Hollywood Old School
Monthly Archives: January 2013
Windswept and interesting
What can I say……? I am ever so slightly windswept and the neckline on this dress is rather interesting. 
I haven’t really decided yet if this particular look is really me, my other half thinks it definitely isn’t “what about for a Saturday afternoon trip out somewhere nice” I ask, “not with me” came the reply, “what about for the office, I think it has its place there”?! Some will love it and some will hate it, for now I am sat on the fence. Anyway, the pattern is Simplicity K2146 inspired by Project Runway, which incidentally was another freebie off Sew magazine a few months ago, if it’s free these things have to be tried.
Funnel sleeves complete with v-shape cuffs
I chose a twill medium weight fabric with a slight stretch, which was suggested on the pattern. The dress comprises a back concealed zip, two darts and a vent on the hemline. The front is made up of three fitted panels to give the shape around the top half and of course the unusual neckline, which is lined. The neck also has a facing on the inside (facings are not my thing) this one in particular doesn’t lie flat as the detail on the front is so heavy it tends to be insistent on trying to pop the facing out of the top. Last but not least the funnel sleeves with a v-shaped cuff, we can’t forget those little beauties.
I found the dress, in general, easy to put together after the false start that was the three pieces that construct the neck. I don’t think any garment would be complete for me if I didn’t have something that doesn’t really work and I have to unpick it and start again.
Three piece neckline
I shall leave you with a little taste of what is in store next, I have been doing a spot of multitasking this week, working on two garments at the same time (check me out) my next creation is ready for putting together now, after lengthening the trousers and sleeves by three inches, oh it is massive. All will be revealed in my next post, all I will say is it definitely isn’t for the faint hearted.
Time to take a risk
Following my first achievement many months ago in what came to be a rather long and complimentary relationship between me and lots of knitted fabrics; I decided to make something knitted and fitted for someone else. I had received so many compliments for my creations and also the various different fabrics I chose to use. Whenever I wore this top my Mother in-law would comment on how lovely it was, the time had come to hatch my cunning plan (sneaky grin spread across my face).
The garment had been decided but I was unsure of the fabric, I decided to sit tight in the hope she would inadvertently point me in the right direction. A few months later I made this top and following more compliments I became confident that this fabric would be the one.
The finished article ready and waiting
I have to admit buying clothes (let alone making them) for other people is not a road I tend to venture down very often, it’s all about personal preference, style, colour etc, so you can imagine my turmoil (should I, shouldn’t I, maybe maybe not, what if I make a mess of it, what if she doesn’t like it?), the inner fight lasted for a while until I told myself to take a deep breath and do something out of my comfort zone and take a risk.
So the garment was created with shaking hands and put in a safe place, for this was to be a secret until Christmas 2012 – eek! As it turned out it was a great success and well received to my relief. I have realised there is something very rewarding when making garments for other people, the personal touch cannot be replicated. Having said that I am still quite self conscious about the whole thing and very nervous. So I won’t be doing it again any time soon then you would assume…………..oh no, no, no, that would be far to easy, my next creation is for my husband (my biggest critic) watch this space folks!
willowwears.com 