Saturday, April 12, 2008

Timmel Swap - final preview

Whoo-hoo! finally finished - pictures and all. I owe a big debt of gratitude to my good friend Maureen for doing my pix for me. I couldn't have done it without her. (Well, I could have, but it wouldn't have looked nearly as good!)

Final pix go up on the Timmel SWAP site on the 21st, but I'm posting mine here now. (who knows what will happen in life between now and then?) Doing the composite photo was where I really needed Maureen's help. Not only is she a wonderful photographer (and friend, may I add), but she also has PhotoShop, which I do not. I cannot eliminate backgrounds, use a magic wand, or change my background color. She was able to do all this for me and then I imported them into "Comic Life" to do my final picture. Here is the result:


















We are also allowed to submit 6 additional photos. I had 7, so I eliminated this one

top - striped knit from Timmel Fabric- New Look 6735
pants - black ponte knit - New Look 6735


















One of my favorite tops, the black turtleneck didn't make it into any of the pix, but it will be one that I wear most often, I think. It is super light weight and goes under many things I currently have in my wardrobe. Although the turtleneck (like the striped top) is not part of my photos, it is still part of my SWAP. Here you see it under the green shirt, which is no longer part of my swap. I had made 7 tops and you are only allowed to enter 6. Since this green top just did not photograph well, (believe me, we tried and tried) it was the one that got eliminated. Actually, it is probably my least favorite out of the SWAP, so it was the best one to go.
Turtleneck - Christine Johnson Base 2 pattern - black rayon jersey
Green shirt - BWOF 3/2007 - oxford cloth








This top, which I call the "poet's blouse" is probably my favorite blouse out of the swap. I put a lot of time and detail into this one, and it is just comfy and casual to wear. It also works tucked in with the fitted skirt and worn over the black skirt with a belt at the waist. The pants in this photo are made of an olive green rayon gabardine and I just love the fabric. They were a little small when I made them, but I've lost a few pounds, and now they fit me perfectly. One thing I really like about these pants is the fact that they have a fly front and angled pockets in the front.

Blouse - BWOF 1/2008- white cotton broadcloth
Pants - BWOF 12/2006- olive rayon gabardine









I purchased the fabric for this top at F&S Fabrics on the PR westcoast weekeknd. It is trimmed with black satin ribbon at the neckline and has ties in the back. It has a side zipper, but I plan to take that out since it slides easily over my head.
These pants have an elastic waist and wide legs. They sit below the waist.

Top - New Look 6515 - rayon crepe
Pants - New Look 6735- black poly ponte knit.












It was kind of windy when we were taking the pictures and my hair kept blowing in my face. Here I'm really just trying to get the hair out of my face, but we liked the pose, so we kept it.

I am surprised at how much I like this top. I do not usually go for velvety, shiney kinds of clothes, but I wanted to try something different with the simple knit top pattern. This is a stretch velvet burnout that I got at JoAnns. It is polyester, but the "mesh" quality of the burnout makes it cool and comfortable. It was surprisingly easy to work with as well. The skirt is a 6 gored skirt made out of the same fabric as the wide leg pants. I really like the drape of this skirt.

Top - NL6735 - stretch poly velvet burnout
Skirt - NL6735 - black poly ponte knit.







Here is the BWOF tie-neck blouse. I have made this twice, and actually like the second one I made better. This is made of a poly chiffon with a geometric print. Because the fabric is sheer, I am wearing a black camisole underneath. The sheerness also makes the fabric breathable and comfortable.

Top - BWOF 2/2008






Although I was disappointed in the performance of this herringbone knit after washing (it pilled terribly) I really love this cardigan. I think it is a flattering style, and is easy to wear. This fabric does hold its shape well and has just the right amount of stretch. I am wearing it with the olive and cream tweed wool skirt. I love this skirt. This is one of the items that took more time. The skirt is underlined with silk organza and lined with bemberg rayon. This is a great skirt pattern with a lot of different hemline variations. I plan on making many more of these. I love the flounce in the back on this version. You can see a better picture of the front of the cardigan here.

Skirt - Simplicity 4784 - olive and cream wool tweed
Cardigan - NL 6735 - olive and black herringbone knit.


