Sewing: Out of Africa for STYLO 03

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Because the latest issue of STYLO has been released!

I don't mean to exaggerate (though I probably am prone to it), but STYLO is so full of talent and inspiration: awesome patterns, yummy fabric, incredible styling and photography, not to mention cool kids! If you've seen it before I'm sure you share my enthusiasm. (Check out STYLO 01 and STYLO 02 for further proof)

I was thrilled to work again with the Editors in Chief, Celina from Petit a Petit and Family, and Jessica from The Sewing Rabbit. (You can read all about my sewing for STYLO 02 here.) They do amazing work to pull together each issue!

This time I had the assignment to sew inspired by one of my favorite books. I chose Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen. I remember being captivated by the movie version way back when (as was the entire fashion industry--remember the khaki skirts and safari jackets and crisp white blouses?) and had to read more about the Baroness and her circle of friends. West With the Night by Beryl Markham is another great perspective on the adventures and romances set against the African landscape. They tell stories of women who were redefining themselves. Women who could rough it on safari with the boys and still attract all eyes when they dressed for a society event.

I decided to dress my own little women in fabrics and designs inspired by the British ex-pats in Africa around the 1920s. Dresses for adventure and dresses for a party with colors of the rich African landscape.

Tess is wearing a dress sewn from my Angel Sleeve Dress pattern (an oldie but goodie) in stretch crinkle panne velvet in gold. Her boots are Cherokee Dalina from Target.

Scarlett is wearing a dress sewn from BurdaStyle Satin Tunic Pattern 12/2014 #144. The fabric is brown gold speckled peachskin from Fashion Fabrics Club with trim out of hammered polyester charmeuse in turquoise from Michael Levine. I decided to add a little headband made from stretch elastic. 

Audrey is wearing the sleeveless version of the Sophisticate Dress, a Wee Muses Sewing Pattern soon to be released (Ack! I was really aiming to have the release coincide, but....). I love this dress in the Cath Kidston Safari fabric. Audrey's jacket is BurdaStyle Pleated Coat pattern 04/2012 #143. I used Jo-Ann Sew Classics Microsuede in Olive Night. She is wearing Hunter Boots in Orange. 

All set for an adventure: rough or romantic.

Check out all the other amazing spreads in STYLO 03!