Friday, August 27, 2021

Funky Friday: Hemmed and Sewn, and a Suitable Guest

Happy Friday, my friends! I spent Thursday working on a sewing project and decided to go ahead and wear it right away. Yes, I hacked my beautiful velvet kimono dress

And I was pleased enough with my work that I decided to wear it right away.
Twice in less than a week - how unlike me. 

  • Kimono (altered by me) - Hale Bob, Century 21, NYC, 2007; last worn here as a dress last weekend (Flashback there too)
  • Sweater - Wanko, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June for brunch
  • Pants - Zara, thrifted; last worn here in July with a now-gone tee
  • Boots - Coffee Kope Tiam, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) in June for Sailor Pants Worn 5 Ways

I have to say, I am glad I split this dress down the middle. This is so much more me. 
I had planned on wearing a sleeveless cream top, but it was so chilly and cloudy this morning that I said, "NOPE," and changed into this turtleneck. 

By the time I left work, it was sunny, but still barely in the low-20s. What is this, Augustober? 
The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed that I finally hemmed my Big Lady Boss Pants. I actually did this about a month ago. 

I spent a couple of hours making teeny-tiny hidden stitches, and not bragging (okay, I totally am), but my hemming is better than what I've had done at a tailor's. 
I've never worn red with this dress/kimono before, and I like how it emphasized the pinky-reds in the robe. 

Without the robe it's all rather dull, I'm afraid.
Every person I saw admired the pants, but these trousers revealed themselves as Danger Pants today - my toe caught in the leg and down I went, crashing onto my hands and knees. Thankfully, I was going up a small set of shallow stairs, and didn't have far to fall! No broken wrists (phew!), and a couple of small marks on the trousers (I would have been heartbroken if they'd been ruined), but I'll have bruises on my knees, I'm sure. 

Masked up - this grey looks better in person, where you can see it matches the grey on the kimono. 
COVID cases continue to rise, even with the reinstated mask mandate for indoor spaces. Who'd have thought a year ago that we'd be on a fourth wave??

  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

Cloudy and cold? Wearing my sunglasses anyway!
I look like I have some attitude going on there. 

The stuff: 
I always seem to be carrying these booties when I pop into the Fluevog store (I had to pick up a gift card for a friend). I printed a page of pics from my shoe customization to show my Fluevologists. They were suitably impressed. 

Silver and amber bling: 
A good dose of armour (accessories count as armour too!) for a Friday. 

  • Amber/silver necklace - vintage, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Silver/amber earrings - vintage 1930s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Bangle w/stones - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
  • Bangle - Lazy Susan's
  • Copper rings - Glee
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Lucite/silver ring - Calvin Klein, purchased here for $7.95

I took a few pictures as I did my destruction customization of my dress. 
I steamed out the sash - it was a good 2.5 inches wide, of double fabric. I cut it in half to trim the raw edges and it was just the right amount. 

I measured the hem of the skirt and put a small mark at the centrepoint. 
I used a white eyeliner as my "chalk". 

Then I measured across again, halfway up and did another mark at the centre. 
I connected these lines...

...from the bottom of the neckline and then I cut! 
I pinned the edging a few different ways, and after a few attempts (picking out stitches), I settled on a blanket stitch to keep the raw edge of the silk secure under the edging. 

Yes, I know it's a little raggedy, and reader Robyn, you were right about the silk fraying! 
I did one side in blue thread (there is blue in the pattern) and one in yellow. I ran out of blue thread! 

I like the look of "visible mending" - it reminds me of this garment's history. 
And I have to say, I LOVED wearing this as an open duster-style topper. 

Extra bonus content! We have a guest! And he's in a suit! L got a kazillion comments on his suit at work and out in the world yesterday, so I asked him to pose for y'all. 
"What about me? I want to be included!"

This is how L dresses for work - he's been going into his office every work day since lockdown began back in March 2020 - and he has worn a suit for work ever since I've known him. He has multiple suits, a wide selection of colourful shirts, a box of amazing vintage ties (most courtesy of Yours Truly - the one he's wearing is from the 50s), and a collection of Fluevogs that most people would envy. Isn't this an awesome outfit? 

And here is Vizzini, fresh from complaining and being grumpy. 
"I wanted attention then, not NOW, Woman!"

And then he would not stay still. Oh, cats. 

Well, my friends, I'm now off for the weekend, and will wish you a fond adieu. Enjoy yourselves, and I'll be back soon with tales of adventure! 

