Tuesday, March 25, 2014

I Bought UNICORN SHOES!!!

Oh yes I did!!!


But of course I had nothing to wear them with...   They are far too decorative to wear with patterns, and I don't have a lot of plains...  So I put my thinking cap on and headed to Spotlight, and came back with this:

Some candy pink cotton, a zipper, and some gold lame bias tape

My idea was to make a bodice with a deep, rounded V, and attach a peter pan style collar.  The bias will be piping around the edge of the collar, and around the waist.  The skirt would be full-ish and pleated.

So I set about drafting up a pattern and cutting fabric:


The bodice is based on a blouse pattern that I've used a thousand times before, and that I know fits like a glove.  I just changed the neckline and drew up the pieces for the collar based on the new neckline.  Easy.

Piping around the collar was going to be the challenging bit, so I sewed the collar pieces together so I had two top collar pieces, and two under collar pieces.  Then I carefully made up the lame piping (cause that stuff is shifty as hell!) and pinned it to the top collar piece so it was 5/8" from the edge:


Looks like way too far in doesn't it!


But its not honest!

Anyway, I pinned the under collar piece to the top collar piece, and stitched around where the piping was, then I clipped and trimmed the seam allowance and turned it through and ironed it.

And I forgot to take a photo...

But here they are attached to the bodice!


Isn't it pretty!  And I was really happy with how neat the piping was!!


I also made some bias from the same fabric, and used it to finish the armholes:


And that was the bodice finished!  And it was time to pleat the skirt... ugh.  Sometimes I can't decide if gathering or pleating is worse....  anyway!


I've found a new DVD series for to recommend!  It was recommended to me by Sara from Lillies & Remains, and its fabulous!  Dancing on the Edge is a British TV drama about an all black jazz band in London in the early 1930s.  Brilliantly written and acted, with great sets and costuming.  A must see in my book for those of you that like this kind of thing.

Anyway, I got the skirt all pleated and sewn to the dress, and promptly forgot to take a photo of it on my headless helper.

Sigh!

Good thing I had an opportunity to wear it the other day!




And oh yeah!  I had 10"+ cut off my hair!  I know I mentioned it on Facebook, but I'm pretty sure I forgot to say anything on my blog.  I love it - and I haven't regretted it once!  And since these photos were taken, I've got a better handle on setting it, so it looks much better.

Gratuitous Shoe Photo!!!
Aren't they completely mental!!!

So yeah - this was a pretty quick sew all things considered!  I pushed to get it finished so I could wear it to a friend's birthday party, but it rained that day, and there was noooooo way these shoes were going out in the rain.

So does anyone else have an Irregular Choice shoe addiction???  I have six or seven pairs, but they keep bringing out new ones that I want....

Beccie
xxx

15 comments:

  1. Lovely frock and hair! I have 20+ pairs of IC.....love love love them! x

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  2. Ahh I was looking at these online the other day with a friend, and we were loving them, but also wondering - what are they like to walk in? Review, please please??

    (Also, love the dress! :-) )

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  3. Just fabulous Ms Beccie, completely Fabulous. You are so clever!

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  4. The shoes are to-die-for, and you look amazing as ever! And how quick this dress was made - perfect! I love the shoes, as I have a soft spot for all things unicorn, elves, fairies...

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  5. And they are nothing short of flat out sublime!!! (Much like your beautiful dress, too!)

    ♥ Jessica

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  6. I adore those shoes, but DAMN THAT DRESS IS GORGEOUS!

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  7. Oh Beccie! The shoes and dress are amazing!!!! I love how you did the collar too :)

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  8. The collar is lovely - as is your new hairstyle! Very glam.

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  9. 1) You are amazing
    2) Piping is amazing
    3) That dress is amazing

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  10. Wow! You're piping is so neat and the gold compliments the pink perfectly. I'm insanely jealous of your sewing skills :)

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  11. HO...LY MO...LY! There is nothing but awesome here! Well done to you!

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  12. Gosh,mega envious of your shoes!!! Love this post 'cause... Everything! Your hair looks fabulous and your dress is well,like all your dresses.Perfect :-)

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  13. thank you so much for telling us about that shop, I've been wondering where the bunny shoes are from! ps I just found your blog & I love it! ps2 you're a great sewer! :)

    xo Matilda

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