Please meet Chanel


Dear friends,

I would like to introduce you to my new best friend - Chanel. 

Chanel and I plan to do great things together, create masterpieces and works of art. 


How did Chanel come into my life?

I was very excited to see that Aldi was having a "sewing" week and selling all things sewing, including the mannequins. I had wanted a mannequin for ages but they were too pricy for me, until know. 

I rushed to Aldi 10 minutes before opening time, queued in line with my hot chocolate and trolley and at 8:30am rushed in to pick up Chanel (not that I had even thought of a name at that point).  Fortunately most people didn't want the mannequins,they were more excited by the Singer sewing machine and the Overlockers.  I carefully placed my mannequin in the trolley and took her to the cash register. I was willing and happy to adopt this new friend. 

As I quietly waited to pay  (recovering from racing to reach the sewing products) the lady behind me said she had a manniquin and uses it all the time. She said "you will need to give her a name, mine is called Estelle". I thought that was a lovely idea, if Miss Mannequin and I were going to work together, we needed to be on first name bases. 

 As I drove home I pondered possible names - but I decided on Chanel after Coco Chanel the dressmaker who became a famous brand. She started from humble roots and took the world by storm. I doubt I will be as good as her, but its worth trying!!

And on those quiet days when I am not sewing, I am sure that Chanel will be very happy to model some of my clothing such as this summer frock! Doesn't she look beautiful (and far more modest). 


Hey, this is fun, its like playing dress-ups with a human sized barbie doll (who has bigger hips, waist and bust!). I think I will go now and play a little more!!


****

Comments

  1. Dear Jo, what a wonderful thing to have a Mannequin, And what a lovely name for her.I always thought it would be fun to have one! As it is so hard to get things to fit just right!
    I look forward to seeing what you make and design!
    Blessings to you,,,,Roxy

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    1. Thanks Roxy. I was so pleased (and surprised) to see Aldi selling them so cheaply and within our budget. I used it last night and it made fitting a skirt much easier and quicker. No more running about in front of mirrors getting pinned!!

      Have a lovely day - off to do more sewing and today my husband is taking me out for lunch:))

      Blessings.

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  2. It does look like fun to dress her up! I hope she continues to be a help =)
    love,
    Bets

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    1. At least I knew I had the settings correct when I tried on a skirt that was a little tight on her (as it is on me!!). She will be an encouragement to make my clothes rather than buy them!!!

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  3. Before we moved from NSW, I was given a mannequin, but sadly she is still packaged up, waiting until I can access her when the garage is finished being renovated. So I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I'm sure it will make sewing MUCH easier!
    Aldi is great, I love their themes and have bought many lovely and useful things there - I haven't been there in a long time (holding tighter on my purse lately)!

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    1. I used Chanel for pinning my new red skirt yesterday and sewed without trying it on and to my surprise the skirt fitted perfectly - instead of having to go back and forth to get the shape just right, I did it in one go which was so much easier and faster. This one was $129 which wasn't cheap, but much cheaper than the ones I had seen and I thought - if I plan to make most of my clothes this will be more than useful.

      I have bought kitchenware items from Aldi for the boys - they are always quite cheap - often under $10 and really do last well. I go to Aldi once a week and so always keeping my eye out for a bargain.

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  4. heheeee oh I just LOVE how you have named her!
    I think I am about to start oozing with jealousy, thinking about how much easier it would be to customise clothing if I could try it on a mannequin to pin and tuck first!!!
    Say hi to her from me pls ;-)

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    1. I am about to give her a test - she and I are about to embarking on a the difficult task of making a dress (but as usual I haven't picked anything easy!) I will let you know how she performs!!

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  5. Jo, I love your mannequin. She is beautiful, and so is her name. Your post made me laugh. I have a mannequin that my daughter Marie and I bought for my youngest daughter Olga. For a short season Olga thought she wanted to be a fashion designer, and then she realized she didn't like to sew… haha. So, now I am the happy recipient of the mannequin, and I do love her, now you have inspired me to think of a name for her. It might have to be a cowgirl sort of name, since I am not the most wonderful fashion seamstress. The one I have was purchased at an antique store. I have had fun with it like you have. I often try on scarves and jewelry on it, and leave it like that to look pretty.

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    1. Hi Pam, The stranger I met in the store had no idea what she has started!!

      I'm not very good with scarves and their different ways of presenting them, I might use Chanel as my model to play around with some ideas!!

      Have a lovely day:)

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  6. I never actually thought of getting a mannequin, but this gives me pause to consider. I'll have to do some looking around to see how much the cost here. It does sound like a real time-saver, and anything that would make my clothing sewing go quicker might result in more things actually done! That's something to think about.

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    1. Mary, they are usually quite expensive (here anyway) which is why I didn't even contemplate getting one. But the time saved and i think the better fitting will be worth it in the long run. I would like to be able to make almost all my clothes rather than buying them and if this helps then its good news!!

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  7. Great to see someone has written about these mannequins - I was searching for a review. I need one to make tutus and dance costumes - close fitting outfits - and couldn't believe it when I saw them in the store last week. Thanks for the blog post!

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    1. Thanks - glad I could help:)

      As Im not an overly experienced sewer and I need something like this to help with fitting and so far the two straight skirts I have made have turned out out really well. They fit around the hips far better than those made without Chanel. She will be well used.

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