The Musings of a Dedicated Housefiancee

Me-Made May: Days 1 - 11

2013-05-12T12:13:00-07:00

My Me-Made May is off to a slow start but, I'm attempting to keep my efforts honest so I can see just how well my self-made wardrobe actually fits into my daily life (ie. no poofy sundresses just to clean the house).

I definitely made the right call keeping my pledge to 4 garments a week. I just haven't made enough items to do more. Especially not practical ones... Here are my thoughts so far:

Day 1 - Nothing
Day 2 - Nada
Day 3 - Simplicity 3571 (unblogged) ... me-made pj bottoms. Though I hardly count these as actually MMM wears, I do like the reminder that these are some of my favorite pj bottoms and they've actually limited the number of RTW bottoms I've since purchased (That number is 2 btw). Also, they're some of my oldest me-made items so, it makes me quite happy that they're still hanging in there.
Day 4 - Another Simplicity 3571 (unblogged) Ditto

Day 5 - Zip

Day 6 - Raspberry Renfrew - If you caught the post last week, you saw this was a bit of ~~panic~~ necessity sewing. May decided to throw cooler weather at me and remind me I have a bad habit of sewing sundresses... not so 50F appropriate. The long-sleeve/cowl-neck combo was perfect for this weather but, looking at the photos, I see the jersey was definitely the wrong choice for the pattern. The shirt will get worn again (and again) but, it will most likely be an indoors-only top.
Day 7 - None
Day 8 - None

Day 9 - Blue Herringbone Shirtdress - Contrary to Monday, our southern spring is back in full swing. I needed to be dressed cool and comfortably for a day of chores and errands. This shirt dress has certainly remained a go-to in my wardrobe. On occasion, I feel it looks frumpy on the hanger but, I never fail to get compliments on it polish when I opt to wear it out (I always wear a belt). I'd like to experiment more with accessories to liven it up a bit though. I really like the tan woven belt with it but, I generally wear tan shoes too and that, in my mind, makes it a bit too traditional. Classic but, not very youthful.
Day 10 - Blue/White Seersucker Gingham Shirt (unblogged) - Normally, I'd say it's a bit early to break out the seersucker but, we've been doing a fair bit of work on the house so, I wanted to stay cool. Unfortunately, now that I know more about fit, I realize this shirt doesn't. We over-fitted the shirt all around and did not compensate for mobility. If I were to make this pattern again, I'd need to add pleats to the shoulders so I can comfortably move my arms and let out the bust area to prevent the ever-dreaded gaposis. By the way, Friday's theme was sewing or your creative space so, I shared a little peak into my new sewing room and at an upcoming project :)

Day 11 - Blue Seashell Sundress - I'm still pretty pleased with this dress and I'm sure it will continue to get regular wear. It's comfortable, I can wear a standard bra and it's fairly easy to accessorize (the busy print has me convinced minimal accessories are best). I love the nautical print but, we stopped in Brooks Brothers yesterday (where I did a bit of snoop-shopping for an upcoming project) and I was keenly aware that I was wearing quilting cotton. I'm sure no one else would have guessed but, I think I'll avoid quilting fabrics for any future dresses.

That's one full week down, three to go! Is anyone else off to a slow start?

Happy sewing! x

Finished Object: Raspberry Renfrew

2013-05-07T13:42:00-07:00

So, at 0:00EST on xxxxxx, how many of you heard a giddy squeal?
That was me.
I'd been struggling, trying to think of a project that I could do solely on my serger (the movers packed that in its original box, thank goodness) but, I kept coming up blank. I know it's ideal for knits but, even knits need hems. Then, Marianna posted her fantastic Renfrew and it occurred to me - Renfrews don't need hems! Sure, it would have been optimal to have a straight-stitch available for topstitching and shoulder seams but, who would argue over such teeny details?
Not I!
Instead, I set up my serger asap and set to work on my very first Renfrew! (My very first Sewaholic pattern, for that matter.)

I starting writing the above post back in January after reading Marianna's post, hit save, and dashed to the sewing room. But, when I sat down to actually sew to Renfrew in question, I discovered that while the movers had packed my serger in it's original box, they had neglected to pack the pedal with it. It wasn't until late April that Brandon finally found it. (We'd unpacked everything but, somehow a few of my sewing items got tossed in an antique steam trunk. What's really odd is that we didn't inherit said steam trunk until several weeks after we moved...)

By then, my standard machine had been repaired and I was back to working on wovens. Excited as I was to have my serger working again, spring had pushed the long-sleeved Renfrew I'd cut far out of my mind. That is, until May decided to bring out the rain and drop the temperature 20-30 degrees.

I know panic sewing for Me-Made May is discouraged but, I'm going to call this filling a gap. I did state that I would focus on separates this month so, I don't really feel like I'm cheating. Just ignore the fact that I wasn't able to participate until I finished it :/

My feelings on this garment were mixed throughout the process. Lately, I've not been much of a t-shirt person. I purchased this pattern because so many of you made so many great looking shirts but, really, I was concerned it would be too much work for me to want to make multiples of something so casual. And, on one hand, it was. To start, I won't tell you how long it took me to sew the elastic onto the shoulder seam (tip: baste the elastic at either end, then sew from the middle out, using a walking foot). Then, because my jersey was so stretchy and slippery, no amount of basting or pinning could make any of my seams line up. Ironing this fabric was quite a pain too and it wanted to shine no matter what heat setting or pressing cloth I used.

Then, I tried it on. So. Frickin. Comfortable. Seriously, between the oh-so-soft rayon jersey and the cozy (but shapely) cut, this shirt almost feels indecent - like I'm wearing pajamas to the grocery store. Yet, at the grocery, I was complimented on how "divine" it was.

Now having seen the photos, the fit is as I expected but, not what I wanted. But, that's what you get when you ignore the bit about "stable knits" and instead grab a drapey jersey because it's a pretty color. The fabric droops and drags the shirt down a bit and it clings here and there in ways I don't want shirts to cling but, that won't stop it from getting regular wear. Even if it's just at home doing chores - I need clothes for those days too.

Definitely need a sway back adjustment and a stable knit next time.
SN: I'm not usually a fan of the high bun but, it's hard to argue it's practicallity for rainy bad-hair days ;)

I also see more of these in my future, though I plan to listen to Tasia's fabric recommendation this time ;) So, if you have store recommendations for natural, colorful stable knits, lemme hear them!

Any other necessity sewers for MMM out there?

Happy sewing! x

Stash/spending notes:
Fabric: >2 yards Mild Cherry Rayon Jersey Knit from stash - $4.80 from Fabric Mart
Pattern: Sewaholic 1201 from stash - ~$13
Year: 2012
Notions: ~8" clear elastic from stash - ~$.06 from Fashion Sewing Supply
Time to complete: 5 or 6 hours over the weekend?
First worn: 6 May 2013
Wear again? Yep! It's too cozy not to
Total cost: ~$18

Me-Made-May '13 - I'm In!

2013-04-24T13:25:00-07:00

I said this last year but, I'll say it again - I love challenges! They're so motivating! I have Julia's Mad Men challenge to thank for finally nudging me back into sewing, Lady Katza's Challis Chalet to thank for keeping the momentum going (I have two challis projects headed for the cutting table) and now Me-Made May to thank for reminding me I need to work on separates.

Since I haven't been sewing recently, I almost opted out of Me-Made May this year but, it's just so fun! So, I looked over my pledge for last year and then over my final thoughts and decided I can make it work. Yay!

