Mad Men challenge, I'm in !!!

I haven't really been reading much around the bloggersphere lately and finally got to catch up a bit here and there. I am still mainly clueless on what's the latest thing, challenge, project, sew along....etc is but I did come across a challenge that is right up my alley.

Julia at JuluiaBobbin is hosting a Mad Men challenge. Everyone participating is sewing a dress inspired by their favourite character/ favourite outfit on the show...

You can read more bout it here.

I really like the idea as I am a huge Mad Men fan and just added the last 2 seasons to my Lovefilm rental list. They better come soon now as I need some inspiration. I have only seen season 1-3 after that they stopped broadcasting them on the BBC and I couldn't watch them on the I-player anymore. I don't have a television (by choice) so if it's not on catch up TV I am living behind the moon and don't know about it. Anyways, I am now living in the past as far as the story goes but will catch up shortly if Lovefilm is on my side.

Is anyone else taking part in this challenge? What other challenges, sew alongs etc are out there at the moment. I am curious, so please share.

The belated Valentines outfit

I did wear it out to dinner with my husband on Valentines day but never took any pictures of the whole outfit. I was too distracted by my very handsome date. I hope you understand.

I ended up making another blouse I liked better and wore that with the skirt.

I bought this swallow fabric recently and had plans for it as a blouse. It's the same shape as blouse number one but with white collar and cuffs for a little contrast. I really like the fabric and might get it in other colours.

I could have ironed the skirt, huh...but it is a lazy Saturday here ;-)

Without the belt. I seem to wear this with everything at the moment. I boned the waistband of the skirt. I like my waistbands to be very high (trousers and skirts) so the boning holds them up and keeps them in shape better when sitting down.

This is blouse number 1, which was meant to be the Valentines blouse but after the heart shaped pockets never happened the whole shirt never did. Oh well, there will be a day I wear it. I promise.

Some twirling action and stupid face to go with it. (You've got to have one of those twirly pictures when presenting a circle skirt!!!)

Or you can wait for the wind to do the job and blow it up. This however doesn't seem to happen when ready to shoot the picture....

And this is how I'm wearing it today. Hidden away under a jumper, looking like a school teacher.

kitty picture of the day

And this was me and my handsome date before we had too much wine and too much delicious food.

Thanks for your time. Let me know what you think. I know it ended up quite different from the Lena Hoschek look but it was just an inspiration, I didn't mean to copy it. Have a great weekend.

Ruffles everywhere for Valentines day... a little tutorial, design fail and spare hearts

I have been busy with my Lena Hoschek inspired Valentines Day outfit, as far as personal sewing goes, and finished the blouse today. I had the skirt done several days ago and now I can't wait to wear it. I won't be posting any pictures until Valentines day. We have finally booked a table at a local restaurant.

Since I haven't blogged about any sewing details other than finished items some work-in-progress-pictures are in order. I have never done a tutorial before so I hope I am making sense. If not, I am happy to answer any further questions.

The Lena Hoschek blouse has lots of lovely ruffle detail around the collar, button front and the hear shaped front pockets. This is how I tried to copy it.

My initial idea was lace around the pockets and other bits.

I cut 2 hearts out of the blouse fabric. I wanted to turn them inside out later to avoid any raw edges.

Then I used one of the two layers right side up and pinned the lace ruffles facing inwards around the heart.

stitch everything down within your seam allowance(stay close to the edge)

then pin the other heart shape on top right sides facing (the lace is now sandwiched in between the two hearts) Don't stitch all the way around!!!! Leave about 2" on one of the straight sides of the heart unstitched so you can turn the heart inside out later.

You end up with a little poofy heart. Turn it inside out.

Press it and topstitch around the heart close to the lace edge.

I ended up not liking the lace version. It looked too much like a toilet seat cover ;-) in my choice of fabric. Then I decided to make the ruffles in self fabric as they are in the original design.

I did prefer this look but attached to the blouse I just didn't look right. Now I am going without the hearts completely.

I did however keep the ruffles around the collar and button hole panel.

I made them exactly like the hearts, pleated the ruffles between both collar pieces, before sewing them together and between the front panel (button hole side only) and the facing.

Any ideas, what to do with my two ruffly hearts? I suppose I could stitch them on a card for V-day and match my card? Then we don't really do cards and all that. Just food, just another excuse for eating out, you see. And for making outfits of course.

 Any other ideas?

Valentines outfit inspiration

This year I decided to make myself a Valentines day outfit. I don't even know yet what we are going to do. Dinner date? Movie? Both? Hanging out at home? No idea. But I know I want to do it in a Valentines day outfit.

I got so into the idea after revisitng the Lena Hoschek website, drooling over her beautiful collection. I love her blouses with the heart shape pockets. Perfect for Valentines day, no?

Since I get carried away with sewing pieces that are not wearable this time of the year, I need to change focus for a little while and make something I can actually wear now. My plan is to make an outfit inspired by the one by Lena Hoschek. Skirt and Blouse, ready for whatever on Valentines day.

(working on the skirt already)

Is anyone else making an outfit/piece of clothin/accessories/present etc. for V-day?

Too early, it's not Spring yet dress...

I think I might have gotten a little confused lately. The sun is out shining brightly on a daily basis here but unfortunately it's freezing cold at the same time. I think I didn't get the freezing-cold-memo because I got a little carried away making a dress that could not be more appropriate for this time of year.

I had the fabric in my stash since last summer and never cut into it. It's just a cute floral print cotton in nautical colours that I turned into another 1960s shift dress. I decided to give the design a nautical touch by adding a white sailor style collar.

I added pockets into the side seams (you can see the red fabric I used for them peeking out in the picture above)

collar detail

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