BurdaStyle en-us My first dress ever! I used the Anna Marian Horner's "Socialite Dress":http://store.annamariahorner.com/socialitedress.html pattern, and it was a fantastic beginner project. I've done a little sewing before now, but it was mostly hand quilting and piecing, and a couple of simple bags. The instructions were super easy to follow. The only thing I changed was adding 4" to the bottom of the dress. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:26:37 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/floral-leopard-socialite-dress http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/floral-leopard-socialite-dress Crocheted rainbow baby booties! They are so cute and colorful. Instead of using traditional blue or pink mix it up a bit with all sorts of colors! :D 3 to 3-1/4" INCHES LONG Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:43:40 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/rainbow-baby-booties http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/rainbow-baby-booties I have a real love-hate relationship with flounces. By that I mean that I absolutely adore the flounces on this top (Oscar de la Renta for Vogue pattern), but I HATED sewing them. Putting a narrow hem on a curved piece of chiffon is very trying, but I was stubbornly and irrationally opposed to using an overlocker on this top, so it had to be done. I used a cotton voile with some silk chiffon for the upper flounces and centre contrast, with some lace sewn on. My favourite thing about this top (aside from the flounces, obvs!) are the bound neck and armholes, which I hand-sewed super carefully. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:24:07 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/frivolous-with-flounces http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/frivolous-with-flounces Here's my first creation from a burda style pattern, my version of the Alexander blouse. I love the unique design of this blouse and as it fit and flattered me, I didn't make any changes. At first I was uncertain about the fabric I was using (a beautiful silk charmeuse I got for a great price on Etsy) because I'm not usually a prints kind of woman. Part-way in, though, I decided it was perfect for this blouse. I didn't find the pattern instructions particularly illuminating (what's with the tiny little pictures?), but I nevertheless got through it without too much trouble. I'm really pleased with the end result - now I just need to get a new job so I have somewhere to wear it! Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:36:01 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/alexander-in-art-deco http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/alexander-in-art-deco a puff sleeve fitted blouse Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:08:55 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/jj-blouse-sans-ruffles http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/jj-blouse-sans-ruffles Here it is, a new blouse fresh off the sewing machine. I made the pattern myself combining and modifying three patterns I had lying around. It has puff sleeves and pleats under the yokes. The blouse has lace trim at the edge of the front and back yokes and at the bottom of the sleeves (and I learned the hard way that the lace and my iron are not friends... some seam ripping and fresh lace was in order). There are pretty secondhand pink and gold buttons down the front, and little white buttons on the sleeves. Also on m blog: http://nattyjanesews.blogspot.com/2010/03/here-it-is-new-blouse-fresh-off-sewing.html Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:37:10 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/natty-s-pink-button-blouse http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/natty-s-pink-button-blouse Little purple polka dots, heart shaped buttons, and a peter pan collar! This blouse is all kinds of cute. I made the pattern myself, except for the puff sleeves which were taken from the JJ Blouse pattern. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:28:32 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/natty-s-polka-dot-blouse http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/natty-s-polka-dot-blouse This is a mix cd with a hand sewn case that I made for my best guy friend back at home, in attempts to get him to come visit me. It's an upcycle from an old skirt with a 50 yen piece as an artificial button, used to cover up the stitching from sewing on the clasp. There's minor detailing that's difficult to see in the picture: I sewed little lines in white thread over some of the white stripes. I don't think anyone would notice but him, he always notices the little details. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:47:41 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/spring-travel-inspiration http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/spring-travel-inspiration A top I made from some thrifted cotton fabric. No pattern, just trial and error(s!). :) It looks like it might fall down but it's very snug and secure - I sewed an old bra I never wear anymore right to the top. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:01:15 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/flowers-lace http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/flowers-lace These little darlings started life as a woman's blouse, saved from a thrift shop, washed, whitened, and turned into a peek at spring! Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:28:50 +0000 http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/upcycled-baby-shoes http://www.burdastyle.com/projects/upcycled-baby-shoes