paper-doll project Archives - Page 4 of 5

the paper doll project, and a thermal

25/02/2013 9:20 am \ 29 Comments \ Carolyn

20th – 25th February
(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)

from left:

Japanese print dress

pistachio linen top, lime print skirt

sunset maxidress

pale blue tunic, denim skirt

denim/chambray dress

blue dress

Hello!

It’s been an up and down week, weather wise. We had tickets to Ballet at the Quarry for Friday night which we look forward to so much every year! because it is outdoors under the stars, very casual sitting on the grass, and you always take a picnic to enjoy before it starts. The performances tend to the contemporary; raw and athletic, and set against the backdrop of gum trees and stars it is always a mesmerising evening. And just before starting time the heavens opened, we had a sudden, crazy rainstorm; and the performance had to be postponed! (gobsmacked) We simply could not believe it!!! Of course rain, is always very very welcome here … since Perth has been as dry as a bone for about four months. But it had to be right then?

Looking on the bright side, the garden had a good drink and we still have the ballet to look forward to now. I’ll be making another picnic. 🙂

I’ve made a top. This will be a thermal. Ha! anyone in Perth reading this will be laughing hysterically that anyone here is even thinking about thermals right now!! but while the temperatures make it feel like we’ll never be cold again, of course we will! If I am going to get through winter in only my own handmade clothing I am going to need at least a few long underthingies. Plus the fabric was already sitting out after I had cut out the lining for Cassie’s dress so (shrug)
This is a prototype. There will be one or two more before winter arrives. The lower hemline when pulled right down sits over my bottom 🙂 I know, oolala, tres uber sex-ay, non? Non! but these things are a necessary part of any seasonally well-stocked wardrobe!

The fabric is a thin, clingy, soft, and slightly fluffy jersey knit, the last of the leftovers from this drape drape dress, and the lining from Cassie’s Pisces dress. I used my self-drafted Tshirt pattern. btw, just a reminder, this pattern started out as Burdastyle 06/2011, pattern 120, but has been fiddled and diddled with it so much there is literally not a single cutting or stitching line remaining that is original. Which is why I’ve taken the liberty of giving it self-drafted status.

Anyway, it is now a perfectly custom fitted-to-me Tshirt pattern.

The neckline, sleeve and lower hems are all finished with self-fabric bands, attached as per this tutorial.

In general blog housekeeping, I have made the decision to disable Anonymous commenting. I feel a bit sad about this, since I do get lots of kind comments from real and genuine people who seem to prefer the anonymous option. But I’m sorry; the spam was driving me crazy! and I just had to. Saturday night was the last straw, in just 24 hrs so many new spam comments got through the filter that it wasn’t funny. I had to go through my published comments, and individually “spammed” about 60 NEW comments… I wish I was exaggerating or kidding, but I am not. It was crazy. And that is not even counting the comments that had been caught by the spam filter… then I went into the spam box and there were ALSO over 650 new spam comments there. And I had cleaned it all out only 24 hrs previously! I usually flick briefly through, to check that no “real” comments have been erroneously marked as spam, and occasionally I get a laugh out of some of the whackier spam comments. Sadly spammers are getting boringly repetitive and unimaginative in their spam nowadays, and I’m over it. So, I’m really sorry to my lovely genuine Anonymous’s. Like every other blogger I love genuine comments and feedback, so maybe you could create a google or an open ID, or something? 🙂

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Fashionary, paper-doll project, random life stuff, thermals, top

the paper doll project

20/02/2013 8:00 am \ 16 Comments \ Carolyn

14th – 19th February
(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)

from left:
pink lace dress over pink satin petticoat
border print dress
Bamboo shoot top, embroidered yellow shorts, ivory hat
navy/white check top, green gingham shorts, green knitted hoodie
blue top (worn as pictured in the last look here), white shorts, ivory hat
dress made from an old polo Tshirt

You can see we had a brief but refreshing and energising cool spell. Sunday felt positively wintery after the last few sweltering weeks we’ve had, so I actually had a woolly cardigan on hand for early morning and late evening. Today it’s back to 38C. Craziness.

eta: Thursday was Valentine’s Day 🙂 so I wore my most romantic dress. I made a picnic of pate and bikkies, prawn and avocado salad, and strawberries, and we took it along with a bottle of champagne down to the river, to sit on the grass and watch the sunset. Just lovely.

