Profess your love for the heat before Summer's Over!

Photography by Andrew Chris

Photography by Raymond Diaz

Profess your love for the Summer's before it's Over!

Photography by Andrew Chris

Photography by Raymond Diaz

Gilligan's Island - Skipper Sexy

So let us return to Gilligan's Island. Last season, I did the girls. (Ha, who ever thought they'd hear me say THAT?!) But who says that my ladies can't emulate the males of the island?

Maybe it's the current hot days, maybe it's that I have a lot of stretch material and just found a new website that teaches stretch pattern making, but I decided to do a small collection of swimwear, just for the fun and experience of it!

I have had this blue striped material for a while now (I've used it as the "underwear" in my mens' faire pants because it's hidden, but comfy and sturdy enough to be a good base under the pumpkin puffiness). Anyway, I think the stripes just scream, "Nautical!" So I made a bandeau variation bikini top and the female Skipper was born.

For the rest, I wanted an airy, sea-cruise type of feel, so I used some light lacy stretch white cotton to make a tiered cave-front peasant skirt, perfect for walking up the steps and short ladders on a yacht without tripping while still catching the sea breeze beautifully.

The top, of course inspired by The Skipper's blue polo shirt, is (gasp!) ultra drapy! I wanted to make her have a more "round" shape on the top to echo Skipper's chubbiness without making her actually look fat. I think I did a good job at that concept!

Oh, by the way, I did look for a Skipper hat to go with this outfit, but it ended up making Raine look so Jennifer Lopez-as-Selena. It just didnt' look right, so I didn't use it.  AS for the rest of the ensemble, I am quite happy with it!  It's cool and comfy and ready for more than a three hour tour!

Gilligan's Island: Howell Madness!

Okay, maybe not "Madness!" but it is a little bit unusual, don't you think?

For my final swimwear exercise, I tried a "standard" string bikini with a stringy twist.  You know, I kind of felt strange using such a little amount of fabric to cover up Trina's girly bits.  I mean, if a regular piece of paper represented the amount of material I usually use to make a garment, this outfit would be represented by a postage stamp.

The hat was essential, and I chose the plaid print to echo a Mr. Howell sports jacket, of course.  It usually would be used for trousers or something, but it is actually stretchy, so I thought it would be a good choice for this character.

Always not wanting to keep things simple, I wanted to also add something extra and unusual, so inspired by the idea of a scuba-diving outfit, I made a string-embellished raglan sleeve shrug that is almost off the shoulder and buttons off center.  I think it adds a nice fashion touch, even if it would make for a strange tan pattern after a day at the beach.

Just to point out as well, check out the awesome backside to this bikini bottom!  I used an inward curved center back seam to "lift and separate" which also prevents the fabric from riding up and in while the girl is walking.  I will use this technique again!

Gilligan's Island: Profess Your Love for Leonora

I was excited to make something for The Professor.  Along with the Skipper, he was always one of my favorites.  I used his white shirt and khaki pants combination as inspiration for this combo.

As I mentioned last post, I am doing an exercise in swimwear since finding a great site on how to draft patterns for stretch fabrics.  I'm quickly becoming a fan!

I knew I wanted to try to make a one-piece suit that looked like she was also wearing a very professorial vest.  The small problem was, how would I do that without making the waist look bulky with the extra layer of horizontal-laying fabric on it?  The answer was to do a twisty, high placed ditty withangular lines running through it.  I love the way it turned out!  

In addition to making the otherwise simple-ish suit look more interesting, notice how the placement of the bands on the side sections also add cleavage-creating bra-like support.

And of course, I couldn't simply make a one-piece and let it stand alone, so I made a flowy (yes, a flowy, unstructured top!  Can you believe my boldness to explore the unfamiliar?!) blouse as a cover-up.  While it doesn't really cover anything, it sure would look great billowing in the sea breeze.  I was not only taking from the Professor's white shirt, but also was inspired by coconut "fuzz" and the the palm frond thatched huts, which is why I added the detail of the frayed edge ribbon I created from the shirt fabric.

Gilligan's Island: Profess This!

I was excited to make something for The Professor.  Along with the Skipper, he was always one of my favorites.  I used his white shirt and khaki pants combination as inspiration for this combo.

As I mentioned last post, I am doing an exercise in swimwear since finding a great site on how to draft patterns for stretch fabrics.  I'm quickly becoming a fan!

I knew I wanted to try to make a one-piece suit that looked like she was also wearing a very professorial vest.  The small problem was, how would I do that without making the waist look bulky with the extra layer of horizontal-laying fabric on it?  The answer was to do a twisty, high placed ditty withangular lines running through it.  I love the way it turned out!  

In addition to making the otherwise simple-ish suit look more interesting, notice how the placement of the bands on the side sections also add cleavage-creating bra-like support.

And of course, I couldn't simply make a one-piece and let it stand alone, so I made a flowy (yes, a flowy, unstructured top!  Can you believe my boldness to explore the unfamiliar?!) blouse as a cover-up.  While it doesn't really cover anything, it sure would look great billowing in the sea breeze.  I was not only taking from the Professor's white shirt, but also was inspired by coconut "fuzz" and the the palm frond thatched huts, which is why I added the detail of the frayed edge ribbon I created from the shirt fabric.

Gilligan's Island: Skipper Sexy

So let us return to Gilligan's Island. Last season, I did the girls. (Ha, who ever thought they'd hear me say THAT?!) But who says that my ladies can't emulate the males of the island?

