the network for radical unschooling families

Project Runway fans?

I enjoy the set-up, the challenges, the drama, and seeing the creative process unfold for each designer. The first season was our favorite, but we keep watching, year after year. My daughter and I often sketch out our own designs, using similar parameters to those set by each episode. We pause the recording, and give ourselves the same 30-60 minute deadline to decide on materials and an overall look. (For the "grocery store" challenge we chose things from our kitchen and pantry. For the "city inspiration" challenge, we took our camera outside on our acre of southern California desert.) Then we start the show up again, to see what everyone else came up with. Sometimes we get so into it that the sketches and revisions and discussions go on for days. Other times, not so much. I've finally gotten our sewing machines repaired, so they're ready whenever we are, to add another dimension to the game.
Anybody else know what I'm talking about?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robyn L. Coburn on September 30, 2008 at 12:14pm: Well as little as I liked Suede, I had just about had it with that whiney, beligerent, giggly girl, and I really thought her 80's-office-worker-heading-to-the-disco-after-work outfit was much worse (and not at all hip-hop) than Suede's tame rocker. At least Suede's outfit for his client was actually wearable and flattering. This time I disagree with the judges.

I'm confused by the PR website, where it looks like there are six finalists, including some of the ousted designers, showing their collections at Bryant Park, and you can see photos of them in advance of the program. I found it via a Top Model link to models from past seasons walking in them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Heather K on September 30, 2008 at 12:56pm: No kidding, I was so hoping that whiney Kenley would have been sent home! I do like the other three that are left although I haven't picked a favorite like I usually do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cindy on October 15, 2008 at 11:33am: I agree with Robyn. Who does Suede think he is, Bob Dole? Season Finale tonight!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin CW on October 15, 2008 at 1:02pm: Ahhhh! Thanks for reminding me! I have been so busy with a new job, and my teens working at a haunted house attraction, and making costumes, and setting up an Etsy site for my daughter that I rarely realize it's Wednesday night and time for PR. I have the last three on TIVO so I hope I can get caught up this afternoon while I'm cooking and sewing! And the last presidential debate is tonight, so I better find an extension cord and move some things around.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ren on October 16, 2008 at 7:47pm: I don't watch it but I think I'd really enjoy it. How cool that you challenge yourselves with the show parameters Robin! Very fun.

I'll have to mention that to Sierra. She'd probably have a blast doing some of them as she's my stylistic clothing alterer.:)

I did a temporary cosmetic tattoo for a friend who dressed up as Jeffrey a couple years ago. THAT was fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan on October 17, 2008 at 1:11pm: I didn't get to watch the last few shows because we've been moving, so I am missing PR. Now that it's over I'll have to catch up when they re-air the episodes (which is Bravo's trademark apparently, lol).

My husband was surfing Yahoo news last night and asked me if I wanted to know who won. I was like, No! Yes! Noooo! Okay, yes... lol. I am stunned, really, that she won, I was never really impressed with any of her stuff and it seemed like the judges weren't all that moved, either.

Of course, I don't know what she brought to the runway in the last few shows, so maybe she stepped it up a few dozen notches.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robin B. on October 18, 2008 at 4:28pm: I completely forgot that the debate was on and watched PR instead! Shows you where my priorities are .

Does everyone know who won (just in case those TIVO-ing are still watching the last episode)? Wanna talk about it?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sherri on October 18, 2008 at 11:50pm: I noticed at B&N's that they have a whole Project Runway, design kit. Actually there were 3 different boxes that were different. I love the show but was in a hurry to get out of there. So I didn't check them out closely. My DD hasn't seen the finale yet and I can't wait. She and I haven't tried sewing. I remember playing with my grandmother's sewing machine, but never learned how. Then I had a home ec teacher tell me that I had a sewing defect. I have tried to sew several times sense and always quit.

Sherri in NJ; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vicki "Jakesmome" Watkins on October 19, 2008 at 12:21pm: I was shocked too, because she was barely memorable throughout the whole season, but her final runway clothes were BEAUTIFUL. I really liked Kenley's style so figured I'd want her to win, but Leah (or was it Leeann), really did a great job and I think deserved it.

With that said, I'd probably still wear Kenley's clothes over hers! lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robyn L. Coburn on November 3, 2008 at 11:15pm: Sherri, don't pay any attention to your teacher! Probably her teaching method simply didn't mesh with your particular learning style or way of seeing. You may do better starting from a different place, or sewing something different from what she had tried to direct you to. Nor are sewing machines necessarily easy to use - there are plenty of glitchy things to go wrong and make it difficult.

The simplest garment is a straight skirt with an elastic waist. That would quite literally be three or four straight lines of stitching, depending on the width of the fabric. Or you might be better off with hand sewing at first.

As for PR, I'm having trouble remembering all the names.

I was disappointed in the last guy's (Jorel?) final collection and the bridesmaid dress he created. After a good season of creativity he seemed to succumb to the "I'll ignore Tim Gunn, it won't matter" syndrome. The judges criticized him for exactly the issues Tim brought up in his visit.

Kenley tried to argue when they said her work was derivative. I looked at her collection and thought 1980's YSL - which might explain why they seem wearable. Again she chose to ignore Tim's advice and it came back to bite her.

Leann got better each week after the week with the tailored black leather dress. I think the challenges seemed more suited to her. I liked that she had a coherent collection, that started from a clear place. Perhaps it started to look a bit too coherent - but I think that with a larger collection as a professional would certainly be doing, the 12 similar looks would become absorbed into the larger themes.

I liked Kato's collection, that also had a clear point of view. I think if her wedding dress had been a bit better, and she had perhaps shown a little more variety of garment, she might have won. I loved her colors and that one green dress with the necklace built in, which I could certainly see on the red carpet of some of the slightly less formal awards or openings, or on a younger star.

I think one way to make a collection look cohesive is to limit the palette. Both Leann and Kato did that and when the whole lot paraded along they looked great. I would have been happy had either of them won. However, I would also have liked to see what Suede would have presented more than Kenley or Jorel. I can't really tell much from the little photos on line.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sherri on November 3, 2008 at 11:37pm: Thank you for the support. I do have a machine. However, it is very complicated. I was thinking of looking for a simpler one.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Valerie on November 4, 2008 at 4:58pm: Of all the "reality" shows on the toob, my favorites are on Bravo - Top Chef, Top Design and Project Runway. I love them all and get outrageously addicted, especially to Top Chef; and yet, PR is right behind. How much fun it is, in one hour, to see a challenge be given and see up to, what 12? 16? people each take it a come up with something completely different. I LOVE that part.

My favorite PR season was last year when, horrors, Jeffrey won. However, his collection was fabulous.

Don't ya just LOVE to watch these eccentric, crabby, funny, gifted people at work?; ▶ Reply to This