Have you joined “Map the Sewintists”? A fun and informative initiative by Vicki, of Another Sewing Scientist. If not then get thee to Google maps posthaste and pin yourself onto your spot!

View Map the Sewintists in a larger map

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Fashionary, paper-doll project, random life stuff

Paper dolls

14/02/2013 6:23 am \ 33 Comments \ Carolyn

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

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Fashionary, paper-doll project, random life stuff

the paper doll project

09/02/2013 12:45 am \ 14 Comments \ Carolyn

3rd February – 8th 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)

A thought:
would it be helpful for me to list the garments with links to the construction posts and real life photos?

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Fashionary, paper-doll project

Stuff

03/02/2013 4:00 am \ 27 Comments \ Carolyn

28th January-2nd 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)

Thank you for those nice compliments on my Aquarius dress 🙂

It was pretty hot that day, but my photos can attest to how insanely windy it was at the same time…. ideal bushfire conditions. Today is even more hot, but not a breathe of wind. At least that wind keeps the temps down a tad… but I don’t know which is preferable; hot heavy stillness, or hot air blasting around?? tough call.

Whatevs; the paper dolls are trying to stay stylish but keeping cool is their biggest priority.

Summarising January’s stash-busting efforts…

Straight-up I have to confess to buying one new piece of fabric this month… but I’m not counting it since it is not for me and I have already made it up. It did not even get to nod to its buddies in the stash before it was flung in the washing machine, on the floor, and chopped and stitched up. Results will appear here soon.. when its recipient can spare me a minute for a photo.

I used the teensiest wee corner of a veritable king-sheet-sized piece of blue jersey to make 3 tester bras and my newest lingerie set, so no discernible dent was made in that, really (not a win). However, I did use a piece of lace that has been languishing in my lace box for goodness knows how long (win!) and I refashioned one garment, which is not reducing the stash, but still a good feeling (win!) I came to the aid of another in reducing her stash; when I made Cassie’s sundress (a Good Samaritan win!)

Overall; four garment sized pieces of fabric have disappeared from my stash this month… so I’m counting myself fruitfully engaged in the Year of Diminishing the Stash.

Now: OK, I can barely contain myself any longer…. I’ve bought something rather exciting, and I’m simply bursting with how much I want to show it to you here; have been chuckling with glee ever since I took delivery! but it will have to wait for a bit; for one big, very important reason. Give it a week or so 😉

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: paper-doll project, random life stuff, stashbusting 2013

Taupe is dope

28/01/2013 5:00 am \ 14 Comments \ Carolyn

Actually, I think the colour of my new ballet flats and scarf is more ecru than taupe, but the name printed on the side of the shoe box was “taupe”. So I’m running with it. Seeing as not much at all rhymes with ecru.
But whatevs … shoes! in one of my favourite colours. Or is that even a colour? 🙂 I’m thinking these are almost animal print. What I love is that what “looks” like a spotty print is actually little irregularly shaped perforations in the leather, providing natural ventilation for hot sweaty feet. That’s a real plus on hot sticky days like we are getting. Win!

Technically speaking, the new “scarf” is just a wide strip of soft, silk/linen jersey knit bought at the Morrison remnant sale. I originally thought to make lingerie with it, but now I’ve decided that I could well use a soft little summer scarf in this non-colour. Well the colour is perfection incarnate, no? It exactly matches the ballet flats. So, it has migrated from the stash and into the wardrobe, and is getting worn. Yes! Wearable stash! I don’t think this counts as stashbusting, but… 😉 I might still use it for lingerie. Mebbe, mebbe not. I’m still thinking about that, but in the meantime it’s doing fab as a scarf.

