Peplum Jacket & Pants

For the same class, we had to sew fully lined pants.
I used a fabric bought at the school fabric sale. The multicolor print reminded me of a Chanel fabric. It was given by a handbag designer and is backed with a very heavy and stiff black cotton. Nevertheless, I thought the print was really interesting for pants.
To break this busy print, I decided to put 4 black & gold metal zipper in the front. I love how it makes these pants look modern.
Since the last project for this class was to make a peplum jacket, I just went ahead and used the same fabric, so I could have a coordinate business attire.

Here how it all turned out.

I know peplum are right in trend, but I still see then as kind of old fashion. So I wanted to add a twist to it. I played with the sleeves to achieve this more modern and edgy look. I designed cap sleeves which I sew into the princess lines of the sleeveless jacket. I love how it turned out.

Here some close-up and a pic of the back:

I'm truly happy with the final look, even though this fabric is definitely too stiff ans yes, I'm still not fully happy with my finishing...

Here is my design worn by Tiffany for the school Christmas fashion show:

Isn't she super elegante with this black turtleneck underneath?
Oh yeah, and on this last pic, the sleeves are not finished: the armhole needed to be cut and the bias tape applyed. So it's kind of too small and give this bulky look next to the armholes...

Anyway, I was so excited to get to see my clothes worn! It so worth all the work you put in them!

Upcycling Fashion Show: my paper dress & plastic jacket

In about 2 weeks, my school will hold a runway show/contest about upcycling called "Flash & Trash". I am right now working on my look for the event.

But last month, I got the opportunity to present for a runway an upcycling look I made especially for the First Lady Eco Bash fashion show. It was such a great opportunity to present for the 1st time something on a show! I also helped backstage as a dresser. That was crazy but we had so much fun!

So here is the look I created:

Isn't she cute?
Everything is made out of grocery bags: the dress from dyed paper bags and the jacket from ironed plastic ones.

I think this look is quite simple, mainly if you compare it to the others. But I like it nevertheless. It's so me!
Well, I have to admit that I had plan something a bit more dramatic for once, with a belt and headpiece. But we were in such a rush backstage that my model had to walk out before I got her fully ready. If I was deceived at first, I'm finally happy it happened as I prefer it this way!
Plus, I got the chance to add what was missing for the finale, so here is a sneak peek of what she was supposed to look like:

Oh, and did you notice the necklace? I love it. I made it with plastic bags and metal can tabs!!!

And cause my models wasn't alone in this show, here are some pictures of the amazing other looks:

It's now time for me to go back on my Flash & trash project. See you soon!

My first sewing class

I went back to school during the spring semester to follow a Ready-to-Wear Construction class at the community college (I will never thanks enough the US for that!).

During this class, we had to make 3 garments with a given pattern, size 8. We were only free to choose the fabric, as long as it was a natural fiber (and we all went for cotton as it's the cheap for training) and it had no line or motifs we had to match.
That's not much of a freedom, but hey, that's the beginner class!

See how awesome is the classroom:

We first had to train for using the industrial sewing machines (at first, that's just SO fast): being able to find the right speed, following lines and curves, threading them properly and so on


We were ready to start our first garment: a straight skirt.
We all learned plenty of stuff and among them how to use a serger, to do darts and to insert properly a zipper. I was so proud of me!

Yeah, I should have iron it before taking pictures, but I was lazy this day...

The second garment was a Dolman jacket.

I think this pattern is somehow crapy as there are plenty of pleats around the sleeves. But still, I learned how to do the collar.

The third garment was a dress.
I had a hard time with this zipper (inserted differently than the skirt one) and the sleeves. I was really surprised that you actually have to gather the sleeves to have non-gathered ones!

Grazie mille Vale for being my model during the photo shoot!
It was really fun...

Japanese linen jacket

Last year I was crazy for the japanese sewing books. Even though Japanese writing is for me some kind of nice little drawings, these books have enough pictures for the steps to understand them. I bought 7 of them.
Unfortunately, most of the time the pictures are somewhat too old-fashioned for me. So I need to go to this french website to come up with ideas. I see what people have done with the pattern.
But in this book, I found one jacket I wanted exactly like the photo:

Book: Happy Homemade, volume 1
ISBN: 9784579112425
pattern J

So here it is, in a nice blue linen:

I've been doing a japanese size 9 for an american size 8. And I'm happy with the nice french seams I have done (I think that's now my fav' seam).

And I loooove it!

I'd like a black one in a thinner fabric (I've already seen a "country cotton" in JoAnn's)

Military Jacket Simplicity 2508

I'm proud to show you my last sewing: a military Jacket Simplicity 2508

I finished it right on time for the winter storm over US. I'm usually wearing crapy fleece and windstopper during winter, so I feel so chic in this jacket! And, as it's made out of wool, it really keep me warm. I have to say the 4 layers of fabric on the front can only help!

A better view to see the seams:

NB: The sleeves are now a little longer than the picture thanks to the addition of 2 inches (5cm) of lining. They also look better, more straight (not the bulky look they have on this picture).

The back:
I think it looks great even though I did not put any interfacing there (I never do things I do not understand...)

I had to remove up to 2 inches of fabric on the width of each side back piece, between the belt and top seam to have a better fitting and no wrinkle under arm.

And finally, the lining.
Well, I did not mark my fabric (the chalk wasn't good on that fabric, and I'm growing lazy), so I tough the lenght was too big and cut nearly an inches, thinking it was the right thing to do to make a nice hem. It was a mistake. So I think I now understand how to sew the lining, but it was too late to do that properly on ths jacket. You can see what I've done to correct that!

Aren't my buttons cute?

McCall 5913 Coat

I made this McCall's 5913 "coat" before Christmas. I first wanted to make it as a comfy fleece for home. So I made the view C, long with a sash.
It turned out so nice, I finally wore it for going out.

It was really easy to make (no lining). This was my second sewing project and the most difficult part was the buttonholes. For my (old) machine, you have to add a buttonholer which is impressive. After giving a few tries, I manage to understand how it works, and it's pretty easy. And they look so great!

I hightly recommend it and will definitively sew it again next winter in a coat fabric, but a little longer and with lower holes for the sash.

Comfy fleece poncho

Since my youngest sister is spending her first winter in her own apartment, I wanted for Christmas a gift able to warm her up.

When you think about winter, cold, cloudy, wind... what are you dreaming of?
Me, I imagine myself in a log cabin, seating in front of the fireplace, rolled in a blanket, drinking a hot chocolate.

But we all live in apartments without fireplace, so I opted for a comfy fleece poncho.

It's super easy to make. you need:
- a piece of fleece (I used an IKEA throw)
- scissors
You make a hole for the head, and it's done!

Yes, you right, I add some things because I thought it wasn't fancy enough. So I 've underlined the collar with a heavy black thread, and add a black fleece pocket to keep her hands warm for lazy TV evenings.

On the picture, you can see it needs a good ironing because I wrap it before carrying it in my luggage...