The Me-Madeness of it All!

I know I've given you no proof of this but I participated in Me-Made-May.

I actually wore at least one me-made item of clothing every day, but I didn't really plan it. It just happened. Looking at my closet today, I fully see why it was possible. I finally have enough clothes, at least for this season's warmer weather. When I open the closet door, right off the bat, I can see that at least 50% of the contents in immediate view were made by me.

A quick inventory of items worn in May:

Tops:

• 1 mustard asymmetrical knit top - Burdastyle
• 1 multi-colored long sleeve twist top - Butterick 5429
• 1 black knit boatneck tee - New Look 6838
• 1 red, black, and white long sleeve knit boatneck top - New Look 6838
• 1 blue patterned long-sleeved cotton Scout - Grainline #31002
• 1 neutral cotton print Scout - Grainline #31002
• 1 red brushed twill Scout - Grainline #31002
• 1 floral gathered sleeve cotton top - Simplicity 3835/Vogue 8392 combo
• 1 neutral twill cap-sleeve top - McCall's 4632

Skirts:

• 1 black corduroy skirt - Sew U
• 1 grey wool suiting skirt - Sew U
• 1 blue denim wrap skirt - Simplicity 8126  (weekends only)
• 1 gray cotton gathered skirt - Pattern Runway
• 2 slips, pink and blue

Dresses:

• 1 belted brown cotton dress - Simplicity 2406
• 1 green linen shift dress - New Look 6939
• 1 off-white shift dress - Burdastyle
• 1 autumn floral belted dress - Simplicity 5190

Pants:

• None. Zilch. Nada. (need to remedy that)

As you can see, it was basically all upper body participation, pairing me-made tops with ready-to-wear bottoms. I did get it done though. It counts.

Now on to make more items...

French Cottage Blouse - Grainline Scout #31002

Pattern: Grainline Studio Scout Woven Tee #31002, c. 2011

Pattern Description: Woven t-shirt with capped sleeves, scoop neck, and a loose shape below the bust.

Pattern Sizing: (0-18) I cut the neck and shoulders to underarm area in size 8, rest in size 10.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing it? Yes, with modifications.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, very much.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the adaptability of this pattern. I can see creating different versions easily by changing fit, altering pattern details, and using different fabric weights and types.

Fabric Used: Denyse Schmidt Posie print in turquoise from the original "Flea Market Fancy" collection for Free Spirit, purchased in 2006. This is a smooth and soft quilting cotton.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: I made the top a size smaller this time and extended the sleeve pattern to bracelet length, without any tapering, because I wanted enough at the bottom to either band or gather.

  

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes, I will make this again. It's a very versatile and flattering pattern. Again the delicate 1/4" binding and hems bring a lot to the looks of this finished garment.

Conclusion: I wanted to make this top/blouse after seeing this free blouse pattern in the French magazine Advantages. Unfortunately, the sleeves of that pattern were extremely narrow and constricting. When I saw Shivani's Scout variations and then this yellow top above from Ruche, I knew I had to make my own using this pattern and this beloved cotton print that was just gathering dust in my stash.

Images: Advantages magazine, Pins & Needles blog, and Ruche. All other images are my own.

The Professional Skirt - Built By Wendy (Sew U)

Pattern Description: A-line skirt with contoured waist from the Sew U book (2006) by Wendy Mullins (of Built By Wendy). Pattern was included in book.

Pattern Sizing: XS-L, I made the Large (fits sizes 10 & 12).

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, it did look like the drawing in the book.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, and extremely easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I like that the pattern fit me without any adjustments.

 
Fabric Used: Brown 60" wide 100% wool plaid and blue-grey lining material acquired at the VA/DC/MD swap (originally from G Street Fabrics), and a 7" Robin zipper in Charcoal from my mother's stash. Result = this entire skirt was FREE.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: This is my third make from this pattern. Since I made the first one in 2009, I had gone up a size and needed to increase the width so I used the large. At the same time I decided to transfer the pattern to butcher paper and flip the piece over so that in the future I could eliminate cutting on the fold and use it to cut the skirt in stripes and directional prints as a single layer.

When I sewed the skirt together it was too big at the waist so instead of the instructed 1/2" seams I sewed them at 5/8". I don't know what it is with this pattern (or my body?) but it always throws me a curve ball.

An earlier version of the skirt was underlined but I decided to fully line this one, stitching the lining and skirt separately, attaching it at the waistband, and pinking all the seams. You can see in the pictures that the darts are sticking out, I think the wool stretched out a bit. I will steam them and stitch them deeper if needed. However, there is no rush since this is a winter skirt and it is May.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes! It has proven itself as my TNT A-line skirt pattern.The location and size of the darts fit my shape perfectly.

Conclusion: This is a purely work version. Because I machine washed it (on purpose!*)  the weave of the wool is even more delicate; therefore, it will have to be treated more gently than I do my other clothes.

* It's just more practical with my lifestyle. Otherwise, it would never get dry cleaned. Seriously.

Images: my own photos

In The Details: Doll Clothes, Can You Believe It?

Okay, I have never purchased a pattern for a fashion doll but if I had been aware of these when I was growing up I might have been tempted. So stylish and so on-the-money. If they had been made for human women they would have been best sellers, for sure.

  

Vogue 7554 and Vogue 729

Which pattern looks more interesting, stylish, and classy?

Guess what? They are the same pattern. Now I know it's for doll clothes and V729 does show you what the outfits will really look like. However, V7554 is more cool and aspirational by using illustration. My choice would have been easy! What's really impressive is that the finished outfits actually look pretty good for miniature sewing. The black and white jumpsuit just needed a more flowing fabric, right?

  

Did anyone out there have these? Please let me know how they worked, especially that lingerie one. Can you even imagine making something that detailed and that small? I can see some real pulling-out-your-hair- frustration while constructing that itsy-bitsy garter belt!

If you notice, even Vogue has never produced a lingerie pattern for humans that elaborate since I've been checking them out, let alone one for dolls.

Images from Patterns of History

The Met 2013 Punk: Chaos to Couture Gala - Part II

Here are more great examples from the 2013 Metropolitan Museum PUNK gala worn by people you may not already know but who are...in one word, FABULOUS!

I am beginning with my nominee for Queen of the 2013 Punk: Chaos to Couture gala, fashion executive Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman's. She's wearing a custom latex Baroness gown and the silver hair is natural but not the barbed wire that's twisted into it. Pretty hard core, right? Check out the back of the dress below!

You see what I mean? Bow down NOW.





   

With Ken Downing from Neiman Marcus, who could easilly win the title of Goth King*, right?

     

Cara Delevingne in Burberry



Model Lily Cole in Vivienne Westwood



Constance Jablonski in Wes Gordon

Alexa Chung in Erdem



Giovanna Battaglia in Dolce & Gabbana

Yup. Giant gold safety pins. luv it



*Here, he looks like a cross between David Bowie, Peter Murphy, and Martin Fry from ABC. He doesn't normally look like that!

Images: Ibtimes.com, stylesnooperdan.com, dailymail.co.uk, vogue.com, afashionalbeparadise.woodpress.com, runwaytostyle.blogspot.com, Elbows & Knees, DFR: Daily Fashion Report (a truly awesome fashion site!)