Last year, I pledged four items per week and I succeeded but, I was displeased by the number of repeats. This year, I'm going to keep it at four (since my me-made closet didn't grow much after last May) but, to up the challenge, I'm only allowing two garments to be worn twice. Nothing can be worn a third time. This creates a gap of at least five spaces that need to be filled by new garments.

So, here's my official pledge:

'I, Jennifer of The Musings of a Dedicated Housefiancee, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear at least four me-made items each week for the duration of May 2013, allowing only two repeats.'

Goals for this year, based on last year's final thoughts:

I will focus my May sewing on separates. Last May (and in general, really), I struggled with what me-mades to pull out of my closet because I spend many of my days at home cooking, cleaning, etc and prefer comfortable clothes for such tasks. If my serger pedal reveals itself before then, I'll add a few Renfrews to my plan, otherwise, I'll aim to sew a couple casual skirts (a la Simplicity 2451), tops and maybe a pair or two of shorts.
I will make a greater effort to "put myself together". In real life, I suppose you might say I'm a fairly plain girl. I prefer to keep my makeup relatively simple (though, I do always wear some when leaving the house) and I wear minimal, if any, accessories. I've been working on it but, I'm still trying to find the balance between what looks "put together" to others and what looks over-the-top to me.
I will limit the number of repeats. (I've already stated this but, last year's bullet summary is proving so helpful, I wanted to keep the same format.) In an effort to up the challenge this year, I'm limiting myself from relying on my two most comfortable pieces, my Simplicity shirtdress and my Vogue knit dress. This should help push me to add new comfortable pieces to my wardrobe.
I will make a greater effort to photograph each outfit. Since I often style items differently from the way I did for the original post, it's helpful to actually see how the "daily" styling works. (This is also why I started posting occasional OOTD posts.) How something looks in the mirror is not always how it looks to others so, photos help me see that. It's also great to get feedback from all of you. :)
I will make a more consistent effort to document the month. I blamed part of last year's inconsistency on my poor, slow laptop. Luckily, the situation has been remedied, as I had hoped. I've actually laid out a posting schedule for myself for once I'm back to regular blogging and designated Sundays as OOTD days so, it seems fitting to aim for Sundays in May to be Me-Made summary days.
(Owing to the aforementioned sewing absence, I'll excuse myself from the goal of having Brandon participate, with the aim to add that to next year.)

So, there you have it! It will be challenging but, that's the point and I'm totally excited! Now, who else has joined in? (If you haven't yet, there's still time!)

Bring on May!! x

Finished Object: Mad Men Challenge - Betty's Picnic Dress

2013-04-22T20:13:00-07:00

Finally!!! After a long weekend of marathon sewing, I've finished my first successful garment of 2013!

I'd originally planned to make Trudy's blue party dress for Julia's Mad Men Challenge, since last year's attempt was a bust, but, once again it wasn't meant to be. Royal blue cotton sateen just wasn't to be found. Even when I ordered it online, the order was canceled and I was left with no fabric.

But, what luck that I should remember this red and pink floral cotton sitting in my stash. And, how much I had liked the sundress Betty's wore for a picnic in season 2. Clearly, I was meant to be a Betty this year. I'm even taking on a Betty trait... sticking to the older, fuller fashions rather than embracing the cute mod looks so many of you are sporting.

Even browsing through my vintage patterns, I couldn't find one with the right silhouette. So, I searched every pattern currently available to find a bodice with spaghetti straps and no princess seams (I'm so bad at trimming those). New Look 6886 was the one and only. With two muslins, (yes! me! muslins!!) I turned out to be just what I wanted.

The pattern's skirt, however, was too modern. I planned on using a vintage Simplicity pattern but, when I took out the pieces for ironing, I discovered only the pattern's coat pieces remained! Oops. So, I turned to retro Butterick 5747 for its similar style lines. Once I folded out the button placket, it was a perfect fit. I just love the box pleats!

In the end, my Franken-pattern, and a tweak or two of my own, have me a comfortable cotton sundress with just the right vintage touches to make me smile. I couldn't be happier to be sewing again and I feel like this was a huge win.

And, of course...

Not to worry. No trash was left behind in this park.

Stash/spending notes:
Fabric: 2 yards floral cotton broadcloth from stash – $6 from Fabric Mart; .5 yard white mercerized cotton batiste – $3.75 from Gail K
Pattern: New Look 6886 for the bodice (with modified straps) – $3.95, Butterick 4757 for the skirt (button plackets removed) – $1
Year: Contemporary/Retro 1960
Notions: invisible zipper from stash – $.50?, grosgrain ribbon from stash
Time to complete: Way too long, as usual
First worn: 22 April 2013
Wear again? Absolutely!! I believe "enamored" is the word I keep using :D
Total cost: ~$15*
*Can I just say how proud I am that I shopped my stash for everything but the lining! Woo hoo... that's 1 down, 7 more to go!

For those interested in more modification/construction detail, I posted my notes on Pattern Review. (I've really got to get the hang of this blogging thing again!)

Happy sewing! x

Follow Me on Bloglovin

2013-04-22T20:11:00-07:00

With the demise of Google Reader steadily approaching, I thought it was high time I claim my blog on Bloglovin.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Stay tuned! I've a finished garment to share and another headed for the cutting table... I'm getting back in the swing of it and I'm so excited!

Finished Objects: Kilmorey Cowls in Moss and Grey

2013-01-28T10:00:00-08:00

Readers, let me tell you... when you sew a new garment practically every week for six months and then can't finish a single one for another six months, it reaps havoc on one's creative juices! By the end of the year I was desperate to make something. Anything. So, did I hand-sew a dress? Haha, no. But, I did decide to take up a new creative hobby!

Lucky for me, my mom is brilliant with yarn and thread and is also a very patient teacher. So, during my Christmas visit, I asked her to teach me the basics of knitting. She showed me how to cast-on, knit, and purl and recommended I try a scarf first. (I think she knew that if I couldn't wear it, I wasn't going to make it... no potholders for me haha.)

In part for practice and in part for near-instant gratification, I chose a cowl pattern using super-bulky wool and rather large circular needles (so large actually, the first two stores I tried didn't carry them). This worked and after two short evenings of knit two, purl two, I had my first knit accessory. Mind you, it's knit loosely and would probably look a bit sloppy to someone with yards of yarn experience but, I love it anyway. In fact, I loved it so much, I immediately made it again, this time trying a little harder to focus on my stitches and tension.

Kilmorey #1, rambling Ravelry notes here
Scarf: handmade, Sweater: Brooks Brothers, Fox ring: Ebay

Kilmorey #2, Ravelry notes here
Scarf: handmade, Sweater: Ann Taylor, Shirt: Ralph Lauren, Skirt: Gap (thrifted)

Here are the deets Sew Weekly style:

Yarn: ~117 yards Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Grey Marble, $10.60 for two skeins and ~117 yards Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Moss Green, $7 for two skeins (funny that I used about the same amount of yarn, yet the grey version is 7 rows smaller!)
Pattern: Kilmorey by Mrs Moon
Year: Contemporary
Notions: Nada. Wait, needles: Size 19 circulars, ~$4
Time to complete: if I'm being honest, about 5 or 6 hours for the grey version and probably 3 or 4 for the green
First worn: January 2012
Wear again? Both of them, absolutely!
Total cost: $10.60 for the grey + $7 for the green = $17.60 ($21.60 if you count the needles)

The green one ended up shorter than the grey but, also has seven extra rows so, it's significantly warmer. Now I have options for cool days when I want a looser scarf and for freezing days when I need the wool wrapped tightly around me (or if it's really, really freezing cold day, I could always layer them... I hope it doesn't come to that though.) They're so cute and practical, I had to fight a small urge to just keep knitting cowls! Can a girl ever have to many? Not really. Truthfully, scarves are probably my most-worn items when the cold sets in. I've always had a thing against hats. Which brings me to my next project: a red hat. Ha! I can't wait to finish it to see if I actually wear it. Then again, with Mother Nature being a frigid as she has been lately, I don't think I'll have much choice!

