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Whose Legs Are These?
Photo: Bartholomew Cooke/LATimes MagazineThe stockinged legs in the foreground belong to one of our favorite Project Runway models. Can you guess who this is? Mouseover for the answer.
Heidi Klum to Produce "Seriously Funny Kids"
ANOTHER reality show from Heidi? Where does she find the energy? Click here for more from Variety.
Tiana Dress for Hailey B-3351
This is a dress up dress for my granddaughter Hailey who loves the Princess and the Frog movie. She's been asking me for a Tiana dress so I used Butterick 3351. I made it a little big so she could play in it for a couple of years. Put a grow tuck in the hem to let down later as she gets taller. I changed up the top -gave it a sweatheart neckline and gathered the rest of the front. Not crazy about it but it's to play in so it's fine. My youngest daughter got engaged on Sunday so will be working on her wedding dress soon. The wedding is in November so have lots of time to get it finished. Picture of Cowin J Pussycat whom I thought looked cute that day while I was taking pictures for the blog.
Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear For Every Occasion
Nina Garcia has authored a new book on style. "Nina Garcia's Look Book" will be released on August 10, 2010 but you can pre-order it now on Amazon.
It's Not Too Late - NYC Fans Head to Season 8 Event!
Photo: Mark YonskieIf you are in the New York area here’s your chance to be part of Project Runway! Come join us and cast a vote for your favorite look in one of Project Runway Season 8’s challenges.
Stop by our designers’ showcase on Sunday, June 27th from 2pm-4pm & let your opinion be heard!
Helen Mills Event Space
137-139 West 26th Street NYC 10001
Between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave. on the north side of the Street
You will need to sign a confidentiality agreement and an appearance release in order to enter the showroom. No cameras allowed.
Congratuations, Shannon Siriano
Shannon Siriano and Evan Greenwood were married yesterday in Detroit and of course Christian Siriano designed his beautiful sister's elegant gown.
Photo courtesy of Brad Walsh
Congratulations to the happy couple. Shannon, you looked glorious!
Photo courtesy of Brad WalshCongratulations to the happy couple. Shannon, you looked glorious!
Weekend News from Heidi Klum, Malan Breton, Christian Siriano and Tim Gunn
Heidi Klum is on the July 2010 cover of the Russian Tatler magazine.
Christian Siriano is in Italian Vogue.
Click here for the latest musings from Malan Breton.
Tim Gunn supports the New York Fashion Industry in this article from the Wall Street Journal.
Project flop: Butterick 5285 full skirt
This one is all my fault: I was bad and made up Butterick 5285 in a navy cotton sateen when the pattern calls for lightweight fabrics.
After putting this together, I found out why the pattern calls for lightweight fabrics: significant gathering is required, and the (admittedly) thick cotton sateen made the skirt blousy to the extreme. I spent an evening ripping the skirt apart, took 6 inches (3 inches each side) off the back, and stiched it back together. The result is still craziness:
At first I thought (more likely, tried to convince myself) that the front was cute, but it is nuts, too:
I wanted it to be this Louis Vuitton:
But it turned out this Louis Vuitton...:
Not good.
I would really like a full skirt for summer, and I adore the shape of this skirt. While the pattern is very easy to work with, I think it has an inherent flaw: it would require a really lightweight fabric, but it doesn't call for a lining, so the skirt would be see-through. Lining the skirt might make it too thick for the gathers.
I have Simplicity 2413 in my pattern stash, and I may sew the full skirt in that pattern. But for now, the poor navy sateen is in a pile on the sewing room/guest room floor....
After putting this together, I found out why the pattern calls for lightweight fabrics: significant gathering is required, and the (admittedly) thick cotton sateen made the skirt blousy to the extreme. I spent an evening ripping the skirt apart, took 6 inches (3 inches each side) off the back, and stiched it back together. The result is still craziness:
At first I thought (more likely, tried to convince myself) that the front was cute, but it is nuts, too:
I wanted it to be this Louis Vuitton:
But it turned out this Louis Vuitton...:
Images from style.com
Not good.
I would really like a full skirt for summer, and I adore the shape of this skirt. While the pattern is very easy to work with, I think it has an inherent flaw: it would require a really lightweight fabric, but it doesn't call for a lining, so the skirt would be see-through. Lining the skirt might make it too thick for the gathers.
I have Simplicity 2413 in my pattern stash, and I may sew the full skirt in that pattern. But for now, the poor navy sateen is in a pile on the sewing room/guest room floor....
Heidi Klum on Jimmy Fallon Last Night
Heidi Klum offered a couple of tidbits about season 8 last night.
“We had an incident – well, three incidents – where they basically dropped like flies and we had the ambulance come three times in a row,” she said, referring to Project Runway contestants.
Click here for the full episode (third segment.)
Be a Part of Project Runway History - Sunday, June 27th NYC
If you are in the New York area here’s your chance to be part of Project Runway! Come join us and cast a vote for your favorite look in one of Project Runway Season 8’s challenges.
