All I can think about is things I'm dying to make:
1) Lounge-wear
I can't stand wearing normal clothes around the house as they're sooo uncomfortable and I'm very anti-brassiere. Unfortunately I refuse to pay $100 for a decent pair of trackpants (the only ones that are long enough for me are outrageously expensive and I'm not at all interested in making boring items of clothing). Consequently I tend to wear Michael's old t-shirts (all in colours that are heinous on me eg royal blue) and my old faded and stained trackpants.
So I've decided that I need to find some self respect and make something comfortable yet glamorous in the vein of the gorgeous Hannah of Hannah and Landon. I'm thinking quasi nightgown dresses (similar to Hannah's below) made of vintage white lace with over-sized vintage cardigans and cable knit socks (all of which are also wearable outside the house).
2) Undies
I never, ever, ever thought I'd be inspired to make underwear. Then I saw the new Lonely Hearts lingerie collection. AND I'd like to make a vintage style high-waisted bikini for next summer, so I think underwear would be good practice!
I never, ever, ever thought I'd be inspired to make underwear. Then I saw the new Lonely Hearts lingerie collection. AND I'd like to make a vintage style high-waisted bikini for next summer, so I think underwear would be good practice!
3) This top
I can't tell how it works... it seems the bow at the front might be adjustable??? And it's not attached at the front so you can tuck the top in or leave it out???? No idea. But I must have it! If anyone has any ideas regarding the construction, I'd love to hear from you!
4) Refashioned furniture
I appropriated a vintage telephone table and a cool vintage chair from the roadside garbage collection today (much to Michael's displeasure) and I'm going to tart them up! I've also decided that my utter lack of house decoration shows total lack of self respect so I need to make more of an effort. I will post pictures as soon as they're done!
5) Something along the lines of this dress
Someone gave me this pattern and I immensely adore this dress! Especially with the furry hat and the little gloves! However I have the following issues:
1) In order for it to be as "turgid" as in the picture it needs to be made out of a fairly thick wool fabric. However, if it's cold enough to wear fairly thick wool, I'm going to be freezing without any sleeves!
2) My arms are certainly not my best feature and I'm not sure if I want them on full display
3) The fabric that I had intended for it (charcoal wool with chocolate brown flocked hearts!!!) will not show off the lovely top-stitching.
It is indeed a predicament!
6) Something involving faggoting
I've never faggoted before, but there's a good tutorial on the Colette Patterns website, so I'm keen to give it a go.
I've never faggoted before, but there's a good tutorial on the Colette Patterns website, so I'm keen to give it a go.
I'll try to wean myself off downloading stuff this week and do some sewing. I am having withdrawals!
Re the bow. I am 95% certain that the bow is not an integral part of the t-shirt. There seems to be a band of fabric, sort of like a wide belt, attached to the lower part of the shirt, and the bow is attached to this band.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to learn how to do an integrated bow, you can find directions in the Japanese book Pattern Magic. I made a dress from these directions, and it came out nicely. http://couturedetails.blogspot.com/2009/07/big-bow.html.
Good luck with all of your sewing plans!
Don't you just love curbside pickups? I've picked up so much great stuff off of people's curbs, I highly recommend Dalkeith for the slow drive-by!!! Not sure when their next one is, but I'm looking out!
ReplyDeleteI love your vintage pattern. If its too cold to wear alone you can always wear it over a turtleneck...
I love all of these ideas. I've also been wanting to make some pretty underthings, but haven't gotten around to trying it yet. Someday! To me, it looks like the bow is made of two wide strips of fabric, either sewn into the side seams of the top, or sewn together at the back. Then the strips are pulled to the front (left free from the rest of the shirt) and fashioned into a bow. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteGreat to-do list!
ReplyDeleteThe darling 60's dress could also be made of a heavy specialty (textured?) cotton or sturdy linen, or, of course, a poly double-knit (ick, too retro). I think it is cuter and possibly easier to wear without the sleeves, but the sleeves are cute too (although they may put a horizontal line at the widest part of your arm). But also, the wool you have sounds really cute! I'm sure you'll solve your problem somehow!
