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It was cold and rainy all weekend, which meant I didn't get to go hiking like I wanted to, but it did mean I got a lot of indoor crafting done. I'm soooooo close to finishing up two projects (including my first sew weekly challenge!) and hopefully I'll tie up the loose ends and get them both posted this week. In the meantime, here's some sneak peaks!
I know I said my next sewing project would be a blouse, but I got distracted and had to make this dress first instead. I feel that the finished project is very Anthropologie-looking, so I tried to do my best Anthro-model impression above.
I've been loving watercolor florals for some time now, and when I saw this silky print at JoAnn's on my last visit I had to pick it up. I combined the fabric with Butterick 5028, a pattern that's been languishing in my stash for at least four years, waiting for the right 6o-inch fabric.
The pattern is all of three pieces, but I made a few mods, including lengthening the hem by about 1.5" and changing the neckline to a scoop neck. Later when I remembered I don't like scoop necks on me, I added the fabric loops to the front straps to change it up just enough to my liking. I still need to tack the loops down so they don't slide up, but I'm very happy with the finished project.
The fabric is nice and drapey, and despite being polyester (lined with yellow gingham in the bodice) it's very breezy and comfortable. I will say that my last two experiences with poly (this and my Lady Grey lining) have not been the best for my machine. They're so tightly woven that a very sharp needle is necessary. Lesson learned: universals no, sharps yes.
I also did my first attempt at a lapped side zipper using the instructions that came with the zipper, which I found very clear. My zipper's a bit wonky at the top, but that's because I didn't line it up the best and this fabric didn't deal well with seam ripping. I'd definitely do it again on another project.
I definitely loved this pattern, and I think if I could find the right white 60-inch eyelet fabric I'd make another in a heartbeat, probably with the original v-neck front and sash.
Another note, I like the drapy-ness of the back bodice on this one, but if you were concerned about bra straps showing, you could tack it together at the cross over point for something more stable. The back hem looks a little weird in this photo, I think because the weight of the fabric isn't enough to counteract the pull of bodice or it's static-y or I could be standing funny- I'm not sure.
Dress: Me-made
Butterfly-Wing Necklace: Birthday gift
Belt: from shirt I no longer have
Sandals: Born Concept
So it's a few days late for Lent, but I finally have that simple neutral skirt I needed for my wardrobe and it only took two days start to finish. So maybe I'm not the slowest seamstress ever.
Of course it helps when you have company for one of those days (though a second ironing board would have been helpful).
The pattern is Burda(style?) 7437 view B, which was the only pattern I could find that had the styling I wanted - specifically having the fly closure. The fly was a first for me - my tip: baste the zipper first - it took a couple of tries to get everything lined up, but was otherwise simpler than I thought it'd be.
I made a few minor mods - namely skipping the pleat in the back and taking in the back waist band/center seam. It wasn't clear if the skirt was designed to sit at the waist or not, but mine does, which may be why the skirt ended up a teeny-tiny bit shorter than I expected (which I honestly didn't notice until I looked at these photos). If I sewed it again, I'd probably add an inch to the hem (and not over-trim the button underlap), but overall I'm very happy with the way this one turned out.
I did flat-felled seams on all the piece to piece joins and top-stitching on the pockets and waistband. I hammered in a jean button for the closure. All told - I think it turned out very professional-looking, like if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't know I made it.
My next sewing project will be a Sunni-inspired sleeveless bow blouse. I feel like I'm on a sewing roll right now, so I'd love to keep the good mojo going!
Happy Easter!!
I know that technically I don't have to wear a skirt today, but it's Easter and I finished it last night, so I figured I would wear my sparkly new Beignet skirt.
It took me about a month from muslin to finished project, but I think the time was well worth it.
The shell fabric is a lovely blue twill from my stash and the lining is a super soft polka dotted poly-charmeuse from JoAnn's. The lining fabric was a bit of pain to work with (it frayed terribly until I finished the seams), but it feels fantastic.
The buttons are pale blue slimlines. I considered doing a more contrasting button, but decided I wanted this skirt to be a versatile as possible, so I kept it tone-on-tone.
The sewing was not difficult, although attaching the curved parts of the lining to the facing can be fussy. The reason it took me so long was purely due to the large number of seams -meaning a large number of seams to finish.
That said, if I came across a good fabric, I'd make it again and I think this iteration will get lots of wear especially since the twill can be dressier (like today) or more casual.
Top: Ann Taylor Loft - from Material Objects (consignment)
Coral Necklace: American Girl Co. (to go with my Felicity doll, when I was ten or so)
Skirt: Beignet, made by me
Shoes: Bass Outlet
Chocolate Bunny: from Mom
Jelly Beans: on loan from Mr. Cleaver
In the next few days, I'll do a post-Lent round-up/wrap up. Hope you've enjoyed this challenge as much as I have!
PS - Don't forget today is the last day to get $1.00 off the Domenic Pattern in my Ravelry shop!
I kinda fell off the blog-posting wagon there for the past week. Its been super busy at work, and when I've been at home, I've just wanted to do a whole lot of not much. And I haven't been taking many outfit photos, because I've been wearing a lot of repeats.
Here's the only two I've taken recently:
Day 36: Cardigan: Joy by Kim Hargreaves, made by me
Button up: Banana Republic Outfit
Skirt: New York & Co.
Tights: Target
Shoes: Clarks Outlet
Day 41:
Cardigan: L.L. Bean
Skirt: New York & Co.
Boots: Naturalizers
The one thing I have been doing is working on my Beignet skirt.
