I want to be the very best,
Like no one ever was.
To catch them is my real test,
To train them is my cause!
During the year 2020, my uni studies went from a practical, hands on fashion course to online learning which changed one course I was throughly enjoying – pattern making – into make a different mood board every week for five weeks. The whole reason I had gone to uni was to fill in a couple blanks that my self taught, 10 year sewing knowledge was missing and to polish a few techniques.
I soon came to the realisation that due to this global pandemic, there was going to be a whole heap of uncertainty in the future of my education. I couldn’t guarantee that in the new year my studies would go back to normal and being all practical once more.
So I made the risky decision to leave and peruse my dream and ultimate end goal two years early.
Insert making my first little collection!
It all started with this one particular duvet that my friend brought me when I was in Wellington for her wedding. I’m a huge Pokemon fanatic and this spoke to me. I could see that I could turn each panel in to its own style of dress. Something simple and plain on the top half and let the focus be the fun pattern in the skirt.
So I cut the duvet in to three panels and then took a swatch of the blue to go colour match as best I could at Spotlight. I ended up finding a lovely 100% cotton that matched perfectly.
The first dress I made was the plainest. I wanted something simple that could be casually worn or dressed up with the addition of cute accessories.
Here it is pictured with said friends Pikachu bag that she gifted me also.
As luck would have it, when I started working on this set it was only going to be the three dresses, but then I found a whole bunch of the same duvet on Trademe. Each time they kept popping up on there, I would snap them up!
This meant I could now make the dresses in several different sizes!
The second dress I made also happens to be my personal favourite. It’s almost identical to the first one but it has a rounded neck and back and a removable bow on the front.
I made the bow inspired by a Pokeball. Red and white with a black centre and a button.
If I happen to luck out and find another one of these duvets, I may just have to make another of these for myself.
The third dress has a much different top compared to the first ones. I decided I wanted to keep the lightning bolt/star trim along the bottom of the panel and use the top bit to work it in to the bodice somehow.
One of the duvets I brought came with the original pillowcase. The amount of fabric was too small for me to do anything for an adult but then I thought, why not a kids dress?
Inspired by the second dress, I added a Pokeball bow to it, but in the back this time.
I also decided to finish a Pokemon dress that I had started about 5 years ago because I knew it would be a perfect addition to the collection.
Honestly, if this one had fit me, I would have kept it for myself. Its a pure cotton dress thats lined and boned. And as you can see, it has such a cute 1950s silhouette. Just imagine it with a yellow petticoat peaking out the bottom.
Lastly, there was the final piece that i made as a joke but turned out to be my favourite thing from the whole collection. The Magikarp hat.
Whilst working on this collection, I’ve found myself addicted to Pokemon Go once more. When I logged in to it for the first time in years, I found my character was wearing a Magikarp on their head. I jokingly said to my husband, wouldn’t it be funny if I made that? So I did. I did not expect to love it as much as I did when I finished the first one. Which, I have actually kept for myself! I have no idea when I’ll ever wear it, though my husband already has me beat there as he wore it to the local supermarket when we did our grocery shopping.
Oh and did I mention I was an absolute mad man and decided to tackle this project in three weeks? Because I did.
Anyway, all these pieces will be available to purchase from my store on the 31st of March.
If you’re interested, be sure to check it out.
And thanks for all the support. It’s been terrifying yet wonderful to be able to pursue my dreams of starting this small business and finally working for myself.
kealyann.com 
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