Project Run & Play Season 9 Sew Along: Week 3



Its week 3 and I’m jumping right in.  This week’s theme is “Design your own fabric” and I just KNEW from the moment I saw the themes posted, I was going to have a rough time with this one.  Some of the other SHEs were so excited about this week- more excited than any other.  I wanted to poop on this theme. It’s a great idea and I have to admit that I can’t wait to see what the real contestants come up with. But, I, however :::SIGH:::  Anyway- CUE INTRO!



(FF to 16 seconds)


*there's supposed to be a video there.  If it isn't working I'll fix it when I wake up here in the western US.

I mixed my creative ideas with child labor and I OUTSOURCED!  I call it “The Little Painter”



I had the brilliant plan of letting my girl paint her fabric with fabric paint and then I would make a dress out of it.  It was seriously epic.  And then my girl decided to stray from her normal subject matter of family, spiders and everything fun in favor of painting a tower.  A tower?!?!  I had a panic moment.  I actually almost scrapped the idea all together, but she was SO PROUD (as she should be) and I couldn’t be a jerk an overlook her art.  It was part of her- the way she speaks from her heART.  And you know what?  It was perfect.


*Side note: This little lady took 3 HOURS to paint this.  She skipped lunch to finish.  Every brush stroke had its place and she thought very hard about everything she did.  Seriously, I HAD to use it*

I ditched my original pattern (using it next week though) because it didn’t really showcase this masterpiece.  I went looking at all my favorite designers’ webpages and found the perfect dress- the Momo by Popolok.  This dress pattern should be called “The Gallery” because it just works so perfectly with this.  Alviana (the designer) unknowlingly saved my day. I shortened it to a tunic length and I added a button placket instead of a zipper because I thought the back needed a little pop of color by way of buttons. Those are the only changes I made.




The colors have a bit of special meaning.  I thought about going with the purples and pinks my girl loves, but had a change of heart while in the store.  WARNING: it’s about to get real up in HIZ-ERE.  My girl is on the Autism scale.  She is very high functioning, but her verbal communication is hindered.  She wasn’t able to call me “mommy” until she was 3.5 years old and still struggles daily to make verbal connections with people that don’t know her “language”.  It breaks my heart, but she has her way of expressing herself that’s uniquely hers.  She communicates best with her art, song and love.  The Autism awareness logo features the colors we used in this dress. Their brightness is a representation of the hope in increasing research and awareness.  World Autism Awareness Day was April 2nd.  This one’s for all of us =)



When my Pretty Painter needs a little more coverage (like when we’re in the freezing grocery store or restaurant), she has this little Slouchy Cardigan by Heidi and Finn to add a little style.  And its so Parisian Painter, no?  I shortened the sleeves and thinned the band because this was an upcycle and I only had so much fabric to work with.  Tim Gunn would hug me...and I could accept the love of Baileywick (cartoon reference- I'm a mom; get over it).


That’s My Project Run & Play “Design Your Own Fabric” look.  Take some time this week to appreciate the art around you.  But not like this!



-Crystal-

21 comments:

  1. I teared up at your explanation of the colors. It was already such a special fabric and now, it's even more so. I love your daughter's work and the dress you made really frames her art. The white blocking reminds me a little of Mondrian. Love it!

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  2. Such a fun and colorful dress! The style you chose reminds me of the Mondrian dress that Yves St Laurent made famous. Love that you got your daughter involved!

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  3. I love this dress, and I love the story. My little brother is autistic, and I still remember so clearly the first few times he actually spoke to us, and the first time he wrote his name himself. Such huge steps.
    Your daughter did a wonderful job with the painting! I can believe she took her time and thought it through carefully, and it shows. And I agree, that pattern should be called the Gallery - ha! Beautiful showcase.

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  4. What a fun idea! I may just have to have my kids do this just for the heck of it!

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  5. The dress is perfect! The bright and cheerful colors and the way your little honey placed each brush stroke so carefully make me smile. Your choice of the black pants was genious as it is the perfct foil for the artwork. You have made memories for both of you that will last a lifetime. Perhaps your little artist can do this every year in April to celebrate her talents and achievements. Blessings 'for happy' as one of my sweet students would say

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  6. this turned out amazing!! I love that she put so much thought and effort into this. You did such a great job making a dress out of it! What kind of paint did you use? The colors are perfect! I'm loving this theme! Emily@nap-timecreations.com

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    1. Thank you! I used Tulip Brand fabric paint. I found it at walmart in the crafting section.

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  7. I love her masterpiece. It's colorful and like an abstract art in modern art museum. And how you frame her art in dress frame is genius.

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  8. So beautiful! What an amazing piece of art! Your winning in my books this week! Brilliant!

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  9. This one will be a keeper for the record! Your story (and your daughter) are so special!

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  10. You all are so sweet. She's definitely my special little lady <3 She improves every day and we couldn't be more excited for every milestone. And she is SO PROUD of this tunic. I'm like "Calm Down Michelangelo. Go clean your room before you paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel" KIDS!

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  11. OH! And y'all know I totally googled "Mondrian", right?

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  12. I love that your kid was invoolved in the project. The dress looks amazing!

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  13. This is my favourite! I hope that you'll be the winner" ;)

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  15. Awesome work! I absolutely love the whole story behind this dress. It's so meaningful. Brilliant idea too! i can't wait to get my girl grew up and do this too. Thank you for using Popolok pattern :)

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