Thursday, February 5, 2015

Jungle January SWAP!

This year, as part of Jungle January, Anne was gracious enough to also host a SWAP for the participants. I was partnered with Ginny of Ginpins. I really enjoyed corresponding with her and getting a package of goodies together to send off. When my package arrived, I was literally speechless. Ginny is a mindreader!! She sent me the most fantastic poly-lycra jersey with a cobalt blue leopard print, as well as two patterns for BARBIE!! I know!!
The girls and I went right to work. I got a new Renfrew, and from the scraps I made a couple of fantastic dresses - one from each pattern. And I still have around a yard and a half left!!
Me, first! This Sewaholic Renfrew is my 8th, I think. I haven't blogged them all. But I wear a Renfrew at least once a week. It's definitely a player in my wardrobe.
This time I went with the 3/4 sleeve round neckline with a simple band. Effortless dressing, right here. And the bright blue print looks great with my newest Jalie jeans. Love that. For this one, I did shorten the neckband about an inch. I notice on my other banded ones, that the neckband doesn't lie flat, but this one does!
After I cut out my Renfrew, I had a long skinny scrap, perfect for a couple of Barbie dresses, and since Ginny had sent me two fantastic vintage Barbie patterns, I went right to work.
I started with a maxi dress for Deanna. This is from Simplicity 7737, printed in 1976. I made up view 1, and the only change I made to the style was to eliminate the bottom ruffle and lengthen the skirt to make up for it. That's quite a sassy neckline, vintage Barbie!
For the bodice, I used a scrap of lightweight denim I had leftover from some jeans. I topstiched with gold to replicate the look of jeans as well. Since Deanna has a Pop Life body, she is quite slimmer than the doll this pattern was designed for. I ended up taking about 1/2 inch out of the back closure as well as 1/4 inch off the back of the neck. I like the fit, but I think I'll stitch that neckline a little higher next time!
Kyori's outfit is actually a two piece blouse and skirt. It is made with McCalls 3880, printed in 1988. I made the top from view A with the more straight skirt from view D. Kyori is a Fashion Royalty doll, and has proportions similar to the original Barbie who this pattern was designed for, so I was hoping she wouldn't need much in the way of alterations for fit. The skirt was great, but the blouse did need a bit of taking in at the waist. The fit through the shoulders was excellent though.
The major change I made here was to use cobalt blue FOE for the waistband, rather than turning and stitching as the pattern suggests. I like the pop of color and the belt-like appearance it has. And I'm thrilled I had that tiny piece of blue FOE! It was meant to be.
The girls and I are very happy with our new things, and I'm thrilled to have those great patterns to play with. Thank you so much, Ginny!!!

8 comments:

Kathleen Cooper said...

These are beautiful! I love that fabric.

Gillian said...

You look so good in that blue! Work it, girl. And those Barbie patterns are great too!

Linda L said...

Great shade of blue! I think one can not go wrong with having several Renfrew tops in the wardrobe.

Bryanna Johnson said...

Your top looks great!

Jo said...

Katie the blue in that fabric is just perfect for you! I love all of these - and Deanna's plunging neckline, well - wow!

Rhonda said...

Now...in the triple picture collage, I can't tell which of you is Barbie ;) You look adorable as always and Barbie is just over top fab!!!

Elizabeth said...

Wait, Kyori has tights?! That's amazing. And Deanna is looking a bit like JLo in that fabulous neckline. The blue looks the best on you though!

Ginny said...

Oh Katie, I'm feeling a bit smug that I chose to send you that fabric --- you and it are an absolutely perfect pairing! Cobalt is definitely one of your colors! The girls are looking very chic as well in their new dresses.

I enjoyed being your swap partner very much --- and thanks again for the awesome parcel stuffed with jungle loot :D! You'll be the first to know when I finish a project with any of it (hopefully soon).