Dreaming of Playsuits

Thanks for all your thoughtful comments on my last post. I enjoyed reading them. 

I haven't been sewing much lately. Uni is hectic. I have essays, exams and a dissertation. While I don't have time to sew, I have still been thinking about what I want to sew. Specifically, I've been thinking about playsuits. I used to hate them (and I still hate the word rompers), but playsuits have grown on me. 

1950s Pucci Playsuit

I love the shape of this one from the 50s. The print is great too.

Andi B. Goode

This 1930s one is fabulous too. I like the shirt-type bodice.

Mena of the Sew Weekly

The bodice detail on this one is nice. I think it's made from seersucker.

I have a couple of playsuit patterns. Well, technically, they're bathing suit patterns, but can you imagine swimming in something that is made of denim or cotton broadcloth? They're on the list of recommended fabrics for both these patterns.  

I have some seersucker in my stash that will be perfect for a playsuit. Now, I just need to find some time to sew it.

Summer of '65

When I saw the trailer above for Moonrise Kingdom I wasn't that interested in the film but the dress that Suzy wears  made me pause and re-watch it several times. To be honest, I'm not a Wes Anderson fan so I won't be going to see the movie. It looks aesthtically pleasing but the self-conscious quirkiness of his films don't appeal to me. I love the dress though and am determined to make my own version.  

I think the orange version may actually be tiny orange and white checks

 She has the same design in different colours. I think I like the orange version best.
I would guess that the dress has no waist seam. It looks like she's got a piece of string or something tied around her waist.

Yellow

This one looks like some sort of textured pique type fabric

I bought this pattern off trademe because it has the right shape, although it's got princess seams which I don't think Suzy's dress does. I will have to re-draft the collar and draft some longer sleeves and cuffs. I'll leave the faux pockets and the stripe off the front and change the zip to the back (the zip is covered by the white stripe). 

I have this medium weight orange cotton that I bought at Arthur Toye in Wellington. The fabric is called Mary Quant which is pretty perfect for making a 60s style dress. If this one goes well I might have to make a yellow one and a pink one too.

June Challenge

I've joined Stephanie's June Challenge. The goal is to sew four summer dresses during the month of June. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, where we are well on our way to colder weather, I've changed it slightly to sewing four winter dresses. I'm hoping that having a deadline will be the kick up the backside I need to actually use the patterns I've bought and some of the fabric from my ever growing stash. I am usually good with deadlines (by this I mean I leave everything until the last second and then scramble to finish it on time, but I always manange to finish). I have a fair idea of what I want to make but will probably change my mind halfway through.

I've had this pattern and two different fabrics to use for ages but I haven't worked up the courage to try it yet. The first fabric is a heavy cotton knit with one way stretch. I haven't really sewn any knits before so I'm approaching this with a feeling of trepidation.



The blue is a merino wool knit that is really stretchy, which could be a problem.




I would love to sew Butterick 8459 (on the right) in a bright red. With some of the main fabric stores in the city having been destroyed/damaged by the earthquake my fabric choices might be pretty limited, so I may not be able to find the fabric I want. I've made the full skirted version of Butterick 8459 twice before so this time I want to make the slim skirt and use some thicker wintery fabric.

I bought the pattern on the left recently because I am obsessed with peplums (if you click to make it bigger you can see the peplum more clearly). I would quite like to make it in a solid colour, maybe a navy blue or grey.