Comments on: Old to new or up-cycling

By: mendofleur

mendofleur — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:46:13 +0000

I do love the color of this sweater. I am trying to decide what would look good underneath, but for the bottoms I am thinking a wide-legged pant. I don’t know why. I guess because the sweater seems to cut into the waistline so beautifully and I think it would be a nice balance.

By: mendofleur

mendofleur — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:41:09 +0000

You are too good!! What a grand selection of French names! They are all so beautiful and I love the meanings, but I think I will go with Babette because of my love of Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen) and I also loved the movie Babette's Feastbased on her story. Thank you. Now she can be somebody, our dear little Babette. I will do a post on her in a few days and you can make up some stories about her life in the meantime.

By: Lois

Lois — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:59:05 +0000

The colours of the sweater are dreamy, so soft and warm looking. I LOVE the cut of the back, I always look for such a cut in my jackets, as it is always really flattering. I shall watch with interest to see what it turns into! x

By: Kari of Writing Up A Storm

Kari of Writing Up A Storm — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:26:08 +0000

Here are some French names for you: Fleurette (to go with Mendofleur!), Estelle (star), Babette (stranger), Mireille (miracle), Felicienne (great happiness), Yolanthe (strong), Millicente (of a thousand saints). Oh, there are too many ~ I have several name books ~ I can spend hours searching for just the right name! Here’s one more, Musetta or Musette (a song). xo Kari

By: mendofleur

mendofleur — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:21:59 +0000

I think there are a lot of chemicals in dry cleaning that we are not sure how they affect us over a long period of time. I admit, I do dry clean coats, but I hand wash all my sweaters in a cold water wash. I think it is a balance. I used to dry clean much more. Now I am very selective about it. I guess people in the 1800′s simply kept wearing the garments and airing them outside occasionally. One wonders. Might be a good research topic.

By: ancientcloth

ancientcloth — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:21:24 +0000

The detailing on the back of the sweater is beautiful
I think it is clever to alter the shoulders and that is what makes it more individual. Bravo! to hand washing the shawl.
The one thing I have done is steer clear of dry cleaning.
I always think to myself…Did people in the 1800′s run to the local dry cleaner? No. So, why should we spend the time, money etc. on something like that? I confess, in the past I used the dry cleaners heavily but…no more.

By: mendofleur

mendofleur — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:24:39 +0000

I don’t recall ever giving this mannequin a name, and that is highly unusual for me. I seem to name other objects that seem to carry a persona like this. I am open to suggestions! I have a cement cow, quite large, that I named Isabelle. I think the mannequin should have a French name for sure, something musical and “worthy”!

By: mendofleur

mendofleur — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:15:43 +0000

I find it so interesting that Manon Gignoux expressed that she never followed fashion or was even interested in it. Yet, what she has created out of old clothes and old cloth is so inspiring and well noted by current designers. I think what is more important is how we feel in our clothes as well as how we buy them. Perhaps we use what we have and find a new way of looking at it and redesigning it to fit our ethics and our lifestyle. I know I tend to be idealistic sometimes, but it seems to be a way of finding the best place in a sea of options.

By: Deb G

Deb G — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:13:09 +0000

I really like the things you are thinking about in this post. All good questions and thoughts. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about patterns, about design details and how they flatter or don’t.

By: Kari of Writing Up A Storm

Kari of Writing Up A Storm — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:45:54 +0000

Oh, you have a mannequin! My grandmother had a mannequin, and it was like having another person in the room, standing at attention, or just bearing witness. I think she had a name for her mannequin, maybe Bertha, but I’m not sure now. Does yours have a name? And I love a fitted back to a jacket like that! xo Kari