Tuesday, January 29, 2013

When Inspiration Strikes



You just never know when the next brilliant idea or inspiration might appear.

I was brunching with Cathy in a nice little cafe one day when I spotted this lovely metal screen.


I have a bit of a fencespotting thing going on over on instagram (which also includes metal screens in cafes). I really like looking at the patterns and the shapes.  I'm particularly fond of the 50's 60's and 70's type era.

These have all been added to my inspiration folder for future reference.


I was particularly smitten by the cafe screen so I got to work designing a repeatable pattern.


Which I then had printed up as fabric.


I decided that I wanted to make myself another Wiksten Tank, so I chose a cotton voile basecloth.
Although you can't really tell from this photo, the cotton voile is really sheer, so I have to wear a singlet undeneath.

You can just see a little peak on the right armhole from this photo (and it's a little washed out), but I used a really bright red binding for the armholes and neckline. It worked perfectly with the red in the print.

Thankyou Cafe Screen - I think this might be my new favourite top!

10 comments:

Sue Niven said...

well done. A very cute top and I love where you got your inspiration from!

Lyndel said...

love that pattern, you are so talented to turn an old door into a pretty top so quickly! I too love those repeat patterns of the cement blocks used in fences in the 70s

mel @ loved handmade said...

This is brilliant cam, the print and colours are fantastic!

natashala said...

Wow - you're clever AND industrious. Lovely.
Natasha

Unknown said...

I love patterns too! Glad I'm not the only one that collects pics of fences/gates/doors :-)

Anonymous said...

I love this design. I'm strangely attracted to the square! Great top. perfect for our summer. Well, when it decides to return to Melbourne!

Jennifer Rose said...

at college they always tell us to have a camera of some kind with us, you never know when something will catch your eye.
great pattern, the black/grey background makes the red pop

Evie said...

i love this, the whole evolution and process and the finished item!!

Jennie said...

The suburbs around where I live and work are rich in 60s and 70s ironwork. I've been mentally 'fence-spotting' for a few months, but I don't have a camera phone and have never got around to doing a photo excursion to capture them. I think we're experiencing that thing where people working separately have the same idea at the same time... Wish I could remember what that's called.

Amber said...

Love your fabric design (and the inspiration)!