Project Reveal

This past weekend I competed again in my local fabric store's Project Runway type competition, something they call Project Reveal.  This is the fourth year that Les Fabriques has been running this competition.  This year the theme was Paris and there were 13 outfits that were shown.  There was a three judge panel, one of whom was a professor from Virginia Commonwealth University.  The judges seemed to like a clean, well fitted design this year.  First place was a beautiful black and white, low-backed dress with a chevron bodice and horizontal stripes on the skirt.  Unfortunately, I did not get a photograph of this one.  Second prize was a beautiful evening suit designed and sewn by Tatiana and modeled by her friend Anna.  This suit is sewn in a wool silk blend of a greenish grey color.  The nest is made by Katarzyna Borek.  She makes amazing birds nests from wool and real eggs that are attached to a headband.

Third place was a beautiful Chanel suit made my Doris; she made her Chanel bag also.

So, I have had a busy few months, as you can tell by my lack of postings.  However, that is no real excuse, but I will have to work harder on getting my fit better if I decide to enter again.

In any case, here are some photos from the show.  This is my raincoat that I have posted about previously.  I finally finished all the handwork.  I embroidered the pockets, collars and cuffs with ribbon for Mokuba.  

My inspiration was Paul Poiret's Sorbet dress from 1913.

  I made it more contemporary using a peplum.  At the time I started this top, I didn't realize that peplums were the big controversy of fashion right now.  

I am also wearing a nest made by Kasia.  She made it especially to complement my coat.  I think she did a fabulous job.  The above photograph is full size so you can see the stitching.  The interior of the top is linen to give the silk a sturdy frame to be sewn to.  The outside is silk, and I think quilted around the flowers on the black, and quilted the outline of the flowers in black silk thread on the white silk.

I guess now that I have finished it, my main concern since I made it with the peplum is that it will look dated after this year.  

Friday Wardrobe Redo Update: Raincoat Part 2

I ripped apart my raincoat this week, in between caring for my son who is home sick with the flu again, poor boy.  I was thinking I would jump right in to cutting up, but better sense  prevailed.  I realized the fabric was quite dirty.  So, after getting a big pile of pieces, I put the wool fabric through the wash on Handwash setting and let it dry.  The label said dry clean only, so it was a risk.  The fabric came out fine, the hand hand changed a bit, much more drapey than before, and I haven't tested for waterproof ability.  However, now the fabric and lining are clean.

Next, I went through my patterns to decide what to do.  What I want is an elegant, yet rather funky coat  that is fitted and 3/4 length.  After looking through, I decided to use Vogue 8465.  I will not use the collar as is, and it will not be double breasted, but it is a good shape for the bodice with modifications.

I have started making the muslin and fitting it.  So, this is where I am to date.  I hope to be a bit farther along by next week's Friday update. 

  The other thing I did was to order ribbons and buttons.  I found a designer, Kristi Smart, whose work I admired when I looked through my back issues of Belle Armoire.  I won't be quite so funky with my design, but I did want a unique rather than off the rack look, so I went looking for special embellishments.  I have a few ribbons that I like, and I like to mix different ribbons together as you can see on my of my daughter's clothes such as the reversible Avalon jacket.  So, I went online and found some ribbon from one of my favorite designers Laura Foster Nicholson, who also happens to be a tapestry weaver.  I love her jacquard ribbons.   Have a look at her site LFNtextiles.  I also bought some ribbon a few years ago at Satin Moon Fabric Store in San Francisco.  What a beautiful store!  Anyway, I bought some Midori Chrysanthemum ribbon there and used it for a skirt I made.  I had only a few inches left and although it is now no longer made, I found some and bought 5 yards of it.  Finally, I was looking at special buttons and found some on a bead site which are Czech glass.  So, I will be using two of those.  I figured, since I am not using new fabric, I will buy some ribbons and buttons to make the piece special.  When the ribbons and buttons come in, I will share a photograph of them.