The Estate of the late Alina Galasso – Auction this Sunday 3rd July 2011

A friend of mines auction house, Theodore Bruce, has been entrusted with the giant task of auctioning the exquisite contents of one of Strathfields finest federation residences at 72 Redmyre Road Strathfield, Sydney on Sunday 3rd July 2011.

Belonging to the late Alina Galasso – model, restaurateur and local fashion icon, the collection includes imported hand crafted Italian furniture including Vitrine, Sideboards, Sofas, Beds, Tables and Chairs. Fine Antiques including Victorian Rosewood Games Table, Georgian Chest of Drawers, Artworks by Lindsay, Anna Corsini, McDougal, Bronzes and Sculptures, rugs and fabrics.

The proceeds of the auction will help fund The Alina Galasso Trust which will provide three anual Scholarships to encourage and support students to achieve thier best whilst studying fashion and costume.

On View Saturday 2nd July 10am to 4pm and Sunday 3rd July from 10am
Fully Illustrated Catalogue online http://theodorebruceauctions.com.au/about_auction_news_view.php?article=374
Online Live Bidding will be available for this sale see links on our website

Simplicity "Project Runway" Mini Dress

I fell in love with the cotton Brocade before I decided what I could make with it. It's been sitting a home for a while so thought I'd pair it with some black linen to make a mini dress.

This mini dress was made from Simplicity pattern 3507 from the "inspired by Project Runway" collection. I used a black linen for the bodice and facing and then used cotton brocade? style fabric for the main section of the dress. I used the brocade scalloped edge as the hem. To do this:
1) I measured the exact length I wanted the dress before cutting
2) Lined up the paper pattern for the skirt part of the dress so that the hem would be sitting on the scallops.

This dress does not have lining.

I cut out size 7/8, but it ended up being a bit big. I’d recommend tissue fitting the pattern first before cutting to ensure a good fit.

I’m planning on wearing the dress as a tunic in winter over the top of a turtle neck and as a dress in summer.

Handmade Leather Jacket... by me!

the finished product!

My leather jacket is finally finished after months of pattern making, adjusting, cutting, sewing and finishing.

It’s been a great adventure. Leather is beautiful to work with… a nice change from the slippery slide sewing of silk or nylon. Leather stays put and doesn’t require the finer finishes of softer or sheer fabrics.

I used a combination of patterns for this design. Starting with inspiration from this Muubaa waterfall jacket mink. I then used McCall’s pattern M5937 to give me a basic shape. I incorporated a block pattern I’ve made previously to give me a close fitting sleeve and made many adjustments on the dummy to get the lines I wanted. It’s lined in a matching colour and facing was done in the same leather as the front.

Leather was sourced from NSW leather Co. and I needed about 5 skins to complete the jacket, costing about $120 AUD.

I think I’d change the collar if I re-made it, but for the moment I’m content with wearing it the way that it’s turned out.

Ox

jacket in detail