Literary Sewing Circle: 2nd Inspiration Post!

It's time for more inspiration for our sewing projects drawn from Howl's Moving Castle! This week I'll be looking at some of the places and the imagery mentioned in the book to spark some ideas for our own sewing. 
 

Let's start with some of the places in the book. We begin the story in Market Chipping. You could make this Market Skirt by Texture Clothing (including a hidden pocket!) to reflect that. 

Or maybe this cute little Market Dress by SewPronto would suit you! 

Market Chipping sits within the Folding Valley -- so perhaps you'd like to fold up some mountains and valleys in this origami inspired pleated blouse by Liz Haywood! 

If we think about the Moving Castle as Sophie first sees it, you might consider something windswept like the moors it travels on, like the men's Breeze shirt by Twig & Tale. 

Or perhaps you're more interested in the heather that covers the hills outside the castle. You could make a pale green and lavender outfit using the free Heather Dress pattern by Mood

Or go a little more streamlined with the classic Heather Blazer by Friday Pattern Company

Of course there are the other locations that the castle opens onto, perhaps it's one of those that will appeal most. You could try Porthaven -- there are so many inspirations there! You could go literal with the Port Haven beanie, if you know how to crochet

Or you could shorten the name a bit and make the plain Haven Hoodie Dress by CKC Patterns 

Or you could think about the many things found in Port Haven for your ideas. From the sea, to ships, to mermaids, there are many directions you could go! 

Try the Shoreline Top by Natascha Chambers for Tauko

Or the Shoreline Top & Dress by Blank Slate Patterns

Or you could try the Smooth Sailing set by Wearing History 

Or maybe the Wave Dress by Pearl Red Moon on Etsy, lots of options for flowing ocean colours here

Could be the magical fight between Howl and the Witch of the Waste that sparks your imagination! You might try the Cloud Dress over at FibreMood in a stormy colourway

Or something mermaidy that reflects those shrieking mermaids driven onto the rocks to escape the magical storm, like the Tisha Mermaid Dress by Tiana's Closet (another free offering!) 

Or anything really, from MadeForMermaids! 

Maybe it's the Porthaven Marshes that have stuck with you from the story. In that case, you might want to try out the Saltmarsh Skirt by Merchant & Mills. 

The Marshes are where Michael and Sophie go to try to catch a falling star. You could reflect that with the Etoile Dress by French Poetry 

Or Pattern Fantastique's Celestial Dress

There's also the field of flowers that Howl has encouraged to grow on the edges of the Waste, which provides the stock for the flower store they eventually open in Market Chipping. You could go with any kind of floral named dress or top, there are hundreds of them! 

But you might want to challenge yourself with a tricky Flower Patchwork Top from Roberts Wood for something a little different.

You could also just choose a floral fabric that includes some of the flowers from the descriptions in the book.

And speaking of the Waste - that's not a place that anyone wants to go alone. The Witch of the Waste is a villain to be avoided. We'd definitely want to use some "Zero Waste" patterns here 😂

You can find many options at The Craft of Clothes, Liz Haywood's shop. From dresses to tops and pants, to the origami blouse above, you will find a wide variety of low and zero waste patterns at her shop! Maybe even this sweet Lillypilly Dress, a zero waste floral reference ;)

Of course there are many low and zero waste patterns by Birgitta Helmerson, too, including ones in her book Zero Waste Patterns. There is also a New Zealand based research project that has made all their artsy zero/low waste patterns available on their website. MakeUse. You'll definitely get away from the Waste here! 

Or you might want to try this cozy Cardigan and headband set at Bernina - perfect for cozying up in front of Calcifer on a cold night on the moors...far away from the Waste. 

 

Besides patterns themselves, your inspiration might just come from some of the colours and images in the book, whether from the clothes characters wear, or just from elements of the story. Fabric choice can be your main inspiration! 

Calcifer's colours are described very differently in the book than he is shown in the movie version. Our book Calcifer is made up of spiky green and blue and purple flames, with just a hint of orange for eyes. You could find a beautiful print in all those colours and use that for your project, perhaps this batik from ColorMyFab

Or thinking about Sophie as a shop assistant in the beginning of the book, she is in grey as camouflage against busy market days - and then, once she's an old woman, seems to rely on grey as well. Lots of soft, subtle greys to choose from to make something comfy. Maybe this deadstock knit in Heather Grey from Riverside Fabrics would work - referencing both Sophie and the heather on the moors! 

But Howl's greys aren't subtle - they are mixed with scarlet in the suit that Sophie mends magic into. You could try a print featuring both colours, or just make something putting two solids into one outfit. Options could include this fancy floral jacquard, or op-art silk, both from Fabrics-Fabrics. 

Howl's other suit features blue and silver, and ends up as a triangular patchworked outfit. Lots to play with there. Colours, shapes or patchwork could reflect that one! Maybe a fabric to catch all three, like this African print by laprintmaven on Etsy! 

Or you could go with rich reds and velvets, inspired by Kingsbury and the king's messengers, as well as Sophie and Michael's fine clothes bought to visit the King on Howl's behalf. Rich colours, fabrics and designs are suggested in Kingsbury! This red velvet from Ann's Fabrics seems sumptuous enough. 

Sophie's family gives lots of inspo both via their names, as in our first inspiration post, or in some of their descriptions. The dress that Sophie makes for Lettie a year before the story begins is referenced as evidence of her stitching skill. Maybe you want to make a rose dress like that one, using a soft pink fabric in your own right. This 'Baby Noil' viscose linen blend from Fabricana would make a lovely dress.

Fanny swans into Sophie's new house near the end, finely dressed in cream silk, dress and hat, trimmed in roses (made by Sophie)  while mistaking Sophie for a servant at first. Cream silk would be a beautiful option for something luxurious, even if you haven't, like Fanny, married money. This silk crepe de chine from Gala Fabrics is a beautiful choice. 

Martha, meanwhile, works at Cesari's pastry shop; the distinctive packaging at Cesari's might also inspire you! Can you think of a fabric all in pink and white stripes like their cake boxes? Like this one at GK Fashion Fabrics. Or a fabric covered in a cupcake print? 

And finally, Sophie herself is a wonderful inspiration. You could consider making a hat, like she starts out doing, using any pattern that appeals. Lots of fun patterns at MadCap Hats, to start with. Add some flowers or a ribbon and enjoy yourself. Or there is always the classis Rosabelle cloche, a free pattern, that you might want to try out. 

Sophie's stitching is quite magical, and I'm not sure we could replicate that ourselves. But we could give her skills a nod by using any pattern at all from Stitch Witch, a company with a handful of unique patterns to choose from, many of which feel like they'd fit in a fantasy story! 

I'll finish this post with a quote, from when Sophie visits Mrs. Pentstemmon who recognizes the charm on Howl's suit. 

Sophie thought uneasily about the grey and scarlet suit. She had darned the seams without noticing it had anything particular about it. But Mrs. Pentstemmon was an expert on magic, and Sophie was only an expert on clothes. 

Please share in the comments if you have more ideas, or if yours is already underway. I hope you are enjoying your reading!