Finished Project: Mad Men Challenge

Happy Friday Ladies! Another week coming to an end, another finished project under my belt!
This week saw me take on the Mad Men Challenge set by Julia Bobbin.
After much I thought I decided upon an outfit worn by Peggy Olson as discussed here.

Using Vogue 5308's bottom pieces I made this skirt using some wool that my mum gave me.
It was quite fun to sew, and the inverted pleats were simple to make, the hardest part was getting them to lie flat! They still need a bit more pressing really!

The top was actually bought from a thrift store and I still can't get over how similar it is to Peggy's except mine has ruffles too, and doesn't have sleeves.

This was a nice simple project to put together, and I almost feel like I wimped out a bit for this challenge as everyone else seems to be tackling dresses. Hey ho.



I'm so excited to see what everyone else has been working on! If you're participating good luck with the rest of your sewing & I can't wait to see the finished pieces!

Mad Men Challenge

Where do I start?! The wonderfully talented Julia Bobbin set a challenge for us sewing bloggers to recreate an outfit from the iconic TV series Mad Men. I have had so many ideas for this challenge my brain started to hurt. I already knew that I wanted to recreate a Peggy Olson outfit, and I also knew that I had to be as practical as I could and try and use up my stash rather than buying more fabric/patterns (as tempting as it is!).

Before I reveal the 'winner' take a look at the runner ups...

Seeing them all lined up together it all looks a bit dark & dreary doesn't it?!

After scanning through stills of episodes on the inspirational site Tom & Lorenzo I finally decided on an outfit that not only is very bright and vivid, but is also an outfit that Peggy herself has two of her most defining moments in.

It first features in Season 3 Episode 3 'My Old Kentucky Home' when she is having to work at the office on the weekend. With her are Paul & Smitty, who decide to invite a college friend over who also happens to deal pot. Peggy decides to get high with the boys, and as such finds herself incredibly productive & creative while the boys become eventually comatose.

It is also the outfit from Season 3 Episode 13 'Shut The Door. Have A Seat' in which Dons visits Peggy at her home to tell her how much he needs her, and how valuable she is to him. He gives her what she has been craving, recognition.

To recreate this outfit I already have a top extremely similar to Peggys which was thrifted a few months ago. For the skirt I am using the bottom from Vogue 5308 (1961 according to vintage patterns wiki) which features the inverted pleats.

I will be making this in some wool that my mum gave to me when cleaning out the loft which isn't the exact same colour as Peggys, but does feature a lovely plaid pattern (or is it houndstooth?)

So there it is! What will you be making?

My Red Dress

Throughout the week I've been putting together the bodice of this pattern:

I know, I know, it's from 1987 and belongs on Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman'. I had every intention of seeing this through making minor changes along the way to attempt at 'modernizing' it (excluding shoulder pads, shortening the length etc...)  but somewhere between sewing the facings & putting the sleeves together I lost interest. It happens. 

This is as far as I got (sleeves are pinned on), I've already adjusted the armhole to try and get rid of the extra amount there for ridiculous shoulder pads, but it still doesn't look right to me? 

So in an attempt to have not completely wasted my time with this material, i'm using the cut skirt pieces and spare fabric I have left to make this..

I've already made this once here so I know I'm going to love it & get lots of wear from it.

So far half the bodice is done and I'm hopeful that I should have this finished this weekend.

In other news - I ventured out on my own to the next village along from me today, as I discovered there was a fabric shop on the small high street! As excited as I was, I was a little disappointed with the fabric range. They seemed to concentrate more on the home furnishings/curtain making side of fabric rather than dressmaking, however it should come in useful for the essentials. As I wandered along I dipped in and out of the standard charity shops that you get in UK, and wondered in amazement (and let out a small squeal of delight!) when right at the back of one stood a bookshelf FULL of vintage patterns!

JACKPOT!

After sifting through the atrocious 80's/90's patterns I found 2 (in my size) that were hard to say no to at just £1 each.

First up is Vogue 5308 from 1961 - a super cute shift dress shape with princess seams and a box pleated skirt. This was missing one piece however, but it was only the belt facing which isn't hard to replace. This will be perfect for a work dress in either a stiff cotton blend or even wool for the winter?

Then I have Style 4151 from 1973. How amazing does View 2 (Blue Dress) look? I'm a little bit in love with this design, and the instructions look super easy! (famous last words). 

This is going to be perfect for making some summer dresses in some cute cotton prints, or in synthetics like rayon.

I also bought this on Ebay this week

Simplicity 5645 from 1964. How cute are these variations?

I saw this and knew it should be mine!

So now I need to dig around my stash and start deciding what to make with what! 

I've been slowly turning my sewing room into a useable space, trying to de-clutter as much as I can.

I now have a somewhat clear workspace

A place to hang my vintage clothing

To store my jars of buttons

My fabric stash

My dressform, and my art supplies.

There are more things that I want to do with this room (time and money depending) in order to get it looking how I really want, but I have to bear in mind that this room is also supposed to function as a spare room for visitors!

Until next time!