The “Eek! A mouse!” top

The Theme
This week on the Sew Weekly, the theme was ‘All Pinned Up!’

“This week we draw inspiration from the pin-up, those glamorous (and idealized) illustrations and photographs of ladies who served as a morale builder in times of crisis (or boredom).”

The Facts

• Fabric: 0.8 metre remnant from Fabric-a-Brac, around 50c
• Pattern: Simplicity 2511
• Year: 1958
• Notions: 23cm invisible zip, ~$4
• Time to complete: 2 hours
• Will I wear it? Yes, after I add some extra length to it
• Total cost: ~$4.50

The Story
When I think ‘Pin Up’, I think of the art of Elvgren. I’ve always been fond of his work – lots of cute girls in cute outfits, being “accidently caught out” in various embarrassing situations. So it seemed only right to dig up a calendar of his work I had from a couple of years ago, and flick through it, looking for inspiration.

I was tossing up between two of his images: Spotty Performance (from 1962) and Class Dismissed (from 1969). I decided to go with Spotty Performance, simply because I’ve been planning on making a red skirt for ages.

Problem number one – turns out I don’t have any red fabric suitable for a pencil skirt. Hmmm. Ok, change of plans – same outfit, blue colour scheme instead.

Problem number two – turns out I didn’t have quite enough of this light blue fabric for a shirt. Ok, change of plans (again) – I’ll make up a top instead of a shirt.

Problem number three – I then completely ran out of time to make the skirt to go with it. The bright blue skirt is now languishing in my UFO-and-mending-pile, waiting for it’s chance one Mending Pile Monday. I’m sure it’s time in the sun will come soon.

Since what I ended up making wasn’t bearing any resemblance to the original outfit at all, I decided to imitate both inspiration images in the photos, instead.

Here’s the originals, followed by my imitations…..

Class Dismissed, 1969

"Eek! A mouse!"

Spotty Performance, 1962

"Oh no! Imaginary ink!"

I played around with Picnik to adjust the photos and make them a bit more ‘vintage-y’, by using tips in this wonderful tutorial from See Cate Create. Lots of fun! I see a whole new world of image manipulation opening up in front of me….. mmmmm…….