Description
Oh Burdastyle, how I have missed you! Many months after the start of the new year, I’ve decided to start showing you some love again. So here’s a little something I’ve been working on…
This ensemble consists of:
- 40’s style drape skirt
- 50’s shortie jacket
- 40’s turban and muff handbag (crocheted)
I guess I’ll start with the skirt…. No pattern was used here, but I wanted to create a skirt that encompassed both 40’s and 50’s sensibilities. I constructed a basic skirt block and went from there – double back darts, front drape and pockets, wide waistband and front pockets. All very straightforward, to be honest. I fiddled a little when it came to shaping the skirt (it tends to take on a slight A-line shape when the drape was included), tapering it to get a straight down sort of shape. The fabric was something I picked up in an op shop. I noticed AFTER I’d cut the pieces, that there were a few holes in it too. I ended up darning these with a similarly coloured thread (which made me feel like a happy grandma). I got a chance to use my new twin needle to do the hem as well, which was an excellent choice, for the very stretchiness of the fabric.
The jacket was made using a 1950’s pattern – quite straightforward too. In the past, I’ve made other 50’s jackets which had weird, complicated, roundabout ways of configuring the collar, but this one was just so “no nonsense”, I really enjoyed it! The back of the collar and the back hem both come to a point, which is just a tad delightful. I used the twin needle again here to finish the tops of the sleeve cuffs, to much delight. And, of course, as is my usual choice, there are 3 contrasting vintage fabric buttons at the front – orange to match the skirt!
The turban and muff bag were the natural accessories to match the skirt and jacket, I think. Again, found the beautiful lustrous orangey yarn in a second hand shop. It’s so gorgeous, with a golden sheen to its mandarin base colour; I just fell in love wit it right away! And it’s also really soft and not at all scratchy! The turban was something I’ve made many times before, classic in shape and fit. The muff bag, however, sorta kinda almost nearly killed me!!! I was using a vintage pattern, which I found difficult to follow. After (literally) hours of trial and error, undoings and redoings, I finally figured it out; and was extremely pleased with the result! It has a main pocket, which is attached to the section where the hands slide into, as well as an additional pocket on the back, which closes with a zipper. The entire thing was lined and made with painstaking patience and precision. So I’m a little bit proud of this one :) The nice big chunky crocheted bow was my special touch…
All in all, this is was an involving project but I’m just so pleased with the colour combinations and details of all the pieces. It also fits so nicely with the current season here in Sydney (autumn) :)
Material Notes
second hand cotton drill, second hand synthetic stretch fabric, vintage yarn, vintage buttons, zipper
Difficulty
Advanced
May 27, 2011, 07.29 AMby lagrandaja
I adore this colour set! Perfect.
1 Reply
Jun 7, 2011, 04.26 AMby olystyrene
Thanks! I believe a person can’t really say they’re living if they’re not embracing colour :)
May 9, 2011, 03.41 AMby elenay
Your ensemble is lovely and so well done and your description is so well written.
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.06 AMby olystyrene
thank you! it’s worth making the effort when you know that the audience is actually going to understand the labour of love that IS every sewing project. such a nice community of crafty empathisers!
May 8, 2011, 09.55 AMby frankiesoup
Just perfect!
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.04 AMby olystyrene
thank you!!
May 7, 2011, 10.00 PMby cantare
That jacket is just wonderful, I love it! Vintage is such a pleasure sometimes.
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.04 AMby olystyrene
aaah isn’t it just?! i’d say my original “interest” has gone way past obsession!!
May 7, 2011, 04.52 PMby Olivia Anne
looks great and I don’t even like these colours! But you definitely made it work!
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.04 AMby olystyrene
thank you very much! it’s funny, sometimes a block colour on its own is just not quite right.. but combined with the right colour pair and certain shapes, the best of both colours can really be brought out.. it’s so much fun to experiment!
May 7, 2011, 04.41 AMby rshelly13
Yeah,I also love the colors. I may try and make a similar jacket with the angled point in the back. It is a great little detail.
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.02 AMby olystyrene
there’s something special about the points! i guess they create interesting lines. i love diagonals in clothing!!
May 6, 2011, 04.53 PMby infinite-plus-one
we’ve missed you too (: love the new outfit!
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.02 AMby olystyrene
aaaw thank you! :)
May 6, 2011, 04.45 PMby juebejue
this is gorgeous!!! i really love it. i never looked into the 40s era, but now i shall.
btw, did anyone ever tell you that from some angle, you look a little like peggy from madmen? :) i would love to see you in a 50/60 dress! :)
1 Reply
May 9, 2011, 11.01 AMby olystyrene
hahaha! no, nobody has ever told me that before! :) i’ve got an idea for a tasty pencil dress in the works…
as to the 40’s era, it has to be my very very favourite era for fashion. i can’t enough – so much inspiration for projects! highly recommended!
