Thursday, August 16, 2012

Film Petit #2: Amélie

"Times are hard for dreamers."


Welcome to our second installment in the Film Petit series. What does that mean? It means that Kristin and I, plus the lovely Gail this month, have chosen to make our kids some clothing inspired by our very favorite movies. Not our kids' favorites, mind you. You won't find any Disney princess costumes around here. (See the Life Aquatic Film Petit here.)

This time around our looks (and our photo shoots) are inspired by the French film Amélie. I've watched this movie so many times, and each time I do I find more to love about it. Amélie is a lonely girl who creates a fantasy world to live in where she can dictate where the adventures lead. She decides to create fantastic and anonymous ways to help make others happy and find love.



Meanwhile, Nino is a lonely boy who is on an adventure of his own. He and Amélie grew up just "five miles apart, they both dreamed of having a brother and sister to be with all the time."


 Nino's adventure revolves around the photo booths of Paris. He is obsessed with collecting discarded photo strips that people leave behind or lose under the booths.




 When their paths cross, Amelie falls in love with Nino, but of course has to lead him on in a game to find out who she really is.


"Follow the blue arrows..." 



 "The fool looks at a finger that points to the sky."




















"Is this you?" -Nino
(Yes, that really is Kristin's little Amélie!)







When I took inspiration from Nino for this look, it was definitely not literal. Nino dresses in dull black slacks and a boring jacket for most of the movie. (Also, he works in a porn shop, not included in this photoshoot for obvious reasons.) I really dig the plaid cardigan he wears in the end, when he and Amélie are finally together and life is much brighter. But since it is still August, I went with a vest instead. I think it still has a French grandpa kind of feel. The vest pattern is this free download made with Essex yarn-dyed linen in black. I never ever get tired of that stuff. 

I brought some print in with the pants, which are an extremely soft woven cotton blend made by Moda that I bought at Sewn. These pants are so soft and the stripe is just perfect. They will get a lot of wear. 

Both the pants and the green v-neck tee I made from the new Blank Slate Patterns by MellySews. Friends, I cannot gush enough about these patterns! If you have a boy to sew for, you really can't be without them. On these pants, I learned how to put in an actual working zip fly for the first time, (how much do you love my French girl button?) and adorable welt pockets on the back. They turned out so preppy and functional I still can't believe I made them. Those details took extra time of course, but they were not difficult with Melissa's instructions. There is a clear and well-explained picture for every step, which really made the pattern a joy to follow. And the fit is honestly the best of any pants pattern I've used for Hendrix so far. This is my new go-to. It's also nice to know that if I need to make some quick pairs, the fly and welts and front pockets are all optional features, and there is a shorts option as well. 

The v-neck pattern was great to follow too and has an adorable fit. The making of the v-neck collar was actually a little harder than installing the zipper on the pants for me. But that was not for any lack of clarity in the pattern. Just one of those things that takes some practice. After a little seam-ripping, it's still not perfect but I got it to lay flat, which I'm very happy about. With all these new skills, I feel like I've taken an advanced class just by using these patterns! Melissa really knows how to sew and I so appreciate how she has shared that wisdom in these patterns. I can't wait to try the Prepster Pullover and the Basic Blazer this fall. 


Right now you can buy the 5-pattern ebook for just $19.95, which is a crazy good deal. DO IT. 

(I realize this whole thing just turned in to a commercial for these patterns, but I promise that was all just my opinion, no funny business.) 




Now make sure to visit Gail to see the genius way she was inspired by Amélie's shenanigans with her father's garden gnome. So incredibly cute.

And visit Kristin to meet the girl of Nino's dreams. Her Amélie-inspired polka dot dress is just perfect. 





Remember, we love to see your movie inspired kids clothes in the Flickr group. And we'll be back next month with Cherie of You and Mie. We've got big plans!




P.S. I have the best husband ever for taking these awesome pictures for me. Thanks Nick!



27 comments:

  1. Love it - those pants turned out great! As did the V-Neck. And the photos - wow. Just wow - what a nice photo story.

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  2. I just told Kristin, and now I am telling you. I dimply ADORE this Series. I love Amelie, and I love the look your created for your little guy. Well done! So inspirational. Love it

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  3. as i read this post i thought... oh she did a really great job on that vest, love the wooden button then i look closer and think, oh hell she made the v-neck too! my knit sewing NEVER looks that good! and then i think, oh hell again, the pants! srsly, those pants my friend! they are fantastic and look like you bought them from the gap! your awesomeness has no end and you constantly amaze me with your superior sewing prowess! xoxo love it all! p.s. going to watch amelie again now!

