I am so giddy to finally get to share these pictures with you! This week’s Project Sewn theme is Sewing by the Era and without even thinking about it for half a second, I chose whatever era Audrey Hepburn is. 50s, 60s, take your pick. She’s my favorite, so it wasn’t a hard choice. I just love timeless, classic clothing that never goes out of style.
I was telling my friend that I wanted to recreate Audrey’s classic bike picture and my friend was like, hey, do you wanna use my vespa? To which I was like, um, YES PLEASE!!! I’ve been looking for a good excuse to ride this thing since I met her! So she bravely set me loose on the world on her scooter. At first it wasn’t very different from a five year old learning to ride a bike. And I spent a good bit of time chugging around the streets like it was a Hoveround®.
But then I figured out how to make that sucker move and I was off on my own Roman Holiday! (except in Bangkok)
I have GOT to get me one of these.
What’s that, you’re here for the clothes and not my scooter riding? Well okay then. First up is that trench. OH that trench! I have to say, it was time consuming. But not as time consuming as I expected, and certainly not too difficult. It was just a whole bunch of steps (71) and a whole bunch of pattern pieces (25, most of which are duplicated in either lining or interfacing). But I gave myself a solid two weeks to get it done and took my time, didn’t cut corners, and ended up with a pretty darn good coat!
I had to jump on the neon + neutral bandwagon before it passed me by completely, hence all the neon pink in these pictures. I apologize if it’s a bit much for you, but this was the only week that you could err on the side of costume-y, so I had fun! I promise I won’t wear those shoes with that shirt or that head scarf ever in real life.
You can’t do Audrey without a Breton top and cigarette pants. Unfortunately, one cannot simply buy Breton-like fabric. I tried. If you want striped fabric where the stripes start halfway down, you have to make it yourself. So I got out a roll of duct tape and some fabric paint and went to town. Me and crafting don’t mix, so I was scared the entire time that I would end up with one of those tragic “nailed it” projects that you see on Pinterest. It wouldn’t be the first time. But amazingly the stripes turned out perfectly and the paint doesn’t even look like paint unless you get really close. Which you shouldn’t. Because everyone has a personal space bubble, and this is mine.
The shirt is just a simple 3/4 length boat neck that I drafted using a shirt I own for measurements. The fabric is a fairly heavyweight rib knit, which lends itself nicely to the structure these shirts need.
My favorite part of the shirt is the fun navy binding detail at the shoulders.
I didn’t want to do a true cigarette pant because I’m mostly a jeans girl, so I made skinny jeans with subtle navy topstitching to keep them looking classier than your everyday jeans. I started with the trousers pattern from this book, and ended up completely redrafting the legs (as you do when you’re making skinny jeans from trousers, der). I also had to create pockets in the front, as this pattern only comes with patch pockets. However I serged off the pocket bags to make the front of the jeans lie smoothly. I did keep the original waistband, but probably should’ve taken it in a little bit more because of the stretchiness of the denim. In other words, I could’ve made my job easier by just tracing a pair of skinny jeans. But the actual sewing of the jeans was incredibly easy, and I’d say it’s probably one of the easiest things I made for Project Sewn! If you’ve never made jeans, you should give it a shot! I was channeling my inner Sabra the whole time, as she is the Queen of the Jean. She has lots of helpful hints to get you started!
I couldn’t leave the jeans out of the neon pink fun, so I slipped a little color into the zip fly.
And I’m off! And you should be too! Go to Project Sewn now to see all the eras and vote for your favorite!
Wow, I love this!!! Please make me an identical outfit, pink neon and all!!! Fantastic job, voted for you!
Good luck, fingers crossed!
Natalie
XX
Thanks so much Natalie!
FANTASTIC! Sewing a coat is like conquering Everest. Except you get to wear something cute when you’re finished! Nice job, lady.
you said it! Now I just need temps below 80…(why must all the cutest clothing and footwear only be cold weather appropriate? Can’t I have my cake and eat it too?)
I LOVE this!! I voted, I hope you win this week! Great job :)
Thanks so much Kate!
Absolutely phenomenal! I’m so stunned by each and every piece you made. You went above and beyond the criteria for the entry and there are so many thoughtful touches in each garment. And I think you look fabulous wearing all the neon pink together, no need to separate them all :)
Good luck! I voted for you!
thanks, and thanks for voting too! I really appreciate your kind words :)
i didn’t even recognize you in that first picture. and we have some friends here who are part of a scooter gang. it’s by invitation only and they ride around denver on vespas. it’s my dream to someday belong to that club as well. very cute!! well done!
oh my gosh, you HAVE to get in on that! There must be some deals on used scooters right? Then all you have to do is have it painted a glittery red and you’re good to go ;)
Perfection!!! What an adorable outfit. I love each piece so much! The jeans turned out so perfectly! I have yet to try to make some… you ALMOST get me jumping on the bandwagon! :)
Anyway- hope you win this one!
haha, thanks! and you should DO IT!!! Try out the pattern that Sabra suggests from Jalie, it seems like a good starting off point. You’ll be so happy you did!
