The Sewing Place

The Emporia => In the wardrobe => Topic started by: Manuela on July 15, 2017, 05:26:34 AM

Title: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 15, 2017, 05:26:34 AM
It's official, after planning, planning and a bit more planning, I finally started with my version of the Chanel cruise collection dress I have lusted after since I've seen it.
I though about quilting the boucle onto a silk lining, but decided against it. I decided to traditionally line it with Bemberg rayon lining instead - given the climate n Hong Kong it makes more sense that way. It will be sleeveless, with fringes at hem and arm-holes, pockets and a centre front zipper (like the original). Given the fact that I'm not exactly a spring chicken, I'll make it in mid-knee length.
I am hell-bent to wear it with at least one pound of baroque freshwater pearls around my neck  :devil:

Here the dress I'm in love with and the fabric I'm going to use - progress updates will follow  :)
Feel free to post your own 'inspiration to reality' projects here.
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Tamnymore on July 15, 2017, 08:29:07 AM
Great idea for a thread, Manuela. That's a super dress and fabric and your version wil be ace. And I'm sure you are a much springier chicken than I am.  :D
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: wrenkins on July 15, 2017, 08:43:42 AM
Absolutely gorgeous Manuela. You don't need to be any kind of Spring Chicken if you have A TI TOOD!  :toast:
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Efemera on July 15, 2017, 10:01:51 AM
Fabulous.... though for the things I love I would have to be 30 years younger and six stone lighter.. but one ca dream. I tend to add details I love to shapes I know suit me and fabrics that are a little different.
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: UttaRetch on July 15, 2017, 11:07:36 AM
Great idea for a thread, Manuela.

I had a similar idea (http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,805.msg14093.html#msg14093) for a future sewalong, but nobody seemed particularly interested.  :(

@Manuela: I remember seeing this collection on PR and was underwhelmed but your work is excellent and maybe your take will be more wearable.  0_0
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Ravingdoll on July 15, 2017, 12:37:14 PM
That looks lovely Manuela, will definitely keep up with your progress!  My mother has to go into hospital next week and one of my brothers has bought her a book of Lanvin couture clothing which on a quick scan through looks lovely, I might have to look for some inspiration in there.  Because obviously it will eventually find its way to me for a read! 
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: DaisyChain on July 15, 2017, 12:45:26 PM
the original). G
I am hell-bent to wear it with at least one pound of baroque freshwater pearls around my neck  :devil:

At least one pound  :D

I've just been browsing your flickr account......so inspirational. I loved the 'denim' Chanel jacket file. How do you do that fab fringing?

What I'd love to make is a coat length Chanel style jacket. Sort of a coatigan type thing! I saw one in John Lewis' sale but it was the wrong size....it was also the wrong colour, (for me). 
https://www.johnlewis.com/oui-long-tweed-coat-off-white/p3113531

UR, I must have missed that thread. I should really come here more often. 8)
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 15, 2017, 14:54:47 PM
I had a similar idea (http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,805.msg14093.html#msg14093) for a future sewalong, but nobody seemed particularly interested.
Utta, sorry I didn't know... I hope you're ok with doing it casually here.

Progress update, everything is cut, and given the fabric ( silk boucle that frays even when you just look at it) I stay-taped  all the seam allowances.
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: UttaRetch on July 15, 2017, 14:59:25 PM
No need to be sorry, it was just a suggestion for a possible future competition in which I probably would not have even taken part.  0_0

Look forward to seeing your interpretation.
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: BajaSusana on July 15, 2017, 15:55:57 PM
Manuela,

I must say that when I hear Chanel, my mind goes black. My mother adored the Chanel jacket, I abhor it. It is unbecoming on my hour glass shape. But this dress is interesting.i especially like the fringe, and the belt and loops.
At least two pounds of pearls, but you simply must wear those SANDALS!i lime the idea of an inspired by sew a,one and was in Utta's corner. So let's see what transpires here!
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 15, 2017, 16:04:59 PM
Nope, the sandals are not for me. I'd spend all my time making sure the pesky things stay up (borderline OCD), life is too short for that  :D

ETA: BajaSusana, you are a very bad influence. I looked around for gladiator sandals, and ended up getting these (with zipper at the back, so no fumbling with lacing them up)  :devil:


Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 17, 2017, 14:42:15 PM
I loved the 'denim' Chanel jacket file. How do you do that fab fringing?

I put step by step pictures about making the fringe trim in that Flickr album of the 'denim' Chanel jacket as well.
You basically cut two bias strips, one in lining, one in boucle/tweed and sew the together in the centre of the strip. You then iron them open, boucle to one side, lining to the other. The lining becomes your seam allowance, you can then fringe the boucle (I recommend using a dining fork to do that).
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 19, 2017, 11:42:06 AM
Progress report, or hmmmm, that didn't go very well  :S
I almost finished the dress and decided that I neither like the shape nor the colours on me (too warm)  ><

Lessons learned:
1. I knew that a fitted tweed dress doesn't look good on me, and hoped that my semi-fitted dress pattern will work. I was wrong, it looked frumpy in this fabric. I need to use a very loose fitting pattern, especially around the chest, as I don't like the bust dart for this project.
2. I bought the fabric about 4 years ago, when I had long, black hair. It looked good on me then, but not now with my short grey hair.

I have to think about what to do with the dress. Both my niece as well as my step-daughter are blond, so if either of them wants it, I'll finish it for her.  8)

On a positive side, I fitted Vogue 1496, and it looks like a great pattern for this project. I have the same tweed in black with pink, and cut it today.
Hope to wear it out for a date with the lovely Mr Manuela on Friday.

I also have a good reason now to get black gladiator sandals  :devil:

Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: DaisyChain on July 19, 2017, 21:20:37 PM
Hi Manuela, I saw the sequence of photos but I couldn’t visualise what I was looking at. Duhh.  :[ 

Thanks for the explanation, it all makes sense now!

Sorry your dress wasn’t what you wanted it to be.

Hope you find some fab gladiator sandals.  8)
 
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Tamnymore on July 19, 2017, 21:38:28 PM
That's a pity, Manuela. It's a nice pattern. I recommend Dr Martens for gladiator sandals. I have blue pair.

I couldn't help having a nosey at the pics of your other fabulous sewing projects. I love  <3 the Sherlock coats!!
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 20, 2017, 00:20:09 AM
Hi Manuela, I saw the sequence of photos but I couldn’t visualise what I was looking at. Duhh.  :[ 

Thanks for the explanation, it all makes sense now!

Thanks for mentioning it, I added annotations to make them more understandable.  :)
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 20, 2017, 14:58:25 PM
Success after the initial set back  :D
I finished the dress using Vogue 1496 and I love it. The check is too busy for fringe trim/hem, so for this one I decided to go without it. I have a pink silk/cotton Linton Tweed sidelined for the next version - with fringed hem.
I love the unusual lined of the pattern, and the effect of the pattern at the back.
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Emma2109 on July 20, 2017, 15:40:31 PM
Looks lovely...I love the materialx
Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Manuela on July 24, 2017, 13:52:53 PM
I finished the second one, pink with fringes, and feel so much better about the earlier failure. Here it is, again Vogue 1469, loosely based on the Chanel cruise collection (much more wearable for me that way  ;)).

Title: Re: From inspiration to reality
Post by: Emma2109 on July 24, 2017, 17:44:26 PM
I love be the material Manuela and was he detail on the shoulders (great symetry) x