In my book Reality Shows fall into 2 categories. There are ones that I think are cool and simply entertained by like Face Off and Chopped. Then there are ones that create a dangerous mindset of ideas. Most home improvements shows fall into this category. Project Runway is also one of those shows. Now let me start by saying I am not at all an expert sewer. I dabble here and there and fumble through ideas until I come up with a wearable garment. Being that I do not use traditional patterns, most of my creations are pretty basic like skirts and purses. Never anything too complicated. Project Runway always gives me ideas for making amazing things, but the feeling quickly passes and is never actually attempted. This past season while watching Project Runway Juniors ...which I wasn't even going to watch, I got this idea that I wanted a fun coat. Well within 48 hours of watching an episode I headed to Joann's for fabric on a totally unrelated set of projects, (none of which were clothing) and needless to say I got carried away. Now for those of you that follow me on Facebook and Instagram you probably have already seen most of this stuff, but I thought I would do a round up for everyone.
I apologize in advance for this picture heavy post. Like I said I got carried away. What started off as maybe 5 projects easily turned into several more. So, first project I decided to start with something I was familiar with. I made a couple of clutch purses. The first was from some extra fur I had from another project. I combined that with a piece of scrap fabric from the stash for the lining.
I decided to go for a full fold over with a gold zipper. I have struggled with these for the longest, and finally figured out the best way to sew them.
The inside
The second purse I wanted to make something using leather. I also had a piece of grey felt, so why not put it all together. This was one of my extra ideas. This entire project was made from fabric I already had.
I sewed it together using the felt as the outside and printed fabric for the inside. The leather I used to accent the front flap.
I've carried both of them out on the town. The grey one is cool and a great accessory especially for the colder months. However the white fur one scares me. I am always afraid to put it down on a table or counter, or even worst spill something on it. It definitely creates a level of high blood pressure. I will have to be extra cautious with it.
Next up I made a shirt out of the fur. It's actually the original fur I bought to cover my office chair with, and I figured I should use it for something. I mean, who doesn't need a white fur shirt in their closet, giving all kinds of Major Chic Polar Bear in these streets. I also thought this would be the easiest project considering I only had to cut one shape. Also, I was trying to use it and wear it before it turned too warm. Then you go from looking ultra chic to just hot and sweaty.
After the shirt I went onto skirts. I've made quite a few skirts before so I was pretty confidant about these. I've been wanting an African print skirt lately. I did not find what I was originally looking for, but did find the print below.
I made a circle skirt. This is probably my favorite skirt pattern to do. Every time I make one I think I get better and better.
The second skirt was a pencil skirt. This fabric also came from Joann's. It stretches so I thought it would be easy to work with. I also really liked the print. It was different and not something I typically see.
Next up was a dress. Now what I ended up with was not my original design. Honestly this dress wasn't even part of the list. This fabric caught my eye while standing at the cutting counter at Gail K. I immediately thought "Oooh that would make a cute dress", and just like that I had her cut me a piece of the fabric. That is just how easily the madness happens. I see something I like, I get an awesome idea, I buy the items to do the awesome idea, excitement ensues, and my life snow balls into an even bigger and crazy project life known as TM.Originals. Anyway I digress, back to my dress. I was trying to execute a DIY design from this vlogger I follow on YouTube, Mimi G. Well, you need a 4 way stretch and this fabric was only 2. I thought I could still make it work, but nope not enough fabric and the sleeves were too small. I could just see my finger tips turning blue from lack of proper circulation. However, I didn't want the fabric to go to waste. So, I cut off the sleeves and started pinning and sewing. I honestly can say I take no credit for this one. I completely stumbled into this. The ending result was a series of random decisions that just so happen to work into something I really like.
Next dress I also found the fabric in Joann's. I loved it because it looked like splatter paint, and as an artist I love anything that looks like an art project.
This was my first time attempting something with separate sleeves. Usually I try to cut one big piece, but this time I had an idea about what I wanted it to look like. So, I cut out the main piece, 2 sleeve pieces, and attached them together. This might be one of my favorite pieces from Sewing Palooza. I'm completely in love with the print. Only drawback is that I cut it kind of short, so raising my hands over my head is out of the question.
So next what you have all been waiting for, this coat. Now I've never made a coat before, and the idea while sounds doable also sounds slightly insane in my head. This was going to be the last project in Sewing Palooza, sort of like the piece de resistance. However, the weather was getting warm, and I wanted to get a chance to wear it at least once before the season ended. I found this fabric at Joann's and immediately thought coat.
I decided to use Muslin and pattern the coat first. I only got what was left on the roll so there was no room for mistakes with the actual fabric. I started with a shirt that had the same shape as the coat I was going for. I cut out a sleeve, the back piece, and a front half. Then I pinned them together and tested it to see how it looked and fit.
I carefully laid all of the pieces out on the fabric first. Like I said I didn't get any extra, so I needed to make sure it was enough for what I needed. I cut and pinned the bodice together first. I was going for an over-sized feel, so it's much larger than I would actually wear.
