Challenge:
Find a dress on Mad Men that you love and create your own version.
Email to me:
- A photo of you wearing the garment
- A photo of the inspiration dress
- A link to your blog/ blog post of your dress that I can reference
- Your first name
- Email the above to Julia@juliabobbin.com – I will respond with a confirmation within two days that I have received your email.
Due By:
Send the above details to me by Friday, March 30 – that gives us about six weeks to create a masterpiece!
The Blog Post:
I will then post up everyone’s photos and blog links on Sunday, April 1st – That’s April Fool’s day, how appropriate.
Ok so it’s no surprise to anyone here that I like me a bit of ‘Mad Men’ time.
And when I say a bit, I mean a lot.
And when I say a lot, I mean more than is socially acceptable.
The main reason for this obsession/love? The clothes (though I do also enjoy watching the show for non-frock reasons).
My TV screen has a worn out mark on it from where I’ve constantly scratched at the screen, pining after the fashion delights. The thing that makes me feel less ‘freakish’ is that I know that in this wonderful sewing community I am not alone in my absurdity. Right? Thank God the actor’s addresses are not made public as I could imagine myself turning into a ‘hide-in-the-trees-with-goggles’ type stalker and apparently that’s illegal. Whatever.
I’ve recently made myself a few garments directly based on dresses worn by characters on this TV show. Remember my black and white gingham print Peggy dress?
I’ve also been influenced by the silhouettes of the clothes from that vintage and have incorporated them into my other garments such as my fantastic elastic skirt, and my galaxy dress. You can see my other ‘celebrity copy-cat’dresses here.
I’ve also recently finished another copy of a Mad Men dress, this blue and white number worn by the fabulous keeper of my heart; Joanie.
Oh isn’t it lovely? Bows and buttons and the never-fail combination of blue and white! Stay tuned for this dress folks, I’ll be posting it this weekend and I’m quite pleased with it too if I do say so myself.
Here’s a tasty little preview for you …
The point to this story is all this Mad Men dress copying got me thinking (I do that sometimes) and I had me a notion.
If I love the Mad Men dresses so much, surely other people do too. There are many trees surrounding these actor’s houses, surely I’m not the only potential stalker-in-a-tree-with-goggles person out there.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all got our creative hats on and created a Mad Men dress each?!!
Can you imagine the sensory delight of seeing a whole lot of Mad Men dresses recreated.?!!
Challenge accepted.
So I decided, let’s do this! Let’s buy yourself some goggles and .. no wait … let’s put out a challenge to the sewing community and see what wonderful mad men inspiration dresses we can come up with!
The challenge is to imitate a Mad Men garment of your choice by a certain date. You can of course make any changes to it that you like. Once you’ve made it, email me a picture of yourself wearing the garment and a picture of the inspiration dress. Send along a link to your blog post if you’ve done one and then I’ll create a page with everyone’s creations and links on it for us to all drool and get excited over.
Maybe you’ve already made a Mad Men dress and you want to send me those pictures instead! Please do!
Here’s a few Mad Men dress ideas to get you fired up and inspired.
Oh boy, I’m excited!
So who’s in?
I’m so excited to see what people come up with!! I reckon this could be a heck of a lot of fun! I can’t wait to see people un-leash their inner Joan/Peggy/Betty/other gorgeous character on the show.
I'll be creating a blog badge for those of you who want to show on your blog that you’re taking part, which I'll be posting up on the weekend.
UPDATE:
I have a shiny new blog button for this challenge. If you want to show your readers that you are taking part in this challenge, just add a HTML widget in your layout and copy the text in the grab box below.
UPDATE:
I have a shiny new blog button for this challenge. If you want to show your readers that you are taking part in this challenge, just add a HTML widget in your layout and copy the text in the grab box below.
These dresses are going to be delicious; how fun! Stay tuned for my Joan imitation dress which I’ll be posting this weekend.
Until then, happy sewing!
Count me in! I just signed up for the Craftsy Couture dress course and am making the flared skirt version of S8648 in a lace material like Betty is wearing in the top photo. So this will be a great reason to get stuck in and finish the course and dress!
ReplyDeleteOh it sounds FABULOUS! I can't wait to see it, I'm so excited!