Stop by our designers’ showcase on Sunday, June 27th from 2pm-4pm & let your opinion be heard!
Helen Mills Event Space
137-139 West 26th Street NYC 10001
Between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave. on the north side of the Street
You will need to sign a confidentiality agreement and an appearance release in order to enter the showroom. No cameras allowed.
Stop by our designers’ showcase on Sunday, June 27th from 2pm-4pm & let your opinion be heard!
Helen Mills Event Space
137-139 West 26th Street NYC 10001
Between 6th Ave. & 7th Ave. on the north side of the Street
You will need to sign a confidentiality agreement and an appearance release in order to enter the showroom. No cameras allowed.
Project Runway Season 8 Premiere July 29th at 9:00 on Lifetime
The 90-minute premiere will be followed by the new "On the Road with Austin and Santino" show at 10:30.
According to The Futon Critic, "It's not clear how or if "Models of the Runway" will be incorporated into the new season.
A Lifetime spokesperson wouldn't confirm any of the above developments however multiple sources now insist it's a done deal."
Click here for the full story.
July 29th is also Tim's birthday.
All Austin Scarlett - All the Time
One of Project Runway's most memorable designers, Austin Scarlett has inspired a new website "Austin is Burning."
Screencaps of every Austin appearance in season one are posted in glorious detail.
Click here for more.
Thank you David!
A Nugget from Tim Gunn's New Book
In addition to fashion advice, Tim offers some insider gossip in his new book: Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work.
Tim dishes on an encounter with Anna Wintour at designer Peter Som's fashion show at the Metropolitan Pavilion in 2006.
After the show, writes Gunn, "I was with a colleague from Parsons, and we had been discussing the will-she-or-won't-she-take-the-elevator question, so we ran over to the elevator bay to see if Anna would deign to get on. She wasn't there. Then we looked over the stairway railing. And what did we see but Anna being carried down the stairs. The bodyguards had made a fireman's lock and were racing her from landing to landing. She was sitting on their crossed arms."
Click here for the full article.
Christopher Straub Originals Now Available on eBay
Dear BPR,
I wanted to let you know about an online sample sale that I have going on. I'm offering some one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces from my previous collections. I need my studio space back so EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!
Thanks,
Christopher
Click here for details.
Sewing Miss Daisy
Made one of the Lil Blue Boo Recycled T-shirt dresses again. Emma Daisy loves cheerleading so cut up an old t-shirt and made her a dress. No model pics yet. Also made another version of the kwik sew nightgowns for Emma Daisy with some scraps from a shirt I'm working on. And of course a matching doll dress to go with it.
Weekend News from Tim Gunn, Malan Breton, and Qristyl Frazier
Click here for fashion tips from Tim Gunn and Marie Claire.
Liz Smith reports from the set of The Smurfs movie. Yes, Tim is in the scene!
More tips for your weekend wardrobe from Tim here at More.
Click here for Malan Breton's latest musings.
Project Runway Season Six designer, Qristyl Frazier will show her latest collection at "Full Figured Fashion Week" in NYC. Click here for more information.
Overlooking New Look?
I forget about New Look patterns. Perhaps becase the patterns are not prominent on Simplicity's site. Or because New Look patterns are never on sale; while they are always a cheap $3.99, it seems that every weekend either McCalls, Butterick, or Simplicity are on sale for 99 cents, so I gravitate towards those.
In any event, I shouldn't overlook New Look as there are some real gems.
This could be another version of The Perfect Dress - but this one with a great tie neckline:
I want that red dress in that fake red/white fabric...
I've been seeking a pattern for the white top below: just a 3/4 length-sleeve woven top pattern that's not a tunic. It's suprisingly hard to find, so I was excited by NL6868:
It got so-so reviews on Pattern Review because of a wonky facing (if you look closely at the model's top on the site, the neckline facing is a little crazy), but it's such a great top that I may have to make it work. Can't you see it in an eyelet?
My favorite is this skirt:
The short length and pleats look high-end RTW! It is definitely on my (huge) to-sew-list.
In any event, I shouldn't overlook New Look as there are some real gems.
This could be another version of The Perfect Dress - but this one with a great tie neckline:
I want that red dress in that fake red/white fabric...
I've been seeking a pattern for the white top below: just a 3/4 length-sleeve woven top pattern that's not a tunic. It's suprisingly hard to find, so I was excited by NL6868:
It got so-so reviews on Pattern Review because of a wonky facing (if you look closely at the model's top on the site, the neckline facing is a little crazy), but it's such a great top that I may have to make it work. Can't you see it in an eyelet?
My favorite is this skirt:
The short length and pleats look high-end RTW! It is definitely on my (huge) to-sew-list.
Klum: Season 8 Episodes will be 90 Minutes Long
Photo: Jennifer S. Altman/For The Los Angeles TimesHeidi Klum offers a little season 8 scoop for Project Runway fans: We're going to have more time next season," she announces. How will they manage that? "We're going to make the show an hour and a half long," adding a half hour to the running time. "It's for all the people out there who need to know just a little bit more of what's going on." Designers, start your hemming.
