirt?  So well thought out.

 The colors on this dress come from recycled color copy paper.  I love the pops of color!
 

The zebra duct tape snuck in under the radar of "is this allowed".  She was taped into that dress pretty darn fast, on the principle of "ask for forgiveness later".  haha!  It really is cute.

Pretty cool, huh?  Keep in mind, they had roughly 3 hours to make the garment (and an accessory), and they're "fitting" real people, not rail thin models or a perfectly proportioned dressform.  (well, for the most part.  Of course they're little things, they're teen girls!)

In any case, I'd say the PR folks should be paying attention. We're gunning for them.

TGIF everyone!!

TGIF!

Woohoo!!

What a week.  I had 2 "Professional Development" days, 3 brand new classes of little children to educate (ha, "little" as in many of whom are taller than me), and an absolutely wonderful bronchitis/sinus infection to make the evenings a real pleasure.  (that last one was sarcastic. In case you didn't catch on.)

I even fell asleep halfway through this last night:

Project Runway All Stars

How awesome was it to see Sweet P and Mondo and Anthony!  And April and Kenley! I was always one of Kenley's biggest fans, and always suspected she was a victim of unfair editing during her season (which I think was later more blatant in Wretchen's season. Who was truly Wretched and no one will ever convince me otherwise. NO ONE disses Tim Gunn).

Anywho.

There was no progress on my Ottobre top.  But I plan to whip it up quick this weekend and then move on to something else, maybe something from my stack of Butterick/Vogue patterns (from the sale last week) or maybe a Colette pattern.  I'm really wanting to do a Colette pattern... I've also never blogged my finished Violet blouse, because it still needs buttons. (who else waits 4 months for buttons?)  I think I'll go with pearl and stop worrying about "perfect" so I can start wearing it!

Right now I'm starved so I'm going to veg and watch some of him

Fringe Returns Next Friday!!

and eat some of this

Happy Weekend!

Famous Frocks

Oooh, have you seen this book:

 

I think it looks really intriguing!  The jacket copy at Amazon lists some of the famous frocks, belonging to beloveds such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth, Bette Davis, Jackie Kennedy...  Wow.  And patterns are included too (although sadly only to a 37" bust.  Since when is a 37" bust a Large?)

One of the authors is a patternmaker and teacher at Apparel Arts in San Francisco, which makes me really excited.  There seems to have been a rash of sewing books the past few years written by people with limited experience and skill sets.  Sewing, like any other creative art, is something that really evolves and grows over time; call me old fashioned (or just OLD), but I'm ready for some real experience and solid talent to break onto the scene!

Shannon mentioned just today that most sewing books on the shelves right now seem to be directed at the beginner...but there are an awful lot of us out here who are NOT beginners and haven't been for quite a long, ahem, time. So I'm looking forward to this one!

Also, I hate to ask.  Really, I do.  But did anyone watch the premiere of PR last week?

I haven't yet.  On the fence here.  I'm still not over Wretchengate.

6.5

Inches that is! Here's my quilt square for the PatternReview.com Friendship Quilt '09!!


I used a free foundation pieced sewing machine block from Quilters Cache. You can get the pattern free HERE.

I love the teeny tiny thread spool. Mine is a tad wonky...but it's so cute I don't care!


I hand embroidered my PR name with red #5 pearl cotton. Also slightly wonky. Ah, handwork.


Notice the ravelly edges? I probably should have embroidered BEFORE trimming down to the required 6.5". Whoops. I think there's still enough edge left to stitch to the sashing.

If you're a member of PR, you should join the fun! I think Deepika has roughly 40 blocks right now. The only requirements are that the finished block should be 6.5" square and they have to be postmarked by January 15.

Go HERE to read all about it!

Mini-Wardrobe Storyboard!

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I've entered the August Mini-Wardrobe contest over at PatternReview.com. At first I wasn't sure August was the best month for me to be attempting a contest (I still don't think it is, LOL!) but...I'm joining the fun anyway!!

I finished my storyboard today, although its of course subject to change. I've really been wanting "prettier" clothes. I sew a lot of easy wear stuff because that's my lifestyle, especially outside of school. But there's no reason I can't have some really pretty clothes for work and other outings, right? I took my inspiration from my vintage pattern stash and a long perusal over at anthropologie.

