Vogue 1152 Archives - Handmade by Carolyn

grey gardens

15/04/2016 8:11 am \ 50 Comments \ Carolyn

I’ve made a new dress… a sweet little autumn dress. It’s a quiet dress, and demurely plain in colour; which really throws up the details of the design into the spotlight. The colour fits in with my current clothes-making criteria; to have things in my wardrobe that go with as many of my self-made shoes as possible! since I will be wearing only my own shoes this year and some of my shoes are kinda colourful and not basic.

Pattern; Vogue 1152, with minor modifications. This is the second time I’ve made the pattern up for myself, my previous version has just been transferred to the “possible good sammies pile” since I realised I barely wore it last year. The additional modifications I made to the pattern for this new version are in line with the things I grew to dislike about my first version.

Fabric; soft slubby cotton from Fabulous Fabrics. I love the grey; a soft and warmish, almost yellow-y kind of a grey, if that makes sense, and one that actually suits me, I believe. This fabric originally came out in four colours; red, blue, white and grey, and I bought some of each colour! pretty groundbreaking stuff for me, I generally would not be so extravagant but the fabric really is beautiful quality so I just had to! Actually I’ve just revised my memory; it came in black too, which I did NOT buy and did kick myself over shortly after.. Doh! This is the last piece I bought to be made up… I’ve previously made up the blue as a dress here, the red as another dress here and the white as a shirt and shorts set here.

Pattern mods; the V-neck in my first version was so low-cut as to expose the bridge of my bra; so I either had to be sure to wear a pretty, colour co-ordinating bra that day, or a scarf knotted at the front. So this time I raised the height of the V-apex by about 2.5cm… at least I’m decent now.

Sleeves; left off the cuffs, removed about 12cm in width from the middle of each sleeve and lengthened them by 10cm; instead of lots of pleats at the top there is just one single inverted (box) pleat at the top of the sleeve cap. I also made a separate tab or strap that is sewn near the lower edge of the sleeve and wraps around it, catching in the fullness of the sleeve and buttoning upon itself. Shell buttons from my stash. A buttoned tab is not the kind of thing you see on a dress sleeve very often, it is the same principle to the tab/strap that you put on the end of coat sleeves, but I like to be different, appropriating and subverting details like that here and there and thus customising my clothing in some small way. Just one of the reasons I sew for myself!

Also, maybe I’m just a rebel, I hardly ever follow a pattern obediently and just always have to deviate in some small thing. Just one little bit of me in there, somehow, somewhere.

I added an extra row of elastic casing in the back to pull it in more, like I did for the first version, because otherwise it all just looks a bit pouffy back there.Also; added inseam side pockets – well naturelment!.. and lengthened the dress by about 15cm.

Below is my full outfit for today… I included it here because I’m absolutely loving how the grey looks with my mustard cardigan! so much so that I’ve worn this same outfit twice this week, throwing it on again the minute it came off the clothes line! There’s just something about mustard and grey together, I just have a thing for it. Though I’m sure it will go really well with all my other cardigans too. As well as my shoes and some tights. It’s a real autumnal dress, and I can’t wait to mix and match it with all the rest of my more cool weather-y stuff during me-made May. Hurrah for new dresses! 🙂

Details:

Dress; Vogue 1152 with slight modifications, see my first version and original review of this pattern here
Cardigan; the Miette, a free pattern by Andi Satterlund, details here
Shoes; sandals worn below made by me here, black thongs in the first picture made by me here

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: daily outfit, dress, Vogue 1152

Blue denim dress; 6 different ways

23/01/2013 11:00 pm \ 38 Comments \ Carolyn

I made this cotton denim/chambray dress using Vogue 1152 about two and a half years ago. It first appeared on the blog, along with my review of this pattern here, and it has always been a favourite player in my wardrobe. The fabric is hard-wearing and casually comfortable, crinkles naturally and charmingly. Comfort dressing, yes!
It’s appeared here on the blog a whole tonne of times already, in daily outfit photos, in the me-made months. In this year I’ve pledged to wear exclusively my own handmade clothes bar the shoes, these are some of the ways in which I can mix and match the dress.
Actually, up until now rtw tights or maybe gloves have slipped into the equation… but not this time! Whoo hoo! I have linked to the construction posts of everything else I am wearing here.

