Fabric, Notions and Kitty, Ready to Go
So, I have finally finished my project for Bowie Sewalong. The lovely and unique Tempest Devyne, from FanBloomingTastic has been the gracious host of a Bowie Sewalong, a sewing group dedicated to everything David Bowie. She has been so great about posting music, information, movie clips, it’s been great fun following along!
I remember when I was young, single digits years old, and my brother and I went to camp in the summers. And all the camp counselors listened to David Bowie and Supertramp. At that age, there are really no cool cliques at school or with your friends yet, so, the camp counselors were the very first “Cool Kids” encounter for me. So, I took what they gave very seriously.
Is Bowie the best singer around? Definitely not. The best musician? Not really. But, can Ziggy Play Guitar??? Oh Yes, you bet. He is such a performer and free spirit and I love the personas he takes on and how unapologetic he is about them. His creativity knows no bounds and the key underlying theme is to express himself, any way he sees fit.
My contribution for the sewalong is a wrap-around skirt, that I designed and sewed myself, with no patterns or instructions. I really wanted to ‘wing it’ for this project, as it seemed the perfect time to try my hand at something unique and off the cuff.
I have no idea if it’s drafted, put together or sewn ‘correctly’ and, in fact, have never made a wrap skirt before. But, that was the point of the exercise, to channel the Bowie Spirit and just let it roll!
The skirt references, not only the ’70’s, when they were so popular, but all things Space that David Bowie was interested in during that decade, including Space Oddity, Life on Mars, Starman, even Ziggy’s last name was Stardust. It was definitely a huge theme in his art.
I found two scarves in my parent’s basement (we can call them vintage) that depict a map of the universe with the entire night sky, including stars, galaxies, planets and horoscope signs. I used these scarves for the back panels of the skirt and then added a fabric that looked like the sky with stars and planets all over it for a smaller, front panel. I added some tucks to front and back for shaping, a bit of a waistband, and, of course, embellished with bright red chevron and silver trims.
And, the best part? The scarves glow in the dark!!!! The whole night sky lights up in the dark and glows on my backside! This just felt ‘right’ for a Bowie sewalong. 🙂 I wanted to offset the universe pattern on the scarf, so that the entire night sky was not centred perfectly on my backside. Something about that thought, just didn’t quite jive.
I love this video, it really depicts Bowie’s inner geekdom. Doesn’t he look like guys from your high school and not a ‘rock star’?
Charging Up My, uh, Backside with a Lamp to Get its Glow on! As you do. Don’t you? Maybe it’s just me then.
Proud To Be, Charm School Reject
For his contribution, Kitty made a chevron choker and blinged it up with gold and pearl studs and gold and silver appliques, as well as a huge remove-able charm. Kitty channels Bowie easily and is and always will be, proud to be a Charm School Reject.
Gjeometry 
awww the collar! I love it! I love it all!
Thanks Kriston! I love glowing in the dark and Kitty feels pretty special in his Bowie Choker. 🙂
You have such a fun sense of style! David Bowie’s inner geek would defo be proud 🙂
Hee, thanks Viv! 🙂 I wanted it to be a fun project as opposed to one where I had to follow patterns and rules and marks, etc.
Very cool 🙂
Thanks! And, oooh, dare Kitty and I be part of the Cool Kids?? Exciting! But, then the geek comes out of us again, lol.
Very 70s! I can’t believe it glows in the dark too. We need more glow in the dark clothes in my opinion. Well done!
Right?? How cool would it be if you took the dog out one evening, and everybody glowed in the dark! Thanks for your kind words, as well.
Mr. Bowie needs to see this. You’ve done his spirit proud. And your spirit is evident here: quirky and unafraid. Congrats on a fabulous project! And to Kitty, too, for her lovely beingness.
Aw, thank you so much Tracy! You are so sweet. Kitty and I had fun making and also learning from this project.
