Here it is! The bolero suit ensemble! (Note: you must pronounce "ensemble" in the French manner: Ahn-SAHM. Try to look very sophisticated while you say it.) I paired the Ahn-SAHM with a vintage sweater guard and my pink portrait blouse. I would love to show you more detailed shots of these pieces, but this is what I could get as I was running out the door this morning. (Don't you just hate it when life interferes with your sewing and blogging?)The bolero is the bonus variation from Vogue's New Book for Better Sewing, which is view C of vintage Vogue 7259. I had to draft the front piece on my own since it was missing from my pattern. It went pretty well, if I do say so myself. I decided to make the sleeves elbow length, which I thought was the perfect compromise between what VONBBS wanted (short sleeves) and what Doris wanted (LONG sleeves!).
The skirt is Vogue 8603, and I am IN LOVE. I will definitely be making this again, probably in black stretch suiting, with about two inches added to the hem. It falls just above my knee as is, and I prefer a just below the knee length. Here's the back view:
Take that, hip ruching!Anyway, I can add more pictures later if you're interested in some detail shots. I must say that I'm quite proud of this little ensemble!
(Oops. I mean this little Ahn-SAHM, of course.)
Wow. Just wow! You are rocking the sexy-without-trying-to-be-sexy Ahn-SAHM.
ReplyDeleteHow freaking beautiful is that skirt (sorry bolero). I admit it, I was skeptical, but I must now purchase the pattern and make that skirt RIGHT AWAY! Holy cow! People will be FOLLOWING you down the street, begging you for your phone number!
ReplyDeleteI also really like the little jewellery you have on your bolero - what is it?
I think this is the most spectacular outfit you have made yet.
Hello, Gertie! 'Ensemble' is not to be pronounced like this at all! It's the same 'en' as the french way to pronounce GivENnchy, and of course, the 'bl' is not to be omitted (we sometimes eat the end of our words, but at a slow speed we pronouce all the letters we write, I promise!)
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to have a full-length pic of the skirt, it seems lovely. The ruffles especially are really super-glamourous!!!
(Oh, and thank you for mentioning Burda 8155, I'm currently making my first (above the knee) pencil skirt this week!)
Wow, that's gorgeous. I love the skirt -- I'm going to have to add it to my dream pile of patterns to make!
ReplyDeleteOh, Carlotta. I knew one of you people who actually speak French would come in and correct me! Anyway, I'm afraid I can't stop saying it that way now. I'm incorrigible. My apologies to your language.
ReplyDeleteejvc, the jewelry is a vintage sweater guard, meant to hold your cardigans in place! I'll take some better pictures of it so you can see.
Wow, that is gorgeous! I'm green with envy. Zowie!
ReplyDeleteYou look perfect! I'm not usually a fan of boleros (actually I like knit ones, but jacket-boleros usually don't do it for me for some reason), but this one is so soft and perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou knocked another one out of the block! The only suggestion I would make is to wear the sweater guards down a bit closer to the neckline.
ReplyDeleteWell, NOW you're going to need a big stick to beat people away; men will want your number, women will want your clothes! You look amazing!
ReplyDelete-Sandra
That suit is to die for!!!Amazing is all I can say. You are officially my fashion icon. I admire you so much for being true to your own fashion sense and confident in it. I want to be that way and not so easily swayed by trends. The skirt is smokin'. I will definitely be getting that Vogue pattern. Please tell me more about sweater guards and where they are available. Etsy?
ReplyDeleteI actually find it funny pronounced that way, Gertie... a little bit like Maggie Prescott would say in 'Funny face'!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that the same sewing terms often stand for something slightly different in french and in english, so it's logical that it must be the same for the pronouciation: they're fully part of English language now.
Gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you everyone! Lsaspacey, you're right, I moved the sweater guard down and it looks better. I got a lot of vintage sweater guards on eBay for around $10! I'll do a post on them tomorrow, with better pics. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the skirt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
a
Oh, HELLO DOLL!! WOW! You AND the outfit look mah-vah-lus!
ReplyDeleteLife? Get in the way of sewing?
Surely you jest?!
Ah, but it is the sad truth, none the less!