At left; committing the double denim crime… I’m wearing the dress layered over with a chambray shirt made of the same fabric, my scrumply Pattern Magic charcoal grey, spiral leggings and ankle boots. Below right; what’s this? double denim again! Worn with my denim-look tights, green knitted hoodie and knotted blue scarf. Incidentally, who ever said blue and green should never be seen?? I wear blue and green together all the time!

Below left; yes, well, I do love the layered look 🙂 Here, a longline lace skirt does petticoat duty underneath the skirt, and a classic navy blue silk blazer pulls it all together smartly. Raspberry pink sandals add a touch of cheerful colour.

Below right; for a more casual ensemble, this little jean jacket hoodie gives a more laidback sporty vibe to the dress. It might not have appeared on my blog every often, but this little jacket is a favourite of mine already!

Below left; I do like to wear dresses over jeans sometimes, how they become transformed into a tunic. The colour of these ivory flared jeans picks up and accentuates the four rows of ivory piping on the bodice of the dress. Below right; blue-and-green together again! The dress is actually quite low-cut, so if I am going out where actual people might see me I will often stop to grab a scarf to throw on over the decolletage. Adds some interesting colour, and saves blushes! In this case I’m wearing two scarves twisted togeth

er to get a bit more colour happening… turquoise silk chiffon, and cobalt blue knotted jersey scarves. Green and cobalt ballet flats echo the same colours.

These are just some of the different ways in which the dress can be mixed and matched to suit all the seasons. Today I’m wearing the last aquatically-hued outfit, with the blue and green scarves and ballet flats, and I’m looking forward to wearing the others as the weather cools down more. I’m rather chuffed that I could come up with all-rtw-free, workable outfits that I actually like!

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: 6 different ways, Sienna, Vogue 1152

Easy breezy

07/02/2011 7:07 am \ 14 Comments \ Carolyn

Still been blowing an absolute gale around here; with the tail end of cyclone Bianca lingering about. A plus; the stiff breezes have thankfully kept the temperatures down with pleasantly glorious days of around 32C, which is (imo) the perfect summer’s day temperature, and a deliciously cool change for us lately!
It was nice to catch up with ma Monday morning gals again, after the summer hols had had us all off to different parts of the globe for our various family breaks. Today we resumed our standing appointment, met up for morning tea and exchanged all our latest goss within the group…hehe.
Now, I am always up for a challenge. Although I do, yes, get mired sometimes in the bread and butter sewing of necessary clothing I do like to stretch my sewing wings once in a while and attempt something quite unexpected and frivolous… and late last year I bought a glove pattern; Vogue 7949. Lauriana expressed an interest in us doing a sew-along together, would anyone else like to join in? I am planning to use this particular pattern, but obviously others wouldn’t have to use the exact same pattern but one of their own choosing if you like. Since this is a complete first for me I plan to work through step by step and will document my progress, for fun… this actually could be a huge disaster, or I could end up with some lovely new gloves for winter. Sitting in my stash is an old lilac suede skirt I found in an op shop. This has sadly developed an unsightly bulge-y “bottom” from sitting down in it as well as some ugly “polished” spots, but most of the suede is in really good nick and I would really like to refashion it into some dreamy and unusually coloured gloves… thus the purchase of the glove pattern. Anyone keen? If so, drop me a comment and together we’ll see how we go.

