I'm pretty sure that this post clearly outlined how besotted I am with the wonderful A Stitch in Time Vol.1, so it was only a matter of time before I got stuck in!


I know it's early days still, but I'm so excited about finishing this jumper! I think it will look great with trousers and skirts, tucked in or left out! Normally, I don't go for baby blue, but the Sirdar yarn was on offer and I instantly fell in love with the dark green and peach flecks.


Ironically, I chose the Panelled Effect Lady's Jumper because I thought I could practice my cable knitting. I soon found out though that the panels are instead constructed by knitting into a stitch a number of times. Very clever stuff!


Sadly, this does now mean that my poor Adeline cardi has been abandoned for now. As much as I love it and fully intend on finishing it one day, I really fancied a challenging knit which would keep me on my toes. And my current project certainly fits the bill!


A huge word of warning for any of you wishing to try out the Panelled Effect Lady's Jumper though - there's a mistake in the pattern quite early on which had me seriously stumped. But a quick Google search led me to this Ravelry page, which sets the record straight. Phew! I love you Google!

Have any of you made this pattern up? Are you happy with the end result?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
It's less than two weeks now until the big reveal for Julia Bobbin's Mad Men Dress Challenge and I'm insanely excited, especially as so many of you seem to be taking part! I've not actually sewn any of my dress together yet even though parts are cut out, so I need to get on with it I guess. I do hope that these posts will inspire new people to take part part (there's still time) and will also provide some serious style-eye-candy for the rest of you!

Today's Mad Men character under the microscope is Rachel Menken - another one of Don Draper's love interests...aren't they all!?! Rachel, like Faye Miller, is a successful and independent woman (sadly not strong enough to withstand Don's 'charm') with a killer wardrobe to boot. 

I hope you enjoy feasting your eyes upon some of my favourite Rachel looks – as usual all photos are courtesy of the Tom + Lorenzo blog!

Ah, this purple ensemble really calls out to me, 
especially when paired with the simple pearl accessories

This coral two-piece is so cute - I love the crisp white detail around the edges and the feminine blouse she's wearing underneath

Is there any colour that Rachel Menken doesn't suit? The cheeky leopard print top is a great way to liven up an outfit and her mustard dress with dramatic necklace is so effective!

More stills of the delightful mustard dress - the black piping really helps to draw 
together the black accessories

I really dislike this hat (sorry dodgy hat lovers), but the colour of this dress is stunning and again, so are the accessories!


And finally, who doesn't like a dramatic polka dot look? I love how the dark colours give this outfit a tough edge...I'm convinced that I need the cropped jacket in my life!

What's your take on Rachel Menken and her outfits? Do you rate her style or are you not really a fan?

Fancy ogling my previous Mad Men style posts? Look no further...



Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Lately I've been cutting and sewing up a Renfrew storm, all in preparation for Tilly's One Week, One Pattern (OWOP) project. I know that making things especially for OWOP is not strictly the ethos of the project, but the Sewaholic pattern is one I would have made up multiple times regardless of OWOP, so hopefully that's a good enough reason.

Anyway, in addition to my original tiger-print version, I know have a couple of plain basic versions. There's really nothing new to add about the construction process, only that the scoop-neck version was even easier to make up than the cowl-neck one! 

To spare you any repetitiveness I thought I'd save pictures of me wearing them for OWOP, so for now it's just mannequin shots I'm afraid!

I love this purple colour and how this basic top can be spruced up with a great accessory!


The cowl detail looks much better with a thinner jersey - my tiger-print fabric was notably stiffer!


Coming up next, another scoop-neck in the floral jersey and a V-neck in the stripey jersey

I'm very much one for the layered look in my daily wardrobe, so I think these newest Renfrew additions will fit right in.

Are you taking part in OWOP? If so, what's your chosen pattern?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A couple of weekends ago, I headed up to Yorkshire to visit a dear friend of mine. As a special treat we got to spend the Saturday in the town she comes from - the idyllic Skipton. I cannot tell you how absolutely lovely it is, you really must go visit it yourself!

Anyway, we browsed the independent shops and boutiques, snacked on the most delicious pork pies known to man from the world renowned Stanforth Butchers, took in the fresh air and friendly people and had lunch at the new Russian Tearoom.

