7.17.2015

a poly party anna

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

 Hey Oona, what's up with the Steven Tyler impression?

A. I'm wailing Happy Birthday to Elle of Laura Loves Pugs

B. I'm trying to get the camera to focus on my face

Answer: BOTH!

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Summer Birthdays! The best! (I might be biased.) At this very moment, there's a birthday celebration going on for Elle, a virtual party conjured up as a solution to the problem of three friends living miles apart. Elle met Ute (she of the most beautiful instagram shots ever) and Pips (she of sixteen Annas!!) via instagram, and it was Elle's wish that they celebrate her birthday together on the platform they met upon. It was also her wish that all party guests wear an Anna, of By Hand London fame

One must always obey birthday girl wishes. The birthday girl is much like a bride in that respect (yes, I take it that seriously. Weep for Ruggy). And yet! And yet! My gold metallic linen Anna, embarked upon for this very shindig... she sits in pieces still! Egads! Tardy to the party! THE DEVIL YOU SAY! I will not stand for it!  Luckily, I have myriad unblogged Annas in my closet and can dress appropriately! PARTY FOUL AVERTED!

This particular Anna was stitched last September, but has remained un-snapped for various reasons...

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Hey Oona, whatcha smirkin' at?

A. My self inflicted uber high waistline

b. Ruggy's idea of a close up shot

Answer: BOTH!

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Although I can say this floral frock was made well, she wasn't made wise. When I traced the pattern for a V neck version, I went a little too nutso on a short waist adjustment... the waistline sits right on my natural waist, not the sweet spot I've come to love of about 5/8ths below. Therefore, belt.

And let's talk about the hemline. A gathered rectangle with a romantic touch was what I wanted, but not so much what I got. You might not be able to spy it in the shots (see; question #2, answer B) but...

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Pretty pretty scallops! Scallops for DAYS! Scallops that get TOTALLY LOST in the drapey poly blend! SCALLOPS THAT HANG UNEVENLY BECAUSE I DIDN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE EXTRA INCH OF LENGTH I ALWAYS NEED AT CENTER BACK FOR LE PROTRUDING DERRIERE!!!

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Sigh. 

Actually, looking at these shots, there's all kinds of wonk going on in that there hemline. I didn't consider the dip in the back at the bodice, or where the scallops would meet at side seam...really, I need to amputate and get in there with a level. Good god, woman.

Also, gathered waist, not so much my favorite on me. But I'm so attached to those scallops, I don't know what the fix is! Anyone?? 

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Hey Oona, why the side eye?

A. Oh, just wondering if the photographer is shooting me straight-on... like I asked him to

B. Oh, just listening to the photographer barking some nonsense about these shots being "BORING AS HELL"

Answer: MOST DEFINITELY BOTH. Byproduct; permission granted for artsy shot...

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Okey dokey Ruggy.

(Actually that is pretty cool how he incorporated the wave of the hem into the wave of the wall. Mad props, Rugster. Thanks for finishing the bathroom.)

oonaballoona | a sewing blog | by hand london anna

Hey Oona, whatcha lookin at?

 MY OWN BIRTHDAY ROARING DOWN THE STREET LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN

No, no, let me calm down, that's another twenty days away. Not that I'm keeping count or yelling about it on the hour or anything. Luckily for Ruggy I'll be distracted for a few days by all of Elle's party guests over on Instagram! Annas are about to blow up your feed, yo! Search #internationalannaparty, and if you're really feeling it, don an Anna and get in there. There's even party prizes to be had! (I'm taking my hat out of the ring for a prize, having both an embarrassment of hemline and riches going on at the moment.) The party officially starts at 6pm BST, which google tells me is 1pm EST. Thanks google, you rock.

Happy birthday Elle! And might I add, an equally stupendous birthday holler to Megalicious the Grand! I hope you're both eating cake and swathed in the yardage of your dreams! 

