This week's theme was Stripes & Polka Dots. Let's break down my entry first eh? Then I'll show you my attempts and ideas that didn't happen, and my mega mega craft fail!


I named it '"Off The Grid" because it was giving me this Tron-esque vibe {I know, you probably don't see it, but just check out the rest of the pics!}. It originally was supposed to be a small nod to Beetlejuice, but then things spiralled out of control while trying to incorporate polka dots and what resulted is a bit cyber-punk.


Motorcycle Vest
I used the Basic Blazer* by Blank Slate Patterns and modified it to make this vest. It was the first time using this pattern. It promised to be easy, and after the last blazer I made I was ready for easy! The Basic Blazer has a lot less pieces and much simpler instructions! I've got a black blazer cut out in this pattern, but I haven't got around to finishing it off yet {or even starting it?}!



I left the sleeve pattern pieces in the packet, and when I traced out the pieces in 3T I altered it a fair bit. I brought the shoulder part of the armhole in a cm, dropped it a cm at the side seam and re-drew the armhole curve. Since it won't need set in sleeves, it can be a different shape. Instead of the rounded lower corner of the blazer at the front and the curved collar piece, I made both these straighter and pointed.


The pockets aren't actually pockets! Just zips. They open up so that he can put his hands in the pocket of the shirt underneath. It makes me a bit of a dork to be totally stoked about this idea. I made them like a welt pocket, then pinned the zips to the inside of the vest, stitching them on. I used brass buttons to do up the front, and to pin the front lapel collars back.



I lined the vest in black and white polka dot fabric from Spotlight. Australians will know this fabric well! The spots & stripes range has probably been used often in our sewing! I used the stripes fabric of this range A LOT for Vin's pirate party.


I decided to use the selvedge as part of the design, stitching the name of it into the lining. This way I can remember that this little vest was once part of something pretty epic! {Mmm like I'd forget something like being a part of Project Run & Play?}


Jeans
These were the original base for the whole look. I couldn't get striped pants out of my head, and I instantly thought of my favourite combination of stripes: black & white. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!


These jeans. Ugh can I just say that at the moment I don't want to look at them for a few weeks! They did my head in. I used Freezer Paper and made stencils to paint the black stripes on the white pieces I had already cut out. First I used poster paint.

WHAT?

I don't even know. I have no idea why I picked it up, I have no idea why I used it, and I have no idea why I get goosebumps every time I touched it. Needless to say I had to go buy more white drill and some nice black acrylic paint and fabric medium {my local has every coloured fabric paint under the sun. Except for black. Nice one.}



Anyway I used the Skinny Jeans* from the Peek-A-Boo pattern shop which are one of my staple patterns for making clothes for Vincent {after this comp I'm going to do a post about what my go-to patterns are for this kid}.



The stripes I painted on are different lengths, and some of the lines are staggered/broken up. The stripes on the pockets go horizontal to mix it up a little. All pocket linings are in the polka dot fabric that lines the motorcycle vest.


The back pockets are circles with zips. Below is a pic of the first pockets I did {with the poster paint}. I drew a circle, segmented it then added seam allowance. I sewed the linings onto the outers and then stitched the zip as an exposed zipper over the top. I stitched bias binding around the pocket and then stitched that onto the back of the jeans before I sewed them up.


They have an adjustable elasticated waistband, but I changed the way it was done in the pattern, and did it the way I have seen in Vincent's store-bought skinnies. It has a buttonhole that  the elastic goes through so it is easier to get to the button. Well to me it is easy, next time I make this pattern up I will probably follow the pattern's way of doing it.


Circle Pocket Tee

The tee is a raglan-sleeved shirt that I self-drafted.


The circle 'polka dots' on the shoulders are reverse appliqués. Originally they were circles zigzag stitched on, but I didn't love them at all. I like this much better. It's a lot neater and looks rad.


The circle pocket was pretty fun! I cut two circles, one from the main fabric, and one from the polka dot lining {which I interfaced} and stitched around them. Then I cut a strip of the black stretch fabric and stitched it around the circumference, before folding it over and stitching it again {like a bias binding type deal}.


I pinned it to the shirt and marked where I wanted his hands to be able to go, before I stitch the top to the shirt, and then the bottom 'pocket' part. It works like a kangaroo pocket.


There are so many photos in this post and I'm sorry, sort of. There are so many photos I took NOT in this post. Which I might use when I write a tutorial for this look. Because they are SO CUTE


MISSES

Here's what went wrong for this look while trying to get it all together!

The first circle pocket tee made him look like a carebear. The sleeves were way too short and the pocket way too big. He loved it though, so not a complete miss?


The Jeans were TOO SMALL. I could not get it over the junk in his trunk. I took off the waistband and sewed in an extra piece on both sides of the legs. You can't even tell. Then I made a new waistband {3 times}.


My model was less than impressed to try stuff on for me AGAIN