Hahahaha sure does look like you and Kitty have had some fun with this sew-along. And OMG I love those shoes and good for you for letting loose and having some fun making your skirt and just winging it! Kitty looks super cute in his collar and as usual has stepped up to another challenge and has come out looking like a superstar 🙂
It was fun! Kitty and I both tried to focus more on creativity and the essence of Bowie rather than sewing prowess. Kitty is pleased you like his contribution. And he totally liked the huge Charm School Reject bauble on the choker. I thought he would freak out, but he just wandered about, looked important then took a nap while still wearing it!
And the shoes are actually really uncomfortable, lol! But look goooood.
LOL You just reminded me of the quote you shared with me & I had to share it back “It’s not how you feel, it’s how you look, dahrling!!! -Billy Crystal”
Seems like Kitty is happy and proud to wear anything he makes and I don’t blame him as I get like that as well 🙂
Lol, I know, I thought of that quote too. And, the shoes really make the outfit, don’t they?
They sure do add that little extra David Bowie touch!
. You are very talented & have some great ideas The skirt looks awsome. Of course kitty would tell us that it was with his help.
Thanks! And, of course the universe revolves around Kitty. Even while it’s on my backside, ha ha ha.
Wow I am a big fan of David Bowie. You have really captured his quirky lifestyle with this project. Way to go!
Thanks Josie! Kitty says to say ‘hi’ to The Pussycats. Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard that one before. 🙂
OMG I love this skirt! And I like that you offset the universe pattern. Looks great and the photoshoot must have been fun!
Oh, thanks so much Leila! Yes, the idea of having the universe as a huge bullseye centred right on my tush seemed very wrong, lol. And, it was fun to give myself permission to make something up, even though I am not an experieced sewer…..yet! 😛
Love your skirt!! Love the glow in the dark aspect, and the fact that you re-purposed the scarves. What else does your parents’ basement hold? Sewing is nothing if you can’t have fun with it.
Thanks so much! I really wanted to just have fun with this project and not stress too much about the “right” way to do things. The scarves were screaming out to be used, I don’t honestly know how long they have just been sitting there unused. And, yes, I often wonder what else my parent’s basement holds, lol! Treasures? Vintage finds? Dead things? 🙂
Your skirt is so fun! The off-center back is so chic (you’re right, better than having the universe revolve around your. . .you know). You did Bowie proud!
Thanks Charlotte! Lol, yes, there are ‘levels’ of disturbing thoughts when having the entire universe, first of all, being able to fit right on your backside! and second of all, creating a bull’s eye, lovely target effect.
I’m convinced that the universe revolves around my backside, actually.
Lol! Hey, so does Kitty!! You guys should get together in a room and we can all watch the fur fly.
So cute, that scarf is perfect for your project. As a child of the 60’s I can totally related to your camp consolers musical selections, the 70’s music were perfect in my teenage years. Loved your originality and your spirit shines thru. Kitty loves ravishing in the new collar too.
Aw, thanks so much! I know, I found the scarves and IMMEDIATELY my mind went to David Bowie’s space obsessed years. You would have fit in well at my summer camp, then. You would have been one of the “cool kids” counselors!
Oh what fun you and kitty had with this project. You’re both adorable! Well done, well done.
Thanks Alys! We blush…..:) And, yes, it definitely was fun.
Then you’re doing it right! 🙂
You and Kitty look super cool! Way to go on drafting your own skirt!
Thanks Shannon! Kitty and I felt Super Cool! At least for a day :).
That’s so cool! You and Kitty both captured the Bowie space essence, and it even glows in the dark!
Hi Elise, thanks so much, glad you think so! Yes, the glowing in the dark part totally sealed the deal for both Bowie and the ’70’s for me.
Love it, love it, love it! And your shoes, and your blouse, and Kitty’s chocker. Everything about the skirt screams FUN FUN FUN! Now excuse me while I go and do some dancin’ in the streets…
Hee hee hee! Thank you for your fabulous comments Jagoda! Let Kitty and I know what street you are on and we will join you in our Bowie gear!
Love it! I love the zipper ruffle on your shirt! 🙂 Fab dahling! 🙂
~Jen
Thanks Jen! The shirt is a Twelve Layers short sleeve cardi that I got a number of years ago. It seemed to fit in well with both the skirt and the Bowie and ’70’s vibe. (And, what DOESN’T go with leopard print, really?)
