Decisions decisions… I’ve been dithering, and distracted by work stress [nothing new there], but had a moment of revelation, which is igniting the sew-jo at last!
The pattern which is calling to me the loudest seems to be the Edwardian lady’s sporting costume, #110 form Laughing Moon. When I knocked together my planning last week, I didn’t know what fabric to use, and I was tending towards something tweedy and fairly authentic looking.
But I already have tweedy jodhpurs, and two fairly authentic looking wintery jackets. Hmmm.
Revelation! What about going completely batty, and using that beautiful length of African wax print cotton? Now you’re talking! Completely, and utterly bonkers, if not totally original…take a look at Yinka Shonibare’s work here.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: it’s PAYDAY! Coupled with a sale at Weaver Dee,and a little project for the missus to use the exquisite ivory silk satin, I came over all of a doodah. Here’s what I got:
Now it’s Friday, I need treats, and I ruddy well deserve them for not committing murder at work…it was close though!
thedementedfairy 
Congrats on not killing anyone! Some weeks that’s all you can ask for.
I just discovered your blog recently, so I apologize if this is something you’ve discussed before… I was wondering if there’s any overlap between your work clothes and your steampunk wardrobe? I think my goal for my sewing is ‘office appropriate steampunk’; I’m good enough at what I do that I can be a little eccentric in how I dress, but I don’t want to cross over into costume territory. I picture some of your SWAP pieces mixed in with more 21st century clothes and being worn out and about. I just haven’t been able to find many examples of it anywhere (in your blog or elsewhere), and was hoping you could give a proto-punker a bit of guidance.
Thanks!
birdmommy
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You can’t commit murder at work – because then we won’t be able to see the great outfits you come up with!
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I know how you feel….just the smell of new fabric and patterns puts my mind at ease. And, I love your idea about using the African print with that pattern.
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It will be wild and wacky…I may need to hand out free sunglasses as I pass by!
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Yippee! Anxious to see the completed project.
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I love the African fabric riff. While my (ex) son in law (of Jamaican origin) would not be seen dead in African fabrics, and my (Ghanaian) designer friend thinks wax prints are too cliched to every appear in his collections, I think they are tremendous fun and should be used widely. I love dressing up in them. I also have a Kente (Ghanaian woven) scarf that I wear with a purple Vivienne Westwood coat that get so many wonderful comments. Great plans Fairy.
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Lol I have more in my shopping basket. Dawn also hates them, says the look like 1950s lino! I have so many plans, but am too tired to start cutting. Maybe later…
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That would make an interesting group challenge: using Wax in an untypical way.
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Cool idea- I’ll be in the lead this time! I was inspired primarily by the fact they did a challenge like that on the Great British Sewing Bee. Most of the results were, however, uninspiring to be honest…I’m such a mean old lady!
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Start of term…….best bit is that it only happens once a year!
My sewing has had to take a back seat to prepping, thank goodness the marking hasn’t begun yet. Mind you, fabric shopping sounds like a wonderful alternative.
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Amazingly therapeutic- oops, I just did it again. Gotta love eBay! My marking has started, just doing the assessments that kick a few kids straight off the AS course. A shock coming for the unprepared…
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There’s an artist with a name I can’t remember who made a Victorian dress out of African wax prints: I believe this is known as #postmodernism or cultural repropriation! I took a photo years ago and may send it if I find it.
I love your jodhpurs outfit very much. What kind of (lovely) hat is that?
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Thanks for reminding me, I’ve just edited the post, I meant to include a reference to Yinka Shonibare’s work. It’s there now! The hat is a pith helmet, otherwise known as a sola topi. I got it from eBay, at a good price.
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Ah, I tried finding it but thought it was Olayinka and got nowhere… I’m learning so much here (pauldrons, etc)
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Haha! My pleasure to pass things along- after all, that’s why we all read one another’s blogs n’est-ce-pas?
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You only need kill one as a warning to the rest 😉
Second thoughts, probably not a good idea – unlike your sewing plans. I love the idea of wax print used in an unexpected way.
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Aha! My black contrast has arrived and it’s LUSH. More cutting tomorrow, I’m shattered after a parents’ evening…
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Hope you’ve managed to keep the blood thirst in check this week as well, I’m looking forward to seeing your wax print dress. Very interesting about the artist, he does great work. What a great commentary on imperialism and the inevitable cultural exchanges, which we at times seem to be completelt blind to.
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Indeed- it’s wonderful stuff, I’d love to see it ‘in the flesh’. I have bought more wax prints now, I may have a bug…
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Not hard to catch a wax print bug, is it? They are totally gorgeous, but hard to come by here – which in some ways is a blessing. Otoh, we’re off to Berlin next week and I found a shop that should have wax prints. If I can get my family along, that is. It might just have to wait until I get to London…
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