Sew 70's - PPR#10

Project Runway designers used looks from the 70's for inspiration and were required to create two looks.  Project Project Runway designers worked with the same challenge.

I love the earthy colors that were a part of many of the clothes of the 70's, and I loved the long flowing skirts and dresses.

Summer walks the runway in a simple long, loose dress of peachy, flowery cotton with a sweetheart neckline.  The open front shows a hint of leg.
I see she kicked off her shoes. 
Again. 
Incorrigible.

 But she still works it on the runway. 

Lizbeth is wearing a long skirt, a tank top and a wrap-around vest.... she's feeling light and breezy.

Heidi:  "I like the open fronts of the garments.
Michael Kors:  "A definite thumbs up on the simple dress."
Nina:  "I can't decide if I like that vest or not!  I'll give you points for trying something different."

Okay.  Ready to fly into the next challenge!

Check out the rest of the designers' work at the ProjectProjectRunway Flickr page or at Just Crafty Enough.

Image Is Everything - PPR#9

The challenge -  create a look for the rock band, the Sheep Dogs.

Rather than rough and tough, denim and leather rock star, I went for an upscale rock star look; kind of country turned rock.

The band was on the road so Summer modeled the look that I created for their lead singer. 

 Heidi liked the bling on the jacket.

 Michael Kors liked the fit of the pants.

(I was pretty impressed myself!)

Nina liked that it was a little different; not the same old, same old.... and there was no embroidery floss to be seen!

In!

See the rest of the designs at the ProjectProjectRunway Flickr page or at Just Crafty Enough.

What Women Want - PPR#8

This week we had to work for a client that wanted an outfit for a significant other or a friend.  Karen requested something for Col, a school teacher, that she could wear to work and would still be appropriate for heading out with colleagues for the evening... dinner perhaps. We had to make the client and end-user happy but not lose ourselves.

Colleen was much too busy with her teaching duties to have time for the runway, so Summer said she would gladly model the outfit.  They look pretty similiar except Col's hair is a bit darker and her feet are daintier than Summer's.

The outfit is a below-the-knee skirt with a little fullness for ease of movement in the classroom.  A loose fitting sweater in tea-dyed oh-so-very-soft fabric is on top, with a braided belt to pull it together.  Of course the belt is from embroidery floss - that's the me part.  And there are strands of shiny gold running through the belt - that's for Col - we all know she likes her bling!

That Summer just can keep her shoes on!  Not a good example for the kids!

Heidi yawns.

Michael Kors says that it's appropriate for a teacher but thinks it could be found at any store. (Not with that belt, Michael!)

And if Nina liked Oliver's pet store challenge top, she has to love this one, so that should keep me in the running 'til next week.  

I'm starting to realize I'm not fashion designer material... shhhh.... don't tell.  

Head over to Just Crafty Enough or the ProjectProjectRunway Flickr page to see the full Runway show.

Why Can't We All Get Along?! - PPR#7

For Challenge #7 the Project Runway designers had to work in teams again (ugh!), create their own fabric, and each create one look for a collection.  Their inspiration had to be drawn from the city.  They did NOT all get along.  Joshzilla and Baby Bert clashed and clashed.

Since the Project Project Runway designers would be working on their own, only one look was necessary.  We were, however, admonished by Just Crafty Enough to try to get along with ourselves.

In any city in the summer time you can find kids playing with chalk, creating art on the sidewalk, and playing hopscotch.  I was inspired by the colors and the relaxed, fun feeling one gets when playing with chalk.

I made two fabrics . . . . .

One is brown zigzag stitches and straight line stitches of orange and green in chalk-like shades on a background of gray.
The other is strands of embroidery floss in chalk-like shades of pink and blue, zigzag stitched with pink thread, again on a background of gray.

My mini-collection, Sidewalk Chalk:

Dressy enough for a lunch date but casual enough for a pick-up game of hopscotch! 

Heidi:  I like that Summer's dress is tight and shows off her figure.  Lizbeth's skirt is almost short enough.
Michael Kors:  What is that on Summer's dress?! Is it a cowl? Is it a collar? I don't think I like it.
Nina:  I like your inspiration and your "collection" is cohesive.  I wonder, though, if you aren't a bit "one note" - we've seen embroidery floss on nearly everything you've made so far.  You really need to step it up!

Sounds like I squeaked by again.

We did all get along.  I think the girls had fun. Lizbeth was happy to help out and be modeling again. Summer really enjoyed herself and even picked up some chalk and doodled a little . . .

Extra points to anyone who can guess her last name and her true love's name ;)

Check out the rest of the designs at the ProjectProjectRunway Flickr page.