53 comments:

  1. I love your scalloped hem, and your delightful fabric, BUT I LOVE YOUR PRETTY FACE MOST OF ALL. Trip to NYC is being planned for 2016 (I am deciding this right now). Pizza date? Please say yes!!! XOXOXOXO

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  2. The dress, the fabric, the print, the hem all gorgeous Oona!

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  3. The dress, the fabric, the print, the hem all gorgeous Oona!

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  4. The dress, the fabric, the print, the hem all gorgeous Oona!

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  5. I'm all for pleats, madam. Cca 2-4 cm pleats is what I do. The skirt is long enough for it to even out at the hem. All the twirlability without the bulk.

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    1. (Although, obviously, I'm a stringy drafter and don't use the Anna!)

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    2. i thought pleats too, but this fabric is so drapey/slippy that they'll stand up and walk away.... hmmm... maybe stitched down box pleats?

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  6. Oooh, I love a good pretty party! You look fabulous, as does your dress....course, I'm a big fan of, or maybe just lazy, and do rectangular gathered skirts all the time. Having said that, I did not see the juicy scalloped hem until you pointed it out! I've just, only just, finished a dress with an a-line skirt; and I actually quite like the silhouette! I was gonna say you could remove the skirt and cut an a-line silhouette, working from the hem up....but...d'oh...that would mean redoing the zipper....ugh! Is there a possibility of working in some horsehair trim to give the hem a little more body?

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    1. i don't mind ripping out a zipper-- at least, i don't mind it 6 months later ;)! and i do love the gathered look on you.

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  7. Le protruding derrière... LOL LOL LOL! Loved this- I too have le protruding derrière... I feel we may not be alone in the protruding derrière department! You look totally snaz by the way :-) Lexie X

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    1. teeheee. a blessing and a curse, but mostly blessing, my bootied friend.

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  8. Haaaaa I couldn't even notice the scallops until you pointed them out! And I never notice wonky hems... didn't look wonky to me! Dude, I need another Anna in my life! I like this shorter one on you almost as much as I love your Annas to the Max!

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    1. they are completely invisible and took SO MUCH WORK!!!!!! i need your maxi anna. now.

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  9. We will just have to dance like crazy and nobody is going to notice a wonky hem! The pleats over my protruding derriere are doing funny things in the back - we will have to shake those derrieres! So great you came to the party! And I want to see that golden Anna!

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    1. she's coming! she's more of a ballroom dancing gal, i think. each anna should have it's own dancing style ;)

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  10. Birthdays are AWESOME! Rugster is awesome (for photography AND finishing the bathroom) and you are AWESOME for celebrating with the awesome stitchin' ladies! xxx

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  11. It's lovely and if you really do want to tweak it into life, can I suggest unpicking at the waist, lopping a good 6 inches off the top and pleating it back on as Hana described? Shorter and pleated, it will be more you, the scallops will show up better and you could even nip in there with a narrow midriff to lengthen the waist a little, although I like that bit as it is too. xo

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    1. now, shorter me likey! i think this could be the winning combo!

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  12. Cool hem, Oona! I agree with pleats. Asymetrical if you don't feel like doing the math. Just pleat fabric until it fits the top. Call it a de-zine feature.

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    1. i think pleats are on the way. must gather my seam ripping strength...

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  13. Onna, looking most fabulous as always! Thank you so much for joining our party. Elle, Ute and I are so happy you could join us. Pips xxx

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    1. you are welcome pips, and thank you for having us all to your brilliant shindig!

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  14. It's a cute dress and I'm sure that you will work out the hem challenges!

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  15. You look fantastic! Maybe leave the hem? Chalk it up to learning experience? Aren't high/low hems all the rage anyway?

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    1. yeah, i keep telling myself it's all over RTW right now, and then i keep thinking, well yeah it is, the better to call it finished!! HA!

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  16. Scallops! Those are gorgeous. I'm sure you're never still long enough for anyone to notice any need for a level. :) You're a marvel!