Click here for the full article from the Los Angeles Times.
No word about "Models of the Runway."
Enter to Win a Trip to Christian Siriano's Spring 2011 Runway Show
O-Cel-O™, maker of innovative and stylish home cleaning products, is partnering with designer and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano to give the everyday scrub sponge a fierce makeover with a pop of fashion. To kick off the partnership, O-Cel-O is inviting consumers to enter the “Clean with Style” sweepstakes for a chance to win a New York Fashion Week Getaway and a backstage pass to meet Christian Siriano.
One lucky grand-prize winner will enjoy a trip for two to New York City to attend Christian Siriano’s Spring 2011 runway show. At the show, the winner will get a sneak peek at the fashions that will inspire Christian’s scrub sponge designs, as well as an exclusive opportunity to chat with the designer backstage. Click here to enter through August 13th.
Gathered-back slouchy top: Vogue 8514 (first knit project!)
I bought Vogue 8514 because I thought - based on the pattern picture - that it was for wovens, and didn't even bother to look at the fabric suggestion. You'd think the lack of darts would have tipped me off, but moving on…
I adored the gathered back of this casual top, so I decided to use this pattern as my first venture into knits! I was going to make a solid top, but Peter suggested a stripe knit we saw at H&M Fabrics. While his outfit choice Saturday was questionable, his fabric intuition wasn't: I love how this turned out!
I made View B, but ended up taking over 4 inches off the length: unaltered view B is crazy long! Like, beach cover-up or knee-length dress long. A Pattern Reviewer felt that the instructions were goofy: there is no discussion of serging and the facings are interfaced. As a novice knit sewer, I didn't notice any of this, and felt that the pattern overall was incredibly easy: the sleeves are kimono shaped instead of set-in, and the gathering was super-easy to do.
It wasn't lightning fast, as the sleeves are also gathered and finished at the bottom with a band - details that took some time to complete:
I'm mixed on sewing knits: I found it difficult to prep the knit before I cut it. It kept shifting and stretching on the mat. However, once I wrestled it down and began sewing, what a breeze. The material was easy to maneuver, and the lack of darts makes a project much faster.
Frankly, I don't wear really wear knits, so I don't think I'll sew with them often. Also, I think I'd like to spend my precious, limited sewing time creating dresses or skirts that are more expensive to buy than knits. But the overall ease does make sewing with knits very attractive...
I adored the gathered back of this casual top, so I decided to use this pattern as my first venture into knits! I was going to make a solid top, but Peter suggested a stripe knit we saw at H&M Fabrics. While his outfit choice Saturday was questionable, his fabric intuition wasn't: I love how this turned out!
I made View B, but ended up taking over 4 inches off the length: unaltered view B is crazy long! Like, beach cover-up or knee-length dress long. A Pattern Reviewer felt that the instructions were goofy: there is no discussion of serging and the facings are interfaced. As a novice knit sewer, I didn't notice any of this, and felt that the pattern overall was incredibly easy: the sleeves are kimono shaped instead of set-in, and the gathering was super-easy to do.
It wasn't lightning fast, as the sleeves are also gathered and finished at the bottom with a band - details that took some time to complete:
I'm mixed on sewing knits: I found it difficult to prep the knit before I cut it. It kept shifting and stretching on the mat. However, once I wrestled it down and began sewing, what a breeze. The material was easy to maneuver, and the lack of darts makes a project much faster.
Frankly, I don't wear really wear knits, so I don't think I'll sew with them often. Also, I think I'd like to spend my precious, limited sewing time creating dresses or skirts that are more expensive to buy than knits. But the overall ease does make sewing with knits very attractive...
News from Althea Harper, Michael Kors and Austin Scarlett
Click here for a new interview with Michael Kors.
Project Runway Season One designer Austin Scarlett will be designing for a theater production in Greenwich CT. Click here for more information.
Christian Siriano at the "Hot in Cleveland" Premiere
Photo: WireImage/KambourisEnter to Win a Wedding Dress Designed by Carol Hannah Whitfield
Enter here to win this "Spring Street" wedding dress designed by Carol Hannah Whitfield.
Fab Four- UK dress for Alyssa
Well when my daughter in law Liz saw the dress for Sophie we had to make one for Alyssa Grace. I used the top of the Lil Boo dress and just made the bottom layers wider and gathered them. Doesn't she look adorable in it. Now her sister Hailey wants one. That's what happens when you have 9 grandkids, they all want one. ha ha
Three's a charm- Lil Boo x 3
Well I'm hooked. These are just fun to make. This is the third one today heres number one and number two.Megan had this old shirt I cut up and used the scraps from Judy's test fabric (one of her favorite summer shirts)and some leopard poly knit from who knows where. It's kinda silly but I like it. Love the colors. Now I'm tired and need a nice bubble bath.
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