You did a grand job, as is the norm for you and I hope you get oodles of compliments on it today!!
Oh!! that skirt is great! I guess it is difficult to make it, right? would you post pictures how you made that? mmmm sorry I donno the word in english , but I want to see how u did that, the sides of the skirt.
ReplyDeleteThanks =)
Each thing you make seems to be more beautiful than the last. You are such a talented seamstress, and a big inspiration to this novice - I will be purchasing that skirt pattern to make when my skills improve!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the best things you have made...and I think everything you make is spectacular! I'm a lurker on your blog but I just had to comment this time! Way to go...keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is so freaking cute, very Nanette Lepore.
ReplyDeleteThat ensemble is so beautiful. I simply adore the color. And the hip-ruching is divine. The whole outfit, in fact, is decidedly gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGarnet
MARVELOUS! Both pieces. And the color? Perfection.
ReplyDeleteMy dear. YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is practically my dream outfit. Would you sew me one??? (I'm sort of joking)
Great job!!!
FABULOUS!! The fit is amazing, you certainly need a wardrobe of those skirts! Vogue is going to need extra staffers to keep up with the orders. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love it! I'm just in awe!
ReplyDeleteLovely job!
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous and even though I was very skeptical about the skirt ruching, it looks absolutely lovely on you!
ReplyDeleteThe entire Ahn-SAHM is lovely, but that hip ruching might be the death of me.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Wow, you look amazing!
ReplyDeleteGertie - you look good in red! Beautiful ensemble and I love the addition of the sweater guard!
ReplyDeleteGreat ensemble! Red is definitely your color! You look fabulously vintage!
ReplyDeleteThis is just beautiful. Congratulations. Please detail shots please.
ReplyDeletePardon me while I wipe away the drool. What a DARLING Ahn-SAHM you have there. I think I need to make this bolero just so that I have something to wear my sweater guard (with little gold owls) with. And if my toosh would look even half as cute as your's in that skirt I would make it in a heartbeat! I may have to do just that and hope for the best
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! So beautiful! I love the skirt! Will have to make that one myself, I think...
ReplyDeleteAnd YES more photos please!!!
Total success. Love the whole look.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the sweater guard, I too immediately thought it should be lower. To my horror I realized that I thought that because I am now old enough to remember when they were not vintage items-- and they were always worn further down. I then realized you could actually wear them anywhere you want. haha I also bought one on E-bay a while back because they are really practical.
I once had a friend who said she was a graduate of the Milwaukee School of the French Accent and I discovered from conversations with her that I have a bit of a gift in that area myself. A bean toe!
Oh my... this is stunning!! I love the Ahn-SAHM-(blu?)! I've seen different variations of the skirt and your is my favorite. I'm going to have to go buy that pattern!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous - the colour, the cut, the fit! The bolero is perfect (I wasn't convinced by the proportions of the small pattern pic at the time and preferred the longer version, but this is simply fabulous. I'm in awe), and the skirt is... wow! Amazing. I can imagine there will be rush on that pattern now... you should ask for a percentage! Can't wait to see the full length pics. And I'm also very curious to find out more about these mysterious sweater guards that you speak of... Love coming on to your blog because so often I discover something new!
ReplyDeleteThis is just LOVELY!! So stunning and that skirt is so flattering!! Think this is a strong contender for my favourite project so far!! xxx
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable gorgeous. And I hate it when life gets in the way of sewing and blogging, too. So glad Vogue is on sale this weekend, as I will be needing that skirt pattern.
ReplyDeleteWow! Well done! And as for reconstructing the front pattern piece? Please. Awesome. I have to resist copying everything you do so I don't look like a total stalker, but trust me, it crosses my mind! It's gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat they said! Great call on the bolero sleeve length, BTW; it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI, too, now need to get this skirt pattern (hope it isn't sold out already).
Wow, what for a great job you did! The ensemble is really awesome, also the details on the back.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely post more pictures! Your outfit is gogeous!! The skirt is really cute - it turned out cuter and looks better than I thought it would!
ReplyDeleteI am truly impressed with the entire Ahn-SAHM!
Stunning
ReplyDeleteThis skirt is very flattering. It plays up your curves in a positive way. And you made it in my new favorite color, red.
