Voila

Introducing Chang Mai:





This picture doesn't do her justice. I should have taken a picture wearing it, but I looked like a Tranny Hot Mess last night. I also need to add another froggie at the waistline. My daughter tried it on (she's one cup size larger than I) and the fit was gorgeous! If I make this again, I will take some of the billowage out of the sleeves (although it wears well).



So, um....this is me in casual fierce mode. As you can see, I am a black & white combo addict. The neck piece was also constructed by yours truly! I didn't make the shirt, but I did make the earrings. I apologize for the picture blurriness, but it's hard to find good help.... ;-)



My son's pants went over OK during is Jury Show yeasterday. His teachers had the same comments for him as I did. He is interested in designing clothing for skaters, so I guess we won't be opening a power couture house after all....or maybe his designs will be the economy line?



Before I go....a word about fabrics. I love, love, love natural fibers! Synthetics make me hot and itchy, particularly polyester. I made the jacket in polyester one because it won't be touching my skin and two, well, look at that fabric design! I had to have it! Generally, I only work with silk, cotton, wool, and linen. I plan to make a leather this year (pray my strenght!) and possibly learn to make shoes....daunting, but that would be haute!

Mandarin Jacket Progress

I am almost finished this jacket. Contrary to the picture, one sleeve has already been set. Unfortunately, the jacket and I had a disagreement on setting the second sleeve. So, I told the jacket to sleep on it and I would deal with it when I arrive home tonight. She and I are having a talk tonight!

This jacket was fun to make. I am not crazy about the fit because I was too lazy to alter the pattern, but a padded brassiere should do the trick.

In other news…My son is a student at the Baltimore School for the Arts in the Visual Arts Department. He has since decided to become a fashion designer. Yeah, me! He
wanted to make a pair of jeans for his Ninth Grade Jury. Well, here they are:

We both made it through this!

FIERCE??!!
He drew the pocket design and hand embroidered it. He also hand sewed the zipper and the topstitching at the fly. He hand sews pretty straight. Now, if he could only sew straight. But this isn't bad for the very first project and minimal help from me..

I'm searching for some shantung for the next project. I already have the pattern cut and ready to go.

First SWAP Piece

I decided to just jump in and take the SWAP challenge. My color theme is red, black, and white. I have loved this color combination since I was a little little girl. All my clothes were purchased in triplicate (down to my socks!) in these three colors. I still do this today when I can find things in all three colors.

Hmm.....I think I will do the entire challenge in Asian inspired designs. My next project will be a mandarin shantung dress in black silk. I love the designs from Asia and Japan.

I hope to finish this jacket over the weekend. I'll post pictures when I do.