About Me

Thanks to everyone who clicked on this page!

Because it probably means that you're interested in this blog, instead of just copying a recipe or confirming that the pattern you're about to make is really that cute beneath the hideous fabric on the envelope (--but if you are, I empathize completely!)

This website is where I post all my latest cooking and sewing projects and usually related reflections, for a couple main reasons: so you can find new recipes and maybe get inspired to hit that sewing machine, and so I can archive my fabulous, couture creations (disclaimer: yes I did make them), and so we can mutually benefit from each other's creative spirit.


My name is Anelise Newman and I am one of those high school students who firmly believes (or hopes) that high school will not be the apex of my existence. Most of my time is spent doing boring things like studying and working, doing interesting things like writing and litigating (Mock Trial, don't get too excited), listening to music that was popular thirty years ago, joking with my family, hanging with friends, and, of course, baking and sewing. My amazing mom introduced me to food and fashion, not realizing that she had created a monster who would end up purchasing as much fabric as she does and baking more desserts than is healthy for the entire family. Some things that define me are: an inability to be idle, my love for 80s music, my crush on Mr. Darcy, my amazing family, my tendency to overachieve, and, of course, my related desire to make fancy things from scratch.


When it comes to cooking, I am something of a purist. I'm apt to engineer my own chocolate crust in order to avoid an Oreo, or find a way to fancy up a mud pie. When it comes to sewing, you can always find me working on something for evening, even if at the expense of my practical wardrobe. Let's face it: whether with a spectacular dessert or a stunning garment, it's fun to impress!

If you'd like to email me, you can reach me at anelisenewman@gmail.com. You can also follow me on social media and subscribe in the right sidebar!

And that's enough about me! Get back to baking and sewing!

8 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 9, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    hi :)

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  2. AnonymousMarch 27, 2014 at 8:40 PM

    Hi Anelise,
    I found my way here from patternreview, and I did bookmark your blog! I love sewing and I love cooking!! Thanks for writing!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 27, 2014 at 10:08 PM

      I'm so glad to hear you enjoy my blog! I hope you can enjoy some of my recipes or be inspired by my clothing!

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 2, 2014 at 5:18 AM

    Just wanted to say that you make beautiful things!

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  4. BunnyNovember 17, 2014 at 5:19 AM

    Is there a way to follow your blog other than bookmarking? I so want to follow your posts as you are an amazing young sewist.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 17, 2014 at 8:19 AM

      Hi Bunny! There's a subscription box in the sidebar where you can put in your email to receive updates whenever I publish, or you can follow me on Google Plus, which should also alert you to my posts. Does that answer your question?

      Delete
  5. UnknownAugust 14, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    hi! I was looking for a 1920s ball gown for my halloween costume. Do you have any good patterns or good ideas where to get them? You obviously have talent!

    thanks!
    Diana Montgomery

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    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 15, 2015 at 3:54 PM

      Hi Diana! This is so funny because guess what I was for Halloween last year...a flapper! Goodness, I could practically write a dissertation on where to find 20s patterns from spending so much time drooling over them online...here goes!

      If you're looking for something really authentic, it’s pretty hard to find actual vintage patterns from the 20s, but there are a lot of 20s-inspired patterns or modern recreations. Here are some online vendors that specialize in vintage patterns:

      EvaDress patterns has a lot of really beautiful pattern recreations from the 20s (and lots of other decades.) Here's a link to the 20s page: http://www.evadress.com/20s-01.html (Side note: I'm madly in love with this coat pattern http://www.evadress.com/6681.html )

      The Vintage Pattern Lending Library also offers faithful reproductions of vintage patterns, and they have a pretty good selection from the 20s. I bought a pattern from them once (through eBay, I think) and it came in great condition. https://vpll.3dcartstores.com/1920--1929_c_35.html

      Mrs. Depew Vintage patterns also has a lot of 1920s designs, though I'm pretty sure that she offers instructions for how to draft and sew simple 20s dresses, not the actual paper pattern: http://mrsdepew.com/blouse-and-dress-patterns/1920s/

      You can also get a 20s-inspired look using modern patterns! A lot of mainstream pattern companies (like Vogue, Butterick, etc) actually have a vintage/retro section where they sell current reprints of vintage patterns. Unfortunately, most of their designs are from the 50s and later :/ However, you might find some gems in there. For instance, Butterick is currently printing an EXQUISITE 1930s evening gown: http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7154-products-49880.php?page_id=5503

      Burdastyle also came out with a modern collection of 20-inspired designs available as PDFs: http://www.burdastyle.com/blog/the-roaring-twenties-8-new-patterns

      You can also mix-and-match normal patterns with 20s details. When I made my flapper Halloween costume, the dress I wore actually wasn't intended to be a costume--it was just a nice evening dress with 20s-inspired elements. I made it by combining a Simplicity shirt pattern with a really simple square skirt that I drafted myself. Here is a blog post about the dress: http://anelisemadeit.blogspot.com/2014/06/sunset-dress.html
      A square skirt is a good approximation of a 20s look because it mimics the undulating hemline of some of the vintage designs. Here's a tutorial of how to make one: http://anelisemadeit.blogspot.com/2014/06/diy-customized-square-skirt-tutorial-in.html
      Or I actually made a program where you put in your measurements and it makes a square skirt pattern for you! :D http://anelisemadeit.blogspot.com/2014/08/skirts-in-seconds-square-skirt-pattern.html

      Finally, my go-to option is to just browse Amazon, eBay, and Etsy for 1920s patterns. You never know what you'll find!

      I hope this helped! I'd love to see a picture of your finished costume!

      Delete

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