Have you taken up any new hobbies for the new year? What are you working on to keep out the cold or to stay cool in the summer heat?

Happy stitching! x

A Belated Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

2013-01-25T10:00:00-08:00

By belated, I obviously mean veeery belated! A year-end post when February is knocking at the door? Ridiculous. And yet, here I am writing just that. Why? Honestly, not so much for the round-up part (though I couldn't resist a little collage). Rather, I need help developing and maintaining focus when away from my machine so, I figured it would be smart to evaluate my achievements and goals and compile the sewing resolutions I've made thus far, in order to hold myself more accountable.

Ok, now that I've written that, isn't that exactly why each of you did it? In December?

Anyway, first things first. Last year was off to a great start. I had a tremendous amount of fun participating as a Sew Weekly contributor and it really helped me see just how much I could really accomplish when I stuck with a garment and held myself to a relative timetable.

By the time Brandon accepted his new job at the beginning of August (wherein chaos ensued), I had finished 19 20 items (including the petticoat under my houndstooth skirt and a grey lounge t-shirt not photographed) and made a few odds and ends (hair clips, bracelets, not shown). Not too shabby, if I may say so.

Then, there are those that I started but, never finished for one reason or another:

The "Come Back to Me" Dress for the Oscar Challenge/That's Sew Cinematic - sooo much hand sewing but, I'm planning to work on it again this year.
The "Trudy" Dress for the Mad Men Challenges - horrible, beyond horrible fit. As I recall, I danced around actually saying this but, we used clothespins to grab several inches of fabric in the back to look ok for photos :/ I don't see this one getting fixed. It left a bad taste.
The "Lilly" Dress for the City Challenge - this one took quite a few tweaks to get the fit right (straight shifts just don't work on my pear shape) and then I got distracted by other projects. I'll come back to this one.
A 1940s Spring Floral Top - I loooved where this one was going but, I had done quite a bit of grading and apparently screwed up the collar piece so, I need to go back and fix it.
The "Sheerly Jane" Dress for the Literature Challenge. I was so excited about this one too but, by the time I dyed the fabric and got everything together, the in-laws came to visit and it went out the window. Maybe this year.
A white button-front shirt for Brandon's interview - I didn't finish it in time for his interview so, he bought one from Brooks Brothers and the stitching on that one was so smooth, I couldn't bring myself to finish the one I started (My machine, great as it is, doesn't have full adjustability so my stitches really sink into thick layers of fabric.)
A Gatsby-inspired grey lace sheath - again, by the time I dyed the fabric (twice!), other things got in the way. This time it was the selling the house.
A J-crew inspired colorblock wool pleated skirt - another one I loooved but, I had sewn the pleats down inside-out and at 3am, I didn't fancy grabbing the seam-ripper. Then, we left for GA to look for houses...
A simple gathered wool boucle skirt - a last-ditch effort to sew something quick and easy while managing the move. Alas, the movers showed up before I could sew on the waistband and hem. I expect I'll finish this one this year though.

Hmm, 9 UFOs (plus 2 for crochet) in one year... could be worse, right?

I learned a lot from my year's sewing efforts. One thing I'm going to put into practice is my preferred pace. One garment a week was fun but also very stressful. This year, I plan to give myself two weeks per item. Since I don't expect to sew until mid-February, that would give me a goal of about 23 garments this year.

Which brings me to my two (so far) resolutions:
To Karen, I pledged I would tackle items I find challenging to include one jacket/coat and one trouser/jean with zip-fly-front.
To Cindy, I pledged to use at least 8 of my stashed fabrics, including at least one which was bought for Brandon (after all, he does buy it so, it seems only fair, right?).

I'm going to expect the jacket/coat to take at least 3 times as long as a normal project and that green dress UFO is likely going to account for two so, my official, writing in stone (ha!) goal for 2013 is 20 garments. Is it possible? Absolutely! Will it happen? Only the year will tell!

How have your goals changed since last year? Are you planning to tackle any larger/intimidating projects? Please share!

Happy sewing! x

Hey there, sewing world!

2013-01-22T13:08:00-08:00

...Oh, how I've missed you!!

These last months have been so, so hectic! I'll try not to bore you with too many details but, let's just say moving is stressful. Moving 560 miles (901 km) away is very stressful. Moving during the holiday season... is oh.my.goodness.

Our new house!!
Photo by Greg, the Mover

I haven't sewn a stitch since October and haven't finished a garment since July! I've felt so deprived of my creative outlet but, as I had to pack up all of my sewing materials anytime anyone wanted to view our house, well, there just wasn't time. Then, the movers damaged my sewing machine so, nope, not a single stitch in the new house either. (I can't have it repaired until we report it to the moving company and I can't report it to the moving company until absolutely everything is unpacked and thoroughly inspected...)

Phew, ok, that's out of the way. On to better things.

First, Happy New Year everyone!! I hope everyone had a nice holiday season and 2013 is starting off well for each of you! We're finally starting to settle a bit and I've picked up a new hobby to fill the sewing gap (more to come) so, I'd say things are looking good here.

Second, despite the aforementioned sewing machine moving mishap, I'm hoping to be stitching again soon. We visited our families for Christmas (they're only 9 hours away now, yay!) and my mother gave me an absolutely wonderful gift! She's a (working!) Singer 15-91 knee-action machine from 1934. She belonged to a dear woman from my childhood church and was left to my mother many years ago upon her passing. I can't wait to sew my first stitch on her. I'm certain she would be so pleased to know her beloved machine is once again being used. Now, I just need to have the machine cleaned and oiled and she should be ready to go!

(Excuse the poor Instagram photo - I'll try to do her justice when she's back from the shop.)

Third, in this new house, I'll also have a proper place to sew - I get my very own sewing room! (Did I ever mention I used to sew on the breakfast bar??) I'm sure you all know just how exciting that is. I'll have tables, and shelves, and my thread will be hung on the wall...! I'll share pictures just as soon as I get it painted and organized.

Fourth (why am I counting?), I have two new finished objects to share! Hooray! If you've seen my Ravelry bar on the right, you probably have a good idea what they may be. They were simple projects but, satisfying none-the-less.

Lastly, but very importantly, I'd like to thank everyone for continuing to email/comment/reach out to me during the unplanned hiatus and through the two years I've been writing in my little corner. I do sincerely appreciate it!! You lovely people really know how to keep a smile on my face :-)

See you again soon!! x

P.S. If any of you are in the Atlanta area, let me know!

Product Review: Firmoo Prescription and Fashion Glasses

2012-10-23T10:30:00-07:00

Last month, the online eyewear store, Firmoo, asked if I'd be interested in trying a pair of glasses to review and share. Well, since I last bought a pair 6-7 years ago, and my prescription has changed since then, how could I say no?

