The Secret Squirrel series is a year-long sewing journey created by An from Straight-grain and Suz from sewpony. Read all about it here.
Now about three weeks ago, I get a email from Jenya of While she was sleeping in my mailbox asking me if I would like to be the next in line for the Secret Squirrel Mission. I would like to say I jumped with joy, but to tell you the truth I panicked a bit. I mean have you seen Jenya’s creations, and for that matter any of the other Secret Squirrel-ers? Could she really be asking me??? Jenya wrote to me to tell me it was my choice, and it was “no pressure.”
Well. Not exactly a no pressure situation here! But how could I refuse? 🙂 I have enjoyed looking at all the Secret Squirrel creations, and while I have not participated before I have been a happy lurker on the flickr group. But this was my chance, and finally when I said yes, I was super excited. And now three weeks later, here I am bringing you my little creation. I hope you’ll tell me what you think about it….
When Secret Squirrel contacted me via Jenya from While she was sleeping she gave me these five acorns of inspiration….
St. Basil’s Cathedral. Snowflake. Buttons. Harry Connick Jr. A long time ago.
Not the easiest of acorns I could tell. And I needed a bit of research to figure out what to do with them together, and here is whatI have:
Now more about how I incorporated the acorns. I started with A long time ago, and decided that it is the same as “long years ago.” Which leads me to a small lesson in Indian history. 🙂 “Long years ago” are the opening words of the speech made by India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru when India won its freedom from the British Rule. This was in 1947, and at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947, Nehru delivered a speech beginning with these words. To most of us Indians, the words “long years ago” will remind us of that speech, and when I was doing a bit of research for this sew along, I found out that in fact this is one of the most famous speeches of 20th century! (You can read more about this here).
So, this then lead me me to what Nehru was wearing, and to generally the question of what constitutes the Indian dress. Well can you guess what he was wearing? Something which is now (in India at least) commonly known as the Nehru Shirt (and Jacket), which has a banded collar also known as Nehru collar. Something not so different from this:
And that’s how I used the acorn, A long time ago.
And if you follow the links you can tell that a Nehru shirt (or jacket) needs a front opening or placket with buttons. And this is how I got to my second acorn: buttons.
To give the shirt a more tailored look I also added a placket to the sleeves. It required a bit of fiddling but I am glad I managed it with a bit of help from my ever useful friend, the seam ripper. 🙂
Now onto the skirt. When I saw photos of St Basil’s Cathedral and read about it, I was really excited. It looks gorgeous (and I would love to visit it one day), but for now I had to focus on how to make something that would serve as an ode to the marvelous set of buildings. And so the tiered skirt, to remind me of the blue and white dome.
Initially I thought I wanted to make a balloon skirt with vertical alternate panels of the same blue and cream fabrics, but when I asked N what she thought she told me that she wanted to go “round and round” in it. That settled the design: a tiered skirt with alternate panels of blue and cream with some twirl factor, and a simple waist with encased elastic. One more acorn, St. Basil’s Cathedral down!
She loves it!
I almost stopped after this. After all I had the requisite number of acorns in my dress (3 of 5), and the outfit has enough colour, pattern and details for me! Besides I thought that the fabric pattern was vaguely like a snowflake, and that I didn’t need to make the whole thing busier.
But I was also itching to do a little hand sewing.
The reason for this really was because N had by this time gotten really interested in what I was doing and wanted to know what a snowflake was (having never seen one). She asked if falls from the “sky like rain and sit on roofs.” And so I decided to embroider it in the bottom corner of the shirt, to give the feeling of this little snowflake settling on the dome of St. Basil’s Cathedral.
So this is my outfit for N. Finally I was able to use four out of five acorn (dropping out Harry Connick Jr. out).
A word now about fabric and what patterns I used. The fabric first: I brought it all locally, it’s thin-ish cotton and not really appropriate for this weather unless seriously layered. The buttons which I love, and these were the last ones I had wooden ones from Bangalore. I think they go quite nicely with the fabric. 🙂
The pattern for the shirt comes from here. I made it in size 110cms and I am glad it is super roomy with a nice length. She can wear a zillion layers underneath it for the next two months and then it’s perfect for summer. All in all I love all the patterns in this Japanese pattern book because the instructions and diagrams are great and things come together pretty quickly. I self drafted the skirt, but it’s really very simple with strips of cloth with increasing length sewn up together. Because of the fabric’s thinness I did a hem facing which I think gives it some weight. The pattern for snowflake is really simple (mostly just backstitch) and comes from this Japanese book.