And in other news from in the sewing/blogging world, as another little challenge for next month I am going to take part in this:

‘I, Carolyn of Handmade by Carolyn, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-March ’11. I endeavour to wear
all handmade clothing each day for the duration of March 2011′

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152 with fitting modifications, chambray cotton
Scarf; gift from my parents, from their trip to Italy
Sandals; Akiel, found in an op shop
Nail varnish; Fools Paradise, OPI

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: daily outfit, Vogue 1152

Floral floaty dress

02/12/2010 8:16 am \ 16 Comments \ Carolyn

Finished!
In sequinned and embroidered silk chiffon from the Alannah Hill outlet in Melbourne, and using Vogue 1152 again. This second time in making up this pattern I followed the pattern faithfully. Except to add about 5cm in length because I felt like my previous version is on the short side. And I hemmed with a handrolled, handstitched hem, so the dress is technically just a leettle bit longer than intended because of this too. I went with the original styling because I figured that the floppy sheer fabric would droop quite satisfactorily and thus work better for this “loose-fitting” pattern. And it does, too.
Note to self; when the pattern envelope says “loose-fitting”, pay attention.
For the piping I used the tiniest scrap of some leftover fabric that my daughter dyed in a shibori method, as part of a school project. And because I didn’t have any piping cord handy, I substituted boot shoelace; just as effective, imo.
Because the fabric is er, like, completely sheer and I don’t wish to make a spectacle of myself, I am wearing it over the champagne silk petticoat, made here using Burda 8071; and it couldn’t be a more perfect fit, cut or colour to work with this dress also. A very useful petticoat, indeed!!
To read my review of this pattern and the previous alterations to the denim version, go here.

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152, sequinned and embroidered silk chiffon
petticoat; Burda 8071, champagne silk satin
Socks; knitted by me, white cotton
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 8071, dress, petticoat, Vogue 1152

Inspirational Rowan

17/11/2010 6:08 am \ 11 Comments \ Carolyn

Now this is kinda exciting. A friend was “having a bit of a cleanout” (don’t you just love it when friends get ruthless with their cupboards) and found these Rowan knitting magazines that she actually didn’t want any more (gasp, I knoooow, right?) and has super sweetly tossed them my way. From a purely artistic perspective, the outfit styling and photography in these publications is just dreamy and utterly gorgeous. So inspiring…

But I have a guilty confession. The thought of knitting cardigans and jumpers… well to be honest it’s just not rocking my boat. Just at present. I’m sort of admiring some of these knits, but my knitting mojo is stuck on socks right now. I know some people think I’m mad. Maybe I am. Knitting socks is slightly mad, I do see that…

But if I want a coat/jacket/cardigan I would find some fabric and sew something … Is this too awful? Perhaps I should resign my Ravelry membership in shame?

Although the knits are not getting me all covet-y here, the dresses… ! (sigh) technically not on show here, and no credits, dammit, but I am seriously excited about these small-scale feminine prints, these colours and these romantic maidenly ensembles here. Some copying is going to happen, I’m telling you now.

The busy floral coat at top, worn over a rough linen skirt; the floaty dress, top right; the long petticoat just above; the adorable triple row of frills at the hem of the snowy white skirt, below left… Look at the last; the small-scale red gingham dress, worn over the floral skirt… really I think this last one is my favourite.

And I have an happy albeit embarrassing admission. Yesterday I was moping about my desire for Vogue 1152 made up in a floaty floral, and my sad lack of said floaty floral, then the memory came a-stirring and I raced over to my fabric stash, and yes!! (air fist punch) during the Melbourne fabric buying frenzy I had actually bought some perfectly lovely floaty floral stuff from the Alannah Hill outlet. In the post-holiday return to the busy-ness of normal life I had zoned this out, as you do. Others can relate, I’m sure… guilty conscience? spending spree remorse? Me, I’m blaming impending old-age. Happens to the best of us, so I’m told.

So moping is officially now over, and floaty floral fabulousness will be coming right up!

