I am a day late with my blog this week, as I wanted to include the photographs of my Sewing with a Plan 2018 collection. We spent part of the bank holiday weekend with my Mum in Lancashire so I didn’t get started on the pictures until Saturday evening.
Furthermore the photographs did not go to plan.
I had wanted to do them myself with the timer, which would have been feasible if we had a studio. But we have a house, with a limited number of big white walls. So my chosen spot was squeezed between a thermostat switch and some shelving. Every decent picture included one or the other. So in the end I had to involve my glamorous assistant, Nick. Thanks to him the pictures have come out OK.
The first picture is the pencil skirt and the Chanel linen jacket, based on Vogue 1977.
And here is the jacket with the high fronted wider legged trousers I drafted from Aldridge. In the pocket is a silk handkerchief I painted, and round my neck is my accessory, which is a larger piece of painted silk.
The third picture is of my pleated silk skirt with a deep waist band. I added some dark red gros grain ribbon to match my shoes.
And here is the silk blouse with the skirt.
My fifth outfit includes the painted top, with the scarf, and my navy circle skirt.
And here I am wearing the skirt, but this time with the Elizabeth Zimmermann yoke sweater
The next picture includes Bella and her little sister who we met up with over the weekend. I am wearing the same jumper, but this time with the colourful shorts.
In the next photo I am wearing the pencil skirt drafted from Aldridge with exposed seams and hem, with my grey striped seamless Raglan sweater. Oops I can see a shelf in the corner. This may be one of my selfies!
In the next picture, including the darned shelves again, I wrapped the scarf around my head war-time style. I thought it might go with the trouser shape and hand knit.
The finale is the red coat. It is actually sweltering in the UK at the moment! But I shall enjoy this coat. It is so soft and I love this shade of red on me. Obviously worn with the navy trousers and the white shirt.
There we go. I hope you like the collection. At first I thought neutrals might be a bit dull, but I enjoyed making these outfit, for which I relied on TNT, or simple self drafted, patterns. I moved away from complicated or challenging patterns this year, but I did produce wearable clothes. The colourful shoes, “belt” and scarf give the plainness a bit of a lift.
I have loaded these on the Artisans’ Square site. If you are not a member you can still look at the pictures. If you are you can choose which collections you want to vote for later next week, I think. Good luck to all the participants. Producing eleven coordinating garments, or a capsule collection, is pretty hard work even if you use TNTs etc. Everyone has done very well to finish in the time frame. Well done all and Long Live SWAP!
Lyn
Wow Kate, these are amazing! I really like the collection with the added pops of colour! That coat, I love it (as you might expect!)
Lx
fabrickated
You wear a lot of red Lyn but being a bit deeper than me I think it always does you a favour. Personally I find red a bit hard to wear, as so many reds are really quite orangey. But this particular shade which is a true red without being harsh is lovely. I took the chance!
Jenny
Absolutely love these outfits and very interesting to see them together and coordinated with each other. Inevitably seeing the outfits over a period of time you lose the sense of a collection but boy is this a collection. It really is a case of the whole being even greater than the parts. If I have a favourite? Well it’s very hard but I do love the cream jacket.
Ruth
This collection of clothes is really beautiful, classic, elegant but with added detail, love the exposed seams, the coat and the way you have put the jumpers with sewn clothes. It’s inspired me to start thinking about collections, so maybe next year!
Annie
Didn’t you do well? This is a lovely collection and you’ve styled it really well. I have a bit of a problem with AS, it doesn’t remember me anymore and voting means re registering, but a gals gotta do what a gals gotta do.
Karen
Stunning. This is so inspiring. I love it all but especially the hand knit, head scarf and trousers, and the silk skirt and top, the coat. Every garment really. Wow,wow,wow! A huge lesson on how to do neutrals. X
The Demented Fairy
Very cool! I really, really liked the planning around this year’s rules. For me, rules based on colour are easier and more interesting, which is, I think, why I didn’t complete last year’s SWAP. I like the last 2 outfits best, because, well, colour!
