All posts filed under: What I wear

The 1921 Daisies & the Devil's Handiwork dress thedreamstress.com

Looking back at 2017, looking forward to 2018

It’s that time again! (slightly late, as usual). Time to reflect on 2017, and look forward to 2018. When I first looked back at 2017, I was kind of depressed. I accomplished a maximum of 4 of the 10 goals I set for myself. And honestly, I’m not totally happy with 2 of the 4. 🙁 At first I was really depressed thinking about how little I got done. The more I started writing this post, and breaking down what I actually did in 2017 the happier I felt. It wasn’t what I planned, but I did really well, and I coped with a lot of unexpected hiccups and stress. If I’m learning anything as I get older, and slightly wiser, it’s that I expect too much of myself all the time. The more I can learn to let go, accept my limitations, and be content with what I do achieve, the happier I’ll be. I’m learning to do that. I’m getting better at reminding myself that launching one pattern is more work than the …

Wearing History's Nanette Blouse thedreamstress.com

The Wearing History Nanette Blouse

Published by The Dreamstress

I was super excited when Wearing History announced the 1930s Nanette Blouse Pattern, because: 1) it’s adorable, and; 2) I’ve been looking for a ‘girlie’ take on a formal shirt to wear with tails (well, waistcoat and trousers, I usually abandon the tails after 3 minutes), for AGES, and the Nanette Blouse was the perfect design. I was even more excited when Lauren offered me a review copy. Yay! Free vintage pattern goodness! So I got the pattern for free. However my opinions on the pattern are totally my own, and not influenced by the free-ness of the pattern. The Fabric: My sewing goal was for my blouse to be ultra-feminine, but also to clearly reference the idea of a formal shirt. I absolutely love the white blouse shown on the cover of the pattern. I wanted to replicate its sheer-sleeve and opaque body effect. A rummage in my fabric stash unearthed a white silk tissue with a slightly crepe thread, and a subtle stripe effect. It wasn’t an absolutely ideal fabric, but it was …

Barcode Shirt & Smaug Shorts thedreamstress.com

Dinosaur Eggs & Dragon Shorts

Published by The Dreamstress

Last year summer in Wellington was a non-starter. I barely made a summer wardrobe, and didn’t get to wear the few pieces I did make. This year Wellington is making up for lost sunshine with a vengeance. It’s been SUNNY and STICKY. Mr D & I have been spending lots of time outside, gardening and going for walks, which means lots of shorts & T-shirts. Luckily I found the perfect shorts fabric over winter. Isn’t it wonderful when you find a fabric and it tells you exactly what it wants to be? Down to the last detail! So often I know what I want to make, but can’t find the right fabric, or find gorgeous fabric, and have a good general idea of what it should be, but figuring out the design details takes more time than making the actual thing… Last winter Made Marion Craft got in this fabulous linen blend with a little triangular pattern in yellow & black: It immediately said two things to me: shorts, and Smaug. Smaug? Yep! Think of …