Thursday, December 19, 2013

Holiday Happiness -Diana Ross Style




I got this book, "Famous Frocks", before I moved to Alaska last year, and I've made two things from it already.  Here's a tunic of stretch velvet, which I wear with thick tights and boots up here in Alaska.  This is a good 'going out' outfit -   dressy but not over the top.  And with snow and ice on the sidewalks from November through March up here, I don't wear high heels much in the winter.  Too slippery! 

The designs in this book seek to be reminiscent of iconic music and screen heroines.  Featured stars include Madonna, Rita Hayworth, Stevie Nicks, and Diana Ross. 

The designs are inspired by - but are not really copies of what these icons wore.  For example, the photo above is me wearing the "Diana Ross" style tunic.  Diana's stage version was made of a woven, but this version (and in fact most if not all patterns featured in this book) are meant for stretch knits. 

This design was straightforward and easy to put together.  I traced the pattern and went from there.  The authors give several ideas on how to 'mix it up' design-wise, so I added some slits in the sleeves. 

I used my serger to construct this outfit.  No problems, and the pattern seemed to be drafted nicely. 

The photo was taken in the Captain Cook Hotel, here in Anchorage.  The painting behind me features Captain Cook's foray into Prince William Sound.  I like going into the Captain Cook to look at the paintings now and then. This structure is 20 stories high, and was built in the 1970s.  It was the first 'high rise' built after the 1964 earthquake devastated Anchorage. 

I made the "Rita Hayworth" dress from this book also, so I'll post that here, too, once I get a photo taken. 

5 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Nice tunic and I love the backdrop!

Vicki said...

Lovely tunic. Flats are always good to wear I say :)

RhondaBuss said...

Lovely, easy to wear and practical, the trifecta for a perfect piece!!!

patti said...

I remember when you wore this in Chicago--spectacular!

Barbara at Cat Fur Studio said...

Patti I finally got around to showing it!

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