Are you ready to get Dressed to the Nines?!

Just wanted to check in regarding Sewing Indie Month! 

I have updated my announcement post to include a link-up which will allow you to enter your finished garments in the Dressed to the Nines category.  Scroll to the bottom of the post, look for the blue “Add your link” button, click, and follow the instructions to link to your post.

And, just in case you need a final nudge to get started, here are the fabulous prizes the winner will receive in the Dressed to the Nines category:

1 year subscription to Sew News Magazine

1 year subscription to Threads Magazine

$25 gift certificate from The Smuggler's Daughter

Sewing Vintage: The Flirty Day Dress Craftsy class by Sewing Indie Month designer Sew Chic

Sewing Indie Month designer prize pack:
PDF pattern of your choice from Lolita, Pauline Alice;
paper pattern of your choice from By Hand London, Christine Haynes

There is also a bonus prize which will be randomly selected from across all four categories - for more information on that and all the other category prizes, click here.

Pretty darn fabulous, right?!  I cannot wait to see what everyone creates! 

Beautiful Inside and Out

This afternoon Dita posted an Instagram of the inside workings of her Met Gala dress.  I would love to spend a few hours with the dress going over every seamline and hook and fastening!  

One mustn't wear undergarments with haute couture, it shouldn't be necessary. Here is the sumptuous interior of my @zac_posen Met Ball gown: by @ditavonteese

  

As a reminder, this is what it looks like on the outside.  The color is wonderfully unexpected, isn't it!  But definitely something you need help getting in and out of.

Ready for the Ball

The Met Gala has come and gone.  And frankly, I was not as impressed as I expected/hoped to be.  Probably because the red carpet gowns just do not compare to what is on display inside the museum.

I mentioned yesterday that formal dress codes are rarely in effect.  This event was an exception to the rule as Anna Wintour suggested that everyone show up wearing white tie or full evening dress.  There were, however, quite a few people who chose to ignore the invitation.  But what are you going to do when someone pays $25,000 for a ticket . . . kick them out because they are not wearing a white tie and tails?  I think not.

I really wanted Dita to show up in the most glorious gown of the evening, but I was a little bit disappointed.  She looks amazing, to be sure, but I was hoping for something more extravagant.  I think perhaps this dress might not photograph as well as it would look in person.  It is hard to see all the detail that I know is there.  I have also seen this design from Zac Posen before, although the contrasting dipped hem is new and really lovely.

The most showstopping piece was probably this Zac Posen design.  Can you imagine wearing something like this?!  I wonder how many yards of fabric are in there?

I adore Sarah Jessica Parker, but Oscar de la Renta’s knock off of the Charles James Petal Dress was seriously disappointing.  

It looks like a cheap prom version of the original.  And to make matters worse, the designer included his name on the train of the gown.  What the heck?!

And while I am not a fan of Taylor Swift, her dress (also by de la Renta) is really lovely.  Is it too late to have them swap?

Blake Lively’s Gucci is pretty spectacular.  Very vintage glamour – I just love a good dramatic drape that falls from the shoulders!  How amazing would it be in a jewel tone?!

I am not sure who this is, but the dress is pretty perfect – the fit, the color, and well, everything.  Although I am not sure about the hair . . . did she just come from the gym?

I am also strangely drawn to Emma Stone's choice by Thakoon.  It probably has something to do with the color of that skirt.  The top I am not so sure about, although I think it works for her.

This sapphire design by Zac Posen is pretty gorgeous too!

Which would you choose for a special night out?

[Click on image for source]

Classic Glamour

Is everyone ready to get Dressed to the Nines for Sewing Indie Month?!

I find the idea of what clothing is deemed “appropriate” in certain situations rather fascinating.  As Mr. Cole Porter said:  “In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, now heaven knows . . . Anything Goes!” 

Today, very few events are going to require that you follow any rules and regulations (à la Emily Post) regarding attire.  A sequined mini is just as likely to attend a formal event as a full length gown.  If the invitation does not specify what to wear, chances are good that your classic little black dress will not be out of place.  Classic, after all, never goes out of style.

If you do not have a formal event to attend, why not create your own?  Dress up for a day spent at your local museum, or schedule a garden party with friends, just for fun.  Take some time to craft your outfit, starting with the fabric and pattern, and complete the look with gorgeous accessories.  

Just because everyone else will be wearing jeans does not preclude you from looking sharp in your self-made outfit!

And while I will take any and every excuse to don full-on formal wear, I understand that my version of "formal" may differ radically from what someone else considers “Dressed to the Nines."  Getting dressed up should be fun and make you feel good!   

There is no need to purchase a formal wear pattern.  You can make something very special from a basic pattern.  Fabric choice can elevate a basic sheath into something glamorous.

For fun, I am stretching the limits of my imagination on what I consider to be dressed up.  I have included a few images of glamorous ladies of the silver screen as examples.  While some of these outfits would have been considered casual when the pictures were taken, a pair of well fitting slacks and a crisply tailored shirt can absolutely be appropriate for more formal events provided the fabric and fit are right - silk, for instance, is an excellent way to make any garment more luxurious.

If you cannot imagine wearing a fancy dress, why not re-work a classic trouser or skirt into something fabulous by perfecting the fit, and pulling out a special occasion fabric.  Or tackle that fancy dress design in a everyday fabric that will make it more wearable for you.  