I pursued the website, finding a wide variety of frames. A few hundred, actually! Luckily, I quickly found the site's best feature: the "Virtual Try-On" tool. This was exceptionally helpful! I simply uploaded the first head-on photo of my face I could find and was able to narrow down the selection by seeing exactly which pairs offered the look I wanted. It also burst a few bubbles, as I saw a few of the pairs I was drawn to wouldn't be flattering but, it's better to know in advance and it made me all the more grateful for that feature.

I reeeally wanted tortoise frames but, they just didn't suit me.

The winning frames!

Wanting something a little fun and colorful, I chose a pair of purple frames with a cute stained-glass look on the sides. 10 days later, I had my glasses in hand. Not bad for a custom product! Immediately, I was pleasantly surprised by my new frames. With a retail value of only $40, I wasn't quite sure what to expect but, the frames were just as pictured and very sturdy. In fact, they appear to be just as well made, if not better than the $500 glasses I bought 6 years ago! And, to make sure they stay in tip-top shape, they came with a soft carrying case, a hard case, cleaning cloth*, spare nose pieces, and screwdriver.

That fun virtual try-on feature I mentioned is pretty accurate too! Check out a side-by-side comparison:

Left: "Virtual Try-On" Right: Actual glasses

Ignoring the differences in light conditions, I think the "Try-On" on the left did a good job of estimating how the frames would look. The size, shape, and where/how they sit on my face were all dead-on.

I also love that all Firmoo lenses come with an anti-scratch coating and for $2.95 (seriously!?) you can add the anti-reflective coating. These features always cost so much for my shop-bought glasses that I've never added them. I had no idea what a difference they made! The former makes it easier to care for them (I've scratched previous lenses when drying them) and the latter makes it a little easier to forget I'm wearing them! I wore these while driving and didn't notice the glare of a single headlight or streetlamp and when taking pictures the flash didn't bounce off of them and you can actually see straight through to my eyes, as though there's no glass there. It's the little things!

I love the unexpected yellow in the sides!

Firmoo has a very happy customer in me and just as soon as the perfect pair of tortoiseshell glasses appears on the site, I'll be placing another order. Brandon's planning on making a purchase too. Especially after I told him about the detail I most wanted to share with you, my lovely readers:

Firmoo offers a FREE pair of glasses to all new customers!! (excluding s&h) No coupon code required :-) How great is that!? So, feel free to browse the site for yourself and pick out a pair of glasses or even sunglasses. If you do place an order, I hope you'll share photos!

Happy shopping! x

*I didn't expect this review to contain anything sewing related but, I was so tickled when I saw the familiar DMC logo embossed on the cleaning cloth!

Disclosure: While this was a sponsored review (I received the pictured glasses for free), Firmoo did not direct my review in any way and all thoughts and opinions are my own :-)

OOTD: Falling for Cords x 2

2012-10-22T22:07:00-07:00

What a busy, busy last two months this has been! (And, we still don't move until late next week!) There certainly hasn't been much sewing going on over here, as every time I've cut fabric or pulled out my machine, I've had to throw it all right back in the closet for another showing of our house.

But, my me-made items are seeing more and more wear :-) In fact, for our house-hunting trip to Georgia, I wore a me-made item every day! My corduroy skirts in particular are now in regular rotation. I reach for them so often, I've added four more to my queue... which is, of course, on hold but, eventually...

Lately, I'm hooked on burgundy and gold. So, of course, I had to try them together!

Button-front: Banana Republic (similar), Skirt: Simplicity 2451, Handbag: Dooney & Burke (vintage, similar)

If I look a little stressed, that's because we were exploring the historic district (complete with old covered bridge, shown above) of our soon-to-be new town while waiting to hear if the offer we made on a house was accepted. Spoiler alert: it was!!! Though, we didn't find out until 4 hours later!

I also have a love/hate thing going on with fair isle this fall. It reminds me of childhood winter vacations in snowy Connecticut and it's gaining popularity lately so, I thought now would be a good time to try it again. No worries though, no Seamless Pledge was broken in the making of my outfit. I picked up this "vintage" (Really? Why are we calling '90's vintage?) Ralph Lauren wool sweater at a thrift shop for $3.50!

I opted to 'own' the '90s vibe and pair it with corduroy, though my thoughts are still mixed... Please, feel free to share yours!

Blouse: Banana Republic, Sweater: Polo Ralph Lauren (thrifted), Skirt: Simplicity 2154, Loafers: LifeStride

Oh, notice anything new? What? I never told you I wear glasses!? Haha. I'll be sharing more about my new lenses tomorrow!

Time to get back to living vicariously through all of your lovely projects! You know, between showings...and emails...and calls to the bank and this utility company, that Realtor... ugh. Things will get back to normal soon. I hope!

Happy sewing! x

OOTD: Transitioning to Fall in Summer Heat

2012-09-09T10:00:00-07:00

Labor Day has come and gone, here in the US, and that means no more white! It's time to rotate our wardrobes to cozy sweaters, corduroy, and rich colors... ah, the delightful chill of the autumn months. Can't you just feel the wool?

Halt!!!

Did I mention that in the south the heat is still reaching above 100F!? And, the humidity... we're talking hair volume-doubling! So, you might say my sweaters are still safely stored away in the cedar drawers.

This posed a bit of a dilemma Tuesday (the first unofficial day of fall) when I was standing in my closet trying to decide what to wear. If I couldn't wear fall-appropriate clothing yet, I thought I should at least try fall-appropriate colors. This had me lost too for a time, as most of my summer clothes are lighter colors, for obvious reasons. Then, I remembered that "Tangerine Tango" is still the color of the year so, I checked the Pantone site to see what else I had to work with. What a happy coincidence it was that there are multiple bright colors still acceptable for fall!

Dress: me-made, modified Simplicity 2550
Shoes: St. John's Bay "Palm" in Brown, JCPenney

Technically, this is the dress I made for the Spring Pantone Sew Weekly challenge but, as the fabric has two greens in it, I found "Bright Chartreuse" in the design as well. To counteract the spring feeling of the fabric a bit, I opted for a darker pair of shoes this time. Not exactly what I would call the perfect fall outfit but, when the temps outside still shout summer, I can only argue back so loudly. :-)

How are you balancing the changing seasons? Does your current weather match what the calender claims?

Happy transitioning! x

Homekeeping Tips: Making a Home Inventory

2012-09-01T14:00:00-07:00

Friends, the moving process has begun. Ok, well, really we're just in the keeping the house ship-shape, waiting-game phase right now but, that's progress. Considering I'm a homemaker and this is technically an "all things domestic" space, I thought you all might allow me to share any tips or thoughts I have throughout the process. Cool? Cool.

First, please, I beg you, heed this advice: do NOT wait until you are moving to attempt to inventory your entire home!

A home inventory is absolutely essential for a move, especially if a moving company will be transporting your goods from A to B. Sure, the moving company will draft an "inventory" while the packers are boxing your stuff but, this isn't the most accurate for three reasons:

They can get a bit hurried and write items such as "boxes of books." No really, we had that on our inventory when we moved here from Virginia. "Boxes of books"... that's great but, what if a box is lost? What did this box contain? No one knows. Not knowing what you lost means you won't likely be able to collect insurance (not to mention work on tracking new copies down).
We had a bit of a pocketing issue last time... it's terribly difficult to keep an eye on every little item going into each box when there is more than one packer in your house. They tend to be in different rooms. So, there's nothing to stop them from packing two bottles here, pocketing one there. The process was so overwhelming, truth be told, I didn't examine the movers' inventory as thoroughly as I should have so, I didn't notice at the time that some items never made the list. By the way, who steals schnapps!?
The movers don't know how much your stuff is worth. We're lucky enough to have "replacement value" insurance built into our relocation package but, how can we be reimbursed if we haven't researched the value? (Also, some companies require a separate inventory sheet for any and all items over a certain value. For us, last time the mark was $2000, this time it's $100!)