34 comments:

  1. Wow! Cutting open the dress just elevates the garment to a whole new level of excellence. It is totally you now :)

    L looks fantastic and you know every girl crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man.

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    1. I really like how it works now, Nana, thanks!

      Yup, he's very much a sharp dresser.

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  2. You did such a professional job with the dress and I love it as a kimono with teh red pants! I used to have a few wide legged pants like that for work too but I found them to be danger pants too - after I managed to run in late for a whole floor meeting, got caught in the wide leg of my pants and take a spill in front of everyone (fell onto my old knee injury that meant more physio again) I sold or gave them all away, haha! It's a shame as I like the look but I just can't do wide legged pants at work without injury!

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    1. Aw, that's very kind of you, Mica (I know it's a little raggedy). I like it with the pants, and this is not my first time with Danger Pants! Yikes, I can see why you'd avoid wide-legged pants after your spill.

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  3. You did a brilliant job on the dress (and the trouser hemming, my most hated task!)
    Thank goodness you didn't seriously injure yourself with your hem mishap. I did that once and skinned my knees so badly I had to spent a month wearing mini dresses and bare legs throughout December.
    L looks fantastic, I do love a man in a suit!
    Wishing, you, L and Mr V a fantastic weekend! xxx

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    1. Aw, that's kind of you, thanks, Vix. I enjoy the mindlessness of hemming.

      I know, that could have been very bad. Eek, that sounds nasty for you!

      He looks great in suits, and I love his spins on colours.

      Thanks, right back atcha!

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  4. You convinced me, the kimono looks fabulous as a duster and will likely get more wearings than when it was a dress! It also makes this outfit and holds its own with the wide-legged red pants, though oof on the new moniker of "Danger Pants" :( but at least you now know and will be prepared for future wearings.

    Yay for sewing skills and an eye for how best to reset the dress. :)

    And one more yay, as I detect a bit of green in L's Fluevogs, yes? A perfect bit of matching, but then I shouldn't be surprised, you two have impressive sartorial knowledge. I am amazed, though, that he went to the office every day during lockdown! You may have mentioned that way back in another post (?) but thinking about it now, that's quite something. Was he in a fairly empty office? I imagine it helped keep some sense of normalcy.

    Happy weekend! We are heading to Long Island for a reunion with three of Fred's four siblings and some nieces and nephews. It's been a long year+ since they saw one another. We are planning on lots of long beach walks and having lunch outdoors.

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    1. I think so too, Laurie - it's much more versatile for me this way, and it means I will actually wear it more, I hope. I like it with the red pants - and as mentioned to Mica, this is not my first time experiencing Danger Pants.

      Hooray for sewing, even if this is not my best job. At least I tried!

      Yes, they have green in the fabric floral inserts at the back. He loves matching as much as me! Yes, we both did - neither of us has ever worked from home. Yes, both of us had nearly completely empty offices, and it did help with the normalcy and routine.

      Thank you - I hope that went well for you and Fred! Aw, that sounds lovely, Laurie!

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  5. This kimono is just out of this world! I absolutely love the way you styled it with the orange pants- perfect transition into next season as well. Love!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lucy! I think I might actually get some wear out of it for fall like this.

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  6. Oh I love the transformation from dress to kimono; very BoHo. Looks great with your red pants.
    You did a great job on it!
    L looks very swanky… I love a man in a suit.
    Hope you’re enjoying a good weekend. X

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    1. Thanks, Phyl, glad you like it - eh, I did an okay job on it, but I'm fine with it.

      He looks fantastic, doesn't he? Thank you, you too!

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  7. Love, love, love this as a kimono! You’ve inspire me to do the same to a couple of dresses and tunics that have been languishing in my closet. I just needed the final push! I love that L loves Fluevogs and dresses so well. I wish my guy would get out of his tees and shorts ((elastic waist even) into something remotely dressy! Gotta love him as he is though!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Thanks so much, Marsha! It really opened my eyes to this possibility. Don't do it unless you're okay with ruining a garment, though!

      Yes, he's a very sharp-dressed man, for sure. It's taken me years to gently push him along.

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  8. Sorry Sheila, L steals the show this time!! Definitely! That's a gorgeous suit, the total outfit is gorgeous. I like a man in a suit, but only if he adds something different or special. And L sure knows how to dress!

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    1. Ha ha, no worries, Nancy! He will appreciate that. We go to the local boutique when they have a sale and pick up new suits for him (all custom-tailored to fit), and then he does the rest. He is a great dresser.

