10.22.2014

The Coiffed Quaff

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

Hands down one of the best things about temperatures dropping: brocade. One of the worst: I'M BACK IN THE DAMN ALLEYWAY AGAIN.

A few short years ago I would have laughed like hell if you told me I'd say either of those things. Now Fall hits and just about all I can think of is brocade. Yes, I'm back to taking frozen pictures in the alleyway, but I'm in brocade. Past oona, the oona who would laugh in your face, never touched the stuff. Appropriately, not till Mood, to be exact: evidenced here, in July of 2012.

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

Several weeks ago, a wiser oona walked into Mood Fabrics for something. Something for my October MSN make. I really don't remember what. But I do clearly recall I had a list, a gameplan, and all carefully laid out thoughts left my head at a full tilt boogie when I saw this Zac Posen Floral Silk Brocade.

Then the Pinkness whispered to me from a low shelf, and my allowance was gone.

I have since lost the list. I am 100% okay with that.


That said, I'm only 50% happy with this ensemble. The top, she does not fit well (Cynthia Rowley 1873 bodice). I knew those bust and waist darts were too angular (especially considering the weight of the fabric), I knew I should have taken a little more care around the neck curve, I knew I should have basted a zipper in to double check for fit before setting those snaps... but I didn't.

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

BUT THE SKIRT! I LOVE THE SKIRT! I WANNA MARRY IT AND HAVE WELL QUAFFED ZAC POSEN SILK BABIES!

(That should actually be coiffed. Considering the author, it works both ways. So I'm leaving it.)

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

SHE HAS SELF-SET ANORAK SNAPS AND INVISIBLE ZIP IN THE PERFECT MATCHING SHADE FOR THE LACKLUSTER TOP!!

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

Sigh. That top. It's like a tragic romance. I'm sad about it in the most wistful way. I've been feeling wistfully sad lately. It may have something to do with Kalkatroona's current fascination with The Vampire Diaries. Oh, multiple Elenas loved by multiple brothers, will a pair of you ever find happiness? 

You can barely see the seven snaps up the back, they match so well, but you can surely see the pulling occurring. Crop Top! I succumbed to your powers, and you have defeated me!

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics

You can see the defeat better in these inside-out shots. Whole shebang fully lined, except for sleeves, which were fished with satin bias tape from Pacific Trimmings. The skirt is lined with some truly glorious satin, also from Mood, and comes in lots of colors... when it arrived, the weight and the loft of it tempted me to use it solely for a dress, especially at the price. BUT. Me n' solids. You know how that goes.

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

You can see the surgery is going to involve undoing a bit of work. Luckily the work I put into the skirt paid off, lots of handstitching, and cooing and petting. Like vampires do. I will try to remember to coo and pet when I dig back into that top...

oonaballoona | silk brocade skirt and crop top | mood fabrics | zac posen

After all, I do think they deserve to be together.

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

55 comments:

  1. I am just finishing my 1873! I see what you mean with the pulling (mine usually gapes like crazy at the back), but it still looks really nice. I do hope it gets fixed and if you do, you should show us the before and after! LOVE the skirt... sooo puuurty :)

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    1. yeah, i had problems with this bodice, sometimes i walk away from a project and forget where i was in the fitting! i'm hellbent on saving it. would love to see yours too!

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  2. Brocade. Anorak snaps. A combination that, somehow, never entered my head.
    Leave the discoverey of the Untrodden Path to Oona, she won't disappoint!
    Sabine (aka asewingthread)

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    1. WELL THANKYA!! it happened when i couldn't find the perfect exposed zip :)!

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  3. Oh wow that skirt is AMAZING!!! I love it! I'm yet to try sewing with brocade but I will have to give it a go now :-) xx

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  4. Even things you are not happy with look so happy on you!
    That skirt is beyond amazing looking. I think it should have it's own dress form just so it could be displayed while you are not wearing it!
    Nicely done as always:)
    ~Michelle

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    1. the dress form does wear it well. maybe the top will live there till inspiration strikes!

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  5. THAT SKIRT. It's brocade perfection.
    Good luck with the top.

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  6. That skirt! As my nephew would say "That's awesome!". Does it rustle when you walk in it?
    I love the top too, hope you can work up the energy to tweak it even though there's a whole load of seam-ripper action ahead if you do!

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    1. IT DOES. and probably weighs about as much as your nephew ;)

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  7. The skirt is brocade heavenly perfect, fabulous job.

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  8. A circle skirt was the perfect pattern for this divine fabric! Too bad about the top.

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    1. yeah, i could't bear to cut into that print more than a couple seams worth. that top, however, SO MUCH CUTTING. SO MUCH PLANNING!!!

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  9. That is one amazing skirt! The brocade is fabulous!

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  10. Ya win some, you lose some, but that skirt is a win win!

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  11. The skirt is perfection, it's fabulous! The top goes very well with it, this outfit is BEAUTIFUL!!!

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  12. Wow, I'm blown away by the anorak snaps. So brilliant! I think it all looks amazing on you!

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    Replies
    1. i thought of you as i hammered away, sadly, empty handed.

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    2. Well that's just not right! Not that I've been doing any happy hour sewing lately myself. Maybe I need to go find that gin I have somewhere...

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  13. That brocade is delicious and the extra good news is that I can see it paired with so many different colour and style tops ;o)

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    1. i agree...i'm thinking finally need to make a chambray shirt!

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  14. Now that skirt is DEEEVINILICIOUS, and the fabric, I want a coat made of it for next winter. WANT. You are not good for my carefully nurtured calm. xo

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  15. oh the vampire diaries, so heartrending and brilliantly teenage...I am a big fan of the cheese and pain that it entails! The skirt is pretty gorgeous too.

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    1. i devour it. think "the originals" is next, ooooooooooooo klaus!!!

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  16. Oh Oona I am loving that circle skirt! Such beautiful fabrics all around. A believe a glass of rum punch would look quite fetching paired with this outfit...or maybe that is just me wishing for a tropical locale! ;)

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    1. that sounds like the PERFECT drink for this getup! i should name the outfit rum punch!

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  17. You look so gorgeous in this ensemble! Zac Posen would be proud ;)

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  18. That skirt is amazeballs! I love it - thinks I may need to get me some brocade......
    Claire xxx

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    1. run, don't walk. it's the BEST thing right now. that and hot spiked chocolate.

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  19. Oh my gawd your outfit is heart stoppingly beautiful. I want brocade in my life NOW.

    www.pootleandmake.wordpress.com

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  20. Beautiful skirt! So lovely, so feminine.

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  21. Love them both - hope you start to love the top soon! Brocade is you!

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    1. never woulda thunk it, but i do agree--i could live in brocade!

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  22. GORGEOUS! and the skirt too :) I know you can never trust the technicolor settings of diff'rent 'puters - but perchance your bronte top goes with the brocade??

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    1. alllllllmost.... it has a little too much blue in the red IRL. ah well, i'll just have to make another :)

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  23. I know you'll get the fit right so these two can live together happily ever after!

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  24. Oh I missed your alley! I wish we had that bit of cold here... This is a lovely brocade and a dreamy outfit. I hope you reconcile the top because they're so gorgeous together!

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  25. I think they're both beeeautiful! And if you do decide to marry the skirt I hope you'll invite us all to the wedding!

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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!