Blue silk journal cover

London.  December. 2012.  Lunch with friends.  Charity shop.  Blue silk top.  Preloved.  Yum!

French designer top, no less.

Suitably purchased.  Everyone happy.

Bias binding from the neck used on a caftan.

Majority used on a journal cover.

100% silk cover.

100% cotton lining.

From the lining of the top.

Perfect colour combination :)

UPDATE -

The new recipient of the journal cover asked me if I could add a pen holder to the cover. 

So I used the sizing ribbon from the silk top and added it into the seam (I do love using as much of the original garment as possible!).

With the pen in place it does look to me as if the journal cover is giving the pen a big hug!

 

Next...

Caftan capers (or is it kaftan kapers?)

I love making something that I've never made before.  Why?  For the pure challenge of it; and the experience AND because it's fun and incredibly satisfying!

So when I was asked to make a caftan I jumped at the chance.  I was loaned an original and asked to make something similar.

This is how the creative process worked...

Make pattern

Figure out the 'how to make it' from the beginning involving much visualisation of caftan components

Find sheet

Use the sheet to make a mock-up of the caftan without lining it (that will come later)

Compare mock-up with original

Tweak pattern - add a bit here, remove a bit there (the sleeves I'd made were FAR too voluminous!)

Cut out new cotton fabric whilst holding ones breath (it was precious fabric and I so wanted to get it right!)

Add some preloved silk and cotton from a French designer top purchased on a recent trip to London

Tweak and tweak some more

When happy, add the bias binding from around the top of the designer top to the neck of the caftan (why make binding when there is the perfect sized bias in the perfect colour already there?!)

Trim sleeves with more silk

And there you have it - one completed, lined caftan which I believe is off on holiday pretty soon with its new owner!

 

 

Next...

Leftover silk scarf

This was made from the silk found in the bag of leftovers from the car boot sale.

I just had to add a mini-hem down both sides and ta-da - one silk scarf!