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  9. You did a fantastic job transforming that dress into a kimono, and well done on hemming those magnificent Big Lady Boss Pants. I'm not sure I would have had the patience for either of these right now. I'm wearing at thin long-sleeved jumper with a cardigan on top today, so it's definitely Augustober here as well. Ugh, it doesn't feel like we had a proper Summer here this year. L. is a very snazzy dresser indeed, that suit is just fantastic! xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! I like the Zen feeling of doing sewing - you really have to focus and it's a good distraction.

      I'm sure our summer will come back and we usually have good warm weather well into October, so fingers crossed.

      He is! He's very sharp.

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  10. Oooh, L looks amazing in his suit! That is such a beautiful suit.
    I like your red trousers. I have a similar pair and I also tripped over in them too!
    I really like the kimono! I've been searching for a pink, grey and blue patterned one for a cosplay but finding it hard to find a suitable for Peri in Mindwarp!

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    1. All of his suits are very high-end - as he wears them every day, he gets excellent cost-per-wear.

      This is the first time I've tripped in these, and I've worn them tons of times. It's the first time since I hemmed them, though, so I suspect that's the difference.

      Thank you! Aw, keep looking - they are out there!

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    2. I had a trouser-related incident today- similar style to this...got caught in my bicycle chain twice as I was cycling along a main road!!!

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    3. Danger Pants! They are everywhere! I hope you're okay, Kezzie!

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  11. L is one of the best dressed men I've never met! I've tripped over the hem of a skirt before and I'm glad you didn't sustain any serious injuries. You did a stellar job on the kimono dress and it does look sooo much more your style as an open front duster.

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    1. He could do his own blog, Shelley - he's a very sharp-dressed man!

      I am so lucky...whew. Could have easily have broken my wrist. Aw, thank you - I wish it had been a bit neater, but I was getting tired. I love it open, though!

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  12. I love how you altered that dress and turned it into a kimono. It looks perfect as a kimono. Great job on the red lady boss pants. I hear you on tripping down on your pants. It happens more often with flares and wide trousers, I think. The combination of heels (especially pointy shoes with heels) with wide trousers is tricky- I always try to be extra careful when I'm using the stairs and wearing the above mentioned combo. Quite a few time it has happened that some part of my shoe (either the heel or the pointy part at front) got caught up in my flares and I fell down or stumbled.
    L is always dressed well but this suit look is extra fantastic. I love how it is business like and elegant but with a fun twist (the matching colours in the shoes, tie and shirt).

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    1. Thank you so much, Ivana - I like it much better this way too. It definitely takes away the girliness of it as a dress.

      Ugh, I hate it when I fall! It becomes scarier as I get older too. I'll be much more careful when wearing these next time.

      Isn't he handsome? I love how well he wears a suit. He loves punching up colour and pattern through his shirts, ties, socks and shoes. He's got good instincts.

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  13. wow, this kimono looks absolutely gorgeous, so much versatile and wearable!. Love this kind of sewing projects, a little fixing that makes a difference.
    Love your red pants, sorry that they're Dangerous (some wide legged pants have tried to kill me too, take care of yourself!). Great Colour anyway!
    L. rocks his suit and fabulous shoes, no wonder he has received some compliments!
    besos

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    1. Thank you, Monica! I'm so happy that it worked out relatively well, and that it's more wearable for me now.

      Ah, I'd forgotten about Danger Pants - these were fine before, but now I'll have to be more careful with them.

      He is a snazzy guy!

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  14. What an accomplished seamstress you are! Applause. The kimono looks perfect, although I prefer a column of the same colour. I don't find the white turtleneck with the red trousers without the kimono dull, but you know me...a bit duller than you are haha.
    L looks like a moviestar.
    Greetje

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    1. I'm good enough, lol. I know, I would have preferred both sides to be blue, but didn't realize how much thread that stitch uses. I didn't mind the outfit without the kimono, but it needed a little extra.

      He gets asked all the time if he's a musician or someone famous. Especially in airports!

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  15. Two two are #couplestylegoals to no end. L in his dapper, fabulous suits, shirts, shoes, etc and you in each magnificent ensemble you compose, my dear friend. I have no doubt you both stop traffic on a regular basis with each of your incredible fashion sense.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Aw, thank you, so appreciate that! L and I both love getting dressed up - it's even more fun when he goes to town, so to speak. He often looks very spiffed up for work. We do! I have literally stopped traffic. :)

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