The inventory is also helpful when you're moving yourself. Boxes get left in U-haul trucks, friends cars, on the driveway, in a closet...

But, moving isn't the only time you need this information. What if something terrible happens? You're burglarized? Natural disaster strikes? Knowing exactly what was in your home will make the insurance claim process go much more smoothly and you'll be able to start replacing all of your goodies much faster.

If you haven't started one already, a home inventory list can seem overwhelming. The key is to take it just a little at a time. Devote an hour or two every day/weekend/month to sort though a small part of a room. For example, you could start with your shoe collection. Write down the brand, style, and approximate value for each pair in a notebook or a computer spreadsheet (I like Excel.) When you finished that, you can either move on to another part of your closet/home or be done for the day. The key is not to stress but, to get it all documented as thoroughly, accurately, and timely as possible.

Once you have everything in your home cataloged, maintenance will be easy! Set aside a time each week to add all of your new purchases to the spreadsheet. This will keep your records, and your peace of mind up-to-date.

Extra tips:

Don't forget to tally up the total value of your goods each year before renewing your insurance policy. You want to make sure your coverage is high enough to account for everything.
Take photos off high-value items and items with serial numbers.
Back-up all of the documentation regularly.

Now, I'm off to follow my own advice and tackle those kitchen cupboards!

Have a great weekend! x

Vintage Finds: Patterns, Patterns, and Tea Dye?

2012-08-30T10:00:00-07:00

Last Thursday, I received a call from an unfamiliar phone number. Thinking it must be our Realtor, I answered. Imagine what a pleasant surprise it was when it turned out not to be our agent but, rather the owner of the little antique shop I haunt for vintage patterns.

You see, I stopped by her shop so regularly for a time, looking for 'new' vintage goodies, she took down my name and phone number, promising to call the next time she got some in. She called Thursday, for the first time, to let me know a friend of hers was clearing out her closets and had brought in a few bags of vintage patterns, which were so old, they were starting to disintegrate. Would I care to come in and look? Of course!!! Mind, I didn't get my hopes up too much since the condition was said to be so poor but, it couldn't hurt to look, right?

At the shop, I first found a few well-preserved '60s patterns for $4.95 firm, all too big. Boo. Browsing through the basket of notions beside them, I found two rather unusual dyes. They're Dylon Tea Dyes and claim to be better than real tea. For less than $1, I figured why not!? Now, if one uses tea dye to age fabric, what happens when one uses aged tea dye? haha

Then, I noticed somewhat hidden behind the basket, two ziploc bags filled with more patterns. They were both marked with a tag that read, "Please take to check out to open. $4.95" So, I brought them to the owner asking to take a look. As she started to open, I inquired, "That is $4.95 per pattern, right?" "Actually," she said, "I think she means the whole bag! These are the patterns I called you about. They're so old, she just wants to be rid of them." Sold! The top pattern of each bag was both cute and my size so, I didn't even bother checking the rest. Even if they're the only ones that work, it would be worth it. To put the icing on the cake, she also said if I had cash, which I did just for this purpose, the patterns would be an additional 20% off! Eeeep!

So, for my $10, what did I actually come home with?

14 patterns from the 1940s through the 1960s and two boxes of "tea dye"
Ooo La La

Aren't they lovely?

Here's a closer look at a few (though, it's impossible to choose a favorite!):

My first mail-order pattern. Unknown vintage. Any ideas?

I've been a bit hooked to the idea of shirt-dresses lately so, I was so pleased to find unique ones in the bags :-) Isn't the bodice on this one too cute? I love the curve at the button and the shape of the yoke seam. Is there a name for said shape?

Another mail order pattern. 1960s presumably.

I tried on a Calvin Klein dress like this last year! Funny how fashions cycle around and around! I've been itching to make a cape too. This one is certainly interesting but, how can I resist scallops? I'll be leaving off the fringe though ;-)

Simplicity 2362, 1940s.

A 1940s (I'm officially in love with 1940s fashion at the moment!) shirt-dress pattern that encourages chevrons!? Count me in!! Now, where can I find her fabric?

Simplicity 4415, 1940s.

More 1940s shirt-dress goodness!! I was thrilled to pull this one out. The poor thing is the worst (condition-wise) of the bunch but, luckily its damage is contained to the envelope. Also unfortunately, it's not my size so, I'll either be grading it or incorporating some of its charming detail into modern Simplicity 1880. (p.s. have you noticed how adorably 40s 1880's details actually are? Gathers at the yoke, pleats at the waist... so flattering!)

Vogue 4124, 1960 and McCall's 3235, 1955.

I can't forget my very first true-vintage Vogue and McCall's! How charming is that Vogue suit? So polished! And, oh look! Another shirt-dress!! With a darling notched neckline. Clearly, the lady who dropped these patterns off has great style.

Thankfully, as far as I can tell the "disintegration" is only on the envelopes. The pieces themselves seem aged but in-tact and ready for tracing! Dear Sweden, I'm going to need a LOT more tracing paper over here!

What vintage patterns have you found recently? Do you have a favorite of the above? (I just maaay be planning to share the luck... you know, once I have a new home haha!)

Happy sewing! x

Inspiration - Lace Dresses

2012-08-14T12:30:00-07:00

I'm not often one to follow trends but, I have to admit, I can't help but to give a little grin when I see that the newest "it" look just happens to fall in line with my plans.

This morning I received an email from Bloomingdale's that gave me one of those little grins. Apparently, lace dresses are one of the looks for fall. Fantastic! I made one last year but, as I mentioned during Me-Made-May, it doesn't get much wear, owing to it's bridal color. I do like the idea, however, so for the last month or so, I've been working on a plan for a new one. I've purchased the lace and the base fabric. Now, I just need the dye and a few notions. I'm really hoping to get this one whipped up before we move.

In the meantime, let's drool over some of the latest designer offerings, shall we?

Madison Marcus Short Dress

The lace on this one is not entirely dissimilar to what is sold at the chain fabric shops here but, I do really like how they've used an interesting scallop detail on the low back.

Tadashi Shoji Peplum Dress

Lace and a peplum!? Need I say more?

Adrianna Papell One Shoulder Dress

I love this grey this year and the lace is a little different, in a good way. But, one shoulder dresses have never been a good look for me.

Tadashi Shoji Lace Dress

The 3/4 sleeves*, narrow v-neckline, and wrapped style of this scalloped dress immediately said vintage to me.

ML Monique Lhuillier Strapless Dress

A little glamour anyone? So not a practical dress (for me anyway!) but, I think the way they achieved the look is interesting. This is actually a very simple strapless gown. To make it unique, wide strips of lace were added to a black tulle overlay.

Aqua Cinch Waist Dress

Or, if you're not yet ready to take on a full dress of lace, be it due to style or sewing preferences, here's a simple pullover dress with an elastic waist and just a strip of girlish lace gracing the hem. And, it's navy. Who doesn't love navy!?

And finally, I couldn't help throwing this piece in:

Burberry London Sherfield Lace Trench

I adore Burberry trench coats and this one is a lovely blend of feminine lace with the traditional/masculine military features.

