Pashmina to Regency Spencer
From this |
To this! |
This was a bit of a challenge, as the pashmina had an embroidered border and two large ASYMMETRICAL but very similar bands of embroidery on either end. I pondered layouts for days, both in my head and placing the actual pattern pieces, to see what would work. Finally, when I had a design I liked, I cut it out. Because it was so difficult to pattern match I actually cut out each piece individually, being very careful to make sure I mirrored them and didn't cut two of the same side.
After cutting out the first center front piece I realized the placement of the pattern was going to look very odd. So I had to brainstorm even more to manage to get two fronts out of it AND have the pattern look but symmetrical and flattering. In the end I did a lot of piecing. Both center fronts are pieced and not cut according to grain lines. The upper and under collar are also pieced.
Inner collar piecing |
Under collar piecing |
I wanted to use a scrap of off while silk fabric for the lining and had to piece that too to make it work! But piecing is perfectly period and I think it was worth it to ensure the sides were mirrored and to have the pattern run the way I wanted it.
I like the look of it enough that I'm already thinking of trying this again in another color, one can never have too many spencers!
Comments
Post a Comment