My brain can’t even comprehend the amount of awesome in this outfit! 🙂 That skirt is amazing! I totally want some star chart fabric now. . .
Kitty certainly can rock the accessories! My cats refuse to be decorated.
Ha ha ha! Thanks Jenny! When I saw the scarves, I knew I HAD to create something Bowie with them. I wonder if they make fabric like that? I’ve never seen anything like it, but you never know.
Kitty really seems to enjoy rocking the accessories, no cajoling is necessary!
The skirt is awesome! I love that it glows in the dark. I like it being a bit off center, too.
Thanks Laura! I have it currently near my bed and get to watch the night sky glow till I fall asleep! It’s too cool.
I am glad you didn’t forget the cat! I’d have to sit on mine and wrap her in a towel to come out of collar fitting without missing limbs etc lol.
The skirt is fab. I love the stars …. glowing ones. Perfect Bowie.
Forget the cat???? Is that even a thing that’s allowed?
Lol, your cat sounds a tad more feisty and set in her ways than Kitty. I was so amazed that he rocked that huge Charm School Reject charm on the Bowie collar with no problems whatsoever. He even seemed to cop a bit of a rocker attitude while wearing it.
Glad you like the skirt and think it’s Bowie-esque. 🙂
I loved BOTH Kitty’s and YOUR Bowie makes! Super spectacular and creative… ~Laurie 🙂
Thanks Laurie! From BOTH of us 🙂
A glowing creation! Bowie would love it…and the charming bling charm collar. Such Stylemeisters, you and Kitty!
Hee! Yes, ‘glowing’. Thank you! Kitty is quite pleased with himself, as well. I wonder if Bowie would wear this himself? Likely in the ’70’s.
Love it – your creativity is inspiring! And that’s a great wrap-around skirt to remake like 5 more times in other fabric too 🙂
Aw, thank you! Yes, the wrap skirt is so easy to wear. One thing I noticed though, is that it might be better on somebody with bigger hips. I’m finding that it doesn’t have anywhere to ‘sit’ since I am more tube shaped and there is no fitted waistband or elastic. It tends to start to slip down after a bit. Not sure if other similarly shaped folks have found that, as well.
Whoa!!!! You are THE cool kid!!!! I need that skirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Heeeee, Eeeee, Eleyna called me the Cool Kid! Giggle, Giggle, Heeee!! (ahem….. ‘regains composure’)….. And, that’s exactly why I can never be the cool kid (total geek). 🙂 Glad you love the skirt, makes me feel special!
glow in the dark galaxy booty, YES! and i think kitty wins the award. ALL of the awards.
Ha ha! Thanks, I kinda thought so too, how does one live without having some kind of garment that allows a glow in the dark galaxy booty? And, Kitty is so delighted that you recognized his contribution to the SewAlong! And, obviously he agrees with you that he should win all of the awards. 🙂 He has quite the confidence level.
Thank you so much for being part of the Bowie Sew Along……and bringing so much fun to it and me. I am so relieved that Kitty can also forgive me for calling it a collar not a choker….I am only human. I love this project so much….the glow in the dark space chart on the scarf/skirt couldn’t be more perfect for Bowie our Starman in Chief. And your styling for the photos is perfect. I’m so glad the sew along introduced me to you….and Kitty…..and can’t wait to see what the both of you get up to in the future.
You are so welcome Tempest! Thanks for stopping by the blog! Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful sewalong, you were a terrific host, so many facts and entertainment and information. Was a lot of fun to follow along!
I’m so thrilled you love the project! I definitely wanted to find a Bowie Style, space in this case, and go with it. It was a lot of fun to release some creativity, with planning, sewing and photographing! Happy to have found you and your blog, as well, and look forward to sharing with each other. Kitty also says ‘hi’ and totally forgives you for calling his fashion choker a utilitarian ‘collar’.
I love the night sky scarf you found. Such terrific fabric!
Thanks! It’s so much fun, isn’t it? What would we do without treasures discovered in parent’s basements??