seen through the eyes of iris....

I didn't expect my very first (possibly my very last?) project sewn entry to be so, for me at least, devoid of color. In fact, I had a mini freak out over it. Ruggy, I stammered in a weak tone, I think my first entry is too bland.

Glancing over my shoulder at the photos, my man snorted supportively:  you look like a peacock.

I was appeased for about a minute. Then I started stressing again. What the what? There is no stress in stitching!! THERE IS NO TENSION IN SEWING!! (well yeah there is but--) WHO IS THIS WOMAN?!  AND WHERE IS HER COCKTAIL!?!!

I HAZ CRAZYEYES BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF GIN.

Well, Project Sewn has begun, HOLY COW, and truly it is a shame that we are out of gin. This is a bit more worrisome than I anticipated. You're talking to an actress who, by nature of calling, deals with rejection more then half the time, it's just part of the deal, so a little more competition? Should be no problemo. 

The problemo with that theory is twofold: 1) sewing is my escape from competition. 2) everyone in project sewn is awesome and I want us all to win.

Then there's also 3) deviloona always wants to beat the hell out of everyone in everything.

I'm pretty sure deviloona took these photos, it's the only way to explain the highly present bratty smirk going on.  

HEY WHADDAYA SAY WE TALK ABOUT THE OUTFIT. Challenge the first! "Fashion icon." Of which I have very few. Oh, every christmas I make six maxi skirts inspired by Diane Keaton in The Family Stone, I've admired Sarah Jessica Parker's topsy turvy style, I've bought yards of lace clearly marked For Prince Only. But this challenge knocked me for a loop. I'd landed on Lenny Kravitz, starting well in advance, heeding the advice of our Project Sewn mistresses to prepare early...

And then six days ago, I abandoned him completely during a magnificent bout of insomnia. In two seconds flat, at the fascinating hour of 4AM, I went from hot male rocker to fabulous nonagenarian. I saw Iris Apfel and knew she was the one.

Wasn't it wonderful of her to come visit me??? She's a gem. We hollered about her years as interior designer, textile designer, jewelry and muppet bag designer, DESIGNER OF GENERAL AWESOMENESS. For real, she's everything I was remembering Lenny to be (when did he start wearing gray exclusively?). I'd pinned her a year ago, and several nights ago, I filled up another inspirational iris board.

Yes yes, back to the sewing. Hold onto yer glasses y'all, I GOTS CONSTRUCTION SHOTS.

The dress!  princess seamed sheath with a vent (hooray for walking!  mobility is excellent). It's Simplicity 2337--in an effort to keep life happy with this eleventh hour switch, I went for my coveted blue envelopes. I started to adjust for the drapey sheath option, but the pleated drape piece is missing the l/s line and waist mark, and in hour two of tracing, my sanity was all NOT ON MY WATCH. I'll take a good princess seam over Bellvue any day.

This fabric makes me want to cry. A chocolate brown and deep black velvety soft wool shot through with gold metallic sunlight, from Mood. My "basting zipper" looked so ridiculous next to it, what else could I do but accept the union.

It's been so long since I fully lined a dress, I forgot the whole side seam trick and handstitched at the shoulder seams! Hey y'all. A fully lined dress is nice. Why didn't you tell me??

Iris readily admits her closet is a mix of high and low fashion, so I saw no problem using this shocking marigold polyester satin for what lies beneath.

Also satin: 8 yards of bias tape, handsewn alllllllll the way round this here coat. Le coat! She is the Victoria Blazer from the elegant dames at By Hand London. If I ever meet them, I'm going to kiss them full on the mouth. PUCKER UP LADIES.

The inside of this "quilted" fabric was too soft to cover up, so I employed (I think?) a hong kong finish? Bound seam finish? Oh wait, I know what you call it! A FINISH THAT TAKES EIGHTY SIX HOURS!!! I machine stitched bias tape to the edge of each seam, then machine stitched the remaining bias tape fold on itself to keep it nice and flat whilst I handstitched it to the coat. FOR. EVER.

It's kind of my favorite finish now.

Also in the TOOK FOREVER category: print placement.

And finally, the fur legwarmers. Oh furry friends. How I love you. I had a fling with a cousin of yours once, years ago in high school, when I begged my parents, and possibly my Nan, to buy me a ridiculously costly pair of furry white beaded trimmed up eskimo-ish native american-esque winter boots. I wore them once. As over the top as my style was...the shy girl in me was afraid to wear them out. I say to you again, WHO IS THIS WOMAN. (The underage woman did not drink then, her cocktail was waiting in the future.)

Oona 2014 will stomp around in these jammies, no hesitation, probably in search of gin. The faux fur comes directly from the Hancock's in Ruggy's hometown, courtesy of Mama Ruggy, and out of the whole outfit these took just as long as anything. BELIEVE THAT. Two kinds of trim, separating zips, lined in silk...I was a woman possessed.

Well, I know this has been long winded, I raise my glass to you if you've made it this far... it's been exceedingly hard to keep my enormous trap shut about this whole thing, and as such, I've apparently got a lot to say. This challenge has been an enormous amount of fun, and I've been utterly inspired by the wonder that is Iris Apfel, as so many have.

Do you like it? Wouldja like to throw your vote in for me, or any of the FABULOUS ladies I'm playing with? (deviloona YOU BE QUIET NOW GET BACK IN YOUR PEN.)  Head over to Project Sewn, view our dapper duds and choose your favorite!