Thursday, October 08, 2009

Fabrics From Nature




Basque Gipsy Girl with Tambourine


(18 in x 24 in)

(Giclee Print Bouguereau, William Adolphe )

can be seen here:


Part of our "Painting Inspired Sewing Series"

This is a print of the Victorian Crazy Quilt, made into a skirt several years ago. "The Gypsy" clothing is somewhat similar to the colors in this fabric, as well as many beautiful floral paintings like the one above.  The blue blouse on the right matched the blue background.  The fabric store sold bolts in every single one of the fabrics represented in this print.





This is an example of how to piece your material if you come up short and do not want to go back to the store. You cannot tell in this picture, that the skirt has been pieced. The top of the skirt underneath the waistband has been pieced together, using scraps of fabric, to match the print exactly. With some small prints, you do not have to be precise if you piece it, as it will not show. However, with a larger print, you simply find a scrap that matches the piece you need to add something to, and sew it, right sides facing.


This is a closer view of the seam where the skirt was pieced.  This skirt had two main pieces and was very easy to make.  After adding pieces to lengthen your fabric, lay the pattern on top and cut as you would a whole piece of fabric.  Some of the previous dresses I showed on this blog, were pieced on sleeves and hem areas when I wanted them longer, but you cannot tell it is there.

You can buy the matching fabrics and make a variety of dresses and little jackets or skirts and blouses that all co-ordinate. All cotton, this fabric is a joy to sew, because it is soft and the colors are so sweet and so reminiscent of the beauty of nature all around...



...like this profusion of color growing here, with the aqua sky in the background.


The fashion show has been moved ahead a few more months, but I will try to include photos of the garments then. Inbetween time, I will show some children's clothing.  Someone asked me to do a sewing tutorial. That is being thought out also, as well as some pictures for the blog of how to sew a hair scrunchy or hair bow with a clip.

Even if women do not sew, there is a lot to be learned by looking around you and feeling the mood of the season or the time of day and choosing clothing that looks like nature or the beautiful things around us: a pretty house, a lovely object, or even a teacup, can be an idea for choosing clothing or sewing.



For an example of what I mean by getting ideas from beauty all around you, this Royal Albert tea set, called "Blossom Time"....



...looks like this fabric from Joanns.com. It is called Allover Floral by Leslie Beck for Springs Creative Products.
The "Corelle"(Corningwear)  brand of glass, unbreakable dishes, has this pattern, called "Meadow", which also matches this fabric print, perfectly.

The dish set has been on sale for $19.00 for a set of four dinner plates, for dessert plates, four bowls and four large cups.

If you use your 40 percent coupon at Joanns, you can get an expensive fabric like this for three to four dollars a yard. I bought a fourth of a yard of it just to use as a napkin for that tea cup.  So look around and see what you have in your home, or look outside at the sky and see the trees in bloom, and you will have a lot of ideas about finding clothes.


Here is another delightful piece from Joanns.com, which I have also seen in the store (and touched ;-)  It is thicker than the previous piece, but it looks like a flowering tree in the spring, or a meadow that has just come alive with the color of wildflowers.



Psalm 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.



11 comments:

Lydia said...

The best thing to do is click "print" and it will print out. I have tried to find out how to get the printer-friendly edition so that it will not print all the side bar things, but have not been able to do it.

As far as I know there is nothing blocking anyone from printing anything on this blog.

Anonymous said...

I tried to print an article today just by pushing the print button, but it was going to send over 100 pages to the printer. It prints out with giant print, and includes all of the pictures and gaps, etc. , as well as all articles on the page.

On any other website, I can highlight the text, right-click, copy, and paste to Word to print out in a small text, eliminate spaces, etc. When I am on your website, it will not allow any drop-down menu to come up when I right-click on a highlighted text. That is why I was wondering if you had a block on it, or if other people have this problem.

It may be something I am doing wrong, but I wanted to tell you just FYI. I didn't know if it was the "Copyscape" program, but I am not very "up" on computer stuff, so it might be me.

Your articles have helped and encouraged me more than any other homemaking website I have found. I like that it is a balance of practical ideas and inspiration, along with the deeper convictions of home and Bible, that keep me going when I am searching for some motivation.

Lydia said...

I am trying to correct this problem soon!

Lydia said...

Please check your own computer, just in case. Go to View and then text size and click small, and then print and see if there is a change.

Anonymous said...

Pretty artwork and fabrics! Also I just love the Royal Albert tea set design, thanks for posting the picture, I had forgotten about it :)

Lydia said...

Is anyone able to print this message today? I have not tried it but have changed some settings and would like to know.

Anonymous said...

I am able to highlight/click/copy on this comment page, but still not on the main page, where the articles are.

I can highlight on the main page, but not right click/copy. I am able to highlight/click/copy on other people's web pages, so I don't think it's just me. I would be interested to hear if other people are able to copy into Word.

Also, I know I used to be able to copy from your main articles. I can't remember when the last time I did this was, though. Probably many months ago.

I could print from the print command, but even with the reduction in print size, it sends over 100 pages to the copier. I guess it sends all recent articles, I'm not sure - maybe there is a quick fix for this, I might be doing something wrong.

I am the same person who posted at 7:47. Thank you, I don't mean to make extra work for you.

Anonymous said...

You have to look very closely to see that the skirt is pieced. Clever work! Love all these colors.

Lydia said...

I am working on finding the problem.

Anonymous said...

Dear Lady Lydia

I print your articles for my home binder, and also to pass on to a friend for her encouragement. This is how I do it, and cut down on printing.

I click on the article to have it on a page by itself. Then I highlight the article text *without the comments* and using the Edit button (top of internet taskbar) I choose copy. I then copy and paste into word the text, with the date and perhaps the Home Living title and the main photos. This avoids including the menu and sidebar.

Then I open Word/Works and paste the text into a new blank word processing file.

If I want the comments, I do it separately and paste into the document, as the PC goes crazy if I try to cut and paste say 25 comments and an article all at once.

Yes, this takes a while, but it means that a couple of days later, if I mention the article to a friend, I can easily copy it for her if she seems interested in reading it. I can therefore pass on your words to those who are less tech-savvy than I.

I hope this is of help to others.

Anonymous said...

Finding inspiration for clothing from nature is such a beautiful and forgotten way of dressing. Thanks for putting all of this so clearly, and for passing this on.