Working with ideas and pins 11th September

Working with ideas and pins 11th September 

Today was a day of decision making and brain storming as I tried to figure out what I'm to do with my fashion and textile project. My day started early as I wanted to get some more ideas down before taking on this task. With a bag full of old jeans and my head buzzing with ideas, I sat and stared at the half finished jacket pined to the manikin.

After a night of research on up-cycling, I had one or two ideas. At the front of my mind was Judi Morales Gibson's Victorian Steampunk theme, as well as Liora Lassalle Jean's dress. However, her dress, a beautiful creation made up of lots of different jeans all stitched together didn't come into play till much later.

Turning my manikin around so I could see the back of what was then a coat, I had a thought. The image in my mind was the back of an old Victorian man's waistcoat, only more feminine and with a light fabric back. Using what was to hand, which was a flowing fabric and one of the belt straps, I cut off the jeans, and grabbed a hand full of pins,(carefully mind you) and set to work gathering the fabric and pining the belt strap in place.

After recording my handy work, I stood back and the first thing to hit me was the stability; an open loss back was well and good for the coat I had in mind yesterday, but not this. This was a waistcoat, or loosely designed on one, and needed stability. It needed sides. Taking scissors in hand, I cut into some more jeans. This time it was a large section of both legs and I opened them up. Removing the old sides of the coat and draping on the new larger fabric over the manikin, I pined and repined until I was happy with it.

Standing back and looking at my work, I was satisfied with my waistcoat idea, but now it looked short and a bit plain. No designer would ever want their piece described as plain.

After picking up bits of fabric and putting them back, I stared at the manikin as if it was going to give me an answer. I listened to the rest of the group which is entertaining if nothing else.

Whilst looking around and enjoying the loud banter of our group, the image of that lovely jean dress by Liora Lassalle entered my head. Why stop at a coat? Why not a dress? So that was it, it's a dress I wanted, and a dress it will be. Thank goodness I had the material.

Cutting away at the jeans took time, as well as getting just the right amount of fabric to cover and fit. I had to cut and add a second waistband from one of the jeans and add a bit of detail to the bodice by adding a line of stitching from the side of the jeans leg. That was it, all done. My design was finished ... for today anyway.

Then came the fun bit, the prep before using the sewing machine. This took a long time, and starting with the bottom I worked my way up. Sadly I couldn't finish it all today as there wasn't enough time, but tomorrow is another day, or at least Tuesday is, as that's the next time our group is doing fashion and textile.