Boy, that was a fast break, and now Lifetime’s Project Runway has returned to New York for its seventh season. It was good to see Heidi and Tim again, and apparently Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are back to being permanent judges. This week’s theme was “Back to New York,” and Nicole Richie was the guest judge. You get to be MY guest judges, so feel free to add comments on any part of my design. The contestants–and I have no idea yet who they are; I always spend the first few episodes trying to sort them all out–were asked to create a look that provided their point of view.
Sadly, I was unable to book my model muse, Summer, for this challenge. Her agent says she’s ill. Visual translation from Agent Speak to Reality:
That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll be seeing Summer at some point this season, and my new friend Noelle was happy to work with me this week. Noelle was the model for Mattel’s 2008 Holiday Barbie, and she’s gorgeous.
I chose to go with one of my favorite dress styles with a few embellishments at the hemline and the collar. To mix things up a little, I decided to move away from the mod fabrics that I love and time travel to the 1980s.
How’d I do?
I tucked Noelle’s hair under a hat I made with faux leopard fur trimmed in black marabou. Her purse and boots are from the Bluefly accessories wall (i.e., Mattel). She’s wearing a black cloth coat over a sheer dress of tan leopard print.
The coat is lined in the same faux leopard fur I used on the hat. I modified the dress’s neckline with a roll collar.
I sewed the stockings from chestnut organza.
A better view of the coat’s lining.
The ruffled hemline balances the width of the hat even without the coat.
The cap sleeves are one of my favorite features of this dress.
Thanks, Noelle, for being such a great model. You rocked this sassy little dress.
I’ll see the rest of you next time on the runway!
I have been waiting all night! Let’s see, Johnny Depp in the DVD player, golden globes for Dexter … AND Beck’s first design!!! It’s too much!
Now I have to read!
When I saw the Brother sewing machine on the show I was all BECKS! Then I saw the Brother clock, and was all BECKS again! Then I saw the Brother coffee maker and I was all – “gee they are pretty good with the product placement this year!”
Who would ever think that while I hate capes, I LOVE marabou! I love the leggings coupled with the hem it makes it very flirty and fun – I also love the collar. Great work on all the details… you are IN!
Thank you! I was tempted to make a cape with this dress, but I feared you and The Rhonda.
It’s good to see the sewing machine is being put to good use. :o)
There are things that might have looked better if I’d done them by hand, but then I wouldn’t have been learning to use the machine. That’s the only way to get better with it!
And in other ways, it REALLY made things faster.
Thanks!
I was going to ask for a comparison on hand- versus machine-sewing, timewise. I imagine what used to take three hours now takes a minute, or something. How close am I?
It depends. The ruffle I made for the hem took about thirty seconds to run a seam, then about ten minutes to hand-sew onto the dress. That process would have taken at least an hour the old way, mainly because of all the times I’d have knotted my thread, had to cut it, rethread a needle, and resume.
Yeah, and when I’m sewing I’m always holding my breath that the thread doesn’t knot up on the right side of the fabric. Things get tense, especially when I’m beading. It’s a bit like defusing a bomb in a movie. : )
Amazing!
This is really stunning.
I love the hat. And I love the coat, with the faux leopard fur lining. The stockings are so pretty, and the ruffle on the dress balances the hat very well. The whole dress with those cap sleeves is wonderful.
I think this whole outfit is perfect.
I also have to say that I love the way your models pose. They look so sassy and smart. They put my 1960’s version to shame. ;D
Re: Amazing!
Thank you so much. Having the machine has reinvigorated my interest in designing more outfits for the dolls. As for their posing, it’s all in the outfit and the camera. You should try it!
short break or fun break
“That’s okay. I’m sure we’ll be seeing Summer at some point this season” — LOL
Re: short break or fun break
😉
Oh, all the details… They would make any fabric (within reason) sing, but to pair it all with that leopard sends it for me. w-o-w…
I just adore a roll collar. And your hem is terrific and in great proportion. And as always I’m in awe that you make stockings. That just makes me shake me noggin.
And then there’s a coat and hat! If this outfit represents your point of view, then your point of view is, “Day-um!”
Is that pink thing on Summer’s armrest a cell phone? I know someone who’s dying to text her. : )
Wecome back, Mr H!
Thanks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Quick! Make haste! Go and look at this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36742856@N05/4169411229/in/photostream/
Just go look at her whole freaking site:
http://www.nataliasheppard.com/index.php
Amazing.
Aw, I was going to blow your mind with that Rear Window dress, but you know already…
Yeah, is she not amazing? I saw the Kennedy suit before, and I have a book on Jackie’s White House-era clothing, and her recreation is EERIE… it’s not doll clothes it’s miniaturized. How, I don’t know.
Yes, that’s a cell phone. Figaro should get on twitter!
If I allowed Figaro to join Twiter my L and O keys would rub off.
HA!
Where to start…This is a great first number. I’d say I don’t know how you are going to top it, but I know you will.
The whole silhouette is great!! I like the sleeves a lot, too, and the leggings and boots, of course!! And maribou…fabulous!!!
Thank you so much, Gary. I think the show’s already better this season than last, so hopefully I’ll get some inspiration.
You need to change the title of your blog to “Becky and her Magic Sewing Machine.”
STUNNING.
And then we can go on adventures all over the world! Except only the sewing machine will fly. And even then, not on international flights in seats next to yours.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. =)
FUN outfit!!!
I love it all!
Thank you, Lisa. And I still love that user pic!
An outfit made of awesome. We want awe, you’ve got some. Fabulous!
Tim told me it was very Dynasty–so Alexis should approve! Thank you very much. =)
I’m so excited this is back. I love your designs.
And you know, if you need practice for the Barbies… you could always get to work on that gown for me. 😉
Do you remember in Sleeping Beauty, when the fairies tried to make a ball gown without magic? Yeah…
And if you say you don’t remember, I’ll force you to watch the movie with me.