So that’s that. To tell you the truth, I rarely make any matching outfits for N, and while I am sure both pieces will get plenty of wear individually I don’t know how much this will get worn together. In my mind it’s a little too much bling and a tad busy. But for now, N loves it. The bling, the (semi) twirl skirt and everything else.
Thanks Jenya for the super inspirational icons. They were challenging but I had fun sewing with them. And now the Secret Squirrel is ready to leave and continue its journey in the New Year. Will you like her to visit you?
She has five new acorns with her, for those who are willing to make something. Here they are:
colour pencils. a long journey. pomogranates. stripes. paisley.
If you would like and join Secret Squirrel on his journey, leave a comment on this post and check your inbox in a week’s time by January 15th… you may be the chosen one to pass on the baton of creativity that is SECRET SQUIRREL!!!
And of course, if you (sadly) don’t receive a message from Secret squirrel, you can still sew along and post your photos here. There are some amazing prizes to be won. Just a little word of caution: please do not post your creations until March 2nd. The next Secret Squirrel stop will be revealed on February March 1st!! (Oops! The Secret Squirrel got a bit too carried away in New Year festivities and so we are taking a break in February. Which means you have a little longer to sew this time 🙂
So good luck, and happy new year!
Asmita
That is a beautiful outfit. I saw the start of this series but hadn’t really followed the path until your blog popped up in my reading list. you’ve done a great job incorporating (almost) everything and still made an outfit that is uniquely your style. Well done (and I would have been a bit terrified as well)
thank you! It was fun to make as well as a lttle bit terrifying. In the nend I am glad I didn’t give up on myself:-)
Well done Asmita! It’s a beautiful outfit and those two beautiful fabrics go very well together. I’m sure N will enjoy the skirt and shirt, both as an outfit and separately.
Thank you Marisa! She is enjoying it and wearing it lots in Pune where it is much warmer:-)
Oh I have been itching to see your creation 🙂 It is gorgeous! I was wondering if you would use an Oliver+ S pattern 😉 Both the shirt and the skirt are beautiful. The shirt has a lot of lovely details! I agree – the skirt represents St Basil’s really well. I am glad N loves her new outfit – whether she wears both items together or separately, they look wonderful and suit her beautifully 🙂
After reading your post I realised that my half-Russian daughter has never seen snow either! haha
Oh I am so glad you think so about St. Basil’s Cathedral, because I am sure that acorn was close to your heart. And glad I could surprise you with a non O+S outfit 🙂
I’ll admit, this months had me stumped, but you incorporated them so beautifully in a well functioning outfit!!! I love it and it looks so comfortable too! I’ve enjoyed seeing your creations pop up around blog land. It’s always fun to see how people in other countries share their love of sewing. I have some fabric that my husband brought home from India and I’m thinking I might have to make a shirt like this one…it would “mean” a little more with the history behind yours.
I had to laugh about your daughter’s comment about the snow…my daughter didn’t see snow until she was almost 4 and then when she did she asked if it was ice cream.
I would love if secret squirrel would come to my neck of the woods for a visit. (www.daisy-chaincreations.blogspot.com and my other adventure http://www.sewingforthetweenscene.blogspot.com)
Oh thank you Sally for your comment. And I am looking forward to visiting your blog when I have better internet connection 🙂
Wow – lovely sewing Asmita! I haven’t visited your blog before, but I’m very impressed, you have done a great job with these acorns 🙂
Thank you Renee!
Gorgeous Asmita!! Thank you for playing along. Your daughter is beautiful too:))
Thank you Suz! And I am super admirer of your blog 🙂 This was really a lot of fun.
I love that outfit! Especially the gold in the fabric and those wood buttons 🙂 I would love for Secret Squirrel to visit at FriendsStitchedTogether.Wordpress.com!
Amy
Thank you!
That fabric is gorgeous. I love the Nehru collar- and the tiered skirt looks like the cathedral!
