Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Project Run and Play, week two. All Wrapped Up!

Phew, made it to week two of Project Run and Play and this week's theme is CANDY.

Let me present to you my look: 

All Wrapped Up!


At first I was a 'deer in headlights' when I realized that week 2 had a candy theme. But suddenly I thought of this amazing neon fluorescent vinyl I bought like 6 months ago.

I hope I am not the only one thinking about candy wrapping paper when I see this vinyl!?



The whole time I had plans of making rain jackets for the girls with it but hmmm, I guess I got busy with other things and pushed this 'big project' ahead of me even though Wilma asked me every week when I was going to make it. Soon sweetheart, soon! Ahem!



I used the Oliver + s Secret Agent Trench Coat pattern as a base for the rain jacket. It has raglan sleeves and well, since it is also a jacket pattern I knew it had the right shape and size too. It even has a girl version with a gathered waist but I decided to go with a detail I have seen in several Japanese sewing books where you sew a wide ruffle on the outside of the fabric to finish off the jacket. This creates a small ruffle above the stitch that I just love.


And in this case with the fluorescent ruffle it is even more perfect than I had anticipated. The vinyl is super fluorescent from the edges and I just love how it stands out. I was a bit worried how I was going to sew it on because I could obviously not sew in gathering threads and my gathering foot did not work with the vinyl either so I simply had to hand fold and gather as I sewed. It worked, phew. Only a bit sweaty afterwards. 




What else did I change from the original pattern? I added a wide front placket with room for double rows of snaps. 



I added a hood - I mean no rain jacket without a hood, right! 


I changed the pockets into sort of a kangaroo style pocket. And I changed the sleeve straps a little bit by making them straight.




When sewing the sleeve straps I used a technique used when sewing with leather. That worked like a charm.


You basically fold the seam allowances on the top strap and put it directly down on another layer of vinyl, stitch 1 mm from the edge and then cut the extra of the bottom layer after sewing, as close to the seam as possible. This way you don't have to sew the two layers right against right and turn inside out...because I am not sure that would have worked very well with this fairly stiff material. These straps have completely square corners and are just the way they should be.

Oh boy my new Juki industrial sewing machine from Gold Star Tool totally saved me from disaster here. The vinyl was harder than I thought to sew in and there was no way my domestic would have made the same result. I am not even sure it would have been possible.... even with the teflon foot I had ordered. It was super nerve racking to sew this. The needle made fluorescent holes so I had only one chance for all the top stitches, ahhhh! And since you can't iron it I had to top stitch everything to make the seams lie down. Phew, it was like a workout to wrestle with it.



I also made a lollipop sweatshirt - I could not make an entry without a bit of color blocking, could I?!
The pattern is self drafted. The shape is classic sweatshirt with raglan sleeves and rib in the neck, sleeve and bottom opening. I tried my best to have the stripes follow all the front from left sleeve over the front to the right sleeve - it aaaalmost worked. 



It is also continuing over the left shoulder and then all the stripes are being faded out on the center back neck seam so the right shoulder is all pink front and back.
Both fabrics are soft and comfortable French terry.

Wilma kept on this clothes after the photo shoot which is always a good sigh, right




Last but not least did I make these super comfortable 21 wale cotton corduroy slouchy pants in this beautiful soft baby pink. The fabric is from Kaufman.
The pants have pleats in the front and a waistband with adjustable elastic. 



Side pockets with a decorative buttoned flap.


 Back welt pockets also with buttons...but this time actually with a purpose....to keep the pockets in place. 
Those buttons...aaaamazing! Wooden painted buttons from, yes you guessed it Lots of Buttons. They have a ton of this type and sooo many cool ones.



And a tapered leg with a fixed fold up at the end of the trouser leg.

In the little intro on the Project Run and Play site I promised you a little funny story on how I realized that I basically just designed (well, it is a classic shape but you know what I mean) and drafted the Figgy's Pattern's Banyan Trousers
So I had help editing my photos from the amazing Celina Bailey and this sunday we were basically constantly in contact. She editing photos and me writing on this post, answering her questions so the photos ended up looking in a way I liked and so on. Lots of fun and for SURE less stressful than doing it myself. I think we all know were my strength is...and it is not photo editing (I wish, but nope).

