All posts by Peneloping

Solid skaters

September 4, 2013 Peneloping

Hey guys. Ever meet a pattern that was just so elegant in its simplicity and versatility that you wanted to just scoop it up by the pattern sleeve and run off into the sunset and have little garment babies with it? That’s kind of how I feel about Kitschy Coo’s Lady Skater pattern.

There were several things that led to my buying this pattern. 1) Cirque du Bebe’s absolutely effortlessly gorgeous version, 2) her post on prints vs solids which made me realize I had the exact problem which was making getting dressed in the morning take three times longer than it really should. Yikes.

Basically this pattern is awesome. I went to the fabric store with the express goal of walking back out with solid knits in scrumptious easy-to-match fall colors. The navy was an obvious choice, and I also found a gorgeous light grey-ish brown that was on sale and just screaming to come home with me. It was weird realizing that my comfort zone of wearable colors is totally different from the colors/prints I gravitate toward for sewing purposes.

The brown was a thinner knit and probably worked better for the drape of the dress. The navy was a little thicker and while it will be great for colder weather, I’m convinced the skirt sits a little funny. I used the smallest size and made zero adjustments (other than shortening the navy skirt by an inch) and the fit was perfect (although maybe a tiiiny bit too tight but probably not a whole size). Yay for knits!

I’m a little bummed that it’s still 80 degrees during the daytime and definitely not cool enough to actually wear these dresses yet. Taking these photos was pretty miserable.

Anyway, I could love on this pattern all day but school just started back up again so I should probably go do more productive things. The moral of the story is that I need to sew more solids.

Fickle pickle

September 2, 2013 Peneloping

I’m kind of fickle, I admit it. My sister can attest to how many times a week I have to call her to help me make up my mind about something, and then I’ll change my mind again an hour later. It’s rather annoying, really. But I guess it shouldn’t come as such as surprise to me that I’ve changed my mind about which New Girl dress I wanted to sew for my own Copycat Challenge.

At last count, I had watched New Girl all the way through three times. Somehow I had completely missed this dress until the third time through. It shows up in the episode with the almost-threesome with the landlord, and it’s all I could stare at during the entire episode. Thanks to the existence of What Would Zooey Deschanel Wear, I was able to pore over the detail shots of this beauty by Corey Lynn Calter on Modcloth.

I scoured eBay for crochet flower appliques and somehow managed to find one that was similar enough and also the same size. I found the button and a similar trim for the waist (not pictured) at a local discount fabric store. I bought some lace for the armhole trim but on closer examination it’s totally the wrong kind of trim so I’ll have to go on a hunt again. I also forgot about the black ribbon or trim for the neckline.

I’m using Simplicity 1873 (yes, again!) with some adjustments. I lowered the neckline and flattened it a bit (is that the right technical term?), and lengthened the bodice by about 3/4″. I sewed the neckline and armhole sides with the wrong sides together, and then I flipped it right side out and am going to treat it as one piece for the rest of the process. I was a little worried about the lace showing through but I trimmed it down at the seams and it seems to be doing ok. The bodice is lined with black cotton and I’ll be doing a regular rectangle pleated skirt, probably lined in something light and cream colored.

And now I’m going to go bury myself in fabrics and relish the day off. Happy Labor Day everyone (who celebrates it)!

PS I’m a little behind on posting Copycat Projects. I think I have about 2-3 that need to be posted. Sorry about that, I’ll try to get those up today!

8 Comments sewing copycat - corey lynn calter - dress - lace - new girl - progress - sewing - wip - zooey deschanel

Datura #6

August 30, 2013 Peneloping

I was perfectly serious when I said I’d made six Daturas. This is the latest one (I don’t think I’ve shared #’s 3 or 4 yet) and it might be my new favorite.

I have absolutely no idea what this fabric is. It’s cottony and flowy like a rayon challis but the weave is a little more open. It’s just as soft though, and so comfy to wear. I tried pairing it with a paper bag skirt, hoping the ruffling around the waist would help with the awkward tucked-in-ness. I’m not totally convinced.

Happy Friday everyone!

7 Comments outfit blouse - datura - navy - outfit - red

That’s all there is; there isn’t anymore.

August 28, 2013 Peneloping

Did anyone else read the Madeline books growing up? I used to love the idea of going to a boarding school and wearing a cute little uniform with a cute little yellow hat and having sleepovers every night with all my friends. (Clearly I had a very clear and not at all superficial concept of what boarding school was like.) In fact, thinking back now, I think reading Madeline may have paved the way for my obsession with A Little Princess.

I saw this top on Modcloth and immediately knew that 1) I had to make it, and 2) I would feel like Madeline every time I wore it.

My first idea was to use the Laurel top pattern with a thicker knit and to add a zipper on the back. That was a terrible idea. Like, awful.

I ended up using a regular knit fabric and just tracing one of my t-shirts that fits well and that worked out much better. The collar was drafted based on Gertie’s tutorial, and I just made a tiny little bow using this tutorial.

I don’t think I’ve shared this skirt yet! I made it the same way as this skirt, which I have completely forgotten to post a tutorial for. Whoops.

Anyway, the moral of the story is that I’m pretty sure this top includes every single garment detail I’m in love with: navy, mustard, a bow, and a huge contrasting Peter Pan collar.

16 Comments outfit copycat - madeline - modcloth - outfits - peter pan collar