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    1. now THAT is a very good point. (the constantly moving bit. though i do try to be marvelous.)

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  17. Twenty days! Yeesh, by then I will have a fifteen year old! (Her birthday is a measly fifteen days or so away.)

    The scallops are fabulous, though problematic---I sympathize intently. My not-quite-a-maxi Lonsdale dress would be infinitely more wearable if I cut it off to above-knee length, yet I put such a lot of work into that faced hem I just can't bear it... >_<

    The Anna party is lovely, I am so sad that this pattern is still languishing in my stash unused. :P

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    1. FIFTEEN?!!! when the F did that happen?!

      girl, wearable is better than work. i think you 'n me should have a hem cutting party. and you must make your anna! you will be eighteen feet tall in an anna!

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  18. Oh the hem! <3 but I'm not going to try one in a hurry.... EEP. I did my first FBA on the Anna pattern this week for the party... and forgot about the short waisted... so I have it all a bit wrong in mine around the middle and those darts, but it's still lovely to wear. Did you shorten it at the waist seam or the underbust?

    This year will be my FIRST summer birthday (AUG 24th) and I'm excited! What are you going to do? I'm trying to find cheap flights to the UK for Felix & I to visit our little friends! AND MAYBE SEWING FRIENDS. EEP xoxoxoxo

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    1. oh girl, i have no earthly idea what i did! i normally take 5/8 off the back shoulder seam only, which erases any swayback issues on most patterns for me. but i think on this one i decided to shorten above the waist as well (if i do a petite adjustment, i always do it by adding an l/s line about 2 inches above the waistline).

      and now WHAT?!!!!!! will i actually get to see you, birthday girl?! we can wear our yellow kicks!

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  19. I love it! At first glance of the first photo I thought it was one of my favorite patterns, Vogue 8789. It's funny how a busy print can make two very different patterns look the same. And by the way, I love the print. A busy floral on a dark background is one of my favorite things.

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    1. ooo i have a very similar reprint!

      that's the way i like my florals, too-- i think it makes them a little less young, maybe?

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  20. I love everything about your dress. The hem is way cool!

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  21. Gorgeous as always! I love how you always add a little something to make the garment more special - those scallops are awesome!

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    1. i might hack them off and frame them so they actually get SEEN :)

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  22. I love the scalloped hem - though the busy fabric does make it hard to fully appreciate.You might try seeing how a little bit of contrasting lace behind it might make it pop out. No one will notice an uneven hem. I didn't really see that until you pointed it out.

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    1. oo! i have seam binding there now, but it's not a contrast at all. i like that idea!

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  23. Ugh! Everytime I'm thinking of doing a scalloped hem on something I'm like "no, that might look too *juvenile* on this".. then I see yet ANOTHER person add it and I just kick myself lol I'm going to do it one of these days.
    I love your fabric!

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    1. that lil vogue miniskirt would be FANTASTIC with a scalloped edge... in brocade... you know you want to....

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  24. So THAT'S how you compensate for the booty(licious) - being a "white woman with an a*" (that's what I was told) it's nice to know there's an easy fix to a problem. One of those "why didn't I think of that??" moments...
    Love the scallops, but what to do with the waistline? Of course a belt! The best simple fix to any fitting problems, amiright? Please say I am as I use this often... *lol* Love the colour, love the general look of the dress on you, loving the wave-a-mania Ruggy managed...all around Oona-ness at it's best!! :)

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    1. yeah girl! if it's sticking out, the hem will rise! it took me YEARS to figure that out ;)

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  25. That hem!!! So adorable. I love this entire dress. It looks great on you.

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  26. What a perfect occasion to unveil your lovely Anna! Ah what fun. The hem is smashing, but I think the juxtaposition with that edgy belt makes it all work perfectly!

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  27. Love the dress. But if you want to showcase the scalloped hem (& why not after all that work), why not use madeira applique for the skirt hem? I'd use the background colour of the print.

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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!