Sew sew sew

Been/ sorting through my fabric trunk/ shopping for ribbon/ making pretty things.

Marie Curie / Cloudy friday.

I have a thing against buying books brand new. There's just something so quaint about finding a dusty little book, old and worn, knowing someone before you had appreciated it.

Was looking up Marie Antoinette, and came across Marie Curie. Very far from the Archduchess of Austria, I know, but I was drawn to the texture and colour of the covers, flicked through it and found some lovely little lines.

Saving it for a journey back home..

Cotton farmin' folk.

Embellished bralette, handmade floral garland on satin coat hanger, close-up, charity shop finds.

Pieces for the Deer Ava collection hanging on my wall... Now i'm wondering if I even want to sell them...
Bought some beautiful 1970's floral fabric in the charity shop yesterday, along with a Roy Orbison vinyl, leather bound sketchbook + one suede + one denim shirt. I do find some gems.
Also, got a thing for Nancy Sinatra.

Finally.

Proud new owner of this little beauty.

Latest creations.

Chiffon kimono with pearl embellishments, and pale pink, lace hem shorties.

Lolita-esque Cream Chiffon Bralette.

Here's the second piece I've been working on. The cream chiffon bralette. I always forget how frustrating it is working with such delicate, cobweb-like fabrics. The garment is nowhere near finished yet, I just pinned it onto the mannequin to see how it looked thus far and decided to take a quick shot of the creation process.

The Striped 50's Bralette.

The last couple days I've been busy working on the first piece of the collection, the faded candy coloured striped, 1950's inspired bralette. Clearly, it's not quite finished yet, still have to sew in the back, then add a few buttons for the fastenings and maybe add a little bow detail at the front. I love the material, so many different things spring to mind just looking at it, vintage sweet packaging, waitress's aprons in fifties diners, old school summer dresses. The fabric, combined with the design are both just so expressive of the vision I had in mind... summery, pin-up style, vintage beachwear inspired. I can't wait to get this one finished so I can start making the checkered powder blue bralette, and also a creamy white Lolita-esque one too.

New Material, New Project.

Lately I have a thing for vintage style checks and stripes and since finishing my final major project at uni, I've been eager to start creating again.

I'm currently in the midst of designing ideas for new pieces, more bralettes, more embellished kimono's, think vintage-summer, faded candy colours and beachwear. I think the fabric I picked up today, the colours and the textures really express what I have in mind for the small collection. I've already started experimenting with the fabric, and will continue to post about the creation process. I just have to remember to stay inspired and motivated.

Vintage Lace Bralettes.

Collection of vintage lace I picked up at Portobello market. Using this vintage scarf I created the bralet below...

Shots of the vintage lace, embellished bralette

Using the vintage lace I bought at Portobello, I created this bralette and embellished it with little pearls, all of which was completed by hand. The high-waisted shorts were created using a light chiffon material, cut from the lining of an old dress.

Shots of the satin/lace bra with matching high-waisted knickers.

 Out of all the pieces created, these two are definitely my favourite. The cream satin lining used for these pieces, was originally a dressing gown I found in Oxfam and picked up for £3! And the lace was from a vintage store.

Deciding to create garments for this project, has made me realise that I want to go into Fashion Design for the degree next year. I feel it suits me perfectly, as my talents lie within drawing/ illustrating, as well as sewing and working with different textures and materials. It also leaves the opportunity open to still include other media's i'm passionate about: photography and film.

The Final Major Project Research. Portbello Market.

As part of the final major project, I have, after careful consideration, decided that I am going to create lingerie garments that are reminiscent of a previous era. The concept of the project, is to create an identity within the final pieces. Ultimately, I wish to produce a set/ installation of these garments to reflect the identity of an absent person from another period in time, as well provoke a sense of nostalgia.

As part of research, I spent the day browsing and photographing the little vintage shops and stalls of Portobello road. Took some really lovely photographs that encapsulate the aesthetics and the mood of what I want to ultimately create for the final piece. Also bought some beautiful vintage lace and chiffon material that'll be used to make the lingerie pieces.