Mad for Madmen

This is the final week for entering the Madmen Challenge hosted by Julia Bobbin and I wasn't sure I was going to make it on time. But here it is, the Megan dress:

 It's was not an easy choice to make. At first, I thought I would make a Betty or Peggy dress, I didn't even consider making one of Joan's, I am not the same body type and I didn't think it would make honour to her voluptuous frame. Others do it a lot better than me.

And it's also true that I am crazy for full skirts. But as I didn't find the fabric I wanted, I thought about doing an inspiration rather than a copy of one of Madmen's lovely dresses.

And then I found that photo from Tom and Lorenzo that got me thinking.

I have some yellow cotton and a pattern that I wanted to do again with the fabric. The pattern is beloved Butterick 5603, a vintage reproduction I already made this winter. This is obvioulsy a bit different from Megan's dress, but the colour is so bright it looks like her.

Megan is not my favourite character (that's Peggy by the way), but she has a nice way to dress. Very bright colours, simple shapes, she's a young woman from the sixties and we are both french girls leaving in a foreign country (or at least that's what I deducted from hearing her speak french to her parents to announce her imminent wedding to Don).

I am happy I did use some fabric I already had, and as the summer is coming, I am looking forward to wear this dress.

This challenge was perfect for me, a big thank you to Julia for hosting it. It was the motivation I needed to start my blog and keep me going from one project to the next.

Now, I am waiting to see all the other beautiful dresses made for the Madmen Challenge.

 

I followed option A, which was illustrated in bright yellow as well. I love this pattern, the high waist seams are very flattering. I might try the other versions in the future, but I have used it enough for the moment. Now I am planning something a little more modern.

Now, up to see the first episode of the new season 5 of Madmen!

 

Elementary, my dear Watson!

Yep, I finished my Sewaholic Minoru! 

I have been following Tasia's sew-along and I was so impatient to wear the jacket.

I finished the hem on Saturday morning and as soon as the last thread was cut, I put it on and rode my bike to the city center. And Tasia, the wonderful pattern maker, was right: it's a great jacket for riding. 

The pattern is great, not as difficult as I first thought. But following the sew-along was a right choice for me. I could have done it without, but I am also sure the finitions wouldn't be so well made. I got compliments all day long, and everytime I explained I did it myself, people were surprised. That's what I like with this pattern, easy but with so many details that give it a polished look: the metalic zippers, the elastic bands of the belt and sleeves ends, the big collar with its secret hood...

Even if the pattern specified that plaid fabrics were not recommended, when I saw this wool English plaid, I knew it was going to be my Minoru jacket. I am quite happy with the result, I matched the plaid quite well. I like that it looks like something a modern Sherlock Holmes could wear. I lined it with bright yellow-golden bemberg for a nice contrast.

So, to summarize, I am really happy with my new jacket. I might plan a second one, in a solid colour, but I'll wait for next year as it's almost too warm now to wear it in daytime. I highly recommend the pattern, I consider myself being between novice and intermediate and I understood it perfectly. See how happy I am!

Madmen Challenge

I thought I would post some inspiration pictures for the Madmen Challenge hosted by Julia Bobbin.

The moment I read about it on her blog, I got so excited I just jumped around and did a crazy dance in front of my laptop. Fortunately, I was alone and I was able keep my craziness a secret a little bit longer.

But come on! A Madmen Challenge! This is like Julia read into my mind (and from what I saw, from a lot of other seamstresses' mind) and made me a special gift.

After this moment of craziness, I went on the internet to search for Madmen pictures. My first intention was to make one of Peggy's outfit as she's my favourite character. But I didn't have any fabric to match this dress:

But I keep it in mind for a future project.

I love Joan's tight and overtly sexy dresses but I don't think it would look as good on me. I wish I could pull that look but I am more of a Peggy body type.

And of course, this dress worn by Betty is a favourite of mine:

After being on the hunt for a similar fabric, I resigned myself and kept looking for the perfect dress for this challenge. And I found it! I'll post both the inspiration and my own version as soon as I finish it. 

I can't wait to see all the participants' interpretations...

