I'm All Red, I Am

in my newly made coat, and hat, with my new-to-me red boots.  tra-la-la-la-la.

~ nothing subtle happening here ~

Using up bits and pieces from the stash:  the yoke is brocade leftover from a coat last seen here; the grey linen patch underneath is from a tunic and pants seen here; and over that is an ombre wine abstract flower patch leftover from a kimono seen here.

~  some pieces were given to me ~

In fact, the sleeve tapestry was from Anne of Spy Girl during a clothes/ fabric swap at the Blogger meet-up in Vancouver several years ago.   The collar was a thick knit scrap from a sewing friend in Chicago.  And the assorted antique buttons from another Chicago friend.

~  it's a Koos pattern, of course ~

Koos Vogue 1146 coat pattern to be exact.  Yes, I've made it before as a Spring coat, here.  The new one is version A with a lining and a few more extravaganzas.

The main fabric is an ombre jacquard I got in a mystery bundle.  The yoke and the two rectangular pieces were samples I had laying around.  The round photographic rose section was leftover from a dress, here.

~ the other side ~

That's a bit of quilting cotton next to the sleeve.  Another piece of the photographic roses and the base here is a deep red canvas.   I think that about covers it.

~ except for the lining! ~

Yes, it's flannel-backed satin.  yum.  And I squished a strip of raspberry velvet in between the lining and the collar for some special effects on the inside.

Oh, I see I've forgotten to mention that front rectangular patch of wine linen with small handwriting on it (in French, no less).   I also used the lining to make bias tape to encase the hem of the outer coat, leaving the inner lining to hang loose.  yeah.

~ like this ~

What I'm wearing underneath:  Velvet pants from Tina Givens Phoebe pants pattern and the cut-off bodice made of the same velvet from her Bethany Dress made previously and seen here.   The stretch mesh shirt underneath is adapted from Vogue 8450.

~ aerial view of the hat ~

Hand-sewn with scraps of red fleece using Vogue 9235, view D.   It was a quick sew, cutting the circles of the pattern and then the fleece is what took time.  I eliminated the elastic called for on the brim as there was no need for it.

~ back view ~

Those aren't shadows, I used two different colors of red for the hat.  And while I was at it - variegated red thread for sewing.

~ last, but not the least, for sure ~

A glamour shot, a centerfold, a knockout view of my ebay doc marten boots.  whoa bay-bee.



Now, if you haven't jumped around enough already, here's some more links not to miss!  I'll be joining Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine at I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie's Shoe and Tell, when they all go live.  Oh, and the hat.  I'll be with Judith, the Style Crone for her monthly Hat Attack!  Hope to see you everywhere!


Watch out for the 8 inches of snow we'll be getting later today/this evening - if you're in the Midwest.   There's nothing like sewing when snowed-in, I tell ya.

ed. note:  as of the next morning, we've been dusted with an inch.  The only thing blustering was the weather forecast.

The Luella, Oprah & Tessa Ensemble, Live

This Just In from Pao-land: 

 I am fit to sew again

and that makes me sew happy!

~ fresh off the sewing machine just this week ~

Well... actually, the top was made last summer.  But... I made the slip/ dress and pants this week.

~ doesn't my yard sale bag go with everything? ~

When I made the Luella top out of green plaid linen, I still had enough left over to squeeze out the Oprah pants.

~ caught in the act of pushing up my reading glasses ~

But it was the addition of the stretch mesh Tessa slip/ dress that made my heart sing.  

~ wild thing ~

Yea, she makes everything groovy. 

All clothes are modified from Tina Givens Patterns:  Luella Tunic, Oprah Pants and Tessa Slip/ Dress.

~ hairclip from Suzanne Carillo received at the Vancouver Blogger Meet-up ~

What I'm attempting to show off here is my graying hair.  I've (finally!) got a bit of a streak going at my temples that usually gets covered up by my overlying hair.  But with the aid of Suzanne's loverly hairclip, voila.


And finally,

~ les Blowfish shoes from ebay ~

I'm showing up at the ever-visible Patti and the Visibles @ Not Dead Yet Style.  Annes, 52 Pick-up Completion grande finale can't be missed.  Also Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie's Shoe and Tell when they go live.  Hope to see you all everywhere!

Women In Clothes Dresses

A friend asked if I had the book.  Why yes, as a matter of fact, I do.

~ and it goes so well with my dresses too ~

My ensemble was made last Spring.

