It's Getting Haute in the Kitchen ~ Channeling CHANEL

This week I got my sewing machine out ~ the one and only that I have had since I was twelve years old.  It's a "modern classic" Singer Touch and Sew...

"No. 31 Rue Cambon"

{I took this photo while in Paris several years ago using my SLR camera and just two frames of film left ~ excuse the fuzziness due to scanning.}

...much like the woman whose style I was channeling, the iconic Coco Chanel.


Several weeks ago I was asked to work on a little project for a publication ~ no pressure, just the encouragement.  The project was to make an apron

I do not particularly enjoy kitchen activities {cooking that is}, therefore I do not need to wear aprons, nor have I ever worn any.  However, the beauty of aprons is that they can make you look as though you do enjoy the entire process of cooking and entertaining. 

I prefer entertaining to cooking...and when I was finished with this project, I was even "entertained" by the prospects of my wearing this embellished ensemble.

As I rummaged through my stash of fabrics, abandoned pieces of clothing,


 notions, and embellishments I came up with an idea.  Starting with an old black linen blouse that I no longer wore and layering it over some white cotton twill, I made a flouncy skirt





I had saved some black and white satin ribbons with the "CHANEL" logo so put those in my pile with some pearls, vintage pins and brooches, a gold chain, pearl and gold buttons, and even an old rhinestone dangly key chain



It all came together as my adorable "Coco" skirt ~


one I may wear when I feel so inclined to work in the kitchen...or entertain!


 I'm off to The Creative Connection this week and hope to see some of you there.  I'll write when I get back.

Ciao amici,
Suzanne

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