Do you remember these leopard pants I made two years ago?
Would you believe I never wore them out of the house?
It's not so much on account of the loud print as the yuckiness of the cheap fabric, which I found in the $2/yd. pile at a now defunct fabric store on 39th Street. Though they're cut like regular jeans, they'd work better as jeggings since they have a lot of stretch -- a lot.
Anyway, I finally did wear them on Wednesday, when I registered for my first FIT class. Yes, it's official: I signed up for Menswear Sewing with the professor recommended to me by a number of MPB readers (and whom I happened to meet by chance the day I registered). The class begins on Tuesday, January 28, which leaves me plenty of time to pick out my first-day outfit -- or make one!
In newsboy cap news, I haven't yet finished my sofa-leather cap but I'm well on my way. As it turns out, this cap is going to be for Michael, since he likes the look of it more than I do. As soft as this leather was as upholstery, lambskin would have been better for a cap but so be it.
I still haven't chosen my Mood project for this month. A coat for Michael is still a possibility, but the longer I delay the less likely I'll have it finished in time. I would make it with this plaid wool:
I also have this leopard/cheetah knit sitting in my stash.
To be honest, this is a purchase I sort of regret. I have no idea what to make with it. I think it would make a really neat sweater in a somewhat avant-garde shape -- but would I wear such a garment?
Today I picked up this beautiful cotton/linen blend, which looks like chambray, only stiffer. It could be a suit, vintage-inspired outwear, or even a shirt. I haven't seen this type of thing before and there was only one bolt, so I bought four yards.
I also looked for new fabrics for my mother's robe/housecoat. I found these two cotton sweatshirt fleeces but I'm not really inspired by them -- I think they're simply too thin. Maybe pique would be a better choice.
Finally, are you familiar with that series of newly-translated (into English) Japanese pattern books by Stylish Dress Book: Simple Smocks, Dresses, and Tops, and I thought a lot of the styles were really cute. I could see some of them working for my mother and my sister-in-law (whom I owe a dress).
And that's it. Lots of things to keep me busy.
Have a great day, everybody!
Michael's leather hat looks WONDERFUL!
ReplyDeleteYou wore the leopard pants fo FIT to register...yet you were afraid to wear them out of the house?
...and you're wondering what to wear the first day of school...because you want to make the right impression...
How about letting Cathy attend the first day?
(grin)
Oh, god! I'd love to see what they think of Cathy!
DeleteThat would be fun but maybe not the kind of attention you want.
DeleteI kind of love those knit leopard pants! For the gray/black leopard print (of course I am unsure of the weight) would a scarf work, and some pajamas? Forgive me, but it is super chilly here in Illinois so I want things that ARE WARM! Love the way the sofa/hat is coming along, and I like the idea of Pique for your Mom's housecoat. Looking forward to your sewing class reviews. I checked out your link to the pattern book, but in my opinion they look very maternity -
ReplyDeleteLisa
Now that you've sewn with better fabric those bargains don't look or feel like such a bargain anymore.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to take that leopard print off your hands; you must know how much I love an animal print! I'd love to see it color blocked with solid sleeves and neckband and I think that that would work for a man as well as a woman.
Maybe make you sister-in-law a dress out of the leopard print fabric and have you considered Minky for a bathrobe for your mother in a nice soft color for your mother.....
ReplyDeleteWhat about French Terry for your mom's robe? Or a really soft and fluffy chenille?
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Congratulations on signing up for the class! Good for you!
ReplyDeleteAs for the leopard sweater knit, I think it wants desperately to be a cute sweater dress for Cathy. Actually, if the fabric could truly speak, I think it would say that it wants to be a sweater dress for REBECCA... ;-) I already have the perfect shoes for it.
I have owned a number of Yoshiko Tsukiori's books for a while now but have yet to make anything. I am a similar size, shape and height as your mother and I think the shapes will suit me. Oddly enough I was perusing them just this morning and will probably make one of the garments in the coming weeks. The books are very popular. One of our local fabric stores offers a class on them - if I don't get manage on my own I may take it.
ReplyDeleteSpud.
It's a new year; time to get rid of bad stash. You're going to meeting people at FIT and you should be wearing and sewing quality goods. Put the leopard print on the curb and see if someone else blogs about it.
ReplyDeleteThat leopard is a very substantial Italian wool knit -- too good for the curb imo.
DeleteSo sell it on eBay, but animal prints are so yesterday. (imho)
DeleteYou're right, hang onto that Italian wool. You could make Cathy a 60s La Dolce Vita sweater-dress out of it...
DeleteActually yes ;-). But I do love your newsboy hat.
