0 Comments Cut Me Some Slack! | OOTD

This is just enough word play I can squeeze into this post without sounding too cheesy. Sometimes I find it quite tormenting to come up with a nice title for a post, so it is always good to have an idea bouncing and ready when I sit down to type. So cut me some slack if it's not the most entertaining post title ever :D

Well, to the point now. During the little guessing game I originated to collect your guesses as to what I made as my then latest sewing project, +AdmiralLadyPaula Rizzuto suggested a "lovely drapery pair of slacks" [see what I did there?]. Although not from that fabric, I did make a pair that just fits her description from black lightweight Italian viscose.

I am not entirely sure how to describe the style properly since it is somewhat of a mix between formal-ish harem pants and relaxed peg leg, so I really hope the pictures will suffice. The model features crop length with curved edges, wide waist band and gentle folds placed right on top of pocket openings, making them look puffier as well as adding to their drapery-ness (a total nightmare to iron but so worth it!).

Knitwear top: Massimo Dutti
Suede flats: Mascotte
Cateye shades: ASOS
Necklace: somewhere in Brazil (gift from a friend)

I have another pair I made using the same pattern about 5-6 years ago from lovely linen mix (still alive and well) in size UK 8/EU 36. Now that I've reduced to size UK 6/EU 34 I'm loving how they rest all relaxed about an inch above my hipbones, which is why I decided not to adjust the black pair to my actual size.

I have to say, I am happy with my choice of the material. It took me quite a while to find simple black viscose that is opaque enough not to show off anything underneath – for some reason neutral colours like that are not in favour on the Russian market. This was literally the only fabric matching all of my requirements, and better yet – after decating the cut it got this subtle shine like that of scoured silk, much to my enjoyment.

Mac: Zara Basic

I needed a pair of black slacks like that for the summer actually, since the only ones I have are either linen or shorts. This pair can be both casual and formal, and even night out/occasion worthy if worn with a sparkly top, some nice jewellery and high heels.

As usual, awaiting your comments down below, and hope you guys liked it :)

E.V.

P.S. Forgive my awkward posing, I am not very good at this! *insert monkey covering eyes with hands emoji*

0 Comments Relieving my Artistic Urges | Introducing New Section

About a week ago I decided to revive my artistic skills – geared up with some pencils, brushes and paper, found a nice photograph of peony flowers to use as a 'model', and immediately began sketching completely losing track of time. 

Naturally, starting from a relaxed sketch

What I find quite annoying with my personal pre-watercolour sketching style is that I tend to 'overdo' it, especially with shading. Generally drawing is my favourite, and I just can't avoid shading as I go (you can see it in the picture above) instead of simply contouring the image. 

Now that I think of it, I might just suck at contouring... But hey, as long as it gives result, am I right? :D Anyway, all I had to do was to clean it up a bit with eraser to make the lines finer and shading less visible. 

Recovered my watercolour set from when I studied in art school, almost 10 years back!

Funnily enough, what I find is that I only achieve better results, drawing or painting, each time I do it, even after very long periods of time. Like, literally, the last time I painted in watercolour was what, four years ago? Much better now, and with zero practice. I definitely have to test this superpower of mine on soft pastels, my used-to-be favourite.

My watercolour technique is... hmm... quite random if I am perfectly honest. Meaning I rarely actually know what I am doing at each given moment (how I suppose a proper artist would), but rather arbitrarily pick colours and make brush strokes acting on intuition. I find it more relaxing that way, like letting your mind do things without commanding it directly. Well, that's just in case you're interested :)

Did a few minor touches with coloured pencils to add volume to the colour

I hope you guys like the result! You might have seen the finished drawing in my Instagram feed already, but I figured it deserved a bit of context. I personally think it turned out quite pretty in the end, despite minor imperfections of which only I will ever know ^_^

I don't draw or paint too often nowadays, but once I get one of those 'inspirations' I tend to create pretty decent things. Let me know if you want to see more of my art, and I will make sure to post my older pieces here, as well as [hopefully] get motivated to make it a more or less regular thing ;)

E.V.

P.S.  I kind of feel like it calls for some romantic verse about petals and light and what-not to go with this painting... Unfortunately, I abandoned poetry quite a while ago, so if any of you can offer some nice verses you like, I encourage you to leave them in the comment section ;) <3

0 Comments The Pink One | Spring Dress

Heyyy... So... I finally got some time to take pictures of the piece I made from that candy pink viscose mix I showed you here some time back. I don't think anyone has guessed what it was from the first try, although few of you came pretty close. I decided the colour and texture would make just a perfect dress for spring, which is exactly what I made of it in the end.

Once again, the pattern came from one of this year's Burda magazines, and I fell in love with it right there and then when I saw the preview:

Ah, so tender! Wish my hair was this long... *dreamy face*

I bought the fabric (quite spontaneously) before I got my hands on the copy, and lived the following week or so in sweet anticipation. I especially liked the simple and modest silhouette with dropped waistline, the length of the skirt (which differs from my favourite midi/below the knee) and the fact that this model has full length sleeves, which is something I haven't seen on a dress in a while.

I think I cut into the fabric the very same day I got the magazine – so anxious I was to finally make it!

My enthusiasm got turned down a notch when I realised the material I had just wouldn't flow and look as lightweight as it does on the picture. The reason – magazine model is made of silk, and my viscose crepe turned out to have stretchy fibres and due to added polyester it was heavier and thicker than needed.

Apologies for the dress being all creased, I took pictures only after I wore it once ^_^

Anyways, no turning back after you cut it, eh? In every other aspect the fabric was a treat to work with, and I didn't have any problems whatsoever when it came down to sewing. Psssst, overlock is such a life-saver!

Sewing wise this model had a couple of challenging operations I have never done before – cuffs and a concealed button panel – which, although required some extra time, were not as challenging as I originally expected. Altogether it took approximately three evenings to make, and then another couple of days for me to stop being lazy and hem it by hand :D

I quite enjoyed making this dress and I am pretty happy with how it looks on me. The only thing which I find slightly weird is the fact that it has full sleeves (which came out a bit longer on me than they are on the model) – not something I dislike, but I'd have to play around with shoes and accessories a bit to be confident enough to just grab it from the wardrobe and go.

From what I can say now, it will look amazing with simple nude pumps and a classic mac for a casual day out or an office look, whereas matching hairpiece, bold lip colour and high heels will give it a more sophisticated evening touch. So, potentially versatile, but will have to experiment :)  

Bonus: a full look featuring the new dress :)

I really hope you like how it turned out! I know I've been keeping you waiting with it, so thank you so much for staying with me! As usual, the comment section is open for your lovely opinions and suggestions. 

Lots of love <3 

E.V.