Here's my storyboard (click for a large view):


Barbara Stanwyck has always been my favorite actress! Well, behind Judy Garland when I was a little girl, of course. Ok, to dissect my choices, remember I was going for a vintage feel. I knew the first pattern I had to use was an one I've had in stash since 1995!!!

Vogue 1575 is a DKNY dress pattern, but I'll be using it as a top (shortening the skirt portion.) It will be in this windowpane black georgette:


My other top is also a dress pattern, New Look 6672, which is a darling sundress pattern. I'm shortening it to a top to reproduce one I saw at anthropologie, and I'll be using this gorgeous white dot voile from Gorgeous Fabrics. I've been hoarding this one!


My bottoms will be a nice trouser style pant (Vogue 1035, an Alice + Olivia pant) in this darkwash stretch denim:


and a half-circle skirt from Simplicity 4236 in this fun cherry print cotton:


I'll be making muslins over the next week so I'm ready for the contest come 8/1! And I still need to finish my mauve tee too. I've got a busy week!

Weekend WooHoo!

(But where did the week go?) If you haven't voted in the PR Wardrobe Contest, all of the entries are up and voting has begun! There are SO many great entries! But my favorites are Emo's "The Clothes Make the Economist" (I would wear every single piece here.)


and I also loved and Reehti's Mellow Yellow:


I did make a decision between the two and voted. Go vote for your favorite!

I haven't done any sewing yet this weekend, but I did win these on ebay this week and they arrived yesterday! I love both of them!


And while perusing some of my Etsy buddies' stores, I ran across these HILARIOUS cards from a fellow Okie girl, The Surly Girlie: For when you just can't find it in the Hallmark section...


And my personal favorite...

(Not that I would ever need any of these. Of course.)

One Pattern, Multiple Looks

Click here for the New contest at PR!!

I'm entering this one. Maybe with more than one pattern! Basic rules are:
1. Choose 1 pattern to create several different looks.
2. If the pattern includes multiple types of garments (e.g. a wardrobe pattern), then just ONE of the garments can be used (e.g., the skirt, the top, the jacket or the pants).
3. You can change length, add a ruffle, add trim, change fabrics, etc. etc. etc. You just can't redraft the pattern to make a new look!

So you CAN leave off sleeves to make a sleeveless version of a top but you CAN'T draft a raglan sleeve from a set in sleeve pattern (like anyone would do that crazy stuff anyway!)

My pattern choice...Simplicity 5074. A TNT (tried-n-true) pattern for me, I'll be making (hopefully) several versions of the drawstring pants.


Here's the line drawing to give you a better visual of the pant...


Thankfully the pattern already comes with a couple of easy variations...drawstring bottoms, or NOT. Patch cargo-esque pockets, or NOT. I'm planning on a few more inventive changes though. Like...
1. Cargo shorts, with a little cuff or roll, and a buttoned tab on the side hem?
2. A straight leg (possibly slightly widened) flowing pair of rayon crinkle gauze dressy pants.
3. Linen capri length pants in a floral linen/cotton blend.
4. Black patch pocket, with drawstring capri's exactly like the pattern cover (my "original" interpretation of the pattern).
5. Lengthened to high-heel tipping evening pants in rayon velvet (great for winter...which is SO far away, but I'll be glad this winter I've got them!)
6. Comfy flannel pj pants...slightly tapering the leg.
7. Silky oriental print...slightly narrow the leg and lengthen to ankle-skimming length.
8. Bermuda length shorts...patch pockets, no cuff in a pink with navy seersucker stripe (I call it my "cape cod" fabric, LOL!)

And those are just my immediate thoughts for changing this pattern! It helps somewhat that I've made this pattern at least 1/2 a dozen times already in yet OTHER looks than these. Of course I can't use any of those...these garments have to be made between June 1 and July 31.

First pair up: The "original pattern" interpretation, black rayon capri lengthen with patch pocket & drawstring hem. They're cut out and partially seamed. I'll post a pick as I get each garment finished!

Stay tuned!

a.