Diary of a Chain Stitcher

So I completely failed in my attempt to wear jeans less, well at least when wearing me-made. I did wear ready to wear dresses a few times this week, I have a lot of comfy jersey dresses in my wardrobe that are fairly practical but still make me feel a bit pulled together (mainly the same style of French Connection one over and over again in different print, even the same print and different colours!). When we actually get nice weather they become a bit of a summer staple, especially the maxi dresses which I am loving even more this year. I think I need to get making pronto before Me-Made-May is over and get the hang of knits, I know I wear jersey dresses a lot so why haven't I made any?! Anyway, on to the me-mades: Thursday May 16th:  Costume shopping, budgeting and a little bit of home sewing Top: Me-Made Black Lace Grainline Scout Tee Trousers: Levi Skinny Jeans - Macy's Coat: Lightweight Mac - Dorothy Perkins Shoes: Leopard Print Pumps - H&M (other...

Yesterday I bounded out of the house bright and early to the long awaited exhibition on Hollywood costume design which has (after 5 long years) just opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum. I booked my ticket months ago when dates were first announced as I think even then I knew I was going to love it and boy did I! Curated by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, an esteemed Hollywood costume designer herself, the press releases beforehand had suggested that this was to be an exhibition not just about beautiful dresses and extravagant designs but about the process of costume design and the importance of what it can communicate to the viewer. I was wondering how this might be put across in an exhibition when the attention would probably easily be drawn to the beauty of the finished article but I was really impressed! I trained in costume design so probably was keener than most to learn about the designers' processes and the story behind each item and therefore spent more time looking at...

There's a few of events advertised at the moment which I'm quite excited about and thought some other bloggers may find interesting too. First of all are the Creative Stitches exhibitions which this year include an exhibit of the actual Downton Abbey costumes (which the above picture is of). Until I wrote this blog post I thought I'd missed the exhibitions at my end of the UK but I've just discovered there's one scheduled in Brighton for the 10th-12th May. Woohoo! It's also on from 26th-28th April in Liverpool so if that's your neck of the woods get on over there because I'm sure it'll be a real treat! There is also the Antiques for Everyone antiques fair which is held three times a year at the NEC in Birmingham. The next one is from the 12th-15th April. I've never been to one and you may also think 'this is a sewing blog what have antiques got to do with it?!' but the main feature of the exhibition this time around is Downton Ab...

I recently took out a trial subscription to Sew Magazine. It was £5 for 3 issues which I didn't think I could really go wrong with even though most of the projects inside are little crafty things that I probably won't make. The first issue arrived through my letterbox yesterday and let's just say it has definitely paid for iteslf a few times over already as this was the free pattern that came with it! A beautiful dress to make up in a number of variations for summer I think you'll agree. However I was doubly excited to have this free gift land on my mat as it is just the perfect pattern to make up a replica of the dress I've had my eye on from 'An Education' for the Sew Cinematic project! I'm thinking the third view in from the left on the second row with the fitted skirt is going to be ideal. What a wonderful sewing conicidence! It just about made my day!

So now I've thought about what I can actually achieve I thought I'd share some of those iconic movie costumes that I wish I had the skills to make/a reason to wear. Just for fun! And to make all those hours I spend pinning completely inappropriate ideas a little bit worthwhile! There's so so many of Audrey Hepburn's but here's my favourite few. The Sabrina evening gown is possibly the most exquisitely elegant costume she ever wore in my opinion and the My Fair Lady Ascot dress is just a wonderfully intricate costume. Two for the Road is a particular favourite film of mine and the mini dress of silver discs is so different and modern to all her other costumes it really stands out for me. I don't think I could be doing with sewing on all those discs though! Grace Kelly is another icon of mine for such a classic, elegant and timeless style. The black and white 'Paris' dress from Rear Window is probably her most well known movie costume and the fac...