For those of you not familiar with the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Challenge, this will be the 4th year now I’ve been coveting all the fabulous garments in the stores, magazines, online or on the runway. All the while thinking …
“Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?”
Last DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER 2018, here, I was inspired by Oscar de la Renta.
All the talented sewists that participated along with me, each found their own inspiration. You can check out all last year’s participants here.
This year I am inspired by two designers. One is Lisa Perry Spring 2019 Ready to Wear. The jean jacket below reminds me of the one I made here, except mine was “busier”! I love the white jacket too – must find a pattern for that one! Any ideas?
The other designer I am inspired by is Holly Fulton Spring/Summer 2015 Ready to Wear. Ya, it’s a four year old collection, but I LOVE THIS DRESS! I WANT THIS DRESS! This dress is my choice for my “Designer Original”!
I do have a few patterns that are similar. The DKNY does’t have the flare on the bottom of the dress, The Sewaholic has a centre front seam, but the McCall’s one looks pretty close. The McCall’s pattern for the top looks pretty good too! I have to find other versions of my “Designer Original” to see if the centre print travels down in a straight line, or flares in or out. I’ll also have to find a photo of the back of the dress, although I’m hoping I can have the print in the front and the back of the dress!
Now I do have a few things to think about yet. One is that I don’t think a maxi dress is for me. I remember reading a post by Sewniptuck, here. She used “Lily Serna’s equation for the perfect dress, skirt or short hemline”, which is as follows: “The length of your body from shoulder tip (cm) + heel height (cm) divided by 1.618 = your golden number.” I’m going to do the math and find my “golden number”. Let’s see how this works out!
The next thing to consider is, I don’t need another black and white dress. I’m thinking, maybe, perhaps, I can find a jade green solid and print? I want to say a shade of blue, but almost everything I have sewn is a shade of blue! So perhaps a jade green solid and print!
The last thing to consider is, I haven’t found any fabric yet. Maybe a trip to the Mainland’s Fabricana is in order?
Oh yes! Lastly, I have taken Lisa Perry’s Spring 2019 Ready to Wear Collection as the inspiration for us all with this year’s Logo. Take a copy for your social media and share the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER Challenge!
So do you too say:
“Why buy when you can make it yourself – better and for less money?”
Start looking for your Designer Original Photo! Check out my “DESIGNER FASHION” Pinterest board here, OR on Facebook, join the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER (closed) Group Board. What will inspire you? Remember Vintage Designer fashion is allowed too! Good luck in your search! 😁👍
How to participate in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER:
- BLOG PARTICIPATION: Post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, mentioning DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER in your post with a link back to here, so other’s can join in.
- INSTAGRAM PARTICIPATION: Post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, tagging it #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @nicedressthanksimadeit.
- TWITTER PARTICIPATION: Post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, tagging it #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @LindaMNicedress.
- WANT TO JOIN the “DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER” Pinterest board here send your email address to imadeit362436 (at) gmail (dot) com and you can add your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY to the Board.
- WANT TO JOIN the DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER FACEBOOK (closed) GROUP. You will be able to post and discuss your progress, your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY.
- DON’T FORGET to leave a comment here on my blog and I’ll post your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY for you on my blog in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER, with a link back to you. Whether you have made it already, are in the process of making it, or plan on making it … let me know!
How to be eligible for prizes in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER:
If you would like a chance to win FAB prizes from our generous sponsors, to be announced in the coming months up to December, you’ll need to SHARE your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY with us like this:
- On my blog: Follow “Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!” and leave a comment that you are joining in and I’ll post your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY for you on my blog in DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER, with a link back to you.
- On your blog: Post a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY, mentioning DESIGNIN’ DECEMBER in your post with a link back to here so other’s can join in.
- There’s another chance to win on Instagram: Share a photo of your Designer Original and your Designer me-made COPY tagging them #DESIGNINDECEMBER and follow/tag @nicedressthanksimadeit.
Only entries using these above methods will be entered into the Challenge and be eligible for prizes. Closing date for entries is 31st December 2019 Midnight PST.
