8th – 13th February
(if you’re new, I’ve pledged to wear only clothes handmade by me this year and to sketch my daily outfits in my Fashionary. I’m calling this the paper doll project)
Black Issey Miyake dress, gold stilettos
aqua dress with wave-y welted pockets
blue top, hot pink shorts
purple-brown dress, ecru scarf
blue dress
Japanese print dress
I apologise if it seems like everything is way too repetitive with my paper dolls’ daily outfits. The fact is that I am not a fashion blogger; I’m making all my own clothes and so my wardrobe is really not all that chocka with stuff. I am going to be repeating myself, on a regular basis. But y’know what?? I’m absolutely fine with that. It matters far more to me that I have a small number of garments to suit any particular combination of expected activities and weather conditions and man, it’s been hot!!!… and that I love and value each of those garments highly enough to reach for them over and over.
And then, there are the special occasion pieces, which by their very definition are not meant to be frequently worn.
I included above a black Issey Miyake dress that was worn twice during the week, for evening wear. Firstly, our family went to a swish-o restaurant to celebrate my daughter’s birthday on Friday (thank you to the commenters who wished her a happy birthday!), and secondly, we hosted a big party for her at home last Saturday. The party was formal; rellies* all arrived dressed to the nines, all the girls in gorgeous little cocktail dresses and towering stilettos, all the boys in suits. Cassie looked lovely in a dress I had made about six years ago and all my boys wore shirts made by me (happiness!) Of course the hors d’oeuvres wielding, drinks topper-upperering, cake bearer (moi) had to look presentable too… so I frocked up in my serious LBD and gold stilettos, hair up in a chic, messy bun.
The party went like a blast!! lots of laughter and chatter, cool jazz music and dancing, funny speeches and good food. The cleanup was fabulously easy. Our children are at the age where their friends are quite civilised now. I had to laugh; the following day, Craig said to me; “… and no one threw up so it was a good party” I was like “ohhh, we have such low expectations!”
*transl. “rellies” = relatives
Given our 40+ temperatures your 'paper dolls' have still managed to look stylish!
Craig's comment made me laugh! Mine are 13 and 16 and we are just entering the 'scary party zone' – glad to hear it all comes good in the end!
Hahaha….love the personal detail thrown into this week's fashinary!
Sounds like a fun time was had by all and you all looked smick. Love the links. Having only been following blogs for a year it gives the opportunity to look back to what you have sewn in the past.
I love all dresses. Especially the aqua dress. It looks simple but very interesting.
Have a good day.
Christine
I never tire of these pretty paper dolls and from here you have plenty of variety in your wardrobe. Party sounds so fun!
I really like that you include little weather symbols and the temperature – will become a good reminder next year when you are wondering what to wear at some point of the year. 馃檪
Sounds like a fantastic party! I bet the pictures are gorgeous.
I think sketching out what you wear everyday is a big commitment! Probably more work than wearing what you sew. I think your wardrobe is pretty extensive. I don't see the point in having more than you need anyway. It can just become a burden instead of a pleasure! Your wardrobe isn't huge, but it s all very nice, well made and flattering.
Me encanta ver este cuaderno, me gustar铆a poder hacerme uno as铆 dentro de poco con mis propios modelos. Por cierto me gusta much铆simo el 1潞 modelo de la izquiera que has dibujado en negro o gris.
Glad the party went well. I wish Cassie a very happy 21st.
I love that you have a handmade wardrobe that caters for any occasion. It doesn't matter that it's not large just that it meets your requirements.
Yes, Aussies talk 'baby talk' like Brits do. That 'swap' green silk dress is heaven! Never thought I'd say that about a VW design. Bet you looked great, as usual.
Great year ahead for you Carolyn! Love the Paper Dolls as well! xoxo
A belated HB to Cassie. Nice f锚te! And hey, having a functional wardrobe is something to be showing off proudly. It means it's quite suited to you, in your palette, taste, cut, etc. and it's ecological. It also shows one is not a fashion victim. Go on and celebrate wearing and rewearing your wardrobe!
OMG! You made the food, sewed the clothes, and managed to look fabulous doing it?!! YOU are my hero! Are you sure that there is really only ONE of you? How many hours in the day do you folks have in Australia?