Any wardrobe contest is a big undertaking, and the SWAP is no exception. The community on Stitchers Guild is a great support and inspiration. When the finals are posted, you must check them out. There are some fabulous wardrobes out there. I can hardly wait to see all the finished collections!

There are more pictures in my Picasa folder

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great photos, Nancy! And I do love all your pieces. Congratulations on getting the photos together so early!

I pray you have a relaxing, uneventful week! You deserve one!
Elaine

Melissa said...

Excellent SWAP! Your photos are wonderful - good luck in the contest!

Alexandra said...

Great pictures, beautiful clothes!

Vicki said...

Congratulations on finishing. Your garments look great on you and work so well together. Good luck!

AllisonC said...

Congratulations on finishing, that is a great achievement and whatever the result you have a fantastic wardrobe to show for it. Well done!

cidell said...

Sister, I got little goosebumps looking at your SWAP. Congratulations on putting together a fun, contemporary and well sewn collection.

Summerset said...

You look fabulous! What a great wardrobe for you - all the colors and styles are just right for you. Congratulations!

katherine h said...

You have put together a great wardrobe...casual and elegant...I like it!

kbenco said...

Nancy this is a fabulous wardrobe. I know how extremely good your friend Maureen's photos are, as I have spent all day working on mine and they look very amateurish! I have decided I would rather sew all day than work on photos all day so they are staying as they are. I love your clothes, and they look even better all put together in these great pictures.

Lori said...

Beautiful SWAP, Nancy. Everything works so well together. Congrats on your accomplishment and dedication. Good luck.

Shannon said...

Everything looks great! Loves the pictures - you look so happy in your new wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

Looks great Nancy! I am in the midst of photographing mine right now. You look wonderful in the photos as well as the clothes!

Anonymous said...

what a detailed post, tfs, all your garments looks great and you look stunning in them, congrats again on completing them

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous grouping! I love the clothes you worked on for this challenge!

Sigrid said...

It's working all together. Wonderful swap. Good luck in the contest.

Birgitte said...

What an accomplishment! Bravo, Nancy. Each and every piece looks great on its own, and put together, the wardrobe looks cohesive, truly wearable, elegant, yet casual. I'm totally impressed.
HTH,
Birgitte

Cherie said...

Lovely SWAP! I've been lurking on Stitcher's Guild and loving it. You chose very interesting lines and details for your pieces, a most excellent wardrobe!

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Nancy - thanks so much for sharing the pics with us! I love the ones that you chose, you really look amazing in them! Hey the clothes look good too!

You should be very proud of yourself for finishing the challenge and for making such an amazing wardrobe!

a little sewing said...

Nancy- your SWAP is beautiful! Everything fits so well and all the pieces work wonderfully together. You and your friend did a fabulous job on the photos, too!

kasizzle said...

All your pieces look beautiful, but I must say I really love all the skirts on you.
You are inspiring!

Gwen said...

Wow! What a gorgeous wardrobe you've created! I especially love your poet's blouse!!
--Gwen

Anonymous said...

You look great! Thanks for posting the process on your blog. It has been lots of fun reading about it!

Maureen said...

Why am I always surprised when something I took part in turns out well? These look great Nancy, and seeing them all together is so impressive!

Chicago Sarah said...

Oh...my...goodness. You are a really good seamstress, Nancy! Those pieces look fantastic. Congrats!

LauraLo said...

Beautiful wardrobe, Nancy! I bet you'll get plenty of wear out of it!

Christina said...

You must feel soooo good now that this is done and you can wear all these fabulous clothes. Congratulations, this is an impressive collection.

BCN - UNIQUE designer patterns said...

Nancy .- a good apparel and very complete. I congratulate him on his election. I like the BWOF white blouse with lace detail that you placed. Thanks for the photos. Greetings. Paco

Anonymous said...

You look wonderful in your excellent swap. Great photos.

Claire said...

Nancy, I love your SWAP. Your hard work shows and you shine in your new garments. I wish you the best of luck in the contest. I can't wait to see all the entries.

Tany said...

Great wardrobe, Nancy! Congratulation on finishing your SWAP and good luck!