As for the bit of shelf- crop or photoshop missus, the friend of those of us who aren’t trying to be top ‘togs.
Lesley El-banawy
Good Morning on this beautiful day,
I simply love the photographs you have posted, I particularly like the one with the jacket and trousers very vintage.
They are all beautiful you photograph well, it is lovely to see you in nice footwear too ?it compliments your outfits.
I also like the cushions in the photograph with you and the children. Some lovely prints there.
Regards
viliene
quite simply beautiful: You have brought grey onto my radar now, thank you.
Mary Funt
Wonderful outfits. You certainly have been prolific, not only sewing, but with knitwear and fabric painting. I have the same issues with finding a solid backdrop for photos. There is always Photoshop to eliminate the unwanted shelves.
Kerry
You look very glamorous! I am very impressed with your industry and creativity. It’s a wonderful wardrobe.
Karen of Fifty Dresses
Well done, Kate! You have a very personal and flattering style which suits you so well! Love that red coat, especially!
fabrickated
Thanks so much Karen. I am embarrassed about my slip shod construction skills when compared to you or Mary Funt. This was a collection squeezed into spare moments and it is not as beautifully made as I would have liked. Nevertheless I believe these items will prove to be versatile and useful in my wardrobe.
ceci
Ahhhh, very satisfying to see everything together, so cohesive and everything is flattering. I too like the cushions in the background of the sofa picture!
ceci
fabrickated
I love the cushions too Ceci. I got the fabrics as remnants on the market and they all seem to blend together very nicely. I do like the girls next door. They are so kind and well behaved.
Rathmore
Bravo!!! The outfits are so classic, elegant and well tailored. I love all of them. You are an inspiration.
Joyce
Mind blowing fabulous! Fun fun fun. Each outfit is so awesome. I love how this collection is so smooth…it all flows in and out and back again with no bumps in the road. Well done Kate. Lovely elegant, and fun shapes. Beautiful!! I would not call those “selfies”, they are self portraits. You must show us more combinations when you get time.
Good luck in the contest. You’ve been a winner in my book for a very long time. Enjoy your success. Have a great day. It’s a wonderful collection!
Joyce from Sudbury.
Lynn Mally
Well, at the risk of repeating myself, I am in awe of your productivity and creativity. The professional photos add to the collection. My favorite is your painted shirt, and then of course the marvelous Chanel jacket.
Dagmar
WOW! Your collection is exciting and elegant and I am shaking my head with disbelief as your progress posts frequently referenced the possibly boring aspect of the SWAP. This worry has turned out to be so far from reality in your case. I particularly love the pencil skirt, the Chanel jacket (the lapels required bravery to go so large, but what a success they are at that scale), the striped jumper, the coat and the your hand painted items. The other pieces are no less lovely and all contribute to a collection of clothing that can take you through any activity and in any part of the world. Honestly, I don’t know how you do it all. You are truly an inspiration.
fabrickated
Isn’t it funny, Dagmar, how we (well I) don’t really enjoy making neutrals, but we love wearing them? This may explain why there are so many kitten prints out there (not for me I am afraid). The lapels are a bit on the big side but I think the jacket will be fun to wear with any bottoms – more versatile than my pink one.
Sydney Brown
WOW!!! What fabulous outfits! And great photos too! My favorites are that pale silk skirt that falls so gracefully, and that knockout red coat! I am VERY impressed.
Sylvia
I absolutely love the picture of you in your painted blouse ,and the painted blouse with the scarf! How happy the colors and creating it must make you. They, and the rest of your collection are lovely! You’re inspiring me to try my hand at silk painting.
Bravo on a cohesive and charming collection! Best wishes to you on the contest.
fabrickated
Thank you so much Sylvia. I do think more people might give printing or painting their own fabrics a try. It is very straightforward and the materials are no more than buying printed fabrics with so many opportunities for customisation and self expression.
