The neverending LBD refashion

I think I have made this refashion overly-complicated and too ambitious for my sewing skills - oh well.  So the question is when will I ever finish my attempt to turn an M&S skirt (see this post:) from this (excuse the terrible photo):

To this (I like a challenge) or something vaguely inspired by the beautiful Audrey:

Progress so far.  Firstly I used the bodice and neckline of Colette Patterns Chantilly for the top as the circular neckline reminds me of the Hepburn dress:



I made an effort to be a proper seamstress and made a muslin:

I learnt to underline ( thanks to Julia Bobbin) here:

It is almost finished but (even with the muslin) there are some fitting issues I need to address on the bodice and the improvised scallop hem of the underpinning needs sewing. 

Next time I attempt a scallop hem I will use this technique (which I discovered on Hettersonjournal Pinterest ).  I only discovered it after I had cut my cloth (oops).  Almost finished ... just need to remove some of the excess around the bust - I really will feel a sense of achievement when I get to wear this out!

Bout de Souffle

I love Jean Seaberg in Jean Luc Goddard's 'Bout de Souffle' and whilst googling my style crushes I found this picture:

Now I REALLY want to make this dress - so I am on a mission to find the fabric and a pattern - rummaging through my vintage patterns - maybe I can adapt one of these? 

Not sure where to find the thick fabric though .. I love Rolls & Rems on 21 Seven Sisters Road, Islington

London, N7 6AN (telephone: 020 7263 3272) it's a bit chaotic but piled high with fabric and bargains:



(Slightly bodged) beautiful Beignet skirt

After messing up the sizing/fitting I have finally finished my Beignet (I skipped the belt hoops and belt as I like the cleaner lines and if I'm honest I had run out of steam on this). I really love the end result even if it is a little bodged - the red linen remnant only cost £2 so it is a bargain.  I have to admit the colour inspiration came from Tilly & the Buttons - I love her red one and the whole 60s movie star thing she has going on in this picture:

It got my mind wandering off and google-imaging all my 60s style crushes - Audrey, Bridget:

And of course the gorgeous Jean Seaberg - I really want to make this dress for our non-existent summer - need to find a good pattern:

So now thanks to Tilly and some google wandering - there will always be something about my bodged Beignet which will transport me out of rainy, grey summer-less London to sunny Rome in a black and white 1960s movie - all I need now is a head scarf, stripey breton top and cats eye sunglasses...

Sewing block?

I seem to have hit a wall in the creation of my gorgeous red Colette Beignet skirt - I cut all the pieces out too big.  I got confused about seam allowances and US sizing.  So it all been a bit messy.  The skirt is a bit lumpy and misshapen - not very inspiring.

Do you ever get to the point where you feel fed up with something you are making?  It's not how you thought it would be? 

Like my attempt to re-fashion an old M & S skirt into a Breakfast at Tiffanys Dress - yes an overly ambitious idea but if you have seen this amazing clip on You Tube - Breakfast at Tiffanys Dress by Zephyr Graham Paris Custom Made  - she just makes it look so easy.  You can see her in action here: 

So I've decided to just post a few unrelated inspiring things to take my mind off my inability to finish the Beignet and the Audrey re-fashion.

One of my best friend's - Lucy Miller's gorgeous knitwear (you can find her at Cockpit Studio - Holborn)

The full moon taken through my generous colleague Thalis's telescope for my daughter's homework - I had to stay up until 2am to get this shot but I think it's an amazing full moon.

Roses and geraniums

This is a wall made from old computer keys at the James Hotel in New York - it's wierdly beautiful and a great example of recycling as art.

Yes I know that none of these relate to sewing but I just needed to take my mind off the things that aren't working.  Any suggestions on how to get going on a project that has hit a wall? ,