I thought it's be cool to show you the process I go through when putting together these mini collections. Obviously, some dresses get cut from the final sample sheets because the silhouettes aren't cohesive or the colors don't jive when you see the final product in a line-up. Neither the
Port Huron or the
Mackinac made it to the final sample sheet (not that I didn't think they were pretty dresses). So while I always aim to have seven finished products, I only ended up with six for the mid-summer collection. That's just how it goes.
With my line sheet and sample sheet I can quickly see just how cohesive all the pieces are and obviously, with a larger collection I would have combined these six fabrics into multiple pieces.
So, that's it...on to the Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection. A girl's always gotta move on to the next new thing, no?
What kind of dresses do you most look for when shopping for your wardrobe?
Which of these six dresses would you be most likely to buy if you could only buy one?
here are some cute sewing projects and free patterns
St. Ignace is on the edge of things...it's the direction I'm headed with my business model while still maintaining the reminiscence of the classics I love. It's sorta the bridge that spans the gap between what I've done before and what I plan to do with design in the future. It's a shirtdress, a versatile blouse and a swishy, romantic circle skirt all wrapped up in one, and the options it could bring to a wardrobe is what I love most about it.
I realize it's already September and I've never featured the last couple designs from my mid-summer collection...oops. Figure I better get on that before Thanksgiving. HA.
I went through a couple pattern slopers before I was happy with the pleating in the Marquette bodice and skirt. I wanted something fun (ahem...polka dots), but functional (what girl doesn't love navy?)...a dress that could morph into different occasions without looking like it was trying too hard. The secret ended up being off-center pockets and a semi-fitted bodice, 'cuz once I removed the darts, it just worked.
The really cool feature about the Marquette is it's actually separates, so you get multiple styling options out of two pieces...Yep. That's how I rolled with this design. HA.
In all honesty, I've been working hard at developing a business model for my hopefully-coming-within-the-next-year-or-two online store and while I want dresses to be a huge part of a product line, I've always been concerned about how to grade my patterns in a way that would fit women of all body types. Tailoring is number one with me. I think sloppy finishing and fit are what make custom clothes look amateur, which would just ruin the whole process. Separates constructed from the same fabric solve all that. Women could buy the specific size that fits them on top and bottom without all the fit issues that come with one-piece dresses. I've been experimenting with the concept a lot recently and am super-excited about the possibilities, as you're gonna see with the last design from the collection next week.
cute sewing projects and free patterns
Any dress inspired by a college town would have to include that same unique essence of all things cultural and casual. The Ann Arbor is a strolling dress...constructed of silky jersey knit that is whimsical with a silhouette that is functional, perfect for relaxing at the sidewalk cafe. The ink-line bows of the print are edgy enough to keep a girl from feeling too sugary-sweet, but with a name like Ann Arbor, it's probably meant to be a sweet summery dress anyway, no?
for cute sewing projects
The Traverse City dress is a rich blend of adventure and relaxation--bold graphics, soft design...the sort of dress you can wear to really dig your toes into summer (you know, occasionally, I do like to dress for the weather). HA. Constructed from silky jersey knit, it's both refined and comfortable, and the movement...ah, the movement. I love building clothes that move. A well-cut maxi dress that hangs just so, but flows freely in the breeze seems the most luxurious quality of a summer dress, but hey, what do I know?
Have a most happy Independence Day, mah dears!
Kristina J. Copyright 2014