DeleteOh oh OHHHHH. This is the most amazing challenge ever! YES I would like to do this but it's rather daunting as the dresses are just so chic and awesome. I'll put my tentative hat in the ring now though Julia - you are inspired! I'll have to have a good root through my vintage patterns to come up with something. What a fabulous excuse to look at pics of the Mad Men women all day. And yes, I'm to the right of your tree with my binoculars - just under Joanie's window and to the right of Peggy's... hehehe
ReplyDeleteHa! That's awesome Joanne, I'm so glad to find another kindred spirit with the binoculars! And you're right, it's just another excuse to look at luscious mad men creations all day ")
DeleteI hope you do submit a dress; it'll be fun no matter what the outcome and I'm sure it'll look mad-men fabulous! x
whooof... Julia. That's quite a challenge. I'm in! Fingers crossed I can actually pull it off in time amongst all the other projects I have started but yet to finish....
ReplyDeleteYay yay! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
DeleteI may have to start a blog just so I can do this and so you have somewhere to link back to! Although it would be a massive challenge as I have only even sewn a few things for myself. Nothing like jumping in the deep end though.
ReplyDeleteMelita that'd be awesome! I'm all about jumping in the deep end too, it forces us to learn something new. I'm looking forward to following you and your blog!
DeleteYes!! I'm off to hunt for dress inspiration right now.
ReplyDeleteDelicious! You're going to look fantastic, I can feel it in my bones!
DeleteTotally in!
ReplyDeleteYay yay!
DeleteI am SO SO IN! with a gazillion exclamations and capitals! Yipppeee!!
ReplyDeleteMiss Molly Katherine, this challenge has your name all over it! Your creation is going to be amazing I just know it!
DeleteI am so looking forward to seeing the creations. Ooo am so excited. This is outside my experience but I will be checking in to see them all. This so exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! I can't wait to see all the creations also!
DeleteOh how I wish I had time!!! Darn weddings etc taking up all my sewing time :) Can't wait to see all the entries though!
ReplyDeleteZoe we've talked about this. Sewing is more important than weddings!
Delete:)
this is the best sewing idea ever! i may just alter my list of sewing projects to join in...
ReplyDeleteI hope you do! x
DeleteYYYEEESSSSS!!!!! This is the most exciting sewing challenge ever, I love it! Now for the hard bit - choosing which dress to make! Would it be OK if I did a little feature on my blog about your challenge? I know for a fact more than a few of my readers will be desperate to participate! Oh yes, I can't WAIT to see that blue and white Joan dress....! x
ReplyDeleteThank you Jane I would love it if you did a feature! I'm so excited to see everyone's dresses, it's going to be heaps of fun! X
DeleteYES AMAZING IDEA! Count me in!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
DeleteGood idea! I'm going to have a look around and see if I can find a dress I think I can make, but I may very well participate in this! Can't wait to see your blue and white Joanie creation....
ReplyDeleteThanks Roison! I hope you can participate, but at least either way you'll still get to see all the other amazing dresses!
DeleteThanks for your comment :)
Oh my god, I'm so in! This is fantastic, Julia, what an excellent idea! I love this! No quick, to the internets, to find inspiration! I think I might go nuts and emulate Trudy. Trudy doesn't get enough love, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeletestrugglesewsastraightseam.wordpress.com
Yay! So glad you're in!
DeleteAnd Leah I am TOTALLY with you on Trudy; she does look amazing all the time too! I think there are just so many wonderful outfits to chose from. Love it!
Count me in! This is so exciting, but it will be so hard to choose a dress. You're a genius, Julia!
ReplyDeleteThanks Courtney! I know what you mean; how to choose? Might have to make more than one!
DeleteCount me in!!! So cool ^___^
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited to start my dress :)
Yay! Can't wait to see it. Thanks Alice :)
DeleteI've been meaning to whip up a dress. Let's see if I can complete it in time...
ReplyDeleteI hope so Christina! x
DeleteI'm definitely in, Julia. :)
ReplyDeleteJanice that's awesome!
DeleteTHIS IS INCREDIBLE! Fantastic idea! It's going to be so fun! I'm already busy burying myself in options to choose from!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! Looking forward to seeing your creation! Good luck with deciding! x
DeleteDefinately - I need a reason to make something for me as i'm making loads of stuff for other people at the moment. Ideas brewing already!
ReplyDeleteI can feel your ideas brewing from over here!
DeleteGlad you are making something for your self Claire. Us ladies have to take time to treat ourselves too! Mind you I don't have too much trouble with that, I am a bit of a selfish seamstress :)
I want to do it, but do I need to have an inspiration photo? I have an idea for a dress, but it's just what I would imagine to be on the show, I haven't actually seen it.