Beauitfully done. It also makes me wish for warmer weather here:)
~Michelle
Oh I am so glad to her that you think the tiered skirt looks like a cathedral. I am also wishing for warmer weather so that the skirt gets more wear:-)
Such a lovely ensemble! I really love the fabric and the story you incorporated into your project.
Thank you Meloney!
Beautiful! The fabrics work so well together (and that hint of snowflake…) These acorns had me stomped any ideas (not that I had time to sew up)…these next ones look like they’ll make things interesting though too!
Thank you Julie. I am glad to hear that the fabrics work well together. I had a little bit of doubt about that–too busy for me–but my daughter loves it, and that works, right?
That’s really beautiful! I love the way it turned out 🙂 The cream and gold fabric is particularly stunning. I’ve been itching to embroider lately, too – it adds the perfect touch to pretty much everything.
I think I’d have fun sewing Secret Squirrel! I blog at gabisunshine.wordpress.com
Thank you Jenny! Yeah, embroidery can always had that nice little touch. I too should remember that 🙂
You certainly did a great job! Love the details and the subtle way you incorporated almost each acorn!
The squirrel is very welcome at our tiny Dutch island, it’s the quiet winter season over here, so a world traveling visitor would be a welcome distraction!
Thank you Nienke for your comment. I am happy to discover your blog too, with lovely sewing and beautiful pictures of your children. 🙂
Great job, Asmita! I really love your fabric choice and heritage sewing. That Nehru shirt is perfect! I tried sewing along this month and ended up with totally different outfit (not blogged yet, coming soon!) 🙂 I’m so ready to welcome Secret Squirrel to my home!
Thanks Shino. I have visited your blog before so its nice to “hear” from you. And I have been wanting to make those teeny tiny houses on your blog too…
I’m new to your blog, and so glad I found it! You’ve done a lovely job incorporating the acorns and the outfit suits your adorable daughter to a T. The fabrics are beautiful. I love the gold ‘snowflakes’.
I’d be thrilled if the secret squirrel visited me!
amaskellantics.com
Thank you Anne! I really appreciate your comment.
What a beautiful creation! I will take a look around your blog now. It’s the first Indian one that I know about and I’m excited to see if what you sew and wear is similar what I, Germans or Europeans in general sew.
I also like the acorns that you chose and would L.O.V.E. to be the next host for the secret squirrel. You can find my blog at http://naeh-connection.blogspot.de/
Thank you Annika for your sweet comment. And through your comment I discovered your lovely blog too. 🙂 Very lovely sewing, I’ll be visiting again.
Gorgeous! Though I cannot imagine never having seen a snowflake with all the snow we have currently in Michigan. I would love to host the squirrel at A Jennuine Life.
Thanks Jenn for your lovely comment. Yeah, with all the snow I am sure you can’t imagine a “no-show” situation. 🙂
Impressive combination of elements, I enjoyed reading about what you chose and why. Always up for a challenge, please send secret squirrel my way. http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/
Thanks Joy for your comment.
That’s such a gorgeous outfit! You are so clever to cooperate all those acorns together. I love your choice of fabrics so much and the embroideries are very lovely.
Glad to found your blog which is full of wonderful creations. Your blog is the first Indian blog and also being one of the small number of Asian sewing blog I’ve found. I’m Thai and if secret squirrel is interested to go across the Indian ocean to Bangkok, he is more than welcome here!
Thanks Penya for your comment. Through your comment I got introduced to your blog too and I loved visiting.
Hi Asmita!
(I’ve tried to leave comment before but I don’t know why i couln’t save it.)
What a great outfit this is! I love the gold details on the fabric! But the shirt or the skirt will look great worn seperatly too. As you, I prefer to mix homemade clothes with basic store bought basics.
Or acorns are really inspirational! I will try to find time to sew something with them in mind…
Thank you for your lovely comment Marta. And I am sorry (oops sorry for the earlier mistake) you tried many times before to leave a comment and couldn’t. 😦 yeah currently the shirt is getting a lot of wear around here. For the skirt i think we wait a bit longer till it gets warmer….very soon!
I can’t wait to see what the next creative mind comes up with! I love what you have done 🙂
Thank you Michelle, and neither can I.
[…] has come up with a gorgeous report, though – make sure to check it out here. As you’ll notice, Suz’s and my hopes that Secret Squirrel would become a truly […]