Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Told ya I sewed -or- Vogue 8553 pattern review
I really *do* know how to sew. And to prove it, I revved up the machine and took it for a short little drive this weekend.
The end result is a little something I like to call a knit dress (Vogue 8553. )
The end result is a little something I like to call a knit dress (Vogue 8553. )
The pattern was only available in the 14-20 range and I typically begin with a 12. Having tried twice previously to purchase the pattern, and twice finding it sold out completely, I took the 14 home with me. Well, I didn't actually *take* it home...I paid for it :-) A bit of altering and the pattern was now a 12.
The dress itself, while a bit time consuming, is easy to construct. The neck and front band facings are hand stitched in place...that's the time consuming part. Normally I would have set the dress aside with the plan of completing the hand stitching another day. However, I know I'm predisposed to never finishing those projects so I forced myself to do the hand stitching before I even tried the dress on.
You don't notice this on my dress or on the pattern drawing, but the fullness of the skirt is controlled with pleats. Four in the front and four in the back.
The fabric is a super soft and super stretchy knit - and I'm not sure if it is rayon lycra or cotton lycra. I'm guessing rayon lycra. The hand it great, but it is a bit hard to predict when sewing with it as it wants to grow.
The dress itself, while a bit time consuming, is easy to construct. The neck and front band facings are hand stitched in place...that's the time consuming part. Normally I would have set the dress aside with the plan of completing the hand stitching another day. However, I know I'm predisposed to never finishing those projects so I forced myself to do the hand stitching before I even tried the dress on.
You don't notice this on my dress or on the pattern drawing, but the fullness of the skirt is controlled with pleats. Four in the front and four in the back.
The fabric is a super soft and super stretchy knit - and I'm not sure if it is rayon lycra or cotton lycra. I'm guessing rayon lycra. The hand it great, but it is a bit hard to predict when sewing with it as it wants to grow.
- The waistline needed to be taken in 1" on each side after the dress was completed. It actually could be taken in more to get the close-fit (as described on the pattern envelope) but it will be worn with the sash which will take care of the bagginess at the waist.
- The sash is incredilby long. It streches and stretches and stretches when it's tied (again, thank you super soft super stretchy knit fabric) so it will need to be make shorter.
Friday, May 22, 2009
2009 RetroRama Ladies
This year's Polaroid souvenir photo. More photos to follow, including the fashions from the fashion show.
Pin It
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Why I do declare...there appears to be sewing going on in there
Yeppers. Vogue 1109 is underway. Granted it's taken me almost two weeks to get this far but at least something is happening in the sewing studio. Woo-hoo!
And y'all are the best! Thanks for all of your input on my last post regarding the appropriate fur for the 60s era dress. I learned that the mink stole is best saved for a fabulous fifties suit. Pin It
And y'all are the best! Thanks for all of your input on my last post regarding the appropriate fur for the 60s era dress. I learned that the mink stole is best saved for a fabulous fifties suit. Pin It
Monday, May 18, 2009
RetroRama vintage wear or does this mink go with black
I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but I do not have time to sew anything retro-inspired to wear to this year's RetroRama event.
But fortunately in my closet I have a darling vintage 60s (I think) cocktail dress that is almost a perfect fit. A few tucks at the waistline will give it that more fitted 60s silhouette.
And look at the bow detail. Isn't that sweet?
Now, I also have in my possession a few fur stoles that belonged to my grandmother.
Can any of you tell me how in the world this piece is supposed to be worn? I couldn't find any photos of her wearing it, nor do I recall ever seeing her wear it.
Does it wrap around one's neck? That seems a bit goofy.
If so, what are the plastic chains on the inside of it for? I looks like they are some type of closure, but I have no idea how to work them. Can any of you tell me how it should be worn? And would it have been true to the age of the dress?
I could always don this piece. But would it be true to the era to wear something like this over a three-quarter length sleeve?
Side note: I know some of you may have very strong feelings about the wearing of fur. Please be respectful of my views also. Not only are these sentimental pieces that bring back memories of my beloved grandmother, but honestly, these animals died long before I was born.
Pin It
But fortunately in my closet I have a darling vintage 60s (I think) cocktail dress that is almost a perfect fit. A few tucks at the waistline will give it that more fitted 60s silhouette.
And look at the bow detail. Isn't that sweet?
Now, I also have in my possession a few fur stoles that belonged to my grandmother.Can any of you tell me how in the world this piece is supposed to be worn? I couldn't find any photos of her wearing it, nor do I recall ever seeing her wear it.
Does it wrap around one's neck? That seems a bit goofy.
If so, what are the plastic chains on the inside of it for? I looks like they are some type of closure, but I have no idea how to work them. Can any of you tell me how it should be worn? And would it have been true to the age of the dress?
I could always don this piece. But would it be true to the era to wear something like this over a three-quarter length sleeve?
Side note: I know some of you may have very strong feelings about the wearing of fur. Please be respectful of my views also. Not only are these sentimental pieces that bring back memories of my beloved grandmother, but honestly, these animals died long before I was born.
