3.05.2017

alice + olivia + oona + marcy

oonaballoona | by marcy harriell | sewing alice + olivia

Ahh, little mesh embroidered top. Hi, you. Snapped on my bod in the 70 degree days of February, stuck on a hanger in the 10 degree days of March. 


I have a feeling we'll soon be seeing an onslaught of blog posts entitled 10 Ways To Seasonize Your Wardrobe! and Temperature Tricks With Goop! or Climate Change Your Closet! It'll become the next thing we're all "doing," like Kondo-ing. Ugh, Kondo-ing.

(Deeper and infinitely more terrifying ugh, CLIMATE CHANGE. Not so much ugh as silent unending scream. Alrighty. In the interest of getting a day of sewing in, I'm going to stop that rollercoaster train of thought there before I careen down the first of many slopes, and talk about this little top.)

oonaballoona | by marcy harriell | sewing alice + olivia

Lately, I've been wanting everything to be pretty, and fancy, which in my mind precludes "everyday wear." At least in the eyes of the general public. Mind you, I will gladly go out overdressed every day, if permitted. And when I get my hands on a fabric like this, my tendency is to really go for the gold and make something ridiculously complicated, meant for full-on party mode. 

oonaballoona | by marcy harriell | sewing alice + olivia

However, I’m glad I reigned myself in on this one, because this fabric is a garden party right off the bolt. I only had one yard of this Alice + Olivia embroidered mesh to play with, and eventually went with my first instinct of crop (ish) top. Yes, I had to talk myself down from wiggle dress... sheer skirt... bell sleeve jacket. I'm glad I did! Methinks I've struck middle ground with this little fancy every day top! I'm not sure yet, since its only test drive was that weirdo springy winter day. But, drugstore/grocery/errands wearable, yes? I DON'T KNOW YOU'LL HAVE TO TELL ME. I'm wearing it everywhere when the climate allows.

oonaballoona | by marcy harriell | sewing alice + olivia

Going simple was also the right choice for a complicated fabric like this. Even for a little self-drafted top, there was a lot of (HIGHLY enjoyable) work involved. The seams were stitched up with tear-away stabilizer, then trimmed & bound in a wonderful flocked velvet ponte from Chic Fabrics. After much deliberation on creating a cutaway neckline to mirror the hem, I decided that a defined outline on the neck was best– it’s encased in the same ponte. (And when I say deliberation, I mean I spent several hours trimming and pinning and placing flowers all around the neckline on my dressform, took two steps back to admire my handiwork, and realized it didn't work. What was surprising is that I didn't mind that it didn't work-- I tried it, I enjoyed the trying of it, I made a different choice. Not long ago, I would have gnashed my teeth over all that work and forced myself to keep going. 

Grown-uppery.

For the sleeve, I carefully cut the mesh away right up to the embroidery. The sleeve hem is the border “print” of the fabric, that brown embroidered motif ran parallel to the selvedge. As for the hem, I cut away a free form path, and appliquéd extra flowers in where needed (that little white daisy at center back, and the extra flame-y orange & yellow leaves at center front, for example).

oonaballoona | by marcy harriell | sewing alice + olivia

So, I promised the showcasing of this baby's guts when I posted over at The Mood Sewing Network for my February fabric allowance project, but that's going to have to wait a minute. Mea culpa, I'm going full-tilt during the week, so I'm saving a great big chunk of my weekend time for creating! Details, like Spring, will come. Just not on a promised schedule. (Much like Spring).

55 comments:

  1. This is beautiful excuse. Me while I pop to buy some embroidered mesh!
    Frankie
    Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. This is beautiful excuse. Me while I pop to buy some embroidered mesh!
    Frankie
    Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk

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  3. i just have 2 words to say. I want.

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  4. I never heard of embroidered mesh, but it looks pretty close to perfect. Research time! I wonder, is it scratchy?

    ceci

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    1. Not at all! The mesh is soft, and the embroidery thread is, I believe, 100% silk. Super. Fancy.

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  5. This.is.perfect! Wear this top any dayum where you wanna this spring and summer because it will be perfect everywhere. And here is the real compliment ~ I WANT ONE TOO!

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    1. Now THAT is saying something!!! I believe this is a first!

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  6. Damn this is epic, the colours/textures whole shebang �� the neckline is perfect compliment to other hems, lets their majesty shine!

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  7. Oh my is this good.....I mean really good! Love how you made the fabric do the work, and then to dress down with jeans...BRILLIANT.....and I want one too!

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  8. What a great little top. Yes to the grocery store, and double yes to fancying it up for a night out. That top can go anywhere it wants!

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    1. I like that the top has a mind of its own and does what it pleases. Sounds like somebody I know...

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  9. Stunning, and definitely everyday wearable! it's perfect!

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  10. Perfection! I love a bit of fancy in everyday wear. Great fabric!

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  11. I am soooo in love with this. I really am a sucker for Embroidery and am wishing I could recreate this on my Embroidery machine.

