1957: My Fifties Fair Outfit

As promised, I have returned with some more detailed pictures and information about the outfit I made to wear to the Fifties Fair that is held at Rose Seidler House each year.

Its such a wonderful day, and it most certainly warrants a new outfit. Although mine strayed initially from what I had originally planned, I was more than happy with the outcome.

I used a polished stretch cotton that I found at the Remnants Warehouse for $4 dollars a metre. It was delightful soft and so so easy to work with. However, I wanted the bodice to be very fitted and structured, so to achieve that 50's "nipped" waist look I lined it in a thick red cotton drill, which more than does the job. I'm not going to lie, the waist is tight, but all in the name of fashion right?

I have made this dress a few times already (Here, Here, oh and Here too) before I begun blogging, So I know the pattern like the back of my hand. Its Retro Butterick B4792, with a basic boat neck bodice front. It's such a simple shape, so it's really easy to wear and manages to get me through all the seasons.

Instead of gathering the skirt onto the bodice as I have in the past, I used small pleats; the centre front pleat being inverted to "conveniently" hide my mismatched check.

I am very happy with the finish of this dress. I used all french seams and for the first time I used a sink stitch along the seam where the bodice and skirt meet. Its barely noticeable! and leaves the lining looking to clean and neat.

I also finished of my 1940's Du Barry jacket, that's been haunting my sewing corner for a few months now. I know it wasn't technically Fifties, but it suited the outfit well enough and was all I could manage at 11pm the night before the fair.

I had planned on lining the jacket, but instead I just bound the edges in red poly cotton binding. The whole time I was stitching on the binding I was telling myself that I WILL return to this jacket after the fair and line it properly, like a good girl. Sadly, I don't see that happening.

I love this Du Barry pattern. The shape of it is so simple, yet structured. I particularly love the three darts on each elbow - why don't we see this on modern garments? It also features a flaired peplum and three quarter sleeves with two pleats on each shoulder for a little extra oomph.

The one thing I am unhappy about (other than the fact that its unlined) is that I feel the bust darts are a fraction to high and I would make note to lower them should I decide to make this jacket again.

I also bought the little red gloves to go with outfit and am in LOVE with them. I feel so dainty and lady like when I am wearing them! its dreadfully fun. I have learned though, that they do not mesh well with modern life - my iPhone won't recognize my "touch" when wearing them and I'm for ever taking them off and putting them on again!

Stayed tuned my friends, as I have more creations to share with you very soon!

Welcome Spring!

Its the first day of spring down here in the Southern Hemisphere, and I'm all the happier for it!

Although I'm sitting indoors, at a computer, and its threatening to rain outside; in my mind I'm frolicking around and welcoming spring with open arms - much like Maria here.

Spring is my favourite season to sew for; its all colour and flounce and sunshine, yet not restricted by the intense heat that follows in summer.

Throughout the winter I've been collecting inspiring "spring" images, biding my time and planning away. I thought I might share a few with you to help set your creative cogs in motion -

The divine Mint & Pink vintage dresses pictured above are currently for sale on etsy, Snap them up before they're gone!

Aren't they all so pretty? I could just eat them like candy... Though I suspect they may not taste as good...

As stated in my previous post I have been working diligently in my sewing room, but I still don't have anything to show you. I'm waiting to take pictures. The good news is that I will be borrowing my friends camera this weekend, not only to photograph my new creations, but to take it for a test drive.

My tax return is currently being processed and I'm SO EXCITED to get it because I will be buying my very own camera. Yes, that's right! I have been looking at beginners digital SRL's. There are so many out there, I have no idea what to look for - what camera do you use? Can you offer me any advice on my purchase?

If all goes well this weekend with my friends camera, I will be able to show you my new creations and may have a better idea of what I'm looking for in a camera,

Wish me luck!

GIVEAWAY winner!

Or shall I say winners!

I wrote all the entrants names on small pieces of paper and drew them from a hat.

Be in fate, or my over enthusiastic hat shaking - but two papers were stuck together and drawn together.

So, luckily, and happily I would  like to announce the two winners for the Molly-Made, With Love GIVEAWAY.

