Capsule Dressing- The wrap dress

DVF Wrap Dress: 

The iconic wrap dress has always been a very flattering style for any size and shape. These original Vogue patterns would be great to have in anyone's pattern stash. I enjoyed reading about Diane Von Furstenberg original pattern releases at this Pattern Vault article.

Vogue 1548 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1976) Image via Etsy

Vogue 1549 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1976) Image via eBay.

Vogue 1610 by Diane Von Furstenberg (c. 1977)

.Vogue 1853 by Diane Von Furstenberg (c. 1978) Image via the Vintage Patterns Wiki.

Vogue 2517 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1980) Image via Rusty Zipper.

Vogue 1486 by Diane Von Furstenberg (1984) Image via Etsy.

 The 2015 versions of this iconic style can be seen on Elle.com.

10 rules to live by from an iconic person; Diane Von Furstenberg

Below are ten rules taken from an article in Elle magazine where Diane gives some advice to live by.

1. Know yourself.“The secret to feeling attractive, and to being attractive, is the confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you believe in.”

2. Learn to love life.“The older you get, the more you should learn to love life and appreciate the beauty that comes with age.”

3. Create a visual diary.
“Carry a camera and create an inspiring visual diary of your life.”

4. Live a simplified life.
“The best way to know a [wo]man is to open her [his] luggage. If [s]he knows how to pack well, it means she [he] understands, and cherishes, how to live a simplified life.”

5. Be authentic.
“Choose fashions that make you happy. Always choose styles that also accentuate your personality. Don’t use fashion to try and project a different persona. Authenticity is key.”

6. Keep moving.
“The best regimen is to keep moving! Never stop working, travelling and seeking adventure. Drink plenty of water, limit alcohol and sugar and get to your yoga class!”

7. Be your own best friend.
“The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.”

8. Live a little.
“Sleep is easier to make up than a unique evening.”

9. Enjoy treats.
“Be proud of yourself. Try to eat well….and when you cheat, enjoy it!”

10. Discover yourself.
“That wonderful and terribly frightening journey of self-discovery. That process of growth, of being an independent person, of learning who you are and what you want from life, is the real secret of life, happiness and beauty.”

Vogue Patterns

I bought this pattern about two years ago, but so far I have not been able to decide what fabric to make it with.  It would probably make sense to sew a practice run with a cheaper fabric, or a combination of fabrics.  Maybe the vest would be a good starter for the spring / summer season.  I love the white trouser, or cream linen trouser combination and I've got both sitting in my wardrobe waiting to be worn once the warm weather arrives.  Seeing I've had two bouts of the flu this winter, I can't wait for a chance to get out and about in the sunshine.  

Vogue patterns are some of my favourites and I've found the Marcy Tilton site with tutorials and variations on patterns, with detailed photos and instructions.  The garments are some of the best I've seen, because they allow for creative variations on a theme and encourage the use of embellishments.  

Ivory Tulle Jacket

Ivory cotton tulle and cream cotton tulle ribbon as band detailing.

Cotton tulle ribbons finish off the front edge and form the band.

Travel Wardrobe

Travelling in comfort

My blogging has been very slow over the last month.  A lot has been going on in my family and it doesn't include sewing or blogging.  I am in the process of applying to do a postgraduate course in special education starting next year.  As I have been teaching in special education for the past eight years it probably would make sense to get extra qualifications.  I absolutely enjoy this field of education, but would benefit from more networking with others throughout the country who specialize.  It would mean only teaching for half the week and studying for the rest.  The majority of costs would be covered by a study grant.

How does this fit in with sewing?  

Well, probably extremely well.  As I'll be travelling for some of the time and attending university in two different cities for block courses I know I'll need a travelling wardrobe.  I would enjoy the travel and have come across some great blogs displaying practical travelling wardrobes.  Can anybody suggest any patterns that may be suitable?  

StyleArc have a nice selection of innovative graphics and ideas.  This may be captioned as casual, but I would make the trousers more tailored with a dressy fabric.  It's still cold here at the moment, but a summer/autumn wardrobe would be what I'd be starting with.  

Also, I know how relaxing sewing can be.  Or, just a great way to procrastinate when I'm supposed to be studying!!  I'll keep you posted.  This is very exciting, so I'd better make my application more than just a bit presentable. 

Cardigan & Jacket Looks

I have a number of projects on the go at the moment and time is short.  As it is the school holidays at the moment I had a very ambitious list of projects, one of which is a jacket to be worn layered. All my current projects are using knit fabric, which I find easy and versatile.  StyleArc have great inspirational looks and versatile patterns, definitely a must have for me.  I haven't tried any of the StyleArc patterns, but have a number of other patterns that can be adapted without too much trouble.