Top 5 photos above from Rowan knitting and crochet magazines

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: inspiration, Vogue 1152

Half a house

16/11/2010 3:51 am \ 11 Comments \ Carolyn

A house in our neighbourhood is being renovated, providing me with a wonderfully devastated landscape to borrow for my backdrop today. From this door I should be stepping into to the laundry and bathroom… both of these now residing in a huge skip out front.
Paradoxically, given this scene of dust and destruction, I am cleaning my own house today. Plus it is a waaaaarm day, so dressed for comfort and coolness whilst wielding a vacuum cleaner and mop. Hopefully I will have a little quality time with my sewing machine later…
Of the garb, this dress is soooo comfortable and will be great for summer. I like this pattern, but I’m so happy I followed my instincts and modified it to suit this fabric better. But now I’m dreaming of making it up again, this time to the pattern, maybe in a floral floaty, or possibly in a sheer gelato chiffon to wear over a petticoat. Hmmm, since I don’t have either of these fabrics in my stash this would mean a trip to the fabric store, which I have sworn off until I have reduced the volume in my fabric cupboard by at least a few more lengths… sigh.
The shoeless photo is purely a gratuitous shot to show off of my handknit socks, and to show how meticulously I have co-ordinated my whole blue and grey ensemble today; thankyou for noticing. Actually, come to think of it not so gratuitous, as the boots do not participate when I am doing housework. Like most people (I think?!) I kick off my footwear at home and swan around either barefoot or in socks.
So, do you wear shoes when at home or, like me, do your feet go nekked?

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152 with modifications listed here, cotton chambray
Socks; handknit by me
Boots; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: dress, Knitted, Patons knitting book C11, socks, Vogue 1152

Domestic diva VI

22/09/2010 4:32 am \ 10 Comments \ Carolyn

Yesterday was a very sad day. I decided not to blog about it as I’m not the sort to pour myself out, but covered up my feelings as is usual for me. It was a busy day, but I also received some awful news; result, I was rushing about madly, but simultaneously on the inside contemplating the meaning of life in an introspective miserable way all day… Well, that’s all. It may sound shallow to say doing my blog is a little bit of silly fun and a joy that I look forward to each day, but it is true…
Sorry if this sounds all downer. I suppose my blog is a realistic snapshot of my days and bad days will happen too…
With regards to today’s outfit; all you style mavens can relax, no heels were harmed in the taking of this photo. But I did wear them for the rest of the day! The dress is a recent creation, Vogue 1152, made out of chambray. For my review of this pattern, see here. I’ve used this pattern again recently, but drastically altered. And after making my chambray top I still had a tad of the fabric leftover… well last night I used some of this to put inseam pockets in the dress… and took some photos to show how easy this procedure is to do.
Firstly I traced around my hand to make a pocket shape, and cut out four of these from the fabric,… alternatively you can use a pocket piece that fits you comfortably from a pattern you already have, but a pocket is a pocket is a pocket really…! (also, as the final result will ideally be invisible on the outside you can use either matching fabric like I have, or contrasting fabric, no matter)

I unpicked the side seams of the dress along the area where I wanted the pockets to go, with about 1.5cm further unpicking top and bottom also, for seams. If you previously overlocked the raw edges of the seam allowance together, like I did for the left hand one in the picture then the unpicking of all that will be a bit painful… if you’ve overlocked the edges of the separate pieces before sewing your seam, like the righthand one in the picture, then you’re laughing (translation; an Aussie expression meaning it’ll be easy for you)

Then with right sides together, sew two pocket pieces to each front, and two to each dress back, using a smaller seam allowance than used for the side seams. This is important, especially if your pocket pieces are cut from contrasting fabric that you don’t want to show on the outside of the dress. It’s probably hard to see in the picture, but the yellow pin marks the fold of the old side seam and the pearl pin marks the new joining seam of pocket piece to dress piece.

