Frocks & Frou Frou

May(de): A Bit Burton

lillipilli — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:02:33 +0000

Tights: Ambra

Belt: (Free with Bettie Page dress)

Brooch: Pirdy

It’s very easy for me to “winterise” most of my custom-made summer frocks with the addition of opaque tights and a long sleeved cardigan, but what if the statement feature of the dress is on the back? Well, you layer underneath, obviously.

The wonderful Kay Em Kay heart-back dress that I bought for my honeymooon (minimoon? micromoon?) has been sitting in my wardrobe, and I was so sad I wasn’t going to be able to feature it in May(de) because it’s totally a hot-weather dress. Then I thought about how I’ve worn close fitting long-sleeved tops under t-shirts before, and I decided to do the same thing with the dress.

I think the result is a little bit old-school Tim Burton with the black and white stripy sleeves. I threw in a bit of red in the waist and the little glittery bow brooch at the neckline because I felt like I’d walked out of a black and white film. And also because, well, why not, right?

From the back it’s…. ooookay. The pattern of the top flashing through the cutout is great, but I’m not sure I’m sold on the wide stripes; it seems to mess with the clean shape of the heart. I think I’d like to try it again (not with a plain top – I tried that, and it looked weird from the front) but maybe with a polkadot top. Or a top with thinner stripes.

May(de): 60′s Schoolgirl

lillipilli — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:06:16 +0000

Blouse: Dorothy Perkins

Cardigan: Crossroads

Skirt: “Vintage” (Probably homemade) via Bombshell Vintage

Shoes: Chie Mihara

I’m feeling QUITE pleased with today’s outfit! I don’t know if it’s because this the first time in a week where I’ve been home early enough to catch some daylight coming in the window, or whether it’s the combination of bright red cardigan and multicoloured vintage skirt. Whatever it is, I’ve dubbed this my 60′s Catholic Schoolgirl outfit, and it’s a hit with The Sophisticate.

I think it’s the scalloped peter pan collar that really MAKES this outfit, and it’s made me realise how obsessed I’ve become with this Dorothy Perkins blouse (which is on sale for only twelve quid. Just sayin’). I’ve decided that my wardrobe needs MOAR peter pan collars, and I think I’ll try making my own detachable version as a DIY project this weekend. Maybe.

There’s a reasonably easy-looking tutorial on Honestly WTF, but there’s a few differing elements I’ve got in mind (which depends on what supplies I can find) so we’ll see. I might have to cobble together a project from different sources,

Stay tuned, I guess!

Brooch: Vintage, c/o We Are Large, People

May(de): Hi-Lo

lillipilli — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:41:19 +0000

Blouse: Liz Jordan at Noni B

Vest: Target

Skirt: Queen Clothing

Tights: Sussan

Shoes: Poetic License

If there’s one trend at the moment that completely baffles me it’s the Hi-Lo hem. Otherwise known as the “mullet”, this is an item where the hem of the skirt is long at the back and short at the front, and I Just. Can’t. Even.

Except it turns out I can. I bought this skirt from Queen Clothing in 2009, because I’d fallen in love with the GhostPatrol print on the front. Back then I was rhapsodising about the scooped hem adding a little glamour to a simple a-line skirt, but now I have to admit the bitter truth: It’s a mullet skirt. I have bought, repeatedly worn, and loved a mullet skirt.

The back of the skirt IS pretty cute though.

As is my CatRabbit owl brooch.

May(de):

lillipilli — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:23:49 +0000

Dress: Eliza Parker

Tights: Sussan

Shoes: Wittner

Brrrr! It was FREEZING today, and if this is the kind of weather Melbourne’s planning to persist with I’m going to have to buy some thermal underwear, because even in tights and full length sleeves I was shivering.

The Sophisticate and I took our respective Mothers and Mothers-In-Law out to a Yum Cha lunch today, but otherwise didn’t venture out of the house. This Eliza Parker dress is perfect for this sort of day. Comfortable and crush proof enough to mooch around the house in, but swanky enough for a big family get-together. (Plus, full enough in the skirt to house the Yum Cha Food Baby without squeezing uncomfortably).

For a bit of extra-glam, as well as for the May(de) handmade feature item I’m wearing my custom-made Wizard of Oz brooch, commissioned for me by my beloved little sister, and made by David Eris Loong

May(de) Remix: Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

lillipilli — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:11:11 +0000

Cardigan: Gap (remixed)

T-Shirt: Dorothy Perkins

Jeans: Levi Curve

Boots: Duo Boots

Hurrah! My first May(de) Remix project!

The moment I saw this project on Honestly WTF I knew I’d have to have a go at it. Hearts? Cardigans? Cardigans WITH hearts? Count me in!

Of course, I actually didn’t have ANY of the essential items I needed for the project (apart from the cardigan, of course. Got plenty of those), so I googled up “felting supplies” and found Fibre Fusion. From there I bought my wool roving and felting needles, though I should tell you that Lincraft is selling both, AND needle felting mats if you’re not comfortable with online shopping.

These are the supplies you’ll need:

A boring cardigan. Or some other wool item you want to apply your needle felting skillz to. I also replaced the buttons on this one, because my bridesmaid Bella told me the existing brown ones were ugly, and I tend to agree.

You’ll also need wool roving (it’s kind of like fairyfloss, but less yummy), felting needles (which are ultra-pointy and kind of rough on the shaft), some kind of shape for your applique. I chose a love heart cookie cutter to the complete non-surprise of The Sophisticate who, when I said “Guess what I’m doing”, replied “Sewing hearts to something?”. You can pretty much use anything for your needle felting mat; polystyrene, a scrubbing brush, a kitchen sponge. As long as it provides a flat surface for the project to sit on, but the needle can pass through it.

To be truthful, the project instructions on Honesty WTF are infinitely better explained and photographed than my own bodgy post, so I’d thoroughly recommend you check that out if you want to try this project. But anyhow: This is what I did.

First step, you have to figure out where you want your applique. I liked the elbow patches, so I put the cardigan on, then whacked a bit of sticky tape over the pointy bits of my elbows.

Now you know where inside the sleeve to position the bathroom spon… *ahem*, needle felting mat. Make sure there’s only one layer of fabric between the mat and the applique, or you’ll end up needle-felting both sides of your item together.

Put your “mould” into position…

…fill with wool roving…

…and start stabbing. This part’s quite therapeutic, actually.

Honestly WTF suggests that you start on the outside and move in. I just kind of had at it, but I had lots of tidying up to do around the edges after I’d taken the cookie cutter away. I think I also used way way too much wool roving, so I might try it again at a later date with a little bit more care.

Eventually you’ll end up with a pretty flat surface in the shape that you wanted. Peeeeeeel the felting mat away carefully and you’ll see that the wool will have come through the layer of fabric, attaching itself securely to the top. No sewing required!

Give it a squirt with some water, then iron right side out to flatten and set the felt.

And voila!