Any Bridget Jones fans in the house? Bridget introduced me to the all-important concept of the "mini-break." When your sex god boyfriend (aka Hugh Grant) takes you away for the weekend, that, my friends, means true love (not just shagging). Sigh! Well, readers, I am being taken on a full-blown mini break holiday weekend myself in about three weeks. The mister and I are coming up on our sixth wedding anniversary and that means a long weekend upstate. Of course, the real question is: what to wear?Vintage patterns are wonderful inspiration when it comes to vacation wardrobe planning. I just adore the "summer ensemble" patterns, and I have acquired quite a few recently. (You know, the kind with coordinating separates meant to be tossed in a suitcase for a jaunt to the Riviera.) But first, let's talk color scheme and fabric:
As you can see, the theme is: red hot! I have a big red gingham, a red and white dot cotton georgette (yes, that exists), and a solid rayon double knit. I'm envisioning a mini-break wardrobe of a couple tops, a skirt, and a pair of shorts.Now let's talk patterns.
Isn't this one fab? I think the halter is just divine and I'd love to make it in that red and white dot (with the coordinating skirt, of course!). One problem, though: I made a muslin of it, and it's adorable in the back . . . but not quite so adorable in the front due to the need for a bra. I'm going to have to jigger some sort of sew-in brassiere if I want to make this happen. Do you think it's worth it?
The fabric in question - this cotton georgette - is really quite special so I want to make the most of it. Perhaps a sundress instead? I'm feeling so indecisive!
Now for Simplicity 1170. I just love the pullover - so chic, yet devil-may-care! Perfect for boating trips with Hugh Grant! I'm seeing it in the gingham with shorts in the red double knit.
So that's what's in the works next, folks. Though I fear my sewing mojo might be misplaced, replaced by a crippling wardrobe-planning anxiety. Hopefully I'll find the ol' mojo soon.P.S. As for the Christina dress I posted a peek of on Friday, I regret to inform you that I haven't taken the official pictures yet. I was struck by a debilitating allergy attack on Sunday and refused to get out of my jammies all day. Hopefully I can fit a photo shoot in soon!
I love them all. Great choice of patterns for your mini-break. Hopefully your mojo will come back soon so you can get started. I could look at patterns like these ALL DAY LONG.
ReplyDeleteOoh, those fabrics are all gorgeous. And the patterns are equally cute! Can't wait to see what you make of them.
ReplyDeleteThe dress view on Simplicity 2993 is just gorgeous and I want it now! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm facing a dilemma regarding holiday wardrobes, as I've set myself the challenge of only wearing handmades for a week's holiday in France - except it's now less than a month away and I'm starting to panic! Focus on beachwear/city wear/dresses/trousers/skirts? It's so complicated!
I love that pullover too and I like the center seam construction - I look forward to seeing how that one turns out.
ReplyDeleteI think my next project is going to be a linen dress for lazy days.
I love all of those patterns!! Such a beautiful post .. writing that would have been like a mini-break in itself with such lovely patterns...Where do you find them in such immaculate condition though? I always get mine from op shops and it's pretty rare to find them still as-new. I love them all the same though. My figure's not suited for 50s stuff so I just enjoy the gorgeous pictures!
ReplyDeleteAdoring the huge skirt with that tie waist shirt pattern... Beautiful. Have an awesome time on the mini break :D Got to love wardrobe planning! Xxxc
ReplyDeleteooof. hope you feel better from the allergy attack - mine have been horrible so far this year too - it seems like just as one thing gets done blooming something else crops up! grrrr. So tired of having my eyes feel like I've been swimming in an over chlorinated pool!
ReplyDeleteI love love love the idea of a coordinated weekend getaway wardrobe - it totally negates the need for bringing three pairs of shoes and five jackets (not that I would EVER be guilty of that....)
perhaps with the dress, you could raise the back a bit and then put some kind of loops or tabs to thread your bra through? You might need help getting dressed, but you'd look fantastic! :)
I can see adding to the ensemble with maybe some white pants and a floral pattern blouse that has hints of red in it?
I LOVE Bridget Jones :) I can quote it almost as well as you!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the dots, I immediately thought "sundress" but the halter top would be really cute, too. I can't wait to see what you create!
Love the fabrics, and of course the patterns....but honey, where in upstate are you going? Because I live in upstate, and right now it's cold enough that you can't consider wearing lighter weight clothing. Shorts and summery dresses are definitely off the menu this week. I hope it's warmer when you come north for your mini-break!
ReplyDeleteThat having been said (and I hate to be a downer), I know what you'll do with these fabrics and patterns will be marvelous and I can't wait to see the end results!
