archival allure

I found this post on the Ready Made blog a while ago, but it really is a great compliment to Emily’s sweater post - how to spring-ify your shoes with detachable felt flower clips!

It comes from another amazing blog called Draw! Pilgrim which has other awesome projects. The pattern for these cute flowers are provided.

Perhaps matching cardigan pinwheels with princess flat flowers??

kr

After some thought, I decided I couldn’t choose just one look for my DIY cardi.

The solution? Removable embellishments!

What first got me thinking in this vein was hb’s comment expressing concerns over laundering. As luck would have it, Sara’s suggestion reflects my solution perfectly:

I like both so much- Can you sew the appliques onto individual felt backings and then use them as two separate brooches? That way you could use either embellishment interchangably and remove them for cleaning…

I chose to sew basic safety pins onto the back of each pinwheel, making them interchangeable, and allowing me to doll up any cardi:

As noted in my title, today’s outfit was all about pleats (my pants… I can’t believe I’ve come to love pleated pants… I’ll probably come to regret this in a few years, but for now I’m embracing them!), and my pinwheel. Today I thought one pinwheel was sufficient to Spring-ify my cardi.

Thanks so much to all those who participated in my Cardi DIY Task Force.

ev

Life Archive Photo, 1940s Caption: Model wearing ear muffs made from velvet ribbons.

I saw some spring 2010 necklaces on the La Garçonne (a shopping site that has good deals on runway looks once in a blue moon) and thought to myself, “can I do that?”

Fun Fact:

*According to wikipedia La Garçonne (The Bachelor Girl or The Flapper) is a 1936 French black and white film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Victor Margueritte. It was directed by Jean de Limur, and starred Marie Bell (in the title role), Arletty and Edith Piaf.

I need help with this project!

With all the folding and pleating this project would involve I’m entreating our conveservation-trained followers to offer advice on how to proceed. The website offers alot of details about how these necklaces were made (they are pasted in below). I wonder if they foresaw that these descriptions invite re-engineering? Suckers!

First, I looking to identify which of the following designs below is the most realizable given my novice DIY skill set.

Second, I seek suggestions on which tools I need in addition to tips on how to make the pleats and folds necessary. Any advice would be welcome.

Retail: 250$

Satin Accordion Pleated Necklace by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Accordion pleated ribbon necklace with black pearl accents and chiffon bow closure.

1.8” Sage ribbon is pleated / Angled accordion pleating / Black pearls sit in between each pleat at inner edge of necklace / Gold hinges attach necklace to leather pieces / Black chiffon ribbon attached to leather ties necklace together at back neck / Mini gold ‘PL’ placket at clasp / Color: Sage / 51% Acetate, 49% Cotton.

Approx. 37” Long.

Shown (in black) with / 3.1 Phillip Lim Tank with Metallic Python Trim, 3.1 Phillip Lim Belted Harem Pant / Alexandra Neel Ankle Boot with Lace-Up Back.

Retail: 225$

Symmetrical Origami Fold Necklace by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Folded origami grosgrain ribbon necklace with contrastin necktie and rhinestones.

5/8” Wide cream grosgrain ribbon ties at back neck / Metal ‘PL’ placket is sewn to one end / Front of necklace is geometric folded 1” wide black grosgrain ribbon / Black piece is embroidered with various rhinestones - clear, clear covered with black tulle, leather & gold / Brass clamps at bases of cream ribbon ties / Color: Black / 100% Cotton /  Dustbag included.

Length: 50”.

Retail: 175$

Beaded Origami Fold Necklace by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Long black grosgrain ribbon origami folded necklace with beaded applique.

Slips over head without clasp / Necklace is of origami folded 1/2” wide grosgrain ribbon (in navy) / Folded 1.5” wide black grosgrain hangs down at front / Gunmetal rivets at ends / Black pieces is decorated with silver & gold tube beads and clear rhinestones / Mini metal ‘PL’ placket at back neck / Color: Black / 100% Cotton / Dustbag included.

Length: 32”.

Retail: 150$

Origami Fold Necklace by 3.1 Phillip Lim.  Origami folded dove grey grosgrain ribbon necklace with rhinestone details.

Black grosgrain ribbon ties are 1” wide / Origami folded 1.5” wide grosgrain ribbon hangs at front / Ties are decorated with: square leather covered rhinestones, square & circular clear rhinestones covered in black tulle, and a circular clear rhinestone / Color: Dove Grey / 100% Cotton / Dustbag included.

Length: 50”.

So far I am most intrigued by the 4th necklace.

What do you think?

//ecw a.k.a. miss-zola