Polka dots make me happy! And so does my little guy, 'Tino!
This paperbag waist skirt is the second project I managed to squeeze out of my green and white polka dot cotton (using Simplicity 2413).
The majority of the yardage was used for this Vintage Vogue reproduction, which is
currently living on my sewing room wall, along with this dress.
No more room in the closet? – no problem! Time to use my crinolined frocks as wall
decorations. This saves a good 18-20" of closet space!
In fact, I had a few small pieces left after finishing the skirt which worked
beautifully for the bodice lining of a dress I recently finished (pictures to
come). That is a record for me. How many projects have you managed to get out of one length of fabric? And how small does a scrap have to be to get thrown in the trash bag? I will admit, I find cottons easier to trash than silks, velvets, and jacquards.
So, it would seem that (along with the color pink) I am
obsessed with polka dots. Or perhaps it is just that I cannot stand to let any fabric go to waste!
Skirt: Made by me,
Simplicity 2413
Sweater: Rampage
Shoes: Miz Mooz
“Lacey” in Blue
Necklace: Made by me
Bracelet: Made by me
Dress: Made by me, Vogue 1094
Necklace: Banana Republic
Shoes: Seychelles "Baby Doll"
Tino's Sweater & Collar/Tie: Made by me
I love squeezing an unplanned extra project out of a piece of fabric. It feels like a "freebie", even though you've already paid for it. :)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't think there are much of any scraps so small you need to throw them out. I have a bag of scraps too small to make anything with, but I save them for stuffing things like pressing tools, pin cushions or toys. Maybe the fact that I can save small scraps, and even the smallest ones, a sign that I don't sew the extraordinary amounts that some people do, though?
I quilt, so I keep pretty much every scrap. Love your blue shoes!
ReplyDeleteYou both look positively darling! So verdantly beautiful and sweet.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a terrific Tuesday,
♥ Jessica
I just LOVE all of this! It is so wonderful and adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI have a terrible time throwing out scraps as well. Lately, I have been cutting them into squares that are about 7" wide, serging the edges, and using them as cleaning rags. Anything to not have to throw them out immediately, lol. And I love love love this polka dot outfit! :]
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!!! Love the idea of hanging it on the wall too! And Tino...OMG. so cute!!
ReplyDeleteI have a Yorkie - on the small size - and he sits on my knee as I sew!!
ReplyDeleteLovely dresses as well!
That is too cute!
DeleteTino has tried sitting on my lap in the sewing room a couple of times, but he gets frustrated every time I get up to iron or pin something. He does like to lay on the floor like a sphinx and watch, though.
This looks like something you might enjoy:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/create.php
Hello there I am loving following your blog, and really appreciate the lovely finish and attention to detail you apply to all your garments. I am also just wondering when you purchase the vintage vogue patterns, do you find yourself going down a size from the size you would purchase if following the size/measurement guide on the pattern flap?
ReplyDeleteRegards
Averil NZ
Hello there I am loving following your blog, and really appreciate the lovely finish and attention to detail you apply to all your garments. I am also just wondering when you purchase the vintage vogue patterns, do you find yourself going down a size from the size you would purchase if following the size/measurement guide on the pattern flap?
ReplyDeleteRegards
Averil NZ
I generally use a size 12 in Vogue patterns. If the skirt is super fitted, I may need to go up a size, depending on the pattern pieces. My upper bust measurement is 34, which is a proper size 12 according to the size chart. For vintage styles, especially, I do not like to have extra ease, so even though my bust, waist, and hip measures more like a size 14, I use the size 12 almost always.
DeleteI would suggest using your upper bust measurement as a guide to choosing your size. This will generally give a proper fit through the shoulders which can be a bear to fiddle with - adding or subtracting from the waist and hip areas is easy in comparison (at least, I think so!).
The other issue is that some patterns have more ease built in than others – it is hard to tell without looking at the pattern tissue. I really wish that finished measurements like waist and hip circumference were given on the back of the pattern envelope along with yardage info, but the Big 4 pattern companies do not do this, unfortunately. They do, generally, have more than one size included in a pattern envelope, which can be helpful.
Even some vintage patterns I have used have had 3 or 4 extra inches of ease which was quite unexpected. I would say there is no real way to know until you measure the actual pattern tissue.
Hope that helps!
Thankyou so much! Your measurements are the same as mine, so all the info you have provided is especially helpful. I agree it would be wonderful if the finished measurements were displayed on the pattern envelope.
DeleteI was also wondering if you would mind letting me know where you were able to tell me where you purchased the pattern for your Ceil Chapman dress? The job you did with both the dress and skirt just blew me away, beautiful!
I had a little cat that was very scared of most noises, but would sit on the table of my industrial machine, right behind the machine itself and watch the goings on! Great company.
No problem, Averil! I purchased a reproduction of the Spadea pattern at http://vintagefashionlibrary.com - not sure if it is still available, although it is a repro, so perhaps they can print more if you ask?
DeleteGood luck!
P.S. I can't believe a cat would sit anywhere near an industrial - the ones I used were super noisy and produced vibrations (maybe that is what the cat liked?!)
Ha ha weird huh? He was terrified of almost all other noises too, perhaps you are right about the vibrations!
ReplyDeleteThankyou so much for all the info, will look forward to seeing more of your creations,
Averil