I already have my project list for spring/summer collecting in my head and I'm jumping on it now that midterms are over. I would be tempted to make some lingerie, like 1920-ish slips, bras and tap shorts with all the little embroideries I've seen done on them, but I've sewed with light-weight charmeuse and silk satins before and it's so tedious. You have to be careful not to breath wrong or else they move. :D
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this entire wishlist. Especially the dress and the loungewear. Oversized cardigans and nifty little nightgowns sound like such a lovely idea. I might get myself some!
ReplyDeleteAbout question n°5, if i were you i'd make in wool and wear something underneath, something with really tights and flattering sleeves (long sleeved thermal shirt or a short and tight knit dress with 3/4 sleeves). It's what I always do with this type of dress
ReplyDeleteI love that 60s dress. Full length sleeves would solve the problem, non?
ReplyDeleteLovely dress pattern there - very like the dresses Joan character in 'Mad Men' wears. I found your blog while I was searching for that style and I find your projects very interesting. Haven't done any dressmaking myself yet but it's all inspiring stuff!
ReplyDeleteKnickers aren't too bad to make,it's bras I can't be arsed with!!
ReplyDeleteThat frock pattern is lovely.Cream top stitching on the chocolate brown fabric,perhaps??And maybe a little cap sleeve,if you are arm concious?
Thanks for visiting back.I'll be back a lot!:)
And glad you liked my green fishnets-I don't know how they ended up in my drawer,it must be destiny.
I can't wait to see all of these ideas come to life by your hands!
ReplyDeletexo
Cool, so many awesome projects! I look forward to seeing them done :) I love that bow top too.
ReplyDeleteI like your plans! The lingerie and loungewear is lovely. About the top though... I have to disagree with the other ladies reacting on it. I think the bow may be a separate decoration sewn onto those strips of fabric concealing a real closure. However, I think those wide curving bands it sits on are an integral part of the top's back. As a pattern, I think the back piece has these 'points' added to it which can wrap all the way around the front. The top may be completely open at the sides (which would make tucking in the front and adjusting the fit easier) or, for a bit more security/modesty, be stitched though all the layers at the side seam
ReplyDeletei think the bow at the front is probably like one of those faux-belts on valleygirl dresses, where the fabric starts in the side seam and the bow is two long strips that ties in the front. i got my wisdom teeth out a week ago and im still in pain in so bored!! i wish i had your sewing skills. if you made the dress like in the cartoon with little cap sleeves dont you think it would be okay for perth winter? it doesnt really get that cold.. as long as its not the crazy weather of today!!x
ReplyDeleteI love all your observations/plans. But what happened to studying? Is that just thrown out the window? Haha...just giving you a bad time. Do what you love!
ReplyDeleteThat little bow top really is gorgeous!
ReplyDeletewww.thewardrobediaries.com
I know, I was so depressed by the Skins finale!!! The first generation had a crappy ending (poor Chris) but but this was so much worse :(
ReplyDeleteThe Valentino pattern is gorgeous! I've made a few sleeveless winter dresses which really need to be worn over a long-sleeved shirt and tights. Only problem is that it's never cold enough in Brisbane to dress up in full winter regalia...
Hi, I too think the bow is a wrap on each side coming from the side seams... or it could be two parts in the centre back shaped to come down to wrap over in the centre front, with a snap on bow. Loving your style!
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to read your comments, but I have a suggestion for the vintage Vogue pattern - double knit. It holds its shape really well and isn't so freaking hot you want to die (unless you live here in St. Louis where it gets so hot you want to die). That way it's a little bendable when you're sitting, but as soon as you stand up it would forget all that and go back to standing out away from your body just the right amount. Good luck, I hope to see it here someday.
ReplyDeleteOh, and double-knit isn't always poly. You have to pay more, but it also comes in natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool and I think Bamboo?
Thanks for the faggoting link. I will have to try that out. Lovely lingerie, too. Too bad I'm a DD and can't wear such pretty, dainty things!
ReplyDeletehannah is a goddess. thanks for posting this fabulous photo of her.
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