New Wardrobe Challenge: Part One

Let me be upfront with something as I begin this post and since this blog is still in its infancy. I am no style maven. I know- this is a shocking thing to grasp. I’m sure you have been thinking to yourself “Jeez, that Amanda must be so hip and stylish after two outfits that have kind of been seen in a handful of grainy phone photos”. I shall give you a paragraph break and a picture of a marshmallow pie I made to regain composure after this dreadful news of the style vortex that is my wardrobe…

And we’re back.

The reason I felt you needed to know such news is that I am trying to reform my image. Mid 2011 I started working at a museum and it was quite the eye opener after years as a high school teacher. I’m now surrounded by fashionistas rocking well put together, edgy outfits with quirky accessories they got on their last trip to New York. My poor old comfortable separates from Kmart just aren’t making the grade. So in 2012 I am making an effort to start sewing myself a new wardrobe and bring some epic handmade glory to the office.

This brings us to The Peony. I found the most amazing 1950s reproduction cotton sateen last week on a fabric foray and had to have it. I have had an earlier attempt at the Peony that just didn’t work out at all (between us- it was a hot mess) but I was committed to making a muslin and trying again from scratch. And what a success! Here Peony is.

What I loved about this pattern:

• Easy to follow instructions
• Cute boat neck. I totally feel like I am in a 50s movie!
• Quick to make
• The zip is totally invisible (yay me!)
• The world’s cutest pocket linings. This is the first time I have made pockets out of contrasting fabric and they make me SO happy!

Things I would change for next time:

• Placement of the vertical darts on the bust. These are perilously close to looking “awkward”.
• Using two buttons on the belt instead of one for a better fit and look
• Playing around with the ruching on the cummerbund. It looks a little bulky where the front and back joins. Has anyone had any success with the Peony cummerbund? Are there some tips or tricks I need to follow?

Overall, I’m very happy with the first addition to my work wardrobe. Look out fashionistas- one day a week I’m going to be rocking it with you!

A Preview

A quick looksee at what I am working on at the moment.

One project almost finished and another about to be begun. I’d like to point out that I am currently on holidays and am hopped up on caffeine so am doing waaay more than I would normally…

Wishing y’all a 2012 filled with laughter, love and cake. Because let’s be honest. Cake is definitely one of the most epic things in life!

And because I'm a bit of a crazy dog lady, here is a picture of The Tiny Ladies aka our dogs.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah

It’s time for me to get honest and share my shame…

Until one month ago I had no idea how to put a zip in properly.

I know. It’s simply scandalous. But I’m hoping, dear readers, that you are not clicking away in horror. Let me take you on a journey.

I have been dabbling in the world of sewing off and on for many years. This experience has always been to make simple A-line skirts, with two darts at the front and back, no waistband and a zip. ‘A zip!’ I hear you say. Yes, a zip. The challenge has been that I am completely self-taught in sewing but more in a devil-may-care derring-do way then a read a manual or youtube sense. So, for years I have been putting zips in using a regular foot, ironing, pinning and a lot of patience. And for some reason things never just looked right. Please see example below: “invisible” zip from early this year.

And then something magical happened: I purchased my first ever sewing book (This little treasure: http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/colette-sewing-handbook) and sat down and read it cover to cover as soon as it arrived. One thing that caught my eye was the invisible zip tutorial and the crazy looking zipper foot shown. What were these miraculous items that allowed the zip to smoothly slide under the foot without continual pinning and prodding? Was it magic? No- it was an invisible zipper foot that apparently had been around for an age. Oops. Maybe I should have gotten onto this research this bandwagon earlier.

The next day I was the proud owner of a zipper foot and have become a wee bit obsessed with sewing zips. And so, gentle readers; here is my latest attempt at a zip. I’m so feeling like a proud mama. Champagne for all!

Now over to you: what hot tips do you have for installing zips? I'm hungry for more knowledge!

Spots and Ruby Slippers

Polka dots always make clothing lovely...

Sweet Summer Sundress

Colette makes the most wonderful dresses and this Parfait pattern is just too cute for words. So cute in fact that I was wooed into spending my boxing day sewing and sipping French 75 cocktails...

This is my second attempt at Parfait with my first being a wearable muslin back in April. I'll be honest- I get distracted pretty easily so the delay was no real surprise. My original version is in a hot pink twill with yellow buttons which I may put a post up about soon. I found an epic vintage inspired floral pattern for cheap recently and knew this would make a fantastic sundress! The cute as a button blue bow headband that had just arrived from Etsy worked to get me inspired to make this straight away rather than add it to the growing pile of future projects. You can see some of the headband in the photo below.

It took me a large chunk of Boxing Day evening and some of the 27th to get this finished and I am rather happy with the end result. Please excuse the dodgy camera shot- I'm giving this blog thing a try and am too embarrassed to ask the other half to take photos at this point. I love how tailored in the dress is- a boon for a curvy lady like myself.

2012 is shaping up to be my year of epic domestic goddess-ing where I aim to learn some fancy sewing skills, baking skills and being a lady skills. I'm looking forward to the inevitable hi-jinx that will ensue!