Vintage patterns are terrific. Each one is a mini wardrobe in itself... a skirt, shorts, dress, blouse and cover-up. You don't get all that with modern patterns. Those pieces will look amazing in red. I hope you make a coordinating swimsuit as well.
ReplyDeleteI second your idea of a sundress in the georgette since it's such a special fabric. Though it'd make for a great casual, polka-dotted blouse. Too bad you don't have enough fabric for both.
ReplyDeleteThe knotted half-blouse would be perfection in the red gingham. I can see the shorts in a solid color other than red - bright yellow twill? A saturated baby blue? - to really make the red gingham pop.
I agree with Fourth Daughter - beautiful post!
Ha! I've been lurking for months, but was finally pulled out of hiding by your Bridget love. My college roommate and I watched Bridget so frequently that we didn't even bother taking the dvd out. I adore the fabrics you chose. I'm so excited to see the final results!
ReplyDeleteOK - as an Upstater, I can tell you that in June, you can wake up with it in the 40s and have it be 80 in the afternoon. And let's not forget that it can also be in the 40s-50s and raining, so a pair of slacks to go with that pullover is a good idea. Definitely cool in the evenings and don't forget the insect repellent.
ReplyDeleteI love all of them these fabrics are gorgeous. Great patterns too.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Bridget Jones!! I got the reference immediately. I actually have to replace my DVD I've watched it so many times ;0)
ReplyDeleteI love both the patterns and the fabric selections, esp. the polka dots. The tie front top gets my vote for first garment completed.
Love your fabric selections, and that tie-front blouse is a must-make. Hope your sewing mojo returns, and that you have as much fun on your mini-break as you do sewing for it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous fabrics! I'm sure they'll make the perfect garment-trio... The tie-front blouse is smashing, I have to admit I'm a little bit sceptical towards the boating pullover - it looks rather shapeless? About the brasserie-problem, couldn't you just cut a bra in the side seams and sew it onto the inside of the dress? Maybe a little bit too drastic for one dress, but what about hook-and-eyes?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your upcoming anniversary. (and sorry about the allergy attack). These patterns (and the fabric) are all just adorable.
ReplyDeleteLove the BJones references. Did you ever read the continuation of the "series" that Helen Fielding published in the Independent, after the second book finished? They're supposedly shooting BJones3, based on those columns.
You must make one of those wrap/button down skirts that you toss on over the shorts! I've always wanted one of those; which means I now have to either make a set or make some "kicky" denim shorts to go under my hopscotch wrap skirt. Where will I find the time?
ReplyDeletethey are all pretty damn cute, i really love the waist tied shirts!
ReplyDeletebut have to say i am dissapointed not to see any bunny suits in your selections, lol
I've got to say the Blue tie shirt and shorts ensemble is truely amazing. They would look fabulous in the polka dots! Karen Walkers latest spring collection featured sweet hats much like the one pictured.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.karenwalker.com/collections/current-season/springsummer-10/
You can't help but have fun when you have cute new clothes...happy sewing!
ReplyDeleteJana
Ack! I am always completely obsessed with gingham, and that red is DIVINE.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, have you seen the Beyonce filmclip for 'Why don't you love me?' It's all retro styled and my favourite bit is the bit where she dusts all her grammies in a TOTALLY CUTE dress and then falls, I-love-lucy style exhausted into a chair. I WANT that dress (only maybe not as short! ;)) Any vintage pattern suggestions for it?
So lovely, all of it. Perhaps start with a 'definite' like the solid red shorts, while the rest of the wardrobe crystalises in your mind?
ReplyDeleteYay for mini-breaks! Love the vacation wardrobe planning, your red-hot fabric selection is gorgeous! I especially love the dotted one, it's so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have a holiday coming up in a couple months, you're inspiring me to consider a vacation wardrobe as well... Look forward to seeing your mini-wardrobe!
I went to a posh 'ladies' college in Oxford 20 years ago, and they were very much of the type who advocate books like these. They would instruct us to carry 'expensive' lipstick cases in our bag even if there were no lipstick left because if we dropped said bag, and the contents spilled out, expensive lipstick cases would look better than cheap ones.
ReplyDeleteThat's England for you.
x
ooh I just realised that your mini-break might actually be coinciding with mine! Is it the last weekend in June?
ReplyDeleteIt's been over two years since we went ANYWHERE so this is so well-deserved. It's just a weekend in Paris and we're staying with fiends but I'm so excited and planning already. I think this calls for a mini-break wardrobe sewalong!
simplicity printed pattern 21 21
ReplyDeletedo you if you can still find this 1 i am tring to find it