Bubble Skirts and Black Binding

I was recently reminded of the importance of getting our of my box. 

I work on a lot of weddings. I make prom dresses and other custom garments. I do a lot of theater. My favorite shows are what I refer to as "big skirt shows"- if it requires a petticoat to make the ladies skirts look right, then it is my kind of show. 

The musical I worked on this spring was definitely not that kind of show. The director wanted our production of Seussical to look like a brightly colored, animated Dr. Seuss book. It was good for me. It stretched me- made me step outside my box, think new thinks, and try new things.

Once the show was over, my next task was a custom prom dress. As I worked on it, I realized that two of the techniques I had used on Seussical costumes would greatly enhance this dress. The Seussical bird girls had bubble skirts that were full, fun, and bouncy. 

The prom dress was floor length, but bubbling it made the drape and the bunches hang beautifully. We used hundreds of yards of black binding to give the Seussical costumes that cartoon look. The prom dress had a multi colored, draped shoulder bow. Adding black binding to it made it pop and pulled the elements of the dress together. 

I don't think this would have occurred to me if I hadn't just used the technique elsewhere, which makes my point. To stay fresh and creative, you need to step outside your usual zone. Mix it up. Read blogs, see a show, look at and analyze pictures of other designer's work, try a new technique, take a class or experiment with other art forms. Think outside the box. Think new Thinks. You'll be glad you did!

A Jacket of my Own

I sew all the time for other people, but rarely for myself- I just don’t have the time. Once in a while, though, I do treat myself to a garment that I know I will wear and enjoy for a long time- something I love that fits as though it was made for me.

This jacket is one such item. I started with Vogue Pattern #1036, a Sandra Betzina. The design of the pattern allows for easy size adjustments, such as for narrow shoulders, always an issue for me. The cut of the jacket also lends itself to embellishment, in this case with embroidery. I chose black linen for the exterior and a heavy satin charmeuse for the lining. Most of the pieces were embroidered prior to assembly. 

The exception was the motif on the right front shoulder, which I created as a free standing piece of lace. This enabled me to angle it properly after the garment was assembled.

Double topstitching was made even and easy by using a double needle. Hot fix nail heads make the embroidery pop. 

Silver gripper snaps close the jacket down the front. It is a pleasure to wear. The only problem is that no one ever asks me if I made it.