…or rather geishas, snakes and skulls.
My response to Kate’s ‘Dress Like Frida’ project is this little beauty of a skirt. Here’s Kate and cronies, honouring Frida- I think they had a great day!
The fabric of course was utterly irrestistible, and not cheap, so a no-waste [no waist more like] skirt was the way to go.
Inspired by Kate’s book [more of that in a moment] I simply tore off a piece for a wide waistband and tore the rest in two. Two side seams and a hem later, I considered the fastening [why think things through first?] I’d opted to pleat the fabric onto the waistband, but was craving a very fast sew, and couldn’t be bothered with a zip, so I simply left a gap between the two ends of the waistband, neatened said gap with a bit of scrap ribbon, and rough pleated the rest on.
A quick hook and bar, and I was wearing it within an hour. When fastened the gap becomes another pleat. It’s so busy, and I’m so unlikely ever to tuck anything in, that there’s no need to faff about.
Of course, I sewed it SO fast that the waistband when folded to the inside and stitched down, was a bit messy, so I unpicked it and re-applied the next day.
Cool, comfortable, and rather mad. Very me!
It’s styled here of course to honour Frida Kahlo, who I’m sure would have been a tattooed DEMON if she was around now.



Now for my review of Kate’s book. She asked me to do this a while ago, and of course, exam marking is a great excuse to delay…and delay. Still, better late then never. I have the electronic version of this little delight, but I’m sure it’s even better in the flesh, as it were.
Kate came up with this project, to make and publish her own book celebrating creativity and beauty, in December last year. In August this year, she had her launch party [which I couldn’t get too, dammit!] You can read all about the process on her blog, go take a look]
The book is called ‘Making Life More Beautiful’ and guess what? That’s what it does. Kate discusses personal style, and has wonderful pictures of a huge variety of models, all friends family and colleagues, to illustrate her points. She takes you through analysing your body, your colouring and so on, and offers lots of suggestions. [I so want to add some images, but I can’t work out how to get images form the PDF file onto here. Bum.]
Anyhew, after that, she has a section on making things- sewing four skirts, a cap and fishermen’s trousers. All of it is nice and simple as the idea is to encourage beginners to have a go, and to have fun. It was one of these skirts that I pinched for my Frida look.
Then knitting, crochet, printing, painting fabric…it’s all there! None of the projects are very complex, and all of it is beautifully illustrated, and, well, makes life more beautiful.
The book ends with more on the creative environment, sewing/craft space, the creative community…oh just go and buy it won’t you?
Sorry Kate that this took so long, I hadn’t forgotten, honest!
You look absolutely stunning. This look really suits you. And thanks so much for reviewing the book. You are very kind.
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lol no kindness at all, just sorry I took so long- It’s a nice outfit for a casual feel, I don’t think it’s work-worthy though! [Although the blouse got me the new job, so I’m very fond of it] Thank you for the opportunity to let my inner Frida out!
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The penguin is a great touch, so complementary to the skulls in your new skirt. I have noted a lack of monkeys in the Frieda homage pictures so far (a good thing in balance). Surely you can work headdresses into your work life, perhaps a small decorated pin to start, then the next week a tiny porn pom, and before you know it all the teachers will be tucking a flower behind one ear?
ceci
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That is one fabulous outfit Fairy! But I have to ask, that blouse…it really stole my heart and I’ll be darned if I can find your post on it. Did you make it?
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Yes it’s a metallicised linen and the Afternoon Blouse pattern by Jennifer Lauren. I have a couple more cut out https://jenniferlaurenhandmade.store/product/the-afternoon-blouse-shift-dress/
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Ah! Thank you so much. I forsee a few of these in my future 🙂
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Looks like you had so much fun with your photos!!! Love the skirt, love the spirit and community behind it!
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huge fun, I feel very laid back and arty now lol
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I love your Frida look – fabulous!
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ta missus
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You look magnificent! The penguin makes a good prop 🙂 I think that’s a surprisingly wearable look.
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Indeed! I wasn’t expecting to feel ‘normal’ in it, I thought it seemed rather costumey, but I wore it all day, no one pointed, and my mum [at 81!] loved the skirt print
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It is indeed an awesome print
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I wish I could post a photo here as I used the same fabric for a shirt for a friend. Claude is the Con Chair of a SciFi relaxicon called Concave. Every year I make Claude two shirts and my husband and I are rewarded with free memberships. As Claude does not want mundane shirts, I have a great time making shirts (and if I have enough fabric, Barista aprons of matching fabric for his wife, who runs the Consuite) with very interesting fabric–my choice considering his tastes, of course. I chose that fabric in 2015 and love it. Darn if it doesn’t make a great Frida skirt too.
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That sounds like fun! It is amazing fabric- makes me feel like a toddler admiring myself and twirling lol
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That is an awesome outfit – and you must always take the penguin if you are wearing it 😉
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Roger willco!
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