Then I pinned and sewed the sleeves on. I tried it on, and was quite impressed with myself. Not bad for my first attempt.
I finished it off by sewing seams and adding pockets. If you know me, you know how much I love a pocket.
Luckily for me right when I finished it, it got cold for a couple of days and I was able to wear it to brunch with the girls. I'm proud of myself. I thought I was crazy for even attempting this. Glad I did!
Next up a Maxi dress. I found this really cool ombre fabric at Gail K. They had several color combinations. I decided to go with the light to dark blue.
For this fabric I wanted to keep the full ombre intact, so the best option for me and my height was a Maxi dress. Anything else and I would have had to cut the fabric.
At first I made it straight across with a tube top effect, but wanted some visual interest so I added a little halter effect. Since the fabric was sheer I made a little mini tube dress to go under it as lining. I can also wear it to the beach as a cover up without the lining, so it is dual purpose.
Can't wait to wear this this summer.
Next up I wanted new shorts. I've never made or even thought to attempt shorts before, or really anything with 2 separate leg holes. So this was going to be another one of those adventures. I will admit I was feeling myself by this point, and feeling a little fearless. You may recognize this fabric, as it is the same fabric that I used to cover my mannequin/dress form Manuela.
Again, I used Muslin and a pair of shorts I already own and fit perfectly to make a pattern. I cut out the pieces, and laid them all out
I was really skeptical about fit with this. I pinned all the pieces together first and tried them on to make sure they weren't way off. I was pretty darn close. I Sewed everything together and added a zipper.
I am also pretty darn impressed with this one. Like the coat this was my first time embarking on something a little challenging. I will say I had to tailor them a little after the fact. I took in the waist which then unshaped the butt, and that's not cute. Can't walk around with lumpy booty.
At this point I could see the finish line, and then what had happened was I went to Joann's to get lining, zippers, and a few finishings for the last few projects. Of course I ended up seeing more fabric I liked. Surprise....Surprise. I think I have a problem. I picked up a red and black print and a black laser cut. Added to that was a piece of gray lace I picked up at Hancock, which is going out of business.
The total cost of the lace was less than $3. I did some googling to see what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to keep the scalloped bottom intact. I wanted to do something different, but kind of gravitated towards the skirts.
I like this one and like the idea of the tone on tone, however it looks a little blah to me. At some point I'm contemplating changing the under fabric. Maybe add an element of hard to go with the soft lace. We'll see how it goes and what I wear it with. I really wanted to do something different but couldn't come up with anything. I do have extra lace left over, so I may come up with another cool idea at a later date.
The intention with the red and black was to make a maxi skirt. I bought what was left on the role. I got home and cut the fabric, and kind of cut it wrong. I tried to make a longer circle skirt. In this case I should have gathered. I had to change up my game plan. I really did like the fabric, and wasn't going to waste it. I just cut the fabric and made a shorter skirt.
Almost to the end folks. For the laser cut netting, the fabric already had a lot going on so I kept the design simple.
I just went with a pain black shirt. Laser cut is not the easiest material to finish especially with no lining. It took me quite some time to get the edges hemmed. So we'll see how it holds up. For right now I actually really like it.
I originally had no intention of this next project. I bought fabric for a pair of shoes that I was going to cover. Well when I realized how difficult that would be I scrapped it. Rather than scrap the fabric I decided to make another pair of shorts. These ones have a drawstring closure. I was going to do a zipper, but then I got lazy. No Judgement!
Last project!!! YAY! It's Spring and soon to be Summer around here. That means festivals and outdoor activities. One big problem I have is that my purse while smaller than my average totes is still quite substantial in weight. My shoulders get sore from wearing it all day. I wanted to create something that was a little bit lighter. So I grabbed some left over fabric from my bin, and made a small cross body. Nothing too big or fancy, just festival walking functional.
I ended up doing this project twice. It was clear I did it at night, and the first attempt came out crooked. I tried to leave it, but that just was not going to happen. My OCD was pushing at my nerves.
The last purse was just a simple clutch. I used the left over red and black fabric. There wasn't much left. Just enough to make an envelope clutch.
So that's it folks! Phew! That concludes the TM.Originals Michaela Korina Collection. What do you think? Honestly I had no idea it would turn into what it did. My intention was to make a few easy pieces, but somehow 5 projects turned into 16. That's right people. I have 16 new items of clothing and accessories. I'm definitely digging my new clothes. Now I just have to pair down my closet. I am also quite impressed with my skill level. I tell people all the time I'm not a seamstress. I'm much more of a dabbler of fabric. This collection has taught me a lot. I have learned that using Muslin to make a pattern first really does help for a great fit and less wasted fabric. It also makes me a little more picky about purchasing clothes as the thought crosses my mind to just make it instead. I do want to try to use an actual packaged pattern at some point this year. That is my goal. So with that I put the fabric away...for now.
Until then....it's on to the next project!