And if you need an excuse to make that fancy schmancy cocktail dress you have been meaning to get started on . . . go for it! 

The idea is not to alter your personality to the dress, but rather, to highlight your individuality with a gorgeous outfit made just for you.  The question is, what clothing makes you feel special?  Flirty, elegant, over-the-top, or glamorous, I cannot wait to see what everyone stitches up this month!

The only rule is to make sure you feel fabulous and chic - and get ready for a ton of compliments!  

[Click on image for source]

The year was 1953 . . .

I am back in sewing mode and feeling very inspired!  There are a couple of projects I am currently working on, but today all the focus has been on vintage and polka dots.

McCalls 9245 is from 1953 (thank you McCalls for including copyrights on your printed patterns from the 50s!) and I love it!!  And yes, I am clearly obsessed with capelets.  

This vintage pattern has seen better days.  There are quite a few rips and tears, some of which are due to ten or so rusted pins that were used to shorten the skirt pieces; the pattern instructions are disintegrating before my eyes; and the tissue itself feels much more brittle than other McCall patterns from the era.  

I used a gift certificate I received a few years ago to purchase the pattern which was listed for a lot more than I am comfortable spending in real money.  The website stated that the pattern was complete and in good condition, however, it turns out that there are a few facing pieces missing.  

The missing facing pieces are not a huge deal, but I do find it odd that the pins were not removed – it is clear that the seller never opened the envelope to check that all the pieces were accounted for because they would have had to remove the pins to do so. 

While the design seems to be rather rare, the condition is not worthy of the $75 price tag, and definitely should not have been described as in good condition.  I am not going to name the storefront here because I am assuming this is not something they make a habit of doing, and just needed to rant a bit.  I feel lucky that this has only happened to me a handful of times, but it still bothers me.  

If I was not completely in love with the design, I probably would have set the pattern aside.

But I found this perfect polka dot rayon fabric from Britex (unfortunately, it seems to have sold out – which does not surprise me – because there can never be enough high quality dotted fabric in the world!) and I knew it would be perfect for the dress.  I had the fabric in hand when I discovered the issues with the pattern and at that point it was too late - I did not have the heart to give up on this project.

One muslin of the bodice pieces, and it was time to cut into the most amazing rayon I have ever had the pleasure to work with!  Polka dots forever!!

 [The fabric for this project was received in exchange for my contributions as a Britex Guest Blogger.]

Charles, Zac, and Dita

The world of fashion is buzzing with the name “Charles James.”  The Metropolitan Museum of Art will soon open an exhibition featuring the design genius, and I so wish I could attend.  For those of us obsessed with vintage fashion, all the recent fuss is no surprise.

For an ironic twist, my boss will be in New York at the end of the month and, although I have made it very clear he will not be forgiven if he misses the opportunity to attend the exhibit, he continues to make excuses.

What a louse!  Since he frequents museums wherever and whenever he travels, I am especially peeved.

He loves architecture, so I have been pushing the fact that Charles James was a very architectural designer.  (I don’t think he believed me.)

But this afternoon, there was an email with a link to a New York Times article in my inbox that he had come across entitled “Architectural Underpinnings of Cinderella.”  Well, well, well . . . I guess I wasn’t making that up, Mr. Boss Man!  With Diller, Scofidio, & Renfro as the exhibition designers, I might just convince him to go and report back to me!

With my mind on formal attire these days (what with Sewing Indie Month and all!), I simply cannot wait for the Met Gala that will kick off the exhibition.

And have you heard that Zac Posen will be dressing Dita von Teese?!?  The combination of Charles James, Zac Posen, and Dita von Teese promises to be absolutely spectacular!  I cannot wait to see the scrumptious outfit he is designing for his date . . . only a few more days till all is revealed!

[Click on image for source]

Sewing Indie Month is Here!

Have you heard the news?  May is Sewing Indie Month!  Mari of Seamster Patterns came up with the fabulous idea of celebrating Indie Patterns all month long, and here we are!  There will be sew-alongs, prizes, and so much more!

You may think you know all of the pattern companies out there, but I feel quite confident that you will discover some new ones this month.  Get ready to learn all about 21 fabulous design companies!

Four sew-along contests will be running simultaneously (plus one bonus prize winner randomly selected from everyone who participates) – I will be hosting the Dressed to the Nines category; Everyday Casual will be hosted by Jenny of Cashmerette; an Indie Love Affair will be hosted by Wanett of Sown Brooklyn; and Pattern Hacking will be hosted by Rhonda of Rhonda’s Creative Life.

Voting will begin June 4th, so make sure to get your projects posted by then!  I will be adding a link-up to this initial post for all entires in the Dressed to the Nines category next week.  I can’t wait to see what everyone creates this month!

To get your creative juices flowing, I will be back next week with some thoughts on what makes an outfit fancy or formal, and how to feel fabulous in whatever you choose to wear to that special occasion.  In the meantime, make sure to check out all the indie companies involved:

By Hand London
Christine Haynes
Closet Case Files
Dixie DIY Patterns
Fehr Trade

Garmenter
Kate & Rose

Lolita Patterns

MariaDenmark
pauline alice
Seamster
Sew Caroline

Sew Chic Patterns

Sewn Square One

Sinbad & Sailor

Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns

SomaPatterns by Sylvie P

Stepalica Patterns
Thread Theory Designs, Inc.

Tilly and the Buttons

Waffle Patterns

Happy sewing!

An InLinkz Link-up