Friday, September 29, 2017

Literary Sewing Circle Project Plans


How are you coming along with your sewing plans for our readalong/sewalong to Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes?

I've been having some difficulties narrowing down my inspiration to decide on a project. There are so many colourful, evocative images in this book that I could go almost any direction. I'm leaning toward an outfit echoing some of the library imagery in this book, with a vast world of places and ideas just pouring out of the stacks.

Like this vintage Gaulthier dress on Etsy

Or this library print from Modcloth

But then again, one small throwaway line near the beginning has somehow snuck into my consciousness and won't let go. When Jim and Will first see the handbill for Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show, and run home in the wind and the dark, Will enters his house to find normality:

"In a chair by the fire mother knitted and hummed like a teakettle...His mother's fingers twitched, her mouth counted, the happiest woman he had ever seen. He remembered a greenhouse on a winter day, pushing aside thick jungle leaves to find a creamy pink hothouse rose alone in the wilderness. That was mother, smelling like fresh milk, happy, to herself, in this room."

His mother is the antithesis to the longing and darkness in the rest of the book; she isn't tempted by Cooger & Dark's carousel. This small image of contentment with knitting and domestic comfort all rolled in is quite appealing. A rose printed shirtdress perhaps? A cozy warm cardi? Lots to imagine.


Like this Kate Spade rose print shirtdress perhaps?


And how about you? Do you have any solid plans? Any inspiration posts you'd like to share? If so, drop them in the comments and we can all take a look. Happy Reading - and Planning!


10 comments:

  1. Wow! What completely different imagery two people can have. As I was reading this book I was thinking dark, dark, dark. I have to sew something dark. And I had images in my mind what I was going to sew. I have a black background skirt which belonged to my mother and she wore in the 60's (and this book was first published in 1962). It has cocktail glasses all over it with lemon, orange and coffee coloured drinks splashed all over it. A very dark, but fun print on beautiful woven cotton - a very good quality cotton.
    I shall make a simple black shell top (Kwik Sew K3600 no longer available) but some quirky pockets on from Diane Ericson's 'Just Pockets'.
    I am not sure if I can put photos in comments. I don't think so.

    I agree the image of his mother knitting and domestic comfort is also very appealing. A knitted garment from 'Vintage Knitwear for Modern Knitters' is also sounding good. As a knitter this appeals.

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    1. If only I could knit....but I can sew with sweater knits ;)

      Yes, it's fascinating how the imagery strikes us. I am looking at a black cotton with a pink rose print right now as a way to combine both.....

      I look forward to your shell top, and the quirky pockets. I always love pockets!

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    2. I am a bit new to this activity. Am I suppose to start an instagram account to show photos, and is that how I view others' photos?

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  2. I saw this multi colored lightning print fabric on fabric.com https://www.fabric.com/buy/0477445/timeless-treasures-city-knits-jersey-knit-multi-lightning-black. Lightning is most likely going to be included in my project somehow.

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    1. That is a great lightning print! Lots of energy, dare we say Fury? ;) Hope to see that one or another flashy fabric in your project.

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  3. I LOVE the print in the first inspiration dress. Now to find the fabric. You really need to book dress 😊

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    1. Yes, I'm thinking that one way or another I must get myself a book print... The Gaulthier print is pretty fun though, isn't it?

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  4. You can share however you like - if you have a blog you can post about your project and share the link here (I'll have a linkup posted after our last book discussion) or you can use Instagram if you prefer that. If you don't have either you can email me a photo and I can post it here in a project post for you. It's whichever way you feel most comfortable sharing.

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  5. I love how the mother is depicted in contrast to everything. She's like the beam of light through the clouds after a storm.

    I have to go with dark for my sewing plans. I'm creating an outfit that mimics the night sky in some ways without being too costume-y. I'm only halfway through the book. Hopefully, I will finish it in time. :)

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  6. I am also seeing dark, but am very caught be the description of the storm and the carnival itself, the dark, and shadows, and nothing being quite right. I feel like I might want to make a tailored jacket over a very swirly skirt, like the "witch" skirts that were popular when I was in college - maybe in a storm grey and gauzy fabric.

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Share your comments, ideas or suggestions here -- I am always interested in hearing from readers. It's nice to have a conversation!