ReplyDeleteThe leopard print looks like it belongs on a Pall Mall smoking garment center bookkeeper with a red bouffant named Roz. Why not return some of the bounty you have
ReplyDeletegained from street finds etc, and donate the fabric somewhere, anywhere. A fashion student might make
something 80's retro out of, or a shrug for their ancient aunt Roz with emphysema
Peer I may be missing something here but surely the next thing should be a housecoat for your mother for the MSN? Then you have all of Mood to play in for her. Or are Things for Mother not permitted? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think a housecoat is glamorous enough!
DeleteSince when is glamor a criterion? How about well-constructed, creative, fun? Elle
DeleteCheck out the images of the London Men's Shows in the NY Times. There might be some inspiration for the leopard knit there. Especially in J.W. Anderson's collection - might be a nice twist as something for Kathy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/fashion/runway/jw-anderson/fall-2014-menswear/1
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did you manage such a professional looking brim? Excellent.
ReplyDeleteWith a housecoat, it might be nice to have a ho-hum but soft main fabric and some wonderful piping details. There are some wonderful choices that can provide zing to the blandest choice.
Maybe Cousin Cathy would like the leopard knit? I think I agree on those knits for your mom, that they look a bit thin. If you like the fabric and colors, what about making a reversible housecoat? And there's nothing wrong with a simple well-done entry on Mood blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your class! I feel like everyone is taking them all of a sudden. I'd looked into them when I moved here but there's no way I can afford them :(
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if the leopard print would suit your mother as a housecoat/bathrobe? I can't get a good look at it, but it looks like it would be warm and cuddly. And while it is an animal print, it's in greys and blacks and possibly subdued enough to suit your mother.
ReplyDeleteI really like the leopard fabric. How about a nice plush hoodie. The fabric looks so soft
ReplyDeleteThe minky fabrics here in Canada anyways, are very flammable, so that might be a consideration for a housecoat for your Mom. I was going to use some for an outfit for my granddaughter until I discovered that down side.
ReplyDeletePeter - just swinging by, so if someone else mentioned it, ignore the double note: CATHY NEEDS A LEOPARD SKIN OUTFIT! Figure-hugging, sleek, and sexy. Black high heels, hat with a feather, and lorgnette with diamonds. She does, she really, really does! She told me to tell you!
ReplyDeleteHave to add my 2 cents about that leopard print knit. It absolutely wants to be a fabulous dress for Cousin Cathy - it positively screamed it from that photo =)
ReplyDeleteAnd I simply adore your newsboy caps. Wonder if I can convince my boys (13 & 9) that it's a better look than steampunk top hats =)
Perhaps the leopard print could be trim on a jacket lapel or suchlike? In any case you will whip up a dream garment, I just know it. Looking forward to more of your fabulous makes this year x
ReplyDeleteAloha from Josie
ReplyDeleteHere is my 10 cent (2 cents adjusted for inflation), make a tight pair of pants with leopard print material wear as " audition" for your Fit sewing class. For your mother make a house coat with a Hawaiian print (aka mumu). If nothing else, you will get a lot of attention from both other students and your mother. You will find out in a hurry if she is mumu friendly.
Mahalo for sharing
Mahalo
I lived in London during the 60s, just as trouser suits were becoming fashionable. They were considered outrageous by some hotels, bars and fancy restaurants so if a woman showed up wearing trousers, she would turned away. The clothes you show and find so outrageous were a way around that – you could still wear trousers but they looked like a dress and no Maitre d' would have the gall to check.
ReplyDeleteAs for the ugliest patterns, I was surprised to find one of my TNT's in your collection. I still use it and love it. Taste, huh!
Qiana, at the time, was the elite of fabrics. I think Halston used it. So expensive. But it draped beautifully, was easy to care for (if you didn't get grease spots on it) even though it was difficult to sew without a ballpoint needle.
I personally loved the robe you made for your mother – I made one very similar in style and fabric and color way back when. Love that pattern. What is the number of that pattern and make? Sorry your Mom didn't love it but I'm sure you'll find someone who will love it. Are you supposed to guess what she wants or does she tell you?
Barbara
I knew she needed a robe, but I just decided to use something "fun" from my stash -- oh well...
DeleteMake the housecoat reversible out of both the pink and the green, with patch pockets? The leopard print would make a great lining for an otherwise classic jacket.
ReplyDeleteThe leopard print would make great pillows for the sofa. I love animal prints because, well, I think it's because I love animals but I'm too conservative to wear animal prints except I did have a pair of black and white python boots I had made. Back then they screamed so loud I had to get rid of them in order to sleep at night. But you might have some women friends that would love an animal print garment. Or...the pillows.
ReplyDeleteTune in tomorrow to see what I made with it!
Delete