Impressionism

 

Oh, how I ( Major Moma) love a sew along.  And what is better than a sew along?  A PRP sew along!

Right now PRP is having an All-Stars competition where they bring back past contestants to have a special competition.  Oh, so much fun.  I am sure I will get new inspiration and ideas to take my sewing up a notch.

And, I get new challenges to stretch my abilities.

This week the theme is Inspired by Art.

When I was in undergraduate school, I had to take a requisite number of art classes.  One of my favorite was dance for non-dancers.  But though I took two quarters of that, it was not enough to fulfill my requirements.  And I have no real artistic ability and thus was forced to take an Art History class.  I took Western Art History; Renaissance to Present. 


Dürer painting at the Gemaldegalerie, Berlin


My mom (aka M on this blog) told me this would be one of the most useful classes I would take in undergrad.  Really?  Please explain mom.  And she did.  She said that all the rest of my classes may be foundational to things in my career but a knowledge of art will help enhance my real life.  Through an understanding of art, I will better understand our history and culture and it is something I can talk about for years to come. 

I don't think I truly believed her.  And this was one of the most study intensive classes I took as there was a HUGE amount of memorization.  But I learned she was right.  As I have traveled and experienced life, I have drawn upon the knowledge I gained in that class.



Greek antiquity; Pergamon Museum, Berlin


This February I was in Berlin, Germany enjoying their wonderful selection of art museums.   And there were several times that I would look at a piece and wonder "How could I translate that into the clothes I sew?"


Gate of Ishtar; Pergamon Museum, Berlin


And then, the PRP themes came out!  But my ideas I had floating around my head from the Berlin trip required machine embroidery and my machine broke down a couple days before the themes were announced.  So sad.

I am not one to be easily discouraged though and I went searching through my fabric for another option.  And I came upon this ruffle fabric I bought last fall that I never was able to find the 'right' project for.  Instantly, I thought of a Monet painting.

source





The hoodie is from a Simplicity 3813 pattern but I made a few modifications.  It really is the center piece for this look.  It is made from an ombre green an blue ruffle knit.

This fabric is very light weight and delicate and so I took a nearly matching teal knit and added a binding to the hood.  I also added knit cuffs and a facing at the hem out of the same teal knit.  This really helped put some structure to the garment.  Now matching stripes can be difficult, especially with a knit that may stretch when sewing.  But matching ruffle stripes that constantly are flipping around, that is super annoying.

To give a nod to the bridge in this painting, I made the skirt from this knit/lace fabric.  The idea for this to be a circle skirt came also from a picture I saw in the February Vogue issue.  I think the stripes and hashes of the lace reflects the openness of this pedestrian bridge.
 

 

 
 
I used the Dana Made circle skirt tutorial and was able to pick up this beautiful yellow elastic from a local store.

Because the skirt is see-through, little shorts for underneath were a must.  And, I had just enough of the ruffle fabric left.

All three pieces can of course be worn together, but each of them I think can be worn separately as well. 

I am thrilled with the outcome of this project but I would give a strong caution to anyone considering buying this ruffle fabric.  It was expensive, at $12.98  a yard and it is very flimsy.  I don't know how well it will hold up on a 9 year old.  And, matching the stripes were quite a headache.  Was it worth it?  I will let you know when am not still tired.

How have you become familiar with art?  Do you visit museums for fun?  What is your favorite museum?  

(Mine is definitely the Pergamon in Berlin.)

~Major Moma