Loran of LoransWorld.com is hosting a 1920's dress challenge. 

And she, like me, is inspired and in love with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, an Aussie TV show set in the 1920's. It's brilliant. The characters are such fun and the costumes... oh swoon for the costumes!

Like Loran I too am not tall, willowy or boxy shaped as Essie Davis, the fine actress playing Miss Phryne.  But never fear, because Dot and other characters, along with women who lived then, also have curves and found ways to wear 1920's fashions and look beautifully elegant. Sew along starts June 3rd! 

Some sources for Sewing Patterns, besides Loran's blog are: 

• Eva Dress
• Past Patterns
  
• Decades of Style
• Burda Style 
• Reconstructing History
• Mrs. Depew (her etsy shop)

Is this costume divine, or what?!?  Oh to wear the rhinestones and feathers. Glamour!

OH MY GAWD! Alex Ryan!  Remember him? Yep. Still sexy. Tall. Fun to watch of course.

The diamond multi-colored top above looks quite similar to several 1920's sewing patterns. It is such fun to see it in fluid movement. I believe this is a chiffon. I would consider making one of these now.

This dress (above) with flutter sleeves, affixed scarf/shawl all in chiffon is so glamorous. I love how the sleeves play and flutter back and forth with movement and breeze.  An excellent summer frock!

Who can resist beachwear? The girl blurred in the background in tangerine and cream is wearing a jacket made of washed rayon velvet. It's utterly divine. I hadn't considered tangerine velvet before, but I am now!

Oh swoon. Men in 1920's swim garb. Hugo Johnstone-Burt, who plays Hugh on the left and Nathan Page, who plays Jack are just lovely. Reminds me of photos of my Grandpa boxing.

Week 4 is all about activity for me. Hiking, carpentry, working, Acroyoga, SUP, and more!  I love being outside!

For my hike, I did not have any clean "me made" clothes to wear, so I went with my Lululemon capris and I actually picked up this blue wicking Under Armor T-shirt at a local store as I was buying food for my 10 Essentials to bring on the hike at Mima Mounds.  The shirt is super comfy, the fabric just dense enough - just lightweight enough, and the color is rich & brilliant. I now know why Kathy of Kathy Sews is so eager to find fabrics that are Under Armor even if they aren't labeled as such. 

I am happiest hiking and doing all kinds of activities in full range clothing like yoga pants and capris.  Most other pants either stretch and hang on my hips (so you spend the whole time pulling it up) or their are constricting. I have a feeling that I'll be able to use some different fabrics to create my own, full range motion version of hiking pants.  I was comfy all day. Had my fleece & gortex & a scarf all in my pack and ready for wearing. All were used.  Our weather in Washington State can vary that quickly.

The hike below was all about finding & identifying wildflowers.  What an amazing and inspiring adventure.  The folks at Wolf College are so knowledgeable. Please consider taking a class from them or even coming to Washington to track and observe (not hunt) the wild wolf packs. All their classes are worth every penny!

As you can see from my photos, we also learned what plants were edible and I ATE some. Nommy! I like clover. Just call me Bunny. ;)

Tank: Kwik Sew K3740
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Brooks

This Kwik Sew tank has been a staple in my workout wardrobe for ages. It's a mid-weight, fairly firm knit. I could have made a structured jacket with it. The edges ripple a little because of how I sewed it and/or the interfacing. But I will definitely make it again after I watch my new Craftsy class, Sewing Knits that Fit so I can modify the bust and also take out the fold of fabric at the back waist.

Cardigan: Kwik Sew K3693
Cardigan Fabric: Cotton/Poly ITY Knit
Shirt: RTW
Jeans: Levis that were taken in at the hips by my alterationist. 

This aqua cardigan is another version of the navy blue conference version I wore last week. I like wearing it, but I don't love it. When I put it away after wearing it this last day, I could have actually put it in the donation pile. It feels ... awkward.  The fit is fine, but after wearing the same cardi in a Ponti Knit, I realized this has no give. It doesn't really drape, it just holds itself in place - all damn day. For a drapey cardigan, I do not prefer this. But, again, I have learned!  And I could always cut this up and turn it into something better. 

Tank Top: RTW
Capri Pants: a mash-up of K3988 and K3770 

Lookit me! I'm a flying Locust!  No... wait, I'm a spotter.  Wait, wait! I'm a supported yogi!  This week I found a local AcroYoga class at Grit City Ballroom. Wow! I mean wow!  First, no experience or partner is necessary. Second, (or should it be first?), the teachers are spot on and totally get how to provide quick, direct, useful feedback you can understand and apply right away. Brilliant. I did not think. Well, prior to reading their description, I thought I'd have to be way more in shape. But I didn't. I'm so glad I didn't wait. I trusted others to "base me" and others trusted me to "base them." It was amazing. I felt so at home. And my capris were comfy and perfect. Yay!

I went on my first SUP or Stand-Up Paddle adventure this week. Wow! A bit more of a balance challenge to stand than I anticipated, even on a board dedicated to being wide for SUP yoga. I did fall once, Charlie Brown style, but remained on the board. I was trying to stretch my ankles. Whoopsie!

As you can see, baseball hat, shades, and wetsuit were the attire. What you don't see is that I'm wearing my 1 piece swimsuit under it all. All RTW, but good to observe what I chose & what worked. In the pacific NW, the Puget Sound or Ocean water rarely gets above 45-50° F. Brrr. So we make sure to protect and be warm. Hence the wetsuit. Cause if you fall in and get cold, you won't wanna continue to paddle.

The wetsuit worked out well. It was a shorty that stopped at my knee. I was a bit warm though. I'll have to look at gear more and decide on make or buy for wetsuit and other pieces. I'm already planning out my board shorts, which I'll make.

All in all a super week!