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Weekend Reading: Fashion week in art, sweater projects, and a “meowdel”
This morning, I was sipping coffee and absentmindedly gazing out my dining room window when I noticed the first tiny blossoms peeking out on the weeping cherry tree in my front yard.
There’s a name for this time of year here in Portland: February Fake-out. Somehow, as soon as we get a little sun and the first sign of daffodils, everyone really wants to believe that spring has come to stay. It’s not true.
Nevertheless, I’ve already got my spring and summer wardrobe plans well under way. I’m starting to put away all the lovely wool I didn’t have a chance to use and looking towards full skirts in cotton and silk, vintage 50s sundress patterns, and linen and chambray everywhere. What about you, thinking of spring sewing yet?
Hope you have a lovely weekend, here’s some good reading to take you through until then!
Weekend Reading:
- The image above by Norman Parkinson from July 1954 makes me want to sew a spring dress.
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“A few words I never thought I’d say: Why, yes I’d love to wear this bacteria-covered scarf“
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Have an old sweater? Would you ever re-knit your old knitwear?
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How to Embroider Garments Like Penn & Fletcher, from Threads Magazine
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Kimberly made an adorably retro Macaron dress!
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Loumarilou’s winter Beignet skirt looks so cozy, don’t you think?
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Jennifer made a lovely blue Wren dress!
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The new modesty: a new age of fashion is dawning
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The Best Street Style of New York Fashion Week from The New York Times
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This Wren has some great color blocking! By @craftrambler.
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Wow! Anita wore 7 Moneta dresses last week. A different one every single day.
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Family heirlooms mistakenly given away on Craigslist! Help Michele find her dresses!
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“She has poured her heart and energy into each cut and every single stitch“
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Maria Ines Gul’s illustrated impression of a clothing designer’s collection
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How to use the idea of “risk management” to make better stuff
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There’s vintage, and then there’s vintage. See the World’s Oldest Dress.
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This sure would be a fun project for an old sweater
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“Don’t give yourself artificial deadlines for finishing things.”
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London Fashion Week’s Tribute to Tetris
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Say hello to wonderfully glamorous Pitzush – a rescue kitty and now a proud “meowdel”
For more links every week, you can follow us on Twitter, where we’re always posting interesting tidbits and discussions.
Comments
Francesca a
February 26, 2016 #
Great links! That cat… totally adorable. I usually hate seeing pets dressed up but she seems to love it:). Just hope they don’t stick on those false eyelashes…
I have unpicked and reknitted from my own handknits, but wouldn’t bother with bought stuff. I prefer to turn old bought sweaters into new ones by deconstructing them and resewing – I recently turned two old black holey cashmeres into one scoop neck with frill edge long sleeves:)
Vivi
February 26, 2016 #
Thanks for sharing! I love that photo… And I sure am already thinking about spring/summer sewing, although here in Paris it’s still pretty cold! I just can’t help it I guess :)
Robin
February 26, 2016 #
Thanks for the reads and links to pics, this week and last week as well. I especially appreciate the links to Colette pattern makes – so creative! Love the color blocked Wren. The winter Beignet looks so cozy, I want to make one now. Seeing the fabric selections by other sewists really helps me to imagine the possibilities, and I appreciate the links as I don’t browse social media much…
Rachel
February 29, 2016 #
Here in Toronto February fake-out is that day where the temps rise above 0 (celsius) and everyone rushes to sit on a patio, even if they’re still wearing their winter coats. :)
Farah
March 1, 2016 #
I enjoyed the article on the new modesty.
I am a 47 yr old Muslim woman who lives on the island of Trinidad and Tobago. I taught myself how to sew because it was extremely difficult as a teenager to find clothes for me especially as I also wear a hijab. I have developed my own style over the years wearing a loose caftan and elastic pants. I sew these as well as my own hijabs. Since I also do free style hand embroidery and bead work, I also do my own embellishments. It is easier to sew my own clothing. If I had to purchase hijabs, pants, slips and caftans, it would not only be expensive but I may not find them easily available in my country.
However, a lot of my sewing has been trial and error so I must note that I am grateful to your site especially the sewing tips. I have started to actually develop paper patterns for my caftans and pants. This has made it much easier for me to cut my clothing. And the quality of my sewing has improved through the use of French seams and Hong Kong finishes as well as bias binding and lace.
I had also never thought of layering clothing as I live in a tropical country. So it was only last year that I even considered using materials like chiffon and making entire hijabs out of lace.
My students always compliment me for being fashionable even though they only see my face and sometimes my hands up to my wrists ( i wear gloves most times).
Laura
March 11, 2016 #
Please stop snipping your links. I enjoy reading these, but I would like to know before I click where I am being redirected.