This pattern was one of about 10 that I picked up for 20 cents each.  The charity shop has proved to be an absolute minefield of discoveries.  I will post some of my other finds over the next few weeks.

This jacket has a very 1980's look to it, but is functional and exactly what I need for work.  Purple is one of my favourite colours and after visiting a number of cafes and restaurants in the last few days I have observed the amount of very black and grey ensembles being worn. Without the colourful scarves the looks would be somewhat dreary.  I enjoy people watching when I'm out and about to gauge what's out there in the fashion world.

Jacket styles are just so easy to alter and adapt for winter or summer looks.  Add a beautiful scarf and you're good to go.

  

Wardrobe Review

It has taken me sometime to get back to posting, for lots of different reasons, but it has made me very aware of the need to be realistic with my sewing, blogging and work commitments.  Many of the photos I had taken were not up to scratch, so I have decided to invest in a new camera.  I would welcome any suggestions from other bloggers.

My Me-Made-June challenge came to an abrupt end with a bad dose of the flu and MMJ became more of a personal challenge to showcase all of my handmade items of clothing than to show daily outfits on pininterest, or a similar site.  The months of May and the beginning of June were very warm for winter, so my wardrobe choices were more like an autumn wardrobe rather than winter.  Now we are experiencing full winter temperatures, with all the woollies I can find to layer one on top of the other.

My latest project includes a long sleeved version of this cowl neck top.  I will post photos when I purchase a new camera, but until now here is the pattern and images using Vogue V1197 by Sandra Betzina.

Me-Made-June Day 9, 10 & 11:

MMJ Day 9:



McCalls M5890



This is the shawl collar pattern that I have made twice now, which I could probably call fail safe, or fool safe.  I usually wear a 'uniform' to work daily and my wardrobe needs to be a mix and match of essential 

pieces that are practical and smart for school. 

Teaching young adolescents can be challenging and puts you in the limelight for sometimes unusual scrutiny.  As a role model for young people it is important to portray professionalism and to never under-estimate the influence an adult can have on the young people we teach.  I try to reflect this in my wardrobe; not too much black and grey in one outfit.  Also, I feel more confident wearing colour, with a dash of individual creativity. 

MMJ Day 10: 

This pattern is a basic that I have adapted many times to suit the variety of tunics and vests that I make.  It seems to suit me well, in all the short and long versions that I have made.  Since I first bought this I must have acquired various other patterns that are similar, but this is one of my favourites as it is already tried and true when it comes to fit.  

MMJ Day 11:

Me-Made-June '11 Challenge

It's already June and I'm just starting to put together an inventory and some aims for the challenge.  I started off well by completing my UFO's ready for June and then was unable to add any new posts due to my work commitments.  Roswell Week was completed over two weekends; so much for the 7 days and sewing after work.  My sewing output doesn't seem to be very successful after a full day of work!
So here goes:

This time last year I got a box full of pattterns from a fundraiser for $1.00.  It was the second day of the fundraiser, which obviously meant that they thought they would get landed with what was left and may have to take everything else that was left over to the rubbish dump. 

This was one of the thirty multi-size patterns (size 8-22) that was in the box!   The patterns vary from the late 1970's to approximately 1984, along with some seasonal booklets showing variations in the basic patterns, plus a design book explaining how to slash and spread to adapt patterns. The illustrations in the booklets are all very '80s, but the styles can easily be adapted. 

I have always liked cowl neck tops for summer and winter.  I'm sure I have at least half a dozen recent handmades from this pattern, or a simlar pattern I already had in my stash.

This is another pattern that I like to use, which I bought for the speedy sewing: ten, twenty, thirty minute sewing.  I like the idea of being able to use this pattern to make a variety of garments for a capsule wardrobe. This concept is very popular and certainly makes it possible to get the most out of your wardrobe. 

I have made two versions of B, the shawl collar long-sleeved jacket, made from stretch knit jersey.

Everything I've made recently adds to my working wardrobe. Completing an inventory of recent handmades should force me to try to complete looks, so that I don't end up with too many stand alone garments that are difficult to mix and match.

Pattern treasure

Druleigh pattern



Simplicity 6281



I found these patterns in my stash.  I've had them for awhile and I think originally they came from a friend's mother.  When I was a student, and back from the city, I worked in their drapery shop.  The shop was like a treasure trove to me.  It's a shame that not many of these old school type of shops exist anymore.  Well, not where I live.  I would much prefer to rummage through the stock in one of these shops, than clinically shop on-line.  The experience is not quite the same.

The druleigh pattern is not one I've seen before.  The nightdress would be great to try out closer to summer and I don't think it will need alot of adjusting or redrafting.  Which is definitely not a strength of mine.  Sorry for the poor quality photos!!