rrain wear

Here are the final sketches for my CAD project:


This inspiration for this line came from the idea of being “right as rain,” and expression that means just right; another similar expression is “fit as a fiddle.” This expression can be used when someone is feeling satisfied, comfortable, and that everything is as it should be. Performance clothing should be not only comfortable but also satisfying. The purpose of rrain wear line is just that, to provide comfortable clothing for outdoor and active lifestyles. The target customer, a woman between the ages 25-40, does not want to compromise her style even when she is being active. This active wear has unique stitching details, excellent fit, and an up to date color story to fulfill this desire. The stitching as a design detail is a finishing touch that makes the line “right as rrain.”

The word "rrain" is spelled with two "r's" to indicate my first initial and the inspiration "right as rain."

Design Project

Last week I worked on a project for my CAD class. The assignment was to create a presentation board for the line we each began to develop. Later we will create our designs on the computer.







All these designs are mine, don't copy them!

So Fresh, Sew Green

The fashion show last weekend was a huge success! The show's theme was sustainability and there were four design categories, recycled fabrics, recycled products, organic fabrics, and naturals. This meant we had used clothes remade into beautiful runway pieces, pieces out of trash, organic clothing, and in the grand finale, a dress made from corn husks, leaves, and flowers. I created two looks for it both of them in the recycled products category. The first was a dress out of plastic bags ironed together. The second, a top out of plastic bags and a petal skirt out of phonebook pages. I have a photo of the second look and I will get the other photographs from the photographer as soon as possible!


Also, I have recently been using the website BurdaStyle. It is such a great resource and community for people who like to create things. There are free patterns and project tips. Find the projects I've made under the username rebekah lynn.

The One Shoulder

It's been awhile! Whew! I was just working on a project for the upcoming student fashion show at Seattle Pacific University and pondering the current one shoulder phenomenon. I saw it coming a mile away and had mixed feelings at first but now I have come to really respect the one should style that is so prevalent in this season's dresses and tops.

This style has so much potential! It is asymmetrical and gives a far different look than strapless or a two shoulder look. It can be done in long sleeve, tank, jersey, organza, silk...there are countless varieties. Not convinced yet? This look also keeps it covered up! I have yet to see the one shoulder in a low cut look (I'm sure it's out there, but don't go there- keep it classy). It reveals the shoulder but keeps the bust covered. For formal wear it is still interesting while actually providing more coverage than most other evening styles. It is a great style that's in right, so wear it while you have the chance!


Blake Lively pulls off the one should quite nicely!

If you are going to wear it, don't confuse anyone as to your intentions. I was recently in line and the guys behind me were discussing whether the girl in front of me intended to have her shirt sleeve off. They weren't really sure whether the shirt was made that way, or she just had a dressing fiasco. The problem was, she was wearing a tank top underneath and had all these straps showing, so the one shoulder was not apparent. Make sure if you wear it, wear it alone and don't show any straps. Also, as with all your clothes, make sure it fits you well. In the words of Coco Chanel, "Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably, they notice the woman."

Superman's Children

Earlier this quarter I was hired for a sewing project through the Seattle Pacific job website. The task was to make 24 super hero capes for a four-year-old's birthday party. It was a learning experience but not so much learning any new sewing skills, rather learning about the time it takes to make that amount of items, even something that appears relatively simple. First I made a pattern from a sample I was given. Next, I cut out the pieces in both red and blue. After that I sewed them together, leaving six inches at the bottom open to inside them out. Before turning them inside out I clipped the corners to help the fabric lay smooth and then I after turning them, I topstitched close to the edge. The final step was sewing on the velcro. I put two different colors of thread on my machine so that it would blend in to each side (red and blue). Please note that the photos do not upload to the blog true to color, the fabric on the one side is actually bright red.

Cutting


Sewing


Finished Product (Reversible)


Lots of Capes

Clothing Exchange

I invited friends over last night and we held a clothing exchange is our dorm room. This was the first time I have done this with friends and it turned out so well! Our room was transformed by piles of clothes. Everyone went through their closets and sorted out clothing that they no longer wear or want. It was motivating to get rid of stuff because you knew that you could find something really great in return. The rules were that you could pick out however many items you brought. Four example, if one person brought five things, she could pick out five things from what everyone else had brought. This rule was not really necessary for us because no one reached their limit but for a larger exchange it would be helpful. This first exchange was a success, each of us found at least two or more things that we wanted and all the leftovers we donated. For future exchanges I would definitely make it a bigger event because the more people and clothes that their are, the better chance there is for everyone to find new things and for sizes to match up.

If you've never done an exchange like this, try it! It is so easy to plan and a very economical way (Go green!) to get new clothes and pass on some beloved pieces that never looked right on you anyway. Although I was not able to attend, a woman at my church set up a clothing exchange one Saturday last year. I heard it turned out really well, with many people in the church participating. The Sunday after it was open to anyone to look at before they donated the rest and I found a cute shirt.

Child's Summer Dress

I have doing so much sewing lately! One of my most recent projects is a dress for a three and a half year old girl. This was the midterm project for my sewing class, everyone made clothing for a little girl my teacher knows through church who is in need of more clothing. I followed Simplicity pattern 3510. The pattern was pretty straight forward. All the tucks on the dress lined up without any problem. The only confusing part was the patch pockets. I used the Reader's Digest New Complete Guide to Sewing for instructions on rounded patch pockets. I am very pleased with how it came together!

Dorm Decor

Finally I though I'd post a few pictures of our room! It has looked like this for awhile but I never got around to taking and uploading photos. It was fun going to Ikea this last fall and picking out curtains and finding curtain rods and such. My desk and closet are on the left side of the room and my bed is the one that is higher. We put it up on risers so that there is space of the person below.