ReplyDeleteGertie it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHot outfit!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response to my question of "how to ask to see a tattoo." Makes perfect sense and I should have known. Most of the time I am awed by the time & effort of the ink artist and the person sporting the tat.
Is it hot in here, or is it just Gertie?? Yowza. You know, it's always those books/library women you have to watch out for..
ReplyDeleteGertie, Your outfit is sensational. The colour, the style... all look great on you.
ReplyDeleteLove it all, you look HOT just as everyone has said. Loving the skirt too. Never seen one like it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job
Magnifique! I too would like to see some additional shots, but not just details. I want to see a longer shot of the front of the skirt without your hands covering up the ruching, just to show it off better. :)
ReplyDeleteMagnifique! I too would like to see some additional shots, but not just details. I want to see a longer shot of the front of the skirt without your hands covering up the ruching, just to show it off better. :)
ReplyDeleteGertie- I love the outfit. What a great skirt pattern!
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous! The detailing on the skirt is amazing! Wonderful job!!
ReplyDeleteGreat showcase for your curves. You look smoking hot and you've changed my mind about the bolero!
ReplyDeleteLove. The. Suit. As a whole, fabulous!! What a great look!
ReplyDeleteAnd that skirt? Seriously, yours looks better than Vogue's. When I looked at your skirt I wanted to make it. When I looked at the Vogue pattern I didn't want to make it. I then had to look at your skirt again to convince myself I need to make it.
Love, love, love!
Oh honey... it's beautiful...
ReplyDelete*envies those amazing skills of yours*
xoxo
I do want more pictures! I am making a similar skirt for my part as a secretary in a 1960s play and was wondering what to pair it with. The bolero has inspired me! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThis whole outfit is a dream! I love the red fabric and that attitude you carry it with. Well done!
ReplyDeleteGertie, just like everyone else said: You look stunning in this outfit. I'm not really a bolero person, but combined with that gorgeous skirt I think this is a beautiful outfit!
ReplyDeleteMy golly--I think my jaw just hit my desk! You look smashing, Gertie! I just adore the whole outfit; the color, the bolero (beautiful, beautiful job at reconstructing that missing piece...), and that hot skirt... Wow! ;)
ReplyDeleteOk, you're probably bored by now with all the gushing comments, but I had to add my own gush. This is absolutely smashing on you. The color's great, the bolero's great. The skirt is to die for. Such a great pattern choice to go with the bolero. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love it! the skirt is awesome. congrats!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Gertie,
ReplyDeleteI just came across your blog...it's fab!
The reason for my message is that I'm new to the sewing world and have just finished making the Vogue skirt V8603 pattern A. I am very pleased with it BUT through all my excitement I totally forgot to write a step by step guide of how to make it!!! And am now struggling to remember as I wanted to re-make the skirt but in a different material.
I was just wondering, if you'd beable to help me with this???
Thanks
Sonia
There's a burdastyle skirt pattern that's similar (and free) that I'm thinking of sewing up soon...it's not quite as tailored-looking, but I like the sailor-style buttons and it appears to have built-in pockets where the ruching meets the front panel.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the whole ahn-sahm is fab, and you look great! I recently discovered your blog and love it. Thanks!
forgot to post the link to the pattern:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/kasia
You look classy and fab. Period.
ReplyDeleteone year later... the skirt is fa-bu-lous! And the bolero, of course, as well. I love how you combined the two pieces.
ReplyDeleteThat skirt is to die for! Love it!
ReplyDeletegdo-family.blogspot.com
Haha your ahn-sahm reminds me that my great aunt (80-something) in England told me that it's meant to be pronounced BOLL-uhro not bol-EH-ro! I love the lapels and the gathering detail on the skirt, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous ensemble, Miss Gertie. Your sewing is marvellous. I especially love the long lapels on the bolero and that skirt is a real joy to behold.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful this Sagrb so thank you
ReplyDeleteI love that skirt. It looks perfect for someone who has no hips, like me, to give the impression of having some.
ReplyDeleteAs for "ensemble", it's more accurate to say AHN-SAHM-BLEH. I've lived in France for the last 12 years with my French husband.