40's dress

So this is supposed to be a sewing blog, eh? Not too many posts about my projects so far...

I've been so unbelievable lazy photographing my finished projects that I should be ashamed. But hey, with my full time day job, teaching two nights a week, performing regularly (I'm dancing also in a musical this winter, it's fun... mostly.), and trying to get some training done too... and continuing to renovate the apartment... and sewing... and desperately trying to get some sleep at some point... (Did I mention I still have few courses on my schedule too?) Well, you get the picture. Time is a limited resource here.

But hey, it's always a good time to start, so here it goes!

This is a project I finished over a year ago, one Saturday between balboa classes and evening dance party. (I actually cut the fabric on the dance floor before I went home to freshen up.) It took me about two to three hours to put the dress together. There were no alterations made, except putting darts on the back instead of gathers. It's really a muslin, so I have to admit I didn't hem it (properly) by hand, but instead just used my sewing machine for speed. (Yes, I'm ashamed of that.) But it was essential to get it done quickly.

I wore it the same evening at the party and got lots of compliment. (Sadly, again, no pictures.)

The pattern is Simplicity 4975. I estimated it to be a mid 40's pattern. I made the version with short sleeves. Here's the pattern cover:

I haven't made another one yet, but because the shape is very flattering this pattern is definately going to get another round.

It fitted like a dream... a year ago. After that I've been loosing weight, so now I'll have to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more and fill it better than I do. ;) Here are some more recent shots of the dress:

Maybe I'll try the long sleeved version for this fall...

It's all about shoes, right?

I know that I have enough shoes, but I can't stop drooling over Minna Parikka's designs. Her designs are fun, sexy and vintage inspired. Just perfect! See for yourself. Her website can be found here...

These are just a part of her collection for the Mantere Shoe Factory for spring 2009:

And these babies below can be found at her web boutique. I'm not sure if I can actually survive without her powder pink/black Armi boots (in the middle)...

Her Sonja boots (for Mantere) are actually affordable (below, on the right)... and I could also live with Helmi laced shoes.

Entire collection for Mantere for the fall 2009 can be found here.

Red is the new black!

Yesterday I found my perfect black purse... only to find out it was red (and on sale!). Oh, they had it also in black, but that version was way too shiny somehow. I wonder why I don't mind that in the red version... Naturally I bought it, and I don't really mind the black purse being red because it's faux crocodile print and I've got the perfect vintage shoes to go with it!

I've had these shoes for ages and they are one of my favorites. It's quite sad that I've never had a purse to match them before... Actually I was thinking about that yesterday morning, just few hours before I found my new "black" purse...

I also found some black socks for fall, just what I've been looking for! The two pairs on the right are knee socks to wear with my 40's "sports" skirts. The pair on the left with lace ruffles and bows is "over knee" length, and probably my future favorite.

Last but not the least of my new findings are long gloves of soft leather, in dark brown this time. I already had a pair of black ones and I've been looking for brown ones for a while now... I'm planning for a brownish coat for fall/winter. Let's see if I actually get to make it.

Vintage glasses

I found a great place to spend your money (once again)! Retrospecs has an amazing collection of vintage/retro styled frames. I love these 50's cats eye glasses, but I can't decide which ones I like the best... Maybe the black ones with silvery accents, or those apple greens, or...

...I also know a special someone who would like to have these Buddy Holly styled frames. :)

I wanted to do a petticoat tutorial last weekend, but life got in the way somehow. More about that soon... And I will make that tutorial as well, soon.

I want these!

What can I say except big thanks to Nancy, from Waiter Waiter Percolator, for her last post! (You’ll be able to read it here.) It was because of that post that I found these shoes… And while I’ll have to wait for my fairy-godmother to appear to actually afford either one of these, I’m happy just watching them… Pretty shoes! Yay!

These and many more at John Fluevog’s. I just might have to visit their shop when I'm in San Fransisco...

Dancing all day and all night!

Last few weeks have been busy. I just noticed today that during the last two weeks I’ve had one single day without dancing (no training, no social dancing, and no performing). So I decided to take a day off today… Sweet!

But hey, dancing is such a great fun that I really can’t wait to go training again tomorrow. Just to prove that here’s a pic from last Saturday: just me, my partner and the Collegiate Shag.

Look Who's Back!

Finally! I finished my MSc. thesis about a year ago, and let me tell you it's been a really crazy year so far... Maybe now I'll finally have some spare time again. Time to do things that I really enjoy. This means sewing, folks! I've got a huge pile of fabric waiting (and more on their way from eBay), and even bigger pile of fabulous sewing patterns. Here's an example, some brand new Michael Miller prints that are just waiting to be... Skirt maybe? And two dresses, yes. Maybe a tote bag too. Must think.

...and two new Alexander Henry fabrics... Definitely a tote bag there with the pin up's on that blue background. The other one has a very special purpose too, but we'll come to that sooner or later.