ReplyDeleteNo worries at all if you don't have an inspiration piece. Looking forward to seeing your own design!
DeleteOh, this sounds like fun! I am new to the sewing blogsphere so this will be my initiation :)
ReplyDeleteI love the blue shirtdress Joan is wearing in the next to the last photo. Where did you find the link?
Thanks, Julia!
Katrina
www.SusieHomemakerMD.com
Hi Katrina so glad you're going to be taking part!
DeleteI too love the blue dress Joan is wearing. Let's be honest I love all the dresses she wears!
I can't remember where I found the pic - I just google image searched Mad Men dresses and copied a whole lot of photos from there.
Try searching in google images 'Joan Mad Men dress blue'
Good luck!
Sounds exciting xx
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited! x
DeleteHeh, sounds like fun! I'll have to see if I can fit it into my March sewing schedule! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alessa, it's hard isn't it! I already have about ten items on my 'to-sew' list and it doesn't seem to be getting any smaller.
DeleteHope you make it!
I'm in! Off to work on catching up on the show again...looking for inspiration is an excellent excuse.
ReplyDeleteYou can never have too much inspiration!
DeleteI'd be up for this. The Sew Weekly is dong a Mad Men week as well (due March 19th). I to am a huge fan of Joanie (who ever dresses her, does an awesome job dressing curves!).
ReplyDeleteReally? I must go and check it out! Thanks for the heads up and good luck with your dress!
DeleteOh how exciting! I just got seasons 3 and 4 out of the library and am planning a marathon session this weekend, so i'll be sure to take plenty of notes at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOh wow well you'll certainly have lots of inspiration then! Good luck with all the viewing. Make sure you watch something cheery afterwards; I've watched MM episodes one after the other and they can get you down a little! But they're awesome. x
DeleteI would love to do this if I can find the time. But if I can't, here's a tip for those participating. Find Tom & Lorenzo's "Mad Style" feature and you will find inspiration galore.
ReplyDeleteWow great tip thanks so much!
DeleteI would love to join in as well.... Will have to see if I can find a style that will suit a slightly larger more mature figure.....:)
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and sewing creations.... Often here but don't comment...:) via Tessuti of course....:)
Off to have a look at some Mad Men images.....
Thanks for a great idea and the opportunity to share....
Lou xx ( no sewing blog as yet... But thinking about it....:) ...
Hi Lou and thanks for reading!
DeleteI hope you do make a dress I'm sure it'll be fabulous.
Thank you so much for your kind comments and let us know if you start a blog so I can follow you!
Love your blog! Can we still enter if we don't have our own blog?
ReplyDeleteOh of course the more the merrier! It's open to everyone! Thanks for your kind comments too xx
DeleteI would LOVE to participate, wannted to make a mad men dress for some time now!! up to the fabric store!! so excited!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! Good luck in the fabric store!
DeleteYour challenge is pushing me to start a blog myself , thanks, I guess that's exactly what I needed to make the big jump. Now I have to look at tons of photos of Mad Men's fashion, doesn't sound so bad. I am very excited to see what everyone's going to sew...
ReplyDeletePauline that's brilliant! I remember it took me ages to start a blog it all seemed like such a big job. Once you get started however it gets easier and faster and it's a great way to chronicle all your creations. I love the fact that I can look back in ten years time and see how I documented an old dress and have all the alterations recorded.
DeleteGood luck with your dress too!
J'adore la série TV Mad men! Les robes des personnages sont superbes!
ReplyDeleteJe ne vais pas en coudre une tout de suite mais j'aimerais bien!
Have a good evening!
I'm already participating in another sew along but this is just too awesome to pass up! I'm so in!
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant Rochelle. Glad you're on board!
DeleteI'm in :D. I have a huge collection of vintage patterns that I've been hoarding for 10 years. I think it's time to break out and get sewing :D.
ReplyDeleteOh yes you must! Can't wait to see what you come up with and what your inspiration piece is!
DeleteFound a fabulous Mad Men Dress....yep there are a few in there for those of us without the perfect figure..... :) Found a great pattern to adapt ..... And found the perfect fabric...:) just have to wait for it all to arrive now and start....:) so yep... Guess I am IN :) Will just have tom work on a blog now.....:)
ReplyDeleteLou x
PS really looking forward to seeing your blue dress and dying to see what you do for this challenge..... :)
Also thought you could spread the news about the challenge on Burdastyle when you load your blue dress on...... Just a thought.... :)
Fantastic work Lou I'm so excited you've got your dress worked out, you'll definitely have to do a blog now!
