Summer dress anyone? :: Dressmaking Inspiration ::

*Do not forget to enter my current giveaway here*

There are a few reasons why I am keen to improve on my dressmaking skills - one of them is to able to recreate some items of my favourite fashion designers, for instance Maje, and save some pennies in the process.

I love Maje style but find sometimes that it just on the too-expensive side for me, especially when it comes to dresses - I hardly wear any so I am not necessarily ready to splash out. However I am a happy browser, and when I saw the Rayano dress in the flesh, I just knew I had to share with you this possible adaptation of the Cami dress, so you could have yours too (for a fraction of the price) - or make another Cami dress if you have the pattern like me!

Pattern: Cami dress by Pauline Alice Patterns (my version is here)

Fabric: I chose an organic eyelet fabric in 'natural', but I also love this organic blue fabric - if you are keen on red, you may consider this one.

Probable modifications: Remove the collar 

(whoohoo collarless, such an obvious modification); 

Maybe shorten it as well,

and Add more fabric to the get a fuller skirt.

Dress: You can buy the dress here. 

We are looking at a grand total of £55.00 which is not cheap of course, but still saves £250.00 on the Maje dress - a pretty good result - and of course allows me to make different versions of a pattern I already have (and get the colour and borderie anglaise detailing I want)! 

You can see my inspiration to make other designer garments here.

The ubiquitous Tibi | Inspiration {Dressmaking}

There are a few reasons why I am keen to improve on my dressmaking skills - one of them is to able to recreate some items worn by fashion bloggers I admire the wardrobe of, and save some pennies in the process. 

Maybe you can see I am already fed up with being pregnant and thinking of my post-pregnancy life (to be honest hot trains are not helping). For a few of you it may be the wedding/summer parties season, and I thought you might be interesting in seeing my inspiration board for the Tibi skirt which currently retails at £495.00 at Net-a-Porter. This is not the most expensive designer item I have my eye on - but still, it is cheaper to make it.  

Pattern: B5929 from Butterick (easy pattern); 

Fabric: there are different colours available on cheapfabrics.co.uk; but one option could be the Dupion Silk in wine which should shimmer a bit to add that touch of gamour

Probable modifications: Lengthen the skirt - to get the Midi Tibi skirt look. 

You could also adjust the pleats if you felt you need more, smaller ones

Tibi Skirt: You can buy it on NaP for £495

So let's do the maths.. 

You are saving quite a bit but what attracts me to this project is that you could really adjust the size of the patterns according to your morphology (as in I have 'usually' a small waist and big hips in comparison). Also it is a great staple garment to have in your wardrobe as there are a lot of inspiration out there to make it work for more casual or glamorous looks. And Butterick says that it is an easy pattern - I do not have a lot of experience with Butterick so hopefully easy does mean easy..  I do love that look with the stripey top - this is will be for next Summer for me, hoping it inspired you! 

You can see my inspiration to make other designer garments here. 

Oh, to own a Jonathan Saunders bomber jacket! | Inspiration {Dressmaking}

There are a few reasons why I am keen to improve on my dressmaking skills - one of them is to able to recreate some items of my favourite fashion designers, today Jonathan Saunders, and save some pennies in the process. 

I love Jonathan Saunders style - quirky but classic, but I cannot really justify the price, especially for a jacket I would only wear occasionally. But isn't it beautiful? Surprisingly (yes there is some pink involved) I love the colour combination too! But, here is the thing, I could be making my own... 

Pattern: the Rigel Bomber jacket from Papercut; 

Fabric: I chose a Floral Embroidered Dupion from Joel & Son which is not as shiny as the embroidered silk used in the designer model but could work. I am also very (very keen) on this colourful version. 

Probable modifications: Not sure whether it will be a modification as such, but a lot of care will have to be given to matching fabrics. 

Bomber Jacket: You can buy it on NaP for a mere £1,495.00

So let's do the maths...

This would be one of the most expensive garment I would be making - but still at a bargain price compared to the designer version. Although before I get started on this, I would definitely do a muslin - just because I know I would be scared to cut into that fabric and mess it up. 

However I have seen a lot of sewists' versions of that jacket, and it does look like the real deal on them, so it would be worth the investment. 

$3,000, really Isabel, really? | Inspiration {Dressmaking}

* Do not forget to enter my current giveaway for a chance 

to win a skein of TFA Mulberry Silk and knit your own beret*

Edited later: Sorry there are so many amendments to this post since I wrote it this morning!! SO this top is available in Europe for EUR 230.00 and not $3000 as I saw it on Net-a-Porter in the morning, it changes to $334 by 2pm (hence the trail in the comment box). The fact remains that it is still cheaper to make your own version (so no excuse people!). So I amended the post for those who have seen the morning version to reflect the new pricing. Phew - the editing is nearly as big as the actual post!!  

There are a few reasons why I am keen to improve on my dressmaking skills - one of them is to able to recreate some items of my favourite fashion designers, for instance Isabel Marant, and save some pennies in the process. 

I love Isabel Marant's style (I knitted my first jumper because of her) but I cannot afford her items (well maybe one if I am on a serious shopping spree), unless she does a collaboration with H&M. 

Pattern: from Burdastyle 04/2014; 

Fabric: Fredo Linen (latte not that keen on ecru): The Fabric Godmother or 

this printed Silk gauze from MacCulloch and Wallis

Probable modifications: ruffles (see my tutorial here) and shorten the sleeves

to be honest my main issue with the Burdastyle top is its length, so I would have to lengthen it, no one wants to see my stretch marks

Top: You can buy it on NaP

So let's do the maths...

Hmmm.. I am sure you could even invest the money you would save into a sewing course!

I already wanted to make the top when I bought the current issue of the BurdaStyle magazine (one of my favourite issues). Well, I just want to have/make it, like now!! Even Mr MiH will be impressed!