Pin It
Saturday, May 16, 2009
RetroRama! Fashion Comes Full Circle
RetroRama returns May 21---this Thursday. The girls and I will be there once again decked out in our vintage finery. I will not be wearing my adorable Scottie dog dress (complete with pink pom-poms) as I have not had time to resew it to fit my smaller size.
Tomorrow I'll share my planned outfit with you so you can give me your feedback.
This year's event promises to be another fun-filled evening with tips for "old-school" entertaining, drink demonstrations, mid-century trivia, and of course my favorite---the fashion show.
This year the designer's focus expands from the 1950s to include inspiration taken from the 1920s through the 1960s.
Here's a sneak peek from one of the designers, Max Lohrbach. It was inspired by the glamour of 1920s travel.
The five designers are Calpurnia Peach, Ivan Idland, Max Lohrbach, Princess Warrior, and Sarah Holm. With such a wide range of eras to draw inspiration from, it should be quite an interesting fashion show.
And I still think they should invite us amateurs to design an outfit inspired by their collection. Perhaps its because I lack an interesting name like the designers above...
So ladies (and gents), will I see you Thursday? Pin It
Tomorrow I'll share my planned outfit with you so you can give me your feedback.
This year's event promises to be another fun-filled evening with tips for "old-school" entertaining, drink demonstrations, mid-century trivia, and of course my favorite---the fashion show.
This year the designer's focus expands from the 1950s to include inspiration taken from the 1920s through the 1960s.
Here's a sneak peek from one of the designers, Max Lohrbach. It was inspired by the glamour of 1920s travel.
The five designers are Calpurnia Peach, Ivan Idland, Max Lohrbach, Princess Warrior, and Sarah Holm. With such a wide range of eras to draw inspiration from, it should be quite an interesting fashion show.And I still think they should invite us amateurs to design an outfit inspired by their collection. Perhaps its because I lack an interesting name like the designers above...
So ladies (and gents), will I see you Thursday? Pin It
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Stop the world---I want to sew
Life is passing by so quickly with too much to do and not enough time to do it in.
My neglected sewing studio, with its cutting table piled high with fabrics and patterns, taunts me every time I walk by.
"Look at us!" they cry out. "We're here! Waiting patiently for you to cut and pin and stitch us into something wonderful. How much longer must we wait?"'
To which I have no answer.
Pin It
My neglected sewing studio, with its cutting table piled high with fabrics and patterns, taunts me every time I walk by.
"Look at us!" they cry out. "We're here! Waiting patiently for you to cut and pin and stitch us into something wonderful. How much longer must we wait?"'
To which I have no answer.
Pin It
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Deja vu at the thrift store
There I was carrying on a conversation with my daughter as I half-heartedly looked through the vintage/retro section of my fave thrift store.
The stop at the store was to look for a hat for an upcoming spring tea, and - if at all possible - accessories for my 60s era dress that will be worn to this year's RetroRama.
My daughter and I giggled as I pulled items out of the crowded clothes rack so we could guess at their approximate era. Bright purple satin jumpsuit? Late 1970s disco. Brown polyester shirt with white topstitch trim? 1970s. Black dress with gigantic sleeves in a contrasting color? Mid 1980s.
Suddenly I spied a brown crushed velvet dress with sequin trim at the vee-neckline. While my daughter exclaimed "Ugh! is that ever ugly. It must be a hippie dress from the 1960s!", I began laughing.
You see, two weeks ago I had donated that exact dress to a local non-charity organization. I knew it was mine because 1) it was sewn 2) it was unhemmed and 3) it's documented on my sewing blog. I can assure you that dress did not cost me $14.95 to create...which was it's price tag.
And no, it was not a hippie dress from the 1960s. It was my almost finished Butterick 4948 dress. Nice to know they thought it was worth $14.95. Pin It
The stop at the store was to look for a hat for an upcoming spring tea, and - if at all possible - accessories for my 60s era dress that will be worn to this year's RetroRama.
My daughter and I giggled as I pulled items out of the crowded clothes rack so we could guess at their approximate era. Bright purple satin jumpsuit? Late 1970s disco. Brown polyester shirt with white topstitch trim? 1970s. Black dress with gigantic sleeves in a contrasting color? Mid 1980s.
Suddenly I spied a brown crushed velvet dress with sequin trim at the vee-neckline. While my daughter exclaimed "Ugh! is that ever ugly. It must be a hippie dress from the 1960s!", I began laughing.
You see, two weeks ago I had donated that exact dress to a local non-charity organization. I knew it was mine because 1) it was sewn 2) it was unhemmed and 3) it's documented on my sewing blog. I can assure you that dress did not cost me $14.95 to create...which was it's price tag.
And no, it was not a hippie dress from the 1960s. It was my almost finished Butterick 4948 dress. Nice to know they thought it was worth $14.95. Pin It
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Got Lillians?
If you're wondering "what the heck is Lillians?" then obviously your answer is no. If your answer is yes, then you already know what a great little shop it is.
Only open four days a month it's filled with trendy purses and accessories at reasonable prices.
