When
Marcy Tilton opened another of her fun and generous contests, of
course i wanted to enter! And as anyone who knows me would predict, i
came up with about a million ideas. Not least because the rules require
you to come up with ideas for using Japanese cottons and Italian linen -
two of my most coveted fabrics on principle. They're both also
uber-practical in the hot summers here which conspire to squelch my
style. I got so worked up that i had to use pictures to get my ideas
across, and i don't know how to do that on Facebook. Thus this post.
So, my entry. First, i would love to make up this (vintage? definitely out of print) Issey
Miyake for Vogue blouse design in a fabric as fabulous as the pattern itself.
I've never cared much for this fabric, but the blouse design is so
flattering, avant-garde, and timeless that it's starting to show wear.
Imagine the various lines and shapes of the Kiru cotton interacting with
the pleats and tucks and gathers.....there's a white blouse i could get
into!
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| This Butterick 4985 pattern is out of print |
I wear these little cami-tops to death in the summer, here i show a couple versions. Sleeveless, lite
colored, with various romantic trimmings and references, they take a
skirt or capris someplace far away from the frozen yogurt and malls of suburban life, and closer to
my style icon Ms. Karen Blixen. I'd like to make one up in this out of print
Butterick pattern using the
Rina cotton with
black crochet trim. I love
to hand embroider these cami-tops, on this version it would be so fun to
pick out the feathery shapes with a cobwebby grey or dark dark inky
blue (especially as i'm a birdwatcher). I can see enlarging one of those
feathery shapes and embroidering it over top of the allover pattern in
an asymmetrical position - or two.
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| You can see another cami top under this very faithful jean jacket. |
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| Katherine Tilton's new design is so much fresher than my decrepit, but loyal, old piece! click here for details |
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For lo these many summers, I've depended on this old
Royal Robbins faded khaki jean jacket for sun protection without added
warmth, and a place to put keys, credit cards etc. on walks and errands.
As this jacket's loyal service reaches an end, or possibly exceeds it,
i've been on the lookout for a stylish replacement. When
sister Katherine's new Butterick designs came out a few days ago i immediately saw the potential in
B5891 - make it up in a linen, shorten the sleeves to elbow or 3/4 length and my needs are realized quite stylishly. The
Greengage Dot Linen would
add the playfulness of dots, and the opportunity of using both sides
will add that dash of panache i sorely need when trying to look pulled
together when red and 'glowing'.
I know it's not technically included in the contest. But i've been mesmerized by that
Green Mansions digitally printed linen since
it appeared on your site. It's a gorgeous rendition of one of my most
completely joyful colorways, which is very rare to find and rarer still
done so sumptuously. How glorious to have a couple yards to make into a
jacket or overblouse! I have a dress in this colorway, i love to wear it
and it always gets me compliments.
Thank you for reading! I always love daydreaming about fabrics, but this entering this contest has also given me a look at how i can fill some wardrobe holes in fresh, new ways. I'm already ahead!
