Feb
4
We are honored and humbled to be here…..
sharing our final Project Run and Play entry with you today:
“Our Signature Style”
Modern Heirloom: an Oxymoron of Timeless Simplicity
And while we really, really, really want to share our sentiments about this journey…..we know we have our “Signature Style” to share with you, as well as some behind the scenes leading up to this look. So, sentiments aside….and a BIG THANK YOU must suffice for now!!
Time and time again, it’s been said that “Signature Styles”
are often the most difficult challenge of any competitor of Project Run and Play.
It’s personal…..extremely personal.
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Our “style” has evolved since we began sewing a few years ago, and we’re sure it will continue to do so in the years to come. Still, our “big ideas” {as they currently stand} in style are evidenced in our previous Project Run and Play challenges {here, here, and here}….although, each one is evidenced in a different era of sewing, so to speak…
Week One was all about a timeless, heirloom look…
Complete with smocking, lace, and beadwork.
Week Two continued with details, details, details…
This time, however, it was showcased in our favorite era to draw inspiration from – the 1960s. Trims, notions, cording, and piping were seen on various types of solid fabrics and whimsical details were incorporated and embroidered within the garment.
Week Three moved to the present with two fashionably, trendy outfits
that incorporated the 2014 PANTONE colors of the year…
Leg warmers, a cowl sweater, an infinity scarf, and skinny jeans were all part of this look. Still, as trendy as it was, embroidery details were incorporated in both garments – again using the entire 2014 PANTONE color palette as a guide.
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Before this season began, a dear friend reminded us to stay true to ourselves and our style through this competition, and so we did. And while we stretched ourselves through the competition, our style remained – a tried and true “constant” for us…and one that we still love!
“Signature Style” creations challenge the sewist/s to define not only their style, but also themselves within it. Since we work within the confines of “themes” so much better, we decided to make a “theme within a theme” for our “Signature Style”….all while passing on some virtues and traits we’d like our nieces to possess, as well as anyone else they meet along the way. Think of it as a message, displayed within the confines of our “Signature Style.”
Using Biblical principles, we created an outfit for each girl {and 5 matching accessory pieces – 2 Bible covers, 2 cinch purses, and EA’s hair tie} that incorporate these virtues within the garments. Of course, we tried to include as many “signature traits” of our sewing throughout…
For CL, we made a “Fruit of the Spirit” dress {Galatians 5:22-23}.
What parent wouldn’t want their child to possess love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?!?!
We know we need those traits daily – not only in our sewing, but also in all other avenues of our lives.
EA’s “Skirt of Thought” showcased great characteristics to focus on as well….day in and day out.
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report…If there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things” {Philippians 4:8}.
While Project Run and Play is designed to challenge and better one’s sewing skills,
these two verses are also a daily challenge for us…..and one worth remembering!!
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So, let’s share a few specifics about the outfits and how each tie into
our “Signature Style” of “Modern Heirloom: An Oxymoron of Timeless Simplicity”….
CL’s outfit remained true to the classy, vintage, timeless, simple designs we love to sew.
Detailed embroidery was then added to create a unique, one-of-a-kind, garment.
We are somewhat obsessed with solid French knot embroidery {some of our favorite garments
that incorporate this “shag carpet” look can be seen here, here, here, and here}. While this is a VERY time-consuming detail {this portion of the topiary tree required 12-15 hours of French knots}, it never disappoints….
We began with the Oliver and S, Puppet Show Dress,
but combined the yoke and skirt portions to make it as a singular piece.
This tutorial was extremely helpful as we created the dress.
The main portion of the dress was accented with vintage-styled fabric
along the sleeve cuffs, collar, and bloomers.
We redrafted the collar pieces to create an asymmetrical collar,
complete with double piping and a decorative “topiary” button.
As for the details {because we love details}, a topiary tree of solid French knots was placed in an embroidered “Fruit of the Spirit” pot {a small pocket attached along the base of the dress}.
Additional details included a piped lip to the pot and orange “fruity French knots”
embroidered within the main topiary of French knots.
