More fun with flower-making...tiny cocktail hat: Part 1

Hello Everyone,

Over the Christmas break, I broke into my out-of-control extensive collection of ribbon and went on a marathon of rosette-making, trying different trims and techniques.

I thought it would be really fun to create a lil' cocktail hat (of sorts) that is festooned in tiny ribbon roses.
Something I could wear when I have drinks lunch with The Ladies, ya know?

So.... I made a small headband-style frame out of wire with a pointed front:

Aluminum wire covered with scraps of printed black cotton.  Heavyweight non-fusible interfacing is used to interline the point for smoothness and comfort.  All edges are clean-finished and whipstitched closed along the back.



Yep, stays in place like a headband! 

 Then I started pinning all the various silver roses on it:

Mmmm-Hmmm!!!  
This hat is intended to be worn with an updo.....think I might add a veil too!

More to come!!

-Kathleen

Fun with Xmas clearance ribbon...

Hey Y'all! 
Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Christmas holiday! 

We have been hard at work creating and finishing beautiful projects to share with our readers.
While on the subjects of beautiful projects....isn't Philip's latest sweater (Seawolf) f'ing A-MaZING!?!?

It's not every day you find detailed blogs on MEN'S KNITTING, right?! 
Ugh, so much WOOOORK-ness!!

Anyhoo, here are some lil' quickie fun projects I completed just in time to wear for Xmas:  A couple of ribbon rosettes made from holiday ribbon I found for 60% off at Michael's a few weeks ago.

Big-ass Christmas rosette made with 2 different printed ribbons.  Glitter stamen centers (found in the cake-making section @ Michael's) The leaves are 2 different colors of green organza ribbon for just the right sparkle 'n pop!

Another Christmas rosette, made with 2 different kinds of "peppermint twist" printed ribbon for that Willy Wonka effect, lol.   The unusual pill-shaped stamen centers add to the weirdness.  Leaves are pre-cut microsuede available by-the-yard at Stone Mountian & Daughter fabric store, in Berkeley, CA. 

A under-view of the "Willy Wonka" rosette.  Note the matching red clip.  I was super-stoked to discover good quality painted metal clips at the beauty supply down the street...YAY!

-Kathleen, in Oakland

Another Tiny Project: Apollonia

Hey Y’all!

I just made this little hair rosette as a 40^th birthday gift for my manager at work…she’s cool, I’m lucky J

Up until a few weeks ago, our desks were next to each other.   Every once in a while, she would

regale me with tales of her teenage years in the 80’s.  I’ve seen pictures too.   Her hair was epic.  I learned the secret to uber-big 80's hair: Hot Stix on top of a spiral perm with Aqua Net.   What’s the best part of these stories?  Her source of style inspiration and measure of coolness was the 1984 film and accompanying album Purple Rain.

In honor of this, I made her a rosette with deep purple ribbons in satin and organza…her name is Apollonia.

And here's a little Prince and Apollonia awesomeness for your viewing pleasure:

Kathleen –In Oakland

Tiny projects = Huge satisfaction

Hey y’all!  I just finished a wee little project this morning….a lovely rosette made from novelty Halloween ribbon!

All hand-sewn, btw....

 

Peek-A-Boo!!

Over the last couple of years, I have made dozens and dozens of these flowers in various colors, trims and sizes.  Here’s a lil’ montage of a few styles that recently went up for sale at the Pin-up Parlor in Berkeley, CA:

Kathleen -In Oakand

Inspired By Threads: Issue 64 ~ Ribbonwork Flowers/Up Close

Hey Y'all! 

I just entered the "Inspired by Threads" Magazine contest:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/16010/inspired-by-threads-contest

And I wanted to share my entry with our Patterned History followers.

In 1996, when I was 17 years old, I was inspired by Threads Issue #64 to make my Senior Prom dress.  The issue featured an article as well as an "In Detail" image on Ribbonwork Flowers. 

1920's gown I *think* was on the back cover of Threads issue #64 "Up Close". 
I no longer own a copy of the issue from 1996, so I'm pulling this from my memory. 
This image is from the

Metropolitan Museum of Art Online Costume Collection

At the time, I was apprenticing for a very talented Costume Designer in Houston, TX.  I utilized every technique I was eagerly learning:  I drafted my own bodice pattern based on 18th century fit and design (my fav. time period) The body is made in black watermarked bengaline.  Each bodice piece is flatlined and boned with Ridgeline boning set into channels.  I created my own piping/facing from blush pink bridal satin.  All the flowers I made carefully by hand according to the Threads article. 
This past summer, I visited my Mom in Houston (I live in CA now) and found that this bodice had been lovingly saved and kept safe all these years. 
I was filled with so much emotion to see it again.

Front View of the my Senior Prom bodice inspired by Threads issue #64 featuring ribbonwork flowers. 



"Up Close" View of the ribbonwork flowers...did I mention I made this when I was 17?!



The bodice laces up the back with brass grommets, and was worn with a matching skirt, made from Folkwear pattern #216 Schoolmistress Skirt, and black Sam & Libby Victorian Boots...ha!! ....so 90's!.



Inside View

I made this bodice when I was a girl, with dreams of getting out of Texas and becoming a costume designer or a museum curator.   Now, I'm 32, with a Fashion Design degree and a Technical Designer by trade.  It has been a long road, but I am still studying fashion history and making costumes every spare moment I have.... don't give up on your dreams EVER!  They give you hope in your darkest moments.....no matter how nerdy they are.  For me, sewing is not just a creative hobby, but a livelihood as well. 
As my old Costume Designer boss used to say "As long as you know how to sew, you will always be able to eat." 
Good advice.

-Kathleen in Oakland