A night at the ballet (and some do’s and don’ts)

25/10/2009 3:01 am \ 3 Comments \

Last night managed to have my gorgeous salon-styled hair stretch out just a little bit further for a night at the ballet.  We saw Swan Lake by the Australian Ballet; well,  words fail me.  Just flip open a thesaurus to the entries for “magnificent” and “superb” and apply all the words therein.  Thoroughly enjoyed it… and am quite inspired to make a Dior New Look style suit or dress entirely out of ecru lace with some sort of pastel underlay… may look a bit funny on me as I’m not exactly a petite ballerina… Watch this space…
Anyhoo, this was my ensemble for the event; the skirt is Vogue 8296 view B, made this winter just gone.  The fabric is wool, a sort of winter white, overprinted with lovely brushstroke swirls of olivey taupe.  I bought it from Astratex in Melbourne on a trip with my mother.  The fabric was quite expensive and the pattern called for a lot of it, something for future consideration (ie. use different pattern).  The pattern itself was very simple and went together quickly with no drama, front and back identical to each other.  I love the look of this skirt and the fabric is luxurious and gorgeous to wear so I’m glad I went to the extra expense for an “occasion” garment.  However, the silk lining was, and is, a problem.  The pattern called for it to be cut on the bias, which I did.  However the silk I used is so clingy and is always winding its way around my legs.  It also doesn’t hang quite right when I look at it inside the skirt; and I think this is because of being on the bias.  Or maybe it’s because silk is notorious for being a bit precious and temperamental.  The Lindsay Lohan of fabrics.  
This has been a go-to semi-formal outfit for winter, and even though the weather is warming up considerably I knew the theatre would be air-conditioned to arctic conditions so dressed accordingly.  I’m sure the girl just along from me in a booby little mini dress was freezing.
Speaking of this, there are some does and don’ts when it comes to dressing for the ballet or serious theatre which it would be helpful to print on the ticket or something, for people who have no idea.  Just a short list, easy to remember.
1.  Do not wear jeans
2.  Do not wear an old T-shirt
3.  Do not wear sneakers, in short, if you have recently been gardening or washing your car, do get showered and change into something nice before you go to the theatre.  
That’s all really.  Don’t want to come across as a grumpy old bag, but there are so few events in life you can dress up for.
OK, rant over.

Maybe its just me, I so love looking at (and wearing) beautiful clothes…  

Thanks to my photographer, at right in a self-portrait.
Other details:
Top; Metalicus
Scarf; ?, bought in Paris
Boots; di Sempre, bought on sale from Zomp

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Handwoven, with love

24/10/2009 2:37 am \ 2 Comments \

Saturday, 24th October 2009

Today’s skirt is Vogue 7303 again, I know, a little predictable; I really need to get me some new dressmaking patterns. The difference this time is the fabric; it was handwoven by my mother some years ago. She had plans to make it into a simple pullover top, but she eventually handed it on to me. I saw it as a skirt (surprise!) Unfortunately Mum had cut a slit in the middle for a neck-hole, which made for a dressmaking challenge. I had to add a bit of beige cotton on the top of the skirt back to make it long enough, and I lined it with bemsilk. The pattern is very simple, and the fabric is lovely and is what makes the skirt. In the close-up you can see the mixture of blues, greens and golds in with the nubbly oyster and neutral threads. I loved the little fluffy fringing effect of the edge and so left it unhemmed as a feature on the hemline.
I wore it to do a bit of grocery shopping and run some errands this morning, and finished up by treating myself with some afternoon tea in Applecross Village.
And just to prove I’m not too precious about my clothes, I later donned a fleece jacket and my gardening clogs and gloves and transplanted agapanthus bulbs! And repotted an orchid! And de-pooped the gardenbeds!…ok, ok, too much information… sorry. I did wash. Promise.
Other details:
Top; Ezibuy
Belt; don’t know brand, but it is emu leather, bought from Luxe

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Good hair day

23/10/2009 8:06 am \ 2 Comments \

Friday, 23rd October 2009

Had a sociable day today; met some friends this morning, went on a long walk along the beach later with another friend, and wound up the day with a hair appointment. Ah, isn’t getting your hair done one of the most self-indulgent and luxurious events in one’s life? I love sitting and flicking through the latest fashion magazines, getting a cup of tea, having my hair washed and head massaged, followed by the blow-dry that makes it look so much nicer than I can ever achieve myself at home! Such a treat…
Today’s skirt is one I made last summer using Vogue 7880 view B, but without the silly hanging bits that are illustrated on the pattern cover. I’ve always left these off actually. I used a lovely burnout polyester chiffon in a wild kaleidoscope of yummy colours; chocolate, raspberry, lime, lemon, pistachio… Don’t you love how colours are defined in terms of food nowadays? Makes you salivate just describing them; a sort of feast for the senses. Maybe that’s the point. You don’t hear a garment described as a brown top any more, its alway a chocolate top, or a coffee, mocha or toffee top (as appropriate).
Even though the fabric is chiffon and quite luxurious I’ve used it as a casual skirt from day 1, even bike-riding and beach-walking, like today! The skirt has many layers and bits hanging down all around which flutter and ripple in the breeze in a lovely feminine way. As the fabric is see-through I extended the front and back bemsilk lining so that it formed a self petticoat underneath, and just marked the original length as to where to attach the skirt bottom pieces to it.
This has been a great pattern, although I have to admit that the first time I used it I found it quite complicated and attached the lining pieces to the bottom skirt pieces inside out and had to unpick it all; its a pattern that you have to concentrate on and trust that it will all come together all right in the end – it does!
Other details:
Top; Metalicus
Camisole (under); Country Road
Sandals; Micam by Joanne Mercer, from Hobbs
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Uniform butchery