As we were leaving, my friend casually mentioned stopping by a fabric shop to pick up some curtain material for her new house. I was moderately excited until I saw its unassuming entrance!


Oh yes! This was none other than The Fent Shop that I so vividly remembered reading about over at Karen's blog almost a year ago! At this point my palms got sweaty and my heart started racing. I knew then that I was in for a treat and boy, I was not disappointed!

There were rolls upon rolls of all kinds of fabrics...too many to take in truth be told!


And pre-cut lengths of beautiful upholstery-weight fabric!


Oh, and a 'little' something for the dressmaker - just look at those neatly hung cotton lawns!

I don't know how I managed to be so restrained amongst all that temptation - probably because I was too busy flapping around trying to photograph it all for you lot ;o) - but I did walk away with 2 metres of a lovely linen for just £3!!! Maybe a nifty little wiggle dress maybe for summer?


No trip is ever complete without trying on Russian 'Ushanka' style hats and posing like wannabe KGB agents!


Seriously though, visit Skipton as soon as you can! The Fent Shop, as awesome as it is, is just one of many good reasons to do so.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
I thought I'd launch the second part of our delectable style journey with a scandalous confession....dum dum dum! I have been known to mistake Mad Men character Jane Siegel / Sterling for Megan Calvet and visa versa! It's shocking, I know. I can't explain it – I know they don't look identical, but from afar I can't always distinguish one from the other. Am I the only one, or can anyone else see the resemblance too?

Anyway, in light of this, I thought it would be amusing to share my favourite outfits of both characters in the same post. I dare you not to get them mixed up ;o)

All photos in this post were taken from Tom + Lorenzo blog.

First up Jane Siegel / Sterling - not a particularly likeable character, but she has great taste!

Of course I must pay special tribute to this little blue number, 
as it's what I'm attempting to recreate for Julia's Mad Men Dress Challenge.



I really love Jane's chic office wear - it looks so effortless!


She also scrubs up well in her stunning evening dresses - just look at that scolloped lace and beaded detail!


Isn't this jacket to die for!?! I love it so much that I recently bought a very similar coat in black with leopard trim...yummy!

Next up Megan Calvet - a much sweeter character who we'll undoubtedly get to see more of in the upcoming final series!

Megan’s definitely portrayed as a modern woman (more so say than the likes of Betty Draper) and this is very much reflected in her distinctly later 1960s outfits. Just look at the simple lines and block colours of her work-wear...very elegant!





The wholesomeness of her character and how great she is with Don's children is cleverly depicted through this soft and sweet dress.

But Megan's modern outlook prevails in this rather stunning little black dress!

Which character do you prefer - Jane or Megan? And more importantly, who do you think dresses better...do you have a favourite outfit from above?

I think I'd rather be Megan's friend, but overall, Jane wins the style stakes for me!

*****
Saturday, March 10, 2012
There's been a fair bit of sewing, knitting and crochet-learning going on in these parts, but I don't actually have anything finished to show you all yet! Ironically, March will end up being my most productive month of the year so far as I'm frantically sewing up enough Renfrews for Tilly's exciting One Week, One Pattern project and I'm also hoping to complete a Mad Men inspired dress for Julia Bobbin's awesome challenge.

In keeping with the Mad Men fever that's surmounted stitchers around the world, over the next few weeks I've decided to regale you with some style inspiration (basically my favourite looks) from the wonderful series – starting with some secondary characters and moving on to the better known ones. If I start clogging up your blog-readers and you'd rather I didn't continue with this style series, please do let me know!

I've already decided to make Jane Siegel/Sterling's dress for myself, but one of my absolute favourite style icons from the Mad Men series is Faye Miller. She stole my heart with her lovely hair, warm brown eyes, perfect make-up and elegant outfits. I also love that she's a successful professional and an independent woman! 

Here are some of my favourite Faye Miller looks 
(all photos taken from Tom + Lorenzo blog)

Faye has the best selection of work blouses with lovely neck detailing





She's also got a great array of twin-sets



And Faye's elegant work and evening dresses need to make their way into my wardrobe soon!



If you've been sitting on the fence about Julia's Mad Men Dress Challenge, has this post given you any food for thought? I sure hope so!

What are you working on at the moment?
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
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