holy crap! you’ve outdone yourself!!! I love love the vespa (my dad had one when I was little). Jeepers you did so many great things with each piece, I hope you win! So many great details. and that coat is so yummy, 25 pieces?!!! you rock
Thanks so much Anna, that means so much from you! You’re one of my sewing idols :) I’m still thinking about your Liberty shirt, btw…I might dream about it tonight. I mean, it’s gorgeous, but how must it FEEL??? like heaven?!
this is awesome! the coat is amazing and i love how your shirt turned out. i’ve been so tempted to try painting stripes onto fabric but wasn’t sure it would look ok – now i know :)
oh man, I was so relieved that I didn’t mess that up, especially since I didn’t have more fabric! Everything you do turns to magic, so I think you should paint something immediately ;)
Tis is so fanatasticand wearable and YAY PANTS!!!!! I’m not really a skirt wearer, and I can’t wait to master pants sewing.
it’s waaaay easier than I thought. It was definitely a process to get the fit right, but once you perfect your pattern, you are good to go! A few alterations and you have boot cut, wide leg, cropped, shorts, you name it!
You Project Sewn ladies are amazing! I love the outfit, especially the trench. Phenomenal! Can you share what pattern you used? I’d love to give it a try.
Hi Ruby,
it’s a vogue pattern, I linked to it on the PS site if you want to try it out. You should TOTALLY be on PS – you would rock the heck out of it!
Whaaaaat?? You made a trench coat and jeans?! Overachiever. I love it all, I would wear it all, I want patterns for it all (is the trench your own design too???). Please make Hey June include women’s patterns! You have until spring because I can’t wear any of it until then anyway. K THANKS. ;)
ha! oh man, if that trench taught me anything it’s that I have no idea what I’m doing. It’s a vogue pattern, but surprisingly straight forward and easy to follow. You should try it out! Hopefully my week of overachieving will make up for my next two weeks of meh :p I didn’t expect to make it that far!!
So awesome that you tackled the trenchcoat and nailed it! That was a BIG project. Way to go! I love the whole look and definitely think you should wear the whole ensemble again! Voted. :-)
Thanks so much Jen!! I might wear it again soon…we have a mother daughter sock hop to attend… In the meantime, I’m mixing the pieces into my wardrobe and enjoying them on their own :)
Love, love, love!!! I absolutely love the whole outfit and wish you could make one for me. I am voting for you! Good luck!
Oh, who makes the shoes? I know I can’t have the outfit but maybe I can get the shoes :)
Thanks so much! The shoes are from Keds. I got them on clearance online this summer, not sure if they’re still out. They were labeled as neon and they did NOT disappoint ;)
This outfit is amazing! Every piece is just adorable and I love the nod to Audrey! Great job!
Thanks April!
This is a great outfit. I love the neckline binding (as you mentioned) and the stripes. I can’t believe you made them. Great job on your trenchcoat–your hard work on it is evident. And if the neon thing goes out, you can sew on new buttons.
Thanks so much Beth! Yeah, that was my thinking too. Buttons are a fun way to change up a coat :)
um, in the words of my five year old, “This is terrible…..LY AWESOME!!!”
OH MY GOSH, ADRIANNA!!!!! I’m yelling that, by the way. Last night I totally got all excited remembering that this would be the day you unveiled the look you’ve been saying was your favorite. And then this. THIS!?!? This is all amazing. That trench! You’re amazing. The photo shoot is awesome. I love you. the end.
bahaha!!! this comment made my day :) Your five year old is awesome. Thanks for all the jean inspiration, lady! Am I blind or have you not blogged your sewing summit jeans yet? Look forward to seeing all the deets!
Adrianna I LOVE this! I think I need to give that coat pattern a try – such a great look!
Thanks Melissa! You totally should, it’s pretty straight forward and produces a great finished product. Word to the wise – just ignore the sizing and make the smallest size!
I’m all giddy now too! I love anything Audrey, and I think you did an amazing job of this project. And I Would wear all that pink together, just sayin’. :)
Holy smokes, you and your outfit look amazing! You look fabulous in your photos, and I love the touch of pink through out the garments. You’re a sewing rockstar! Well done! So glad to be part of Project Runway so I could discover your blog!
Thanks so much Julia, I feel the same way about you ;)
Wow, this is amazing. Love the pop of neon pink in the coat lining and jeans zipper. Beautiful work!
I love the coat–that seam across the front is just perfect! And did you tell your friend to color-coordinate her outfit? Love the pics of her acting like a nervous parent ;) You look adorable–channeling Audrey but still perfectly modern.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I loved your outfit, nice work :)
Congrats on the win this week! You really did earn it!
I adore this Adrianna! So much!
Wait…I meant to comment on your new post! I love this look too. I love them both! You’re awesome.
Lol, thanks Delia :)
Absolutely stunning Adrianna.the fit is so perfect too. Itlooks you are seriously talented!
Thank you so much Justine! The same comment thing happened to Delia, so it’s probably something messing up on our end.
Thst weird. I thought I was commenting on the elephant skirt outfit!
amazing job!! anyone who makes a good lookin pair of skinny jeans is a superhero in my opinion
I didn’t know it before reading this post, but I am totally here for the scooter riding first and foremost, although the raincoat is fairly awesome too. x