Niagara

Niagara is one of my all time favourite Marilyn Monroe dramas. Quick Synopsis: Mr and Mrs Cutler take a trip to Niagara Falls for a long overdue honeymoon.  When they arrive at the cabin where they are staying, they become acquainted with another couple, George and Rose Loomis.  Cue the drama. George is jealous and depressed, having recently been discharged from an army hospital. Rose, played by MM, is a beautiful young woman who does not love her unstable husband.  She is in fact planning to murder him at the falls with her lover Ted.  The poor Cutlers get mixed in with the darkness and drama. All of this set to the backdrop of one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Technicolour!

The first time I saw this film as a girl, I fell in love with the costumes.  There are no spangled gowns, just beautifully tailored suits and sportswear. I love 1950's sportswear, the cuts and how the jackets nip in at the waist.  So I have decided that my new project is the gorgeous blue suit she wears at the beginning of the film. I love the tailoring of the classic 50s style suit and when Welder Boyfriend suggested that I make something that I could wear to work and for play, this was the first thing that came to mind. 

Check out that nipped in waist, le sigh

Beautiful view!

Recent photograph of the blue suit. Debbie Reynolds auctioned off this and other costume pieces worn by MM from her private collection.



Now, I have never made a tailored suit jacket like this before.  I have to admit that this project was one of the last ones on my list, because I was feeling a little intimidated by the whole process.  But I found an excellent online class on Craftsy.com,  Sew Retro The Starlet Suit Jacket which is taught by Gretchen Hirsch (who I think is the bee's knees x20).  I am really excited to get this project on the go, and happy to have found such an excellent resource to learn jacket tailoring techniques.  My fabric is all pretreated and pressed and I am ready to start cutting the pattern pieces!

  Aqua blue crepe, perfect weight for a spring/summer suit.  Had some beautiful floral satin in my stash that I have been saving for a jacket lining. 

I will keep you up to date on my progress and learning, but now it is time to get back to stitchin'!

~Miss World