*To sleeve, or not to sleeve? I'm constantly going back and forth over whether or not to add sleeves to my own lace dress. Care to weigh in?

What do you think? Will you be jumping on the coming season's lace trend?

Happy sewing! x

OOTD: Mary Gets a Makeover and Goes to the Park

2012-08-12T10:00:00-07:00

When I first posted my 'Downton Abbey'-inspired Lady Mary dress, I styled it a bit a la Edwardian. It felt darling dressing up all ladylike but, truth be told, it was a touch much for everyday wear. So, when we ventured to a French-inspired cafe last week for a celebratory brunch, I opted for a more modern look. After all, I did name the dress "Modern Mary".

I didn't have Brandon snap any photos at the restaurant but, after brunch, we stopped by our favorite local park for a small goodbye (it's 50 minutes away and keeps short hours so, we don't venture there often).

Mary let her hair down!
(Side note: this lake is called Swan Lake and is actually home to several. I If you look closely, you can see a white one on the right.)

Unfortunately, the park isn't at its prettiest but, that's no one's fault. The summer here as been absolutely brutal on each and every living thing. With temperatures consistently over 100F and exceptionally little rain since March, the state is actually experiencing the worst drought of its recorded history!! When we got to the park, the sky turned overcast and we heard rumbling in the distance so, we were hoping the rain was finally arriving... no such luck. Just dark photos. Boo.

Posing in the gazebo shown in the back of the first photo - much bigger up close, ha!
The water behind me generally reaches the wall I'll standing on. The dry summer has caused the lake to recede substantially.

Wait, we're supposed to be discussing the outfit!

Original Styling

In lieu of the Gibson Tuck, I styled my hair in loose curls (though, the heat and sticky humidity did have me missing that tuck!). I changed the long pearl necklace for a simple silver pendant, passed on the gloves entirely and finished the outfit with a pair of grey suede pumps.

Necklace: Tiffany & Co
Dress: Self-drafted
Shoes: Coach (sold out but available here)
Blurry photo: gifted by poor lighting ;-)

How would you style this? How do you balance vintage inspiration and modern trends? x

We're Moving!

2012-08-08T08:31:00-07:00

Hello, readers! I have very exciting news! That darling fiance of mine has accepted a new position so, we're packing up and heading three states over! (Any Atlanta-area sewing enthusiasts with tips/store recommendations??) This, of course means my time has been otherwise occupied and will continue to be so for the next month (or two...).

I do have a few items that I haven't yet posted, a few thank yous to pass along, and a project or two that I'm going to [attempt to] work on during the transition. There's one backdrop in particular that I suspect is unique to this location and I want to make something for that before we leave. Finding the right fabric is proving difficult though... it looks like I'll be dyeing again!

So, things may be quiet around here for a time but, I do hope you'll understand and stick around :-) I'm going to do my best with keeping up with all that you are working on and share a few things of my own from time to time. (And lucky me, Brandon just bought me a new laptop to make doing so sooo much faster and easier!) I have big plans for this space, once we're all settled in!!

Now, to finish the inventory, the cleaning, consult the relocation specialist, get this house on the market, look for a new hou... ahaha... I may be completely mad by the time I return.

Any fun news in your world?

Happy sewing! x

Vintage Tag

2012-07-31T11:55:00-07:00

So, as I was browsing my reader this morning, (attempting to catch up!), I stumbled across a cute game. Stephanie of The Girl with the Star-Spangled Heart posted her answers to this 21 question game via video. How fun! Alas, I'm not one for appearing on camera but, that doesn't mean I don't want to play along!

Who are your style icons? Audrey Hepburn comes first to mind.
What is your favourite way to get inspired? Old movies, of course! (Or period dramas.)
What's your most-used hair tool? My Farouk Chi ceramic iron - I use it to straighten my hair for casual looks and curl it for dressier outfits (or photos).
What's your favourite hair tool? Ditto
Updo, down, or half-and-half? For all-out vintage looks, I almost always style my hair up. However, for everyday, I feel I look better with my hair loose.
Is vintage something you do every day, on weekends, or for special occasions? Anytime the mood strikes me, really. It's not consistent.
What's your favourite blush & lipstick? Blush: Yves Rocher Natural Blush in Apricot (light complexion). It's light, natural, and is the perfect color for my light skin. Lipstick: Only recently have I started wearing it again and I haven't found the perfect lipstick. However, I wear Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipcolor in Top Tomato or Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Bordeaux for early vintage/evening looks and Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart or Peach Parfait for late 1950s through modern.
Dress, skirt, or pants? Heels or flats? Dress, definitely. They're the ultimate feminine look and the simplest, in that your outfit is complete with one piece (excluding jackets and accessories, of course.) I also prefer heels though, I wear flats on a more frequent basis, particularly in summer.
Off the rack or homemade? Homemade!
Do you swing dance? No, but Brandon and I have plans to learn someday.
Extreme vintage or subtle touches? Every now and then, I get the urge to go all out but, in general, I stick to subtle touches. I'm a self-conscious person and, as much as I love the old vintage looks, they do tend to draw stares.
Favourite perfume? Burberry London or Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel (I consider this a younger version of the classic Chanel No.5, which I have ever intention to wear once I'm older.)
Favourite skincare product? Yves Rocher Ultra Matt Shine Reducing Moisturizer I searched for ages to find a moisturizer with just the right balance for my combination, sensitive skin and this one is perfect! It keeps me relatively shine-free, allows makeup to go on smoothly, and makes my skin soft.
What does your family think of your style? As for my parents/sister, I think they find it silly but cute. Brandon, on the other hand, likes a little variety and, since I can never decide on a decade, he certainly gets variety!
Favourite accessory? My vintage pearl studs. Boring, I know. If I could find the perfect hat, that might quickly become a contender but, alas, it eludes me.
Do you find the vintage community welcoming or snobby? I've encountered both. I find the vintage/sewing community online very welcoming indeed. But, I've also had the unfortunate opportunity to encounter a few very snobby vintage-enthusiasts in person.
What drew you to vintage style? Movies. Plain and simple. Old black-and-white films make it all look so glamorous and I was completely enamored with how put-together the women always looked. I think what really pushed me though, was viewing 'The Notebook' during college. I loved the red lipstick, as well as some of the outfits, and I was drawn in. Suddenly, I found myself revisiting classics for inspiration and scouring ebay for vintage goodies.
Favourite places to shop vintage? Perhaps due to limited choices, I'm an online girl. Most of my pieces are from ebay or Etsy.
What vintage eras are your favourite? Must I choose!? I go through phases... first, I fell for the full-skirts of the 1950s, then (spawned by the aforementioned 'The Notebook') I was all over the 40s, then the 60s... I've cycled through everything from 16thC to most of the 20thC. My current favorites are 1910s and 1930s/40s.
Most glamourous film stars? Grace Kelly. Period. But, since the question said starS, I'll add Rita Hayworth, Norma Shearer, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo...
Favourite vintage object that you own? My first vintage purchase (because it was my first) - a darling, peachy-pink 50s dress (with full-skirt, of course!), which I never wear out of fear of its fragility.

My first vintage dress, purchased on ebay in 2004

She needs a bath but, how cute is that lace!?
I think she's handmade as she still has gathering stitches on the skirt. I love the clever hook-and-eye at the bottom of the bodice and hidden button under the tie.

