Look what my Pop bought the last time he was in Ghana!
And there's a LOT of it, too. He seems to have bought at least 8 yards of each of these two prints. Aren't they fun and fantastic!?!?! There are loads of things that I could make from them, especially utilizing the border print. But there is a catch.
My Pop's idea is that I will make something for each of my four sisters. And myself, of course. He's suggested a beach cover up/sarong type of thing, which would be easy enough (yawn). The one problem is that wax cloth is not particularly drapey. It's not an airy, floaty, batik-like fabric that you could tie at the waist and let drape attractively after a dip. Both are made of pretty sturdy 100% cotton.
I suggested an apron. Pop was not impressed.
I hate sewing tote bags. Pop wants something wearable, anyway.
So, I'm trying to come up with an alternate plan. From my point of view, it has to be easy and not particularly fitted. My sisters and I really are about as diverse in size and shape as any 5 women could be. We range in height from 5'6" to 6', and from waif to glamazon. Oh, and I wouldn't really have them on hand for any kind of fitting.
Anyway, I'm hoping someone will have an ingenious idea that has not occurred to me. One that will be relatively quick and easy to sew and not require much fitting.
I don't really have a deadline for this project, but it's just going to fester unless I get my act together soon. So please consider this an SOS! All suggestions are very appreciated!
PS- It seems like I have loads of finished things to show, but no pictures. Stay tuned. Kimono reveal and other good things to come.
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| Wax cloth! |
And there's a LOT of it, too. He seems to have bought at least 8 yards of each of these two prints. Aren't they fun and fantastic!?!?! There are loads of things that I could make from them, especially utilizing the border print. But there is a catch.
My Pop's idea is that I will make something for each of my four sisters. And myself, of course. He's suggested a beach cover up/sarong type of thing, which would be easy enough (yawn). The one problem is that wax cloth is not particularly drapey. It's not an airy, floaty, batik-like fabric that you could tie at the waist and let drape attractively after a dip. Both are made of pretty sturdy 100% cotton.
I suggested an apron. Pop was not impressed.
I hate sewing tote bags. Pop wants something wearable, anyway.
So, I'm trying to come up with an alternate plan. From my point of view, it has to be easy and not particularly fitted. My sisters and I really are about as diverse in size and shape as any 5 women could be. We range in height from 5'6" to 6', and from waif to glamazon. Oh, and I wouldn't really have them on hand for any kind of fitting.
Anyway, I'm hoping someone will have an ingenious idea that has not occurred to me. One that will be relatively quick and easy to sew and not require much fitting.
I don't really have a deadline for this project, but it's just going to fester unless I get my act together soon. So please consider this an SOS! All suggestions are very appreciated!
PS- It seems like I have loads of finished things to show, but no pictures. Stay tuned. Kimono reveal and other good things to come.
25 comments:
Personalized awnings?
Sorry, I stopped paying attention when I read that your parents had 5 daughters.
But seriously, isn't this a lot of pressure to put on you? 5 garments in diff shapes and sizes with fabric that neither stretches nor drapes.
I'm going to think about this but, really, nothing is coming to mind. It's late though...
Camp shirts maybe?
Maybe a simple wrap skirt would work?
Nothing like a present with a catch! I think a wrap sarong style skirt will work just fine in this type of fabric, I also guess it will soften a bit after washing. It will be a good use of all those patterns in the summer issues of Burda that we moan about being just squares!
I am from Ghana as well and have made actual fitted clothes with wax prints (a couple of them are on my flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/82664090@N02/ (just scroll past the peplum top). Growing up, we all wore wax print clothing - for best results, they should be lined.
For your sisters, I think peasant tops would be the best option - with gathered short sleeves and neckline. Burda has had a few - something like the dress on the cover of the April 2010 magazine (shortened as a top) would work, and it is not at all fitted. Yes, wax print will drape nicely when cut on a curve, and softens up after being washed.
Wax prints are usually sold in six yard lengths (45in wide), so that is what you will be working with. A paneled/ gored/ full circle wrap skirt would also be easy to sew and should fit within the just over 2 yards of fabric you will have per person.
Ah, Theresa, you covet the fabric. (Theresa loves novelty prints like this and makes exquisite shirts with pockets that match precisely. You can't even see them because the print lines up.) But I would rather see this fabric as skirts.
Kimono style jackets? Avoids much fitting and the simple lines would really show off the fabric.
I lived in the Ivory Coast for a while. This cloth looks great when made into form fitting clothes. That's what the locals do. It also has the body to allow for intricate, almost oragami like folds around the neck and sleeves.
I had some made into a tight, sheath dress. It looked fab. It was crisp enough to flatter my figure and light enough to be cool in the summer. Think structured summer clothes.
Did you know that the most esteemed wax cloth is made in the Netherlands? It's a crazy world.
How about a wrap around top? It shouldn't need too much fitting and doesn't need to drape so much.
Is this inspiring:http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/seemono?all_images=1#project-shot-all? The tutorial is linked to in the comments section...
LOL - Yeah, I guess they were trying for a boy.
To be honest, I may have volunteered while under the influence of the fun prints. ;-)
LOL
Ha! I guess we all see things from our own point of view and strengths.
Exactly! I'm definitely thinking of something fitted for myself.
OOoh! I love your wax cloth dresses! Thanks for the link and the insight!
oooh! That IS inspiring!
So far the wisdom of the crowd seems to be pointing me toward one of those Burda issues that we all scoff at for being non-patterns or some sort of wrapped item. This is great! Keep 'em coming!
So I am thinking that wax cloth is similar to the waxed cotton that Barbour uses in its outdoor clothing. What about vests lined with some pre-quilted cotton?
I had an almost identical experience when my dad brought me many yards of the same fabrics from Ghana and indicated I should make things for my daughter and nieces out of it. I ended up making a set of tiered skirts and PJ pants with it which worked out great for everyone as they were easy to make and easy to wear. The fabric softened some but was never exactly drapey.
I did consider pj pants. You are right that it is not likely to become drapey, even with washing.
I am in agreement with someone else who already suggested a wrap around skirt. Slim cut, wrap at the front, with ties or buttons. Depending on the width of the fabric or the wearer, you may not even need side seams, just darts. I found this video on you tube that is more or less what I mean. Just look at the finished product at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5kbCZNu8g
Thanks Elle!
The word "kimono" at the end of your post made me think "yakuta", which look like the kimono burda pattern you have...
You could cut longer, and use the same body size for all of you if the ties are just attached on the back waist, and you'd have summer bathrobes?
Searched high and low for a contact link for you, but there's nothing-you should have a contact form/ email somewhere on the blog so people can get to you =D Can you contact me please?
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