Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Peggy Pinny

Hello to you all!

How have you been? Its been a while, but we have no one to thank for that except but my naughty little modem who decided to conk out last week leaving me internet-less until yesterday! 

I have been sewing quite a few little projects in the mean time, but I can now finally share with you the blouse and pinafore outfit that I have dubbed Peggy, in honour of the return of Mad Men for the year! 

Once I had finished and popped on this outfit, it felt like something the smart and career minded Peggy would wear. I just missed the deadline for the Mad Men sew along so I never got to submit it, but I guess sometimes my whole blog is just one big Mad Men sew along anyway!

And so I present to you now for your perusal - the Peggy Pinny!


The pattern used for this lovely lady was Simplicity 5028 from 1964 or 65. I fell in love with her when I saw that adorable button closure on the back - such a cute little way to close the dress, and there is enough fabric wrapped around you that there is no fear of accidentally flashing your fellow commuters on the train 


The fabrics used were a combination of new and vintage - the blouse was made with a light cotton in a paisley print - which when I received it in the post, was rather stinky!

After an airing out, accidental colour running, a rinse and a wash it was totally fine! The seller had stated that it actually was an 80s fabric - I guess one of the 80s does 60s sort of things. I can sort of see that it might be 80s, but the pattern and colour could easily pass as an original






The tweed fabric I purchased from Fabric.com* and was so easy and nice to sew with. I was worried that I was going to break a few needles sewing with it, but it worked out well

(*The tweed is no longer available sadly!) 


Its a rather comfy fabric, nice a warm! Though I did get caught out yesterday on the first legitimately cold day of Autumn (for me) and I thought I would have been warm enough in just this outfit. But no - I will still need coats and tights while wearing this!


I also decided to try some fancy bound seams or Hong Kong seams, to dress up the insides and stop the wool fibres from dropping all over the place. 

Hong Kong seams are simply bias tape bound edges. I know I used black thread on brown fabric, but meh! I didn't have time to get to the fabric store and buy matching thread!


I don't have a photo of the inside of the blouse cause its really very boring actually! Just pinked edges as the pattern instructions suggested to do so! I might have to do that more often in the future because its so much easier then overcasting them.


I've also worn the blouse as a separate and it definitely has a sassy house wife feel to it. Like I should be dancing around the kitchen, mop in hand and The Ronettes on the radio and a cake in the oven!


I'm pretty proud of this girl, and she was very easy to make. The most time I spent was binding all the edges and then slip stitching the facings down. Totally optional as I could have used a different fabric and not have had to do that, but sometimes its all in the details!

I did also make the belt, but I think I actually prefer it untied. Adding the belt seems to bulk up the top half of the pinny, and shorten it somewhat, so I may have to wear it with tights when I do that. 


The blouse is also very easy to make and I can see myself whipping up these as easily as I make a skirt. I do need more blouses in my wardrobe so there's no reason for me not to do so!


I love that both of these garments are wearable separately. I think I've been able to boost my wardrobes flexibility quite a bit as I can pair them with a number of items. I think that it's the perfect motivation for sewing more separates and also attempting a wardrobe maker type pattern by making a number of garments in the same style

A perfect start to my autumn sewing projects! And a timely addition for Me Made May! 

What have you been up to this past week? I must make my rounds to all of you who I know have written posts on your blogs and so on. 

And now for another project! There's a lovely extra long weekend coming up so hopefully I might have something more to show you soon!

Take care pretties!
Cat xo

37 comments:

  1. Hi, dear Catherine! I was wondering what became of you all this time and was afraid you came down with another bad cold. I am relieved to learn it was your modem that conked out and not you.

    You did a wonderful job on this Peggy pinny and blouse combo, although with your blonde hair and height, I'd say you look more like January Jones' Betty imitating the style of Elisabeth Moss's Peggy.

    Good night and happy Wednesday to you, dear friend Cat!

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    1. oh no! not another cold for me. but there have been so many disruptions and problems this year, im surprised i haven't come down with some horrible flu yet.
      Betty certainly is the prettiest, so thank you! though she has the nastiest personality so i dont really like her that much. Megan is by far my favourite!

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  2. What a cute outfit! I'm loving this look on you! The button back is adorable!

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  3. I love it ! and the paisley shirt , ouahhh ! and your tweed fabric is superb !

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    1. thank you so much! i really love the paisley blouse

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  4. So glad to see you posting again, lady! <3

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    1. oh i know! ive been having bloggers guilt! haha

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  5. It turned out beautifully! The Hong Kong seams make the inside so pretty! I'll have to work up the nerve to try it sometime :)

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    1. hong kong seams are so easy! you'll love it when you try it. they look so neat esp if you pick a nice colour to contrast with the fabric

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  6. oh! i love it. i just cant get over how perfect this is :)
    ~Abigail

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  7. What an absolute dream of a dress! I love it inside and out and the button fastening is just wonderful. You model it so beautifully, too.
    That blouse certainly isn't cut in an Eighties style, it looks far too classy! xxx

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    1. thanks Vix! I think you could have a fabric print from any era and cut it just so, it could transcend the decades!

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  8. What a lovely blouse and dress, they both look fantastic! Definitely something I could see Peggy wearing in Mad Men x

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    1. thank you! i totally is such a nice and sensible outfit, though ive heard in the new series that Peggy starts wearing pantsuits! oooh so fancy. she is stepping up in the world and needs serious clothes now apparently!

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  9. I like that little collar on the blouse, and the insides of your pinny are lovely! (also I like how you've done your hair here! very pretty :) )

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    1. yeah! how cute is it? my boyfriend is always telling me to tie my hair in a nice little pony tail but i rather let it hang long :)

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  10. Glad to see you're back online. Great work. The pinnie is my fav but they're both very MM.

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  11. Cat! You never fail to inspire me! Another beautifully made outfit. The back detail of the pinny is so darling and sassy is just the right word for the top- it's adorable, I love the collar!

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    1. awww thank you! im so glad to have inspired you! xo!

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  12. Wow.
    I really want to tell you bravo !
    Its perfect From the blouse to those dresses, "chiffonnière" kind we say in French i Love it !
    You must ne proud of you girl.
    Xxx
    Lorna

    Http://lornasharp.blogspot.com

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    1. thank you! thats a neat new word to learn, i love to learn sewing and clothing terms from other countries.

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  13. Really gorgeous outfit! I LOVE the button back of the pinafore and the blouse is a lovely relaxed fit. Well done!

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    1. thank you so much! its a very cute detail right?

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  14. What a lovely pinafore, the buttons at the back are such a nice unexpected detail!

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    1. thank you! i love the button detail is the best part!

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  15. Um, your bum look great!
    Ha! Love this pinny, it's so sweet and practical!
    Indeed, your blog IS one big Mad Men sew along!!! It's wonderful, and very inspiring!!!
    XXX

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    1. hahaha thank you! its all that waking up to go to the gym in the morning! haha
      i love this pinny too! it super cute!

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  16. Wow, the pinny is great, The back buttons are so cool. And with your blouse the outfit is amazing.

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  17. Fantastic outfit! You've got so many options with these two - I bet the dress looks fantastic with a pop of bright colour underneath it as well!

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    1. oh thats a good idea! a skivvy or i think their called turtle-necks now. that would look cute!

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  18. The Peggy Pinafore turned out just beautifully, Catherine. I love it just as equally with the little belt. I can't wait to see it matched with more blouses!

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  19. So lovely! I really cannot get over the blouse's fabric pattern, it's gorgeous. You have such a good eye for detail, and are very talented!

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