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    1. You could certainly make something similar! I've been thinking about it myself.

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  12. Oona – if I may be so familiar – you can wear any damn thing any damn where any damn time and look fabulous.
    This is beautiful. You are beautiful.
    Keep up the good work. We rely on you.
    Vancouver Barbara

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  13. I rather like this top with the denims - works better than Doc Martins with frilly chiffon dresses and there was a significant period of time when Docs with chiffon was all over campus, as I recall. The simplicity of the top style suits the denims perfectly - straightforward, no nonsense functionality. Then the embroidery steps in and offers the eye some spunsugar confection, demonstrating that "function" and "beauty" need not be strangers; and that denim remains one adaptable form of fabric. I say, go for it!

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    1. Thanks Nikki! You know, I actually find it hard to picture this with anything else but worn-in jeans.

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  14. So beautiful! Going onto the copy this list right now.

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  15. Lovely top - such pretty lace. Speaking of Kondo, I'm about to read the book. I don't expect it to be life changing but I want to know what the fuss is

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    1. Confession: I've never read it. All my naysaying comes from watching others purge ;)

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  16. Of course you can wear it to grocery store or errands! Who cares? I am always that annoying/weird overdressed mom at school events/child's birthday parties etc. Why? Because I can!

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  17. I forgot to say, how much I am in love with your top. Its simple and stunning.

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  18. You didn't just strike middle ground with this...you struck gold!! Marcy, I love this! wear it everywhere!!!!!!! If you don't... I'm coming for it. start posting all the places you worn this on Instagram....annnnnd.....go!

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    1. hahaha!!! So, if I post something near a recognizable landmark, the police will know where the crime was committed....

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  19. That is the most beautiful creation I have ever seen!!!!!!! May I have it when you're done with it, please? You can have anything of mine that you want.

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  20. This is beautiful! Perfect glam daywear. I love, love, love Alice & Olivia and am jealous of your access to such lovely fabric :) Thanks for letting us live vicariously!

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  21. I would wear that top absolutely anywhere, it's fabulous!

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  22. I WANT this fabric like a physical pain, and it's all gone!!!!! So I will just have to enjoy looking at your top instead!

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    1. damn! Denis said it would go quickly and he was right. I'm lucky I saw it on a cart before it made it to the shelves!

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  23. This is unexpectedly sweet and feminine. Not that your other wardrobe pieces aren't, but they generally achieve femininity in a much bolder way, with larger scale color pattern in the fabric. This soft look suits you, too, and you did a lovely job rearranging some of the brightly colored flowers for maximum visual interest. Also, the 3-D effect of the slightly raised embroidered flowers on the sheer backing makes this a very original piece. Not to mention a tasteful teaser even with the partial underlining. Bonus points: this type of garment ought to raise men's . . er . . eyebrows. ;))

    Also: "I tried it, I enjoyed the trying of it, I made a different choice" - love it!

    Cindy (Creative Hormone Rush)

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    1. Perfectly said, I surprised myself with the feel of this one! And I meant to make mention of the flesh toned crop tank...I've always liked that double take effect.

      And I definitely always like your thoughts on the matter! (Eyebrows. Heheh.)

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  24. Just now found your blog through the Pattern Review site!
    Wow!
    Absolutely the most B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L creation done with your top!
    Looking forward to reading your blog more!
    Take care!

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  25. Oh my! It's gorgeous! Ages ago I read on another blog, "Every day is worth dressing up for." That is the perfect motto for me because I never have anything to dress up for except grocery shopping and such.

    And this weather! We've had lots of 70 and 80 degree days all winter and now it's freezing. I think Mother Nature is schizophrenic.

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    Replies
    1. i love that quote. so perfect. (and i think mother nature is getting tired of us...)

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  26. Beautiful! Love what you have created.

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  27. Gorgeous! simply gorgeous .... the fabric! wear it to threads girl!

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  28. I just stumbled onto your blog and can't believe that's the first thing I see. So gorgeous, so inspirational, probably going to be my favorite garment inspiration of 2017. :)

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  29. I LOVE that fabric!! Have you seen the latest Threads Magazine? The back cover features a vintage 1940s dress in a VERY similar fabric made of a 3D embroidered black net (although yours is prettier and more detailed)!

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  30. I just watched you on sewsewdef youtube channel and immediately googled you and now I am writing my first comment. That interview just inspired me, the whole sewsewdef movement. I am a closet sewer - for many reasons too numerous to outline on this forum - but yes, I am now more convinced than ever to dig out my machines and get cracking. I love your style and how you have really developed your skills, I am really motivated, and I may even start my own blog just to remain accountantable. This top rocks and when I saw it I thought you did the embroidery yourself :D It is beautiful, and I would wear it everywhere- it's like a "I'm not really that fancy....but I really am *cough cough*. LOL! Look

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  31. Wonderful colorful top. Hope you got lots of wear out of it this spring and summer.

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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!