More handstitched details: a taped hem and blind catch stitches. The sleeve hems are also blind stitched in the same manner, sans tape.
Also, a peek at her tulle underskirt. Scandalous!

Now, TAG! You're it! Answer any or all of the questions via YouTube, blog post, or in the comments below. x

Make This Look: EGD 'Kristen'

2012-07-26T20:38:00-07:00

Yesterday, I saw a familiar piece included in a fashion blog post on my reader. Check it out:

Image source, Skirt $98

Quite a cute skirt, don't you agree? Now, where have we seen those lines before...

Oh yes!

Simplicity 2451 and Bright Yellow Stretch Cotton Sateen

This adorable skirt could easily be reproduced using the easy and versatile Simplicity 2451, view D and a bright yellow sateen. For those keeping up with the Sew Weekly challenges, this would be a great project for the upcoming Yellow week, starting August 6th. The perfect sunny skirt to finish out the summer (or start the spring)!

Have you ever spotted a familar design out in the rtw world?

Happy sewing! x

Pattern Pyramid Giveaway Winner

2012-07-22T18:51:00-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway! It was so much fun seeing which pattern everyone would choose.

I've left the selection to Random.org, out of 31 comments (one wasn't an entry). And the winner is:

Number 29! Congratulations, Kirsty, of Rocket Sews! The worldwide spread continues as this parcel will find it's way to Tasmania! I can't wait to see how much further it spreads.

Kirsty, I'll be contacting you via email for your postal information. To everyone else, keep an eye on Kirsty's blog, as well as Karen's, for upcoming Pattern Pyramid giveaways. Stick around here as well. This was so fun, I'm sure I'll be hosting another giveaway sometime in the near future!

Happy sewing! x

The Seamless Pledge

2012-07-18T05:41:00-07:00

While I started sewing in 2008, it was not until this year that I really started sewing regularly and paying closer attention to construction and detail. Now that I understand more about how a garment is should be made and quality and ethics are each of high importance, I have found myself increasingly disappointed with ready-to-wear offerings.

In fact, I realized in early May that I had not purchased any store-bought clothing items since sometime in 2011 and since May, I have only purchased three garments.

It was also just after this realization that I became aware of the Seamless Pledge. (Somehow, I'd missed out on the fun at the start of the year.) It seemed it was drawing to a close so, I didn't officially sign up. But, the inspiring Elena has since renewed her pledge and it seems others are as well. This time, I'm joining in.

I'm officially signing my Seamless Pledge!

I, Jennifer, take the Seamless pledge until the end of 2012. I will abstain from buying any* new clothes until the end of my pledge. I will instead find new ways to wear what I already own, purchase second-hands goods, or create my own clothes, instead of partaking in disposable fashion.

* I will allow myself to continue purchasing ready-to-wear unmentionables, though I have made it a goal to make a few of my own by the end of the year.

So, there you have it! Better late than never, right? Goodbye shopping malls, hello sewing machine! (and ebay, and vintage shops, and crochet hooks...)

Have you joined in? x

Don't forget - my stop on the Pattern Pyramid Giveaway ends on Saturday!

Pattern Pyramid Giveaway

2012-07-14T19:10:00-07:00

Well, hello there, readers! Long time, no see! I do apologize for my absence but, I expect you'll be quite willing to forgive me when you see what I have to share! I'm here to host my first ever GIVEAWAY! Yay! I'm so excited about it because, not only are giveaways always fun but, this one takes the fun along a web of bloggers around the world.

I'm sure you already follow Karen's lovely blog, Did You Make That?. If you do, you surely noticed her brilliant Pattern Pyramid idea. As one of the lucky first-tier winners, I received a parcel of four patterns and a Burda magazine!

It's Christmas in July!

Now, it's my turn to pass along the goodies. It was a very tough choice but, I've decided to keep the Burda, because I've never had one, and the winter wear was so appealing (why I'm craving wool jackets when it's 100F outside, I've no idea...) so, there are four great patterns up for grabs.

A nice mix of classic lovelies to choose from! (Magazine excluded.)
The Woman's Weekly envelope alone proved tempting - isn't it darling?

Here's the deal:

This giveaway is open worldwide so, anyone is free to enter by leaving a comment below before MIDNIGHT GMT, SATURDAY 21 JULY.
I will then select one winner using Random.org, announce it here, and contact the lucky blogger for postal information. (To keep things running smoothly, please make sure your email address is linked to your profile or leave it with your comment.)
I will then post the remaining four patterns at the start of the following week.
Upon receipt, the winner chooses one of the four to keep and then hosts a giveaway. The remaining three are then posted to a new winner and the game continues!
If you are a winner, Karen asks if you could make a small contribution to The Brooke. This is a charity close to the heart of Catherine, who so generously provided these patterns.

Fun, right? Have thoughts on the patterns or know which you think you'd keep if you won? Leave me a comment below!

Good luck! x

TSC Inspiration - A Dangerous Method

2012-06-21T08:51:00-07:00

Every so often, a movie comes along with costumes that steal my attention. Recently, we rented A Dangerous Method from Netflix. It's a period film based upon a time in the lives of Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, and Sabina Spielrein. I studied psychology in college so, the topic held a bit of interest for me. I won't say another word on the movie itself save for the wardrobe. The dresses caught my eye immediately and I found myself eyeing the details of the garments frequently throughout the movie.

I won't be creating any of these dresses for That's Sew Cinematic but, I'm definitely filing them away for future reference. Since I know you all have an eye for detail and fawn over lace and dreamy cotton as much as myself, I knew I just had to share a few shots with you. Enjoy :-)

Billowy bodice with lace sewn on a bias, coat with pleated shoulders

Exquisitely dressed extras ;-)
I love the lace shoulders on the young girl in front.

More well-dressed extras, all ladies with high lace collars and gentleman in traditional black and white for dinner.

Do you see a theme yet? White + lace = oh so pretty!

Look at all of that lovely lace - so delicate!

Another lovely blouse with long walking skirt

Gorgeous details on mother, baby, and carriage.

Beautiful white dress with lace inserted in the bodice and sleeves., pintucks and gathers accent the skirt.
(I read Keira liked this one so much, she kept it!)
Notice also her embroidered bag and sheer hat.

That is all. You may now wipe up the drool and resume your daily activities. (If you do use any of these garments as inspiration, used similar details in any of your projects, I'd love to see!)

Happy sewing! x
* Please note: The images used in this post are the property of Sony Pictures Classics. They are presented for project research only.

Reader Poll - How Many Sites are Too Many?

2012-06-19T15:24:00-07:00

Have you noticed the new sewing sites popping up lately? I recently joined Kollabora (which looks quite promising) and before that, there was My Sewing Circle and BurdaStyle... and I'm probably half a dozen more that I don't know about.

Today, I decided to be a good member and update my accounts with my latest project, my Modern Mary dress. Now that I've done so (well, I haven't even gotten to My Sewing Circle yet!), I'm wondering, how many sites are too many? Just look at the list of sites on my side bar! Will readers get tired of seeing the same projects on several different sites (read: won't you get tired of seeing the same old pictures of me)? Or should we continue to post everywhere to expand our community (I'm never one to turn down new friends! :-) and I do love seeing the wider variety of inspiration)?

Notice how a few are marked 'work in progress'...

I just want to throw the topic out there to hear your points of view. Do you post to all of these sites or do you work just to keep one up-to-date? At this rate, I'm wondering if we'll start spending more time writing about/commenting on projects than we do actually creating them!?

