Hmmmmmmm... Brown and green...
These two shirts have the same screenprint in similar colors, a series of eagles and the message, "When I grow up I want to be free." My friend Ashley felt strongly that the brown be the foundation and the green be the accent. The screenprinted message put in my mind this image of the vibrant green breaking free of the oppressive brown, and after consulting with sewing guru Shauna on the structural integrity of diagonal seams, she suggested exposed seams instead of internal seams where my green would break free from the brown. I like what happened:
Full disclosure: I knew I wanted to insert the green through the words and the big eagle, but I was terrified to cut into the fabric for fear of mis-cutting and thus mis-aligning the screenprint between the two colors of fabric. I sat on the concept for 3 days before getting up the gumption to measure and cut, and for all that worrying it took me what felt like 10 minutes to measure, cut, and insert that green strip of fabric! And it turned out A-O-K.
I've got to figure out the neckline. The "collar" in the photo above is just pinned in. I would love to scoop the neckline more but don't want to cut into the screenprint. A plain neckline looks too plain to me, but an embellished one might really take away from that green insert. I've been fussing and fidgeting with fabric but The Right Answer hasn't hit me yet. As always, I am open to suggestions if you have any and appreciate your time and considered responses. :)
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A v-neck that parallels the green insert would look amazing and really tie the design together, I think.
ReplyDeleteHi. My name is Bethany. I'm a lurker. Thanks for a great blog with inspiring projects!
I agree with Bethany... Maybe a squared-off V so it doesn't go into the screen printing, and edged off with a bit of the green.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on keeping the integrity of the print - love what you're doing here, but no ideas for a neckline, just lots of positive thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley too about the green being the accent piece.
ReplyDeleteI know that you feel stressed out about all this, but I detect at least a small/medium amount of pride-n-pleasure in your process.
You make me so envious! Last night, I badly wished for a dressform. Sigh, le sigh.
I can clearly see why you are called CLEVER GIRL! You are so smart, I never would have thought of that.
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented! I agree that a v-neck would look good.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest an off-center V, as in straight down from the right collar bone and angled up to the left collarbone. I am sending you a picture with an idea on email in a few minutes. I love this, by the way, since you started this project I have been noticing altered t-shirts all over the place that make me think of you. I have been noticing a lot of back detalining...like back horizontal straps over a V back and other designs cut out of the back of the shirt.
ReplyDeleteThat t-shirt looks great and it's got a great story to go with it.. you've got such a flair for design.
ReplyDeleteRe neck line: some of the above suggestions sound pretty good to me. Perhaps you could draw a croquis with your face shape included as well to help you visualise before you cut. Katherine from Blooms Fabric Obsession did a really interesting post on croquis and the sketches really do help with the decision making process:
http://sewblooms.blogspot.com/2009/01/dress-like-star.html
I really love what you've done with the screenprinted design--that's so innovative. And the two colors are so lovely together. Thanks so much for sharing your process with us!
ReplyDeleteYou are a clever girl. My daughter (aged 13) has been inspired by you. Check out her recycled tie dress on my blog.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of inserting an assymetrical v-neck opposite to the slope of the diagonal insert?
bravo! that splicing is right on point.
ReplyDeleteFan-bleedin'-tastic! Even though I am personally a big fan of scoop necks and v necks, I think your shirt looks great as is. Or maybe with a funnel neck in the accent colour (just to be different)?
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute frock. You are really good at that Ant.
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