I do love a light airy scarf; so fantastic for protecting the decolletage from the notoriously harsh Australian sun. If I’m driving I often rearrange it over my right arm, and it’s amazing how effective it is at keeping one cool, just keeping that direct sunlight off.

The latest addition to the Navel-Gazing Fashion Blogger’s Society photo collection.

Details:

Top; Vogue 1247, details here, made of cotton dyed by me, my review of this pattern here, and see this top styled in 6 different ways here

Skirt; Vogue 1247, made of stretch denim then dyed, details and my review of this pattern here, and see this skirt styled in 6 different ways here

Scarf; remnant

Shoes; c/o Misano

(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)

Some more navel-gazing; this time about the outfit fourth along… (seen first here) this was one of my earlier refashions from Wardrobe Re-fashion days. This is one that I sometimes forget to wear, because it is “old”, isn’t conventionally pretty and is even a little strange… and sometimes I have to wear a thing for a day to decide whether I still love it or not. But whenever I do wear this skirt and top ensemble I’m reminded how much I do love slightly weird clothes. I think I want to get back to making interesting things again.
Anyhoo, I decided again that the men’s shirt ensemble is definitely a keeper. The same cannot be said for something from the previous week, which I am taking the scissors too… pretty soon 😉

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: daily outfit, paper-doll project, scarf, shoes

I’ve been pruning…

21/01/2013 11:00 am \ 24 Comments \ Carolyn

… and a day of tidying up the garden leads to one very happy outcome. No, wait, make that two very happy outcomes… the first being of course a nice, newly neat and tidy garden. The other is lovely big new FREE floral arrangement for the house! Doesn’t everyone keep the prunings for a really big and dramatic floral extravaganza? Seriously if, like me, you are not a prima ballerina, then this is the best way to get gratuitous and regular fabulous floral displays happening in your house.

My outfit today serendipitously matches the new floral arrangement; so I took another arty, hand-held, looking-down-to-my-toes shot of my outfit, like Kirsty did the other day too. I’m thinking we should start a Flickr group together, and call it Selfie Foot-Shots, or the Navel-Gazing Fashion Bloggers Society, or something…

Details:

Dress; Burda 8511, details here

Sandals; Misano

Nail varnish; Glamourpuss, BYS

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: flower arrangement, paper-doll project

paper-dolls…

15/01/2013 2:06 pm \ 28 Comments \ Carolyn

10-15 January

I’m kinda excited about the paper-dolls; the nerdiness and and childishness of it really appeals to me. And the stats… monitoring my handmade wardrobe, what I am wearing, how I’m wearing it and with what frequency… omg; the latent geek emerges. Of course there are so many more important things in life to be monitored. But this blog has never pretended to be particularly d and m. Just the trivia, my friends, just the trivia. The fun stuff 🙂
Thank you for the compliments on my drawing, but seriously, y’know I really wasn’t kidding when I said my drawing skills are not all that crash-hot. My paper dolls only look good because of the Fashionary …. you see, the figures on each page are already drawn in for you, naked, in very faint red dots. All you have to do is draw in your clothes. The line drawings on pattern envelopes can be quite helpful for that bit. Then you just dot-to-dot draw in the rest. And then colour in. Yeah. Everyone’s opinion of my drawing skills is dropping dramatically, right?
I bought my Fashionary, and also one for Cassie here. And btw, this is not an endorsement; I received no freebies and I paid full price for both 🙂
It’s been super humid and muggy here lately, a by-product of tropical cyclone Narelle off the coast. The weather girl informed us that we reached our minimum of 27C in the middle of last night and then the temperature started rising and was over 30C by 2am! Sooo hot! The rest of today was hideous, as you can imagine!
It’s been a while since I wore these sandals and I love the brightness of the turquoise and aqua set off against the sludginess of my eggplant purply brown dress. This photo is re-visiting how I sometimes used to try to take somewhat arty outfit photos; looking down from high at my toes, trying to get all the colours and textures and the gist of the thing in one shot.