The Perfect Interview Dress – My 2nd SewDollyClackett Entry!

Hi again!

Today I also want to show you my second entry in the Sew Dolly Clackett contest! Here it is:

The Perfect Interview Dress, Vintage Green Leather Purse, Lola Ramona Leopard Angie P Shoes

I LOVE this dress! It’s so soft and comfy and I feel great in it! 🙂

I used the same pattern as the Groovy Girls dress, but with a dirndl skirt instead of an A-line skirt. 🙂

The fabric is a lovely soft cotton with a flower print and it’s vintage too! My mother bought it in the late 80’s to sew some curtains, but never did. I’m so happy I got to make a dress of it instead! 🙂

Here’s the back:

There is absolutely NOTHING I would change in this dress! I learned from my previous mistakes and drafted a facing for the neckline and just stitched the armholes down with some tiny slip stitches. 🙂

The green leather purse was bought by my grandmother in the early 50’s when she was working at a portfolio factory. I don’t know if she sewed just this exact purse, because she told me she mostly made suitcases.

Here’s a better view of my shoes:

Yesterday had such lovely sunshine!

Just strollin’ with the lawnmower… 

This is my absolute favourite dress so far! I love it! ❤

Have a great day! 🙂

The Groovy Girls Dress – My 1st SewDollyClackett Entry

Hello!

Today I want to show you my first entry in the Sew Dolly Clackett Contest! I was so happy when this contest was announced because I love Roisin’s style 🙂

The Groovy Girls Dress and Missoni for Lindex flats

I actually wanted to use By Hand London’s Anna dress pattern, but I was afraid it wouldn’t arrive quickly enough, so I decided to make my own version of the pattern.

So I went serching through all of my patterns and in the end I landed on the Portrait Blouse pattern from Gertie’s New Book for Better Sewing. I used the drafting instructions for the Chantilly Lace version of the blouse, and I also lenghtened the tucks by ca. 7cm in the front (I left the back tucks original) and shortened the bodice pattern pieces by cutting them off at the waist. I also drafted the A-line skirt pattern and  moved the zipper placement from the side to the back.

Here’s the back of the dress:

Finding the right fabric was the most fun part! I was thinking a long time about some fabric choices and actually cut out a dress in a lovely cotton with flowers.

But I couldn’t resist my old curtains (I had them when I was about 10 years old), and decided to give them a go.  And I must say, I quite like it! 🙂

Of course there is some things I would change, and plan to do some day, like replacing the self-fabric bias tape with facings in the neckline and armholes.

Here’s a better picture of my shoes:

I wanted to match my shoes to the striped trousers on the girl to the right 🙂

It sure was a windy day when we were taking these pictures. My hair is all messy!

Next up: My 2nd entry!

Happy Tuesday!

The Black Dotted Blouse!

Hi Everyone!

I’m so sorry it’s four months since my last post, but I’ve been very busy. Especially at work! Here’s the blouse I promised you!

Yes, that’s also a pink race car! I was helping my dad in his shop when these pictures were taken… 🙂

Here’s a better picture:

So, this is the second piece of clothig I’ve made, the first during my sewing education after what felt like an eternity of pillowcases and bags… 😉

When I made it back in 2010, after measuring myself, my teacher insisted on going up to a size 38. Well, it’s a bit big so I think I should have chosen size 36. But it fits in the shoulders, so I’m happy to chinch it in with a belt 🙂

The pattern is from a Burda Style magazine we had available at school, but I don’t remember the issue number, and I can’t find it on BurdaStyle… If you want something similiar, look for puffed raglan sleeves and a pointed collar 🙂

The fabric is from Panduro, white dots on a black background in 100% cotton. After several washes, it’s now more of a dark grey, so I guess the dye isn’t that good, but the cotton is soft and comfy 🙂

The white buttons are so cute, with little carved flowers 🙂 I’d wish they photographed well, but they don’t, so you just have to believe my word on it 🙂

And I promise that hemline is straight! (In real life, anyway) 🙂

Here’s the back:

All in all, it’s a nice everyday blouse I think 🙂

Now I’m off to watch Trinny and Susannah: Mission Norway 🙂

Happy Thursday!

