the taking liberties shirt

altered pattern in a liberty fabric

Based on pattern 2010/5 from Burda (available here) 

With liberty fabric destashed from here

Wooden buttons from here

This is the first button down shirt I've sewn. I recommend using using a button sew-on foot (bernina #18). There's 10 buttons, including the cuffs. The cuffs, frilled collar and mini sleeve cap detail are my own design (I took some liberties with the original pattern). The frill inside the collar is inspired by a shirt of my mother's I admired as a girl.

The use of vintage fabric, continues the theme of reuse in the creations you find here at Le Couturêve. It's not a platform for this blog per se. It's (thankfully) a theme far too ubiquitous (in the crafting scene) for that. Nonetheless, it's a page the mass production methods of the fashion industry could take a leaf out of. 

In time for Autumn.

first blogging week: in the bag

first week of Le Couturêve

thanks for stopping by

a bag a day: the orient reverse bag

for grandma

Nana Linda's lifestyle is strongly influenced by the Orient. You can see it in her furnishings and clothing. She has been to the East many times. Her husband (my grandfather) was a prisoner of war of the Japanese and formed friendships with his captors that endure to this day. She is a sensational lady and deserves an equally sensational bag for her day-to-day things. 

It started with a vintage chinoiserie fabric sample - purchased from this shop on etsy (though most of her stock is now here on ebay). Both sides of the fabric are lovely, and I couldn't decide which to use... solution: make it reversible!

The contrast panel is a silk and linen blend - from tessuti. The seams are covered in a burnt gold grosgrain ribbon. 

                

a bag a day: the sunshine prep satchel

Practical with a sunny disposition. 

Made from a single freedom furniture lounge fabric swatch from the local community centre. Zero fabric waste = nought couture. Add yellow trim to blue webbing. And a zip. That's all it takes to hold a macbook air and its power connection pack.

a bag a day: the granola hessian bag

100% reuse

a piece of hessian and an oddment

This is the bag for shopping at the organic, biodynamic, whole food stall. And anti-logging protests.  Anywhere where the guys don't wear shoes, the women don't wear bras and dogs have lengths of rope for leads.      

The bag is big. It has a pleat centre top on each side, and a gusset. Which makes it big enough for a whole pumpkin, and then some.


But its curve hugs the waist and hip, so it never looks too bulky.

This strap is the statement piece. Its fraying edges blend with the coarse hessian.

Peace, love and mung beans xo

a bag a day: the curtain market bag

A shopper bag. Light enough to crumple and fold into a smaller bag. Large enough for groceries.  I do not think you have to sacrifice style for practicality when it comes to super market bags (ladies!). And this bag has the following features to prove it.

Reinforcing with bias binding means I don't have to second guess how much I try to stuff into the bag. It will hold. And cotton (and jute) webbing are my favourites for handles that are both comfortable and will last.

Seams reinforced with bias binding.

Handles lined with cotton webbing and stitched for durability.

On re-use. This fabric lay dormant for two-and-a-half years. It was cut off a 'ready-to-hang' store bought curtain (that was too long for its hanging space). The chocolate pattern is flocked (in a raised velvet) and is luscious to the touch.

a bag a day: the summer lace bag

On the hottest of hot summer days, you choose a dress so light it floats. And this is the bag to match that dress. Light as air.  It's not going to hold everything. Just a dainty for a garden party or to glam up a summer night.

A gorgeous lace embroidered netting fabric from tessuti. I started making a top from it. But it is so light, I would have to line it or wear a nude cami. And it seemed a shame to place anything against this fabric, except the light.

 

a bag a day: the jute strap bag

 A hold-all over the shoulder bag.

In the daily commute, ladies tend to have a fancy handbag and then a (not-so fancy) carry bag for everything that doesn't fit in the handbag. As if no-one can see the carry bag?! This creation solves that by taking it all: packed lunch; cardigan; umbrella; make-up bag and novel with ease.


It is made of just three things. One length of jute webbing from etsy. One ex-freedom furniture decorator fabric swatch (admittedly, of a generous size). And one YKK zip. The zip and the fabric were the same length - meant to be. And no waste. Using an entire piece of fabric like this without leaving any scraps is called "nought couture"

The jute strap is surprisingly comfy. Sturdy but not cutting nor itchy. And great for a rustic look.

 

I adore the leafy pattern woven into the black fabric.

a bag a day: the vintage handle bag

 

100% reuse. 

That's not to say the material itself isn't new. It is! You know those fabric swatch books in decorator stores? That's what the outside of this bag is made from - two swatches.

And fabric swatch books aren't just for decorator fabrics, either. Fabric wholesalers/importers have them too for ALL types of fabric! That's what the lining is made from. Yep, another swatch.

You will find plenty of individual swatches for sale on etsy. I find mine at the local community centre.

The handles are vintage.  Aren't they great? Keep an eye out for some on an old handbag next time you're in a thrift store. They're easy to work with. You can buy them new in quilting/embroidery stores.