Friday, August 6, 2010

Simplicity 3835 (take 3)


I made this pattern using Built By Wendy for Simplicity 3835. It has become an old standby, I love this pattern. It is easy to make and always flattering and comfortable. I love Built By Wendy patterns and suggest her books as well. I will probably still be making this shirt in 10 years.
As always I Iengthened this pattern for my torso.
I picked up the plaid at a church rummage sale this summer, it definately has an 1980s menswear feel to it but it super thin and comfy.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

simplicity 2725



I made this top using Simplicity 2725. I used a vintage cotton print that I picked up at an estate sale a number of years ago. I found a whole box of vintage fabric shoved under a table in the basement and they gave it to me for 3 bucks--this is why I always dig around at estate sales!
I decided to keep this top pretty simple. The pattern allows for jabots, ruffles, and collars but I just loved the print to much too distract from it. This was an easy project but I'm not in love with it by any means. It is not very flattering--the armhole combined with the dart is really dowdy. I can only wear this top as shell under a cardigan, without the cardigan I look about 20 pounds heavier. I made a few adjustments to the pattern. I eliminated the zipper and just left a sort-of keyhole opening with a hook and eye. I eliminated the armhole facing in favor of bias tape and of course I had to lengthen it for my super long torso.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

an education


I am currently enjoying the tail end of my summer break before my senior year at ISU. I am working on my Bachelors Degree in Costume Design and I thought I'd share a few of my class projects from my last 2 semesters.

This is my final project in a construction class last fall. We had to create a period-piece bodice of our choice. I chose the Belle Epoch. This was my first experience draping and creating a pattern using a sloper.






 This past spring I took a course in Tailoring. One of the most difficult skills I have ever tried to learn. I would love to master this skill but I need years not weeks. This jacket is still not finished,it still needs buttons, hand bound button holes, and (obviously) a good steam and lint roll. I used this Vogue pattern but did not use the instructions because we had to use old school tailoring techniques. I'm definately gonna finish this jacket when I get back to school and can get a little help from my instructor. I ended up having all the fabric on hand for this project, the wool was a hand me down from my grandma and I had the lining in my stash already--I love when this happens!


For my final in Tailoring we had to make a corset. In my Costume History class and in the Tailoring lecture on corsets we learned about the unpleasant side effects of wearing a corset. I won't go into to detail but it wouldn't take you long to look it up and you would be horrified. Because this corset had to fit us and we had creative control I decided to make mine a little funny. I dyed it a coral-red and I hand painted some sad faced organs on the front with the word Be Kind to Your Insides.