Tracey

Blue Rose Dress

05.10.2015 by Tracey //

Blue Rose Dress by Tracey

Pattern, drafted by Tracey and Lindsey Knott

Fabric, Liberty Voile (silk and cotton blend) from B&J Fabrics

When I was bitten by the sewing bug, I decided that my best strategy to get better was to surround myself with talented and experienced people and absorb everything I could. I’ve been so lucky to have found wonderful teachers who have helped me to get further along on my sewing journey and I plan on talking about each and every one on my blog. Today, it’s Lindsey’s turn! Lindsey is the head stitcher in the costume shop at the Atlanta Ballet and also a graduate of the fashion department at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She is a supremely talented woman and absolutely lovely to be around. I convinced her to take time out of her very busy schedule to come to my house once a week to work with me on pattern making. And somehow, between the dogs barking, and the kids home sick from school, and workmen around the house, she managed to pass on her pattern making knowledge which I am so grateful for!

This dress is a product of our work together. (Lindsey also helped me with my French Vest.) The skirt is two layers of voile at different hem lengths. I decided to use the wrong side of the Liberty print fabric because it has the sun faded look that I wanted. I lined the bodice in the same fabric so that the right side of the fabric faces the inside of the garment. (I love that the inside of the dress is as wonderful as the outside.) I used french seams throughout the dress which definitely got a little complicated at times with the different layers and trying to remember the wrong side is really the right side and to sew the wrong side together first then the right side together next which is really the wrong side. You see what I mean. And if you don’t see what I mean, then you know exactly how I felt making it! But eventually it all came together. I went a little to deep with the neckline. I’m still trying to master the fit of a neckline and I’m a little baffled that I have so much trouble with it. I struggle to get them to lay the way I want. But I guess that’s one of the aspects of sewing that keeps it interesting–there’s always a problem to solve, a challenge to meet.

Oh, yes, I almost forgot to mention these photographs were taken in Savannah. Such a beautiful place!! Santiago and I did a few photo shoots while we were there, so look for more images from Savannah this summer.

See you next Sunday! You won’t want to miss it. We are going to show you some of my favorite necklaces ever. And Santiago really outdid himself with the images. Have a great week!

The Joy of Jean Paul Gaultier

05.03.2015 by Tracey //

While we were in Paris, we were lucky enough to get a chance to see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at Le Grand Palais. I understand that this exhibit debuted in Montreal and has been traveling to various cities for awhile, but I think for this show in Paris some new items were added. The images above were taken in the first room. The mannequins had projections that made their faces look very real and it’s odd to feel like you are looking at a living person. My son took one look, said “nope”, and made a bee-line for the exit. I was fine until one of the models started to talking to me, then I started to wonder if my son had the right idea. I toughed it out though, because it’s not every day that you get a chance to see these clothes up close.

I love these fashion exhibits. Especially when you get to see the really iconic clothes that you’ve seen pictured in magazines and books. The experience of seeing the real thing never fails to surprise me. No matter how hard you try to capture the essence of one of these garments in a photograph, there are intangibles that are lost. So I have no problem lining up to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit, the Punk exhibit, or this show. The wait is always worth it.

The can-can dress was part of the “runway” show. And watching the show is Catherine Deneuve, Grace Jones, and Dita Von Teese.

Madonna tableau

Le Grand Palais. Beautiful!!

Can you believe these corsets?! Insane!

I have to admit that Jean Paul Gaultier had been kind of off my radar for awhile. But seeing this exhibit reminded me just how much fun he is. He is so joyful!!!

For a much more articulate description of the exhibit, you can go here.

See you next week!