Christmas, Sewing, McQueen (whoot whoot!)

So yeah... Halloween is over and that means...

CHRISTMAS!!

Sort of. Yeah, yeah, I know, Thanksgiving comes before and I shouldn't forget about being grateful for everything I have before I get a bunch of new stuff.  But as far as making a Christmas dress, it's about time to start!!!!!!!

Now, I'm away at college currently (and far from my beloved Pfaff sewing machine, The Thrasher) but that doesn't mean I can't start dreaming (and plotting) this years Christmas dress.  Throughout my childhood, my mother would make me one yearly. While I was learning to sew this past year I made my own! It was extremely satisfying and I can't wait to make another one.

Thankfully (and, I'm sure, purposefully) Simplicity Patterns has started releasing its winter collection and I have absolutely fallen in love with the new pattern #1250 (you can find it here).  Take a look-see below!

Front of the Pattern

Front/Back of Pattern Drawing

Ah! So swoon-worthy! At least the repressed 50's housewife inside of me thinks so.  But seriously, it's pretty darn cute, isn't it?  I love the idea of having a strapless dress that you can secretly hide with a lace jacket - so sneaky! And I love the peplum.  And the full skirt.  And the sweetheart neckline. I just love it all!

I should clarify, I would be making view A.  And I would, of course, make it differently than the pattern cover, although it does look pretty cute in red and black.  But I think I'd want to switch it up on the bottom with the skirt fabric with some Alexander McQueen inspired plaid! Whoot whoot!

So Fierce. Very Fashion. Much McQueen.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, so 2006, but c'mon, they're fun! And it's Christmas! And plaid! It's plaid! Plus the idea of lace and plaid have been forever linked in my mind since seeing these. But I might not completely steal McQueen's ideas, I might switch it up (maybe)!

Perhaps a blue-toned tartan plaid?

I admit, I'm not a huge fan of this plaid in particular (from Fabric.com) it's nice enough but the print is a bit small for such a large skirt.  However I do like the idea of taking the expected plaid and mixing it up with color! And then I could choose to do the lace in black, or the contrasting green, or even the gold (although that might clash with my own golden locks - ha!)

 Or I could stick with the ole' classic red and green Christmas plaid.

I'm less enthusiastic about the idea of this (also from Fabric.com), although it will be easier to find a size print that I like.  And there's nothing wrong with it; it is a classic!  

But maybe a brocade would be fun?  I haven't found a brocade I like yet, though, so the search continues.  In the end, it'll be whatever does (or doesn't) speak to me at the fabric store!

Until next time!

-The Gretchen