REVEAL: JOAN DRESS

Please take a look at my other blog The Hollywood Sew. Once there you can comment to vote on which Game of Thrones inspired dress I should make, and automatically be entered to win a prize!

Here is my Joan dress, for the Julia Bobbin Mad Men Challenge II  I decided that for the summer (and conveniently for the deadline!) that sleeveless would be better, and I plan to add the sleeves for the winter. When I started this dress it was the first time I had worked from a store bought pattern, it went reasonably smoothly as the markings were very clear, although selecting a size continues to baffle me. No matter how many times I measure the pattern pieces I am always unsure how it will be exactly when it is finished. I guess that is just how it is when making your own clothes until you have perfect construction. I really love the colour and I think this dress has a retro feel despite it being a contemporary pattern (Simplicity New Look A6123) It really does need a good ironing before I wear it in public though! The flounce is not something I would have usually done but I really like it and will consider using again. Here was my inspiration: 

Just for fun (and because I'm sick of my grey curtain as a backdrop) I photoshopped myself into Don Draper's office. Don't tell my hubby!

REVEAL: NEON CHIFFON SORBETTO

I did it! Just in time for the Spring Top Sewalong deadline today haha. I like to live on the edge.

I love the sorbetto top, even with the very shifty fabric it was easy and fast to sew up. The longest part was choosing a size (this always stresses me out because if I can't wear it then what is the point!) I first traced out a 6 pattern but then after reading more reviews decided on a 4 which fits great, but is a little short. This is mostly because the fabric frayed so badly I had to roll the hem over twice to get a clean finish. Working with chiffon (low quality Joann's chiffon no less) was quite the pain in my behind, the fabric slid around inches while I tried to cut and must have fallen off my tiny sewing table a hundred times. Surprisingly despite this mishap the top is still symmetrical and looks like it should. Since cutting this I read that placing the shifty fabric between tissue paper while cutting resolves this problem, so next time.... 

I really love bias binding, I used the cheating method of placing it on the edge right side up and just topstitching which is how I first sewed binding without knowing about the proper technique. I find this easier and the result pleasing so why further aggravate myself! The sheer orange neon with a pastel accent is a colour combo I really like and this was one of those projects where you picture something you like and it comes out exactly how you wanted. Hope this happens again soon! Now I just have to finish and photograph the Joan dress for Monday, and the black and white project before we fly to the UK on the 30th. oh and pack up our lives too. Yikes!

VINTAGE VISIT: THE BROOKLYN TRANSIT MUSEUM

My Mum and brother Chris came to NYC to visit last weekend, and in a brief moment between shopping and eating we took them to the Brooklyn Transit Museum. I had walked past a few times when we lived in Fort Greene but had never been inside. The museum is actually set in an old subway, with a real subway entrance and an original metroticket booth at the beginning. We were all really impressed with the exhibit and I had no idea that there were vintage trains on show! I managed to snap some pictures on my IPhone before we left (apologies for the low quality):

There is always time fron an impromptu film-noir vanity shoot!

BURDASTYLE COMPETITION WIN!!!!

 In exciting news I won The Jackie Dress: Style It Your Way! competition at Burdastyle with my comment in answer to the question:

"How would you style the 1960s Jackie Dress? Tell us why you like this pattern, what fabric you’d make it in, and where you’d wear it to."

I would style this dress in a bright jewel solid, maybe blue or purple, with a black leather bow. To be worn with polka dot black sheer stockings and black patent chunky heels. I like the pattern because it is classical and elegant, plus it seems like it would be very flattering. I would probably like it best in a structured wool (does that exist?! would also be a fun challenge as I haven’t sewn with wool before) and would wear it on my next flight to look super glamourous!

They are sending me a copy of Sewing Vintage Modern! I have wanted it for a while now so I'm really pleased I won one. I think the shift dress will be my first project as I just ordered some lace which needs a simple pattern. Thanks Burdastyle!

JOAN DRESS UPDATE

Progress has sped up significantly since I moved my sewing machine into the living room, not having to go through Zeke's room means I can sew easily when he takes naps. All I have left to do  is to put in the zipper, attach the sleeves and hem the bottom. I say all, but the former two make me very nervous... ah well practice makes perfect so I better just get on with it. I have a feeling that the bodice might need taking in, but that's what I get for being too lazy to make a muslin or grade from a 10 top to 12 bottom.

