Literary Sewing Circle: Inspiration Post!

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

Let's start with some of the clothing described in the book. working our way through some of the characters. 

There is of course Frances, who we meet first. There are her infamous blue cat-printed pyjamas from the beginning of the book -- you could repeat that with a set of pjs like the Havana Pajamas by Liesl & Co, in a print like this one designed by Kirsten Sevig, on Spoonflower.

Or make a functional swimsuit that you could swim lanes in, while avoiding slowpokes, like the classic Racerback by Jalie 

But there are other mentions of her clothing choices that might be the thing to inspire you. When she first looks outside after the day of the debacle, she hides herself with a striped scarf wrapped around her head babushka-style. If you feel the need to be incognito, you could copy her with a quick make of this free Burda pattern for a hooded scarf. 

Or when she's trying to dress up to get lighter alternative sentencing, she wears a blouse described as a "silk creamy number"; you could try one like this Vogue 1902 in a beautiful drapey fabric. 

On Keanu's birthday party day, Frances dresses in classic style, in a pink cashmere sweater with simple black skirt. This would be fairly easy to replicate with these patterns, if you could find just the right fabrics. Mix the Tabor Sweater by SewHouseSeven with the free Libby A-line skirt by Tessuti, and you'd get a nice outfit! 

For Geraint's court date, Frances is noted as wearing "a burgundy blouse that looked gorgeous with her salt-and-pepper hair", along with a black pencil skirt. Maybe burgundy is your colour too, and you want to try something like this outfit. You could use the Magic Pencil Skirt by Pamela's Patterns, and a more streamlined blouse pattern that feels like Frances, such as the Pleated Blouse by The Avid Seamstress. 

When she goes on her first date with a man she met online, Jules takes her shopping and they find a "teal blue wool dress that was just the right amount of sexy". You might be inspired by this to make something teal, or something that is the right amount of sexy for you! Maybe both, with Vogue 8280, the classic knockoff of the Roland Mouret Galaxy Dress.

And near the end, when Frances slips out to the corner store for birthday candles, she is wearing her favourite blue sundress, which "billowed in the wind". Maybe something that summery will be your project - I can see Frances wearing something light but not too voluminous, like the Raman Dress by Tammy Handmade. 

Geraint is usually found in tracksuits, whether blue, red, green, or black. There are many slightly more elevated matching sets you could make in a nod to this, say the Miss Trail Joggers and the Miss Clover sweatshirt by Sofiona Patterns, for example. 

But he does appear in a few other things - on his court date he wears a checkered button-up and dress pants (salvaged from the trash -- upcycling like Parker?) And during Keanu's birthday party, he wears jeans with a green sweater that's been slightly shrunken in the wash. You could use the Fairfield Button Up by Thread Theory in a nod to his outfits outside the tracksuit norm. 

Meanwhile, Parker gives us enough inspo to run with for a plethora of projects. When Frances first sees Parker at their anger management class, she describes her as an "odd-looking duck with a mass of fiery red hair, oodles of freckles, and a multicoloured tent-dress that appeared to be made out of multiple swatches of fabric". To really go to town with a multicoloured patchwork dress with a full silhouette (though not quite 100% tent-like) you could take on a big project and try the Drafter's Grid Dress by Roberts Wood. 

When Parker is first introduced to the reader, she reminisces a bit about her first sewing project, made on her mother's ancient Singer, an "upcycled skirt that was half plaid, half polka dot." You could try making something like this with a simple & youthful skirt pattern like McCalls 8409, which has multiple fabrics built into the design. 

Parker does like polka dots! At Keanu's party, she appears in a red and white polka dot dress with colourful striped tights. You could make a similar dress, or even tights! I imagine this dress in a full skirted vintage style, like the free Sonora by Tiana's Closet (maybe lengthened a touch). For tights you might choose the Footed Tights by Peek-a-Boo Patterns.

At another party at Frances' house, Parker wears a self-made sundress covered with red and yellow flowers. For some reason I picture an old tablecloth or 70s curtains as her fabric source for this one! But you could make one using a modern floral in red and yellow. She might wear something like the Malorie Dress by Sew Over It, with lots of floatiness. 

