Andrea Pelletier Experimental Designs
This is one of my very favourite pieces. When I bought this yellow and black houndstooth fabric, my co-workers at Fabricland were incredulous. “What are you going to make with that?!” the Portuguese ladies puzzled, and I told them I would make a fully printed one piece jumpsuit. They always thought I was a little wacky. I didn’t know what I would make with it at the time, just that I needed to have it. But the fabric works quite well when used as an accent, no?
{ 0 comments }
The sleeves on this shirt are organza with little flocked velvety roses. So delicate and pretty. But big and outrageous as well!
{ 0 comments }
Okay! Finally I am getting the pictures up from the photo shoot we did in August. Many thanks again to my model, the lovely Kate, and my trusty photographer Gabrielle Touchette, who is good enough to take time out of her hectic wedding photography schedule to do a fashion shoot. This one took place at the Forks by the bridge going under the train tracks. I love the grungy, industrial feel of the background, contrasting with the pretty and colourful girly clothes. It’s always a good time, except poor Kate had to change outfits in the back of my van on one of the most humid days this summer. What a trooper! And we saw a double rainbow in the sky, and finished shooting just as the rain was starting. Luck was on our side.
Okay, so on with the pictures. These outfits are a mixture of pieces that were shown in the Green is the New Black fashion show and the Indulge fashion show. Most have already been posted with descriptions, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves here. I like having many shots of each outfit so that you can see different angles and details of each piece, which you just don’t get in fashion show shots. Thanks again Gab for taking such beautiful pictures!
{ 0 comments }
When my husbands boxer shorts wear out, they are transformed to cleaning rags. But they must be replaced, no? I made a pattern a while ago from a pair of his old shorts, and I let him choose fabric from my excessive collection of cotton prints. (The rooster print and the red plaid were my first test copies, so those ones I chose for him). While there is plenty to choose from, I did purchase the skull and roses fabric especially for some birthday shorts. They suit him quite well, because he is a tattoo artist. He wouldn’t let me use him as a model, but he has a nice collection of tattoos to show off. So I used my new man mannequin I just got from the Bay downtown clearance!
{ 0 comments }
When Carolyn contacted me to see if I would be willing to restore an extremely old and worn coat of hers, I could definitely relate to her desire to hold on to a beloved piece of clothing. She’s had it several years, and it was second hand when she bought it, so the coat has certainly been around.
The fabric had naturally worn away at the spots that get the most action, like the zipper edges, the hem, pockets, and hood. I replaced the fur on the hood with a darker fake fur (I don’t know where to get real fur), and patched up areas where the fabric was thread bare or torn. The pockets needed quite a bit of reinforcing, and I bound the zipper edges and hem. The under arm seams were wearing down so I cover stitched by hand, since patching wasn’t possible. I checked over the whole coat, repairing small tears and worn edges by hand. It is nearly impossible to find exact colour/fabric matches for an existing garment, especially when the fabric is old, worn and faded in spots! But the new navy contrast edging gives the coat has a whole new look and Carolyn is happy her coat has new life!
{ 0 comments }
I have so many pictures to post here from the photo shoot we just did, as well as the shorts I made for my husband, my wedding dress pictures from two years ago that I somehow forgot to add, the winter coat I just finished refurbishing, and some photos I’m waiting on from previous clients. I am trying to get organized and post them all before my baby comes, because who knows when they will get up after that! I am busy finishing things up, doing some hemming for my friends before I’m outta commision for a while.
I also just met with a new client, Lisa, who needs a dress for a fundraising gala. The theme is vintage hollywood glamour, and everyone’s wearing black and white. We met a few days ago to confirm a design and get measurements, and I am super excited to make this dress! Vintage hollywood glam? Right up my alley. Her dress is going to be a long, black , strapless number, with a wide white godet insert in the back with layered flounces sewn on. There will be a white assymetrical ruched belt with black buttons on one side, and a black chiffon scarf coming out of the top of the bodice in front. OOOooohh, so nice. Just wait till you see a picture, it will be beautiful.
Stay posted, I will try to keep updating! It’s just that I’d rather sew than be on the computer….
{ 0 comments }
Yay! My favourite photographer and model came together again with me on Wednesday to get some shots of outfits from the latest fashion shows. A big thank you to Gabrielle Touchette (whose website is linked to my site) and Kate Robertson. Also, thank you to Mother Nature for providing us with a (just barely) non rainy evening. We saw a double rainbow in the sky, and finished shooting just before the rain started!
Gab is super busy this summer with wedding photography and getting ready to teach in the fall. It will be a few weeks before I get the pictures, but I will put them up right away. We had the shoot at the forks next to the bridge for the train. I like the industrial looking background to the pretty dresses Kate was wearing. So much fun!
{ 0 comments }
So Michelle the bride came to pick up the finished bridesmaids dresses yesterday. Fewf! Done with six days to spare! She was really happy with how they turned out, which makes me so happy. She said they look just like the inspiration dresses from the picture she gave me, and just what she wanted. And I did them on such short notice which she really appreciated. I feel pretty good being able to make someone’s special day a little more special!
My sister Desiree (who also sews) was complimenting me on my construction and design and invisible zipper application, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s nice to have recognition for hard work that you’ve done, even if it is from family members who may or may not be biased!
Now, with this pressing deadline out of the way, I can work on my next projects, which include some sewing for my family. My husband needs new boxers, my daughter needs new jammies, and I need more clothes that fit my ever-growing pregnant belly! I have grown out of some of my maternity clothes… 
{ 0 comments }
I notice clothing and textile references everywhere. I love people watching to observe what’s being worn, I notice the costumes in the entertainment industry, and I love when authors describe what’s being worn in a book.
I found this quote in the book A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam. The description of wearing a sari was valuable to me, never having worn a sari myself, giving me a little window into the ethnic dress of another culture.
“Rehana regarded the saris and tried to recall the feeling they had given her, of being at once enveloped and set free, the tight revolutions of material around her hips and legs limiting movement, the empty space between blouse and petticoat permitting unexpected sensations – the thrill of a breeze that has strayed low, through an open window, the knowledge of heat in strange places, the back, the exposed belly. It was the bringing together, of night and day, the sari: as it concealed the skin, it also released it, so that one body, one woman, would know something of the complications of her sex.”
{ 1 comment }
I had a fitting today with three bridesmaids for whom I’m sewing dresses. This was a very last minute request by Michelle, the bride, as her wedding is on August 2 (like in two weeks)! I got started on these dresses at the beginning of the month, so halfway through and halfway done! They seemed impressed at how fast I was ready to fit them, but I was like, well the wedding is in two weeks… If I have a deadline, I can work pretty well to get it done by then. I’m not comfortable leaving it too close to the date in case unforeseen changes need to be made. So! I can work hard when I need to.
The inspiration for Michelle’s bridesmaids was from the dresses worn in Josh Swartzman’s wedding, in which Rachel Bilson was a bridesmaid.
{ 0 comments }
