Archive for November 2011
November 26, 2011 | 
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I am on a total African vibe at the moment, I just love all the tribal fabric prints in Spotlight at the moment, so I have made another pair of harem pants from Burda 7677, this weeks Sew Weekly challenge was to revisit a pattern so whilst I’m on this vibe I may as well embrace it and go full steam ahead into making my Summer wardrobe. This tribal fabric was on sale this week so I grabbed myself 2 metres along with some other fabric to wrap my hair in and make, perhaps a dress of some sort.
I decided I needed a new waistcoat too so I stayed up sewing these pants and my waistcoat last night while I caught up on some of my favourite podcasts. The waistcoat is made from a $5 velveteen bundle. Score! I have got to say that the best part about revisiting a pattern you’ve previously sewn would have to be knowing you don’t have to cut the paper pattern out again, I really don’t like that process, this is why I always look for pre-cut second hand patterns. So in saying that, I really do need to spend a day cutting out the paper patterns that need cutting, this will of course make the sewing process quicker and not so tedious.
I love buttons, do you love buttons? the buttons on the waistcoat I found in Spotlight which are wooden, perfect for this African vibe I’m riding at the moment.
When I get on these vibes I tend to get a little intense to say the least, it must be a Capricorn thing, I’ve admittedly been sending my little family crazy with the constant rotation of music; Erykah Badu, Angelique Kidjo, Ebony Bones, Raphael Saadiq and then comes the research; Etsy, seeking out cheap tribal fabric, visiting African textile Flickr sets, African fashion blogs and designers, devouring old issues of National Geographic, tuning into turban wrapping tutorials on YouTube and enjoying the special privileges at my fav local Op Shop…thank you ladies AND have you seen this months Vogue Australia’s African Issue? eeek!
So, next week it’s ‘Stash Busting’ with repurposed fabrics: sheets, table cloths, curtains etc, I’d like to carry this vibe on through so, lets see how I go.
Till then… Happy Sewing.
After I purchased this fabric I was in two minds as to whether this weeks challenge would work. Spotlight have this whole tribal feel going on at the moment so I took the plunge and grabbed 2 metres of this tribal linen/rayon. I was a tad worried about a few things: making the pattern match up straight—it was exhausting, nightmarish. I also wondered what I would team this busy print with and could I pull this whole idea/look that I had manifest within my head, could I pull it off. I was dying to try something different. This weeks challenge is based on the newly published Burdastyle Sewing Handbook which unfortunately didn’t turn up in time for me to try any of the patterns, so I settled for Burda 7677. Harem pants. You either love them or hate them, I like them. I thought the tribal fabric and this cut teamed together might just work. My waistcoat, I made from navy blue velveteen a couple of years back.
I have to tell you that sometimes self-doubt rears it’s ugly head with me, when this happens I need a talkin to, this often comes in the form of music, books or from my own private list of inspirational women. On each photo I have put lyrics from one of my seriously fierce, uber fly, favourite ladies in the universe, Erykah Badu. This song ‘Cleva’ from her 2000 release Mama’s Gun, just gives you that extra little push to move forward and to well; get over yourself. She’s coming to Australia; Holla! she also spreads her positive vibe on Twitter. LOVE!
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So, apart from the fabrics graphic being a pain too match up I did make a couple of minor changes to the pattern, I cut them one size larger and decided to omit the zipper, I figured the elastic that sits on either side of my hips would keep them from falling to my ankles along with the tie belt. I don’t understand why the zip needs to be a part of this pattern really. Oh! and I didn’t bother with the top stitching either, too much work and the graphic on the fabric is so busy I didn’t need to visually complicate things anymore.
I lined the pockets with the gabardine I used to make the “Just a Little bit of Pink” Dress, it’s a minor complementary contrast I think.
I’m standing proud sister, I love these pants and this look, I might have to make another pair out of the fabric wrapped around my head, there is plenty to go around.
So what about you? would you wear harem pants?
I’m anticipating my Burdastyle Handbook will turn up next week, the word around the internets is super positive and I like positive and I love the Burdastyle community too, till next week…
Happy days, Happy sewing.
When I think of PinUp style, the artwork of Alberto Vargas and Gil Elvgren come to mind. The whoops-a-daisy expressions and a sneaky peek of a garter belt here and there. This weeks dress was sewn from Butterick Retro 4512, It’s made from black cotton which has a weave pattern throughout, who know’s what the correct name for it is. I happily scored at least 4 metres of the stuff from the op shop for a couple of dollars along with these turquoise coloured retro buttons for 10c. Bargain.
I really like this shade of blue so I accented the bow sewing it to the underside of each piece, the bodice is lined in the same black fabric which makes the dress rather heavy, which I like, it feels solid and sturdy on. I made my own piping which travels around the neck line and around the top half of the bodice, I think a thin blue belt in the same shade would of completed the look perfectly. Cheesy Pinup face? this is the best I can muster ha ha. This is really not my thing but I did have fun putting this post together and I do love this dress. The perfect dress for a summer night with a cocktail I think. I hope I have done the PinUp style some justice, some peeps are very passionate about this look. Nailing the hair, make-up, the whole look right down to the correct shoes. Not one element out of place. What clever and passionate ladies hey!?
How’s this for a cheesy pose?
Breezy back detail, I am a beacon of shining white, like a lighthouse guiding the boats in at night.
I like the front, the halter neck, bow and buttons it’s all gone together rather well. Now where’s that cocktail?
Happy Sewing!
