1.12.2013

aaaaaaaaCHOO!


So, I did squeeze a couple of garments in before baby new year started screaming its wee jolly head off. This playful technicolor thing stowed away in my suitcase, and I had my heart set on shooting it in powder. On the day after Christmas, in the land of Ruggy’s birth, it snowed. And snowed, and snowed. I bid the fireplace and egg nog making adieu, jumped into my second version of By Hand London’s Elisalex dress, and ran outside to play.


I lost track of how many times I almost bit it. Holiday trip to the ER, anyone?



It seemed the perfect backdrop for Betsey Johnson’s technicolor print, from Mood. As usual, I was in the Jersey aisle, and I fell in love and snagged a yard of this beauty. The weight is perfection, the colors are edible. My intention was to make more leggings. BIG SURPRISE. However, when I pulled out my ginghers, the bright happy flowers screamed OONA! Are you really going to use us for ANOTHER pair of leggings? COME ON WOMAN! CAN YOU MAKE NOTHING ELSE?!



They are, as you can see, flowers of an outspoken variety.

My last network make came out okay (despite my best efforts to shoot myself in the foot) so I decided to give BHL’s pattern another go, this time giving this beautifully drafted pattern the respect it so rightfully deserves. I sewed up the princess seamed bodice exactly as intended, and it’s a perfect fit. HEY LOOKIT THAT OONA. SOMEONE KNOWS MORE THAN YOU DO. This version got the half circle skirt treatment and short sleeves, I think it really makes it a different dress altogether. And holy haberdashery, this sews up so quickly I want to make seventeen of them, so it’s nice to know it’s easy to throw new curves into it.


The only adjustment I needed was my PDA (posture du dancer adjustment. I am a pretty, pretty ballerina, with an upper back straight as Channing Tatum. Oh yes. I assure Ruggy of this fact constantly.) Just an inch or so out of high center back and I was twirling around the room.


The neck edges are serged, turned under, and topstitched. No rippling, no unsightly cling on le derriere, I love this fabric!! I used my magical fabric markers to color each little topstitched thread on the neckline to match the flowers. yep. I'm telling you, it's the next best thing to invisible thread. And now that I think about it, I suppose I could’ve cut the back bodice out on the fold since there’s no need for a zipper with this lovely stretch...


Alrighty! No chance to test that thought out, as I’m saying goodbye to the Jersey aisle! I have several New Year's resolutions, and one of them is to use a different and delectable fabric for each MSN make. I mean, there are corners of floors I haven’t even stepped foot in yet. In 2013, Mood shall be like a garden of fabrics, full of every flower imaginable…and I feel a seasonal allergy to jersey coming on.

this flowerful twirler was made using my monthly fabric "allowance" as part of the Mood Sewing Network.

76 comments:

  1. I love it, what a splash of colour. I've yet to do much sewing with anything with stretch - this year I will though!

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  2. Looooooove this! I really can't wait to make this dress! Damn! I have a couple of pressing deadlines first-- agh!

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  3. That is the most cheerful dress ever! It inspires me to move up from bargain basement knits to the good stuff.

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    1. take it from a dollar bin girl, it makes a HUGE difference.

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  4. Wow - that is one cute dress, and the photos are inspired. The monochrome background really set it off. And how good is it to know that you can run another one up knowing it fits so well!

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  5. Utterly gorgeous. Wow and what a pop of colour against the snow! You are a Bird of Paradise :)

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  6. I can't decide whether using markers to make your neckline topstitching invisible is sheer genius or wacky nuttiness....I might have to go and ponder this one, but damn girl, that's one flipping gorgeous dress, I'd be twirling 24/7 wearing that one.

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  7. wow wow! there is nothing more amazing that colorful clothing in the wintertime! i love it! i mean...i LOVE it! it's great! if you do end up making seventeen of them...well...i want one :)

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  8. GORGEOUS!!! I love it! And I never even knew such magical markers existed...

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    1. you would drool for these markers. they're unfortunately crazy hard to find, i got them eons ago at michaels...

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  9. I love the dress!!! I want one :)

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    1. you may haz one! the lovely gals at BHL will have you twirling in no time :)

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  10. Very bright dress through white tress! Cool!!!

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  11. A wonderful dress, love all of that color pop.

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  12. WOW! Great colourful dress, and equally as stunning backdrop!

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  13. Brave, brave woman in the snow in that summery dress! Its a beauty, though, and great pictures.

