The Brave Cook

A sweater with shawl collar for next winter season

The Brave Cook — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:34:52 +0000

It’s spring season and summer is coming close, so not the perfect time for making sweaters or any warm clothing, but I bought this gorgeous fabric some time ago and I was hoping to create a beautiful sweater out of it. Finally, I finished my projects, creating the pattern, cutting the fabric, sewing the pieces together and sewing some buttons on.

I’m very slow when it comes to sewing. I make plans about how soon I want a piece to be done, but time is passing by so fast that it takes me much longer than expected to finish a project. I’m glad I’ve finished that one and I really like the result. I want to wear that sweater next winter season. The fabric is just so comfortable to wear and to touch. Since I bought only one meter of the fabric I had to be so careful with cutting it into pieces because it was just enough to make a complete sweater. What I love the most about this sweater are first of all the wooden buttons and second the unfinished look on the edges. It really fits my personal style.

The Brave Cook

Dresden & Radebeul

The Brave Cook — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:15:13 +0000

Hi everyone and thank you for sticking to my blog! I know it’s been some weeks now that I had posted something on my blog and I believe that the next weeks will be not different. I really love my blog and I don’t want to give it up but the last weeks had been so busy for me.

First of all I started my new job and I had to get used to the work and the schedule. Second, I was trying really hard for an apprenticeship or study the last weeks and I was traveling to different cities for some interviews. I had to do this during my off days, so there was no private time left for me to indulge in my blog. I have to admit that the travels had been quite nice, but still very time- and energy-consuming. The interviews had been fun and a great experience but unfortunately I had no luck until now to receive acceptance for a study or at least a test work week.

There is still plan B in my pocket to apply at a university for a different kind of study, but this will be under complete different requirements, so I’m not able to estimate my chances in that at all.

I’m glad I could bring my photo camera with me to the interviews and make some beautiful photographies of the cities of Dresden and Radebeul, which is a very small town next to Dresden. I was also in south Germany in Mannheim and Neustadt, but I did not make great pics there. Hope you enjoy the pics as long as I don’t have my next sewing project finished to present to you. Dresden and Radebeul are actually very cute and beautiful, even though it looks a little bit shabby in some places.

The Brave Cook

Inspired and fascinated by the Beyoncé commercial!

The Brave Cook — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 18:29:52 +0000

I just saw the new Beyoncé commercial and it’s so fascinating and inspiring to me. I love her music, this new song included and I have to say that this commercial is made visually so beautiful. I usually don’t post videos or songs on my blog, but this was an opportunity for me to share this visual piece with you.

The Brave Cook

Unforgivable fabric

The Brave Cook — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:02:33 +0000

Last week I posted a project that I was not so satisfied with, but this week I have the chance to show you two new projects in one post. I used for these two projects one of my fabrics that I’ve shown you some weeks ago. The chosen fabric has a nice print, but I can assure you that it’s such an unforgivable fabric as it just can be. There is a lot of stretch in this fabric and I think I’m not that skilled yet to work with stretch fabric. I decided to make sweatpants and matching underpants with it. It took me a lot of time to fix the waistband, but I’m satisfied with the overall outcome in the end. The level of this project was mediocre, not too difficult. I definitely get some routine with pants. Now it’s about time to practice some tops. I’m never sure about my modeling attempts when posting for my blog Hope you like the presentation. So have a nice easter holiday all of you! The Brave Cook

A new job and not enough time…

The Brave Cook — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:24:47 +0000

Well, what to say first! The last two weeks had been quite busy for me, despite the fact that I’m about to start a new job in a new company and that this gave me many free days in between. Unfortunately, it did not feel to me like vacation at all! The main reason was that I had to provide so many papers for my new employer, going here and there all around Berlin City. The result was that I did not have any mood or inspiration left for any sewing projects. My mind is completely focused on the new job. I really hope that I get along with everyone in the new company and handle the new job well. It’s definitely not a dream job, but the payment is much better than in my previous job.

