The Red Carpet Rolls On...

So yesterday's post was dedicated to the standout sirens of the Academy Awards, and all the girls in the office had a good "ooh" and "aah" over some of the lovely frocks.

But you, my dear reader, know that on the arm of every well heeled woman is an equally splendidly groomed man (or as you'll see below, on the arm of another man). So I decided it was time to honour the best dressed blokes!

But first, David Beckham.

Can we cut out Tom Cruise and put me in there?

Insert your own caption here. Mine sounded a bit like "unff", followed by exclamations of "not fair!"


I was a little overwhelmed by all the tuxedos so we've whittled our Best Dressed selection down to the Boys in Blue. 

Midnight & Navy were the standout trend for the Blokes - click for a closer look

 (L-R)
Tom Ford wearing, well, Tom Ford.
Gerard Butler in Ferragamo
Bradley Cooper in YSL
Zachary Quinto and JC Chandor in almost matching YSL
Christopher Plummer (easily the biggest gentleman on the planet) in a vintage velvet tux

We're not going to leave the blokes out of the sewing stakes either. Want to replicate those gorgeous Velvet tuxedo jackets?

The Pattern:
Vogue Mens V2383:

Please don't make the white one. PLEASE I BEG YOU.

The Fabric:

100% Cotton Velveteen

100% Cotton Velveteen, 112cm,$14.95m

*TIP: When sewing with velveteen or other pile fabrics such as velvet and corduroy, make sure the nap (pile) is going in the same direction for all of your pattern pieces - otherwise sleeves or other parts may appear a different colour to the rest of your garment.

We'd love to see what you create!
I'm going back to look at David Beckham now.

xoxo
The Insider

Rolling out the Red Carpet

If there was an Oscars ceremony for the sewing world, Dad reckons the statue would be modelled on him (though after having hot chips for lunch, I'm not sure he's quite a svelte as old Oscar).

All the glitz and glamour is going to my head! Some of last night's Oscar frocks were seriously sparkly! I think we all agreed here in the office that last night was a winner in the glamour stakes.

SHINY.

But it was the Old Hollywood glamour that really got our attention. Got me thinking - which of these gorgeous looks could we make ourselves (don't say none, I know you're more clever than that!).
Dora, Elle and Shoshana took to the pattern books and they've come up with two of our Oscar favourites that you could whip up for your very own awards ceremony!

Natalie Portman in Vintage Christian Dior

Polka dots! On the red carpet! Amazing. This classic and simple frock is a sure fire winner in any colour but come on, who can resist?

The Pattern:

McCall's M6029

Use pieces 2, 6 & 10 of McCall's "Create It" Mix and Match patterns to create this. You may want to extend the skirt ever so slightly to add a train.

The Fabric:

I'm going dotty.

FiFi Yarn Dyed Spot Taffeta, 140cm, from $24.95/m


Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Positively Princess-like!

 Penelope is well documented for going a little OTT when a gown is concerned, but this Armani number is an absolute standout. And the slate blue is my favourite thing today!

The Pattern:

Vogue Vintage V1094

Who can resist a vintage Vogue? This 1955 design V1094 is the perfect amount of GLAM. Use option B for a full-length skirt.

The Fabric:

Icon Strech Satin-Back Crepe, Icon Chiffon

Icon Strech Satin Back Crepe (base) 114cm, $$9.95/m
Icon Chiffon (overlay) 114cm, $9.95/m


Right, get sewing! I expect these ready in time for next year's Oscars...