The road was long but I ran it...

Hey Janet?

Yes Brad?

I've got something to say...

 I really loved the skilful way 

You beat the other girls to the bride's bouquet! 

 The road was long but I ran it, Janet 

There's a fire in my heart and you fan it, Janet 

If there's one fool for you then I am it, Janet 

Now I've one thing to say and that's Dammit, Janet, I love you...

 Oh it's nicer than Betty Munroe had,oh Brad 

Now we're engaged and I'm so glad,oh Brad 

That you've met Mum and you know Dad, oh Brad 

I've one thing to say and that's Brad I'm mad for you too...

Here's a ring to prove that I'm no joker 

There's three ways that love can grow 

That's good, bad or mediocre 

Oh J-A-N-E-T I love you so

Just look at those welt pockets :)

Who cares if they're only for appearance.

Janet dress:

Butterick 4443 with white trim along princess seams, buttons, collar added, and belt with shrink-plastic buckle. Back invisible zip. Much shorter!

Hair clips also shrink plastic

First: Belt, princess seams, fully lined dress.

Brad Jacket:

Based on Colette Negroni shirt pattern. Collar accentuated. Front yoke and welt pockets added.

Could have done with adding a facing to the jacket, but I was running out of time.

First: Mens clothing, flat felled seams, invisible hem, welt pockets.

Bits and Bobs

Quite a lot of sewing going on here.

For my Janet Dress, I've ended up using a princess seamed bodice pattern (B4443) rather than a darted dress so I could add the white contrast more easily. The real Janet dress has full length sleeves. But not in Perth in Summer!

The fabric was $4 a meter, so the whole fully lined dress will probably come in at less than $20. I still need to find a white cardigan though :S

I don't think I will be able to find the Boy a jacket for his Brad, though I did manage to find some pants and glasses at the Salvos that will be perfect. I bought some tan cotton sateen from Homecraft Textiles and also spotted the Colette Negroni pattern for half price, so bought that with hopes of using it to make the Boy a shirt for his birthday (he never wears shirts, but I fancy the challenge) and maybe using it to base the jacket from. It arrived super quick and looking very pretty:

I also finally got around to making the cushion for the basket chair in my little retreat. I've had the fabric for ever, and always planned to make it kind of crazy patchwork with some solid blue. That always seemed a little complex, so I never actually did it. Lucky I didn't, because I've since found that the solid blue fades really easily in the sun, while the print seems to be holding up quite well. It took about 2 hours all up, including 5 buttonholes down the back so I can wash it easily, and covering the HUGE button on the front.
Totally should have done it ages ago. It looks so much better than the duvet cover  it came with (off gumtree) or just throwing a blanket over!

And last but not least I sewed up the bag that came with "SEW" by Kath Kidson (a present from my MIL). I added a full lining in white poly-cotton poplin (the lining of the Janet dress) and a key strap because no matter how small a bag is I still always manage to lose my keys.

I quite like the look of it, and its a great size. The only downside is that I'm not really into the shabby-chic look so it goes with nothing in my wardrobe. I have some dinosaur canvas/cotton duck, maybe I will try another in that!

Damn it, Janet...

We're off to see:

And I'm excited. I love Rocky. The first time I went I was 14... afore mentioned bestie and I went dressed as 14 year olds just shouldn't be dressed, accompanied by my mum dressed as a nun with red glitter shoes. We took the train to get there. Then walked through the city. I think the trendy thing to say now is "YOLO"!

We went again for my mothers 50th birthday. This time I was a slightly more appropriate 17, but dressed slightly less inappropriately.

We went again a few years ago when it came to Syndey, and I hate to admit we didn't dress up at all! It was just The Boy and I, and he'd never been before. It was great to go with a virgin. He'd never even seen the movie, never mind experienced the atmosphere and audience participa------tion of a stage production. It was almost as much fun watching his reactions as it was watching the stage!

And slightly less few years ago we went to see it at the outdoor cinema. We didn't dress up. I didn't think people would. Perth is quiet a reserved city, at least on the surface, so I was very happy to see people in the middle of the park in 6 inch heels, fishnets and basques. And that was just the men.

This year we're going again. I'm dragging anyone I can get interested, and dressing up regardless of whether they do. Its been too long! But I'm not feeling the basque and high heels look. I thought about being Magenta, but everyone goes as Magenta. French maid outfit plus big hair:

While I've always wanted to try Columbia, I'm just not feeling it this year. But just imagine the possibilities- gold sequinned fabric jacket and ribbon embellished shorts. big bow tie and cheapo party hat.

But this year I'm thinking I will try and get the Boy to dress up too, and I think the easiest way to do that will be to take away all erotica from the outfit. And how much fun will it be to make a pretty pink 50s dress?!

I may have to work hard combing the op-shops for a jacket like that. Maybe I'll give up and attempt to make one. But I think as long as he has that preppy look we'll be good to go.

As for me... I bought some baby pink poplin at Spotlight. Its in the wash in preparation.

I'm thinking a plain-ish bodice (coffee-date?), with a sorbetto style pleat to make a fake button placket, simple collar, maybe some little sleeves, maybe sleeveless, and 1/2 circle skirt. 

I need to find a white cardigan, and a white belt. I swear spottie has always had them, but not today. I have my six white buttons. Accessories will include a hair clip made from shrinking plastic. *Light bulb moment* maybe I could make my own buckle with the shrinking plastic. Its not like it needs to survive every day wear and tear... plain white pumps and a bag made of the scraps of the dress lining.

I might even try for a Janet necklace, but that might be a step too far!

Oh yes.