Thoughts? x

TSC: The "Modern Mary" Dress

2012-06-16T13:07:00-07:00

Two months ago, we were watching the flower show episode of Downton Abbey on Netflix and I got my first glimpse of the blue and white dress that so many people seemed to be raving about. My initial reaction? "Meh." While I certainly preferred it to Lady Edith's (on which Lady Mary made a condescending remark), I didn't see why there was quite so much fuss. After the episode ended, however, a rather funny thing happened. "Wait! Horizontal bodice lines and vertical ones down the skirt... that actually has potential to be quite flattering!" And so, my obsession was born.

The inspiration

Task one: to find the perfect fabric. Mary's looked like a light, breezy cotton or linen with muted medium blue stripes on natural white. So, I hunted for the same. Of course, this proved impossible to find. (If anyone can help on this front, I'd be much obliged.) I then turned my search to finding any blue and white, natural fiber fabric. This proved surprisingly difficult as well. Finally, after weeks, Hancock introduced this year's patriotic cotton offerings. Among them was a navy and white striped cotton. Hooray! The navy would help make the look modern and overall very 'me'.

We forgot to bring the original picture so, I gave my best "Lady Mary" pose from memory

In my excitement, I somehow missed that the navy had been screenprinted on. In fact, I didn't really notice until I washed the length. Anyone who shops at Hancock knows that their fabrics almost always shrink in the wash (though, this isn't uncommon in general). The problem, in this case, was that the blue paint did not shrink. The result was a suckered texture. Ironing helped but did not fully alleviate the new quality. Could I work with it? Sure. Was it what I had hoped for? No. The unevenness made stripe matching even more difficult. But, we called this a muslin and I made it work.

With fabric, and ribbon, in hand, I declared that I would be skipping the June Sew Weekly challenges in favor on working on this dress. While they had not yet been announced, I had no plans of participating. Too often does a Sew Weekly project skip up the queue and I very much wanted this dress. Which I henceforth, affectionately named "The Lady Mary."

Imagine my delight when the June challenges were posted and "based on a TV character" was set for the week of June 11! It would mean a shorter timeframe in which to work on my dress but, it would add additional motivation and a deadline. Darn you, Sew Weekly, you've trapped me again! heehee (And again for another TSC dress...)

If only this darling hat had worked out...

Now, to find a suitable pattern. The requirements: an empire waistline, princess seams on the bodice front, short not-cap sleeves, with cuffs, and a simple, darted skirt. I searched every pattern in my stash and could not find a single one which fit my vision. So, I didn't use a single pattern. I used three, McCalls 5923, Simplicity 2550, McCalls 6503, plus self-drafted cuffs and my skirt block (first used here)! Now, if that's not a Franken-pattern, I don't know what is! (Especially because, by the end, the only piece left in it's original state was the sleeve!)

It's quite lucky that I over-cautiously bought three yards of fabric. For this project, I was rebellious as always and opted not to waste time with a proper muslin. Of course, when one is combining as many patterns as I did, there were bound to be issues. It's also very lucky that I chose to use facings rather than a full lining so, any re-cutting went faster than it normally would have. Not to worry, every seam is serged so, it looks nice and neat even without a lining.

Modifications to the bodice back were easy. I changed the shoulder slightly so that it would line up with the new bodice front and I removed the darts. I thought the chevron effect was an important element of the design and I didn't want the stripes disrupted. (To remove the dart, I drew a line from the bottom of each dart leg to the armscye notch. Then, I folded this new dart out and smoothed the bottom edge.)

For the bodice front, however, well... this is where the "muslin as I go" effect took place. I chose the two needed pieces based on the size printed on the pattern. But, after I assembled it and went to attach it to the skirt front, I saw that it was four inches too wide! Huh!? Really, I have no idea why the empire measurement would be so large. It nearly matched the measurement of the bust line. So, I hacked off the excess and attached it anyway. This worked reasonably well so, I pinned everything together and tried it on. Another problem.

Apparently, I have rather odd proportions and this pattern just wasn't going to work with them. Usually my bodice trouble lie in a need for a minor FBA and/or a need to make a minor petite adjustment (though I'm 5'10" it seems I'm somewhat shortwaisted). Since this pattern offers cup sizes, no FBA was necessary. And because it hit at the empire line, the was no need to account for my short torso. However, a whole new problem appeared. The bodice was too short! Wait, what!? I guess that means I'm tall above the bust (makes sense) and short between the bustline and waistline. Yep, I'm an odd one! Luckily, the problem was strictly in the length so, I added an inch at the shoulder, raised the neckline back up and cut a new bodice. Problem solved. Phew!

(I'm neglecting to tell you how many tries it took to actually get the shoulder seams to match, all the calculating that went into the stripe matching, and how many times I unpicked and resewed those pesky skirt darts to ensure they were symmetrical.)

From there, it was pretty smooth sailing. The sleeve needed surprisingly few adjustments given that it was from a pattern all its own. I installed my very first side invisible zipper and that went in rather easily also. So, with a little McCalls, a touch of Simplicity and bit of drafting (and re-drafting!) my dress finally came together. To hem, I simply folded under 5/8" and used a blind catch-stitch, grabbing threads in the white on the outside and in the blue on the inside. Using this stitch on a stripe is so much easier! And, it's almost completely invisible. Hooray!

I could totally use a lady's maid to get in and out of this dress but, I think it's worth the extra effort. I just have to put my dress on before doing my hair or makeup ;-)

I had a little extra time before my darling photographer came home so, I decided to make another hair clip to use in my Gibson Tuck. It's easy peasy: I bought a silk flower stem at Hobby Lobby, cut off the stem, and glued it to a special bobby pin with a flat disc welded on for just this purpose. I thought it added a nice touch since my hat search didn't pan out well. (We don't have many local options and the hat I ordered, and allowed myself to procrastinate while waiting for, was too big.)

I had fun dressing up in my sudo-period look but, in the future, it's much more likely that I'll wear this dress with fun heels and my hair down. The good news is, though, that this will definitely get worn again. I absolutely adore it! I find it so funny that this project went from a television costume that didn't impress me to a small(ish) obsession to a dress that I want to wear all the time.

By the way, if you've seen my "On my hook" bar on the left and are wondering where the lace is, know that it's in progress. I keep going back and forth regarding what size lace I want on the dress. Once it's finished, I'll share it with you. It will give me a chance to show how I actually wear the dress.

Next up: a simple sundress, which is currently half-finished. It will be nice not to have to stripe match ;-)
Then: another TSC dress. This will be another modern interpretation of a period costume.

The month is quickly coming to an end - Are you working on any last minute That's Sew Cinematic garments?

Thanks so much for reading and happy sewing! x

Coming up: That's Sew Cinematic!

2012-06-11T09:32:00-07:00

When Debi first posted about "That's Sew Cinematic," I was fairly quick to sign up. I ~~had~~ have yet to finish the green silk dress from the Oscar challenge on Sew Weekly and I thought this new challenge would give me an excuse. Yeah. That's not happening! But, never fear (ha!), I do still have Cinematic sewing plans. Here's a little sneaky peaky at what's up first.

A lot of pattern drafting/tweaking for this one... And, oh look! Striped fabric!

For this particular dress, I've even stepped it up (a touch) by making my own hair clips and researching period hair styles.

A simple Edwardian updo with semi-handmade clip

I'm quite excited about this one. It's one of those projects that I obsessed over until I found everything I needed. I just hope it works out the way it is in my head! Can you guess what I'm working on?

Happy sewing! x