bits and bobbins

gettin’ graphic

finds from this past week or so, from thriftin’.

suffice it to say, i’m feeling a great graphic push at the moment, in my personal style and expression of such. it’s not a new thing, but it’s particularly acute at the moment…i’m actually craving that which features bold, abstract prints that are at once restrained and intentional as well as BOLD. no small, introverted, uber-feminine, flimsy stuff for the likes of me.

***

ever since i wore the red frilly high-necked blouse over my green handmade jumper and acid washed jeans in one of my most recent wardrobe_remix shots, i have been absolutely rabid for making similar looks with what’s in my closet, what i can concoct with with the help of my trusty sewing machine and fabric stash, and what i can find from thrifts and the like. i like the girlishness/demureness inherent in the look, the graphic style possibilities, and the potential for warmth through the layering.

so i’m all about the jumpers right now! making them that is.

case in point: i made a striped denim jumper from some striped vintage denim i thrifted ages ago, and a vintage pattern i have in my collection:

the facing of the top of the jumper is fashioned from some african fabric that was sent to me by eireann of ohbara, who’s living in france at the moment. she sent me lots more, in a bunch of lovely patterns and colors. i had planned to use most of it to make a riotously crazy patchwork tote bag, but decided to utilize just a little bit in this jumper dress because it just seemed right.

sure, it can’t been seen from the outside, but that’s okay by me. i love when clothing has a thoughtful secret inside of it that only the wearer knows…interesting lining, secret pockets, beautiful taped seams that took lots of time, and the like. when i make clothing i try to add things of this nature…it feels warm and almost unnecessary, but i like making the extra effort.

***

other similar jumper/pinafore ideas are in the works…the perfect partner to those great graphic blouses that i’ve been thrifting like mad!

April 20 2007 | Posted in creative dabblings., fashion musing, i thrifted this.

1. April 20 2007 at 1:54 pm

   Amber

   Gosh I can’t wait to go thrifting with you when I come to your city! I love how all the clothing you make has such interesting details, like that facing. So great!

   
   

2. April 20 2007 at 2:26 pm

   La Principessa

   Did you really thrift those red flats? I love ‘em! Everyone was paying retail for those flats on my campus last spring. . . I’m quite jealous.

   
   

3. April 20 2007 at 2:45 pm

   Nadia Lewis

   Great jumper! Lovelovelove the empire waist and hidden details.

   
   

4. April 20 2007 at 3:08 pm

   Sonia Luna

   Love the denim dress, the finish is wonderful! Love the facing detail. Are you thinking about making more and sell them? You really should, I’m sure they will be a real hit!

   
   

5. April 20 2007 at 6:52 pm

   Nina

   The jumper is AWESOME! I absolutely adore prints (which most of my fabric stash is), especially ethnic and funky prints. You have a great eye; you always have the most amazing thrift finds.

   
   

6. April 20 2007 at 7:18 pm

   Annika

   I love that jumper!

   
   

7. April 20 2007 at 9:15 pm

   Casey

   Can I state how insanely jealous I am of your thrifted finds?? The thrifting in my neck of the country has pretty much shrivelled up and died lately, much to my intense and utter dissapointment! I especially adore that red jacket, polka-dot blouse (I’ve been on the hunt for one for a-g-e-s!) and red tent dress (hmm… I just realized all were *red*–perhaps I’m subconsciously being drawn to red at the moment??). The jumper is amazing too–would you mind sharing the pattern company/number with us??

   
   

8. April 20 2007 at 11:55 pm

   tricia

   casey: thanks! thrifting here in SF is surprisingly good…i’m not entirely sure why. not sure if it’s me or if it’s something about the area or what…but i’m not complaining.

   the pattern is a vintage pattern, from 1971, by simplicity…unfortunately not something you can find anymore! it’s really a simple pattern though, just bust and waist darts on the bodice, an empire waist, and gathered skirt. and it’s above knee length. you could probably use the top of a pattern with a fitted top, chop it off at the empire line and add a gathered skirt. easy peasy. i know you can sew, girl!

   
   

9. April 21 2007 at 7:01 am

   Casey

   Haha–I say take advantage of all the good thrifting one can find!! I’m hoping that one day I can get to some of the thrift stores closer in to DC and see if there any better. Must-find-some-amazing-stuff! lol.

   I posted that question about the jumper pattern and then realized I had the perfect Betsey Johnson pattern from the ’70s in my stash! Silly me! lol. I’m now eager to try the jumper look, since you’ve expertly demonstrated how to keep it from looking too “matronly”.

   
   

10. April 22 2007 at 4:35 pm

    hoyan

    the striped denim with the african fabric facing is just brilliant. it’s the details that make items special and worth having

    
    

11. April 27 2007 at 7:13 am

    eireann

    hey! Nice to see the fabric in action–it looks really nice. And I’m glad you liked it.

    I think you are already in Paris maybe? Or gone? But if not you can find many African textiles at about 2 euro the yard at Dreyfus textiles in Montmartre, just at the foot of Sacré Coeur. Belleville, the neighborhood of Paris, also has many African shops, including fabric shops. And I think it’s Blvd. La Chapelle that has all the Indian fabric shops.

    Happy travels!