Categotry Archives: clothing

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ZIGZAG DRESS

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I made this dress for my birthday this year, and it was perfect for my bayou birthday party.

yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne

The dress had to be lined, and since the seams would have been slightly visible through the white areas of the print, I felt like interlining was the only option. Well, sewing two layers of swishy fabric together while keeping the print centered and the grainlines even can be a pain in the ass. In the end it turned out well, but it was a process to get there.

It’s a very basic shift (or sheath) dress. Easy to make, versatile to wear, and simple design lines that allow the fabric to take center stage. I have a few fabulous fabrics that have been patiently waiting in my sewing cabinet, and I think this new pattern will match perfectly.

yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne

I bought the yellow printed rayon as soon as it came in the door at Fabric Planet Downtown for $3/yd. The dress is lined with a blush pink rayon, which also came via Fabric Planet (from the Venice store, and was the same price). The invisible zipper and TIffany blue lycra I used for the binding were rummaged from my fabric cabinet. Total dress cost: $12

yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne

I just love the bright lemon yellow! The crisp chevrons are actually composed of tiny triangles. This print is hitting all my buttons.

I didn’t really think about how prone to wrinkles the finished garment would be. Not that I generally look freshly pressed, but I do like to show off my clothes to their best advantage. I must admit, I’m a little disappointed that despite the care I put into constructing the dress, it will always look a little sloppy.

yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne

Although I’ve only worn the dress once before, the fabric is starting to pill at the underarms. It’s certainly not a disaster, just another disappointment to overcome. This dress may not have the longevity that I was looking forward to as I began to put it together.

yellow zigzag dress, made by julianne

I drafted the basic shift pattern with a muslin (and 2 sleeves with different cap heights!), and the meticulous fitting on the muslin isn’t quite obvious in the shifty doubled rayon. Oh well, I think that attention will pay off in other iterations of the design.

yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne yellow zigzag dress, made by Julianne
And yes, I am on Instagram now.
 

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MATMOS DRESS

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Finally able to start unclogging the backlog of posts. Mardi Gras costume will be coming soon!

It’s a simple dress, which means it’s versatile and comfortable and fun to wear.

tie-dye matmos dress, made by Julianne

 I used a vintage pattern that I borrowed from Caroline; I traced the pattern and forgot to copy the name or number! Luckily I haven’t seen her since then, so I actually still have the pattern in a very safe place, so eventually I can find out the relevant information.

tie-dye matmos dress, made by Julianne

Now I’m wearing it with a silk charmeuse slip, and I stay pretty warm. Without the slip, it’s been perfect for warmer days in Los Angeles on the bicycle. The short hem will be fun in the summer!

tie-dye matmos dress, made by Julianne

It’s made from a silky, slinky rayon. I also used the fabric for a dress shirt for my husband (which I will iron and photograph in New Orleans). The print reminds me of the Matmos from one of my favorite movies, Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy.

tie-dye matmos dress, made by Julianne

matmos 2

I finished the seams in the serger. There’s a black invisible zip, which should be 6″ longer, but I had this size in my stash and I can easily get the dress over my shoulders (but the hips are another story).

tie-dye matmos dress, made by Julianne

I’m not sure about the neckline. Maybe I want to do something bold, like an appliqué or contrasting collar? Maybe I want it lower? For now, it’s bound in matching bias tape. I’d love any suggestions!

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NEON RAGLAN

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One thing I love about Burning Man is the wide range of costuming. Bikinis in the daytime, and sweaters galore at night! My neon fleece sweatshirt was perfect for the playa, and has been essential to my survival in Monterey this winter.

neon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianne

Even with a Disaronno-induced hangover, it’s impossible to be cranky when I’m wearing this. Now where are my damn french fries?

neon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianne  I used a charming vintage pattern from 1972 (mine was bought at Fabulous Fabrics, which sounds like a delightful business model). The previous owner copied the pattern onto interfacing in order to make fitting changes, so I did the same.

Copying patterns (rather than making marks and cuts on the original printed piece) is a new step for me. I enjoy the meditative preparation, and my tracing the design onto fresh paper makes me feel really free to make all sorts of changes.

Like all recent projects, this was made entirely out of stash fabrics. Isn’t it convenient that I have yards and yards of neon fleece just sitting in my closet? Having not bought fabric for the past few months really helped me realize just how much fabric I already had. Ridiculous!

neon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianne

It’s sewn with all neon threads. It can be worn with the seams on the inside, but I rather like all those perfect lines of serging. It adds to the whimsy, and we gots to have that.

The bright neon fabrics make me feel like a kid, but wearing a sweatshirt while many of my campmates head out into the night wearing a single pair of tights and a lace corset makes me feel kinda like a mom… a warm mom. Not that marriage = end of sexiness, but yeah, when it starts to get a little chilly I start piling the layers on.

neon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianneneon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianne

I keep playing with the idea of puff-paint decoration, with a clear memory of picking at the pointy dots on my mom’s reindeer sweater in the 90s. With neon or glitter paint, it could be quite hipster-ironic. But what image? Lithium is always a good choice, but maybe I should do something stranger. Suggestions?

neon raglan sweatshirt, made by Julianne

There is another coordinating shirt, left back in LA for the time being. This top also inspired an awesome snugly onesie, but that will have to wait for another post…

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