SWAP #6 – catch up week

posted in: Inspiration, SWAP | 10

I have just had another look at the Sewing with a Plan rules and spot a “desirable” but not “essential” requirement to reflect current trends in at least one item! Eeek. When I first read the rules my eye seemed to have  just flicked my eye over that requirement.

Let’s have another look at the modern trends, as captured on Artisans’ Square.

Fall 2017/Winter 2018 Trends
checks, neutral plaids
florals/garden prints
denim
silver/metallic, sparkles/glitter
red, gold
americana: folklore, patchwork
trench with a twist
feathers or fringe
black leather
polka dots

 

Spring 2018 Trends
yellow, lavender, orange
bold graphic prints
geometric cutouts
more denim
tassels, sequins
sheer fabric
matching or coordinating fanny pack/bum bag

Eeek again!

I couldn’t help but focus on the  matching fanny pack/bum bag!! I would struggle with that one. Maybe I can make a bag for my camera as the one I have is pretty dorky.

What about feathers, sequins, fringes, black leather, and sheer – these items make me think of erotic dancers (sorry, just me!).

And Americana – is this a trend in England?

Well – I had a quick look at what is trending at Topshop and Americana is indeed fashionable, often badged as Western or Rodeo. How about these looks? Float your boat?

 

And would folklore be something we could adapt to our own folkwear traditions? If so would my yellow (a spring trend) gansey (folklore) qualify? And I could always include jeans (navy jeans) as a previously made or ready to wear item.

Allthough you can see fringes on the dress and white blouse, this trend has been cropping up in knitwear, where I am actually enjoying undone, distressed knitting and trailing threads. Here are some images from the Financial Times How to Spend It magazine.

Financial TImes feature

I think this idea was in my head when I finished my woven scarf (which may be the accessory I use in the SWAP). I was really reluctant to trim off all the left over yarn on the right of the photo below. I felt these threads made the item unique and only a hand made item could include them. Even on the left I allowed the yarn to present as it came off the loom, with the red a little bit longer than the blues. And this scarf is full of errors as it is a beginner project. I am fine with that. Everytime I wear it I think of two people

  • Jo who gave the yarn, and
  • Bridget who taught me to weave, and allowed me to colonise her loom for weeks, and entertained me throughout with funny stories, and wound the donated yarn (in such lovely colours) around the shuttles. She also knitted (facecloths) during our conversations.

I loved the weaving process, by the way. At that point I decided, when I come to retire (I am thinking in about four or five years) I will ask my colleagues to buy me a loom! I want a loom of my own (when I have the time to use it).

Woven scarf with trailing threads

 

How is my SWAP going?

That’s where I am this week.

10 Responses

  1. The Demented Fairy

    I’m not one for accessories, but I can see why you love that scarf. I am also intrigued by weaving- it will never happen, but it’s an interest!
    You’re making good progress.
    I ignored the trends thing; I am not, and have never been, nor will be, trendy or cool! I just looked at some of the suggested collections, got the gist, and went for it.
    It’s working well so far!

  2. ceci

    The “trends” list seems so marketing ploy oriented – don’t people sew partly to avoid that stuff?

    Glad to hear other people go off knitting projects……that’s what started my current hat knitting bender, finding some unfinished knitting and deciding to rescue the very nice yard into hats. Two done, one on the needles.

    ceci

  3. Samina

    Love that scarf! I once paid a ton of money for a handwoven scarf….
    About the Americana thing, the trend has continued into the most current Fall/Winter 2018 Dior collection – I’m talking “crazy patchwork” which is a real and fun quilting technique.
    Finally, glad to see someone else do their sewing tasks on the floor. I also use my floor but my back hurts afterwards.

    • Fabrickated

      Thanks so much dear Samina.

      I have always cut out on the floor, and remember being intrigued in India to find many male tailors squatting or sitting on the floor with their sewing machines. I tried it and I still like working like that. We created our kitchen to include a huge eating/cutting out/preparation/silk painting surface, but one way or another my husband has taken it over….

  4. Sue

    I get quite annoyed when challenges expect people to follow current trends, particularly when they are impractical – how does one wear feathers or fur in a hot climate? I am enjoying your approach to the whole thing and your scarf is excellent! I still have a skirt to weave and I just can’t get my head round it.

  5. Kim

    Another individual who isn’t big on following ‘trends’ here – though it’s good to know that my bum bag is trendy again!
    You seem to be making good progress on the SWAP even if you have gone off the cardigan. The great thing about knitting is that the yarn can be reused – a definite plus against the same result on a sewing project where the materials are a struggle to repurpose.

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