Friday, July 26, 2013

A Refashion and a Rant





I spoke too soon about all our lovely sunshine... we are in the midst of a long stretch of rain but we did get a brief reprieve and I ran outside to snap some pics of this refashion.
I picked this skirt up at my favorite thrift shop because I really liked the fabric and pattern. 

Geez...love polka dots much? 
This skirt was a VERY easy refashion. I reused the hemmed bottom because well... who wouldn't?? I measured up from the bottom hem to my desired overall length, added two inches for my elastic casing and cut. I knew that I wanted a full skirt so I didn't take it in at all. I turned down the waist to make my casing, sewed it around and inserted the elastic. Easy.



My usual choice would be to wear a bright pop of color with this skirt but I am liking black and brown together so I paired it with a white tee and brown belt and shoes. I have been wearing my skirts with t-shirts quite a bit this summer. I find it easy and comfortable to wear, plus I don't feel so "dressed up". Well more to the point...other people don't see me as soooo dressed up. I love wearing dresses and skirts because they are really easy and comfortable, especially in the summer but I will get the odd comment.."Why are you dressed up today?" Ummmm I'm not. I'm just dressed. Just not in pajama bottoms. I know that I am not the first to rant about pajamas in public! It is such a pet peeve of mine! not going to rant..not going to rant.. So... lady in the PJ`s at the grocery store...the t-shirt is my compromise. I might even wear it to bed tonight.


Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Walking on Sunshine




With all the summer sunshine, staying inside sewing hasn't been happening as much as maybe I'd like but here in Canada we have to enjoy it while its here! I did however complete this unfinished project and I love it!

This skirt became an unfinished project when it was almost done and then I realized that I wanted pockets. Let's face it, I always want pockets. So instead of getting right at it and taking it apart, I tossed aside for awhile. It happens...right?


Line Art
McCalls 6706
M6706
McCalls 6706

I used McCalls 6706, a now favorite pattern but it doesn't have pockets. sad face. I added a back seam so that the zipper could be moved from the side seam to the back, making it possible to put my beloved pockets in. The front and back pieces of this pattern are the same piece so I didn't cut the back piece on the fold and added 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Fairly easy. I'm not sure why I didn't tackle it sooner....




The fabric I used is actually a drapery fabric and it's very sheer, so I underlined it with a cotton sateen, treating them as one piece. I love the volume it created. I also made it longer then the pattern because I wanted the stripes to be balanced and I think it is a chic length. For these pics, I paired it with a simple grey tee to tone down the dressiness. This skirt may be a little over the top but I feel so great in it!

Skirt:self-made Tee:Joe Fresh Shoes:Walmart




Thursday, July 11, 2013

Summer (?) Shorts


I make a pair of shorts and what happens?... The fog rolls in that's what happens. But I know that the summer weather will reappear soon. I am an optimist. Handsome suggested I wait for a sunny day to take these pics but I'm also impatient....so you get foggy pictures.

Shorts:self-made Shirt:J Crew(thrifted) Cardi:J Crew(thrifted) Shoes:a mystery Belt:(thrifted)




Photo

I made these shorts from Newlook 6100, from the Project Runway workroom series. I am thinking that maybe this pattern should have had a bit more tweeking in the workroom before production. I would like to know if anyone else had trouble with the waistband on these... 

My Review: 

Pattern: Newlook 6100

Fabric used: A cotton bottom weight twill. 

Instructions: I followed the direction exactly and they were good. I was pleased with how well the cuff went on. Easy.

If I could change anything:The waistband gave me some trouble... It didn't fit at all when I pinned it to the shorts! I hadn't taken the shorts in and checked my pattern pieces to be sure that I hadn't mistakenly cut the wrong size in either the front/back pieces or the waistband. No..all the same size. But still, I had to take the waistband seam in by 5/8 inch exactly. Weird. So given that I had to make this alteration to the waistband, I assumed that the same would have to be done to the waistband facing...amirite... NO! It was too small by exactly...you guessed it...5/8 of an inch! Aaaghhhh! They were the same pattern pieces so this does not make any sense. If anyone knows what on earth I did wrong...LET ME KNOW! I also find that these shorts ride up my bum just a smidge...something I did not notice till I wore them out. (*update* after wearing them, they were fine..the cotton likely stretched a bit) So if I were to make these again, that issue would be addressed. In any case, I was not letting these things stop production, I wanted these shorts dang it! and I was getting them!

Repeat worthy?  Not likely. I won't promise that I will never tackle these again, I do like how they look and I love the pockets! They just need a little more tweeking.


This pattern did include a good workroom tip that I liked. *When stitching in the ditch, use your zipper foot to stitch in the groove while using your hand to spread the seam.
Overall, I really like these shorts, the pockets are great, the front lays flat, the high waist is a nice change, the cuffs add nice detail, they have carriers for belting and would be great in a softer fabric as well. 




Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Fresh Take


I have worn this dress out a few times now and it's been a real hit, especially the color! I'm not usually a big fan of green but I love this one. I made this dress with the hopes of it being a versatile piece in my wardrobe...and I think it will be! Here are a few ways I have styled it. 

This first look is the look from my original post and I would call this my wedding guest look. My daughter did my hair and I love the elegance of it! Thanks Emmy!(Necklace:Suzy Shier Shoes:Rouge(thrifted) Bracelets:gift from Handsome)


The second look is a more casual, errand running look. Easy, fresh and put together. (Cardi:J Crew(thrifted) Bag:a mystery(thrifted) Shoes:Aldo)
   


The third look is what I would call my date night look. Sparkly black necklace and a textured black clutch, spice things up. I would also add my black moto jacket for a cool evening. (Necklace:Walmart Clutch:Ricki's Shoes:Franco Sarto)



The last look is my Sunday best look and I actually wore this to church on Sunday.  I'm loving pink and green toether! (Necklace:Walmart Shoes:Walmart Purse:Liz Claiborne (thrifted) Jacket:Joe Fresh (thrifted))

I have even more ideas for this dress...grey high low sweater and booties...jean jacket and kicks...black blazer and tights for fall...Yup, this dress will be in regular rotation in my wardrobe and in my suitcase on trips. Gotta love that.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Fresh Cut



Dress:self-made Necklace:Suzy Shier Shoes:Rouge(thrifted) Bracelets:gift from husband








My stash busting challenge is underway and this dress was a freshly cut out Burda pattern. I love color of this dress but it didn't show as green in pictures as it in reality. It is the color of new spring grass! I am still working on using the camera and was in a bit of a hurry when taking these pics. I really love this dress because it is easy to wear and is soooo comfortable! I have styled it a couple of other ways that I will share in another post. The empire waist gives it lots of ease and would be great for someone in the early preggo stage. That is in no way a hint that I am expecting!! No way. The only baby in my tummy these days would be a food baby! 

SewingPatterns.com - Burda 7378




My Review: 

Pattern: Burda 7378

Fabric used: A polyester that really behaves like a silk... I do like it.

Instructions: I didn't follow them exactly, I like to attach the facings on a sleeveless dress so that they can be pulled through. I did this before the skirt was attatched.

If I could change anything: I would have fully lined the front!! I hate that you can see the facing line across the chest! I didn't realized that this would be a problem until I had already attatched the skirt and put in the zip. Short of taking it all apart...I'm not sure what to do to remedy this problem.

Repeat worthy?  I probably won't make this dress again for myself but I do like it and recommend it.


Monday, July 1, 2013

Super Sweet .....

The oh so sweet Sally from Sally Bee Makes nominated me for the Super Sweet blogging award! Wow. Thank you Sally!

super-sweet-blogging-award



So this is what I have to do now...

  1. Thank the Super Sweet blogger that nominated you.
  2. Answer 5 Super Sweet questions
  3. Include the Super Sweet Blogging Award in your post
  4. Nominate a baker's dozen (13) other deserving bloggers.
  5. Notify your Super Sweet Nominees on their blog.

The questions:

Cookies or cakes?
Both if they are gluten free!!

Chocolate or vanilla?
Chocolate of course!

Favorite sweet treat?
Ummm anything sweet and gluten free, but it`s a winner if it has peanut butter and chocolate.

Sweet nickname?
My husband has forever called me Pretty Girl. How sweet is that...



My Nominees are....drumroll please.....

How good is that?

I know... I can't count very well but this sewing blog community is really just the sweetest and I count myself blessed to be part of it! 









Before and After

Creating...it comes in so many forms! This past month it didn't involve much sewing, a little, but not much. Our second daughter, aka the middle child, graduated from high school last week! Where did the time go? We decided that this milestone should include an bedroom makeover to mark her transition into adulthood and I will admit, to possibly entice her to stay at home for a little bit longer! 

As soon as her little behind was out the door for school and then off to a sneakily planned overnight  party with a friend, we got to work! Newly painted walls, bed, lamps and lots of other lovely things that I had stashed away for many moons were pulled out and her new room was ready for the big reveal in just 24 hours. Whew! So much work but so worth it! She loved it and I got my wish when she proclaimed, " If this is your attempt to keep me home forever?! It's WORKING!!!"




Emmy's first reaction caught on camera by her brother... the other pictures qualified as the "ugly cry" pics. Priceless.


Details.. Bedspread:Cynthia Rowley Pillows:Winners Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Stone Harbour Lamps: Costco

In all my excitement I didn't get any before pictures....Emmy had this one that she put on instagram.