Out of Alberta - SWAP 2015 Complete

Phew, I was late to the game, but I completed my SWAP (sewing with a plan) this weekend.  This is an annual contest that runs from December through to April and involves making around 11 garments ( I think that the total may vary from year to year, and the rules certainly do).  This year, they were as follows:

This year, I'd like to see us turn our attention back a bit to the original concept of a wardrobe that works well together -pieces that all coordinate and form a cohesive collection with a huge number of possible combinations.  However, we're still a sewing board, and I still believe "sewing" should be the primary focus.

So.... Let's return to the tradition 11-garment format, with all the tops working with all the bottoms, and wildcard garments that work with every other item.  

This year, we need to make:

5 tops
3 bottoms
3 "wildcard" items

For our "sewing" focus -and this year's twist- let's make at least one garment that is reversible, transformable, or upcycled from another garment. For instance: a dress that can be worn as a shirt, a pair of pants that can roll up to be worn as shorts, or a jacket that can also be a dress.  "Upcycling" includes remaking an older garment into something new, taking a vintage pattern and modernizing it into a more current style, or recycling the fabrics or notions from another item to incorporate it into something new.  The original item to be reworked does not need to be a garment; you can remake a dozen scarves into a skirt or transform an old handbag into a collar and cuffs -use your imagination.The "wild card" options can be just about anything you like, but they must be "garments" not accessories (hats, bags, blankets, etc.) 

As I mentioned in previous posts, here, here and here, I wanted to try something very different, and I used patterns from a designer called Tina Givens.  She has her own couture line here, and she certainly has an unusual 1920's meets 'Out of Africa esthetic.

This is what my final collection looks like:

Before editing.  I actually made more clothes than I needed.  Just in case!  Unfortunately, the pair of patterned trousers did not make the final cut as not all my tops worked with them.  Nonetheless, I think that they are great, and they will be worn.  Lots!

Here are my finished 11 - five tops, three bottoms, two dresses (that can be worn on their own or doubled up as tunics) and a duster coat/tunic.

Here are the individual garments:

And a few close up photos:

And I was also intrigued to see how many 'looks' I could get out of these garments.  Would you care to take a look? (the answer is after the collection of photos):

5 tops x 1 pair trousers (#1) + 1 duster = 10

5 tops x 1 pair trousers (#2) + 1 duster = 10

5 tops x 1 pair trousers (#3) + 1 duster = 10

2 dresses on their own + with/without the duster + with the trousers (#1) = 8

2 dresses + with the trousers (#2) + with/without the duster = 4

2 dresses + with the trousers (#3) + with/without the duster = 4

For a grand total of 46 looks! Well, that's 'Me Made May' sorted!!  And on the subject of numbers, Tina Givens actually sells her Couture Collection, and I priced up some of the items that I had made.  For my costs I did not pay more that $8/m, the trousers took 2m and the slips/dresses/jacket 3m:

Trousers x 3 = 3 x $270 = $810.  My Costs 3 x $16 = $48
Slips x 5 = 5 x $279 = $1395.  My Costs 5 x $24 = $120
Dresses x 2 = 2 x $349 = $698.  My Costs 2 x $24 = $48
Jacket/Tunic x 1 = 1 x $308.  My Costs 1 x $24 = $24

Now, it would be fair to throw in some thread, buttons, elastic, 3 x TG Sewing Patterns etc - let's say $50.  I am not going to price out my time as I sew as a hobby - this is my entertainment.  So let's look at the totals:

TG Couture = $3201 or $291 per item
Spotty Dog Social Club = $290 or $26 per item

Interesting.  My costs are just less than 10% of the designer originals.  The Couture items are actually sold in a shop in Calgary - I'll have to wear some of my collection and then go and stalk the shop!  Do you cost out your clothes?  Do you think that it is fair to compare with the Couture originals?

Meanwhile, back with the SWAP . . . . . I checked the dates on Artisan's Square (who run the SWAP) and I posted on February 24th that I intended on taking part - so about 8 weeks to make these garments.  Not bad really - the joys of using simple but fun patterns!

I'm just waiting to see what the instructions are for submitting photos etc - I have dozens more photos, and will attempt to load them to Flickr, for you to see.  I've no idea if that link will work - I don't use Flickr very often!

Finally, I wanted to upload just one more photo - after all, Alberta is cowboy country!

More Tina Givens - The Phoebe Top and Trousers and a Touch of Jaqueline

I've made the Phoebe trousers a few times already, but hadn't made the top that goes with these trousers.  Here is the pattern from the Tina Givens website:

Actually, I'm kind of lying a bit.  I have made the top out of white rayon (under layer) and blue patterned cotton (upper layer), but I cut the blue too short and the proportions were not very flattering, and the combination of fabrics looked like an apron that my grandmothers would have worn, so I did not complete it.  Nonetheless, I wanted to give it a go - and I made it as part of the garments I was sewing for the 2015 Artisans Square SWAP:

As you can see, I only made the one layer and chose the longer inner layer.  I changed the sleeves up a little and made cap sleeves, and made the same changes that I would ordinarily make - sloping shoulders, dartless FBA. I also put a seam in the back to save a little on fabric and to break up the expanses of fabric.  I used my serger to make a rolled hem, and shaped the neckline a little to make it more 'v' neck.  I made a small facing that I attached iron-on interfacing to support the neckline, and sewed it down with some top-stitching to keep it from rolling to the right side.

