Summer is here. As the days are longer and warmer, I have swapped out winter clothes and looking forward to wearing my collection of light, summer garments.
This warm, June day was perfect to sit and caress the curves of my lemon tree with my favorite pencils. The way we SEE and hone one skill deepens our experience in all forms of making. Today, I am appreciating the light colors and new growth on the tips of the leaves and looking forward to fresh lemons!
Summer Colors popping up in my patio garden, are inspiring some linen fabric combos too. A new pieced top in light greens, creme, and a vintage Japanese piece with oranges.The pattern is my River Tunic leaving the design open down the front for button details and stitching there. The short jacket, a French-Fold, started with a yard of fabric that was pieced first, pressed then draped on the dress form. This is the perfect technique when you have small special pieces (maybe bits of vintage embroidery) you’d like to feature in a larger collage of fabrics. As I look at how I want to see the new fabric on the body, I compare it to the French Fold Pattern for places to cut and start the draping process. I leave the hemline for the last, working my way down the garment to see how the fabric is draping before I cut the bottom. It is one of my favorite ways to ‘get in’ to a new garment project: making fabric first!
There are always surprises in random piecing that can be folded into creating the garment. Details can come into view as the garment take form. Here, a side pocket was folded in with a flange for more weight at a slit along the side seam. AND of course….there can NEVER be enough French knots!
3-4 different styles of hand stitching and colors of thread add to the way I like to work.
I’d love to share some of your River Tunics and French Fold Jackets in my July Posting… Share a photo with me and a sentence about what you love about making- I’m excited to share what you are making next month!
Loving Citrus, Diane
