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Monday, August 20, 2012

Getting Ready For Project Run And Play

I am really excited  and a little nervous too about the fact that I'm competing on Project Run & Play this season!
For those of you who don't know what it is, Project Run & Play is an online competition for designing children's wear. Like the TV show Project Runway that it is cleverly named after, there is a new challenge every week and one person is eliminated .
Project Run & Play has a lot of readers. I have been following it myself now for almost two years.
I have spent the past week mulling over ideas for the weekly challenges. Looking at high fashion, kids fashions websites, and Pinterest too for inspiration.
Yesterday I went to downtown Los Angeles and spent some time at the FIDM fashion library.

I spent some time there researching upcoming trends and buying my fabric in the nearby garment district.



Click here to read my Fabric Shopping in downtown LA buyers guide!
Photography is strictly forbidden in the library so listed below are a few fashion trends I read about which are forecasted for 2013 going into 2014.

Sculptured belts and waist details
Double Collars
Peplums
Victorian and Rural themes for men
3D pockets
40's Blazers
Fur collared overcoats
Small capes
Galaxy themed prints
Soft muted, dusky pastels
Biker jackets
Leather pants
Grandpa cardigans

With all these ideas swimming around in my head a mini collection started to gel. I have been sketching and coming up with lots of ideas.
I am going to be using some very grown up fabrics for my designs . As much as I love quilting cottons for baby sewing, there won't be any in these garments....I haven't been that thrilled with the hand of them for more detailed garments. Too bulky and stiff in general. Below are a few of the fabrics I will be using:

Silk charmeuse
Silk dupioni
Wool tweed
Silk boucle suiting
Cotton voile
Fake fur

Yes, silk charmeuse can be a pain to sew with, but the results can be so pretty!
Since my fabrics are a little pricey I will be sewing up muslins first.

This will be an experiment in Kiddie Couture!

Another aspect I am excited about with Poject Run and Play is that commercial patterns are not allowed. I am going to get started on doing some basic blocks for my girls.

What are basic blocks? They are like foundation patterns that you make, then you trace and redraw them to make new styles. This method of pattern manipulation is known as the flat pattern method.
If you are intersted in learning flat pattern making for children I highly recommend this book below.

Metric Pattern Cutting For Children By Winifred Aldrich
I prefer to drape and I have my trusty dress form and effigy to help me below here:
She looks a little creepy there in my dining room!

I am a little intimidated about the sewing for boys week. I have recruited a friend's very adorable son to model for me. I have some fun ideas on what I am going to make for him, assuming I get that far in the competition.

Even if I am eliminated I will probably still sew along and add my projects to the Flickr pool as I already have my projects designed in my head and can't wait to get them sewn up!


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29 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I just started reading your blog regularly, and only discovered PR&P earlier this year. I am very excited to see what you create for this season.

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  2. Congratulations!

    And have they changed the rules? Patterns used to be allowed, as long as they were just a starting off point.

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    1. Yeah, that's what I was thinking... I sure did mix up a lot of patterns in my stuff!

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  3. Congratulations! This is all new to me, so now I'll be following along! I went to the site and see your name at the top of the list! :)

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  4. Justine, congratulations, I was delighted to see your name on the list this morning, and I'm so looking forward to seeing what you make :-)

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  5. Congratulations! I am so excited for you and to see your amazing sewing skills in action!

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  6. Yay yay! So excited for you, Justine. You're in a tough season, lemme tell ya! You're all going to make it rough on us voters.

    I agree with Melissa - we could use existing patterns too, as long a we altered them heavily. Did they change that this season?

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    Replies
    1. Maybe Im wrong. Well, I already started making my blocks and they are really hard to do!

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  7. Congrats! I was at Project Run and Play and saw your name first on the list and I'm so excited for you! I totally expect you to make it to the very end and be the winner! :) Karen

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  8. I've been following PR&P since the beginning, and I can honestly say I look forward to it even more than Project Runway! The caliber of talent is astounding, and I've no doubt this season will be awesome. I was so pleased to see your name on the list! Best wishes!

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  9. Congratulations, Justine!! I can't wait to see what fabulous outfits you come up with.:)

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  10. Congratulations.. Can't wait to see you in the competition... I am sure you will bring lots Beautiful inspiration to the table.
    Angelina

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  11. Great post, Justine. I loved reading the fashion forecasts and your fabric choices. I think that's really wise and would expect you to go far with that list. What are some of your favorites among the smaller stores in the fabric district? There are so many!

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  12. Exciting, and what a super opportunity for you! I haven't followed it before, but I'll be sure to now.

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  13. So exciting! Congrats! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  14. Congratulations!! Looking forward to seeing your beautiful and sweet creations! xo Heather

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  15. Congratulations! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  16. Oh my gosh Justine! I've only come here from PR&P but I am so excited for you! I love your dedication. That's the one thing I REALLY miss about fashion school was the access to upcoming trends in colours and features! I used to print out hundreds of pages from that website, darn I can't even remember the name of it.

    Anyway, good luck!!

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  17. you sound so prepared - I think you will do great and go soooooo far!!! Don't be scared of boy's week, our little men need great style too. I am extremely jealous of the resources you have at your fingertips, my only local fabric store is Joanns ;op If I ever got the chance to participate in the distant future, I'd be driving 4+ hours to NY to get some decent fabric choices. Is it September yet - I can't wait for this thing to start! And I am thrilled about the design trends of : 40's blazers, victorian for men, and grandpa cardis - thanks for the insight ;o)

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  18. Congratulations. Really interesting info on the new trends. You sound very prepared. I can't wait for the new season to start. I saw that book on another blog only yesterday and ordered it today, good luck with your blocks.

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  19. Congratulations! Can't wait to see you come up with :)

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  20. You are going to do GREAT!!! Excited for ya!

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  21. Congratulations! I'm super exited to see what you come up with! And definitely thrilled with your forcasted fashions list and the fabrics sound lovely!
    Bonnie MS
    www.etsy.com/shop/RidingTheBonnieWay
    www.ridingthebonnieway.blogspot.com

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  22. Congrats, Justine!!! I'm sure you'll come up with some amazing designs.

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  23. I'm so excited to see what you make and so glad to read no cotton prints! I also get don't like them in kids clothes. Can't wait for the wool tweed to make its appearance. Boy looks are my favorite, definitely pushes your creativity--good luck with that one!

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