T.Mo - Fall Collection 2017

HELLO! It looks like one more year has wrapped up. Hope everyone had a wonderful 2017, and has great things in store for 2018. One of my goals for this year is to create more. Somehow I feel like that was my goal for 2017, but I don't think I did enough. That's probably why there weren't as many blogs this year. I'm definitely going to do better in 2018. One big thing I have in store is to do a little redecorating. New furniture, new accessories, new art. It should be fun, so stay tuned.

Let's talk current projects. My Fall Collection! Yes, I know it is already Winter, but these pieces were all done and worn sometime during the season. It has just taken me a while to write this blog. I do have a few pieces that I did not get to, and those will be showcased this winter. They'll be single pieces here and there, so look out on my Instagram. For this collection I was going to try something new. I was going to focus my eye on one piece at a time, and not come up with a bunch of ideas at once. Well, I tried! I really tried, but somehow as always things just got out of hand. All I can say is the fabric store is a dangerous place, and it's hard to walk pass pretty fabric. Ugh....the struggle. Anyhow, enough talking let's get into it. 

First on my list was a wrap skirt. I got the idea and pattern from a blogger I follow named Mimi G. She has a DIY Wrap Skirt pattern on YouTube using your own measurements. It seemed easy enough so I tried it. I also found this amazing gray and silver jersey fabric at JoAnns. I just knew it would be perfect.

The verdict is I like it, but I had to make a few post creation modifications to it. When creating the pattern, you use your own hip measurements as a base, and to create the wrap you add an additional 8 inches. I added 10, by suggestion of a few of the video comments. Then darts are added around to create shape. The theory is that the darts are meant to line up to your body based on your measurements. Well by adding the additional 10" the darts shifted. When I put the skirt on the darts no longer hit my body where they should have. It looked really weird. The biggest issue were the 2 front ones. As you can see in the the picture above, it was super obvious that they were in the wrong places. So before I actually wore it, I removed the front darts. Therefore, you didn't see them in the wrap. It seemed to do the trick. I wore it to work, and got lots of compliments. If I ever make this skirt again I would definitely adjust the placement of the darts to begin with.

My next project was kind of on a whim. I had had plans for a stretch bandage skirt, just not for Fall. Then I happened to see this fabric that I liked in JoAnns. It reminded me of stars in space. 

It looks weird on the mannequin, but looks really good on. I haven't worn it out yet. It's gotten quite cold out, so I'm going to have to rock some tights or wait until Spring. 

The next project was on the list, but not until Spring 2018. Actually I think it was supposed to be on the list for Spring 2017, but never got done. Usually I am not a floral person, but I was definitely digging the vibe it brought for the summer. I found this fabric while shopping. It's thin material, so it will definitely have to wait until the warmer months to get it's first wear. Even with tights I would freeze my buns off. 

So, there was almost a mishap with this dress. I used my t-shirt dress pattern, and then modified the top to create a tank shape. Well bringing in the sides for the tank made it a smidgen too small in the hips. There were almost lots of cuss words said, but I was able to do a quick amending to the idea. I always cut dresses longer than I want until I finish the top. Because of the extra length, I was able to pull the dress up a little to where the hips were a comfortable fit, and added elastic around my waste to hold it up.

To add interest to the back I did a criss cross of the straps. 

This next dress was a complete impulse. I was in JoAnns to get extra fabric for a project that I cut wrong. Of course I would see this black designed leather with velvet applique. I tried to pass it by...several times. Though in my head I was working real hard to figure out what I wanted to do with it. Then while I was walking around I got an idea, and that was all she wrote. Another piece was being added to the collection.

I decided to use the leather as sleeves for a simple black dress. Anyone that knows me, knows that the last color situation I ever want to be in is head to toe black. I literally can not do it. I've tried, but I always end up changing, or adding major pops of color. The fun sleeves and the color variations of the black give it that extra FANCY that I need. I paired the black leather with a thick heavy jersey.

To add some extra interest, I added simple zip pockets to each side using the leather. 

I ended up wearing this dress to my friend's company holiday party. I paired it with black booties and a statement necklace. I got lots of compliments. My hope is by using the jersey fabric, I can also dress this down for a more casual look. 

My next project was kind of an impulse as well. I saw this fabric surprisingly at Hobby Lobby. It's rare that I find fashion fabric at the Hobby, but this was right at the beginning of fall. I picked it up thinking that the colors were gray and navy. It wasn't until I was home and sewing that I realized the navy was indeed black. A little disappointed, but not the end of the world. I created a simple sweater dress. 

The one difficulty was the pattern. I've realized that when making clothing with a pattern, I am a stickler about the design being centered. 

The last piece was to be my FINALE. I had been wanting to make a fun jumpsuit. Well, maybe not. The original plan was to make overalls, which are now on hold for Spring. Then while perusing, I fell in love with this fabric. It was odd because I don't typically go for denim or flowers for that matter, but something about this spoke to me. It was a light weight denim with metallic flowers on it. I really like the fabric, but didn't have a project for it so I left without it that day. I went home and pondered plenty of ideas over the next couple of weeks. I got the idea of a jumpsuit, and I went for it. I'll be honest I had absolutely no idea what I was really doing. I was kind of winging this as I went along. I made a few mistakes along the way. That extra fabric I went back for, was for this. I cut the bottom pants portion too small, and had to get more fabric and re cut them. In the end it came out nice. I was going for fancy coveralls, and that's what I got. I liked the idea of taking a very obvious feminine fabric, and created a more masculine silhouette. 

For the opening I used a 30" gold zipper

This was also my first time doing a fold down collar. 

I added gold snaps to the sleeves for closure.

So my honest thoughts are that I am still unsure about this piece. The excitement I had when I conceptualized the jumpsuit was not the same feeling I got when I put it on. I will say I haven't actually worn it out yet, so I'm holding my final judgement until then. My dilemma is that the all over metallic floral gives it a very "shiny suit" vibe. Those who grew up in the late 90's era of Puffy know exactly what I'm talking about. A little disappointing considering my initial excitement. I think once I actually wear it and style it, it will grow on me. 

So, folks that it. That is the T-Mo 2017 Fall Collection. What do you think? I would say I'm pleased with this collection. Like I said I have a few pieces that I will do for Winter and post to Instagram. My next few projects I want to try and use actual patterns. I have a few that I've picked up, so we'll see how it goes. Oh, and Project Runway All-Stars is back as well. So, don't be surprised if some random foolishness pops up. Somehow that shows always gets me in trouble. I'm here for all of it though. Here's to a year full amazing creations! 

It's on to the next project...