Halloween Novelties

While I have already posted the finished photographs of this project, I thought that I would go ahead and write down a few of my thoughts on the process of making it, as well as the pattern itself.

I had McCalls 8141 set aside as a pattern that I wanted to try before I was distracted by the 237 other ideas currently running through my mind.  So when I was deciding what to do with this wonderful holiday novelty print, and I saw the pattern sitting on the sewing table, it struck me that the two would make a great match.  I was a bit short on yardage, but after shortening the sleeves and the hemline slightly, I managed to make everything fit.

Before cutting, I knew that pattern matching this fabric was not going to be possible.  The print is rather random, so I was hoping that it would not be too obvious, but the waist and underbust seamlines were a bit of a concern.  And then I had the idea that a bit of trim of some kind would make the unmatched print look a little more purposeful. 

I do love rickrack, but I always have trouble using it thinking that it isn't really the look I am going for with a project.  But a scalloped edge is something that I can't get enough of.  And if you insert rickrack into a seam, you get a scalloped edge!

I really do need to remember this trick for all of that vintage rickrack I have stashed away.

The zipper is hand picked with a lapped application, which is definitely my favorite way to go.  And that's the dress.

Now a few words about the pattern.  I bought this design for those View A sleeves paired with that bow at the neckline.  And as far as those things go, I am very pleased.  But take a look at the illustration.  The technical sketch on the back of the pattern envelope is very similar.  It shows a lot of folds at the hemline, right?  That looks to me like a skirt that wants to twirl, falling from the lower hip into a full hemline.  Now look at the mocked up version that the model is wearing.  Initially I had thought that there were three skirts included with the pattern:  one fairly straight, as seen in View C; a flared version for A; and somewhere in between for View B.  

But wait a second . . . there are only two skirts included, which is evident from the technicals and the pattern itself, obviously.  Do those line drawings look anything like the skirt made out of green satin?  Not to me!  The pattern as drafted is extremely fitted through the hips, although I don't get that sense from the illustrations below.  I knew this dress was going to turn out slightly different than imagined as I was cutting out my fabric, but with an extremely limited amount of yardage, there was no way I could cut a fuller skirt out.  Obviously, one should always take a very close look at the version on the model as it often gives a better indication of how the dress will turn out than a sketch (technical, or otherwise!).  In this instance, I was seduced by an illustration.  Shame on me, because I should really know better.

As it stands, the dress has a very 1930s vibe.  And I actually love it!  So that was a happy coincidence.  But it's just another reminder to look very carefully at all of the information included with a pattern.  I may just have to make myself another version and swap the skirt for something with a little more flare so my original vision of the pattern can come to life. 

And now for the hat.  Throughout the construction of the dress, I thought a little hat or fascinator would make an excellent addition to the outfit.  After messing around with paper versions of different witch-like hats, nothing was really working.  Since the dress already had decided it wanted to look 1930s inspired, I pulled out a few hat patterns that reference that style.  Simplicity 8486 seemed like the best choice that was on hand.

I started by making the pattern as-is, and added a small piece of quilt batting folded in half at the crown of the hat to alter the silhouette.

  With the scraps of fabric that I had remaining, I draped over that new shape.

I am extremely pleased with how it all came together, especially since I only used items that were on hand.  And the hat definitely adds to the final look!  So all's well that ends well, I suppose.

A New Hat

I have been wearing my hair in a bun most days.  I desperately need a haircut, and I just don't feel like doing much of anything with my hair, so it gets twisted into a high bun and a couple of bobby pins hold it in place.  And while I have a bunch of crocheted and knit caps, when my hair is in a bun, the cap lifts up and my ears are exposed.  That doesn't work for me in cold weather.  If my ears get cold, I get a headache, so a hat it necessary for winter walks.

I do have one slouchy beanie style hat that I knit years ago, but I wanted to add another one to my wardrobe since I wear a hat every day while walking Mr. Tino in the cold.  (Don't worry, he always has on one of his hand knit sweaters to keep him warm!)

