Saturday 17 November 2012

I've always wanted to take one of these


These.

Yesterday, I found myself in Prague again (that's a good beginning). More importantly, I found a free Metro newspaper in the metro, with one of those elusive (so far, to me) fabric coupons for a certain fabric shop.

So I thought, if I have enough time let's go and see if I can find something that I actually need (that's the important part) and get it with a discount.

So I went, in the end; and could not find anything I needed. I wanted nice white lightweight cotton for the 1848 skirt. No luck there; I only found brown lightweight cotton, which was very nice, but not what I needed. I wanted cotton shirting, with the idea of maybe making my father a shirt for Christmas. No luck there at all.

So I thought, I don't have enough lining in my stash, let's take a look at the linings. While searching for linings (the shop was rather crowded, probably because more people have found their coupons in the Metro newspaper), I found a remnants rack with satins and the like; mostly the evil polyester stuff. I went through them, just in case. I noticed a burgundy red that could go as a lining with a fabric in my stash...


I touched it, and fell in love. I looked at the label. It was 100% silk.

Not very surprisingly, it went home with me.

Now, the question is, do I really turn it into a lining for that fabric? I'm not quite sure there's enough of the silk. And: It's not so apparent in the photo, but in real life, the colours are not quite the same. The fabric in my stash is a little bit more yellowish than the silk. And it's a mystery fabric (I got it from my friend's mother) and putting a luxurious silk lining into it feels somewhat incongruous with it; I haven't put it through the burn test yet, but my bet is it's not natural fibre.

I want to make a very classic blazer out of it; something like this:


(That's from Mrs Style Book 2006/11)

Silk lining would go well with that, admittedly.

But holding the silk fabric, I also became convinced that it had to become a gift for my mom. I had promised her a blouse... something like this, though worn sepearately:


(The same book. I suspect it's actually a pattern for a stretchy fabric, though.)

But I'm not quite sure if it's my mom's colour, either. The problem with gifts is, you can't check without telling them... I could, alternatelly, turn it into a camisole for her (she deserves a silk camisole; I already have one; it's featured among my "Remake the RTW" plans, though, and maybe I could squeeze two out of the fabric anyway), but then, isn't this fabric too beautiful to be restricted to underwear?

Oh, the troubles a lucky seamstress goes through! If I become convinced enough it's mom's colour, I'll go with the blouse. I promised, and it looks like the sort of style this fabric would shine as. Now, aren't I glad I found a shop that carries silk thread? Oh yes, I am.

Off to read about stylistics. That's a linguistic term, not a fashion one.

5 comments:

  1. Oooh...what a happy find! Such a gorgeous colour too. I vote make the blouse - don't waste it on the lining for a jacket, especially if it is the same colour as the outer fabric (I'm a firm believer in linings with contrast and interest).

    Can't wait to see what you make out of it - whatever that is!

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    1. Yes, I'm about 99,9% decided for the blouse now. :-) It does look a lot more like mom's colour now that I have washed it (it leaked like there was to be no tomorrow... I gave it a brief vinegar bath that somehow made it even more luxurious.)

      I'm a firm believer in linings that are either: a) completely without interest (such as, the outer shell has enough interest on its own), therefore matchy-matchiness is allowed and required; b) interesting and/or fun. This would sit somewhere in between those two, so it just does not feel right... while the blouse feels very, very right.

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  2. Isn't it often the way? You bring home some fabric, and one thing leads to another, and your plans can't come to fruition because nothing is simple in the sewing world; but I guess that's how we stretch our abilities and learn new things. As for Prague - yes, that is definitely a good way to start; a real attention-getter!

    Very pretty fabric - your mother will be pleased.

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    Replies
    1. Inspiration is a mysterious thing... And I've always been stretching my abilities when it came to sewing.

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  3. lizbuchroeder@gmail.com

    Do you have pattern for butterfly bobbin lace your grandmother made. The one with beaded edges?
    My son wishes a hand made lace to commemorate the passing of his friends mother. Your butterfly captures her spirit
    Perfectly. I am a California USA bobbin lacer. I will send you a nice piece of lace in exchange if you provide address.
    Please email me as I will not see your blog again. PEACE. Liz

    ReplyDelete