~ as I'm still on sewing hiatus ~ 

In fact, my doctor referred me to a Sports Specialist.  Meanwhile I'm feeling no pain, being put on drugs until the appointment comes 'round.  Although since there's no pain, I have been sneaking in a little sewing here and there a few hours at a time.  Can't go longer than that cuz I'm exhausted too.  geez.

~ and back view ~

The over dress is the Peplone Dress/ Jacket pattern from Tina Givens made out of linen.

~ I am mellower... ~

The dress underneath is a rendition of the Briare Slip/ Dress pattern also from Tina Givens, made out of broadcloth.

~ art by artist Melaine ~

Graciously received at the World's First 40+ Bloggess Meet-up in Vancouver in July of 2015.  It goes with everything!

~ les sox et shoes ~

Oh, hey, I painted those shoes with some weird-o paints.  Chemtex paints, yeah.  Touted as real metallic finishes with real patinas that oxidize.  So these were painted copper that turned verdigris.  Cool,  Otherwise they were old black plastic.

And now is the time for all good women to join Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style.  And Catherine at I Will Wear What I Like.  Cherie's Shoe and Tell when it goes live.  I do believe I must have beige in the mix somewhere, so let's hop on over to Anne's 52 Pick-me Up: Beige.  Yeah, Baby.

Hey, Don't Say I'm Shapeless!

~ I'm a Square! ~

More or less.  Okay, okay, more on the order of a rectangle.  But isn't she lovely, that fabric of mine?  She just screamed out to be something that didn't interrupt her flow with unnecessary seams and such.

~ Her wish was my command ~

Keeping it as simple as possible, I even camouflaged the big patch pocket (on one side).  But couldn't resist throwing a little something something into the mix with another fabric pattern for the other pocket.  I edged the neckline and sleeve hems with narrow black seam binding and have side slits going above the knee so I can walk comfortably.

~ Just chillin' at the sidewalk cafe ~

Yeah.

Notice that flower clip in my hair?  I never wear anything in my hair, it's so fine and thin.  But I tried it and it stayed in!  Suzanne Carillo made one for all of us (among other things) at the Blogger Meet-up in Vancouver.

 

~ shozzz ~

Faded purple canvas multi-buckled zip-up the other side shoes by Blowfish from ebay.


Ed. note:  Pao was remiss in not mentioning the McCall's pattern #7020 view A she used for the bones of the dress (even though it's for a knit top)!

Pao also wants to thank photo-er Sara and her crew, Viv X for their delightful takes on her ensemble.  Thank you.

 

Merrily I Sew Along...

and I've finished two pieces since returning home from the Blogger Mash-up in Vancouver.  Not counting the collaboration with Melanie's black silk top from my last post.  

Hot off the Press, here they are:

~ all linen all the time ~

What I'm Wearing, ladies:

• $1 store reading glasses
• original work-of-art necklace by Melanie
• hand-made floral linen tunic using Sandra Betzina designed Vogue 1456 pattern
• hand-made lemon yellow cross-dyed handkerchief linen dress using McCall's 6954 pattern
• pale pink, tan and yellow-green Diesel athletic shoes from e-bay.

~ Straight On ~

I must confess, I just luv the way these pieces drape and flow.  It is linen, though, but it's also the design.  I figured I better get cracking on the obviously summer-like fabric now, while it's still warm.

~ Am I getting any better at poses yet? ~

After all those lessons and prompts in Vancouver, I hope I can improve myself...

~ Guess not, but hey, I wanted ya'll to see the back view! ~

It's not about me.  It's all about the sewing, the design, the fabric, etc., etc., etc.

~ Oh, and the shoes, of course. ~

A big thank you to Sara for doing the photos (Elaine's on vacation).

WHO AM I WEARING, You Ask?

~ I'm wearing an original Mel/ Mz. Baggs creation ~

I hope she doesn't mind that I altered it a bit to fit, then added some bits and pieces here and there, you know, because I could.  I thought of it as a collaboration even though it maybe wasn't technically.  But that's what I'm saying anyway.

~ the ensemble complete ~

There was no way that tiny black silk top was gonna fit me as is, but luckily it had three 1" tucks on each side.  So I opened them up from the bust down, which added more than enough width for me to wear it.  I was like, this will look so cool with those transparent trousers I just made. 

~ I was a hit in class today ~

But you know, a short crop top over transparent pants, uh, nah.  Adding another layer of transparency was just the ticket and I had exactly enough left over from the pants.  So I zig-zagged that baby around the hem of the top.  Poifect.  Then I needed a little something on top of the top for better proportions.  On went another bit of scrap around the sleeve hem.

