OoOooo it’s a book character challenge this week so I asked my daughter if she wouldn’t mind modelling that Versus Spring 2011 RTW Multi Color Cutout Dress she’s been lusting after, you see she’s a huge fan of Weetzie Bat the Cult Teen books written by Francesca Lia Block. The books are fab, Lia Block paints a vivid picture of the character-Weetzie Bat and growing up in L.A, my daughter loves the way she dresses -thrifted and handmade clothes and the relationship she has with Dirk along with all of the ups and downs that occur through-out each book. You can read more about the books here. Below is a small excerpt to help set the scene.

My little madam squealed with pure delight at the thought of getting the dress she’s been wanting, I was quietly freaking out wondering if I could do it, ha!…it wasn’t easy.  Ever since seeing this Paper Magazine feature based on Weetzie Bats character my daughter has had this dress pinned to her creative board in her bedroom. I said, okay Lets do it!

I made this dress based on the picture alone, self drafted, we couldn’t find a picture of the back so I improvised; using my daughters measurements, I made a muslin for the bodice first, once I got the pieces right I was ready to cut. For the bodice I used broadcloth for the pieces and the lining, I couldn’t find these vibrant colours in any other fabric, I gathered that my fabric choice wouldn’t look too bad —wrinkle-wise as it’s not an area that forms too many creases. I’m not too happy with the inside of the front bodice it’s not the neatest job, I’m not going to be too hard on myself though If I had longer than a week and didn’t work a full-time job I’d be happier with the inside of the dress. I have placed two star buttons on the right hand shoulder with accompanying loops for easy access. For the skirt section I used a low-sheen satin which hangs beautifully and is less prone to wrinkles which is what you want after you stand up and walk across the room to meet your Secret Agent Lover Man.

The skirts front meets up at the centre back but isn’t sewn closed all the way to the hem only to the zip. The back red section as you can see fastens to the two red buttons placed either side of the green exposed zip and ties closed at the front. I did a fair bit of hand sewing too, some of the stitching had to be hidden like the orange and blue triangles on the back and the two front pink triangles I hand stitched the lining to the bodice so there would be no indents seen from the front.

The fitting of the bodice and the triangle neck pieces were definitely the hardest. Overall I’m super happy with the outcome, confident that it doesn’t look handmade and there are no complaints with the fit either just pure happiness, loads of loving hugs and massive amounts of kisses filled with big smiles. Yay!

My daughter is learning to sew too and wanted to contribute in some-way which I always encourage, I said have a go at making the headdress, she used the scraps to sew up the pattern, and sewed the feathers to the elastic using a leather needle and then placed the band over the top. Voila! Weetzie Bat is born.

She’s even chosen the sound track to her Weetzie Bat tribute- Oblivion by Grimes.

Happy Days