Project Blogway -- Revived!

Before, I left you hanging with just this picture, not telling you what it was, who it was for, what work it would be part of. Tonight I will share with you the project I'm working on right now.



Last year, Danielle Meder of Final Fashion and I, inspired by the tv show Project Runway, decided to design and make up each other coats. Mine would be a knit coat and hers a sewn one.

Designing and executing your vision turned out to be a lot harder than we had envisioned: unlike the designers on Project Runway, we had lives to deal with -- the constant distractions of friends, family, work, school, etc.

This year, we decided to go at it again, but with a smaller scope. This time, I would mod out and just knit an established pattern and she would draw me instead of designing and sewing.



When I was designing the coat, I had in mind a kimono. I liked the simplicity and severity of the rectangular construction done in a classic black; I felt that this worked with Danielle's aesthetic.

What I hadn't factored in was practicality: as a professional illustrator, Danielle is always using her hands. This time, I'm making a piece with sleeves that work for Danielle's lifestyle. They are three quarter length and fitted at the cuff. This also reduces bulk, making it easy to layer it with a winter coat, an essential in East Coast Canada.



I also really like this idea as I feel it works more with her very fine bone structure in her arms. While the sleeves will have volume in the upper arm, having them fitted to her forearms flows better with the line of the arm, drawing the eye down towards her hands.

I love hands! Particularly the hands of skilled artisans. I really think this sleeve will work quite well on her, don't you think?