Thursday 5 May 2011

Sew Weekly: Story time


Happy Almost Friday! Yep it's been a L-O-N-G week (considering last week was a 3 day working week for us!) and not as much excitement in my office. So that's meant lots of catching up on emails and sorting out the piles and piles of stuff on my desk. *yawn* BUT, here's my Sew Weekly creation for the week, based on a darling book called 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie'! I used to read it a LOT when I was really little and often extended the little gumnut's adventures into the real world.


I would look for their little handwriting on gumtrees, and imagine what I'd do if they talked to me.
For you Australians, you're probably like 'Oh yeah, those May Gibbs' books about Ragged Blossom and Gumnut Babies and the Bush'... (you got it Carolyn!) and for you non Australians you're probably like, 'WTF are you talking about!?'


Have a look over at my blog post on the Sew Weekly page, and I tried to give it a little bit of context! There's also really cute drawings of these dearheart little characters! Rather than take their costuming literally (as most of the time they were naked! The are bush babies after all!), I thought I'd go with the leaves and the bush vibe and make a straight forward wearable dress (from Amanda's Vintage Pattern!) and it's a truly beautiful pattern!




I forgot to mention over at the sew Weekly, that I omitted the waist sash things. As the two dresses above were block colours, I thought it wouldn't suit patterned fabric, and it was really easy to not have them in, as they are totally fitted when you sew the side seams, and not part of the bodice at all.

This pictured pattern is from the internet, a Junior sizing, but Amanda's pattern is a 36 or 38, so much larger than my bust... I am SUPER impressed with my resizing skills, as it's come up so well! I'm starting to thing I can make my own patterns soon... just gotta get my head around proportions and I think I'm there!


THE STATS
Fabric: Thrifted Bed Sheet, $1; some leftover lining fabric, thrifted $0.10c and some curtain netting, free from my old house
Pattern: Simplicity 4230, free, on loan from Amanda in Adelaide
Year: c. 1960s
Notions: zipper, thrifted $.20c
Time to complete: 4 hours
First worn: to work on Monday, May 2011
Wear again? Totally! I love it!
Total Cost: ~$1.30

15 comments:

  1. Looks gorgeous. It fits you really well. I used to love Snugglepot and Cuddlepie when I was a kid.

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  2. That dress is so cute!!! And once again I love your shoes. Have you seen the new Mel by Melissa range. They only have a uk website that I could find.

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  3. these are my favourite shoes from the mel range - http://www.melshoes.com/shop/mel-shoes-apple-heart-heel-shoe-red.html

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  4. Lovely dress! And so thrifty, too. I'm in the US but I actually had that book as a kid. My aunt was working in Melbourne at the time. I'm remember it being really strange and foreign at the time, but I loved reading it just the same.

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  5. wow this was a bed sheet? I would have never guessed. It came out looking great and the leaves print is perfect for the dress. I agree about negating the sash part it looks lovely the way it is.

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  6. wow, i didn't catch the total cost over at sew weekly. as always, you are my kinda gal.

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  7. I have to comment here too that I LOVE THIS DRESS! You look fabulous--great job!!

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  8. Gosh that dress is SO pretty! And really suits your colouring. The petticoat detail is amazing. Its so cool what you can do with a sheet huh!

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  9. This is really beautiful, and so modern even though it's a vintage pattern. You do lovely work. :)

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  10. I love this! The fabric and style are delightful :)

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Thanks for being awesome and a total darling, leave a message!

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