Fifty Dollar Fashion: Week 3
/Say what?? We're more than halfway through our series! So much fashion inspiration, so little time!
But this series is more than just fashion on a budget. It's the journey of a sewist sinking her teeth into the complexity of creating women's apparel. Feats and Follies, remember??
The lessons learned this week revolve around fabric choice, and frankly ignoring the recommendations in order to fulfill my own visions.
First off: Can it be done?
Yes. My woven Jocole a-line tutorial proves that.
But here's the trick - you need to keep in mind the weight of your substituted fabric. Is it heavier or lighter weight than the intended fabrics? How will this fabric affect the shape of the garment? Does it stretch? Does it NEED to stretch? Ultimately fabric recommendations are less about the designer's "artistic vision" for their apparel, and more about... "will they fit over our lovely lady lumps?" And if they do, will they FLATTER said lumps? (I hearby promise not to use that word again in the rest of this post.)
blah blah blah, break for photo interlude
Colette Laurel, Knit Modification. Pssst, you can WIN that necklace in this month's giveaway!!
Above is a modified Laurel top. It's such a solid, simple design, I just had to try it in knit! And it worked out well.. the first time. This time? not so much. The off-white knit I had found in Jo-Ann's RedTag was not the best use for this pattern. It was so breezy and lightweight that the stitching of darts that was supposed to provide structure... really just ended up weighing down the blouse in all the wrong ways. In this case, failure to observe the pattern fabric guide can be summed up in two words:
Colette Laurel - Knit Modification & Midi Jocole A-line - Pleat Modification
Colette Laurel - Knit Modification, Midi Jocole A-line - Pleat Modification, Styled by Krystle Clark, Rep of Designer Jewelry by Sara Blaine
I'm convinced, fabric weight is important. Now what about "stretch"?
Remember those skinnies I posted last week? I was in love. Totally smitten. And instantly made another pair. A pair that taught me the valuable lesson of stretch.
I made the Jamie jeans out of non-stretch denim. (Not for this series. I actually went to the store and BOUGHT the wrong fabric. Zero excuse.) Saucy, dress-me-up, dark-wash denim, with awesome white pocket detail. *SWOON*
Named Jamie Jeans, Mouse House Creations Peter Pan Collar Peplum Top, Styled by Krystle Clark, Rep of Designer Jewelry by Sara Blaine
Here's a back view of those same pants:
Named Jamie Jeans, Victory Patterns Nicola Wrap, Styled by Krystle Clark, Rep of Designer Jewelry by Sara Blaine
Named Jamie Jeans, Victory Patterns Nicola Wrap, Styled by Krystle Clark, Rep of Designer Jewelry by Sara Blaine
Tune in to Pattern Revolution for my tutorial featuring the button-modification of the Nicola Wrap!
Now.. this you can't tell from photos, you'll just have to take my word for it. Stretch = Comfort. Can I put these on? Yes. Can I move? Sure. Will I wear them? You bet. But are they the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn? Not even close. Chasing two mobile littles requires a wide range of movement, that stretch would have afforded these pants, had I thought to consider it.
So there you have it: Fabric Selection. Thoroughly consider your substitutions!
Oh. Also. There's a special denim sewing needle. Who knew? Found out at my local quilt shop when I went to replace four universal needles I happened to break on this one pair of jeans.
Like I said last week: I don't know what I don't know. But I'm learning! And my confidence is building. And I'm well on my way to that dream wardrobe I have planned!
Make sure you head over and enter our Giveaway - and if you've been inspired to make something for yourself, we want to see it!!! Head over to our Link Up Party to show us what you made (there are prizes too!).
......Lumps. #youknowyouloveme