Now, with pocket pieces right sides together, sew the pocket seam all round the pocket pieces. Lastly resew the side seams of your dress. Extend these seams just beyond where the round-the-pocket seam joins into the seam allowance, by about 0.5cm or so. This will make the finished appearance on the outside neater. Even more lastly, overlock or finish the raw edges, if desired…

To help make this a bit clearer I’ve drawn a diagram…

The purple seam (pocket piece to dress) is sewn first, the green seam (pocket pieces together) is sewn second. The blue seam (dress side seams) is sewn last. The dotted blue line (do not sew this one!) is the pocket opening, right along the seam line of the dress. See how the blue line extends just beyond where the green line joins up, and how the purple line is inside the blue dotted line? I hope this helps make clearer my no-doubt muddled explanations…
And pocket-wise you’re home n’ hosed! (translation; an Aussie expression meaning you’re finished)

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152, with sleeve and fitting modifications, see here for pattern review, cotton chambray
Sandals; Pedro Miralles, from Soletta shoes

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: dress, pocket, SSS10, tutorial, Vogue 1152

Rocking the double denim look

05/08/2010 9:56 am \ 18 Comments \ Carolyn

So here is my new dress, Vogue 1152, with more me-appropriate sleeves (for the “before sleeves”, see the post below). I’m very happy with this now, will be perfect for a casual day-dress suited to the simple warm days not now very far off on the horizon…? (said hopefully) Today being still just a little cool I’ve opted to try out at styling the latest double denim trend, and wear the new dress with my old jeans underneath… tres cool, no?
So the key to making the new double denim trend work is to definitely not have the same denim head to toe, take a look at the pictures just below… no no, no and er, no. Too avoid this very dated “denim suit” effect the modern interpretation is to mix it up in terms of colours/shades and texture. So on the bottom half I am wearing my trusty ol’ denim jeans which have the two tone stone-washed look we knew and loved er… only a few years ago, and on the top half the lightweight chambray dress in a much paler shade of indigo. And I’m thinking this isn’t tooooo bad! But if the double denim thing still offends you; relax, I will definitely be wearing this sans jeans before too long…!
Below is my review of this pattern.

Details:
Dress; Vogue 1152 with minor variations, cotton chambray
Jeans; Little Big, from Labels

Pattern Description
Loose-fitting dress has front and back princess seams, front and back gathers, front insets with contrast piping, back elastic casings, self-faced yoke, left side invisible zipper, short sleeves with pleated cap and gathered lower edge into self band and curved hem. Length is 2″ above knee at centre front.
Pattern sizing
8-14. I cut size 10
Did it look like the drawing/illustration on the pattern envelope once you had finished sewing it?
Essentially. I altered the sleeves and fiddled about with the fit somewhat. Also I have a suspicion the dress in the photo on the pattern envelope has a big bulldog clip at the back to make it nip in at the model’s waist like that… either that or the dress has been fitted to her shape like I did with mine.
Were the instructions easy to follow?
yes
What did you particularly like/dislike about this pattern?
I liked the look of it from the envelope photograph; the V-neck, the prettiness and the shirt-dress vibe it has without being a shirt-dress
After finishing I decided the puffy sleeves didn’t suit me, and ended up changing them.
The dress ended up being (for my taste, too) loose-fitting; just as described, and close to how it is illustrated in the line drawing on the back of the envelope but not in line with how the dress appears in the photo. And the back elastic casings are situated too high I think. I had to alter it to look less “maternity”
Fabric used:
Cotton chambray
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
Shaped the bodice sections to bring it in more at the waistline and also to take away some excess fabric in the bust-point.
Added another single casing with elastic on the back, additional to and underneath the double one stipulated in the pattern; also to help define the waistline better.
Eliminated about 1″ in sleeve width, and the lower gathering and sleeve bands completely. I simply narrow hemmed the ungathered lower sleeve edge instead.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes I will sew this again. I am planning to make this out of a light chiffon-y stuff for a fancy springtime lunch dress, but am going to implement even more design alterations than I did with this one. I would recommend this pattern; as long as you are aware the dress is looser fitting than it appears in the photo.
Conclusion:
It might sound like a tale of woe, but I am very happy with this dress now. I definitely prefer my version of the sleeves, although if the dress were out of a lighter weight fabric the sleeves may flop down like in the envelope photo and look better than they did in my cotton chambray version.