Yesterday, I turned 21!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Yesterday was my 21st Birthday! It was also my uncle’s 49th Birthday, and Mickey Mouse’s 85th Birthday! 🙂

I was at work all day, so I celebrated with my family on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday (November 16th) my mother and step-father invited my uncle and aunt along with my two youngest cousins. My parents-in-law also came. And Magnus of course! We had pork medallions for dinner and three different cakes for dessert. My favourite was the Pavlova wich was topped with blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and grapes. 🙂

On Sunday (November 17th) I celebrated with Magnus, my dad, my little sister, my grandparents, my other uncle and one of his sons (my oldest cousin). We had take-away pizza and had ice-cake and swedish Kladdkaka (a chocolate cake that’s more like confectionery). 🙂

On Monday (November 18th, my actual Birthday) I was working from 11-21 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) so I made cupcakes to share with my colleagues and boss. 🙂

Irritating enough, I didn’t take ANY pictures at all… But here is a photo of some of the gifts I received 🙂

 Clockwise, from top left: A Sewingbird Angel sewing kit by Tilda/Panduro, five skeins of Baby Merino by Drops Design (I also got the Victory pattern!), a nice winter sweater by H&M, and a cute cardigan by Edith&Ella. 🙂

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

*This post is not by any means used to brag about things, I just wanted to document it for personal reasons.

My Birthday Wishlist 2013!

Happy November, everyone!

I know many people think November is the greyest and most boring month in the year. Many people, myself included, struggles with depression through the darker months, just waiting for the sun to come back. It’s just like in “Rock-A-Doodle”! Anyone seen that? It is one of the movies I remember watching when I was little. In case you haven’t seen it, here is the trailer in Norwegian!

So, what do you think of the Norwegian language? I’ve always been curious about what Norwegian sounds like to others who doesn’t understand it 🙂

Anyway, I have always liked November, but not because of the weather. It’s because November is my birthday month! So today, I’m sharing my

Birthday Wishlist

…with you! I have made it in four different categories, so here it comes:

Patterns

1. Victory by Tasha Moss (By Gum, By Golly). I absolutely love this knitting pattern, and I really want to knit it for the Knit for Victory Knit-Along

2. Anna Dress by By Hand London. I see more and more beautiful versions of this pattern!

3. Cambie Dress by Sewaholic Patterns. Such a cute dress pattern!

4. Gift Certificate by Colette Patterns. They have so many great patterns I want to try!

Books

1. Coronation Knits by Susan Crawford. I love that scarf!

2. Manuelas Diner; Søte Fristelser by Manuela Kjeilen. This book is in Norwegian, but next year she is going to write books in English!

Big, expensive things (that I probably have to wait purchasing until I have my own home)

1. Philips PerfectCare Expert GC9246/02. The iron of my dreams!

 

2. KitchenAid Stand Mixer (Candy Apple Red, Crystal Blue, Ice, Pink). Who doesn’t want one?

Other things

1. Pandora in Black by Miss L Fire.

2. Joan Dress in Grey by Daisy Dapper.

3. Straw Holder in glass by Jimmy’s Retro (available in Halden at Fønix)

I hope you enjoyed reading my wishlist!

*All Pictures are from the links under or Google.

The Casino Dress! …that turned into a skirt!

Hello everyone!

I’m sorry it’s such a long time since my last post, I guess I will become better at this blogging-thing one day 🙂

Anyway. Do you remember the dress I told you about in my first post? The one from 2008 that I took apart to make separates?

Well, I felt it would be too bad not to show my very first homesewn piece of clothing on my sewing blog, so I went and sewed/basted it together!

The pattern is from Retro Butterick, but I don’t know the number (I borrowed it), and the fabric is “Tumblin’ Dice” by Alexander Henry

I wish I still had the picture of the inspiration dress, because my dress really is a good copy of it. The biggest difference is that the background color is black instead of green, wich I think makes the inspiration dress more summery.