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  4. what? no porn shop?? :) this is amazing, jessica! those pants are so pro, and a V-neck! AND a vest! AND a little french girl button!!! sorry, i'm just excited. you totally nailed it, just perfect!!

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  5. Those pants (and every piece of this look) is just perfect fit and perfect in every other way! Such a great look!

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  6. Ah, the cutest!! The pants are adorable, but Hendrix. Hendrix is just too much.

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  7. Oh you TOTALLY nailed it. I just love how you make such interesting BOY clothes - you're one of a kind, girl, seriously! And the photos - ACK!!!! The telescope!!! Fantastic idea once again to have me send you the photobooth strip too, that was awesome. Such a fun month. :)

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  8. LOVE a boy look! The pants rock, love the stripes and the vest. What a great collaboration between the two of you with the photobooth strips. I am LOVING this series!

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  9. Wow, the details are amazing in this outfit!!! I love it!!! I want to copy the whole thing for my little boy!! That button, that sneaky little button is perfect!! I really think I am going to have to try that vest pattern out for the fall! Great job!

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  10. AhhHHHhhHhhH!! How do you do it!?? This is perfection. First of all, your boy Hendrix - adorable. Future heartbreaker for sure. Second, the photography is phenomenal!! I love the mood of the photos and the story with the dramatic vignette and muted tones (I don't really know what I'm talking about, I just know that I love it!). And lastly - that outfit! It's seriously perfect. I think you kept the Nino vibe without going all boring grown up. I love the pants, and that shirt and THAT VEST. I want it. The buttons are perfect. You are perfect. I'm going to watch Amelie now. And then I'll have to go watch something else that's fantastic.

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  11. awesome!!!!! i love the concept of that boy's pattern shop! and your hubby rocks and your sewing is rad, great job on your first zip fly!

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  12. you are totally my sewing hero. your husband is my photography hero. and hendrix must be the sweetest, most patient child on the planet to let you take all these awesome photos of him and then look completely adorable in every single shot.

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  13. I'll take the vest and the child. Oh my gosh! Is he the cutest or what?! You have done an amazing job- as you always do. The vest is oh so dapper. Also- I really want to have more children, but my preference is that they would be females as I've only grown up with sisters and I'm intimidating by the males' outside plumbing (is that laughable or what?). I think I could get excited about having a boy if he was as cute as yours. Seriously. I'm going to stop now that you think I'm a creeper. :D

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  14. Your look is so great! It is actually my favorite out of the three this month, which is impressive as the two dresses are fantastic, and I have two little girls, and boys clothes can just be so uninspired, but this is fantastic! And, very french grandpa, you're right! I love this!

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  15. This outfit came out so cute! Definitely has the right vibe. And the fit really did work out great on those pants. Great pattern indeed! Too bad I only have girls, and I've already gone as far as to buy Sewing For Boys. I would feel kind of ridiculous if I kept getting more boy patterns. Lol. Please make the blazer soon....I really want to see what you do with that!

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  16. Really digging it! I've tried to find that Moda stripe fabric with no luck - any chance you could tell me what the name of the range is?

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  17. Theis Film Petit-serie is really great...love all three posts this month. Will be looking forward to them every month (no pressure ;-)

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  18. ahhh, one of my favorite movies!! Love the outfit...I don't know how you do it. You are my kid's clothes sewing hero. :)

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  19. Awesome outfit and so are the photos!! I didn't know if I should buy Mellysews pattern e-book b/c I just bought 'sewing for boys' a few months back but your comments and that outfit (the look and fit is fantastic) have sold me on it, I just purchased it now;)

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  20. super cute photo shoot!! I love it ALL!

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  21. What a precious boy! You have such talent friend. A true artist.

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  22. Yay! I love this series. Amelie is in my top 5 movies of all time. So happy you chose it.

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  23. Ah! You are a genius, a whiz, amazing! Love the outfit, the pictures, your little "Nino"...everything! I really want to learn how to install a zip fly. I'm crazy jealous of your skills...

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  24. Ok, wow. I love this outfit! And I will go buy that e-book NOW. Great post!

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  25. Oh you guys just stop it with all of your fabulousness! You totally nailed the look. It feels just perfect. Obviously I'm also super impressed with all the details that you put into this but I totally expect it from you! Love it!

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  26. I can't believe I missed this! I loooove this movie too!

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