I don't think I'll be relinquishing my title of "slowest seamstress ever" anytime soon, but I think the skirt is coming together very well. I'm basically down to hem, buttonholes, buttons, and belt loops. The goal is to have it done for Easter (remember when I thought I'd get two projects done during Lent - ha!!!)
This weekend was the first true spring weekend we've had so far. It was beautiful and sunny and everyone in our neighborhood was out working in their yards. Mr. Cleaver and I were no exception (we don't want our new neighbors thinking we're slackers!). Of course I'm sure the neighbors though I was cutting quite the ZsaZsa Gabor in Green Acres figure, sweeping and raking in a skirt and boots.
My favorite was meeting the little girl across the street, who greeted me with: "Hi! We don't have to wear coats!"
In addition to yard care, I got in some sewing on my Beignet Skirt (shell is finished) and went to the Great Maine Bike Swap and picked up a vintage Sears 3-speed, which I'll share some photos of later this week - it's very me.
In the evenings, Mr. Cleaver and I have been re-watching Season 3 of Mad Men, which inspired today's outfit a bit. I love all the scarves the women wear and while I have a decently-sized scarf collection, it makes me want more!
Scarf: Mervyn's (back when it existed)
Long-sleeved tee: gift, from Kohl's I think
Brocade Pencil Skirt: Burdastyle Alexis, made by me.
Shoes: Bass Outlet
I'm a month in - I feel like that snuck up on me somehow. Today is the first day when I felt "hey - there isn't much of this thing left." And while I won't miss taking photos of myself (almost) everyday, I will miss the project and the response I've gotten to it at work and in the wardrobe remix community on Flickr.
As I indicated yesterday, until it gets a little bit warmer, I'm pretty much in repeat mode, so today's outfit is pretty close to day 2 - with a few swaps - mainly in accessories, but it gives me the chance to pull out a few favorites.
Tee: Gap Outlet
Scarf: Don't remember
Poodle Pin: Was my great-grandmothers
Skirt: Wallpaper Skirt #2, made by me
Striped Tights: Delia*s
Shoes: Bass Outlet
First off - thanks to everyone for the tips for the dress - I don't think I'll pass it off to Goodwill yet. It doesn't help my wishy-washiness that I got about a half dozen compliments on it at work either. I'm not sure when I'll have time to do the adjustments I'm thinking of (mainly making a square neckline and seeing if I can lengthen the hem), but I'll be sure to share them when/if I do.
Apparently, I'm in a purple mode (though yesterday was an un-photographed green). Originally I was going to post that this was the last winter/fall weight item I hadn't worn yet this Lent, but then I when into my off-season clothes storage bin and found two more heavy skirts that I didn't think fit, but do. And of course there's all the spring/summer dresses that I can start layering with soon.
All of this is to say, I kinda have too many clothes. And considering how many I have, it is truly a shame that I hadn't been wearing them more than I do. Hence Lenten challenge. Eventually I'll do a roundup of all the individual pieces I've been utilizing.
Pendleton Wool Dress: Made by Me.
Necklace: Gift shop in some Cathedral (St. John's?) in England, circa April 1997.
Boots: Clarks Outlet
Last week was a wonky week for me - between getting back from the DC trip to the snow on Friday - it was just weird and disjointed. In the midst of all I didn't feel super motivated either in dressing or taking photos, so all I have for Lent proof is these two. Don't worry, you're not missing anything.
Lent Day 21 (above):
Necklace: Sears
Cardigan: Joy by Kim Hargreaves, made by me
Tee: Target
Wool circle skirt: made by me
Shoes: Clarks Outlet
Lent Day 22:
Sweater: Gap
Skirt: Granny skirt, drafted and made by me.
Boots: Naturalizers, Macy's
My seedlings are doing well. Almost everything has a little seedling now (except the mint). Up until a few days ago, though there wasn't a hint of activity on my peppers or tomatoes. The soil was too cool, methinks. Then while driving, Mr. Cleaver mentioned that the despite the cool weather, the sun made the car really warm. Only in Maine, he said, do you drive around with the window cracked in 38 degree weather.
His comment gave me an epiphany, and immediately when we got home, I put my tomato seeds under my clear glass cake dome, and voila! within a day seedlings!
My other big triumph of the week was finally cutting out my Beignet skirt yesterday (the blue twill is the shell, the polka dot is the happy happy lining).
I spent some quality time in JoAnn's yesterday and picked up two patterns, some notions, the lining fabric and fabric for two more projects - including the pattern and material for a new casual skirt. I'm putting my plans for pants on hold and as soon as I finish the Beignet, I'll dive into that skirt pattern, because really, the denim skirt needs a break!!
One of my favorite things about the new house is the absurdly large number of birds that live in the trees in our yard. I've spotted chickadees, tufted titmice, blue jays, cardinals, hawks, grackles (I think), woodpeckers and more. This morning I spotted my first robin. Quite fitting for the first day of spring (and more fitting than the current snowfall).
For today's outfit I pulled out an old sewing project. I had this skirt in the "to mend" pile, but don't remember what needed mending. It might have been that I wanted to hem it differently. I was pleased to discover I had done a really good job lining and finishing this skirt - despite having made it a long time ago (over 2 years!!), before I had started focusing on finishing.
Blue Blazer: LL Bean Outlet
White Tee: Target
Butterfly Wing Necklace: D. Cole Jewelers, gift from Mr. Cleaver
Brocade Pencil Skirt: Burdastyle Alexis, made by me.
Shoes: Bass Outlet
In other news, my Krona knitting patterns were featured today on the Quince & Co. Website. Much thanks to Pam for including me!!
It feels like forever since I've put out a pattern, but I've got something very springy currently in testing and it should be out by April 1st. For at least one reader of this blog it will look very familiar...