It is a cute top that looks great in these photos - once the volume has been tamed.  There is a lot of fabric in this top, and when I make it next, I will take out some of the volume.  What I do like - and this is rather strange, is the side seams that are curved to give tulip shape.

One of my cottons cardis (Simplicity 2154), co-ordinates very nicely with this top - and the Phoebe trousers - I'm just not sure if I would be better off with a cardi with a shaped hem, rather than a straight, horizontal one.  I need to think about that!

The fabric is a white linen - the same line that I used for the trousers (above and below), and another 'Jaqueline' top (below) that I made with a cute lace patch on the front:

Here is a close up:

This is my 'Ruth' of Core Couture pose.  She often stands side on/quarter turn and always looks fab!

Nothing new about this slip or the co-ordinating trousers - But I love them!

And what about the 'props'?  The chair with a bag and a cowboy hat?  I was taking (dozens) of photos that show all the items that I had made for the SWAP that I have titled 'Out of Alberta' so I had to throw in a cowboy hat!  I'm nothing if not subtle!

iPad Stand and a Couple of Bras

I love to read other crafty blogs - sewing,  knitting, crochet, quilting etc., and pick up on their ideas.  This morning I read Sotak's blog, and she had a post about making tablet holders.  She herself had seen them on Pinterest, here.  Well, who doesn't need a handy holder for their tablet?  So this is what I made whilst watching an episode of NCIS this morning:

They are made out of a rectangle of fabric, sewn and twisted and stuffed with rice and regular stuffing.

How fab is that?!  They really are very useful so I made one for Mr. SDSC and one for my father.  Oh, and then I decided I need another in my sewing room because it is such a drag to have to carry one from one room to another (I don't have a photo of that one, but it is just as cute!) . . . . they are very quick to make - less that a half hour.  Due to the rice, they are quite stable - I have mine balanced on the arm of my chair right now.  The only change that I made to the instructions, was the same as Sotaks, and I ironed some fusible interfacing to the fabric.  It has a bit of loft to it - 1/16" max, and I iron it onto the little bags that I make.  It made the project feel smooth and soft.

I think that they would work well with other types of tablets/book readers, and maybe even small books.

I also made a couple more partial band bras, but the photos are a little a washed out:

It was pretty straightforward, overlaying some textured, dotty lace on the upper cup and the bridge.  It went together quickly and easily and has already been 'tested'!

I then saw this whilst walking past La Senza yesterday:

Source

What I liked was the plain cup with the lace on the bridge and the sides/back.  So I made one!

I'm really pleased with this.  I used fabric spray to attach the lace to the base fabric - I did this on the pink bra above as well, and it was more successful with that bra - on this one it pealed away, but held enough for me to sew it all together.  The only problem is - I was a little aggressive with the bottom band elastic and it bordering on 'uncomfortably snug'.  I will wear this on my 'skinny' days!  I am going to play with some foam cups next - ones that I make myself and then cover with fabric.  I've been watching some great videos on Make Bra - lots of great ideas!

I also have some more linen, and have some TG garments in mind - I may be swapping out a garment or two from my current TG collections for the Artisan's Square SWAP - I've got over a week left, so loads of time!

How was your sewing this week?

Out of Alberta - Part Deux

I have to say that I love long weekends - and I managed to make this Easter weekend a five day sewfest.  And where to begin?  To start with, I picked up some lovely linen/viscose blend (Azalia Natural Prints and Solids) from my local fabric shop (Fabricland).

You can just about tell from the photos that the fabric has a lovely linen texture, but doesn't crease quite so much.  It also is a great weight and drapes beautifully.  I wanted to add some more colour to my Tina Givens Collection, and thought that these would go well with the mostly neutral pallette that I have so far.

And this is what I made:

Let me talk you through these goodies.  From the left is a white Zelda dress, the Peplone jacket from before - but now with buttons (!), two pairs of Jaqueline trousers, one pair floral and the other from the same fabric as the Peplone, a green Kika top (minus the frills) and a fushia Jacqueline slip.

Here are all the garments so far:

The very first white slip that I made, from rayon, is not included here - I plan on making a better fitting slip out of white cotton - the same fabric as I used for the longer skirt on the pink and white dress.

Now some photos and details!

White Kika dress made from the linen/viscose fabric.  The top is based on my 'Sorbetto' top and and I added the pleat and some pretty buttons.  I am wearing it here with another pair of Jacqueline trousers made from the same fabric as the Peplone jacket.

Green Zelda slip - without a frill!  Again with the same traousers as above.

Pink Jaqueline slip.

Peplone jacket from my last post worn with some floral Jaqueline trousers.

And with the fushia slip . . . .

And the green Kika.

I then thought that the Peplone and matching trousers would make a great TG suit, so I paired them with a green Sorbetto that I made a couple of years ago - looks pretty good I think/  And then my camera battery ran out!!

I have loads more to write about - close ups, comments on the patterns as well as playing around with 'looks' using these garments, but it is getting late and I need to go to work tomorrow (something to do with earning the money to pay for the fabric . . . . !)

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?!