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  14. Ah, your photos are making me drool. Well played, with the snowy background! By the way, me and the boyfriend are thinking about popping into NYC in February or March to see The House of Von Macrame (http://houseofvonmacrame.com/), which is a show describing itself as a "pop horror fashion show" so immediately I thought of you. A) I'm thinking you might want to see it too because really "pop horror fashion show" kind of screams OONA to me and B) We're trying to find a place to crash either with someone he knows (which isn't looking good) or one of the few people I know in the city :) Also I would bring you a package of sewing goodies.

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    1. um, they highlight Eyes Of Laura Mars on thier blog... obviously their taste level is IMPECCABLE...let me know when you're going, i just hope we're in town when you get here!!

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  15. GREAT photo shoot! The snow backdrop is lovely - perfect contrast to show off that colorful dress. You are so dang cute!

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  16. It's a beautiful dress, you're going out on a massive high with the jersey!

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    1. had to put the jersey away on a good note. i shall miss her easy overlocked seams....

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  17. adorable lady!!!! though COLD! xoxo

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  18. I have never seen me snow so I imagine it is rather cold and whatnot so bonus points for the photos! Loving the fab print.

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  19. LOVE this photo set...even though it's making me shiver just looking at it! And once again, so brilliant with the colored topstitching. I demand a close-up of the neckline as proof that it's invisible! ;)

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  20. I envy your colour fearlessness. I do.

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  21. Stunning dress, photos.. You look awesome

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  22. This is gorgeous! I can't believe you sat there and coloured each of the stitches in though, that is super attention to detail!

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  23. Oh, that's really, really a fantastic dress - and the photos! It's just perfect, no wonder you want to make more! :-) Good luck with trying out new fabrics! Heh. I dare you to sew a jacket...

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  24. I LOVE this!!!...such a fabulous backdrop for the beautiful dress! Watch out 2013, there's an Oona on the loose! :)

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    1. um, can i get that embroidered on a pillow? or maybe laser engraved on a bottle of rye?

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  25. Does that ever pop with snow for a background. It looks fantastic, very Oona.

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  26. Pure floral deliciousness!! That dress is so happy, it's like a carnival complete with cotton candy! I hearts it, I do!

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  27. oh, the colors.. i'm gonna steal this beauty from you, sis.. it ain't gonna fit, but i'm stealing it anyways

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  28. It would have made a great pair of leggings but I do love that dress.

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  29. Oooh that fabric is amazing! It suits the shape of your dress perfectly and really pops with that background. Love it!

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  30. I love it Oona, you look beautiful as always (^_^)!

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  31. Looks adorable:) smart with the markers!!

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  32. ooohh! It looks great on you, I loooove that print!

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  33. Love it! Once more it suits you perfectly! Makes me want to try out something with princess seams...

    Though, I have to say I'm a bit surprised....where's Ruggy's shirt?! Hahaha

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  34. Yay! Best photoshoot ever---perfect for that dress. It makes me want to sew something short and twirly...

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  35. Genius idea to use markers to color the threads to match the fabric. I've never heard of that!

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  36. you are the prettiest ballerina, oona. love the photos against the snow.

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  37. I love this adorable floral! The colors are so happy, especially in the winter wonderland setting! I will have to make it a point to use more jersey, leggings here I come!

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  38. You make winter look lovely and bright, not at all miserable! So clever (and patient) with markers - genius idea!

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  39. Pretty photos! I'm working on this dress at the moment... battling with the tulip skirt.

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  40. These colors are marvelous! You are rocking this dress, my friend, and I'm glad you didn't bite the dust while dancing around all over the place :)

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  41. Gorgeous splash of 'YUM' right there!!

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  42. A lovely opus! I was wondering about the PDA; I think I'm having the same fit issue for my dancing dude and I hope you don't mind me asking for advice. Do you take the excess out of center and taper to nothing? Or is it horizontal and you adjust the sleeves too? Or some other ingenious solution that has escaped my imagination?

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    1. thank you! i take the excess out of center back and taper to nothing at about mid back. at the most, 2 inches from center back line (on either side). if it's more than that, i'll throw some darts in at center back shoulder, if that makes sense. you'll also have to straighten out the waistline of the back bodice a bit, pulling that fabric in at the top can create a slight V at the bottom. you can do this on the pattern, but since for some reason i'd rather be an idiot and eyeball things, i usually just slice the excess off the waistline once the bodice is sewn. there's something very satisfying about that...

      disclaimer: i have no idea if this is the right way to do it!! but it works for me :)

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  43. Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! Lovely frock too!

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  44. I had to take it in a bit on the sides from bust to waist, because I lost some weight. It is such a simple design ANYONE who sews could easily sew an inch on each side to alter it (that is what I did).

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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!