couture: pronounced-kOtooer: the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client's specific requirements and measurements. creative couture by kolein- the design, embellishment and overall jazzin' up of thrift store clothing to my specific requirements and measurements. One of a kinds...because aren't we all?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Blah-zay Blazer makes a come back

Welcome Friends.
This is the first post of my new couture blog.
I am thrilled that you stopped by

creative couture by kolein

I have longed to make my own clothes.
However,  patterns scare me.
I think it's my learning style, quite frankly.
However, I love sitting at the sewing machine,
dabbling with fabric.

So I decided after years of being nearly 6 feet tall, short waisted, with extra long arms (gosh I sound like something you might find at the zoo) I have ventured into my own personal line of clothing
by way of our local thrift stores and my VERY OWN closet,
and maybe one or two things that my husband might be throwing away.

Of course I will be the only one wearing this line of re-fashioned clothing.


Still, I wanted to share it with you to perhaps inspire you along your creative journey wherever it is now and wherever it will lead you.


I LOVE the process.
The destination, I'm finding, is pretty grand, too!

Here is my first 1920's England inspired blazer.

Here's what I started with:
On the left is an Eddie Bauer linen skirt that didn't really feel like me anymore.
On the right, a large blazer I purchased from a thrift store when I was pregnant.
It is from Spiegel.  Made of linen and lined.  I couldn't throw this back in the heap to go to the thrift.  So both items have been taking up residence in my studio for years.  Stop laughing.  That wasn't a joke.  



This here is a head band.  I LOVE the design.  I bought it from our local grocery store. I used every bit of this.

I began cutting and ruffling...and one thing lead to another...

I added a poofy collar, then some bell sleeves, then a rosette made from another thrift store skirt....then
added some accordion ruffles on the pockets, and part of the head band on the sleeve, cut the brown plastic buttons off, made new ones using the elastic from the head band...
Then my blazer became this, right before my eyes
Then I put this detail on the back
At one time this blazer fit my round belly.
Now it has been refashioned to be a spring or fall overcoat.

Thrift store
before



Creative Couture
after

JOINING THE TALENTED GALS OVER HERE TONIGHT



Please bear with me as I figure out what I'm doing here creating another blog.
The header is doing something weird and it's been a while since I worked with all the html things here in blog land.
Thank you.



23 comments:

  1. Shut up!!!! What???? I have been wondering what you've been sewing!! KOLEEEEEIIIINNNN! You are too fabulous! I love it! That is so cool! I can't wait to see your new line! Ha! I love the collar and the cuffs on this one!! Ahhh!

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  2. How adorable are you!! So awesome... keep going! We want MORE. :)

    Donna

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  3. Wow! Kolein,what talent! Great job refashioning your blazer...super cute! :)

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  4. Wow Kolein, I'm in (following). Great job on the blazer and I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

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  5. Look at you! You are full of talent girlie. And two blogs now, how exciting!!

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  6. Are you stinking kiddin' me?
    What else Kolein? Is there another pie in which you could possibly have your finger?

    This is so cute. And it looks fabulous on YOU!

    I think you are most talented! good job, Kolein.

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  7. Girl, this is amazing! You are crazy talented! I can't believe you made this. I had no idea you had this in you! Can't wait to see more and more and more. Keep em coming...

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  8. I had to read over it twice! I am stunned! You are such a talented lady! Please remember me when you make it big :) I'm serious... this is really cute! Being tall is an advantage to model your designs. I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve (no pun intended).
    Love it!

    Will be fun to journey along with your new blog.

    Best wishes,
    ~Michelle
    xo

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  9. Well pop my garter and call me Shorty!

    Shut - my - mouth!

    Oh NO YOU di-int! (said with a propped hip and a bit of attitude!)

    Well smack my mama and color me surprised!

    Any of these southern euphemisms fit in this case m'lady! Look at you go! Your very first sewing project was NOT ONE slipcover, but TWO - AND a pillow. Now you're making more slipcovers, and here you go venturing into the clothing realm. UH - MAY - ZING! You must've had this in you all along. I am floored - and so proud. You'll be taking in custom orders in no time.

    True story - I knew a gal in Denver that started doing this, and then started making things for others who saw the things she wore. Then she started taking custom orders for dresses and jackets, etc, etc. She now has a custom line of popular clothing in the Denver market and the last I knew, her waiting list was several weeks long. She quit her day job and now this is her business. She has 6 seamstresses that work for her. She didn't plan a bit of it, but discovered she had a talent for putting together creative things that caught people's attention. You are off to a great start like that! :)

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  10. What a great new challenge for 2011. I love your jacket, all the details are just right. Congrats on the new blog and lets see some more soon.
    Traci

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  11. Very anthropologie-ish!! Love it!! I wish I could sew! :( I can hot glue!!!

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  12. I think my favourite part is the buttons, they're totally awesome!

    The big collar is really cool, and I love that the skirt fabric you used for the trims is just a slightly different shade to the jacket colour, which gives a lovely two-tone effect.

    Oh, and it looks absolutely fabulous on you darling!! :)

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  13. LOVE.IT. I am speechless, just speehcless, but in a good way!!!!You go!

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  14. You have found your niche! No more painting closets or burying bananas for you. Nosirree! And I'll be right behind you at the thrift store cheering you on. I have lots of thrift store experience. Just saying. :) You and Tessa will have to have a design fest while you are here. I love the jacket and hope you wear it on vacation.

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  15. I just can't stop laughing at your comment about sounding like something you would see at the zoo. I laughed all the way through dinner. I'll probably bust out laughing again when I see you.

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  16. I love it! And I understand about the being tall thing + long arms b/c I'm nearly 5'9" tall & it's always hard to find tops that have sleeves long enough for me. I praise God for the 3/4 length sleeve :) Enjoy this new adventure!

    Blessings,
    Jen

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  17. Yay you. Your creativity is amazing. Can't wait to see more.
    Pam

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  18. Wow, Kolein you have been busy!! I seriously {heart} that coat. The ruffles, the details, WOW. And two blogs my goodness. Maybe I could learn to sew after all...still haven't busted out my birthday sewing machine. I will one of these days when I get a quiet afternoon. <--insert laugh here

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  19. That is so creative! It looks great on you. Clothes mystify me, I have no style, just whatever fits me that's on the clearance rack. sigh. not my thing. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two. Love your new blog and I'll be following along to see what you're doing!
    You go, girl!

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  20. How adorable! I love it. The little appliques are so sweet.

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  21. OK... I'm sneaking over here to see if I missed your next piece... nope! Where is it?? I want more Kolein Couture to look at!!

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  22. Bonjour,

    Je découvre avec un immense plaisir votre univers... qui n'est pas fait que de maisons en pain d'épices !...
    Bravo pour la création de cette superbe veste ! Elle vous va à ravir ! et je vous rassure, je ne pense pas que quelconque animal du zoo de ma ville en porte ! sourire...
    Gros bisous ♡

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