Happy Sewing!
such gorgeous makes and very inspiring…. while I dont know if I could do the full flower, the black dress with the flower at hip could easily be a circle if I were to make – looking forward to seeing the makes
First thing I thought of when I saw that one was “flower” parch pockets! I think I’ve seen something like that before. There are hundreds of designs out there !that can followed.
Thank you for including the math for finding one’s “golden number” for hem length. I love this kind of nerdy sewing stuff. Your inspiration designs are gorgeous, and so do-able! Looking forward to this year’s Designin’ December.
I’m on a hunt for the right fabric now. Finger crossed all goes well for me, and for you too!
Wow, I love the dress you chose for the Logo. I also love your Holly Fulton dress – – you must make that! It would look so good on you!
Thank you! Some designers just stand out and not for ridiculous reasons! Are you planning your DESIGNIN DECEMBER yet? I haven’t officially mentioned it yet, but there will be a change this year of no-voting, just random drawing for prizes. I’ve gotten too busy with the bag making blog to get too complex with this Challenge… but I just must do this Challenge! 🤷🏼♀️❤️ hope to see you too!
Okay, if you are taking votes I am in for the shorter length dress with a few flowers just above the hem. Long maxi dresses look so elegant but I can’t think where I would wear them on a day to day basis and my party days are well behind me now. As far as a trip to the mainland…..say Fabricana….I’m in.
Yes, I’m definitely going for a NOT maxi dress! And I knew you’d be willing and able to make a trip with me to Fabricana! 🎊🎉🎊 thank you!! 😁👍
Count me in for the challenge!
Perhaps with a tweak to the collar, would the Gertie jean jacket pattern #6390 work to make a version of the white Lisa Perry one?
That’s great!! Ahh! Now there’s an idea! I’m going to go take a look! Thanks!
Im so sad. So sad. I love Lisa Perry’s fashion. Thank you for introducing her style to me. Why Im sad? I used to have a black dress like the one with the big pink flower on it. I dont know if I kept it because it got a little snug. If I kept it I could always have had a big pink flower sewn on it. I will search my closet. That black dress which I hope I still have, I bought at a second store.
Oh no! I understand your sadness perfectly! And considering you found it at a second hand store, it was like finding buried treasure! I hope you find it!
Yep, lots of inspiration here, I’m definitely thinking something ’60s!
She’s an outstanding designer, isn’t she! 😍
Although I don’t sew myself, I love seeing the patterns people have selected and how the finished product looks on them. Very inspirational. Thanks for running this contest Linda. I’m sure all the participants and the wannabe sewists like me enjoy it more and more each year.
I also really enjoy seeing what sewists have picked for their Designer Original and what they do to make their Designer me-made Copy! I really look forward to this time of year! (I still have to find & buy my fabric!!!)
Great inspiration photos, I’ve been almost in for two years now since I found you. I definitely have some ideas if only I can get myself organised in time!
Thank you! You can start your project anytime, just as long as it is finished and I have seen it by December 31, 2019. And remember it doesn’t have to be a large time consuming project or something you would actually never wear. Just as long as you have the Designer Original inspiration and your Designer Copy. Keep checking here for more inspiration and information! 😁👍
Thanks Linda, I’ll get my thinking cap on!
Oooh…maybe this will be the year I’ll do finally join a challenge? I’ll make an effort! And that white jacket? I’m sure there’s a folkwear pattern that works. Belgian chef, maybe? Or does that have an off centre closure? Hmm. Not sure. (And multiple tabs on the phone is a hassle! Sorry)
Berte 🙃
I’d love to see your Designer Original and your me-made Copy! I have possibilities for entries on Pinterest and on the Facebook page, for inspiration. I think the closure on the jacket is centred. I do love the high collar! So cool! 😎
I found your blog as I was researching sewing blogs for inspiration as I want to start blogging my sewing journey. Your blog and Designin December (with a fabulous entry) was mentioned in seweverythingblog. It is nth minute however I would love to join the competition (I work well under pressure! :)). Your blog is a treasure chest I will keep coming back for sewinspiration! Saba
Join in! there’s lots of time! 7 days left! 😁👍
Where will you post your entry when you get it done? On which social media?