Past projects part 2

Here is the second part of my projects. Those are from fall 2011.

Colbat dress

Vogue 8766 in a colbat cotton with a small feathers pattern. I needed a dress with sleeves for the fall/winter season. The pattern is fine but the sizing is definitely too big, I had to go down two sizes and I still have room enough to eat a big meal. That might be a handy feature, so I don't complain too much. I will certainly make it another time in lace as presented on the pattern illustration.

Chanel jacket

 I drafted the pattern myself, no darts, no princess seams, 7/8 sleeves and two square pockets. I wanted a simple and boxy form so the details of the black tream would be the main focus. I used a navy and black bouclé wool. The whole jacket is underlined and fully lined as well. Classic and easy to coordinate, so nice I made one in beige/brown/black bouclé for my boyfriend's mother.

Cashmere skirt

Another Sewaholic pattern. I made a second version of this skirt one week later as I loved it so much. I mean, what's not to love in this skirt? The fit is great, it's fully lined, flirty and so easy to coordinate with a blouse, a tee-shirt or a cardigan. I want to make more of this skirt, a lot more...

Petits pois blouse

First, I apologise for the poor light and the messy hair. The picture was taken after a long working day. The pattern is Burda 109B 12/11, this issue is a mine of beautiful patterns. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to make all of them, but they queuing up in my To-do list. The sleeve is constructed differently, not too difficult but puzzling at the beginning. Turned out quite nice but I will not use this type of fabric anymore, the polyester blend is not great for the hot days we have around here.

Sailor skirt

Circle skirt in navy blue. I was worried it was too long at first but I got used to it and it gives the skirt a 40's feel. The fabric has a great drape, very floaty and swingy.

This is my favourite outfit for this skirt: a breton top and red accesories. I feel like home when I wear it and I imagine myself in my Bretagne.

Brocade dress

I made this dress for the winter holidays. Not weather appropriate but festive. I am a summer dresses girl, whatever the thermometer says! Good for me, I moved to the mediterranean cost. I omitted some details of the original pattern (Retro Butterick 5603) like the bows and collars as I thought it would be too much with this brocade fabric. The bodice is lined but not the skirt, the pattern instructions didn't call for it. But I will fully line the next version I am starting for Julia Bobbin's Madmen Challenge.

There is more to come! I just finished a Retro Butterick and I am participating in Julia Bobbin's Madmen challenge so more posts are coming...

Past projects part 1

I thought I would start this blog with a recapitulation of the sewing I did mostly this summer and that otherwise will never be featured here. What a waste! So here is what occupied me since I bought my faithful Elna in June 2011:

Mont Saint Michel dress

I drafted the pattern of this dress after a vintage one. It's a very simple design, the front bodice has 4 darts, there is a center back invisible zipper and the skirt is just fully gathered. But that was one of my favourite dress this summer. .

I used a white cotton with small dark blue stars. The bodice is underlined and the skirt is lined to avoid transparence.

Picnic dress

For this dress, I used the same self drafted pattern. The only difference is not visible here, but the back is a lot lower, almost reachs the waist. I made this dress to attend my cousin's wedding.

La vie en rose

Not the easiest pattern with the swan collar but the result is so nice. I used Burda 119 08/11 and I had the spanish version, which complicates a little more the understanding of the instructions. But I made sense (more or less)  of the explanations. I love the vintage feel of the dress. Well, from the pictures, that might be quite obvious, but I am a sucker for vintage style.

Lonsdale blossoms dress

My motivation to buy my own sewing machine comes from Tasia from The Sewaholic blog. When I discovered her blog, I spent hours and hours drooling over her beautifully made dresses. So when she launched her own patterns, I could not resist. And the Lonsdale is no exception. It's a great dress for summer, easy to make but with such adorable details that make it one of a kind. I used a linen-cotton fabric with a cherry blossom pattern.

Silvia dress

Made for my friend Silvia's birthday. A beautiful dress named after a beautiful girl!

I drafted the pattern after Butterick Walk-Away dress. It's definitely not easy to spot them but the dress opens and closes in the front with some small buttons. Again, flowers and pink, I guess that's my winning combination.