Heeeeere's to the LAAAAYdies who LUNCH, Rob crooned when he caught a glimpse of my getup. I hollered back laughter. Yep. Not my style, is it.
I don't know how to explain my fascination with this fabric. It's my Mood Sewing Network April offering, a scuba print from Anna Sui, found in-store. The more I looked at it, the uglier it got, and the uglier it got, the more I had to have it! Do you know what I mean? I truly can't explain it!
Making something for yourself that ultimately turns out to be not your style can be a bummer. And, in the middle of #fashrev week, it also points out the waste that we sewists can produce. But I like to look at the flip side of the coin. I enjoyed every minute of making this--I tried new techniques, and I made it well. Is that wasteful?
Everyone has their line in the sand. Leaving aside the myriad (important, ethical, needed) reasons for the focus of this week, my personal #fashionrevolution is about taking the reigns of my style, and making beautiful (or in this case, INSANE) armor with my own two hands. Do I save every scrap and try my best to use every inch of what I have? Just ask the bags of remnants waiting for their purpose in life. But my revolution also leaves room for discarding the things that keep me from moving forward. It leaves room for guilt free "failures." Creating, and trying, and succeeding, and failing, are all part of constant growth--the positives of creating something almost always outweighs any final outcome. As far as waste goes, time well spent isn't a waste.
What's more: the fact that I made it with my own two hands means it isn't going anywhere soon. Had I bought this piece RTW (likely at a fast fashion, cheap store, because that's what my wallet allowed when I shopped), it would be so easy to discard it. But when you know by execution the amount of work that went into it, it's not so easy. Luckily so! Just last week, I did a 180 and fell in love with a silk shirt dress that had languished unworn in my handmade closet for a full year.
Maybe a year's time will change my mind. Maybe this weirdo jacket would look exceptional on someone else! Who knows. It's not going in the bin, at any rate. There's too much thought in it for that. You can see it in a more sensible photo setting over at the Mood Sewing Network, including detail shots of the fancy bits that gave me hours of such tremendous glee.
What's your line in the sand for your Fashion Revolution?
I don't know how to explain my fascination with this fabric. It's my Mood Sewing Network April offering, a scuba print from Anna Sui, found in-store. The more I looked at it, the uglier it got, and the uglier it got, the more I had to have it! Do you know what I mean? I truly can't explain it!
Making something for yourself that ultimately turns out to be not your style can be a bummer. And, in the middle of #fashrev week, it also points out the waste that we sewists can produce. But I like to look at the flip side of the coin. I enjoyed every minute of making this--I tried new techniques, and I made it well. Is that wasteful?
Everyone has their line in the sand. Leaving aside the myriad (important, ethical, needed) reasons for the focus of this week, my personal #fashionrevolution is about taking the reigns of my style, and making beautiful (or in this case, INSANE) armor with my own two hands. Do I save every scrap and try my best to use every inch of what I have? Just ask the bags of remnants waiting for their purpose in life. But my revolution also leaves room for discarding the things that keep me from moving forward. It leaves room for guilt free "failures." Creating, and trying, and succeeding, and failing, are all part of constant growth--the positives of creating something almost always outweighs any final outcome. As far as waste goes, time well spent isn't a waste.
What's more: the fact that I made it with my own two hands means it isn't going anywhere soon. Had I bought this piece RTW (likely at a fast fashion, cheap store, because that's what my wallet allowed when I shopped), it would be so easy to discard it. But when you know by execution the amount of work that went into it, it's not so easy. Luckily so! Just last week, I did a 180 and fell in love with a silk shirt dress that had languished unworn in my handmade closet for a full year.
Maybe a year's time will change my mind. Maybe this weirdo jacket would look exceptional on someone else! Who knows. It's not going in the bin, at any rate. There's too much thought in it for that. You can see it in a more sensible photo setting over at the Mood Sewing Network, including detail shots of the fancy bits that gave me hours of such tremendous glee.
What's your line in the sand for your Fashion Revolution?