I would have to exist in some time/space warp in order to accomplish all that you do! You are amazing! And, your sewing is beautiful. Even your paper dolls are amazing!
Anon; Oh wow, I *wish* I could say I made the food, it was so delicious, but NO!! I am a terrible cook! I had some platters from a caterer delivered just before the party started, and I only had to heat up the items that needed to be served hot. A good friend who IS an amazing cook brought some sweets, and I bought a few dozen macarons. I did make the birthday cake though; using a foolproof Womens Weekly recipe 馃檪
Thank you for the gorgeous compliments!
With the amazing pieces you have in your wardrobe, no wonder you want to wear them all the time! Happy Belated Birthday to your Daughter. Your husbands comments made me laugh!
I love your paper dolls! Your party sounds like a blast!
I like the dress you made for Cassie & how lovely that she still wears it. There's a lot of thinking involved in making your own clothes so it's no wonder you wear them many times -they turn out well & they suit you & your life.
A belated Happy Birthday to Cassie.
I am loving your paper dolls,and seeing the real macoy. I am trying so hard not to buy anything except knitwear. After seeing your lovely underwear made from Liberty fabric, I now what to have a go and make my own.
So the Swamp Dress is still getting worn? How cool. I've always loved hearing that term "low expectations". As that Canadian sage, Red Green says, "Remember, lower expectations lead to a happier life!" And I don't think you're being very repetitive – although it's such a good excuse to buy some new shoes.
I don't find your dolls boring; they are little works of art. It's quite incredible how accurately the drawn clothes represent the real-life ones. And you say you don't have such great drawing skills…
Your black dress. It's perfect in every way, and suits you so well.
Gosh, you've been working since I last visited your blog!!!
… and I am so impressed as usual!
I have a bit of a crush for your daughter's pink shell blouse 馃槈
Your closet is full of gorgeous clothes!! I can麓t draw nice paper dolls like you…I have to repeat more and more!
Carolyn, have you done a pattern review of your super dooper LBD? I've had the same pattern in my stash for a couple of years now. I just haven't found the right fabric for it, but soon. Soon.
Intrepidations; I'm sorry I did not write a review of that pattern! I made that dress years ago, probably 7? or 8?, and when I joined Pattern Review, the pattern was already long out of print so I thought it obsolete to write a review for a pattern that people could not readily buy. But I do recommend the pattern! It is pretty easy, and looks unique, elegant and chic. I always get compliments when I wear the dress. So I hope you find the right fabric soon 馃檪
Glad the party went well!
Glad the party went well!
I think you're doing a better job of documenting your outfits than I am! I keep forgetting; I think I do 4 out of 7 days a week. I guess that's not so bad. 馃槈 I love your drawings though.
Hi…I just received my Fashionary and noticed the pen I used is showing through to the backside. I'm wondering what you use to sketch with and color with?
Luv your stuff … I wish I could get that much sewing done – and sketching as well…
thanks for sharing
hugs
arlene; thank you!
Currently I'm using an ordinary black ballpoint pen for the outline and colour in with ordinary coloured pencils, I have a set of 72 colours that I've had for many many years. I use a fluoro highlighter for my hot pink shorts, since none of my coloured pencils come anywhere near matching THAT shade!
A 0.4mm Artline pen works beautifully for outlining too, and looks a lot more classy than the ballpoint. I really should go out and get another one 馃檪
Oh…. I have some super thin pens like you are describing, I will try those when my book arrives. Thank you for the tip!
Ok, every week I see your fashionary and think how I should do that…. and so I ordered mine! I admit to having a bit of a different motive – seeing the same boring stuff all the time will help motivate me to sew more! In time… I would like to manage first an entire week of me-made – a very big goal for me.
I love your paper dolls and got myself a Fashionary too. I am drawing my outfits to try to make myself come up with more creative combinations, so I don't wear the same old thing all the time. I don't make many clothes at the moment, but hopefully that will change as I get more sewing experience! Thanks for the inspiration!
I just love seeing your sketches. I would not be without my journal to sketch out ideas. And, the thing about wardrobes? they must be fun to wear and comfortable for you….no matter how many repeats!