Tag Archives: dress

A Group of Charming Cuties

Last week, I had something very interesting happen.  I had a kind of cute-splosion.  I started illustrating for the children's apparel market so I can begin to pitch my work.  I did some short research by looking at my son's clothes and picking out my super-top favorites.... and then it all just flowed.

It was remarkable.  I just worked on Illustrator and out came these characters and their back-stories and little lives.  I kept wanting (and still do) to keep on drawing them and their accessories and interactions...


Next, I want to develop each character on their own!  What do you think?

A Group of Charming Cuties

Last week, I had something very interesting happen.  I had a kind of cute-splosion.  I started illustrating for the children's apparel market so I can begin to pitch my work.  I did some short research by looking at my son's clothes and picking out my super-top favorites.... and then it all just flowed.

It was remarkable.  I just worked on Illustrator and out came these characters and their back-stories and little lives.  I kept wanting (and still do) to keep on drawing them and their accessories and interactions...


Next, I want to develop each character on their own!  What do you think?

Picante Dirndl

When I was a kid, I loved comics.  I was a big fan of the "what-if" and alternate reality issues that comics would sometimes print.  This idea of "what if's" popped into my head as I posted about this past week's MATS Bolt Fabric Assignment, and it wouldn't let go.

What if... I did make a dirndl out of my own fabric?

I imagine it looking like this!  I used Burda's Dirndl Pattern 8448 as the basis for this visual mock-up.



I think that would be really unique to wear to Oktoberfest 2015!

Please note that I do not have any affiliation with Burda or their patterns, and I do not represent Burda or their parent company in any way.  Just an illustrator and DIY-er here.

Sewing: Pastille Dress

I made the Pastille dress from Colette's Sewing Handbook a few weeks back.  Originally, I started it for a wedding back in May, but didn't finish it in time to re-do the sleeve facings.  In the end, I still paired it with a silver satin sash/ribbon to break up the blue.  It's a bit plain, but perfect for the second wedding which was blue themed!

Here's the top...



And, I had to take full-dress shots afterward because I couldn't find any photos of the dress in its entirety in the preliminary wedding photos.  Also, Mom, if you read this post, know that I swear I ironed the dress for the wedding.  I just didn't feel like ironing it for the blog photo.  And, it's the same stubborn fabric crease that I starched, steamed, and pressed... and still it came back weeks after the original event!!



Pattern: Pastille dress, Colette patterns (from the Colette Sewing Handbook)
Fabric: blue cotton chambray, super lightweight and comfy, but wrinkles like the dickens
Notions: zipper, hook/eye closure, silver satin ribbon at front
Accessories: silver satin sash at waist
First Worn: August wedding, 2013
Wear Again?  Yeah, probably for picnicking... just need a more casual belt.

Me-Made-May Week 3

It's the Me-Made-May Weekly Wrap-up!

Part of last week and the beginning of this week I was traveling, but was still able to bring along a thing or two of hand-made goodness.  I wore this comfy travel ensemble to Prague where I fit right in. This is the Iris Pullover from last year combined with the Amaranth headband.  I love wearing it what can I say? 

Re: Prague - The locals like to dress really funky, and I loved their personal style!


Then, when I came back to Munich, I wore a completely me-made outfit.  From head to toe, I wore a cowl (cross-hatch cowl) and top (to be named) both designed by Amanda of Dilettant Knits, and then hand-made jeans made with Jalie's 2908 pattern.


missing photo here>>> http://twistcollective.com/collection/blog_images/mjandadriana.jpg


Later in the week, I walked about town and wore the plaid skirt I made for the Sew Weekly along with the cross-hatch cowl previously mentioned.  That's the thing about cowls - they become your go-to accessory and especially in Munich's fickle weather, you just don't know if it's going to be cool or warm or what!  So, a cowl is a great flexible item to have.  And yes, my hair was a bit crazy yesterday...
Today I'm wearing a hand-knit camisole, the Orange Blossom Camisole I designed last year.  And, as I was writing, I realized I missed a photo from this week.  I met up with a friend and wore my hand-knit lace Apres Surf Hoodie (designed by Connie Chang Chinchio).  Hmm. Maybe I can ask her for the pic when she has some down time?  Ah well.  In the meantime, here's today's outfit...

Also, the giveaway winners have all been in contact and their loot is on the way!

MMM 2013, Week 2

This week has been really interesting.  Firstly, thank you to all the visitors to the blog that commented on the Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway!  Wow!  I've never had so many people comment on anything.  Ever.

I've had to take most of my own photos this week, which is usually fine because I set up the tripod and all that.  Take my time, check lighting, and adjust locations.  But, with these daily shots, I was trying to do them quickly because I'm working on quite a number of different projects which meant no time for the tripod and the lollygagging. Sadly, I can't show most of these WIP's that have taken over my life because they're not yet published.  But, when they are live and ready to show... one is an illustration project, two are logos, and two of them are knitting projects... you'll be the first (or second) to know.

My own personal knitting has taken a back seat because my arms/hands/elbows are somewhat injured due to repeat motion injury stress. So, I've been using the knitting machine - more on that later.

Here are this weeks DIY outfits for Me-Made-May, 2013.

May 6
(May 5 is a typo!) I wore this upcycled green top that used to have these ridiculously huge leg-o-mutton sleeves that looked a bit like loose flesh to my untrained eye.  I chopped them off and tailored them to short-ish sleeves that are more acceptable to me.  The shawl/scarflette is the Amaranth Shawl that I designed this past fall.

May 7 
This challenge had me digging!  I woke up late and remembered the brown jeans I made for a Sew Weekly challenge last year.  They fit much better now!  My DH took this photo and didn't warn me at all that my top was so wrinkled.  Oh well.  It straightened itself whilst cycling to work.
May 8 
The sun was shining, but I bruised my knees this past weekend with the bike pedals so I didn't want to go bare-legged.  Out came the Go-Go Triangles dress from last year's SewWeekly challenges and the grey leggings.

In knitting machine news, I've nearly completed my first garment.  I'm just trying to figure out how to cast-off in the center of a piece. It's something I take totally for granted in hand-knitting, but it's taken me 3 tries so far to get it right on the machine. 

May 9
We'll see what today brings, but whatever comes my way, I'm wearing the red JJ Blouse I made last year in February.  I'm wearing a hand-knit loop and headband, too!  Have a great day, folks!

The "Go-Go Triangles" Dress

Bombshell Dress: Part 2, the Dress!

Bombshell Dress: Part 1

Seamless’s Challenge for 2012