I actually reconsidered to keep it as a dress, but as you can see it doesn’t fit very well, and it’s really not my style anymore.

So I took it apart one more time, and made a skirt!

Much better I think!

This way I think the busy print is more wearable, because I can pair it with simple knit-tops and black tights for a fun look, perfect for fall. But I can also pair it with the belonging top every time I want to channel my inner Dolly Clackett! (If she would approve? I don’t know her personally, I’m just a big fan of her style) 🙂

Casino Dress/Skirt – Handmade by me, Jo Cardigan Big Cherries – Collectif, Knit-top – H&M, the Perfect Petticoat Black – Emmy Design, Black tights – H&M, Wanda Shoes – Skopunkten, Cat-eye glasses – Daisy Dapper/Specsavers

Have you ever refashioned something you’ve made by hand?

  

A little Sunday walk

Last Sunday, Magnus and I went to Fredriksten Festning, the fortress in my hometown. We visit there quite often, because it’s a beautiful place for walking and exploring, and for photoshoots!

Magnus is very fond of taking silly pictures!

Jacket – Carlings, Scarf – KappAhl, Pants – Lindex, Ruby rubber boots – Lola Ramona, Car – 1965 Ford Taunus 17m Super

If you like my rubber boots and you’re visiting Halden, I’d recommend buying them at Fønix på Fisketorget!

Here you can see Klokketårnet (the Belltower) from different places. The black area in the background is Sweden! These two pictures were taken yesterday, actually. Did I tell you we come here often?

Here is a picture of Magnus and me from earlier this summer. Magnus thinks the clouds look like the ones in “the Simpsons” intro. Behind us, in the grass, is my dog Falco 🙂

I’ll finish this post with two more pictures of Falco, which also enjoy walking at our local fortress! 🙂

Hei, hei!

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog!

For many years now, I have read and appreciated quite a few blogs, mainly about vintage and sewing. It’s so inspiring to look at all the beautiful pieces of clothing (vintage or handmade), and it really makes me want to create something nice and beautiful too!

So I wanted to start a blog of my own, to get more sewing done, and to show the world what I make for myself, my family and friends (and hopefully inspire someone along the way!).

From my point of view (observing from “the outside”, that is), the online sewing community is such a friendly and supporting place, and I hope to be a part of it, to join the cool sew-alongs, and of course make new friends!

So, who is this girl in the so-called “Crystal Car”? Well, let me introduce myself!

My name is Julie Mari, I’m a 20 years old Norwegian girl, and I love to sew beautiful things! I’m also interested in vintage styling, vintage cars (which started my interest of vintage style in the first place), and reading everything from books to blogs!

And here is a picture of me:

Cardigan 100 % Merinowool – Christmas gift from my Boyfriend, Aviation Blouse – Giveaway from Jitterbuggin, Pencil Skirt – Made by me (my 3rd piece of clothing), Shoes – H&M, Car – 1965 Ford Taunus 17m Super, Picture from my Boyfriend’s Instagram: maglil1

I started sewing “for real” in 2008 during Christmas, and the first piece of clothing I made was a sundress from a 50’s (Retro Butterick?) pattern. It was inspired by a picture I saw in a book about 50’s fashion. Unfortunately I ripped the bodice and skirt apart from each other a few years ago to make them into separates (not finished yet), and I don’t have any pictures of it as a dress.

Anyway, I have a lot of other pieces to show you! 🙂

Oh, maybe you wonder about my blog title?

Well, it is inspired by my love for vintage cars, and if you take a look at the picture above, maybe you have guessed it already, but you can actually see the “Crystal Car”! (The paint job is custom made for me, white with silver flakes in it!) The dashboard you see in my blog header, belongs to my first car, a 1948 Pontiac Torpedo Silverstreak (just in case you were wondering).

And as a bonus, I think the blog title sounds like a fun title for a vintage novel. 🙂

Okay! I hope you had a great time visiting my blog, and hopefully it’s interesting enough for you to come back!