A second reason for my busy days is the fact that I’m looking for an apprenticeship or study starting already this year. The chances to get something last minute are not high, but maybe luck will be on my side again. I simply don’t want to wait another year to start something. Let’s see what happens about it all! I will keep you informed for sure.

By the way, the framed picture above shows my beloved darling who is at home in india for some weeks now to take care of some very important matters, including his EILTS english exam. I hope he masters it well, because he wants to apply so badly for a canadian visa with it.

Have all of you a nice spring and wish me luck with my new job!

The Brave Cook

Indian fabric turned into a ceremonial garment

The Brave Cook — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 12:46:33 +0000

Hi everone, I want to thank you all for sticking to my blog and following my experiences in life, especially in sewing. For all of you who are not on wordpress with an own blog or who want to stay on track with my posts, you can follow me on my facebook page as well. Here is the like for all of you: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brave-Cook-Design/109955082499704

Some time ago my darling got me a beautiful present. He purchased that gorgeous light see-through fabric with golden thread ornaments that you can see above. It was very costly, even though I’m not knowing the exact price of it. I was scared to use it and to turn it into something, since I didn’t want to ruin it. But anyway, this has been the best present possible for me.

After some weeks, I’ve decided to make a traditional and ceremonial looking garment out of this fabric, something like a light tunic that can be worn during summer. I wanted to use as much of the golden ornaments in one piece as possible. To avoid to much cutting and too many left-overs I’ve decided to use the whole width of the fabric for the body, sewing the edges together in the front. That way, the golden ornament is going all around the body. I’ve connected the edges up to the chest, keeping them open and connecting again on top creating a hoodie. Giving this tunic a hoodie makes the garment look more young and modern. I also love how the golden line goes up in the front meeting in the hoodie. That reminds me a little bit of an adidas jacket. It sounds like a simple cut, and in fact it is! All I had to do next was to cut holes for the sleeves and to adjust the back of the hoodie, connecting it to the back of the garment. The fabric was very light and delicate, so of course I had to be very careful when sewing it together and to place the thread where it’s not possible to see it. I’m not sure if I’m going to wear this piece ever in my life, but I still like it. It’s definitely outside my comfort zone to create something like that, but I think sewing is about trying things out and being creative in different ways. There’s still something left from this fabric, let’s see what I can use it for. I’m sure my darling is happy with the result.

The Brave Cook

My latest fabric collection

The Brave Cook — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:31:50 +0000

My days are very busy and I have to stay on track planning my job career for the next months and years, so there is not really time to design or sew something. Nevertheless I did some great fabric shopping this year and I have enough material to work with. Of course, I did not want to hold back myself from giving you a look into my fabric closet and a little preview of what you could expect to see from me the next months.Considering the fact that I want to make menswear, it’s a little bit funny what fabrics I’ve chosen to work with, but I love to work with interesting unconventional fabrics. It’s a great way to practice and to mix different fabrics together.

So, there was this velvet stretch fabric on sale and I bought 4 meters of it. I’ve already done some pieces with it and I can tell you it’s not easy to work with it.Then we have this vintage looking light chiffon fabric. I can imagine a beautiful tunic or shirt with it.I also bought some gold and shiny fabrics. It’s really one of my favorite color. Some of these could be used as a lining or in a decorative way. Naturally, I want to make some beautiful warm sweaters and jackets, so I’ve found these gorgeous knit fabrics with a fabulous structure and beautiful colors. The one I fell in love with the most was this colorful and vibrant but yet romantic silk fabric. It cost me the most money out of all my fabrics.I hope my days become more relaxed again so that I can start with all my different sewing projects turning these gorgeous fabrics into lovely clothes.

The Brave Cook

A new project and lots of news!

The Brave Cook — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:50:15 +0000

I was not posting anything last week, but that has its reasons! First of all I was struggling with my health the last weeks, I had a strong cough that I could not get rid of. The second reason are some changes regarding my work and my future plans. I need to change my job and more than that, to start a new apprenticeship later this year. I don’t know if I will succeed in getting the kind of apprenticeship that I’m actually looking for, but my wish is to leave this place one day and for that reason I need some extra education.