The Art of the Matter - PPR #6

Project Runway designers paired with art students to create a piece of artwork that would be the inspiration for an avant garde garment.

Since we can't go to Harlem School of the Arts and create artwork with a student, Just Crafty Enough gave us Project Project Runway designers the option of using an existing piece of art for our inspiration.  Bad enough that I show my lack of fashion design here - I'm not about to show a piece of what could not by any stretch be called art.  So off I went in search of someone else's art.

I chose this art photo of a mountain stream . . .

Dee Parniske

BlueRidgePhotography

After soaking up the essence of the photo, I sorted through my stash. Though the colors in the photo are more in the greys, greens and whites, I felt a brown batik I had with swirls of turquoise conveyed the feeling of the water. 

 Texture Magic was stitched to a large square of the batik, then steamed to give it the texture that imitates the rise and fall and rush of the water over the rocks. The back of the garment has shredded fabric for a flowing feeling.

I was tempted to string some blue ribbons through Summer's hair but I kept hearing Michael Kors (channelled through Karen) say "too matchy-matchy" so I resisted. 

It won't be the best on the runway but here's hoping I can slide by in the middle again!

Off The Track - PPR Challenge #5

Heidi Klum has a line of New Balance shoes.  Who knew gym shoes could be fashionable?!  I never think of gym shoes when I think of fashion. I guess that just shows how much I know.  The challenge for Project Runway, and so for Just Crafty Enough 's Project Project Runway, was to make a look to go with Heidi's shoes. Think fashion and not just gym.... a dress, a suit, classic with a twist.  Denim or suede must be used for at least part of the design - they are materials used in Heidi's shoes. 

Now that I don't hang around horses, I wear gym shoes just about every day.  And I don't think I've ever worn anything but jeans with them.  Okay, maybe occassionally a pair of khaki shorts.... but I always feel like I have the wrong shoes on.  So I'm not sure about a dress with sneakers, but that's what I made.  It took three tries but finally one worked.  Sort of.  I'm hanging on by a thread here. 

Summer is going for a walk in the park and then to the mall.  She wants to dress up just a bit but needs to be comfortable for all that walking.

All About Nina - Project Project Runway #4

Project Runway designers were tasked with creating a look for PR judge and Fashion Director of Marie Claire magazine, Nina Garcia, that could be worn to work and then out in the evening for an industry event.  Nina was not bashful about her "don't wants" and listed loud patterns, loud colors, pleats and voluminous clothes as dislikes.  She does like tailored clothes, clean lines, classic with an edge.   A look at some of the clothes she has worn was provided to help start things.

Just Crafty Enough tasked the Project Project Runway designers with the same!

 

Here is my day look for Nina to wear to work.  A simple black and white skirt with a (hopefully) not too loud pattern.  And a sleek black tank top embellished with a bit of gold stitching along the top.

At the end of the day, Nina can just whip off those straps (they use velcro), add a gold necklace and she's ready for evening!

I don't know how close Nina and Heidi are, but if they like to share clothes, Nina can lend her top to Heidi, who will totally rock it as a short-enough-for-Heidi dress.  Hope that wins me some points with the judges!

Check out the rest of the runway at

 the Project Project Runway Flickr page.

Go Big or Go Home - PPR Challenge #3

Project Runway designers had to create a look for a stilt-walking model.  For Just Crafty Enough's Project Project Runway we had to create a look for our stilt-walking dolls.  And we had to make the stilts.  I used dowel rods and fastened them to Summer's legs with bread ties. (She didn't want sticky tape on her legs.)

When I realized we were designing for really tall girls I thought of a men's tux with tails - they look best on someone that's tall.  So I started there and girled it up.  

I loved the striped pants that Julie and Josh made. They really had a lot of fun motion on the runway.  Not quite ready to get that flashy, I just added one wavy stripe to the side of the pants.
Summer is loving her outfit but is afraid to walk.  She insists that she'll fall.  I promised to catch her but she doesn't trust me.  She says I'll give priority to the camera.  (She may be right!)

Black buttons accent the short front of the jacket and the pleated back hangs past Summer's knees.

The outfit just screamed for something more, hence the glorified top hat. 

The judges could go either way.... "it looks sophisticated and stylish"  or (please, no!) it looks costume-y. 

Fingers crossed!

You can see the rest of the BIG designs at the Project Project Runway Flickr page

Pet Project - PPR Challenge #2

Challenge #2 for Project Project Runway was the unconventional challenge.  Not my favorite to watch and, now that I've done it, not my favorite to do!  The rules from Just Crafty Enough:  Use anything from a pet store to make your design. (If you have pet stuff at home you can use it rather than buy something.) You can use a base fabric like muslin to build your outfit on. Tim reminds us, “The judges do not respond well to looks that come out of unconventional challenges that use a lot of fabric."

