1.04.2013

13 is the new black

whoah.  hello hello and happy new year!  as usual the changing of the guard kicked me in the ass, in the most delightful way possible, with ten of our dearest friends, thirteen bottles of booze, and five screaming children.  good odds.  best new year's ever.  i fervently hope y'all had one as good as we did.

in between the boozing and family and prizing, i did manage to sneak one final project in before '13 came rolling through: a toile of a blazer.  THAT'S RIGHT I SAID TOILE.  i'm getting into the toile thing.  not the muslin thing. everything sounds better in french.  i suppose you could call it a new year's resolution... but i wouldn't.  just whisper in the language of love to me and hope it sticks.  don't worry, i won't be taking a practice run at everything... just the hairy stuff.

that said, 2012 produced some whoah nellies that could've used a toile.  and some that benefited from lack of toile.  but some that no amount of toiling could fix.  really there's no rhyme or reason to it, so i thought i might mark up '12s roundup with a little oui or non (oui for outfits that got a toile.  non for outfits that didn't, but that doesn't necessarily mean i don't count them a win. i don't know, i really haven't had enough coffee but i have some unexpected time off so let's just make like steve winwood and roll with it baby).


ah, sunny LA. working clockwise from upper left: polka dot keeper, floral top keeper, green silk needs work, orange cotton keeper.


salsa dress keeper, spandex maxi skirt bit the dust in a schizophrenic washing machine, mini A line skirt and two minute tank top currently spending quality time together in probation.


no idea where i'll where it again but i love my promaballoona dress (from christine hayne's delicious derby dress pattern!), still crushing on my tubular gold studded maxi dress, floral chiffon peekaboo dress' fate will be decided by my summer bod.  outlook is grim.


although i love all of these dresses, they ALL could have benefited from some toiles. it turns out my high waist looks better when the pattern waist sits about an inch below it.  whoda thunk.  these makes were all part of so zo's me made may, and the last stripey one was blogged alone here.


actually, the third one in this bunch had been toiled many times, as it was my like seventeenth rendition of pattern runway's gathered sundress, but i guess that bottle of gin got to me. and i couldn't pass up the chance to type HELL NON.  skirt, orange ooner, and teeny tank are all in the trash bin or on different bodies altogether.


the bowie shirt is a keeper, the lace remnant dress keeperoo (but needs work) and an unblogged maxi dress made of cotton sparkly jersey is a shameful keeper. i tore through this dress the day after promaballoona, on my actual birthday. it's had many outings, usually paired with several necklaces to hide its gaping neckline.  for some reason i decided not to wear my usual handful of ropes with it when meeting some of the best sewists i have the good fortune to know.  holy hell, i thought all through dinner, i look like amateur night.


and the mood sewing network begins! the only toile here actually bit me in the ass.  again, clockwise: anna sui maxi dress keeper (and probably my favorite of the year), purple space alien dress needs work, victory patterns nicola dress keeper, flannel lycra dress keeper.


oh hells yeah the leggings and sweatshirt are keepers.  you can barely keep me out of them.  feather skirt keeper, but needs a makeover on the guts.  by hand london elisalex dress keeper, and also can be called a toile as i've made two more since.  LOVE that pattern, y'all.

it seems my exercise in french has proved pointless.  i have no idea if a toile helps or hurts me.  it's possible that my usual method of toiling as i go works better for me... but i'd like to be more careful in my decisions along the way.  and i'm building a base of go to patterns that i can barrel through when i feel the need for speed.

my first make of 2013 is a mix of both methods: a top made from a go to pattern, a maxi skirt from a first timer, tout le monde in shocking black velvet flocked metallic gold.  it's calling to me, quite loudly as would be expected from such yardage, as i end this wrapup.  2013 IS SO ON Y'ALL.  

41 comments:

  1. I'm trying desperately to pick a favorite but the truth is YOUR FACE IS MY FAVORITE.

    Sorry not sorry.

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    1. Just coming here to say exactly this! Your face is the best face, Oona! It's not fair and I almost hate you for it :)

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  2. OMG, this post is so colourful... made me so happy to see beautiful prints and colours Its showcase your bright and dynamic personally

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  3. look at all those amazing outfits! You are a sewing machine :D Can't wait to see what 2013 brings.

