This July, we’re getting inspired by one of our own: the powerhouse of print and colour that is Oona Balloona from Kalkatroona! If you read Oona’s blog (and I assume you do!), you’ll know that the clothes she makes are as loud, bubbly, and one-of-a-kind as her personality. Summer seems like the perfect time to add a little of that spirit into our own wardrobes!
Oh course, it all started on Twitter. (Doesn’t it always?) One minute we were discussing if we should continue the colour-of-the-month challenges through the summer, and next time you know, the brilliant Lady Katza (aka. Elizabeth aka. http://peanutbuttermacrame.blogspot.ca/) shouted out “What about Oonapalooza?!?”
Here’s the goal: Oona is known for her bold use of colours and prints, saucy silhouettes, and sense of exuberance. So make anything you want – but let it be loud and joyous, either in terms of colour, shape, or improvisation!
Myself, I’m going to imagine that Oona is the voice urging me to more adventurous as I sew. “Hmmm… I wonder if I could just change this neckline a bit…” Yesssss. “Should I put a thigh-high slit in?” Yesssss. “These two prints are both kinda crazy – Should I combine them?” YESSSSS! (Does that make Oona the good angel on my shoulder, the wee devil, or both?)
If you make anything with a twist of Oona during the month of July, upload pics to the Sewcialist Flickr group – and maybe, just maybe, there will be a prize to win courtesy of Oona herself! If you blog about Oonapalooza, be sure to grab the graphic above from the Flickr pool, or use the hashtag #oonapalooza on IG or Twitter!
So, do you have any fabric in your stash that is just begging to be Oonafied?
Hmm, should I try at this? Oona whispering in my ear for the month of July, that could only mean I will get myself in trouble.
Join us!!! It’ll be the fun kind of trouble!
EEEP! i love that banner, it makes me guffaw! and your imaginary oona voice is EXACTLY what i would say. verbatim.
i was thinking the same thing! i could literally almost hear you out loud! 🙂
Imaginary Oona is a great enabler!
Glad you approve! 😉 I’ve had a lot of fun looking through all your pictures!
Oh Yes Please!
I’m so curious to see how people interpret Oonapalooza! I predict some awesome and fun sewing!
Cool! I’m In! I bought some really bold swinwear lycra! Hopefully I’ll find time soo to go and pick it up at the post office. Hmmm, and does tardis fabric count as bould? It’s almost time for series 8 so I need a tardis dress!! So many option! btw, does bold clothes for my boyfriend count? I’m making him a bold shirt, and maybe if there is some fabric left I’ll be making me a skirt out of it. Oh way too many options!
Wow, you have SO many options!!! They all sound great. Mens wear, swim wear, nerd wear… it’s all good! I’d say start anywhere you want, and see how much you get done! 🙂 Sounds FUN!
I have the perfect fabric in my stash for an Ooba inspired maxi dress. Count me in!
Oops, I meant Oona of course. Damn fat fingers!
An Ooba sounds like a fun instrument! 😉 I’m making a maxi too – the perfect way to add some drama!!
One of my most recent makes, Orla Madison 9http://www.madalynne.com/made-orla-madison), was definitely Oonafied. Even though I didn’t know about the challenge until now, I definitely had Marce on the mind when making it (as I always do). May I join? Oh pretty please, may I join??!!?!? This is a fabulous challenge!
On a side note – isn’t Twitter aweful and amazing at the same time. I can get you into so much trouble, or lead you to amazing places. Best part, you never know which way it’s going to go!
Sure, throw it in the mix! I messed up the start date on the graphic (My brain said July but my fingers said June!) but we’re not picky about rules! Oonapalooza demands FUN!
And yes – Twitter IS amazing! That where the word “sewcialist” started, which lead to this communal blog! Pretty much every fun challenge or idea in the sewing community seems to start on twitter. It’s where magic happens! (Or, you know, where I make promises like I”ll wear my Oona dress to a meetup on the 19th! Better get sewing!)
You’re the best! Consider me entered now!
Am I still in time to be countered in??? Hopefully the fabric I bought yesterday is enough #oonapalooza!!!
No, you aren’t too late – not by a mile! The month is young! 🙂
[…] so glad to see people get excited about Oonapalooza! The Sewcialist Flickr group is filling up with awesomeness already, so I thought I’d better […]
Oooo I love Oona and I don’t have a problem with bold colors myself. I’m currently finishing up a ridiculously green top and I have some outrageous orange batik in my stash.
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