It all starts with the fabric. The touch of it, the consistency, material, color…
Every new project I pick this is pretty much how I get inspired, by choosing the fabric first.
This time I am working on a conversion or upcycle of a ramie shirt into an apron dress. Last week I shared with you the plans on what I was going to work on. Focusing on getting some of that buried projects back to the sewing machine and hopefully finally get some of them done.
Why did I even leave them? Well sometimes it is because I am not inspired by the fabric anymore, sometimes because I got frustrated over some things not working out the right way. Because going on would mean undoing everything I did so far.
And a lot of times it is “just” because there are so many new ideas, so I lose the focus and do everything at the same time, which means in the end I do nothing right, or should I rather say nothing at all.
I put my goal on two items first, a ramie shirt and a silk dress that I wanted to turn into something new.
The ramie shirt inspired me more. The fabric is somewhat very similar to linen. Maybe spending time in the countryside is what makes me so attracted to it recently. Even though I love linen (or similar) fabric in general, for their nice feel on the skin, keeping you warm when its fresh and at the same time being light and airy when it’s hot.
The plan was to create an apron that you could also wear as a dress. Something like dungarees in the form of a dress. (yes lately I am very much into anything dungaree related)
I started by cutting of the length of skirt I wanted to have for the bottom, to then figure out the top of the apron.
During the following process, I realized that, as simple as an apron might seem, there is always space to overengineer everything!!
That’s what I did.
Made loads of strips...
...nice seems and edges.
I was going to make this really nice top part with no raw finishings to show and attached laces to be able to adjust the length of the shoulder strips.
When I realized it didn’t work at all… I over thought the whole thing so much, it looked really shit. The top wasn’t fitting (too big) The skirt was overlapping way too much at the back which looked weird too.
At that stage, all I wanted to do is through the whole thing back in the bag, at the far bottom of the bag and get it out of sight and thought.
I spend so many hours, for nothing.
I guess what saved the between shirt and apron to end up there, was that I already shared the plan I had about it in words and pictures. It was no longer me hiding in my room and no one knows if I am working on something or not. It is a very settle detail, but I feel like the sharing process of work does influence how fast I am willing to give up.
I gave myself one afternoon to correct the mistakes…
…which I did. Without scruple I cut off all the clean work I did. Cut off the top, made it square and basic. Cut of the finishings, narrowed the waist, sewed on the laces (in a fix position)....
...and made some simple square pocket (just one because sometimes I can’t stand symmetries)
*(still tempted to overeingineer lol) *
And after all this is what came out...
A apron dress (that you still have to wear a skirt underneath is a compromise I am willing to take:)) too walk through forests and fields collecting berries and flowers...
Thank you for stopping by and sharing the process with me, I appreciate all the interactions we have!!:) Have a lovely week and see you around!