Sunday 11 January 2015

A Handmade Outfit - DIY Icecream Dress & Camera Bag!


For my first outfit post of 2015, I wanted to show off some things that I've made in the last week. I've been sewing just for myself (without a video camera over my shoulder!) and it's been lovely - I needed to remind myself that I can sew just for the pleasure of sewing, without being under pressure to make something successfully while being watched by thousands of people on youtube (or failing that, to at least make my stuff-ups entertaining).
So these are two things that I've made - the first is this pink icecream print dress with a full skirt and detachable halter strap. The fabric was a Christmas gift, from Spotlight if anyone is interested in buying it. For the dress, I actually used a store-bought pattern for the top part (Simplicity 1426). 

Demi from Carbon Chic showed me how to use patterns when she came to visit me in Sydney the other week, demonstrating that patterns actually weren't this scary, super-complicated thing that I would never understand. And then I made a playsuit which wasn't a total failure, and, feeling like I could conquer any sewing challenge, I then used the top pattern to make this dress! For the bottom part, I used my own trusty circle skirt pattern.

The second thing that I made is this camera bag:
Okay, well... so I actually technically started making this at the end of 2013. I bought the pattern and template for this bag from Happy Sew Lucky, started it off and then... let it sit under my desk for an entire year, taunting me. Because I had to use a pattern that someone else had made, I think that I got intimidated. However, finally learning how to use patterns and making this dress then gave me the confidence to finish off this bag!
My shoes are brand new. As the more observant of you may have noticed, I've pretty much been wearing one pair of shoes for a whole year - my Naot Kedma's, which are now looking a little worse for wear. Unfortunately I had some slight sizing issues with the only other two ethical shoe companies that I could find, and what with shoes being one of the most difficult things to DIY (without access to a whole lot of industrial equipment), I caved, and bought some shoes off Asos. I feel uneasy having no idea where and by whom the shoes were manufactured, and whether they were paid a fair wage to make them - but it's really, really hard to shop ethically 100% of the time. This past year for instance, I've had to cave on bras and underwear too when my old pairs were literally falling off me (although I have just learnt how to make the latter for myself!) So this definitely isn't me giving up on my pledge of trying to shop ethically, but it is a note about just how difficult that can sometimes be.
Dress - handmade | bag - handmade (Happy Sew Lucky) | socks - markets | shoes - Asos | ring and necklace - thrifted

Anyway, that's it from me today! I hope that you're all having a wonderful week! Much love,






Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

20 comments:

  1. Haha, look at you using patterns by yourself and making fabulous things! I told you that you'd get the hang of it once you've done it a few times ;)

    Also you totally must give oiling your Naots a shot. You should always try maintaining your real leather shoes--it really really extends their life and keeps them looking shiny and new. Costs less than buying a new pair of shoes, too!

    Demi xo

    P.S. Did you change your site's coding? All of your headers are coming up in Comic Sans!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no, really?? That is not good. The headers should be in lobster (which, I'll grant you has been named the comic sans of 2014/15, though I still like it)

      Delete
  2. this outfit looks super cute and the dress is just marvelous!
    It's nice to make things for oneself and by hand too just makes the experience and product extra special

    http://secret-hipster.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  3. The ice cream dress is precious! The top came out beautifully! I love using patterns, actually. I think they're like big 3-D puzzles - you get this weird-shaped tissue paper things, then when you cut them out and piece them together, they fit around your body! It's so amazing to me! After the Charles James exhibit I saw at the MET where they showed us the patterns he used to make his dreamy, sculpted gowns, I've been thinking about patterns and the way they shape a garment even MORE - it's mind-blowing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should totally start thinking of them as 3D puzzles to solve! I love solving puzzles so I think that will help :)

      Delete
  4. This is just ridiculously cute. All the Aussie bloggers that I follow are giving me serious weather envy, running around in shorts and flippy skirted little dresses. Adding an ice cream print is just taking it to the next level.
    That bag is really great, and I love knowing that it's home sewn and something I could potentially make. I just discovered your blog fairly recently, and I'm finding it very inspirational.
    Cheers,
    Jessica, Zella Maybe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Northern hemisphere bloggers are making me envious of layering up and being snuggly - I'm so sick of this melting weather!!! >.<

      Delete
  5. So sweet! I am so happy that you are continuing to try to go ethical on clothing. It is pretty hard sometimes and shoes...oh boy. If it makes you feel better I seem to remember seeing a review on ASOS that wasn't as bad as a lot of companies so you probably made a good choice :) And I am so used to patterns now that I don't really think much about it, but they can really be a lot of fun. As Meghan Sara said, it is like putting together a puzzle, and you will get to the point where you look at other people's clothes and be able to picture the pattern pieces that made them! You are so good at making your own designs already that I know you will be a whiz with patterns in no time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhhh I really want to get to that point, that would be so exciting :D And thank you for leaving a comment about the asos shoes, that'll make me feel a little bit better about wearing them. It's just soooo hard to find out information about brands sometimes!!

      Delete
  6. Your dress is so lovely!! When I first started sewing, I was taught about patterns. There are some that are still a bit intimidating, but I do my best to work with them. :)
    And I get your struggle on buying ethical. As a vegetarian, finding vegan friendly shoes that are both cute and affordable has been the most difficult thing to find. Glad to see that you take the ethical approach. :)

    vegcourtesy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are so wonderfully creative! Love this dress and everything about you wahhhh

    ReplyDelete
  8. Holy crap you made that purse too? It's amazingly cute! So is your ice cream print dress. The level of cute in this outfit is off the charts. Such a perfect summer look. You're super talented!

    Jamie | PetitePanoply.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. SO CUTE! Not only is that dress adorable, but I am astounded by your skills! One of my resolutions is to learn how to sew this year... it's a little daunting, but I'm dying to make dresses in cute prints!

    xox Sammi

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is such a beautiful dress and it looks great on you! One of my goals for 2015 was to learn to sew and hopefully, eventually, be able to start making some of my own clothes. I think it will take me a long time to get to your level though!

    xx Kathryn
    http://www.throughthethicket.ca

    ReplyDelete
  11. For shoes, why not look around in charity shops? Then you shouldn't have to feel guilty about unethical shoes, they have already been bought by others

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, and have looked for this style of shoes for literally almost a year, but I couldn't find a pair exactly like this, which is what I really wanted! (I also needed some which could fit my orthodontic insoles and so that makes it a little more difficult).

      Delete
  12. I love your blog so much, especially when you post diy things
    - I'm sorry if my english is not very well, I have some difficulties to write -
    I´m super fan of the things you do since I first find your blog a week ago! It helps me a lot in my projects, because your body type is kind alike mine, and therefore I know it will be good in me too. I hope that doesn't sound awkward.

    Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a message! I read every single one. Don't forget to check back for a reply if you leave a question! ♥

Related Posts with Thumbnails