Monday, March 30, 2015

Out of Alberta - My Tina Givens Style

I mentioned in a couple of previous posts (here and here), that I was exploring Lagenlook and in particular, the patterns by Tina Givens who describes her style as 'Out of Africa with a 1920's twist.  I am paraphrasing here and there is more involved, but this is what I am drawn to!  Would you like to see what I have been up to?!


I have made six pieces so far, one pair of cropped trousers, three slips, one dress and a jacket/coat . . . . but first, a couple of apologies.  I can only take photos after work (I could take them at weekends, but I am too busy sewing, c'mon!) and our deck is west facing so it gets very sunny, so I am wearing sunglasses in these photos - it was that or a squinted up face.  I know which one that I prefer!  Secondly, I have been a bit boring with accessories and shoes . . . . I used the same throughout.  OK, photos:

Tan rayon trousers with the first white rayon top.  This was the first top and the armscye is too big, however, with a jacket or top on, it is perfect.   Jaqueline pattern:



And with the Peplone Jacket in a lovely, soft cotton.  I need to add some buttons to the front of this:



Tan trousers and tan slip.  This slip was supposed to be a different dress, but I cut the neckline too big so used the Jaqueline pattern as much as I can.  This top has a typical 'Tina Givens' feature - a scrap of fabric stitched to the front.  I also used my TNT Sorbetto top so this fits me better on the shoulder, bust, neckline and armscye.  I was also running short of fabric so had to add a centre front seam:




It looks great with the jacket as well!


The coral slip is made out of linen, and was mentioned with the white slip and tan trousers here:




And finally, I made the Briare Dress.  It is actually a free pattern, but I have linked to the version that you pay for as you need to sign into the website to get the freebies.  The top is a loose fitting vest top with two layers pleated and attached for the skirt.  Both fabrics are cotton - the pink has a slub finish and the white is almost a 'pulled thread' type of fabric.  Both are very light and airy:


It was really sunny outside - gorgeous!



The dress can be worn both with or without the trousers, and I was lazy here and kept them on!  I may be moving a little into milkmaid territory here, but I love it!!!

So there you go.  These are the first six pieces for the 2015 SWAP and I am rather liking how it is turning out.  I have lots of close up details and other info, but this post is getting rather long, so that will follow in the next couple of days.


As ever, my faithful boys were watching the 'shoot', checking that all was well!  My tripod was balanced on the iron table, in case you are wondering what the contraption is!


Have you started your Spring sewing yet?  Could you be tempted by loose, cool layers straight Out of Africa?!


19 comments :

  1. I love that style, you could even go bohemion with that pattern , looks great!

    Helen

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    1. Thank-you Helen - it certainly feels rather BoHo - can't wait for the weather to warm up (we had snow this evening!!) so that I can parade my new wares!

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  2. Beautifully stylish! And so cool, I imagine. I am in truth too short to carry off loose layers successfully, although I do love a looser fit, especially for tops. I don't like feeling overly restricted in my clothes. Just a question - do you get better summers than in the UK?

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    1. You could try one or two garments - the designer has less, cough, cough, height that I do (I'm 5'7") - and see what you think!

      As far as the summer are concerned - I would say that they are more consistent, and other than the odd hail/thunderstorm, summers are pretty dry here. I would say that they are not any hotter - probably about the same as the UK, but for more days. And the blue skies. Here is Alberta (apart from the mountains) it is very flat so we can see horizon to horizon and the sky is a fabulous blue!

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  3. They are all pretty and I love the colors! My favorite is the Peplone jacket. I started spring sewing...skirts right now.

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    1. Thank-you - I love skirts, just what we need now that Spring is upon us!

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  4. What a change in style for you - and it must be wonderful sewing a whole new wardrobe concept. Will be so lovely to wear in summer.

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    1. It is rather strange - but definitely fun. I really am struggling with casual clothes, and I think that these will work well . . . . as long as we have a good summer! Thank-you!

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  5. How lovely.. Love that coral color too. Nice to be sewing a new wardrobe..have fun.

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    1. Thank-you, the coral was a bit of a gamble, but I love how is works with the neutrals.

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  6. Really nice pieces and gentle colours that suit you so well. Perfect for summer

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    1. Thank-you - these are the first garments for the SWAP. I was a bit late throwing my hat in, and I picked up some more fabric on the way home, so this weekend will be fun!

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  7. Fabulous. Love the colours you have chosen and really love the style on you - especially the top.

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    1. Thanks BeaJay - I can sniff that Spring is around the corner, and I will be ready for it this year with my new clothes!

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  8. I think these look like a lot of fun- edgy shapes and comfy structure. Nice.

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    1. Thank-you! It is a bit 'out of the box' for me, but I have to admit to being a little obsessed - and I'm loving it!

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  9. Thank you for your TG post. I have sewn 3 of her free patterns and I just can't decide what to think other than the neck and arm holes are just too big! I love many of the looks and want to make them work. Can you explain how you used the Sorbetto top for the bust, neck, arm hole area? I love the Sorbetto! Thank you.

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    1. Thank-you Maggie! I agree, the arm and neck openings are too big for my liking, although I notice that the designer often wears t-shirts or vest tops underneath.

      What I did was have the Sorbetto top fitted so that I like the arm and neck opening - I also had to have a bigger dart. I then placed the Sorbetto front pattern on my cutting board, laid the TG pattern on top (I'd traced that from the .pdf). Then I started a third layer with my new tracing paer and copied the Sorbetto for the arm and neck openings and shoulders. I then made sure I accounted for the open dart (I just made sure that the width would be the same as if I had sewn the dart) and then I morphed the line from the Sorbetto into the line of the TG pattern along the side lines. The rest of the sides and hems were as per the TG pattern. The back piece was the same, with the exception that I cut is on the fold (my Sorbetto allows for a sway back which is not really an issue with the TG patterns). What I have found is that the top portion fits really nicely, and then the fabric swooshes down and gives me the volume lower down where it is needed. And no saggy arms or neck openings!

      I hope that make sense, if not, I'll take a few photos and put them in a post.

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  10. Love how the Peplone Jacket turned out. The Jacqueline turned out beautiful as well. I have several of the Tina Givens patterns as well but not those two. I two am 5ft 7in and I have made the Cara pants and absolutely love them but could have added an inch or so on the length. I also love the Zelda top and pants when I made them up. A pleat or something straight down below the bust, which I did not do might also define the waist a little on Zelda. Since am already busty that might help the look some. I still love the complete look of Zelda very much though. I don't mind mentioning my weight at 200 pounds and so far most of her loose patterns are very becoming for my weight.


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