Breakfast at Tiffany’s

clearer-breakfast-at-tiffanys-black-evening-dress-back-view

Source: Google images

I follow the Great British Sewing Bee TV series with immense interest. It’s a reality show like American Idol or Project Fame, but for sewers.

Tilly Walnes, from season one, writes a great blog that feels like a warm hug from your BFF as she welcomes you to the pearly gates of heaven *cue soft harp music*.

Chinelo Bally, from season two, learned how to sew using the “organic” freehand cutting technique which I find oh so fascinating. I must admit that I am quite useless at spontaneity, though not as badly as those who actually need a Maggi cookbook for precise instructions on how to boil Indomie noodles!

Before I started sewing, whenever I visited my tailor’s shop I’d watch her cutting fabric freehand.  I, myself,  learned to sew using pattern drafting techniques.

Three arguments:

  • Speed vs. Efficiency – for unit production, Freehand cutting offers the advantage of speed and for mass production, Pattern drafting offers the advantage of efficiency
  •  Art vs. Science –  Freehand cutting is more art and Pattern drafting is more science
  • Toe-may-toes vs. Toe-mah-toes – Either way, the dress gets sewn

Different roads will all lead to the same rowdy “kparakpo” village meeting 😀

So, this project was inspired by the dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the iconic opening scene of the movie, where she stands outside the window of Tiffany & Co. munching a croissant.

Front and back view

Fabric swatch

Fabric swatch

For my dress, I combined  a coffee brown eyelet fabric (dry lace) and burnt orange underlining, using my self-drafted armscye princess seam bodice and straight skirt patterns. I attached an invisible zip at the left side seam.

I laugh when I look at my early sewing projects and realise how far I’ve come, I laugh at my mistakes and observe the things that I’d do differently now that my techniques have improved.  For example, this non-stretch dress desperately needs a slit/vent, so let’s just say I take baby steps whenever I wear it.

Not that different from life… we live, we learn, we take baby steps, we press on and we start to catwalk confidently.

Sign

 

 

~About me~

 

26 comments

  2. @”as those who actually need a Maggi cookbook for precise instructions on how to boil Indomie noodles”

    @Above.. heheh Aha! Eezz never that deep nah! Neveerrr!!! This was an Apt read NEdoux of Destiny.. I mean not the sewing part oh!!! as I son of Duru caNNot sew to save my life.. But the relating mistakes and growth to Life part, as tactfully you did in the concluding lines.. Thanks for being amazing Nne.. I dunno how to kukuma say it.. But yep!!! you cool like that 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  3. Visiting your blog is always guaranteed to lift up my mood. I don’t know, I’m just so in love with your writing and wit. “Baby steps” indeed, hahaha.

    I’m truly glad I discovered your blog.
    Have a beautiful weekend, Nedu!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hey babe,

      You’ve made my day. 😀

      I always tell myself, writing is the easy part about blogging, the most important part is finding a reader who appreciates what’s been written.

      Honestly, your kind comments make it so worthwhile and I am very grateful.

      Have a blessed weekend dear, I wish you lots of happiness!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I know what you mean, especially as a fellow writer. I see the thought and love laced through your posts; you do have a very appreciative reader in me.
        Every time I’m reading, I go like, “damn, Nedu needs to write her own books”. Seriously, I hope you’re doing that, even if secretly!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. Little by little I’m becoming braver and believing more in myself.

          The words are dancing my head and I pray for the wisdom to spill them properly in a book one day.

          Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. *warm hug*

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

  4. Gorgeous dress….I recently watched The British Sewing Bee on YouTube. I never knew this show existed, until recently. I am hooked and have watched every episode. Loving your blog….we do have a lot in common!!!! I look forward to checking out more of your blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Nice inspiration for the dress. I love breakfast at Tiffany’s. Its my favourite Audrey Hepburn movie.

    I also do pattern drafting and sewing.its nice to see that there are still people out there that have similar interests in clothing construction. Cause this is the foundation of fashion.

    Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I agree with you, I like the movie too.

      Yes, it’s always nice when you find people with interests that are similar to yours. I figured you understood garment construction too, because your fashion illustration skill is so impressive 🙂

      Thank you Ene.

      Like

      Reply

  6. I like the back of the dress!
    I did a month course in sewing and speed + neatness was everything.
    I haven’t learned pattern drafting abi what’s it called x_x, see I can’t even cut a blouse/top part of a dress to save my soul anymore because I’ve missed a step I can’t remember which spoils everything.
    Practice truly makes perfect.

    http://www.bookiekunlere.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you! Yes, I agree with you, neatness is everything. I’m always happy when the inside of a garment that I’ve made looks even nicer than the outside.

      Sewing is a nice skill, there’s load of tutorials on the internet these days. I’ve learned lots of new techniques from sewing blogs.

      You could check these out:

      Tilly and the buttons

      Ikat bag

      Grainline studio.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Hi Lady! I hope you are good.

      Thanks dear. Lol @ “Business in the front, party in the back” I lurve the way that sounds.

      That dress is supposedly the godmother of all LBDs. May the sewing gods restore your mojo, Amen! 😀

      Like

      Reply

  11. Sewing as a metaphor for life, I love it!

    A reality show . . . for sewers, wow! Is there a show for everything? I only sew the buttons on my clothes when they fall out, and only reluctantly, so I admire your willingness to grow and get better at your craft.

    btw, is it too late to sneak a slit in your dress? 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hehehe, I was desperate for an optimistic angle.

      Ah! I bet there’s a reality show about a reality show, “people watching” has become a coping mechanism of sorts for this generation, abi?

      Lol, a safety pin is a reluctant sewer’s best friend :-D, Thank you Timi.

      I quite like slits placed at the back of a garment, the skirt of this dress has no seam at the back- which was my original mistake. The only other option would be to place slits at the side seams, perhaps one on each side, but as the length is already slightly above the knees, it would have interfered with my ‘tidy silhouette’ target.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a Comment