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Jan
28
We are thrilled and ecstatic to be here celebrating another week as contestants on Project Run and Play!
The competition is stiff, the voting is fierce, and there is no rest for the weary!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for believing in us and helping us push through to another week….
The competitor looks have been released, and you can vote HERE for your favorite look…
**and are crossing our fingers it might be ours**
Upcycling is to Fashion as Recycling is to Printing.
And the common “thread” to both? None other than PANTONE.
This week’s challenge was all about UPCYCLING….
taking something old, creating a vision, and giving it a ‘new life’, so to speak.
So, we challenged ourselves further….asking, “Could we take old garments and use the latest fashion trends and PANTONE color schemes?”
We took 7 outdated garments, 5 fabric types {denim, linen, sweater, knits, and felted wool}, 10 DMC skeins, and 10 spools of thread to create a “Precisely PANTONE Refashion” for the girls. Four of the six completed garments showcase ALL 10 spring PANTONE colors, while the other two garments focus solely on “Radiant Orchid,” the color of the year {as seen in CL’s outfit}.
You see, PANTONES were first introduced to us through the printing industry. It wasn’t until we got into sewing, that we drew the parallel between the printing and fashion industries using these colors. Thus…our look, “Precisely PANTONE” was schemed….
And, since our family’s business is a printing company – what better way than to educate the girls on PANTONE colors, as well as recycling components as they relate to printed materials during a photo shoot???
DIRTIEST PHOTO SHOOT EVER….But, oh so much fun!!!
Closet raiding commenced, and a pile of PANTONE possibilities formed. We were shocked to find similiarities between many potential garments and the new PANTONE colors for the year!
Here is a partial stack of unused, trending PANTONE colors, as found in our closets…
As for the “keepers” of the group??
*Please note: Grandmama’s white linen skirt was also used, but did not make the photo….
Ten DMC threads were selected to match as closely as possible the Spring 2014 PANTONE Color Palette. While these are not “official” PANTONE DMC thread colors, these are the ones selected to make our own DMC PANTONE palette to work from….
Listed L to R: Dazzling Blue 824, Celosia Orange 921, Sand 437, Cayenne 900, Freesia 743,
Radiant Orchid 316, Paloma 648, Hemlock 523, Placid Blue 157, and True Violet 209
Pretty awesome, huh??
Let’s start with the “star of the show”: RADIANT ORCHID.
CL ‘rocked’ the radiant orchid look…being the ‘focal point’ of the coordinating outfits.
Two of her three pieces were solely based on RADIANT ORCHID,
the Spring 2014 PANTONE Color of the Year.
Two of her three pieces were solely based on RADIANT ORCHID,
the Spring 2014 PANTONE Color of the Year.
For CL’s look, we upcycled two shirts to create a LouBee Clothing, Bimaa sweater.
We felted a thrifted wool sweater, and created a self-drafted skirt from the felted wool.
This color was selected and based on Paloma in the spring PANTONE color palette.
The grooves on the felted skirt ribbing made an excellent area for adding detailed PANTONE embroidery – showcasing each spring PANTONE color {paloma as the felted skirt portion, and eight spring PANTONE colors encasing an arrow of radiant orchid, the color of the year}.
The self-drafted leg warmers brought the entire look together. To create these, we used the sleeve cuffs as the main portion of the leg warmers and added a cuff from the waistband.
Three tiny buttons held each cuff down – completing the “radiant orchid” portion of the garments.
Yeah, she rocked it….top to bottom!
Did we mention all the fun we had during this photo shoot???
Moving on to EA’s “look” for the Upcycle Challenge….
EA’s outfit was all about the rest of the spring PANTONE color palette, with pops of radiant orchid seen throughout!
Her infinity scarf {we found this tutorial helpful on determining the length / width} was designed and digitized to mimic PANTONE color swatches.
It was printed on linen {backed with freezer paper} through a copier, and attached to the radiant orchid fabric of CL’s leg warmers.
Modifications included:
- The top was lengthened to a tunic – 9” finished side seam
- Added a center back seam, due to fabric constraints
- Removed the hem’s curve and finished it based on the Oliver and S, 2+2 Blouse
- Added top-stitching and hand-stitching, using the PANTONE colors of the year
- Utilized a woven “crotchet trim” from an outdated garment, and braided radiant orchid DMC through sleeves.
 |
| {EA as seen on “Paper Mountain” – ie: the Recycling Truck} |
It was all about the DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS….
all within the realms of the 2014 Spring PANTONE Color Palette!!
At the neckline, cayenne buttons from our button stash and sand top-stitching were utilized.
A radiant orchid DMC braid was braided through a salvaged woven “crotchet trim” as sleeve detailing.
This was offset by sand top-stitching on either side of this detailing, to match the top-stitching seen in the yoke above.
This DMC braiding also matched the hair ties at the base of EA’s braids.
Finally, a combination of machine top-stitching {nine PANTONE colors} and radiant orchid hand embroidery was stitched around the hem.
Lovely clusters of cayenne French knots were evenly positioned around the base as well, drawing one’s eyes to the detail work.
We designed a pair of Shwin Designs, Lovely Rita Skinnies to also incorporate the entire spring PANTONE color palette on both back pockets. We omitted the leg tabs, for EA’s comfort and ease of wearing these jeans with boots.
The fit for these jeans were spot-on, and EA is already requesting more in yellow, purple, and green!
It might have something to do with her boots though….
And there you have it…. “Precisely PANTONE”: our fashionably, trendy, upcycled look!!
For the record: there are two pieces of precious cargo in this cart that WILL NOT be recycled….
