Author Archives: Janice

SS2012 SWAP, Revised: Spring palette, what Spring palette?

Posted on by

I’ve been seeing a lot of gorgeous pastel-inspired Spring palettes out there, but you won’t see anything like that here. Spring palette, what Spring palette?

The best thing about sewing entirely in monochrome (off-white, light grey, medium grey, dark grey, black, silver, black/white patterned) is that there’s never an expiration date for this season’s “colors”. I wore black for years and years year-round before I started to sew. I was always told it was a “New York thing”, and lately I’ve been starting to embrace it again, only this time adding pale grey and off-white to the mix.

Here are my candidates for the Spring/Summer 2012 SWAP (sewing with a plan):

Dresses: 2 – Long Dress, One-Shoulder Dress
Tops: 2 – Basic Shirt, Basic Blouse
Pants: 3 – Colette Clover in grey twill (not shown, already done), Colette Clover in metallic denim, Colette Clover in black denim

+ + +

Here are larger photos of some of my favorite fabrics from this batch.

The metallic denim I found is gorgeous. It’s very very dark blue but photographs almost black and is shot through with silver.

+ + +

This was the fabric that inspired it all. I found this splotchy black/white rayon last week.

+ + +

I’ve been quietly following a lot of modern designers as well, but that’s another post for another day.

Image sources: thank you Net-a-Porter for letting me dream big (and plan even bigger.)

Simplicity 2178: What I’ve Been Working on Lately

Posted on by

This is probably so last year, but I’m finally joining the masses and working on this Cynthia Rowley pattern I’ve had languishing in my closet for the past few months. I’m using a black rayon that has a paint splatter pattern on it. This is the first modern pattern I’ve worked on since I first learned how to sew.

This pattern isn’t even muslined out yet, but I already have a lot I don’t like about it. I must have been spoiled by working on vintage patterns, since this project has way too many small bits and pieces. I also don’t like the weird gathers by the front waist so this version is already going to be heavily modified, at least in the bodice area. I also plan on lengthening the skirt since I haven’t worn a skirt above knee-length since I was in Catholic school.

+ + +

You know you’ve been drafting too hard when you break your plastic ruler in half.

Change of Style: Vintage meets Rock and Roll

Posted on by

+ + +

Style inspiration: Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kat von D, leather, jersey, denim, lace. Fitted silhouettes, 40s blouses, 50s pencil skirts. Black, grey, white. Simple shapes, year-round pieces that work with each other.

So my inadvertent hiatus didn’t last too long. The new camera came in today, but I’m still missing a USB cable so I can’t upload any pictures yet.

My two weeks off from sewing and blogging has made me re-assess how I dress naturally. Slowly and surely it’s reverted back to black denim, black leather jackets, plain jersey t-shirts, sheath dresses, lace stockings, leather ankle boots, black cuffs. The new vintage-inspired elements I carried on were sheath dresses and pencil skirts.

I was trying to write a cohesive paragraph about this, but I do better with lists:

1) Vintage makes me look 10 years older. No kidding. I love how graceful and on point vintage looks, but for me I feel like if
it’s not done all the way, it doesn’t look right. It was also starting to feel like I was wearing a uniform, which is not good.

2) I’m tired of setting my hair. I’ve been sleeping in curlers for the past two years, and I’m just way too lazy now. I’m also tired of fighting with my hair’s natural state, which is wavy, curly and naturally rebellious.

3) Sewing in grey/black/white monochrome is very easy. No palettes, everything goes together. Less color variation mean a tighter focus on silhouettes and textures, and less on buying fabrics to match other fabrics. Also more of a focus on abstract graphic prints, stripes, plain fabrics.

4) Will still sew vintage patterns, but styled modernly. I learned how to sew on vintage patterns and I still love them. However, after some reflection I’ve realized it’s not really me. That means 40s button down blouses in lace or weathered chambray mixed with Clover pants or distressed denim, or 40s blouses accessorized with leather cuffs.

5) Will also sew modern patterns, mainly jersey tops. I also realized I wear a lot of my basic jersey tops because they are comfortable and go with everything, so I need to stop dawdling and start on my Sewholic Renfrew soon.

6) Sense of style is bred out of practicality, comfort, attitude and wearing whatever makes you feel beautiful. For me that means realistically embracing the fact that I like wearing flat shoes, cigarette pants, jeans.

I still love vintage and still want to continue to sew vintage patterns, but this time with my take and interpretation of how it suits me and less of a “vintage accurate” way of dressing.

Sewing Radio Silence: Where Have I Been?

Posted on by

Instagram from last week: En route to the Bronx.

+ + +

I’ve been a bad blogger the past week or so, but rest assured I haven’t forgotten this site.

I haven’t been sewing a lot lately. It’s Spring in NYC, my most favorite season, but instead of sewing for the Summer I’ve been busy some life changes.

1) Work: Work has gotten really hectic, both the freelance and the day job

2) Change of style: I’ve been observing that I’ve been dressing pretty differently from my usual vintage-inspired style. Lookbooks and idea boards soon to come.

3) Camera in the shop: There’s been a rattling noise coming from the inside of my camera for a few months now. I finally had it looked at and as it’s still under warranty, I’m exchanging it for the same model, so hopefully the new/old camera will be here soon.

4) Missing USB cable: This is really minor, but that’s the reason why I’m posting this 10 minutes before I leave work with actual pictures. I need to get a new one soon or find where I stashed my old one.

I have a lot to adjust to, but when this all settles down I hope to be sewing more often.