Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Sew What?! A Trivial Tropical Frock

I certainly hope that I don't convey too strong an air of expertise on any subject.  The sad fact is that, like the effervescent Ms. Lee sang, "I know a little bit about a lot of things."   I have a solid Jeopardy-esque knowledge up to about the $600 level; after that, I feel particularly proud if I happen to phrase the correct question - if I remember to phrase it in the form of a question at all.  I can die a happy man if I get Final Jeopardy correct before the last "bum-bum" of that anxiety-inducing music.

Having a broad base of trivia clogging the cortices (I learned that one from Jeopardy) of my brain makes my authority on the subjects to which I can speak, well, quite trivial actually - especially sewing.  I try not to get so intimidated by the glory of the garments produced by the unbelievably-talented sewists/tailors/seamstresses with which I am acquainted via blogs and in real life, that I give up completely.  However, being mostly self-taught, terribly impatient, and buttery of finger, I try to stick to trivial pursuits (see what I did there) with sewing projects that are low-input/high-impact.

Last weekend Tiny & Mary were asked to perform at a co-ed, Hollywood, "industry" baby shower.  Wanting to make an impression (really good or really bad is better than indifferent, right?), I decided to whip up a last-minute frock for Mary.

For this project I did something I never do;
I followed directions!!!

Most of the time, I will design something first and
then alter an existing pattern or work off of a sloper
to draft my own.  This time I cut and sewed
Retro Butterick B5137 as printed.

Well...mostly as printed.
I love the idea of a floor-length, afternoon gown but not knowing what
shoes she'd be wearing, I decided a shorter hemline would be more versatile.

I had this red-on-tan, tropical-print cotton in the stash for years after having purchased yards and yards of it for $0.99 per yard at one of my prized fabric outlets.  Figuring that we are still in the throes of summer, I decided that the style and print were still seasonally-appropriate, if a little wild for a baby shower.  Never one to leave wild-enough alone, I determined that the only way to top this ensemble off was a matching turban.  In my mind I envisioned some glorious, 1940's, Good-Neighbor-Policy-come-to-life a la Ethel Smith in "Blame It on the Samba."

What I actually saw in the finished product was more reminiscent of the lovely, bahiana-style women who attended my mom and her siblings when they lived in Brazil and Panama (Army brats).  It was an odd pattern - basically an extreme A-line muumuu with the fullness appropriated by a wide cinch belt of my own making.

Incapable of tying a proper bow, I opted to loop the
neckline bow through a second, fabric-covered belt
buckle that matches the buckle of the actual belt.

I don't know about you, but the front yard photo shoots that I use as the default background for every "Sew What?!" post, have grown extremely tiresome for me (usually the photos are taken as an afterthought as we head out the door to an event).  I wanted to find an interesting alternative but I didn't feel comfortable taking photos at the home where we were performing.  Requiring a quick stop at the drug store for some snacks supplies, I had a sudden burst of inspiration.  Wouldn't it be funny/unexpected to have the ambiguously-ethnic glamour of Mary's dress juxtaposed against a backdrop of cold remedies, orthopedic insoles, and enema kits?!?!?!

Not really...
Unable to catch my vision, Mary ended up looking 
more like a crazy spokesmodel for generic toilet tissue.  

Although, I do believe that economy packs were the grand prizes 
offered on several Eastern European game shows of the 70's & 80's.

I blame myself really; among many other subjects, I am no expert photographer either.  Back to the front yard we go!



Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

29 comments:

  1. <3 Fantastic! I love the belt enclosure for the top of the dress! Great fabric.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks TC!!! I did the same thing with one of her other dresses because I stink at tying bows and they always end up cockeyed. The belt buckle keeps it looking like a proper bow!

      Delete
  2. Love, love, love it! Perfect length and fabulous fabric!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Elisa! I hoard fabric knowing that one day it will come in handy!

      Delete
  3. SUPER CUTE! I love a turban! When will they make their grand return to mainstream fashion!?!?! It seems every terrible fashion moment from the 1990s is now readily available....but come on, I would much rather have a turban!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The fashion turban is definitely ready for a comeback. We actually have quite a few people in our neck of the woods who rock the turban...you are responsible for bringing it back to TN!!!

      Delete
  4. Fabulous! You sew the BEST dresses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Peter! High praise indeed, coming from you!!!

      Delete
  5. Absolutely gorgeous Chris! Love this, wish I had one for myself. What a great pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks SS!!! It actually went together fairly easily; the only fitting is done by the belt so there are no darts or crazy seams!!!

      Delete
  6. As always very very awesome! Please don´t go changing the photo shoot spot-It´s a perfect backdrop Chris! BTW in envy of your fabric stash- you´ve got a great eye! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks M!!! I'm glad that the backdrop isn't too boring! Have fun at the High; wish we were there to hang out with you guys again!

      Delete
  7. Gorgeous! Love the length too - definitely a worthy adjustment to the pattern!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a million! I tell myself that I would like to make the full-length version just to see how it drapes (and because Mary's wardrobe is weak in the formal department) but I get so bored after making a pattern once that I rarely make it again.

      Delete
  8. Mary looks amazing as usual! Love the head wrap. I wish I could see Tiny and Mary perform - when are you going to post some footage?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nicole! Hopefully, we'll make it to England next year!!

      Delete
  9. Oh goodness, that is WONDERFUL! Mary looks gorgeous in it, too. You pretend you only have a $600 knowledge but I don't believe you. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, BELIEVE!!! There is a reason I can't do a tutorial; everything is accomplished using the highly-unusual, unproven Mr. Tiny method! Hahahaha!!! Thank you!

      Delete
  10. I wish you were MY brother some days. My brother is a "Tiny" too, but he's the beardy, hard rock, hummer-driving sort. It'd be nice to have someone to dish about fabric stashes and fight over MCM deliciousness.

    Lots of love to you and Mary both!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there are already five kids in my family, so my folks probably wouldn't notice if we snuck in one more! Thanks a million!!!

      Delete
  11. Hey Mr. Tiny!

    I've been wondering if you are located in the LA area and ever sew for other people or do you just make dresses for Mary? Would love to get some pieces done by you if possible! Please let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hiya Mia! Unfortunately, I just do sewing for Mary right now (it's all I really have time to do). Plus, she has incredibly low standards and wears whatever I make for her...hahahaha!!! Thank you so much for thinking of me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! I absolutely love what you sew but totally understand! If you ever change your mind, please let me know! Would love to work with you!

      Delete
  13. The reflection of Mary's head in the window has a black tree (?) reflection around it, making it appear like a skull with a hood is looking back at you.
    Love the blog.
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete