Continuing to work on the design for a clasp, I tried another variation of the scallop shell but decided it was too clumsy, so had a look at a clam shell instead for inspiration.
I pleated faux silk and fixed it in the microwave to create this frill. It looked good but was still not quite right.
I could see that I was nearly there. Working with the frill idea, I cut faux silk on the bias (with a soldering iron) and stitched a very narrow zigzag along the edges. I folded the fabric, not quite in half, and gathered it to create semi-circles - happy at last!
Adding the pearls in the centre completed the look.
Next stage was the lining. I wanted to continue the theme of circles on the lining so I searched the kitchen for all the circle shapes I could find.
I randomly painted the fabric, gently pushing it into the shapes and added rock salt to create areas of intense colour.
The result was a beautiful piece of toning fabric to match the bolero.
The lining stitched in place.
I stitched two sets of hooks and eyes at the top and bottom of the clam clasp to ensure that there is no gaping where the fronts meet. I also added my designer label, (NiquiSu)! Creating this proved more difficult than I imagined. I tried machine stitching the label but it wasn't neat enough. I had heard that if you iron fabric to freezer paper it will go through an inkjet printer. Well, it works! So I printed the label and sewed it on.
Back view.
Photographed on my dressmaker's dummy over a navy dress. I'm very pleased to say that it fits me too!
.... and this is where that idea ended up 12 months later.
SUMMARY
Costs:
Fabric and lining £13.00
Paints £20.00
Metallic thread £18.00
Madeira thread £5.00
Interfacing £3.00
Pattern £5.00
Beads £6.43
Hook and eye £0.08
TOTAL £70.51
20 Feb 2020 Design stage started
25 Oct 2020 Final designs completed
21 Mar 2020 Samples and embroidery started
25 Nov 2020 Bolero completed
Time spent on design 118 hours
Time spent on embroidery/making up 104 hours
This is has been a very enjoyable project from start to finish. Although I encountered quite a few problems along the way, it was well worth the effort as I learned so much about design, with its pitfalls and its triumphs.
