Flaming Red, Tessuti Awards 2013 entry

This is my entry for the Tessuti Awards 2013.

The brief was to create a knee length (or just above) dress that's all about the WOW and NOW factor. Something that would fabulous at a red carpet event, swanky cocktail party, the races or a fancy formal wedding. You must use either their Flame Red fabric which is a french taffeta or the Phantom Black, a dobby spot which is also a French fabric. The prizes are amazing, a flight valued at $2500 is first prize and an overlocker is second. I was not sure if I wanted to enter as there are so many amazing and creative sewers out there and last years entry's were incredible.

I happened to be in the store about a month ago and was discussing with the ladies there how I wasn't going to enter this year however with a little persuasion they convinced me to give it a go. I had a dress in mind that would be perfect for Tafetta. It was a Chloe dress I'd seen on the S/S 2013 runway shows. Lots of ruffles and tucks, perfect.

I designed my own pattern by draping first and then transferring onto a muslin. After alot of frustrating attempts at draping the bodice, I finally got it right (I think). I fully lined the bodice and skirt and also used the bustier techniques which I had previously practiced following Gerties instructions on the Bombshell dress lesson. 

I also boned the bustier which makes the bodice stay up really well. I added a belt to the waist to give it a bit more shape as I thought it was a bit frumpy looking. It did the trick. I added a big red button to the back of the belt.

It's not perfect by a long shot, but I'm very happy with how it looks.

I have my nephews wedding coming up soon so I don't have to worry about figuring out what to wear now.

Thanks to my partner Tone for taking some fabulous shots and making me look better than I really am.

Also, thanks for the champagne, I really enjoyed that after a hard day modelling!

boning the bodice

Draping the tucks

Funked up Capelet

This is a denim Capelet I drafted and made a few months back. I was inspired by the Burberry capelets I have seen in the mags and online.

I haven't drafted many patterns in the past few years so it was a nice easy project to get my head back into it. I used Pattern making for Fashion design by Helen Armstrong as a guide. There are instructions on how to draft a cape so I started with that and then modified drastically!
I had some cheap denim from Darn Cheap Fabrics so decided I'd use it incase it was a disaster. I also made a muslin up to make sure it was the right fit and was careful to transfer all the markings with tailor tacks.

It looked a bit boring so I thought I'd funk it up a bit and added some jean studs. I also found some skull satin for lining (which I was going to make some boxer shorts out of for my son)....still plenty left!

I added some shoulder pads as it seem to sink a bit into my shoulders without them. It's probably a touch too short but it will do this time.
I was hoping to share with you the pattern but my computer skills are limited when it comes to drafting.

I might clean up my original draft and upload at a later date.

I

in the making

Burberry

Missing in Action

I have not been doing a lot of sewing lately. I think there are a number of reasons.

It's winter and I like sewing summery stuff.  I race bikes and have been doing a lot of training lately and I started making a tailored jacket that I have got sick of so can't seem to get beyond that.

Last week my friend emailed me to see if I would make up a skirt for her friends little girl. I had no choice but to get the sewing machine out again. Whilst sewing this gorgeous little skirt my mojo came back and I figured out a few things about myself.

I like quick projects that I can sew in at least a couple of weeks. I like dresses and skirts mostly and I like pretty fabrics. I think my jacket has become boring. I am a Gemini after all! I tried to do memademay and gave up after a week!

Anyway, in short I think sewing the skirt has given me a lift. I have cleaned out the cobwebs in the sewing room and sorted fabric into wovens and knits, work in progress and future projects.

This is the skirt I made up this week. It is the same pattern as the tutti fruitti skirt I made last year.

handmade flower using this tutorial

Petticoat

Handmade Bias Binding

Me too busy racing bikes to sew!