Yesterday, I ran in during my lunch break to find a black purse and couldn't resist the purple and multi-colored one.
What can I say? I heart Lillians. Pin It
Only open four days a month it's filled with trendy purses and accessories at reasonable prices.
Yesterday, I ran in during my lunch break to find a black purse and couldn't resist the purple and multi-colored one.
What can I say? I heart Lillians. Pin It
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Do you blog or tweet at work?
I don't mean do you post to your personal blog or send out personal tweets while you're supposed to be working. Although now that I think about it I have to admit I'm a bit curious if you do.
What I really meant to ask is whether or not your company is using social media as a communication tool. You know---blogs, Twitter, podcasts, social networks, message boards, things of that nature.
Why am I asking?
Well, I attended an outstanding social media communication conference yesterday. The conference speaker was highly entertaining, provided loads of tips (and I already knew the tip about removing your cordless mic before using the restroom thanks to a senior marketing VP I worked for years ago...if you really want the story email me privately *LOL*) and presented actual case studies of companies successfully using social media. and they weren't the type of companies you'd expect...unless you were expecting the IRS and other government agencies.
I really wanted to share a link with you of a health care agency that is using social media as a recruitment tool...it will seriously make you cry (in a good emotional way, not in a oh-my-gosh-that's-so-terrible-I-can't-believe-someone-thought-it-was-good-enough-to-post way) but shoot, I can't find the website. I'll post it another day. You seriously want to see this.
I left jazzed about all the possibilities these tools offer to reach and engage my company's audiences. But then I realized it will take time and well thought out proposal before these tools might be considered.
Which leads me back to my question. Is your company using social media to communicate either internally or externally? If so, what are they doing?
By the way, the speaker was Steve Crescenzo owner of Crescenzo Communicaitons. If you ever have a chance to attend one of his seminars don't hesitate to sign up. You'll be exposed to way more than your brain can absorb in one sitting yet you'll wish he could keep on speaking. Plus you never know what interesting tip he might share with you. Pin It
What I really meant to ask is whether or not your company is using social media as a communication tool. You know---blogs, Twitter, podcasts, social networks, message boards, things of that nature.
Why am I asking?
Well, I attended an outstanding social media communication conference yesterday. The conference speaker was highly entertaining, provided loads of tips (and I already knew the tip about removing your cordless mic before using the restroom thanks to a senior marketing VP I worked for years ago...if you really want the story email me privately *LOL*) and presented actual case studies of companies successfully using social media. and they weren't the type of companies you'd expect...unless you were expecting the IRS and other government agencies.
I really wanted to share a link with you of a health care agency that is using social media as a recruitment tool...it will seriously make you cry (in a good emotional way, not in a oh-my-gosh-that's-so-terrible-I-can't-believe-someone-thought-it-was-good-enough-to-post way) but shoot, I can't find the website. I'll post it another day. You seriously want to see this.
I left jazzed about all the possibilities these tools offer to reach and engage my company's audiences. But then I realized it will take time and well thought out proposal before these tools might be considered.
Which leads me back to my question. Is your company using social media to communicate either internally or externally? If so, what are they doing?
By the way, the speaker was Steve Crescenzo owner of Crescenzo Communicaitons. If you ever have a chance to attend one of his seminars don't hesitate to sign up. You'll be exposed to way more than your brain can absorb in one sitting yet you'll wish he could keep on speaking. Plus you never know what interesting tip he might share with you. Pin It
Saturday, May 02, 2009
The navy-blue-pink-polka-dot-shoe dress
Okay! Okay! Here's a photo of the dress I sewed so I would have something to wear with my navy blue pink polka dot shoes.
In the future I'll know better than to think I can get away with no photos of the actual garment *LOL*.
You decide for yourself, but after seeing the photos I agree with my husband's opinion. As you may recall, he pointed out that without a belt the dress is shapeless. (Extremely comfy, I might add, but shapeless.) Unless I plan on constantly posing in a contorted model stance whenever I wear the dress, I'll be adding a belt.
And in an effort to find other items of clothing to coordinate with the shoes, I purchased a navy blue/pink stripe knit from Gorgeous Fabrics. It arrived yesterday (thankfully all in one piece as the bottom of the box had been slit open. Guess someone wasn't interested in fabric - whew!). Stay tuned as this latest purchase is destined to become some type of knit top. Pin It
In the future I'll know better than to think I can get away with no photos of the actual garment *LOL*.
You decide for yourself, but after seeing the photos I agree with my husband's opinion. As you may recall, he pointed out that without a belt the dress is shapeless. (Extremely comfy, I might add, but shapeless.) Unless I plan on constantly posing in a contorted model stance whenever I wear the dress, I'll be adding a belt.
And in an effort to find other items of clothing to coordinate with the shoes, I purchased a navy blue/pink stripe knit from Gorgeous Fabrics. It arrived yesterday (thankfully all in one piece as the bottom of the box had been slit open. Guess someone wasn't interested in fabric - whew!). Stay tuned as this latest purchase is destined to become some type of knit top. Pin It
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