Maybe it's the current hot days, maybe it's that I have a lot of stretch material and just found a new website that teaches stretch pattern making, but I decided to do a small collection of swimwear, just for the fun and experience of it!

I have had this blue striped material for a while now (I've used it as the "underwear" in my mens' faire pants because it's hidden, but comfy and sturdy enough to be a good base under the pumpkin puffiness). Anyway, I think the stripes just scream, "Nautical!" So I made a bandeau variation bikini top and the female Skipper was born.

For the rest, I wanted an airy, sea-cruise type of feel, so I used some light lacy stretch white cotton to make a tiered cave-front peasant skirt, perfect for walking up the steps and short ladders on a yacht without tripping while still catching the sea breeze beautifully.

The top, of course inspired by The Skipper's blue polo shirt, is (gasp!) ultra drapy! I wanted to make her have a more "round" shape on the top to echo Skipper's chubbiness without making her actually look fat. I think I did a good job at that concept!

Oh, by the way, I did look for a Skipper hat to go with this outfit, but it ended up making Raine look so Jennifer Lopez-as-Selena. It just didnt' look right, so I didn't use it.  AS for the rest of the ensemble, I am quite happy with it!  It's cool and comfy and ready for more than a three hour tour!

Gilligan's Island: Howell Madness!

Okay, maybe not "Madness!" but it is a little bit unusual, don't you think?

For my final swimwear exercise, I tried a "standard" string bikini with a stringy twist.  You know, I kind of felt strange using such a little amount of fabric to cover up Trina's girly bits.  I mean, if a regular piece of paper represented the amount of material I usually use to make a garment, this outfit would be represented by a postage stamp.

The hat was essential, and I chose the plaid print to echo a Mr. Howell sports jacket, of course.  It usually would be used for trousers or something, but it is actually stretchy, so I thought it would be a good choice for this character.

Always not wanting to keep things simple, I wanted to also add something extra and unusual, so inspired by the idea of a scuba-diving outfit, I made a string-embellished raglan sleeve shrug that is almost off the shoulder and buttons off center.  I think it adds a nice fashion touch, even if it would make for a strange tan pattern after a day at the beach.

Just to point out as well, check out the awesome backside to this bikini bottom!  I used an inward curved center back seam to "lift and separate" which also prevents the fabric from riding up and in while the girl is walking.  I will use this technique again!

Gidget Goes Comfy: A Functional Beach Girl Outfit That Fits a Purpose

This week's challenge was a double-whammy. Two outfits were to be made and I got behind because I had an actual paid sewing job to do! So, therefore, I am pushing myself to do these outfits as one-day creations, so let's begin!

The first task was to create beachwear for a surfer girl. Unlike some designers, I actually listened to what the surfer girls were saying in their interviews, and picked up that they like function over fashion, and at least one had an affinity for hooded sweatshirts.

So I took to the idea that I wanted to make something with hidden functions that a surfer girl would find useful.

Besides the obvious comfort of the stretchy fabric and the warmth of the hood, I made an extra extra long back panel, so the girl could throw this on right out of the water, sit down on the sand, and not get her shorts wet.

The sleeves have pockets on the side for a cell phone, car keys, or a little pen and paper.

There are two long panels on each side for the surfer girl to fiddle with, as well as use as hand warmers, or to wrap around a cold beer bottle so her fingers don't get numb. These also function as an addition option for a closure.

The elastic waistband was made tight enough so that if she wants to have to front completely open, she just doesn't zip the zipper. The elastic automatically pulls all the fabric to the back.

As for the inside, it's just a standard halter bikini top and a pair of hotpants, but I think they are cute by themselves!

If I sent a girl down the runway with this on, I would definitely instruct her to take off the sweatshirt halfway through and drag it behind her as she exits.

So I know this outfit would probably not win any pretty awards, but it serves the function well, I think! And Nora found it quite interesting to see what she looks like with a tan.

Gidget Goes Comfy: A Functional Beach Girl Outfit That Fits a Purpose

This week's challenge was a double-whammy. Two outfits were to be made and I got behind because I had an actual paid sewing job to do! So, therefore, I am pushing myself to do these outfits as one-day creations, so let's begin!

The first task was to create beachwear for a surfer girl. Unlike some designers, I actually listened to what the surfer girls were saying in their interviews, and picked up that they like function over fashion, and at least one had an affinity for hooded sweatshirts.

So I took to the idea that I wanted to make something with hidden functions that a surfer girl would find useful.

Besides the obvious comfort of the stretchy fabric and the warmth of the hood, I made an extra extra long back panel, so the girl could throw this on right out of the water, sit down on the sand, and not get her shorts wet.

The sleeves have pockets on the side for a cell phone, car keys, or a little pen and paper.

There are two long panels on each side for the surfer girl to fiddle with, as well as use as hand warmers, or to wrap around a cold beer bottle so her fingers don't get numb. These also function as an addition option for a closure.

The elastic waistband was made tight enough so that if she wants to have to front completely open, she just doesn't zip the zipper. The elastic automatically pulls all the fabric to the back.

As for the inside, it's just a standard halter bikini top and a pair of hotpants, but I think they are cute by themselves!

If I sent a girl down the runway with this on, I would definitely instruct her to take off the sweatshirt halfway through and drag it behind her as she exits.

So I know this outfit would probably not win any pretty awards, but it serves the function well, I think! And Nora found it quite interesting to see what she looks like with a tan.