For the record: there are two pieces of precious cargo in this cart that WILL NOT be recycled….
And, now we are holding out hope you like it as much as we do….
and we’ll see you here for a fourth week!
Three looks down and one to go….
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Outfit / Fabric Specifications:
{note: slight modifications and detailing for each listed above}
Self-Drafted Patterns: Felted Sweater Skirt, Cuffed Leg Warmers, Infinity Scarf
Fabrics for CL: Emily’s striped knit top, Ashley’s radiant orchid knit top,
thrifted wool sweater, thrifted radiant orchid sweater
Fabrics for EA: thrifted radiant orchid sweater, Grandmama’s white linen skirt,
Grandmama’s crotchet-trimmed linen dress, Sister Momma’s jeans
thrifted wool sweater, thrifted radiant orchid sweater
Fabrics for EA: thrifted radiant orchid sweater, Grandmama’s white linen skirt,
Grandmama’s crotchet-trimmed linen dress, Sister Momma’s jeans
*************************************************************
We’re outta here…but we’ll be back tomorrow to share some “Behind the Scenes” tidbits!!
36 Comments
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Do you hear that crack…that’s the ball being knocked out of the ball park!! I love both looks. They are fabulous together but both tops and bottoms will mix well with other pieces. The embroidery details are my favorite!
You’re so funny….and sweet!! These were very different for us, and our normal….but we were tickled with how each turned out!
Two beautiful outfits! As ever, I love the embroidery and detailing on your work.
Thank you!!! We LOVE our DMC….
Aaaaaaahmazing! I love the fit of that Bimaa on toddlers — I’m a sucker for that toddler belly. You guys have inspired me to work embroidery into more projects this year. I’ll call it my reSEWlution. Also, using Pantones colors was genius. Very on-trend. Excellent job!
I know … the belly kills us too :). We still chuckle at some of these pics!!
YEA for your reSEWlution!! We will look forward to seeing your vision with embroidery through the year….
Exactly what Cindy said. OUT OF THE PARK! My favorite detail is the braid you wove through that trim…it’s the little things!
HA! Glad you liked it…..could you hear me grumble all the way across the states on how long it was taking me to braid it??? I whined {and will own it} a lot through that process….
awesome look!
I can’t believe you printed the fabric for the scarf- not to mention all that hand embroidery.
great work once again this week.
ps…how is EA looking so old is all these photos?!
Shhhhhh….. don’t remind us on EA growing up. I think it is the braids!!!
I love this post, not just for the sight of a beloved Community Shopper’s Guide, but for the Pantone colors! I would love a scarf like EA’s for the spring! Y’all do fabulous work!
I’ve about decided I can wear scarves year round…..and now that I know how, well … some selfish sewing might be in the works for us!!
I Love it!!!! fantastic job Ladies. These outfits are so cute and fashionable, not to mention the amazing embroidery!
A little more ‘on trend’ than our typical sewing, right?!?!
Oh my gosh, as usual, your details are incredible. I can only wonder, DO YOU GIRLS EVER SLEEP??
SLEEP = Less than usual these past few weeks :)!! Thanks for always being so supportive of us….
I just love that printed scarf! Your embroidery is amazing!
Thanks Karly!! Yeah, I need a scarf like that….
Amazing in every detail…the printed scarf, the sweater skirt, and the photo shoot location; we are totally in love! We thought we were really going to the end of the earth with our leather jacket with fur trim (http://skirtfixation.com/2014/01/childs-leather-jacket-made-leather-skirt/) but this one takes the cake!
Thanks so much! I can’t wait to go and check out the sew-along entries for the week….
We can’t get your scarf out of our minds! So we included it in our round up of things to make with linen fabric! (http://skirtfixation.com/2014/06/20-things-sew-linen-fabric/) Love you gals!
These outfits are wonderful! I appreciate the way you went about creating them using Pantone colors…thanks for the inspiration.
xoxo Grandma
Thanks Joy…. we designed an outfit last year based on emerald, the color of 2013. I think we may make a habit of doing a PANTONE themed outfit in the years to come….
Your outfits turned out amazing! I love it all, the skirt I think is my favorite. But really everything is awesome
Thanks Kimmie!! CL thought she was something else in her outfit….and EA told her over and over and over again how much she liked her outfit {we think her obsession was the cowl}!!
oh wow!! the stitching on the skirt and the back pockets really make the outfits!!! loving what you are creating! EmilY@nap-timecreations.com
Thanks Emily!! We are having a lot of fun sharing our looks with everyone….
Love the picture of EA holding up her dirty fingers in the basket…wearing a white linen shirt
How did you keep that clean??? My kids would have dirty fingerprints all over the front!! Seriously, great job and I love the purple sweater and leg warmers!
Well, it was a bit dingy around the sleeves when it was all said and done, but cleaned right up in the wash that night ….. The boots took the brunt of the dirtiness!!
Just spectacular. I’m kinda speechless. Well done.
A little shocking, going off our ‘grid’ like that….but hopefully in a good way :)!!
What a fantastic location for a photo shoot! Love all the embroidery–amazing work!
Thanks Irene….loved seeing your nod to embroidery for this challenge too!!
As usual, you have done an amazing job! I can’t decide whether I like the embroidered felted skirt or the PRINTED scarf better! I love that you keep learning new things, and learning them well. =) I love the photo location too… and that adorable toddler belly!
Thanks, Charity!! That toddler belly…..SQUEEZE!! So glad we have these moments captured :)….
[…] of our judges, Ashley and Emily from Frances Suzanne, printed and sewed up this lovely linen scarf while they were competing in Project Run and Play. […]