22/10/2009 8:12 am \ 1 Comment \

Not handmade by me, but this is my daughter, who you could say is a creation of mine! in some small way… One cool thing they get to do on their last day is to reconfigure their school uniform however they like, and here is her version! It is all frankenstein-ed from different components of the uniform, including buttons and hair-ribbons, some of the girls used their bathers, sports shirts, tie…you name it. We bought a 2nd hand one for this, as she still needs her real one for Speech night! She did a wonderful job, and its all her own design and handiwork. It fits perfectly. (There can be no higher praise from a seamstress!)

It was very inspiring; there is such a wealth of creative talent in our teenagers, it gives you real hope for the future. You know the world will be in safe hands, and all the rest of it… sigh…
It was wonderful to see the girls so excited and happy and full of confidence for their future and bursting with enthusiasm.
Its been wonderful to have a day this uplifting…
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Big day out

22/10/2009 7:11 am \ 1 Comment \

Thursday, 22nd October 2009

Thankyou for your lovely comments!
Today is a big day, my daughter’s final day at school. Her school makes a big deal out of it for us parents too; it started with a flower ceremony, followed by final assembly, morning tea, chapel service and then lunch; in order. Quite a day. So I needed a DRESS! I made this previously for a lunch held at the beginning of spring, but couldn’t wear it without risk of freezing half to death. So, held it over for this occasion.
Its New Look 6699 view G,J,L again, a little ripper of a pattern. As the lace I bought for it was completely see-through, I lined it completely with a cotton batiste petticoat. I added wide coffee-coloured border lace around the bottom of the petticoat and a simple tube sleeve of the same lace around the armholes. I moved the invisible zip closure to the left side seam as usual and eliminated the back centre seams. The midriff is of gathered silk, and I also added a long sash of the stuff to tie at the back. You can’t see it in the picture, but I added a close-enough-to invisible pocket on the right side, just big enough for a mobile phone and a credit card. I think I’ll do this to all my party dresses in future… so useful…
Got several compliments for this dress today, which was very gratifying! Ah yes, we seamstresses always deflect praise, “oh, thankyou but it was easy, nothing to it, really” but its nice to get recognition, no? Here’s a challenge, approach someone you don’t really know very well and pay them a compliment. It will make their day and, by association, will give you a boost too!
Other details:
Shoes; Marco Santini, from Marie Claire
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How to wear menswear inspired pants

21/10/2009 2:19 am \ 2 Comments \

Wednesday, 21st October 2009

Just a quiet day at home, so dressed accordingly. Both pieces I’ve worn already recently, breaking my rule. But I’m wearing the pants again today since they won’t be really dirty from yesterday, although they will be now since I walked the dog in them this morning. Working up a sweat!
And the top is such a favourite I just had to pull it out again. It is one I posted about previously here (Butterick 4985, view A sleeves, view B collar), except today it can be seen more clearly.
And again, I like the contrast of the ripped, shabby, lace-y casualness of this top with its antique type buttons against the very tailored, almost-menswear pants. I think the best way to wear menswear is to have something ultra-feminine along with it.
Oh, and this summer I am really loving Revlon’s Blackest Black nail polish for my toenails. I feel so chic and edgy with it! This is such a departure for me, who is usually wearing coral pink or nude tones on my nails. Yeah, for something different!
Other details:
Pants; Morrison
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Secretarial duties

20/10/2009 4:24 am \ 2 Comments \

Tuesday, 20th October 2009

Today did my duty as secretary of the Ladies’ Auxiliary at school, so dressed secretary-like. Kind of.
This top is McCalls 4454 view C, but made using pieces of leftover silks I had from previous projects and some velvet ribbon I had bought for something else, but not used. The ripped strips of silk were sewn to a bemsilk facing version of the camisole after draping, pinning and fitting on Bessie, (my faithful dummy) and another lining attached inside to hide the bits and ends.
I really like the combination of grey, purplish grey, and bronzy browns; giving it subtle smoky style, and the soft, shimmery layers of translucent silk are sort of ethereal. The ripped edges form a rebellious and untailored contrast to the pants.
The necklace pendant is also self-made.
Other details;
Pants, Morrison
Shoes; Vicenza, from Soletta shoes

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Patchwork

19/10/2009 9:16 am \ 1 Comment \

Found this one and only picture of the other version of the dress I posted about earlier today here, from McCalls 4454, elongated to dress length; the one made out of patchwork fabric bought in Calico and Ivy. It was bought as a collection of “fat quarters”, from which I cut large, medium and small squares. The squares were pieced and the pattern cut out so that the smallest squares were at the bodice of the dress, and getting larger in size down to the hem of the dress, at which all the largest squares were. All were on the diagonal.

I loved the seaside-y colours; it may not look like much from the back but it really was a lovely dress and got a lot of compliments. Sigh. I think it got a rip in it eventually.
I think it looked better than its follow-up, partly because of the pretty fabric, and partly because the skirt was a lot more billowy, a better look for me.
(On a pictorial note, I’m at the top of Mount Lycabettus looking out over Athens …. we walked up to the top and back and really earned our drinks! It was fab!)
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