In November I interviewed with Peach Berserk, legendary Toronto screen printed punk-rock frock shop on Queen West, for a sewing position (“Head Sewer” sounds like a horror movie right?)… anyhow, after two awkward interviews I didn’t get the job, but they put me “on the list of super star sewers” for future projects.

It’s now February and I saw another post on Craigslist from Kingi asking for a Creative Accessories Designer. I wrote to her with some photos of my new bustiers saying “Hey! Remember me?” and she invited me down to discuss.

So… I go down Saturday afternoon, with somewhat lower expectations, she shows me some pillows and a bag in the showroom, tells me what she likes and doesn’t like about them, and tells me to pick out some scraps from two overflowing bins in the back room for a “sample” pillow. I grab a few pieces, trying to get some in colours I liked, with decent prints, and of decent size… show them to her, and OOOPs! I’d picked up some satin, polyester, and a couple bits of raw silk. My bad. Mixing fabrics is apparently not ok… and the pieces are too big! Okie dokie… so I go back and quickly pick out as many small or odd shaped pieces of raw silk I can find without much attention to the prints. With a mitt full of edges, misprints, and dirty scraps I tell Kingi I’ll be back Wednesday with some pillows.

Back at home I’m questioning my mission, purpose, etc… is this a cruel joke or a job? I sketch some ideas, do a bit of research on sewing with raw silk, find some funky quilting and patchwork inspiration and remembering Lada’s  alteration insanity (she was a designer in September @ heartbeat960 who liked to sew out front on the sidewalk) decided to try a patchwork collage. Took me a while to get into cutting up the fabric… not sure why exactly. Maybe worried I’d waste the bigger piece. But when I realized I didn’t actually have to quilt it, and I could use iron-on interfacing as a sticky foundation, I knew I was going to nail it!

She warned me about using “patches” of incomplete prints, messy prints, or no print. And when I asked about unfinished edges, it was alright as long as it was done nice. She also told me never to throw anything out, and she wanted “more” funky than the other pillows she had already. So, I took some of this, some of that… and baby this is how you turn shit into gold.

Upcycled… Raw Silk… Patchwork…  Collage… Berserker Pillows!!

Only finished one pillow so far… pictured below is the initial layout, the front, and the back… Next one I’m going to make a little more pretty with flowers and such. This first one I tried with my second choice fabric combos.

In January I decided to jump on the bandwagon and cash in on people’s insecurities… did you stick to your new year’s resolution to get skeletal? on the no-sugar diet with Ellen? if you did, or didn’t… here’s something to highlight your mid section (over or under other wares). Warning! May get you a TV appearance on “What Not to Wear”.

Materials donated by the Toronto Cat Rescue…

$35 each

sale proceeds will be donated back to the Toronto Cat Rescue

During my first month working at Heart Beat with Jodie, we experimented with bleach and spray bottles on various pieces of used and vintage clothing. Sadly, the best pieces were sold before I could get some photos!

Here are a couple of my sweater remix (deconstruction/reconstruction) completed pieces… the model is too damn skinny to wear them! The red hood is the latest one, put a couple red buttons on it last night.

ok so I’ve been “working” on this bag idea for ages now, well ok a month. I acquired a bunch of old vinyl beanbag chair covers (dollar-bag sale score again) and cut them up saving the zippers and as much area fabric as possible.

the colours are not too terrible, muted red, blue, and orange with some cool fading and discoloured spots. personally I love blue and orange together, don’t know why, I never wear it, but I like looking at it.

I started out just sewing random bits together. that was great fun but ended up with a big patchwork thing with no specific shape or idea what it had become.

the plan was a hip bag pattern from scratch… so at least I tried. after pages and pages of sketches, tests with pieces of newspaper, pattern paper pieces, and a pile of failed attempts at gusseted pockets… I got almost half-way with this one:

…but my sewing machine couldn’t handle 6 layers of vinyl to finish it.

So feeling a little discouraged, I figured I’d make a couple bags using a pattern to strengthen my skills and feel like I accomplished something.

not that pretty… I used fabric I didn’t want to save for something else… well except for the multicolour one, that’s from an old tshirt and a pair of stretch denim short shorts that I’m sure the world can do without. but I made three in two days and now feel a little more productive. and, the hip bag pattern has a fresh start.

I picked up some snaps, buckles, and eyelets today with money from selling some other junk, so I’ve got everything to make 10 or more belts next week.

The mannequin hardly has enough hips to hold onto it, but hangs nice over pants or skirt. Great for outdoor parties or clubbing. I really love the little spring loaded metal buckles. The pvc is lined with brown and black check cotton. Custom size made-to-order…

(SOLD – contact if you want one made for you)

Malorie spotted a cute pouchy tube top in a shop window and wanted something similar… she found some great beige nylon fabric (micro mesh usually used for sports jerseys but in a really unusual colour) for uber cheap. We sketched up the idea and here’s what I managed to throw together for her.

I posted this on Facebook and two more people said they want one. I have looked for the same fabric and so far havent found it in the same colour. The most interesting colour is turquoise, but I’m not sure I would like it as much in that colour… still looking.

Sometime ago, in my grandma raver era, I developed an affinity for aprons. Handy pockets to put stuff in, a touch of femininity with back bows and that skirt-over-pants look, and some protection from the elements… what’s not to like?

So I started a collection of standard kitchen aprons, house-cleaner-granny aprons, and some kitchy sweet designer aprons. Then I found some patterns and started making my own.

Although some may disapprove of the integration of service industry uniform into high fashion… I hope eventually to make the apron a staple in every wardrobe.