Lace & Angels

I don't wear lace 
the closest I get to lace in my wardrobe is my adored crocheted cardigans 
& I'd wear these everyday if I could.

 (more here)

I also don't create anything for the sake of it 
the end result has to be something I know I'll wear or use 
so I'm trying to work out what's going on with my latest REinventions?!

Not only do I still like the original idea as much as when it was conceived, 
I've worn the skirt 2 days running without once thinking "what was I thinking?!"

I keep telling myself it's 'very lacey'
and it doesn't seem to matter, 
in fact it's the laceyness I love, 
that combined with the tweed under-skirt which gives it the contradiction I like so much in REinventions.

With every REinvention you need a starting point
and for these it was the lace & angels combination that were the inspiration 

and then I'm thinking where did the whole angel thing come from, 
I don't do these either!

I couldn't talk myself out of continuing
even when the lace
 which had been the skirt to a 1960's frock 
started looking decidely bridal 
and the yoke on the tweed skirt was two sizes too small.



undeterred 
I tea-dyed the lace



& removed the yoke

  
'scientifically' measuring & trimming both to fit.

The REinvented top is a combination of three tops 
that didn't fit, had holes, marks & weren't my style.

I cut these (as oppossed to un-pick) 
& manipulated the pieces into a design that I liked & that fitted.

Something odd here also because as much as I've always admired these colours 
I've not once in my life ever worn teal blue!

Stranger still is the mustard Jumper I turned into a Wrap

another colour I've never owned & now love!

and it's just dawned on me
not only have I challenged long held beliefs related to my personal style 

I've created a skirt 
that goes with everything!

Which one did she choose?

Stella has been learning to sew these holidays and to date she has made a Journal Cover, Tote Bag and a Top.

She's been able to choose her own fabrics & combinations of fabrics for each project - fabrics from my stash.
It has been an interesting exercise in 'Mother/Daughter Relations' as the choices she has made would not have been mine and even with gentle persuasion she could not be swayed.



So, for her latest project, the Top (which was inspired by these), I laid out 4 fabric choices and was excited to see which she would choose.
The process of elimination was fascinating, as she picked each piece up, examined it, held it to herself and discussed (mostly with herself) which would look the best finished....
in the end her choice of fabric matched perfectly the style of Top and (shhhh!) would have been my choice!



I love watching & listening to her work 
 her level of concentration is remarkable

and combined with those hands - I'm in awe.