Making the Look: Steven Alan

Sometimes when flipping through a lookbook you might find that one perfect outfit. Might not be really beautiful or extraordinary in any way, but it's you. It's your style. Not the style you wish you had but the one you actually have. An outfit that could fit you and your life effortlessly.
The Steven Alan spring summer 2011 look is such a style for me. When I think of all the festivals coming up this summer and the place I live in, with it's sometimes chilly nights, I know I would wear this kind of outfit a lot.
When I saw the lookbook for the first time I knew nothing about sewing or dressmaking ... but now that I've got "my feet wet" I decided to make it from A to Z (hopefully the hat and bag too). Actually I changed a bit the colours and added the hat (same collection - different outfit, but I like it).

The blouse: a Carme Blouse by Pauline Alice variation. I've been meaning to try the Carme for sometimes now - it's such a beautiful pattern and all around are popping up so many amazing instances.

The pants: I'm undecided between the Thurlow Trousers from Sewaholic modified towards a more skinny line, and the Jacques from Republique du Chiffon ..

The pullover: knitting such a simple garment from an existing pattern is no longer a challenge for me so I'll make my own pattern: a seamless one.

The hat and the bag: never made hats or bags before so I'm going to have a blast learning how to :-). If you know some good resources - I'm reeeeeally open to suggestions.

I have to find fabrics, study patterns, make muslins.... I think this project will keep me busy for a while! In the meantime I got started on the pullover - knitting takes longer after all!

The yarn is Pepe made in Italy by Filatura di Crosa and it's a beautiful blend of linen and viscose. Unfortunately they discontinued the production and I found the last of it in a shop in Udine.

The color is the number 5 on the color chart - a sort of antique pink, I have no idea what Filatura di Crosa called it originally. I've swatched it in stockinette and got a gauge of 21 stitches and 27 rows for a 10x10cm sample using 4mm needles.

I cast on 188 stitches and worked a 2x2 ribbing for 24 rows and joined on circular needles. The bodice to the underarm is done. Now I have to start on the sleeves while figuring out the math.

Thank you for visiting. I would love to hear your opinion.

15 comments:

SaraMay 29, 2014 at 8:17 PM
First of all, your illustration is gorgeous! And what a terrific project! It will be very exciting to watch your progress. The yarn for your sweater looks divine and the color is just lovely! looks like it's all starting off beautifully!
AnonymousMay 29, 2014 at 9:11 PM
Good thinking to create a whole outfit, you'll always have something to wear the individual items with. For the hat you might want to check out Melly's post on how to draft and construct any hat: http://mellysews.com/2014/05/sew-hat.html It is a very clear tutorial and she even included a downloadable template for the crown for any size. As to the bag, you might want to have a look at the blog http://bagntell.wordpress.com/ as it is only about designing, drafting and constructing bags, you'll probably drown in the information...
AnonymousMay 29, 2014 at 9:18 PM
Wow, it's looking great already! I love the colour choice.. I don't really have any advice since I only know how to knit and crochet, you seem to have the knitting part covered already! Can't wait to see the finished outfit, good luck! xx Carmen
KelleyMay 31, 2014 at 6:09 PM
I am looking forward to your finished look, will you be publishing a pattern to the sweater?
UnknownJune 4, 2014 at 12:43 PM
wow! this looks awesome :-) I cant wait to see the finished thing... the colour or the jumper is great and looks like it would go with a whole load of colours
TianfeiJune 4, 2014 at 6:53 PM
I got hooked!