I didn't smile in pics back then as I hated my braces!

I had totally forgotten about this art project I made at fifteen, and I saw this photo again last weekend. I took junk food wrappers and stuck them onto clear contact paper to make a 'fabric' which I then used to construct a corset and full skirt. Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the whole outfit, but I guess I should say this was my first sewing project from now on!

This week I have been dreaming about shift dresses, retro swimwear, boat neck dresses and scalloped lace overlays. Getting ready for the big move is taking up a lot of my 'free' time. Knowing that I am going to be sewing machine-less for May and June I am trying to prioritize what I need to get done before then for our trip to France for my sister's graduation. 

ENSEMBLE: NEW SHOES AND AN OLD SKIRT

skirt: altered sample, cardigan: Topshop, shoes: new from Aerosoles!

I took home a lot of samples from my old job, most of which were cheap looking yoga pants, but this chiffon-esque pleated skirt was one of the rare tasteful ones. I haven't been able to wear it because the waist elastic was too big, so this week in the vein of mend and make do, I undid the casing and removed three inches of the elastic. It is still a little loose around the waist, which is why I can tuck in a cardigan (is that a terrible fashion faux pas? I feel like my brothers would have a field day!). I love the length of the skirt and have wanted a pleated skirt for a while now so this feels like an achievement  I must have had that cardigan for over eight years, I like it paired with anything and I always feel victorian whenever I wear it. The new shoes are super comfy and I love their retro vibe. I can't wait to wear them out but until then I keep them in plain view so I can enjoy just looking at them!

So far I am living up to my vow to refashion and clear out, last weekend I schlepped a bunch of clothes that were not donation appropriate to Beacon's Closet and got $63 cash in return. Getting rid of stuff is oddly therapeutic and upsetting at the same time. I'm reading Mindy Kaling's book 'Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)' and she talks about her friend being "a hoarder of the cheerful, social, Christmas-lights-year-round variety" I currently harbour no less than three sets of Christmas lights... Hopefully my hoarding behaviour will be stunted by our relocation.

Although this minor skirt alteration doesn't really count as a refashion, I plan to update a navy chiffon blouse I don't really wear as it feels too dark, with a white peter pan collar from the leftover crepe for the black and white challenge. I think my goal to only refashion existing garments and sew new ones is realistic except for the following necessities: 1) jeans for fit and durability 2) underwear for fit, comfort and durability 3: shoes! maybe this won't always be the case, for jeans and underwear, but right now that's where I'm at.

The Joan dress is coming along slowly but surely, I'm researching facings and seam finishes to get it right. I'm really excited to see how it turns out.

THE BLACK AND WHITE CHALLENGE

Because one sewing challenge at a time is not enough, I have collaborated with some lovely ladies to make our own group challenge. Diane of Vintage Zest, Kristin of Sew Classic, Sabrina at Sweet French Toast, Tiffany at Tiffany's notions and knits and Victoria at Very Blissful are the other members, it's open to other novice sewists upon invitation so just comment if you are interested in joining. I can't wait to see everyone's projects through the stages. I love that this kind of group encourages exploration in something you wouldn't necessarily have thought of doing. For our first challenge we have picked 'Black and White'. When I think of 'black and white' as a fashion concept I see Gwen Stefani, Minnie Mouse, stripes, polka dots, sailors (yet that would probably be more navy and white) the list goes on....

I'm pretty sure I want to go for a crepe blouse, to cover my versatile blouse gap in my wardrobe. I will be buying the fabric online as I don't see myself having the time or energy to go into Manhattan with baby Zeke in time to complete the project for the challenge deadline (end of April). I'm thinking fabric.com as its the most affordable but it still scares me to order without feeling the weight of the fabric. I could buy a swatch but not all the fabrics I'm looking at have that option. Plus I can't find answers to the following questions- what weight is crepe suiting? Is this the same as crepe shirting? and is off-white verrrrrry noticeably not white at all or just a little faded/vintage white looking?