DeleteI can't wait to show my new dress and your right, it'd be a great way to show the challenge on BurdaStyle. Thanks so much for the suggestion and good luck with the sewing!
Oh yes yes yes... I will try to get it done in time (will need to move some other sewing plans around)! Such a great idea! A Joan dress for me...
ReplyDeleteMikhaela you are going to rock in a Joan dress! I hope you can participate and I'm excited to see what you come up! x
DeleteI think I may already have an outfit idea.
ReplyDeleteOne question: The Sew Weekly is doing a Mad Men theme week starting March 18 (The next season premier is on the 25th in the US). Could we participate in both? I was already planning on doing the Sew Weekly theme but this sounds fun, too, and I doubt I can finish two different dresses/outfits by then.
Dixie you're all over it! Brilliant!
DeleteYes one of the other bloggers just commented about the Sew Weekly challenge which I need to go and check out! Of course you can participate in both! It's all just a bit of fun and drooling so there are no rules.
Go for it! Can't wait to see your frock!
I'm also insanely jealous that Australia doesn't get the TV seasons as early as the U.S.!
Okay - I'm in and I've never even watched mad Men but I have always liked the look of the clothes! I'll put a button on my blog too. Now I better get looking.... LOVE that black and white gingham number you have made.
ReplyDeleteHa! Miriam that's brilliant! You certainly do not need to watch Mad Men to appreciate the wonderful fashion of that time.
DeleteThanks for putting the button on your blog and for your kind comments on the black and white gingham dress!
Good luck with your Mad Men dress!
o I think im in , just to find dress and im in :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
DeleteOh I've got quite a bit on but I can't blinking resist :) I'm in will have a little research and then add the blog button. I can't wait to see everyone's knockout numbers :)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Glad you're taking part! I don't know how I'm going to hold out until April 1st :)
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea! I also like "Mad Men". May I take part in your great project? (Sorry for my very-very bad English. It's not my native language. But I hope you would understand me).
ReplyDeleteMay people from another country take part?
Of course! Everyone from everywhere is welcome :)
DeleteThanks! So I'm in! (I even create a new google account, as you can see)
DeleteBrilliant idea. I'm very much up for joining a challenge and this one sound right up my alley. Need some inspiration now.............and I need to catch up on the last season.
ReplyDeleteSo exited!!!
Well you will find inspiration galore in the last season. I can't wait for the next season to come out!
DeleteI'm in! I'm in! how exciting.... this is the challenge of my dreams! I can't wsit to get this 50 something body into a Joan Holloway dress!
ReplyDeleteLynneb you are going to be a knock out!
DeleteSo excited you've come up with this idea! Can't wait to get started...though, that will require deciding on an inspiration dress with SO many to choose from!
ReplyDeleteI know! My ears start smoking I just can't decide what I'm going to do yet, and I set the challenge!
DeleteGood luck with your outfit x
I've not watched Mad Men but I love the 60s fashion featured in the show, especially Betty's style. =D I would love to join if possible!
ReplyDeleteOh I love everything Betty wears as well. None of the characters put a foot wrong. I hope you do join in!
DeleteI found you via Burdastyle. I love this idea. I'm definitely in. I've had a couple of pictures from Mad Men saved in my sewing folder for ages.
ReplyDeleteYay and welcome! Well now is the time to get those projects out of the folder!
DeleteP.s. I love the idea of a sewing folder for cataloguing ideas. I might have to give that a try myself :)
Ooh awesome! I'm going to attempt to join this too...I have some fabric begging to be made up into SOMETHING vintage. I just needed a nudge!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to be part of the nudging! I love nudging in general. Can't wait to see what you come up with!
DeleteI'm definitely in! I have lots of ideas, I'm excited to see what I end up making! (:
ReplyDeleteAllie your smiley face at the end of your comment through me - it's facing the other way. Brilliant! (No I have not yet finished my morning coffee).
DeleteSo glad you're in and I'm super keen to see what you come up with?
I'm (tentatively) in! I have already way too much on my plate the coming weeks, but I can't resist - I'm obsessed with Mad Men fashion!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard isn't it! But just think of how lovely the dress is going to look. You can't go wrong with the fashion of that time. Thanks for reading Marie-Claude.
DeleteI'm in (newish follower here) Loove everything on the show!. And I may be in way over my head, but it will be fun to try!