With no pet store close by, and a limited selection in the pet department at the hardware store, I chose to use items from home.

Dog fod bag and vet office leash.

I was pleasantly suprised at the way the bag handled.  It was easy to cut and easy to stitch.  It was NOT easy to turn right side out.  And it did not drape well (surprise, surprise).  I got just a tad frustrated and decided to forego traditional closure.  Out came the scotch tape.  I don't think the judges will notice.

By the time I was finished, the work room was a mess.  Scraps and discarded attempts littered the floor.  The Pepperlove Accessory Wall arrived and was installed, but it still needs to be stocked. 

As I mentioned after the first challenge, my first model needed to be replaced. Lizbeth is doing well and rather relieved that her secret is out.  It was a pleasure to work with my new model, Summer.  She was good natured about all the fittings - there were LOTS! - and was very reassuring whenever I expressed doubts about my design.  I knew she was just being kind, but it helped nonetheless.

The dog food bag was fussy cut to make use of the colors.  The diamond design was cut and stitched to the bottom of the shorts.  The top is a simple sleeveless blouse.  The leash is made from, um, well, er, the leash.

When I told the judges my client was heading to the dog park, Michael said, "Well, that's a good thing, because she isn't fit style-wise to be seen anywhere else!"  Ouch!  That's okay.  I finished and at least all the important parts were covered. 

I'm so looking forward to using fabric.  Those little seams and darts and closures will now seem so much easier.  And rumor has it we'll be working in a larger scale for the next challenge ;)

You can see all the work from the other designers at the Project Project Runway Flickr page.  Some of them are pretty impressive.

Come As You Are - PPR Challenge #1

Challenge #1 – “Come As You Are”


The first challenge of this season's Project Runway had the designers creating an outfit using their pajames and a bed sheet. 
 
Modified for Project Project Runway the designers' rules from Just Crafty Enough:

"You can use either the clothes your model is currently wearing OR a 10″ x 10″ square of fabric similar to your own pajamas. On top of that, you can use a handkerchief worth of white cotton or cotton-ploy blend fabric. The standard woman’s handkerchief is 10″ x 10″. You can manipulate the fabric anyway you want with dye, fabric paint, etc… You can also add things like buttons, velcro, and trims."

Since my model was, at that time, wearing a layer of PlayDoh (trying to make a mold for a dress form....fail) I was glad we had the option of using our pajamas for inspiration!

my pajama top

 similiar fabric square and square of white cotton

I used colored pencils to draw a plaid design on the white cotton for the bodice.  It shows up better here on this discarded piece that it does on the dress.

The skirt of the dress is from the pajama design fabric.  The back closes with velcro. Embroidery floss creates the strap design and waist embellishment.

Heidi will say "It's ok. A bit boring. It could be shorter"
Michael... "Where is she going?"   My answer... "Sunday brunch at the shore with girlfriends"
Nina..."what is that mess in the back?"

There was a bit of a learning curve as I've made less than a dozen garments in my lifetime, and never clothes this small.  Darts, waist adjustments, hems.... yikes!  But it turned out okay.  I think I'll make it to the next round. 

Lizbeth, on the other hand, may not.  There was not full disclosure during the contract negotiations.  Turns out she is bald . . . . not that there's anything wrong with that . . . . but it kind of makes her one note in the styling department.  I feel bad with the tough current economic environment that she no longer has the Dollar Store opportunity so I'll keep her on.  She can help in the workroom, and she has expressed an interest in child development.... when the grandkids come she can try her hand at entertaining them.

This week I'll be making a trip to the model casting department. 
And I'm expecting delivery of the Pepperlove Accessory wall. 
(So excited!)

Can't wait to see what the next challenge is!

Project Project Runway

Oh, how I loves me a good challenge! 

I'm a relatively new (in the last year or two) Project Runway fan.  The new season is starting tomorrow.... woo hoo!  Last season, just at the end, I discovered a couple of talented, fun bloggers, Kathy and Susi, that were creating collections along with the Project Runway show, but in miniature... on Barbies... sooooo cute!  They are doing it again this time and I'm joining in the fun.

I contracted with my model several weeks ago in hopes that I could participate.  She was having trouble finding modeling work and was stuck at a Dollar Store - I saved her from that.  Meet Lizbeth.

We're going all the way to Bryant Park!

The first challenge will be posted Friday morning and finished garments will be revealed the following Thursday on the Project Project Runway Flickr group.

Join us?