Tag Archives: oscars challenge

Sewing Heroes of the Oscars Challenge

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The creations from last week’s Oscars Challenge were some of the most creative yet. The Sew Weekly Contributors have blown me away with their talents. Those who are chosen by Mena for the daily spotlight are unanimous favorites, but there’s always a few that win the popular vote.

If there were award certificates at The Sew Weekly, we’d give them out for Miss Congeniality (gracefully surviving a sewing fiasco), Best Couture Sewing (every week someone devotes hours for hand-sewn touches), Funniest Construction Story (weekly sewing adventures are an untapped resource for stand up comedy material), Most Outrageous Fabric (lions and tigers and paisley, oh my!)….the list of awards would be a mile long. Until the Sew Weekly community organizes a celebration of its unsung heroes, I’ll give my own shout-outs here – which today will include a couple of daily spotlighters:

Loran’s Titanic-inspired outfit was spectacular! It was the daily spotlight feature for Friday and the best TGIF eye candy we could ask for. The lucky gal has a day job as a costume designer. Her talent is evident in this genius interpretation of the original suit worn by Rose in the movie.

Titanic inspired outfit by Loran

The "Rose arrives at the Titanic" dress by Loran

Kazz, our Australian style icon and Queen of street fashion photography, wowed us with her take on Annie Hall. Outfitted with former creations and a DIY brocade tie, Kazz made a pair of fantastic khakis that have inspired me to make my first trousers of the year. Her supermarket shopping photos were a riot!

Annie Hall inspired pants by Kazz

The Lost in the Supermarket Pants by Kazz

With the perfect balcony backdrop, Krista took us to Hollywood with her rendition of Maria’s dress from the musical, West Side Story. We all understood why it kicked off the week as Monday’s spotlight garment. Made in jersey (everyone was in awe of that fact) and embellished with a handmade petticoat, Rogue’s dress is a breath-taker. I am still a bit shy about sewing vintage patterns, but with examples like this firing me up, I won’t be for long ;-).

West Side Story inspired dress by Rogue

The "West Side Story" Maria Dress by Krista

Who cares about Oscar winners when you’ve got Seamstress Heroes of the blogosphere to worship and admire. Fly your (silk lined, hand-hemmed) capes proudly, ladies!

Introducing…The “American Geisha” Kimono

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I was sworn to secrecy until it debuted at The Sew Weekly and too behind schedule to share a sneak peek here. So now…a semi-belated introduction to the new love of my life, the “American Geisha” Kimono.

Made for this week’s Oscars Challenge, where we could be inspired by any Oscar nominee or winner in Academy Awards history. I chose 2006 Oscar winner, Memoirs of a Geisha.

Read all about its birth here on The Sew Weekly. This kimono has become a second skin and I love that it has instantly trumped everything else I’ve made this year. Below are some additional (exclusive) photos. Enjoy. I know I am.


Films for Fashion: A New List

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I am an inveterate list maker and avid film watcher. And, this week’s Oscars challenge reminded me that a list of movies with great fashion (to admire or knock-off) deserves to live here. Let’s begin our list with a movie I haven’t seen. One that has already inspired fellow Sew Weekly contributor, Tina C. to make this lovely dress.

An Education (2009)
Directed by Lone Scherfig
Costume Design by Odile Dicks-Mireaux

Set in 1960’s London, this movie is a coming-of-age story about a girl who gets involved with a man twice her age. And, from what I’ve heard and seen so far, the vintage fashion is worth the watch.

This film would be a great start to a triple-feature, 1960’s movie marathon. And, with the Sew Weekly’s Mad Men challenge coming up on March 19th and the show’s season five premiere on the 25th, the time is so right. Hm…now what other movie filled to the brim with 1960’s fashion should make up my marathon?