**This post was victim to an annoying bloglovin glitch that meant only one picture and no text actually showed up! Comments seemed to attach to an individual image rather than the post, so aren’t displayed here ever. Would be really grateful if the people who have already taken the time to comment could have a quick look and answer the questions at the bottom! Sorry for this weirdness!**
You have no idea how glad I am that this project is finished! Our GCSE textiles brief was to create a quality product inspired by an art movement, and I’m very happy with how my Art Deco pieces turned out. Completed 10 days before the deadline with only the powerpoint to go now, woo! 😀
I’ll save the real knitterly details for ravelry, but basically I knitted the main body of the skirt in rib, with travelling stitch details at the front and back and shell-like openwork lace panels at either side. The waist shaping I just made up as I went along (not selling this pattern so no need to keep track!), and I created a sun-ray pattern with ribbing at the lower back.
Obviously I tried on the skirt multiple times throughout the process, but it did look veryyyy tiny off the needles and unstretched. Thankfully I’d chosen Rowan Calmer yarn which is quite elastic, so it clings nice and tightly whilst still fitting over my shoulders to wiggle in. I’m pretty, ahem, curvy, in the behind (read ‘I have a big bum’) so I deliberately worked the shaping and details differently at the front and back to accommodate haha!
In an attempt to lighten my workload I went for a really simple style of cropped top, and followed a basic bodice pattern from school. We have to make as high a quality product as possible, so I chose to line my top completely and topstitch all the seams. In hindsight I could’ve used a couple more darts for a neater fit at the back neck, but otherwise I think I did ok for my first proper sewn-from-scratch garment! To link the two separates together (examiners like that stuff y’know) I drew another Art Deco inspired pattern onto tracing paper, then pinned and hand embroidered the design onto either side of the zip, using various stitches.
The panels down the side are supposed to be reminiscent of the Chrysler Building, and the lines of the whole skirt inspired by the architecture of the time.
(Shoes are a H&M pair from a couple of years ago)
Now I could do with some input from you! For the final part of my coursework I need to evaluate my product, and it would be really helpful if you could answer a few questions for me. I’d really appreciate even just one or two. 🙂
- Would you wear these pieces together?
- Would you wear either piece separately?
- What occasion would you say the outfit is suitable for?
- Is the Art Deco inspiration evident?
- Do you think the colours would suit your skintone?
lily kate x
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16 Comments
Jess
11th February 2014 at 9:01 amHi Lily,
Looks gorgeous! Fantastic work! I bet you are glad that is done, the creative subject always end up being an epic amount of work. Here’s the answers to your questions.
Would I wear the pieces together?
Between about 16 and 20 I totally would have worn the pieces together, out with friends. However past that age probably not, mainly because wearing a crop top would not be the best look on me 😉 and if it did it would be a stretch to find enough occasions to add a crop top to my wardrobe.
Would I wear them separately?
Again not the top, but I would absolutely wear the skirt. I would wear it as everyday office gear with a t-shirt and blazer or for a client meeting with a collared shirt, I would dress it up for a dinner out with a drapey silk top. – that also kind of answers what occasion I think it would be appropriate for…
Is the Art Deco inspiration evident?
Yes, I believe so. Strong graphic lines surrounding more delicate curved details are frequent elements in Art Deco designs. The radial patterns framing the repetitive arc motifs are very reminiscent of graphic are from the period. The colour of the skirt is also fairly close to popular colours in graphic design and fashion at the time. Ironically (or not depending if this was intended) it also reflects a lot of the current state of decorative facings and window casings of remaining Art Deco buildings as many were made of metals that patina. And now I’m starting to sound a bit like an Art Deco design freak. haha.
Would the colours suit my skin tone?
The green definitely. The bone, less so, it’s a little too green grey for my skin tone. I have very lightly olive skin and can sometimes look washed out in green grey tones.
Again awesome job. I’ve never considered a knitted skirt but after seeing this one I kind of wish the skirt was a pattern so I could make one for myself.
lily
12th February 2014 at 9:09 pmThank you Jess! No creative project is ever quick and easy in my world it seems. Thank you so much for answering the questions! I shall definitely include quotes in my coursework, will look great to examiners!
Lucy
13th February 2014 at 11:23 amOh my goodness, this outfit is insane! I can’t believe you made that at school, it’s amazing! You are incredibly talented and I am jealous.
◦Would you wear these pieces together?
Absolutely, they look great together and the colours match without it being too matchy
◦Would you wear either piece separately?
Definitely, the skirt in particular is really versatile and could be wrapped up with other knits and ankle boots during winter or brought out to play for parties. As for the top, I have a pair of leather-look trousers that are crying for a top like this.
◦What occasion would you say the outfit is suitable for?
I’d wear this to a party or an event such as an exhibition opening or formal dinner. It’s understated until you look at the incredible detail and would definitely be a talking point!
◦Is the Art Deco inspiration evident?
In the shapes of the stitching, yes.
◦Do you think the colours would suit your skintone?
I really hope so!! I think this would suit all skintones to be honest.
In awe of this. Will follow you on Blogger and Bloglovin and hope to see that you’re selling similar items soon 🙂
Lucy xxx
La Lingua : Food, Travel & Life in Italy
lily
16th February 2014 at 9:48 pmThank you soooo much Lucy! You’re too nice, this is all so helpful! Love your blog too, it’s great reading blogs from other countries!
PendleStitches
19th February 2014 at 2:03 pmWow! Love this look on you. Congratulations on getting this done and out of the way. Hurrah!
To answer your questions…I’m afraid I don’t have the figure for either of these items but if I did, I’d definitely wear them together. I can see this being perfect for drinks out at a snazzy wine bar.
I’d also wear the skirt with a silk chiffon blouse for a dinner date.
I can completely see the Deco influence from the ribbing and shell shapes in the skirt. Very clever.
The green is a more flattering colour for me than the nude of the top, but I could still just about carry it off.
Good luck with this!
lily
20th February 2014 at 7:08 amThanks so much Evie! I was planning on asking if we could have a sewing day together but had to just rush and get it done haha! Thank you for answering the questions – my evaluation is going to look fabulous with these responses! 😀
Karen
2nd March 2014 at 5:05 amI’m sure that most will agree this outfit is a knockout! The Art Deco inspired design details, the deco coloring, turquoise and gray, the stylish interplay between the toe pieces add up to an amazing outfit that suits your body to a “T”. If I could look like you in that skirt and top, I’d never take it off. Let us know what your evaluations are. I think that skirt would be a very saleable pattern.
Best
Karen
lily
2nd March 2014 at 6:39 pmAh thanks Karen! I’m glad it turned out fitting so well, it was highly likely that I would have to source a much skinnier model haha. I’d love to be able to write up the pattern to share with you all but it was soo complicated and mostly kept in my head as I went along. Designing is having to take a bit of a back seat at the minute with schoolwork too unfortunately!
Symantha Reagor
2nd March 2014 at 5:27 amWould you wear these pieces together? No, but that’s because I have a bit of a tummy and strech marks, if I had your body then yes.
Would you wear either piece separately? The skirt, please make the pattern available so I can knit one for myself.
What occasion would you say the outfit is suitable for? Going to a club.
Is the Art Deco inspiration evident? Yes.
Do you think the colours would suit your skintone? No, they would wash me out.
lily
2nd March 2014 at 6:43 pmThanks so much for your feedback, it’s really helpful!
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