SO I was writing about these pants and was not sure what the correct English term for that fixed fold up that the pants have was, so I thought I would ask Celina if she knew. She came back to me saying she was not sure (her first language is not English either remember.) but I should check Figgy's Pattern's Banyan Trousers and see what they call it. 
Ooookay, I thought, that was a very specific and detailed answer....you know compared to "try google it" which is the answer I usually give when I don't know the answer to something. So I go check them out and haha, besides for the pocket details these are basically the trousers I have just spend quite some time drafting the pattern for (altering an old trouser pattern I made for my daughter). The pleat in the front, the adjustable waistband, the tapered leg and the fold up (as they, and now me, call it). Oh well! 
And why did Celina have that answer right on hand. Because she had just sewed a pair for her post in my Sewing for Kindergarten-series. Too funny! Well, now we know that I for sure will like what she has made....like I ever doubted that...I LOVE everything she makes! Including her editing.

I mean look what she did with this photo of Wilma looking a bit hmmm thoughtful.


Yes, the storm is coming (the voting storm, hahaaaaha) but first I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Celina Bailey from Petit a Petit & Family for editing my mediocre photos into these little masterpieces this week. Wow, you are talented my lady!

And to Olga my blogging BFF from Kid Approved for keeping my spirits up when last week's voting results took me by surprise and shocked me for a few days. Don't worry I am over it now. Expectations can be a tricky thing!
By the way she has been sewing along with the candy theme too. You should go and show her some love HERE.

And thank you to all the rest of you blogging friends, real life friends and family and blog readers that came with encouraging comments and fantastic compliments on my week one entry. Of the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU! You have no idea how much it meant!


Oh, and don't you just love those clouds, rain drops etc that Celina added to the photos! Well, you can get them HERE.


Yup, don't you forget it!

Thank you SO much for coming over!
Now head back to Project Run and Play and give me that vote, please!


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47 comments:

  1. Well done MIe!!! I have never sewn with vinyl.. I can just imagine you wrestling with it!!!

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    1. Yes, totally wrestling ;-) Thank you SO much Suz.

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  2. Hold nu op, Mie!!!! Hvor er du bare produktiv og genial! Jeg er fuldstændig vild med regnfrakken. Skide godt fundet på. Du har allerede fået min stemme :-)

    Kh

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    1. Tak Trine. Jeg ville oenske vinylen var lidt tyndere...saa havde jeg totalt sat den i produktion. Jeg kan lige se alle danske boern i den ;-)

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  3. Love the color blocked shirt- looks great in combo with the jacket! I was surprised with voting too...you rocked last week! Glad your still in it!

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  4. beyond amazing mie! those little details on the jacket are just beautiful! and it does look like candy...eye candy!

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    1. Thank you my friend. You are too sweet....like (eye) candy...hahahaaaa

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  5. I so love your take on candy...I never would have thought to be inspired by the wrapper! Love it and as always, your details are meticulous!

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    1. Thank you SO so much!! I can't help it with the details ;-)

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  6. I so love your take on candy...I never would have thought to be inspired by the wrapper! Love it and as always, your details are meticulous!

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  7. TOO cute! And your model is adorable as well :)

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  8. It doesn't even rain here in Phoenix and I want that raincoat SO SO bad for Drew! I would run and hide from that vinyl though and it shows some major skill what you were able to do with that. You are a master of color blocking with that sweatshirt too. This look is just so cool!

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    1. Chelise you are TOO funny!! Well this is kind of the rain jacket you kind of could wear without it raining, right?

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  9. This is such a fun look and so well sewn, too! I want that sweatshirt and the pants are perfection! And the coat - so fun!

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  10. Seriously how much would you charge for this jacket my four year old daughter just saw the pink raincoat and flipped out!

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    1. Oh man....it is a serious compliment when someone want to pay for your work but ahhhh the vinyl is juuuust a tad too thick to be completely perfect. And it obviously had to be if I should sew one for money. So I am sorry but I have to decline. But THANK YOU THANK YOU!! And give your four year old a hug for having such good taste...hahaha.