Ellen Miller
Amazing, Kate! Everything looks gorgeous. I wanted to write: ” I love this outfit…. the best” but I love them all. Well done! xo!
Anne
Each of your garments is lovely; in an outfit gorgeous – and as a collection fabulous. You’ll gather I quite like your collection!
Vancouver Barbara
Stunning. The whole shebang! My favourite photo of you is the one in the yellow/grey/taupe striped sweater. Those colours are stellar on you. Adore the red coat too. Which pattern did you use for the coat. Brava on the Chanel jacket.
The girls are lovely. Love the striped stockings on the little one.
You are an inspiration. Always.
fabrickated
Hi Barbara – thanks for your very kind comments. I like that sweater too, as the colours are so light but also colourful and nice. It seems to go with so many things. The Burda coat is 08/2012 #101B on BurdaStyle. I made it before in brown wool for my daughter Esme and she loves wearing it.
Catherine
Everyone else has said all the things I would have said. So just: congratulations.
Marielle
Wow, stunning! Every piece is beautiful. My favorite outfit on you: the pencil skirt with striped raglan sleeved sweater. This makes me miss my mom, is she sewed and tailored beautifully. As a young girl and teenager I wanted so much to be able to dress like a “regular American” — blue jeans — but instead my European mother (how I miss her!) had me wear outfits she’d stitched for me. Jeans were forbidden, along with chips and Coke … Thanks for the memories and your inspiring creations.
Elle
What a wonderful collection! It really demonstrates your knowledge of what colors and shapes suit you best, as you look terrific in all of the combos. Such beautiful and useful clothes–I hope you feel comfy in all of them. Well done!
Naomi
Top drawer Kate! I particularly love the silk blouse.
Aida
You’ve made quite a collection Kate, the silk top and the skirts are my favorite but you look great in all of your makes. I’m considering in planning my outfits as at the moment my wardrobe is a bit of everything but not much go with each other, it’s not easy to make a plan and follow it though, at least not for me but I’m determined to make the effort and try it.
Lisa
Well done Kate. It is a beautiful collection. My favourite outfit is the Chanel jacket and pencil skirt which looks very chic. I love everything though.
felicia
This is a lovely collection. I especially like the jackets and the navy trousers. Well, also the sweaters.
Vicki
Congratulations! What an achievement. They all look so fabulous. Great photos too.
Lois
Love your collection of outfits Kate.
Anita Steiner
Stunning, I like all of them. But I admit that red coat is something I would like to borrow from you. Anita
KS Sews
It’s a beautiful collection. The red coat is a showstopper and I love those navy trousers and LOVE the full skirts!
Nina
What an amazing collection Kate – so impressive. I love the way they work together without being obvious matches or links. There’s so much careful thought and skill evident.
Carolyn
What a wonderful collection and there is nothing basic about it! Congrats on finishing it and the pictures are perfect!
Jay
Lovely collection. So many individual touches to simple styles.
Jenny
Wonderful and inspiring Kate, well done. Particularly like all of the skirts and the pale jumper. The silk top is to dye for. Am inspired, Thankyou.
Peggy
Very nicely done, Kate. All of your garments are really beautiful and work so well together. I am a neutrals girl, so this really speaks to me. Thank you for sharing.
Kim
A great collection of garments that will work really well together. I particularly like the EZ jumpers – the striped raglan is just gorgeous!
Sue
Congratulations. Fabulous clothes, lovely photos, and all styled so beautifully. It’s amazing how non-neutral the overall effect is. And I love those shoes!
Melanie
Wow. Love the red coat with trousers, the silk skirt with white blouse, red ribbon and matching shoes is drop dead elegance. The Chanel jacket is so sophisticated and your hairstyle matches everything perfectly. I’m going to steal your floral shorts idea . They are about my skill level!
Emma Dennett
It’s just a brilliant collection. Whack that lot in a suitcase and live for a couple of weeks from it!
Pia
Beautiful collection. You look so chic!