Be Bold or Italic

 If you’re reading this, it means that you have somehow managed to survive the category 5 hurricane/tornado/volcanic eruption cocktail, that was 2020 and have hopped, skipped, jumped or been dragged into this new year. Whilst I am excited about the prospects of a new start, experience teaches wisdom, so I’m holding ma breath for anotha minute or two while I assess what’s up. Islanders have a saying:

‘you know what you had, but you no kno wah you a get!’

… so, I’m cautious (sorta).

Too many of my plans went to hell in a bread basket for 2020 (for obvious reasons), so I didn’t bother setting any ‘resolutions’ for 2021. But no… I am not wondering blindly into the abyss – I do have goals in mind, one being to up my sewing game. TBH I feel like I’ve been hiding in the shadows just a little bit, kinda apprehensive about stepping fully into the light, but I’m hoping to change that this year. So far as sewing is concerned, I am planning to challenge my silhouettes, my techniques, my finishing and my fabric choices. I came across @patsypoomakes Sewing Bingo on the ‘Gram and have decided to play. This, I think, will be a good way to hold me accountable to my sewing goals, without being too restrictive. If you’re on the hunt for a sewing challenge this year, you might wanna check it out!

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SHOUT OUT

Last year, myself and @vipmediamontserrat teamed up on a total of 6 photoshoot/outfit collabs. It was so much fun, we decided to do it again this year! If you guys happen to have any cool photoshoot, outfit or prop ideas, we’ll be glad to hear them! On another note, Dre won the ‘best photographer’ category in discovermni’s Best Of Montserrat competition! So take a bow bruh! CONGRATS on a job well done!

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TODAY’S CONFESSION

As part of my Christmas gift from hubs, I got to fabric shop! I came across this cotton rayon voile on fabric.com and hearted it, lol. In fact, I loved it so much I got both colorways with plans of using them to make one killa outfit. I also grabbed some red viscose and a few other pieces. ‘Few’ is relative… right?

I skimmed through my pattern stash and when I saw Vogue 9104, I thought yasssss. The dress is described as a loose-fitting pullover dress, with a neckband, shaped hemline and pockets. I sewed up a straight size 14 of this pattern and the only fitting adjustment I made was to remove a ¼” length from the pattern front between the shoulder and breast. 

I cut one half of the pattern out of the white ‘n’ black colorway, and the other half out of the black ‘n’ white colorway. Once I had constructed the main dress, I did not have enough fabric in either colorway to do the shaped hem. I thought that the red viscose would add some fire to this dress and THAT.IT.DID! IMO this is the most fab-u-lo-tious dress I’ve made to date but I’ll probably never wear it unbelted because it is pretty voluminous. 

The finished dress is very long, to the point that it actually sweeps the floor. I made no adjustments to the length (other than the minute change indicated above) and I am 5’ 8.5” (about 173cm) in height…specific right? lol every lil bit counts! Even with heels, this dress still sweeps the floor. 

Lemme tell you, the neckband of this dress is one piece and I considered doing it in the red viscose to match the hem. Indecisiveness led me to powwow with hubby and he suggested mimicking the main body of the dress instead. That meant cutting two neckband pieces (one for each side), instead of cutting one on the fold as the pattern intended.  

I made a little bit of a boo-boo on the neckband. When I cut it in two I didn’t add any additional seam allowance to the CF [centre front]. I had intended to mark the extra seam allowance directly onto the fabric but I paused my project overnight and then forgot…. ugh, ginkoba anyone? Anyways, I sewed the CF with a ¼” seam allowance which means that overall I lost a ½” worth of neck ease. The finished neckband can still fasten and I’m not choking, but I think it would have been more comfy with the extra ease. 

Even though the pattern includes pockets, I skipped them because I thought the fabric was so light weight that I wouldn’t want to actually put anything in them. So… PASS!! 

THE PHOTOSHOOT

As far as the photoshoot goes, I saw a photo by @chavdakid featuring a ladder and thought it was pretty cool… so off I went to consult with Pinterest where I discovered many many more. It didnt take me long to decide I wanted to give it a try! ‘Cas what? Be bold or italic, but NEVER regular… am I right?

THE CROWN

Let’s chat quickly about my crown. This year I’m “queening it”… yup you heard me! I’m treating myself like royalty for the whole of 2021 to make up for 2020! As if the dress, and the ladder weren’t enough, I handcrafted my crown in black ‘n’ white cas’ i wanted to bring you a WHOLE.NOTHA.MOOD. I did keep the other accessories minimal and did a simpl-ish face beat.  

I think this look is both BOLD and italic. What says you???? Share your thoughts below!

I can’t end dis ting without confessing that I am humbled by, and so grateful to all of YOU who followed and supported my Instagram and then my blogging journey in 2020. I’m happy to have you back so cheers to 2021 guys!

Here’s to stepping out and stepping up, pushing boundaries and setting your creativity free!!!

Hip hip hoooorrayyyy!!

Now, go grab yourself a bucket of ice cas’  its about to get HOT ‘round here!!!!

Gotta luv ya and leave ya,

Until next time,

xoxo

Kris

 

 

 

Happy

2021

Guys!!