Congratulations Veronica (A.K.A Ron McQuade) from Dresses on a Clothesline and Andrea Lauren from Paper Sparrow.

I will be in contact shortly.

The Fifties Fair

Last weekend Karlie, Natasha and I went to the Fifties Fair as Rose Seidler House. Although we were threatened by ominous grey clouds throughout the day, we managed to stay dry, do a little shopping and have a lovely picnic.

The fair was packed, and as a result we didn't take many picture whilst in the grounds, for fear of them ending up being pictures of just the crowd!

But here are the few snaps we did take -

Karlie, The 50's bombshell!

I made a new dress for the occasion (of course!) and paired it with my red wool 1940's jacket (40s at a 50s fair - Gasp!) that I finally finished.

I will be back with some more detailed pictures of the jacket and dress and all the delightful sewing nitty gritty!

And be sure to enter my giveaway - I will be drawing the winner tonight! YAY!

Browsing The Blogosphere

Its a dreary, rainy day here in Sydney and although I'm working diligently on a few fun projects in my sewing room, I have nothing to show you just yet.

I do, however, have some lovely links I found on my travels through the blogosphere this week, that I would love to share with you -

• Leila Audrey, fellow Sydney blogger, sums up my feelings towards the colour Red in this short and sweet post.
• Erica Lugo, An illustrator who's blog I follow, has started a side project for fashion sketching, with the hopes of posting a new drawing everyday. Her lovely sketches have inspired me to start practising mine again.
• Natasha Foster has posted some great new pictures, most of which were taken on our trip to the Hunter valley.
• Quincy is looking adorable in this nautical 40's number, and the little twirling Gif. at the end of the post is a one way ticket to absolute cute-ville!

I hope you enjoyed your fridays dose of delicious eye candy and have a wonderful fun filled weekend! x

Molly-Made, With love GIVEAWAY!

My word, do I have some exciting news! I would like to announce the BIG grand opening for my little Etsy shop!

I’m terribly excited. I have been working on this for a little while now, but its taken until now for me to pull together all the final bits and bobs.

My little shop will be selling darling detachable Peter Pan collars in a variety of colours and fabrics. My collars, named after old world movie starlets, feature my hand embroidery!

But before you cringe and remember “this” I promise I have come leaps and bounds with my hand stitches. I’ve been busily, and happily practicing away, and I fear that it has become somewhat of an addiction.

My first range of embroidered collars feature nautical symbols such as anchors and ship wheels. I will also be offering custom monogrammed collars (my favourite!)

So without out further adieu, I would like you to meet “Molly Made, With love”

Natasha and I took all the photo’s at Sydney’s Luna Park. Well, outside, since they kicked us out for not having “authorized permission to take professional photographs” shme! Despite that, it was a load of fun! I bought 12 balloons for the occasion (and caught the train there with them, alone) because all grand openings need balloons and we took pictures all around the 1930’s theme park. I got asked so many times how much I was selling the balloons for. Yet, in the end, when I was trying to give them away for free! No one wanted them!

It was also the first “warmer” day we have had in a while, and I managed to wear a tee shirt without being cold! ah, the joys of sunshine.

I also got to wear my new “Here Comes the Sun” skirt, which was so fitting for the shoot and the day. I was so happy with the way all the photographs turned out that I used them to re-style my blog, did you notice? what do you think?

Now, the good part -  did you notice the word “giveaway” in giant capital letters in this posts subject line? That right!  I’m so excited about my collars (if you couldn’t tell that already) that I’m offering either a personalized monogrammed collar, or a nautical themed collar of your choosing. All you have to do is take a peek at my new store and leave a comment on this post before Midnight on Friday 26th of August stating which one you would choose, if you won. Be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you, should you be the lucky winner. The winner will be selected by the good old fashioned method of drawing a name from a hat (and a cute hat at that)

Good Luck! x

Project of the Week!

I'm simply just too excited not to share this with you all - My "Here Comes the Sun" skirt was featured on the Burdastyle homepage as Member Project of the Week!

This certainly made my day! I was so excited when I checked my computer this morning that I nearly knocked over my tea! Eeep!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend! x