Your jacket is wonderful – stunning and beautifully made. I think the proportion is wrong for you and perhaps that's why you don't like it. I think if it were 3 or 4 inches shorter it would definitely be an Oona jacket.
ReplyDeleteThose are my two cents worth.
Vancouver Barbara
I agree! I think this would be stunning if it were cropped, like at empire length.
DeleteYes, I third the motion! But I should have mentioned... this started out knee length, then got cropped when I realized I didn't want a proper vent, and then I just couldn't stand to lose any more of those stripes! Perhaps if I can find some more of that gold trim, I can go shorter and trim the hem in gold...
DeleteThat trim is amazing. If you find it, please tell us where you found it.
DeleteVancouver Barbara
The jacket is really nice and the prints you've mixed are cool, it is the lack of colour that is shocking. I agree with Vancouver Barbara, I like the style of shorter jackets on you too. Question though, did you make that dress? If so, did you use a pattern and would you mind telling us which one? It looks like Vogue 1410 but the neckline is different.
ReplyDeleteAh, I did make the dress! Another forest for the trees moment, totally forgot to mention that. It's my own pattern, but looking at the line drawing for 1410 you could definitely get there from that envelope. It seems like 1410 might just have more width-- not sure of the fabric suggestion, but mine is a drapey jersey.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOkay I'm totally messing up your comments but this is an interesting take on the fashion revolution. And hey, your "deep" is showing!
Deleteyou can mess it up here all you want! And I just double checked my pics to be sure "deep" referred to thoughts and not some body part 😂
DeleteMaybe if you crop it to be the length of the panel? There is too much fabric when combined with the dress as well. Love the fabrics though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Judie! Yeah, bad pairing & length is the consensus and I totally agree. Gonna play around with this some more!
DeleteOh I SO agree Marcy, about making and not discarding " failures"! Admittedly I have some that are still languishing months later,but sometimes leaving them aside and then coming back to them sparks an idea for refashioning which can be even more satisfying!
ReplyDeleteIt's an impressive jacket nonetheless. And you're totally right - time spent learning and doing isn't a waste.
ReplyDeleteMy personal fashrev philosophy is responsibility. Making pieces that work with my current wardrobe and not making all the things just because I can
Gotta say, I love that you just jump right in and do your very best work to learn everything you possibly can from the experience even if the garment isn't working out. I like the potential of this, but fear that the boxy style in a conventional suit jacket length may be something that works better on taller women with minimal boobage ("ask me how I know"). I vote for one more go at it someday, but with elbow-length or longer sleeves, using a fabric that is more flowy (which, as we know from your magnificent long vest in black, white, fuchsia and light green, can transform boxy into elegant). You just never know! Cindy (Creative Hormone Rush)
ReplyDeleteI think this piece is gorgeous just as it is -- perhaps pairing it with something slimmer underneath, so that you get the contrasts between the big jacket and some tight pants? I see this as totally your style, with the different colors and patterns and the little gold trims here and there, the attention to detail. Your willingness to try different shapes and colors and patterns is something I aspire to do!
ReplyDeleteI could totally see this jacket with a tank, shorts and wedges for the summer! I have often looked at my "scrap pile" and felt a tinge of guilt over the waste but thank you for putting it in perspective! Sew on!
ReplyDeleteI like this jacket on you. Agree with your other commenters that it does not seem to go with the dress ... on you. With more casual underneathness, it should prove useful. Don't pair it with solids ... find another print that has the same colors ... or a total contrast of colors ... maybe a print that is smaller and less busy. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThe fit is so good, and the print is very "you." And if you save it until you are in your 60s, you'll fit right in with the rest of us Women of a Certain Age.
I like it. I think it needs a shiny gold dress and to go out and party.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else said, the jacket just needs to be combined differently! Agreed, nothing like putting in hours of your own time to make you value your clothes properly. I know I'm a bit late here but every week should be Fashion Revolution Week, right? For me it's all about considering my fabric sourcing as carefully as I'd consider the origins of a RTW garment (blog post: http://ow.ly/Q0yp30beQ3H).
ReplyDeleteCan I has the dress you are wearing?
ReplyDelete