ReplyDeleteyay and welcome! I hope you do give it a go; it's not a competition so there's no pressure!
Deletexx
Fabulous idea! Now how on earth am I going to narrow down my choices to one outfit?!
ReplyDeleteHa! Good luck! x
DeleteI'm in for sure!! Can't wait to start looking for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Kika! Can't wait to see your finished dress!
DeleteI found you via A Sewing Odyssey and wow I love this sewing challenge idea! I've acquired a lot of vintage patterns lately and I can't wait to do this! Thanks for such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love a good vintage fabric stash, I'm more than a bit jealous! Thank you and welcome, I'm so glad you're joining in!
DeleteOh yeah! I'm IN. I need a LBD for my Wardrobe Basics Sewalong, so I think this will suit two purposes! Now to watch a few more episodes and find a style to suit!
ReplyDeleteDelicious combination! Let's do this!
DeleteGreat, i've just borrowed the first 3 season's of the series to catch up and get inspired, I'm in!!
ReplyDeleteOh I've been there that's for sure. I've lost myself in the world of Mad Men episodes. Have fun and goodluck!
Deletehttp://mylife.luxperdiem.com/2012/02/mad-men-challenge.html
ReplyDeleteHere's my plan!
Yay! Love it!
DeleteI've been catching up on Mad Men while hand sewing for the last two weeks and have seen sooo many dress I want to make. I'm in!!!
ReplyDeleteI know it's so hard! How can we possibly choose?!! Good luck Jennifer and thanks for joining in!
DeleteI just 'found' your blog via 3 hours past, love the idea of this challenge, I feel some serious TV watching coming on!!(for inspiration obviously) X
ReplyDeleteOh welcome paperdoll! (Great name by the way)
DeleteGood luck with your dress :)
Representing the pregnant mamas, I'm in!
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for representing Ms Max!
DeleteI'm a bit concerned that I don't have the curves for it... but I'll give it a go :-)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle you will look lovely! Can't wait to see it!
DeleteThe lovely M1khaela brought this to my attention when she posted it over on WeSewRetro (here: http://wesewretro.com/2012/02/mad-men-challenge-joan-bow-dress-plans/). I'm not going to have time to join but rest assured I will be following you all with rapt attention! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Katherine! I saw her post too and I'm so excited to see her end result. Even if you don't make a dress it's still fun to check out what everyone makes! xx
DeleteI have no idea how I'll pull this off, but I went through my patterns last night, and I have three candidates. One matches a Joan dress almost perfectly. I'm going to do my best next month to make the time! What a fun idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are Amy! As you're probably aware I'm quite partial to any of Joan's dresses so I'll be sitting here impatiently waiting to see yours!
DeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteFantastico!
DeleteI am late to the party but would love to do this. I want to copy Megan's white dress with (appears to be) painted flowers from the Tomorrowland episode but I can't find a photo! Argh.
ReplyDeleteHi Camille, so glad you're joining us! Have you tried the Tom & Lorenzo website? They have photos of all the fashion from each Mad Men episode!
DeleteAfter much thought and consideration... I AM IN!!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to join this challenge from the start, but as a beginner, my sewing skills are limited and all the dresses on Mad Men that I wanted to make looked like they were not achievable for me. After much research I have found a dress that I think I will be able to imitate... I am so excited!!! I have added your challenge button on my blog, its my first online sewing challenge!!! Yayayayya! I can't wait to get started!!!!
Wohooo!! How exciting, and your first challenge too! Can't wait to see what you come up with! x
DeleteI'm in!
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
DeleteThe badge is in place, and my dress is nearly done. I hope to blog about it pretty soon, and hopefully I'll make another one by the end of March. Great challange!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear it! And thank you!
DeleteIf it's not too late I'd like to join in : ) I actually have several projects on the table so I may be able to finish one or two!
ReplyDeleteOh Loran it's never too late! Glad you're joining in!
DeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you for organizing this! My dress is already in progress - so it my new sewing blog =) Hope it's not too late to join!
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I'm in! I might end up taking a while to do it as I'm moving countries in the next few months and doing quite a bit of travelling.... but i don't want to wait for next years!
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I've never participated in one of these challenges, but I'm in! This should be fun!
ReplyDeleteJust finished my dress. I hope it gets in on time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for organizing this! I have to look at tons of photos of Mad Men's fashion, doesn't sound so bad. I am very excited to see what everyone's going to sew...
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What is "Mad Men"? Is it tv?
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