After finishing my 1940s Style Jumper with this lovely green yarn, I found this piece of knit sweater in a project bag.  Years ago, I paired the tweedy yarn with a sweater pattern, decided I didn't love the way it was turning out and thought the yarn deserved better, and abandoned the half knit project.  Well, that meant that I had enough yarn remaining to make myself a hat!  Perfect timing.  So I frogged back, and suddenly had two skeins of yarn to play with.

The pattern I chose is the March Hat from Melbourne Woolens.  It's a free pattern, but I chose it mostly because I loved the pattern texture and thought it would play well with my tweedy yarn.

The directions call for a provisional cast on, which I have never tried before.  One quick internet search later, and I found plenty of information about how to do just that.  Next time, I think I will use a thinner waste yarn, but this gray acrylic was the first yarn I came across and it worked out okay.

My gauge didn't quite match the given directions, so I sized down.

For most of the body I used circular needles, but I didn't have a small enough circular for such a small number of cast on stitches.  So for the ribbing, I used double pointed needles until I made it to the stitch pattern.

And, of course, I needed those double pointed needles again once the circumference of the hat started to decrease . . .

and decrease . . .

until there was hardly any stitches left at all.

One of these days I am going to learn the magic loop technique, but until then, it's a nice change of pace to use the double pointed needles.

And then it was time to make a pom-pom.

But first I had to remember where I had stashed my Clover pom-pom makers, because they make such lovely pom-poms!

Because I had frogged this yarn, it was super curly.  I was not entirely sure what a pom-pom made of kinky yarn would look like, but I forged ahead.

It turns out, the curly yarn adds a lovely texture to the pom-pom.  The overall effect reminds me of a vintage Persian lamb coat.

I am not entirely sure what will happen once I wash the hat, and that texture may disappear, but for now, I am enjoying the look.

And it's very exciting to have a little bit of hat variety for my daily dog walks with Mr. Tino.  He has so many hand knit sweaters, I felt a little bit stilly wearing the same old hat day after day!  But now, problem solved!!

Grandmother's Hat

I mistakenly typed the title of this post in a google search, and what pops up?  A variety of rose that looks very similar to the fabric roses on my head!  How awesome is that!!

I have been going through old photos, and I came across these.  Seeing them again made me bemoan the fact that there are so few opportunities to wear a lovely chapeau in this post-COVID19 world.

These photos were taken almost three years ago at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco; I find a museum is always a wonderful opportunity to wear a hat.

But I may just have to dust off the old hat box and pick something to wear, just because it's a Thursday.

Jacket:  Made by me, Vogue 9082
Skirt:  Made by me, McCall 2698
Hat:  Grandmother's
Earrings:  Vintage
Shoes:  Anne Klein "Foxie"

The Velvet Hat

This summer, I knew I would be attending the High Style exhibit at the Legion of Honor.

I have been meaning to make a version of Vogue 8276 for years, and this was just the push I needed.  Of course, I was temped to make a whole new outfit for the occasion, but that is just silly when I have so many dresses that deserve a day out.

In June of 2014 I managed to finish this dress for a symphony event, but there was just not enough time to make a hat.  So the pattern was put away . . . again.

Without a specific event, it seemed silly to make such a head covering.  (This style of hat is a little too much for a day at work, even for me!)  

It is perfect, however, for an afternoon at a museum.

Although, a windy day in San Francisco does make for an interesting hat wearing experience!

Dress:  Made by me, McCall 9245

Hat:  Made by me, Vogue 8276

Necklace, Earrings, & Bracelet:  Made by me

Gloves:  Vintage

Shoes:  Franco Sarto

Top it Off

There is something about a hat that takes an outfit up a notch.  Whether it be a small fascinator, a huge floppy brimmed hat, or anything in between, topping off your look is an excellent way to finish an ensemble.

I love a flower tucked into upswept hair.  

When I cannot find exactly what I am looking for in the floral department, I make my own!

Snoods are often thought of as a utilitarian accessory, but they can certainly be a chic option when made from the right materials.  

Fascinators are an easy way to add some oomph to a hairstyle.  A bit of silk . . .

or some beads can add something special to an outfit.

And feathers are always fun.

I wish more people would wear hats.  I should take my own advice and wear mine more often!

Let’s start a trend, and top off our outfits with something special!  After all, spending a day Dressed to the Nines can be a whole lot of fun.