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  4. Hilarious that toile-ing and toiling are the same word!

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  5. Your post makes me so happy! All the colors! And it looks like, for the most part, you did just fine without toiles. (Though if any project does need it, it is a jacket!)

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  6. I am loving all of the colors in the post. Seriously - I think I am going to print it off and put it on the wall in my new apartment and then just find/paint pieces of furniture to match your outfits. Your creations make me so happy with all of the marvelous prints and styles - you are a fashionista and my sewing idol fo sho.

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  7. do you ever have a bad picture? even your (so-called) terrible makes look amazing! keep it up in 2013 and happy new year oona!

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  8. Oona, I have been obsessed with your Derby dress since I saw the pictures! I have the pattern and want to make a longer version like you :)

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  9. great roundup! i loved revisiting all of the colors. you'll find a method that works for you--we all do eventually :-) and then let me know what yours is, in case i need to steal it....

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  10. I have to agree with many of the comments. You are one beautiful lady! Very few people could pull off feathers I'm sure.

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  11. You had a very productive year! I can relate, I am not the biggest toile maker myself, but sometimes it is for sure necessary. I do love your prombaloona dress!

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  12. Ahem. I think you meant to say, "non bébé, non." LOL I love reading your posts.

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  13. Oh, you. You're the best! Can't get enough of these looks!

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  14. Fabulosity!!! I too adore that Anna Sui maxi - what incredible fabric and a perfect cut. xo

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  15. You've made so many amazing things this year, and that Anna Sui is pure awesomeness! I love these end-of-year posts.

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  16. Wow they are all so great:) well done

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  17. You have the best poses. I love that Anna Sui maxi. Just gorgeous.

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  18. Happy 2013! Every single one of these pics and outfits is gold. Toile-schmoile! Who needs em when you work it like you do?

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  19. I have to tell you that I am just loving that plaid dress and I think I might have to copy you :)

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  20. Your wardrobe is as vibrant and gorgeous and you are. What a wonderful year you had. Wow.

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  21. Happy New Year Oona! Awesome awesome roundup, toiled or not!

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  22. Oui ou non, your knack for color is really striking. Even your house was a mood ring!

    As for toiles: lawsie mercy, I hear you. I make them for every. last. garment. Yet I'm not sure they're always worth the time.

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  23. Being married to a French guy, I totally appreciate your efforts in Frenchifying the whole process. Even my husband got a kick out of your pictures. You crack me up as usual, Oona. :))

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  24. It's very easy to tell which you like and which you don't by your expression - your face says it all. What a colourful post!! Thanks for making me smile :)

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  25. I can't help but make an observation on the whole subject of toiles. I first got into sewing my freshman year of college with the assumption that I would be able to whip up clothes and hem by jeans in a jiffy. I quickly learned that this wasn't the case and that in order for a garment to turn out well, a toile (or muslin) is a must. I realized this more and more over the years and have thus become more and more meticulous (which explains my LOVE for slopers). Do you think this is a natural progression of many seamstresses(I hate to say ALL SEAMSTRESSES). If so, it looks like you're on you're on the same path as me :)

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    1. unfortunately, yes i do... but i so don't want to start making toiles!!

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  26. Ooo that Elisalex dress is beautiful! I wish I could make garments already. I need to take some more sewing classes. Happy New Year doll!
    Nestled in Nostalgia

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  27. Happy New Year Oona Fabulous Balloooona!
    You had an amazing 2012!

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  28. I used to make muslins all of the time. Now I don't have the time. I miss them. One of these days I'll find that kind of time again... Right?

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  29. You have such a tactile, experiential way with fabric and patterns that it seems like it's more enjoyable to learn as you go... if you were to sew a toile, it'd have to be in some crazy print to keep you inspired! That Anna Sui print dress blows me away... so beautiful. Have a fabulous New Year!

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  30. Do you know how much I hate auto spellcheck??????

    Let's start over.

    Wishing you many ouis in 2013 !!

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!