I (heart) Marcel Marlier: sewpony & straightgrain

September 25, 2014


I am very excited today to show you my creations as part of our newly announced sewing series - I (heart) Marcel Marlier. 


I am opening the series today along with the very talented An from StraightGrain. You can read the introduction to the series here.  Put simply, it is a series inspired by the beautiful illustrations of the late Marcel Marlier.  I poured over Marlier's illustrations before settling on two dresses to inspire a dress each for my eldest daughters, Isabella and Juliette.  The yellow dress on the left and the blue striped dress in the picture on the right.

             
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It was a lovely sunny morning, so Isabella and Juliette decided to go for a ride on their tricycle.


Isabella rode in front, while Juliette rode in the back.


They cycled up the road outside their house past the empty paddock and the sheds.  They were excited to pass the house next door to visit their neighbours...


Isabella loved animals and the goats always came up to the fence when she came to say hello.  
They ate grass from her hand.


Juliette came to see too.


But she preferred to stay by the bike.  She liked its shiny red paint. 
And she especially liked how it matched her shoes.


Isabella said goodbye to the goat as it went back to its herd.


Since Isabella's dress was reversible, she decided to change it up and turned her dress inside out.  Then the girls road on to collect the mail from the letter box and headed back to their house.


Juliette picked forget me nots...



While Isabella paused to smell the daisies.
The girls ended their pleasant adventure by reading some of their favourite books together. 
They were written in Dutch (sent by a special friend who lived far away), 
but the sisters didn't mind that hey did not understand the words. 
They loved to make up their own stories by looking at the lovely pictures.
Just as Isabella and Juliette finished their stories they heard their mum call them in for dinner, so the tricycle was put away for another day.


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So now onto the dresses!!


Garment Details:

Isabella's dress: I drafted this dress myself. It is fully reversible and features flutter sleeves, a bias bound neckline with tie at the back and elasticised waist.  The yellow side features two rows of white eyelet lace trim.  The yellow fabric is 'citrus' cotton couture solid from Pink Chalk Fabrics. Lovely and soft! The daisy fabric is vintage purchased from a thrift shop. Isabella wears fucshia saltwater sandals.

  

Juliette's dress: Also self drafted. It features a diagonally split bodice, half collar, small capped sleeves, buttoned back, gathered skirt with origami pockets. The dress is made from my late Grandma Mary's tabecloth!! It is a lovely weight and seems to be a cotton/linen blend.  



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You may have read earlier today that An and I have an exciting giveaway to present to you, generously donated by Fat Quarter Shop and Pink Chalk Fabrics.  Simply enter the widget below to be in the running to win one of these lovely prizes!!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can enter many times throughout the series by visiting the blogs on our fabulous guest list...


And now I can't wait to see what An has made. She sent me this picture as a teaser.  Head over to StraightGrain to see!!


And please come back on Monday to see what Sara and Ines have made for I (heart) Marcel Marlier!!

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20 comments

  1. inesmeloSeptember 25, 2014 at 10:14 PM

    So pretty!!! Loved both your dresses. My first thought when you girls invited me was to make the yellow dress too, because it's on one of the two books I have since I was a kid. I'm glad I changed my mind because you're reversible version is amazing! xxx

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  2. SuzSeptember 25, 2014 at 10:28 PM

    Ooh thank you Ines!! I can't wait to see what you have made!!

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  3. JulieSeptember 25, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    Suz, I love the story you've included along with your photos! I wish I'd known these books when I was growing up.

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  4. Jenya @ While she was sleepingSeptember 25, 2014 at 11:12 PM

    Wonderful dresses Suz. Love Isabella's dress, so cute and girly! And I am absolutely in love with Juliette's dress. Love the lines, the collar, the pockets - the lot!

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  5. emilySeptember 25, 2014 at 11:57 PM

    These dresses are amazing! I would love for them to become patterns. That tricycle is amazing too!

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  6. Mie BrindleSeptember 26, 2014 at 5:00 AM

    Suz those two dresses are STUNNING. I so so SO love them both and that yellow color is basically perfect. Great job!

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  7. UnknownSeptember 26, 2014 at 7:18 AM

    Both dresses are so stunning, Suz! I love their vintage look, and the clear references to Tiny. Awesomeness.

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  8. Olga Becker @ Coffee+ThreadSeptember 26, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    Oh mine, cuteness overload! I love both dresses, so pretty! And that bike - I am so jealous of the bike. :)

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  9. EmilySeptember 26, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    Love these dresses! The eyelet trim is so fun and the blue annd white one is so sweet.

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  10. MartaSeptember 26, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    Gorgeous dresses, Suz!
    I loved the way to turned to photo shoot into a story. Great idea!
    And, you know what? I almost picked the yellow dress as my inspiration...

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  11. Esqui from SwitzerlandSeptember 26, 2014 at 3:40 PM

    What a lovely idea! Love these vintage dresses! What a great job... Martine's dresses reminds me my childhood.

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  12. Marleen (Petrol and Mint)September 26, 2014 at 5:19 PM

    I read these books every evening for my girls... what a beautiful dresses you made! Can't wait for you to turn them into patterns !!

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  13. Renee // nearest the pinSeptember 26, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    I (heart) your vintagey sewing cleverness Suz!! Can't wait so follow along and see what all your lovely guests will sew :)

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  14. rachelSeptember 27, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    Love these dresses, Suz! I'm partial to the yellow myself - it's simply brilliant. You nailed it! But both are incredibly sweet. I'm putting the finishing touches on mine. Can't wait to share! :)

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  15. RconnectionSeptember 29, 2014 at 7:15 PM

    No doubt your daughters could have been Martine's friends ;-)!!!
    Hope I'll manage to come to a result as goos as yours!!! :-)

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  16. RconnectionSeptember 29, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    No doubt your daughters could have been Martine's friends ;-)!!!
    Hope I'll manage to come to a result as good as yours!!! :-)

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  17. AnonymousOctober 7, 2014 at 7:58 AM

    Both dresses are such a beautiful tribute to Tiny books!
    Obviously, I'm biased by Juliette's dress - blue polka dots are a favorite combo :)

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  18. AnonymousOctober 7, 2014 at 7:58 AM

    Both dresses are such a beautiful tribute to Tiny books!
    Obviously, I'm biased by Juliette's dress - blue polka dots are a favorite combo :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnnelieseOctober 10, 2014 at 1:23 AM

    These dresses are perfection! Such a great interpretation of M.M.. I love the narrative of your girls' adventures.

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