1930s day dress...

I made a new 30s day dress last week, as well as a headpiece.

I self drafted the pattern based on this illustration...

 

...which I found on the www.  I used some vintage rayon from Etsy, and some black rayon from my favourite fabric store, Joys, in Geelong.  I used my basic dress block to create the pattern.  The dress has waist and bust darts in the front, and waist and shoulder darts in the back.  All of the edges, except the neck, have been finished using my overlocker's rolled hem - which seems to encourage movement in the flounces.  The neck is finished with bias binding.

The headpiece began as a plain, wide headband.  I hand sewed all the  ribbon flowers, and sewed them in place after sewing the veiling on.  I am really happy with the end result...but I quickly remembered why I don't wear headbands...because they are uncomfortable :-)

I love the dress, and think the complete outfit looks really great - I also received lots of compliments - so I guess it is a success.

The frilly jumper...

 

  I recently finished a vintage knit, using reclaimed pure angora from a jumper my mum made years ago.  The pattern is from "A Stitch in Time - volume 1" - a beautiful knitting book.

 

I also recently made some "vintage-y" trousers from Burda 4/2011 magazine...

 

The trousers were made using thrifted bright blue heavy linen fabric, which cost $6.00.  So this whole outfit is made using secondhand supplies - even the beads were thrifted.  Only my shoes were new, but marked down.  I think they look great together, this is the first time I will wear the sweater.

It just goes to show that secondhand/thrifted doesn't have to look that way!!!

Walk-away dress sew-along...

Even though I have made this dress before, I can't wait to join Edelweiss's sew-along.  I have never participated in a sew-along before.

 

This time I will use a heavier fabric, and will make the fitting adjustments...although I love the dress, I always thought mine was too blousy in the bodice.

I won a $500 sewing machine, and $100 voucher from "Spotlight" at the 2010 Melbourne International Fashion Festival because of this dress, so I have a very soft spot for it...

Twenty people in the audience at Federation Square - whose "style" the organisers liked - were picked out to walk the catwalk and explain their style.  One lady won the major prize $900 sewing machine, and the other 19 won the $500 machine...YAY!

I am so excited to make this dress again - maybe in a dressier fabric.

Mondrian inspired...

I have always loved Yves Saint Laurent's "Mondrian" dress, from 1967...

...and have wanted to make a dress in this style for some time.  Well, I did - last week.  Just in time to wear to an exhibition in Melbourne last Thursday.

I drafted the pattern myself, and it is a little different from the original...but similar enough that the ladies at the exhibition recognised it.  What a relief :-)

I needed to add tucks after completion because the "shift" silhouette was not very flattering.  But overall I am happy with it...after all I am no YSL!

Simplicity 3688...

I have just finished my third hand dyed silk version of this blouse...

I love the pattern - both fit and style - and it is so easy to put together.

Not a very good photo unfortunately.  Both of these blouses were eco-dyed using rose leaves and other foliage - scraps given to me by my local florist!

The blouse at the back is a cowl top based on a free pattern by Hot Patterns , the only modification was the omission of the ribbed band at the waist/hip line.  This blouse is a gift for my neighbour's 40th birthday.

The Simplicity blouse is for me.

"Shibori" meets "Stamping" meets "Sew and Go"...

Continuing my experiments with fabric dyeing I produced this dress.

Firstly I accordion folded and clamped the cream wool jersey, then dyed it using acid dye - red and yellow mixed to make orange.  After washing and drying fabric I cut out my pattern pieces - Butterick 6305.

 After over-locking and pressing all pieces, I stamped them sort of randomly using three colours of Seta-silk opaque.  The stamp is a hand carved Nepalese "Double Dorje" stamp, which is a Buddhist symbol.  I bought the stamp in Daylesford, Victoria recently.

I really enjoy creating my own fabrics, knowing I am wearing something unique...what do you think?

Congrats...

Congrats to KittyMeow and Lizzy who each won a pattern in my giveaway.

KittyMeow wins Vogue 5121

Lizzy wins Vogue 9874

Thanks to everyone who entered :-)