I'm wearing some old suede clogs that I had spilled salsa on. I covered the mess with roses cut from Mom's old sweatshirt.

~ say goodbye Mz Baggs ~

Mz Baggs covered with a piece of black netting in an attempt to look more mysterious...

1st Annual World-Wide 40+ Bloggess Meet-Up

 And I was there with all the schtarrs!

~ and constantly hounded by the paparazzi (photo by Mel) ~

Hence forth, I hid out behind the camera to catch the likes of:

~ the Marvelous Melanie of Bag and A Beret ~

~ extra Sassy Sheila of Ephemera ~

~ Lovely Louisa of Damselfly's Delights ~

~ Amazing Anne of Spy Girl next to the Madcap Mother of Terrific Tami of Thrift Shop Commando ~

~ the Pretty Perky Patti of Not Dead Yet Style and moi undercover  (photo by Mel) ~

~ not to mention my Terrific True Love wearing his Stand Tall Kaftan made by moi  (photo by Mel) ~

~ me, Melanie and Anne dancing in the street (photo by unknown bloggess) ~

ooo, ooo and then there were the separated-at-birth twin artifacts made by Melanie and given to Anne and me.  Sublime, ain't it?  (photo by Patti).

As you can see I only took 4 pictures (eek) so thank goodness for everyone else.  And thank you a zillion times over Suzanne, Sue and Melanie for the Grandest Bloggess Meet Up on the Planet!  Mwwwaaa!  For a real overview of the entire event visit Sheila of Ephemera ... or for a one of a kind view, see each participants take on their own blog:

Suzanne (Toronto) -- Suzanne Carillo

Sue (Vancouver) – A Colourful Canvas

Melanie (Vancouver) – Bag And A Beret 

Patti (Florida) –  Not Dead Yet Style 
Sylvia (Singapore) – 40+Style
Greetje (Netherlands) – No Fear of Fashion
Trina (Utah) – Tea Time With Trina
Tami (California) – Thrift Shop Commando
Sheila (Victoria) – Ephemera
pao (Chicago) – Project Minima 
Ally (New York) – Shybiker
Louisa (Vancouver) – Damselfly’s Delights
Anne (LA)– Spy Girl  
Shawna (Victoria) – The Director Of Awesome
Tiina (London) –Elegance Revisited
Jodi (Vancouver) – Day 2 Day Wear
Wendra – The Looking Glass
Tracey (Vancouver) – Fashion Forward 40
Chloe (Vancouver) – Fat Rabbit’s Delight

Hey, I have something on my head up there.  Here's my chance to finally join Judith's Hat Attack.  Check out all the lovlies, my dear.

State of Project Minima: End of Year Three

~ painting by Gritty Jane  ~

Yes, end of May 2014 was the last quarter of the 3rd year for Project Minima.   My, my, etc.  So let's see what's been going on, shall we?

During this past Spring Quarter (March through May) I did a major reworking of my studio space, discovered the Chicago Sewcialists and met up with them at the Textile Discount Outlet, made 4 dresses, 2 pair of stockings/ tights, 1 slip and a raincoat.  Okay then, not bad, not bad at all.  You can see 'em on my Clothes for Spring page (or go to the posts during that time period).

Oh, I also bought shoes on e-bay, as well as some patterns and occasionally some cloth.

What seems the biggest adventure at this moment is my tablecloth house dresses.  I've made two during this quarter from donated pieces and just love them.  More are on their way...

A Chicago Sewing Bloggers Meet-Up

And I was there!

Ok, I'm not in the picture, cuz I'm taking it.

And here's were we met/ went last Sunday:

The most amazing place on Earth, fabric-wise

Can you believe this place is in Chicago, in the Pilsen neighborhood, and I never ever went to it before!!!!  ooooooommmmmggggggg sums it up.  It's like discovering Tutankhamen's tomb, or Alibaba's cave, or ...

A little back story here.  All this time I'm wondering why are there no Chicago bloggers - sewing clothes ones.  Then one day I follow a lead to some recommended tights for an online indie pattern.  It's the Rose Hip Tights & Stockings Pattern by Seamsters Patterns and I buy it, download it, make it, like it and check out her blog.  Turns out Mari is from Chicago and also wonders where are all the Chicago sewing bloggers, but she goes a step further and actually asks the question.  And people answer.  Including me, even if it was a year later.  I immediately got a reply that the Chicago Sewcialists were meeting at Textile Discount Outlet in a couple weeks.  

Now let's see some pictures inside, yeah?