To say that I am more than a bit embarrassed to have to do a mini "fashion shoot" for you is an understatement. I really want to share with you some of what I have been doing, but when I see the pictures of myself on the screen, "yuck!" is the only thing that comes to mind. Having said that, I have been making clothing for myself for an upcoming family reunion to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary.
Here is a pic of the first dress:
I didn't have a pattern for the dress, but it is pretty straight forward. I just drew the outfit I had in mind on an index card, made the pattern pieces out on the only drawing paper I was willing to waste, cut the fabric out, and turned the sewing machine on. I was so disappointed in the blue & grey outfit from the last post, that I figured I had nothing to lose by just winging it instead of following a professional pattern.
I actually did go through the trouble of making a muslin before cutting into Anna Maria Horner's beautiful fabric. I made an adjustment in length to the distance between my underarm and the neckline, and omitted the band above the knees, otherwise it stayed pretty true to the sketch. When I have more time, I may fine tune this.
My favorite detail of the dress is the beads I put at the end of the ties that gather the neckline closed.
Since I had everything out on the ping pong table, already, I threw down this Liberty of London fabric that has been lurking in my stash for what seems like FOREVER and I made my self a shorter version of the same dress.
I think I should of kept the "cut line" several inches above the knee (as I did in the pink & yellow dress) instead of right at the knee. I have made a note on the pattern that I need to keep the cut farther up next time I use this pattern. BTW, does anyone know where, online, I can actually purchase long lengths of paper for pattern drafting that is thick and durable. Elizabeth, what do you use? Can you ask your fashion designer daughter what she uses? Or at least what she used to use here, in the U.S., before she became a big shot and moved to London?
My favorite detail of this dress is the actual back of the fabric; I made the dress with the fabric inside out as the right side, although gorgeous, seemed too sharp for what I wanted. The reverse side of it seemed a little softer, perhaps a little more time worn.
The last of the outfits I am showing you today I got off an existing outfit that I already own and have worn out. I put the outfit out on the ping pong tablle, measured the skirt part all out a million times over, and did nothing more than trace the top on the centerline fold. As it is a simply designed outfit, I could get away with doing this easily.
Although, originally the outfit is in a linen that is a dark mushroom tone, you can see part of it in this post, I made it in this acidic yellow colored fabric that I could not get enough of when I saw it at the fabric store the other day.
When measuring out the fabric for the skirt, in case you try it, you have to remember to make the front panel longer than the back panel to accomodate for the pockets (the pockets fold up at the casing for the elastic at the bottom edge of the skirt)). You can see the actual measurements on my index card, above. I really like leaving the ties dangling rather than tying them up into little bows.
Why did I make the dresses? The stores I can drive to have only just begun to have their summer clothing trickle in. I have little time to spend the day searching endlessly for the outfits that can handle the extreme hot weather I will be facing as the reunion is in Chile. I am going by myself, leaving my husband and children behind, and am more than a little bit anxious as to how it will all play out - I am the black sheep of my immediate family. I have lived a VERY independent life. The older relatives are people that I haven't seen in many years, and as they are getting much older, I realize that I will be saying hello to them and a permanent goodbye almost in the same breath. Living in different continents makes it have to be that way. I almost feel like I will be witnessing the mass end of my family. I don't want to get into the details of it all, as it depresses me greatly.
Well, I am off. I will see you on the other end of it, having had three new dresses to say hello and goodbye with.
Carolina
You have been busy, busy, busy! And what a boost to your travel wardrobe. You know what I like best? The fact that you ventured out on a limb to make your own pattern. And you used fabric that you truly love. Those two things combine to make clothes that will mean so much more to you than a store bought outfit.
Don't worry ahead of time about how things will go at the reunion. Just enjoy each day and don't forget to breathe.
Posted by: Melissa P | 02/18/2012 at 03:51 PM
They are all three very adorable! I think my favorite is the Liberty fabric one. I never thought to turn one of their designs inside out though, cool trick!
The weight of all of them should be perfect for the weather, I know at least the Anna Maria one and the Liberty one will be soft and wonderful feeling on a hot day.
Love the skirt pattern too!!
I use a huge roll of tracing paper that I got at an art supply store. My favorite fabric store in Berkeley, sells the more professional paper. My little items are so easy and simple, that I never buy it though. I have a few block patterns that I trace off of, or use very classic existing patterns, and tweak them.
How interesting about the black sheep of the family tid bit, as we are too in our immediate family. I count myself lucky almost that I am, since I don't want to be anything like the people who consider us black sheep. Families are so complicated, and never ending issues going on with some people. Some day it would be fun to chat about our black sheep status'
Posted by: Elizabeth | 02/18/2012 at 07:29 PM
Carolina your dresses are beautiful! I love all the fabric choices. I think about you all the time and hope things go well with your family. Santiago looks like an amazing place; I am enjoying it vicariously through your photos.
I have had a couple of weeks in busy over-drive again, haven't had a chance to look at the computer in a while. I had some project deadlines, but now that they are past I can get the projects photographed and posted soon.
My fingers are crossed that you have an amazing trip and wonderful time with your extended family
Posted by: Alicia Armstrong | 02/22/2012 at 03:29 PM