A sweet, accent trim lined the placket area along the back of the dress.
This trim was also used in CL’s cinch purse handles…
a subtle {but sweet} connection to make it a more cohesive look.
Two accessory pieces {the self-drafted Bible cover and a cinch purse}
incorporated the fabrics from the dress….again, making it a “complete look.”
Taking the dimensions of a child’s New Testament Bible {and checking out the construction of our mom’s iPad cover, bought from a friend}, we created a color-blocked Bible cover – the perfect size for small hands to take to church.
The cover was held in place by two interior pockets and a magnetized snap closure…
easy for a child to operate independently.
EA’s outfit had more of an “heirloom with an edge…” look.
Why?? Embroidery and paint were used to create her garment….
and it isn’t every day you see a detailed filled garment using both of these elements of design.
For the blouse, we mixed and matched the various views of the Oliver and S, Music Class Blouse
and added a pop of color in the piping and fussy-cut covered buttons.
This was designed to mimic the reversed JESUS wood carvings that made a debut many years ago.
Embroidery was added above and below the painting, as well as within the reversed word, THINK.
Each letter housed something to think about, as referenced through scripture.
Finally, as a pop of color, orange embroidery was stitched around the paint
to create more texture and design element.
This detail further connected the skirt to the blouse detailing and accents.
A coordinating fabric was used as a skirt tie, lining, and EA’s hair tie.
All the elements from EA’s blouse and skirt were once again utilized
in her two accessory pieces {a self-drafted, coordinating Bible cover and a cinch purse}.
The cinch purse was made by tracing a dinner plate, and cutting two coordinating fabrics from it.
A casing was made between the two fabrics, and trim was woven through two buttonhole openings.
This buttonhole “cinched look” mirrored the trim being run through EA’s skirt buttonhole,
and further joined the accessory pieces to the outfit.
These two little ladies are ready for church, and any other special occasions that await them in 2014.
And, we’ll be back tomorrow for a final “behind the scenes” post on how these outfits came to be…..
What are some items that we plan on sharing with you?
What fabric did we “build” this entire look from, why was it almost scrapped,
and who pulled us through the “situation”??
What part of the outfit was made four times before being satisfied with the outcome?
What was our one Christmas gift request this year?
How was it utilized {or not utilized} through this look?
What 2013 Sewing ReSEWlution was attempted, and did we meet with success?
What part of our “Signature Style” do we claim “Beginner’s Luck” in creating?
How did THREE TYPES of social media assist us in completing this look?
What postponed our photos for three days,
and had us wringing our hands on looming deadlines??
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Outfit / Fabric Specifications:
Patterns: Oliver and S, Puppet Show Dress; Oliver and S, Tea Party Bloomers;
Oliver and S, Music Class Blouse; Oliver and S, Swingset Skirt
{note: modifications and detailing for each listed above}
Self-Drafted Accessories: Magnetized, color-blocked children’s Bible covers; Cinch purses; EA’s hair tie
Oliver and S, Music Class Blouse; Oliver and S, Swingset Skirt
{note: modifications and detailing for each listed above}
Self-Drafted Accessories: Magnetized, color-blocked children’s Bible covers; Cinch purses; EA’s hair tie
Fabrics for CL: solid cream and brown piping {Textile Fabrics};
orange piping {Bernina Sewing Machine Station};
Simple Abundance by Thimble Blossoms for Moda {Thimble Blossoms}
orange piping {Bernina Sewing Machine Station};
Simple Abundance by Thimble Blossoms for Moda {Thimble Blossoms}
Trims/Notions for CL: purse and dress trim {Hobby Lobby};
all buttons – decorative, placket, and sleeves {Textile Fabrics}
all buttons – decorative, placket, and sleeves {Textile Fabrics}
Fabrics for EA: solid blue and brown fabrics {Textile Fabrics,},
Happy Go Lucky by Moda {Fat Quarter Shop}; orange piping {Bernina Sewing Machine Station}
Happy Go Lucky by Moda {Fat Quarter Shop}; orange piping {Bernina Sewing Machine Station}
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Renee