Apr 26, 2011, 03.03 PMby integerclub
This is fantasschmick, Oly! I love the orangey shades here…you gonna start making more of the skirts for Sunny’s shop?
4 Replies
May 3, 2011, 06.32 AMby olystyrene
Hey Moyceling, yeh, eventually there will be clothing there. At the moment I’ve got some crocheted stuff tho that’s movin’ out in the next week or so… When u sending in your sweet goods?
May 6, 2011, 11.50 AMby integerclub
I sent it off to Em about 10 days ago, so it should be reaching her anytime now!
May 6, 2011, 04.29 PMby integerclub
Also, front page again, congrats, woot!
May 9, 2011, 10.53 AMby olystyrene
Yay! Can’t wait to see your goods in person :) And thanks, I didn’t even realise I was on the front page! Yayayay!
Apr 26, 2011, 01.28 PMby baka-pepica
Really gerat colors and combinations
1 Reply
May 3, 2011, 06.29 AMby olystyrene
Thank you veeeeery much!
Apr 26, 2011, 07.58 AMby nessys
Once again Honey – you are working that blue and orange combo – those colours look fab together.
Superb job – what more can I say? You never cease to impress. The scavenging and rummaging around opt shops, the wonderful sewing & crocheting skills – even drafting your own skirt pattern. You are incredible. I adore that skirt! I love, love, love it! Your styling and pics always are perfection.
I note you are about to start some 50’s blouses – I too am about to start one too! I would love to see your pattern & would love to compare notes…..! xxxxxx
1 Reply
May 3, 2011, 06.29 AMby olystyrene
Aah Nessy, thank you thank you thank you! I am entirely obsessed with the blue and orange thing…
I would LOVE to compare notes! The burdastyle meet-up would be perfect.. though you are in Perth! :( You must send me your pictures!!
Apr 26, 2011, 07.47 AMby in-stockholm
Beautiful ensemble!
1 Reply
May 3, 2011, 06.27 AMby olystyrene
Thank you, that’s much appreciated!
Apr 25, 2011, 04.35 PMby aluckmann
We’ve missed you too! Glad you are back with some fabulous projects. I adore the color combination that you chose. Amazing job drafting the skirt – I want one :)
1 Reply
May 3, 2011, 06.27 AMby olystyrene
Aaw thank you, sweet ladeh!
Apr 25, 2011, 07.29 AMby charlotteauzou
Both colors are amazing !
1 Reply
Apr 25, 2011, 09.25 AMby olystyrene
Aren’t they an awesome combination?!
Apr 24, 2011, 09.12 AMby pampula
what a great outfit, I love how all the pieces look beautiful together! and the colours are delicious, mm.. :)
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.51 AMby olystyrene
thank you so much! they make me think of food also! oranges, mangoes, apricots!
Apr 24, 2011, 05.18 AMby gillthecat
such a fandabby outfit, in super zingy colours lve it all and how swell you look, i have just listed the perfect thing for you a 50s sewing machine,, !! bravo
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.51 AMby olystyrene
thank you! aah how i’d love a sewing machine from that era.. although it would never fit on my ridiculously cluttered sewing table! hehehe..
Apr 23, 2011, 04.23 PMby domestic-divaonline
You’ve captured the era perfectly. Love the color combination.
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.50 AMby olystyrene
Thank you, much appreciated :)
Apr 23, 2011, 04.14 PMby tassadit
Gorgeous ensemble and pictures!
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.49 AMby olystyrene
Thank you very much :)
Apr 23, 2011, 02.41 PMby Ricardo Abreu
Nice transition from 40’s to 50’s
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.49 AMby olystyrene
Thaaaank you!
Apr 23, 2011, 11.52 AMby Liora Litman-Cohen
very stylish and unique.interesting yet sexy.great!!!
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.49 AMby olystyrene
Thank you for your comment, Liora!
Apr 23, 2011, 08.27 AMby loyl8
love it and the colors!!!! fantastic!
1 Reply
Apr 24, 2011, 11.49 AMby olystyrene
Thankn you! :)
Apr 23, 2011, 07.43 AMby Debby H
Beauthiful ensemble and love the colour combination.
2 Replies
Apr 23, 2011, 07.44 AMby olystyrene
Thank you!!
Apr 23, 2011, 07.44 AMby olystyrene
Thank you!!