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  11. Oh my gosh! I am SERIOUSLY blown away by this! Fantastic job!!!!! I love everything about this look!

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  12. Beautiful, Mie! I love how much the jacket looks like a candy wrapper, and the stripes peeking out from beneath the jacket really add to the "candy" look! -Jen

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    1. Thank you, thank you Jen! Yeah, I was happy that my idea actually worked out...you never know when you start on a project, right!

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  13. Your daughter is adorable. I thought I knew who to vote for but I wanted to look at some more details on others first. Now I can't make up my mind between you and "Lexi Made". There are things I like about both of them and I'm very torn. That rain coat must have been so much work and all the stitching looks great on it.

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    1. Well Lee I think you know who I think you should vote for, right ;-)) And yes this look was a lot of work....I need a vacation after this ;-)

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  14. The raincoat is to die for! What an amazing job you've done. I love the whole outfit! It's not at all costume-y, yet so spot on candy inspired! I'm amazed!

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    1. THANK YOU! That was exactly what I was going for....a non costumey candy inspired outfit....YES, thank you!

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  15. Oh wow! This is awesome. I admire your skill and attention to detail sewing with this difficult material. I love the colour contrast it makes where the sweater stripes shine through the vinyl... I never would have guessed it was yellow underneath the raincoat! You definitely have my vote this week.
    . Kind regards, Lara.

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  16. YOU ARE BLOWING MY MIND RIGHT NOW. The raincoat is fab. That color is so hard to photograph but you did a great job! I love the shirt, I want you to make a pattern (not too demanding right?!) Also, those buttons on the pants are so perfect. Seriously amazing job!!!

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    1. THANK YOU Alida. And I was terrified photographing this but Celina totally saved it! She is really the one who should have the photograph compliments!

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  17. This is so awesome Mie!! Your creations are always so beautiful! I love the photo shoot too! Such a cute idea with the clouds. Fantastic job!

    Alexia

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    1. Thank you Alexia! I will give your compliments about the clouds to Celina...that was totally her idea!!
      Your looks and photos were amazing too.

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  18. This is so awesome Mie!! Your creations are always so beautiful! I love the photo shoot too! Such a cute idea with the clouds. Fantastic job!

    Alexia

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  19. This is so great, Mie! Your creativity and workmanship blow me away! Great job!

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  20. I just read that you mentioned little me! (blushing and looking down at my feet) You are so awesome. :)

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  21. You WOWed us again with your amazing talent! The raincoat is so pretty, and I love that color block shirt!!!

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  22. Ese hombro ,por favor es una belleza.!
    Los impermeables para niñas es un comercio inexplorado.



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  23. Amazing! Really everything is so well done.

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  24. The close up of the jackets are awesome- I would be sewing scared the whole time!

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  25. I waited too long and didn't get to vote, but I liked your "candy" look the best. It was the most creative and so cute! I'm glad you made it through, can't wait to see what you've got coming next week.

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  26. Loved your look. Especially the sweet color combination you used between the sweatshirt and the pants. You daughter is absolutely adorable! My three year old just saw the sweater and requested I make something like that. Oh boy. Not sure if my skills are up to that. Lol. Great job! I voted for you this week.

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  27. Oh man I LOVE those pants. Why not make a bigger pair for yourself when you have time. I'd love to see how those look on a grown up. In fact I would love to see how all of your designs would look on adults. They are that chic.

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  28. Bravo Mie, I love your creations! the raincoat is very practical, hope I can make it in the future.

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  29. I just love that vinyl! Where did you get it? The coat is so adorable & I love the seethru look w/ the blast of color. I need one in my size for puddle jumping and photo walk days!

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  30. Ok, I know I am late to this but what gauge vinyl is that? I am a fashion student and I am going to be sewing a rain jacket soon and I find that all the colored stuff is 10 guage and I can't decide if that will be too thick or not. Any advice you have on this would be much appreciated! Your jacket is just the cutest, as is your sweet little girl!

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  31. Hi Abbey. You did not leave an email address so I hope you check in here. The vinyl is a gauge 12 and is really a tad too thick for this project. You can't see it in the photos (phew) but it is :-) Good luck with your project!

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