Fendi-ing for myself

Since i started my pattern cutting class, i am extra inspired when I read my magazines, knowing that i can put my learning into practice to recreate some of the things i see.

This term we have been drawing our bodice and sleeve blocks and learning about how to adapt them to different styles. It feels like progress has been slow this term, but i think it is just that those are quite complicated things to draft, and also take a bit more concetration to make up the toiles (i spent one evening just fitting in a sleeve!)

For my class project, i have decided to recreate a shirt dress i saw in the catwalk collections - this Karl Lagerfield dress for Fendi. I think it will be good practice for a lot of different block manipulation features. And i like to think i can have something that has been designed by Karl Lagerfield (although perhaps not with the same production skills as the house of Fendi. time to put to use this book i think)

I am now at the stage where I have created a mini version of the design using these miniature blocks. It's a good way to work out the techniques and mathematics needed without getting involved with massive pieces of paper.

Here are the mini pattern pieces i made from the mini blocks. I have managed to do away with the darts and create panels with curved seams, and added a collar to the front (needs some work!) With the sleeve block i put in some darts at the shoulder to make them boxier.

And here is the minature toile to see how it worked...

I am pleased to be at this stage. The mini dress is only put together very roughly, but it was useful to see how the pieces fit, especially with curved seams. I think it was good to have a little practice or i might have been a little daunted. I have some things to consider for the final pattern drafting too so this has been a very useful stage indeed.

good job!

Yours coming along,

Emilia xx

skirting around

It feels like ages since i have made anything new to wear and it is beginning to show in my wardrobe i fear. So last week i decided it was time to get back to some dressmaking.

I found some lovely blue grey fabric in The Stitchery at The Riverside in Lewes. It is quite light weight but hangs well and i really fell for the colour. it was a bit pricey so i only bought 60cm of it but managed well enough. Thrifty!

The skirt i chose to do was this old faithful 1978 a-line pocketed design. I have a couple of these and really like them. Easy to make and easy to wear.

i like to put my hands in the pockets

Wonderful!

Yours, bird in a skirt,
Emilia. xxx

drew back the curtains... oooh ohh

I am enjoying this first proper weekend in my new house. it has been far more relaxing than the last - and better to focus on the fun tasks rather than the unpacking and cleaning type jobs.

The next thing on my list after 1. tea cosy and 2. table mats and coasters was 3. curtains for the sitting room

I had to be quite careful when purchasing materials as there are two of us with quite different tastes to please. instead of opting for florals, i decided something more neutral was in order. i went looking for something heavy to help keep the warmth in and had in mind some orange, woolly check fabric. unfortunately i couldn't find anything to match my specifications but instead got this brown and grey tweed. I think this was a good choice for our room. especially for when our sofa arrives (charcoal coloured - soon i hope)

the fabric in close up - it's nice and soft

because the weave of the fabric is quite loose, it caused me a bit of a problem with squaring them up and attaching the lining. i didn't manage to get them perfect, but now they are hanging they look okay (although we could probably do with  few more curtain rings)

it's hard to photograph curtains - a real issue with lighting

i am very happy with this day's work - what a difference they make to the room. And i think they are keeping us cosy too.

Yours from behind the curtains,

Emilia xxx

Be Square

I am devoting lots of attention to making our new flat into a warm and inviting abode and the next thing on my list after 1. tea cosy was 2. a set of coasters and table mats (because we have a table for eating - quite grown up)

My first idea was to knit some using one of the lovely stitches in my reader's digest book, but realised that this was making quite a lot of work for myself. Instead i decided to use a few icecream colours i had in my leftover wools and made some granny squares, inspired by some lovely coasters my friend Debbie gave me a couple of christmas ago.

I have run out of wool now, but have 4 table mats and 4 coasters. This should be enough as so far we have only had two of us for dinner. Guests soon i hope.

it is nice to be making useful things for the house and not just clothes. I have also had a go at some flatpack furniture. i am pleased to be expanding my making skills!

yours at home,
Granny

a cape crusade

On sunday it was the SYBC show and i got to see my creations on the stage! All the children did such a good job, and with the full effect of costumes and lighting, and all the chocolates we ate during the performance, it was such a very lovely evening.

It was such a good feeling to see my costumes in action and at the end of the show i got called on to the stage to receive a thank you gift. i was scared of walking in front of all those people, but it was nice to get an applause.

This week i was asked to make some capes for a school production of Alice in Wonderland. that's sweet then. I don't like to say no to such tasks - so despite being in quite a need for a rest and quite ill with a cold, i said yes.

I am pleased with this one - a cape for the eagle. i cut out some feather shapes which really swish when you flap.

 i am ill

it is a shame i won't get to see this show, but this was a fun little task. i like all these costume projects.

this weekend will be spent with my feet up!
Yours the caped crusader,
emilia bird xx