Friday, September 25, 2009

In the Zone



Finally, I am ready to get started. I've had my fabric (and muslin fitted) for a while, but finding the trim has proved more difficult than I expected.

I have been looking for something a little more unusual/interesting in aubergine/purple tones, but these two braids are the most promising of the trims I've found to date and neither are especially special or unique. My leaning at the moment is towards the stronger purple braid, as I love the contrast effect of the trim on the traditional Chanel jackets - the paler colour, while a perfect match, is not as dramatic. In the meantime I'll start sewing and keep looking (just in case a better trim presents itself). I also have a ball of wool in the right colour-way and (once the jacket is cut out) any left-over fabric threads that are perhaps another trim possibility.

9 comments:

  1. I love your fabric and I have a funny feeling it the same as mine. I can see you are from Sydney did you purchase it from the Fabric Store? I'm using the same pattern and the briad you have chosen is so similar. I can't wait to see how yours is going to turn out.

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  2. I also really like the brighter purple. I think the lighter one would get lost, although the lighter braid's style is more interesting. Maybe you could frame the lighter braid on a bit of lining or ribbon or contrast material in brighter purple. Just throwing out ideas... I still haven't even picked my fabric!

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  3. I love your color choices, but I agree that the lighter purple is almost invisible alone. The brighter color really pops.

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  4. Lavender and purple are catching my eye this season. Love your choices. And I am getting in the zone too. I have all my supplies and I just need to get my courage up to cut into the fabric! Good luck to you.

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  5. oooh, this one will be beautiful, I love the purple and think the darker braid will look best.

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  6. Love the colours of your fabric and braid, but I'm afraid I like both colours for the braid. depending on how wide you prefer it, what about plaiting it, but experiment with three strands or four. I think it would provide an interesting contrast texture, especially since the braid is kinda plaited within itself.

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  7. I love your fabric. My vote is for the darker purple right now. Happy Sewing!

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  8. Can you do a combination of the two...lay one on top of the other and maybe add some beads as decoration? Or can you add some threads from the fabric to the lilac braid? I'm just trying to think out of the box to make your braid choices work...

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  9. Wow, thanks everyone for all your feedback and ideas, and yes Sharon I did purchase the fabric at The Fabric Shop sale! We must sew-along together so we can compare notes. I'm using a silk charmeuse lining from Saigon Fabrics. Its the first time I've splurged on such lovely lining and like Cindy I had to work up the courage to cut into it. I pre-treated it by steaming it with the iron and have it pinned out on my cutting board using tissue paper to stabilise it. I'm about to cut it out now. The braid came from Photios Bros. Apparently it is the last card since they changed the dye colour recently (so if you would like some they are just at Town Hall). I will definitely try out some of the suggestions for making the braid more interesting. I agree the darker colour is the way to go and I especially like Carolyn's idea of weaving in some of the fabric threads. I also noticed the fabric I'm using has a neat fringed selvage that has possibilities as a background to the braid. Violet I'll try plaiting the braids too, to blend in both colours and then post my endeavours. Thanks again! Now, to cut the lining!

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