Giddy up

One of the main reasons I wanted to add a lil something to the zipper, was to simply have something to hold on to!  No more of that fumbling for the zipper as your (boy)friend whisks through the subway turnstile, wallet and subway card already back in the pocket.  Grrr.

The tassels strand actually took a lot longer than it looks.  Making it from scratch and figuring out how everything connects (while hiding the needed), and beading the threads all amounted to a few hours believe it or not!

It's almost a bit matchy-match for my taste, but I didn't want it to steal the show :)

Layers of layers

I'd started this piece when I saw the Sass & Bide clutch and was reminded of the American Apparel version and a few others.  Here's my take :)...

The layers were layered, and layered some more.  I liked the effect of the raw edges and with it being canvas, it definitely frayed so I let it be!  The bag itself is 16" x 10" x 3", but because of how it's sewn, it's volume is a couple inches smaller (14" x 8" x 1").

I like imperfections, so loose strands don't bother me.  I'm excited to finally use the leather and hopefully that, too, will age over time.

Here are shots of the inside:

Compartments are crucial in a bag, agreed?  So I took the liberty to add a couple (keeping my keys and phone separate for obvious reasons and I'm allergic to metals).  Plus a handy glasses/sunglasses hook with a scrappy piece of leather that just begged to be included.

Since I'm a bit late with this piece, and Tuesday-due-day is just around the corner, my next will be a quickie.  Don't you think the zipper-ring looks a bit lonely??

Glow worms

I like silk.  How it drapes, how it feels.  It's difficult to work with it but it's mostly worth it!

Unfortunately silk is not always so planet-friendly, but what if the worm itself produced colored silk???  Still in the early stages but it's a brilliant concept.

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Here are better shots of last week's look:

Above, back right of garment.  I sewed the pink silk on the "wrong" side of the fabric.  The correct side was a little too bright and pink for me, but I love the details of the jacquard-like petals, which I still showed along the hem and seam binding.  The orange silk is gauze-like and sheer.

Something bright

I'd set out to make "something bright".  That's what I told myself.  I really had no clue where it was going to go.  I kinda knew I didn't have enough fabric to cut symmetrical pieces, but I also knew that I'd (just have to) figure it out.

I don't know if it's the bright colors, or quick moving clouds today, but my camera really didn't want to take any decent photos!  Without flash, the camera saw: pink + orange = blurry.  (It's definitely how I felt after straining to see pink thread on orange.)

Anyway, here are some thumbnails:

I'm going to try to photograph it again tomorrow!

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I had to make a decision on the straps...the sewing turned to be a bit shady :)  I tried my best, I even did it twice, but the fabrics frayed and warped so much it was nearly impossible!  I most prefer it sans embellishment.  I love the knotting I did but it was a bit distracting (and frou frou for me).  So I stayed with the raw-edged wrapping.  Then tacked it down with some handy invisible thread.

Which version would you have picked?

Hippy

Ta da!  Not exactly what I pictured, but I like it :)

I would have liked to pleat the hip area, as the shirring was not quite enough to achieve my desired look.  I also needed more fabric to bias cut the entire side panels, thus the seam.  Now I just need a windy day to test it out, while taking big wide strides.  

Better photos to come!

A little black with blue

 

P.S. Happy Women's Day

What do you see

How did you fair on my Rorschach test?

Day and night

Here are some day time photos, plus a few shots made possible with an extra set of hands.

The shot immediately above shows the skirt hem, with the corners tucked in/inverted.  The night time flash photos from the previous post shows the corners out.  I think I'd wear them in however.

And IF I happened to stand over a gust of wind...Or if I were a marionette doll...And I could make 2D into 3D...this is what it would look like:

I like this last shot because it reminds me that I obtained my goals for this look:

...to create movement

...to be asymmetrical

...to not look like a handkerchief skirt

Yay.

Presenting look #2

I look forward to wearing this one.

[Above, 3/4 view, front, back, back hemline detail]

Don't look too closely, there are still threads hanging and ironing needed but that's what I get for finishing it at night and having to use flash.  Nobody looks good in flash, including Number 4 (have I introduced my mannequin?).  Sorry Number 4 - and when your front looks like your back, it's not good news.

More on this later!  Bed time.

Ta da

I am thrilled to present my first look of the week (or two :).  My real goal with Sewchique is to create art that's wearable.  I want to challenge myself and make clothes that I love!

Sounds simple right?

To be honest, I don't think it will be.  Rewarding?  Absolutely.  This look took me two weeks, off and on.  With fashion week (and Prince) in the schedule, this project just needed the extra week.  I underestimated the work needed to satisfyingly complete a chiffon garment - lesson learned and satisfied I am.

From now on *Tuesday* will be the official due day!

I love the hidden lace folded between the chiffon, the winged sleeves, and the front to back draping.  A lot of pinning was needed to keep things in place.  I hope I didn't leave any stray pins on the floor!