So, to sum up everything what’s happening right now, there is nothing sure and clear at the moment and I don’t know how that will effect my blog. Making progress with my fashion design projects, it’s sad to imagine that I might need to make a break, but I definitely need money and time for my fashion ideas.

For this week, I have for you a new project that I was able to finish so time ago. I used some leftover fabrics from other projects, including some denim and fake leather to create a cute photo camera case for the camera that I’m using for my blog. I apologize for the bad quality of some of my photographies in the post, but I had to use a different camera to show you the case with my camera in it. It’s not really a difficult project but the execution was still difficult since I was using fake leather fabric.I started the project with measuring the size of my system camera and cut out the patern for the outside and the inside using denim and fake leather fabric. The denim fabric was fringed on one side so I use the fringed side as some decorative element. I know the outcome is not excellent but I’m ok with it considering that it was the first time for me making such a small camera case. As you can see I added the wooden button on the front. I like the overall look of it and I hope to be able to practice on making more stuff out of leather-kind materials. See you next week!

The Brave Cook

An important anouncement!

The Brave Cook — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:12:27 +0000

I was thinking a lot about my blog the last couple of weeks. Looking back I can truly say that it was successful and definitely the way I wanted it to turn out. On the other hand I was quite busy the last months teaching myself to sew to improve my skills and to be able to make my own clothes. All I can say is that I’ve learned a lot so far and I’m continuing to teach myself and to try new things out. The only problem of it all is that sewing and pattern-making takes a lot of time. Since fashion has been my love for many years now I’ve made the decision to indulge into it very deep this year and to devote my free time completely to cloth-making. I don’t want to give up my blog, but use it to share with all of you who are interested my steps and progress in making clothes. I’m still not sure about the name and the design of my blog. Maybe i will not change it completely. I’m still very thankful to all of you who decided to follow my blog and I hope that most of you will continue enjoy and to follow my journey. As for now, I’m presenting you my last recipe so far. A ginger loaf with rose petals and white chocolate.

Ingredients

350 g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 – 4 tsp ground ginger
8 globes preserved stem ginder in syrup or honey, drained and chopped
125 g butter, softened
100 g light sugar
225 g golden syrup or honey
1 egg, beaten
75 ml milk
a bunch of roses

Instructions

Grease and line a 900 g loaf tin with non-stick baking paper. Preheat the oven to 160 ° C. Sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and ground ginger. Set aside. Chop the globes of the ginger and add to the flour mixture. I’ve used some preserved ginger in honey. Melt the butter sugar and golden syrup/honey in a small pan. Set aside to cool slightly. Beat the egg and milk together. Stir the cold syrup/honey into the dry ingredients, followed by the egg and milk and beat well. If you like you can use some of the rose petals and add into the mixture. It will give the loaf an interesting taste.

Spoon into the tin, bake for about 1 1/4 hours until just firm to the touch. Cool on a wire rack and decorate with a white chocolate couverture and the rose petals the way you like it. Enjoy and have a great weekend!

The Brave Cook

My fashion week favorites!

The Brave Cook — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:50:10 +0000

Following the fashion week shows and all the new fall/winter 2013 collections was great. It’s so inspiring to see the visions of so many designers and to get inspired yourself. I’ve decided to show you some of my favorite looks from the fashion week when is comes to design and inspiration. These are not the most beautiful or most wearable looks, but the ones that inspired me the most. It’s a very colorful mix from different designers. Enjoy.

The Brave Cook

Walter Van Beirendonck

Vivienne Westwood

Versace

Rynshu

Rick Owens

Maison Martin Margiela

Juun J

John Richmond

John Galliano

Gustavolins

Givenchy

Etro

Dsquared

Dries Van Noten

Damir Doma

Comme des Garcons

Canali

Phillip Lim