My second commission...

I have recently completed my second commission, another silk blouse. This blouse was dyed using plant material, including prunus leaves, eucalyptus leaves, lavender sprigs, and brown onion skins.

All went into the dye bath, and more prunus leaves were bundled in the silk to cause an "eco-print". That happens when the leaf is pressed firmly against the fabric, and as the colour is released during the dyeing process it prints onto the fabric. Sometimes the print is so effective I try to remove it thinking it is a stray leaf left behind.

front view

back view

It is difficult to see the detail of the print and the effect of the colours, it was very soft and subtle. As I type she is on her way to Germany, to a friend's wife. This blouse is looser and less tailored than my previous commission. I am hoping that the design suits the recipient - one of the difficulties with making a blouse for someone you have never seen in the flesh. It must also be said that the dress form never does a garment justice!

The silk has beautiful drape, and feels soft even after dyeing. I have bought two rolls of this silk...all the store had...and just love it.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and New Year :-)

Vintage maxi dress - 1979

A maxi dress is, apparently, a must-have piece for summer - however, often they look...well, MAXI. I have tried many on and always thought they looked anywhere from moderately unflattering, to a maternity dress, to sack-like and hideous. I must be wrong though, because come summer the C.B.D. where I live becomes a sea of maxi's.

So, I thought I would search for my kind of maxi - one with shape, drape, and vintage appeal...

et voila
(View 3 - light blue)

I used a lovely fabric my boyfriend picked out whilst fabric shopping some time ago. It is red with little yellow and white flowers, and green leaves. The fabric is a cotton blend (I suspect) with superb drape, and a really nice, soft feel. It also doesn't seem to wrinkle easily. I bought the pattern for 50 cents at an op shop.

I have never worn a maxi dress before, for all the reasons already mentioned, but I premiered this dress today (I finished it at 11 pm last night) whilst doing some window shopping and received compliments, so I think I may have cracked the "maxi" code - vintage styling, cinched in waist, great fabric.

Eco-dyeing workshop...

Our last two days at fashion school were spent manipulating fabric using "Eco-dyeing" techniques. Our teacher had participated in a workshop by India Flint who has written a beautiful book all about Eco-dyeing - Eco Colour . What fun it is too.

All but one of the samples were created by bundling various plant material - twigs, leaves, flowers, red & brown onion skins - along with metal objects - rusty nails, horseshoe, wire, bits and pieces of metal - in silk or wool, and tying tightly with string. the bundles were then simmered in pots of rainwater, bark and gum leaves for 45 minutes.


This final sample was created by placing petals between fabric and hammering them to release the colour - hapa zome.



It's very messy, and fragrant fun...my fingers are stained with colour. The results are much better in the flesh, photos just don't do it justice, and onion skins seem to be the most striking.

Last night, whilst going on my daily bicycle ride, I went to an old railway and scavenged several fabulous pieces of rusty metal just littering the area - railway spikes, bolts, bottle tops etc. I was so happy with my find...who'd thought rusty junk could be so exciting!!!

Have a nice weekend :-)

My very first comission...

Wow... I just completed my very first commission - a shibori dyed blouse.

I have made a blouse like this before, and was asked to make a black one for a friend in the U.S.

I've never sewn anything for another person, or for money, and was nervous that the blouse look right. After all the nerves, I am really happy with it - and I hope my friend likes it too.

More posts to come soon... I still have to take some photos.

Advance 4826 - 1949 Sundress and Bolero - my interpretation

Since starting a fashion design and technology diploma, I have learned the fundamentals of pattern making, I have created many patterns, both, at school and at home. This has always been what I really wanted to learn, because I knew that I would no longer be restricted to purchased patterns. Now, I look at patterns online, and rather than buy them...I copy them.

Sadly, I am so addicted to patterns that I DO still buy many...c'est la vie :-)

Voila, I offer you my interpretation of this pattern - Advance 4826...

I used the bodice from this pattern...
Vogue 8184, view F (centre bottom, green)

And, the skirt from this pattern...
Butterick 5214

...to make the sundress. I then drafted a bolero pattern to complement. The dress fabric came from an op-shop, for about $4.00. I purchased the trims, and white linen at a local fabric store. All up around $20.00, and two days work.

I am really happy with the result :-)

Electra "Amsterdam" Sport Special 9D

My boyfriend and I bought new bikes recently, and I wanted to show mine off as it has plenty of retro elegance about it. From the lovely metallic olive green paint, gold and silver pin stripes, to the extra special "Brooks" aged leather saddle and grips.

The weather has started warming up nicely here, and because we live 5 minutes from the waterfront we have gone for a ride along the waterfront path every night after dinner. My new bike has 9 gears, and is quite light and speedy for a "city" bike. I just adore the European styling, and even though it is a men's bicycle I can still ride it whilst wearing a dress and heels.

I added the silver mudguards, rear rack and wicker basket, and also some extra grippy pedals - necessary when one rides in heels ;-).

A rather daggy, but practical, accessory I picked up at my local op shop for $4.00 is a bicycle rain poncho...worn by tons of people all over Asia, who only have bicycles for transport. They may look silly, but they really do help one stay drier.

Still haven't photographed my most recent projects, but soon I promise. School is almost finished for the year, and photo taking weather is upon us...

Have a lovely weekend :-)

Forgive my slackness...

I am terribly sorry that I have not posted for a while. I have several items to show you all, but the weather for taking photos has been pretty ordinary in Geelong lately - I am hoping for some sunshine soon so I can have a photo taking day.

Stay tuned, because lousy weather allows for lots of sewing :-)