Archive for January, 2010

I bought this beautiful red silk fabric at Mood a few months ago and since I had never worked with a fabric that was this costly, I was terrified to cut into it. I spent many months thinking over the technique…then rethinking…and over thinking… until I finally convinced myself to bite the bullet. I started with a preshrink in the tub using a mild shampoo instead of detergent since the fabric is delicate. The tub water turned blood red and looked incredibly sketchy. The fabric seemed to have lost a lot of dye but the color looks the same as it did at purchase time.

One of the things that I had decided on during the trial pattern process was to go with four panels instead of two. When I originally put the four panel pattern together the bunching on the side looked a lot better than with two panels. After steaming the fabric out, I pinned the patterns in place. This was my first time working with silk and I really had my work cut out for me. It’s very slippery and hard to work with overall. Since it also frays terribly, I used pinking shears to cut it out. Not sure if this is a proper or practiced technique, but it seems to have prevented fraying so far.

I steamed out the bottom panels and pinned them inside out on the dress form. Next step is determining the seam allowances and dart placement.

Here’s a photo of one of the biggest fashion influences that I’ve had in my life. My late grandmother, Agnes. She was a woman of limited means yet still possessed an impeccable fashion sense. She brought sewing, style and creativity into my life. Here is a family photo taken in the backyard of their home in Philadelphia sometime in the 1950’s (my guess is ’53). I’m even willing to bet that she made that outfit herself which so elegantly goes with her pin curls. Love it! Who are your style influences?

Happy New Year everyone! I’m normally not one for resolutions but this year I have made an exception. One of the biggest promises I’ve made to myself is dedicate more time and energy to sewing and The Hip Curve. Lately, I’ve been out of commission due to work obligations coupled with family time over the holidays. Devoting more time to my passion is a way for me to devote more time to myself. That being said, I have brought my focus back to the red gown with asymmetric shoulder that had occupied my time before my extended sabbatical.

Sources of inspiration for design have always been fascinating to me. Recently, while I was perusing vacation photos from my trip to Venice, I started to recall the feelings of inspiration that I had that lead to this particular dress. Here are a few photos that led to the creation of the sketch for this gown. Note the rich red fabrics, curves in architecture and black/white stripes:

A young street ventriloquist with a puppet performing to the song “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Doris Day.

Museo della Musica – a free exhibit with an impressive collection of instruments and lessons on violin making.

An outdoor orchestra located in Piazza San Marco that played the finale song to Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Quite funny, actually. If anyone knows the name of the song, please let me know…