The Dressmaker

Have you seen the movie, The Dressmaker? If you haven't yet, I would highly recommend it. I was lucky enough to catch it when it was ever so briefly shown in the theatres here.  

Or better yet, did you catch the exhibit of the clothes? Oh my goodness what a delightful feast for the eyes to see these costumes come alive on the big screen out of the hot Aussie backdrop. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to see the costumes close up.    

The costumes,  that vintage Singer sewing machine, the story, oh and the costumes! 

Kate Winslet plays Tilly who returns to her hometown, after being sent away as a child, to uncover dark secrets of her past.  

But first, let's talk about this golfing outfit Tilly sports in one of the opening scenes. It is perfectly designed with tee holders along the pocket.  

She has her fans and her enemies.  

And despite that she is on a mission and with the most powerful weapon she possesses, her 1951 Singer sewing machine, she's determined to uncover the secrets, lies, and harm committed by the towns folks she transforms.  

It is a tale of revenge and search for truth and how things can unravel quite quickly.  

 I can't wait for the Oscars.

One of my favourite outfits would be the beautifully tailored and understated suit worn by Tilly's mom, Molly.  

Tilly transformed the towns people from the old stuffy clothes of yesteryear with the new revolutionary styles of Balenciaga and Dior. 

When a new dressmaker is recruited to challenge Tilly's arrival back in town, the scene is set for a showdown between the New Look revolution and de-feminizing uniforms of the past decades. 

Tilly has her allies in the showdown. But I'm going to stop here, I don't want to give too much away. Go see it. The Dressmaker is an entertaining story, part dark comedy and part surrealism cleverly stitched together.  

It is enough to make you want to run out and find a vintage Singer sewing machine. But I think I'll pick up the book instead.   

Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

Have you seen Mimi G's coat? I didn't find it on her blog yet, or did I miss it? Instead, it was spotted over at Pattern Review.com®. Mimi G wrote a review for McCall's 7259 and it is gorgeous. Although, I might be bias here since Mimi G sewed the coat up in a gorgeous plaid fabric and well, I do love a plaid.  

And Mimi G is right, this pattern with its simple lines is perfect for a plaid. ~Sigh~ I couldn't wait to get my hands on this pattern when it was released and I still haven't got around to making it. Now Mimi G has me dreaming about this project again.  

Right now, I have another wrap cape to make for Christmas and a top for Mama R. Perhaps, I will squeeze in some me-sewing during my winter lay-off in a couple of weeks.   

In other sewing news, the last of the angel costumes are done.  

I didn't make this one, someone else did many years go and they did a great job. I just replaced the neckline elastic that has lost its spring and added the hemline ric-rack trim. I wonder if they used a pattern and if so, which one. Next week the show will go on and the kids are so excited about playing dress up and getting up on stage. 

Well, I should get going to work and stop dreaming of sewing machines and future sewing projects. 

Happy Sewing!  

Angel Costume

This is one of four angel costumes that I am making for my workplace's Advent concert. I do enjoy the seasonal concert much more than this type of sewing. Although, I am thrilled that I have one done almost done.   

The Pattern:  

Out-of-print (OOP) McCall's 2340 is the pattern that was chosen for this project.  Only three pieces so you would think that it would be a quick make but somehow it was not the case. Maybe because the pieces are so large and awkward to sew. It is a style that calls for a rope belt that controls all the fullness around the waist.

It is kind of scary that it fits my mannequin stand because this is suppose to be a size medium, kids size 8-10! All that is left to do is the hem but I'm going to hold off on that until I have all of the costumes done and have the kids try them on.  

I really like the shape of the sleeves as they reach towards the hem they widen. I don't like how much fabric this pattern eats up and seems to waste along the way. I chose to cut the sleeves on the cross-grain just because I was trying to be economical on the layout. I will admit to some fear as to whether or not I'll be able to squeak out four costumes from the twelve metres of fabric that I picked up.   

The Fabric:  

I found this fabric at Mitchell Fabrics in the spring. I was hoping to use white sheets for this project because earlier in the spring Target, here in Canada, was packing up and leaving while promising great sales. Sadly, no such sales and they packed up their white sheets as well.  

It may not had been the fabric I hoped to be sewing but it does look nice. The label on this bolt of fabric stated that it's a cotton but it also has a sheen to it. And it is slippery which is making it a challenge to sew. And it frays like nobody's business so I'm quite doubtful of that cotton listing on the label. It wrinkles like cotton and handles the cotton setting on my iron. I still have my doubts.  

I did pre-shrink the fabric and it did shrink significantly in the width. I didn't re-measure the length because after ironing I had enough and just wanted to get it back onto a bolt.   

The Stats:

I'll post stats when I finish all four costumes. So, is anyone else working on Christmas sewing projects?  

Happy Sewing!