15.11.09

Twinkle Sews Flapper Camisole



A couple of weeks ago I came across the book "Twinkle Sews" when I was buying presents from the Book Depository.  Tell you what, I'm in looooove!  I can't stop looking at the pictures. I have not been this excited about patterns in a long time.  The patterns are designed by Wenlan Chia, who sends her collections down the runway at New York Fashion Week.  You can see some of the designs in the book over at Hazelnut's blog.

When the big pattern companies put out their collections, I always head for the tops and blouses, hoping for something special and mostly leaving disappointed.  I don't know what it is, but I just don't look good in T-shirts or in collared blouses, which eliminates a lot out there.  My favourite shirts are raglan sleeved, and Wenlan has a whole section devoted to these.  There is another section on dropped shoulder blouses.  I sewed up one of the patterns in the spaghetti strap section, because I had recently fitted and made a Vogue camisole, which I used as a comparison so that I would not get held up with fit issues (I was excited...had to dive straight in and even interrupted the sewing of 15 purple princess dresses for my daughter's dance concert).

Mine looks rather different to the one in the book because of the fabrics I chose.  I'll put all the details in a pattern review, so head on over there  if you want to find out more about it.


oops...I forgot to mention the beads.  At first I tried sewing on beads that I just collected up from around the house (surprising how many there were), but then a non-sewing friend suggested that after going to all the effort of making the shirt, surely I could go to the bead shop and select matching beads...and whilst I was at it, perhaps I could learn to sew them on straight!  Well, I did go and choose beads, which is not my special talent, but I never got them straight.  Oh well.  The beads are needed to hold the inner strips along the neckline and over the straps.

The top is gorgeous to wear and feels all floaty because it is made of silk...and I love that it is a truly one-of-a kind top.  A big thanks to Wenlan Chia and her team for making these patterns available to us.

9 comments:

Karin van Dam said...

Very nice. And you look great in it!

Bernice said...

I love it! It looks fabulous on you. Very, very you. The fabrics all look gorgeous together. It's a winner!

meli88a said...

What a great combination of fabrics, and fabulous fit on you!

Mary Nanna said...

Gosh you are an adventurous seamstress! The colours look lovely and it is a unique look - the beads really make it - must have been fun specially matching them.

Sharon Sews said...

This is a fabulous top! I saw that book and passed it by...now I'm wishing I had it just so I can sew one of these for myself!

Jacqui said...

That looks wonderful - I've been thinking about using the embellishments on a pre-purchased singlet but I love the way all your fabric work together like that. Might have to do it from scratch!

gwensews said...

That is a totally cute, funky top (in a good way). the book looks interesting, even if just adopting some of the techniques to other patterns.

Susannah said...

After reading your blog, and the review on Pattern Review, I have ordered Twinkle Sews from Amazon (good price - don't you just love the current exchange rate?)
Can't wait for it to arrive!
I really enjoy reading your blog - keep up the inspirational work!

Susannah

Melinda said...

Really gorgeous and original and definately not home-sewn looking. It looks like it would have cost big money from a boutique.

I'm so glad you did a review of this book. I've been umming and ahhing about whether to get it or not but this has made up my mind. It looks gorgeous.