Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Refashioned Burberry Skirt

Note the very cool pocket and n-zip side entry to this burberry skirt
This was an ankle length pleated skirt I picked up in a high end second hand clothes store that had some moth holes in it. I should have taken before pictures but I basically cut out two bands around the middle of the skirt, cut out the sections with moth holes, rejoined the bands and then gathered them and reattached to the bottom of skirt. I sewed down the pleats to make attaching the gathers easier. I was most impressed by the very cool side zip hidden in front pocket - and made sure I kept the Burberry label and buttons on the skirt.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Vogue 1120 blue china silk dress

This dress was over a year in the making. Any anything that could go wrong with it did. I think I did everything except the hem at least twice! The issue was more with my choice of fabric - a lovely china silk, but I kept forgetting which side I was planning to use as the front and pleated the wrong way (or thought I had pleated the wrong way, unpicked, redid and then realised it was right the first time....) I had a choice of shiny background and matt flowers, or shiny flowers and matt background.
This was the first time I had attempted pleats, and that and the raglan sleep meant it was too hard (and I was over it) to make any fitting adjustments round the neck. I was glad I followed the pattern review suggestions and left out the back neck opening.
I moved the ties up to be more of an empire line to suit me better.

Friday, January 11, 2013

First Cowl Neckline Kwiksew

I like the cowl neckline of this top, but it could have done with some bust darts. Have also discovered that the material isn't colour fast which isn't that great. I think I bought three meters of this, so will have enough to make a dress as well!

Friday, January 4, 2013

Starry Cushion

In a moment of blog inspiration, I said to son J that if he drew me a picture I would make it for him on a cushion. So I got lovely picture with four stars with faces drawn on them. I hand embroidered the stars.
Quite a few months later, here is my interpretation..

Inspiring Vintage Woollen Dress at Te Papa

Te Papa Museum Dresses Loved this dress on exhibition at Te Papa at the moment. Beautifully cut and fitted, made in 1958. i think the exhibition has closed and they are showing uniforms now.