During trash picking, Parker pulls out a set of hot pink headphones from an iridescent gold backpack. If you're more into bag making than garment making right now, you could copy this by trying out the Lark Mini Backpack by CraftOwl Handmade on Etsy. It's so cute, and you could just find a shiny gold fabric to make it up, to really copy Parker. 

At their night class, she appears once wearing a 'hand-sewn shirt, which looked more like a painting smock' which had pockets big enough to store Twizzlers. Vogue 2030 might fit the bill for this inspiration, it's quite painter's smock like!

And of course there is Parker's infamous tea towel dress! She joins Frances and Geraint for his court case, "wearing a dress made entirely of tea towels. Frances wasn't sure what to make of it, but Geraint exclaimed, "Parker, you look magnificent." " You could freehand something like this, inspired by this trend which is apparently super hot in Australia right now. Or you could try one of the many panelled patterns created by Matchy Matchy Sewing Club, which would lend themselves to smaller chunks of fabric, ie: tea towels! 

The free Colourblock Set is just one of many options!

Or you might just be inspired by Parker's design ethos in general and decide to upcycle something yourself. After all, as she says when Daisy complements her style, "Thanks. I do a lot of upcycling, making my own creations with used clothes and fabric remnants."

You could pick another pattern just inspired by her name that we missed in the last roundup -- the brand-new Parker Pants from our sponsor Blackbird Fabrics! (and don't forget that if you are sewing along, you can use the discount they are offering by using code LSC25 at checkout for any BF Patterns or fabrics, until April 24). 

Maybe it's all three of our main characters together who will inspire you. When they trail Ron to see what he's up to, everybody wears all-black outfits, with black ballcaps. You could also make an all black outfit to blend into the background. The Rosie Utility Suit by MaidenMary Designs on Etsy would be quite functional for a spot of spying. 

Or you may be inspired by the three of them walking through the park with their "wind breakers unzipped and sun hats on". There are tons of fabulous sunhat patterns out there, and they are quite seasonal, too! Try the free Bucket Hat by Heather Handmade, the free Sun Hat by Spruce Crafts, or the free Sun Hat by Closet Core! 

 

Spruce Crafts Sun Hat

There are also a few mentions of the outfits worn by other characters. Frances meets up with Jules for some legal advice early on, and finds Jules wearing "a striking yellow power suit that managed to be stylish, sexy, and intimidating all at once." This makes me think of Vogue 1870 right away. 

Frances walks in on her mother at Shady Pines, getting ready for a hot date with her new beau. Cordelia is just slipping one of her "nicest dresses over her head, black, knee-length, with a zipper up the back." You could go classic with this, using something like the Sofi Dress by The Patterns Room.

Or make it a bit edgier with a bit of bling by using an exposed zipper on something like the Carnaby Dress by Nina Lee. 

Aside from the many, many descriptions of clothing in the book, there are places that might inspire you in a more conceptual way. Trout Lake Park, where they spend the trio spends their time garbage picking, might make you think of something like the relaxed vibe of the Lake Woven Tee and Pant set by Thread Faction Studio. 

Or Cordelia's residence, Shady Pines, might bring the Pine Dress by Mood to mind. 

But then, perhaps you'll just think of the Shade Pants by Wissew instead! 

Even Frances' kitchen, which Daisy describes as a 90s IKEA due to its yellow walls and blue & white tiles, might twig something for you. Try making something pretty in a fabric like this one from gaiamarfurt on Spoonflower. 

And Frances' resplendent garden in the final pages is described as "an explosion of colour. Her guests mingled among blue and pink hydrangeas, gladioli, day lilies, brown-eyed Susans, and foxgloves." Imagine the potential for a floral print with some of these colours, or just an abundance of flowers. Or simply a pattern using any of these flower names. Or maybe use one of those floral prints for the easy Garden Breeze Summer Dress by Stik en Dinge 

Or get more into the details with the multiple pintucks on this slightly more challenging Garden Dress by FruxStudio!

Any of these ideas would work, remember, you only need to tie your project to something you've found in the book, whether an image, a name or a description. I hope you are having fun with this part of it and you will be able to share your projects in the comments on next week's post, with the competition part open for two more weeks after that if you want to be in for the prize draw. Otherwise just keep sewing!  

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!