Shoes & Sewing

Come to Mama...New Vogue Patterns

2012-01-26T14:37:00.000-06:00

Not to enable anyone or anything (Heh! Heh!) , but the new Vogue patterns are available at BMV.com---and, they are on sale!!! I decided to go over there to look for a pattern to knock off a dress I saw on Net-a-Porter (more about that later), and there they were. I could not control myself. I will show you what I ordered to whet your appetite. This is not by far a comprehensive list of the new patterns, so I will let you browse on over there for a closer look.

Up first is V1280, a Donna Karan creation. It calls for a two way stretch knit. I love the interesting lines in the dress and I can see amazing color blocking possibilities.

V1280 - Donna Karan

(line drawing below)

Next is V1281, also a Donna Karan. I initially thought that this was also a knit, but it calls for crepe or charmeuse. WOW is all I can say!!!

V1281 - Donna Karan

(line drawing below)

Lastly, as far as the new patterns, I ordered V1286, a Tracy Reese design. This dress shows too much cleavage for my taste, so I will have to raise the neckline a little, but I do love the lines of the dress and the back of just fabulous.

V1286 - Tracy Reese

(line drawing below)

Lastly, I remembered to put the pattern I went to look at originally (before I was overcome by the new patterns) into my shopping cart. It is M6028.

M6028

I have been salivating over this dress I saw on Net-a- Porter and went to BMV to look for a pattern that I might could use to make a similar dress. I am thinking the first view of this pattern might give me what I need to make something similar to this beauty:

But, then again, it is on sale for $2,274 from an original $6785. Since it is a third the original price, I suppose I could just buy it---are you kidding me?!?!?!?!? In the words of Swamp People's Troy Landry, "I don't tink so." Until next time, Happy Sewing!!!

Burda Style 8-2009-12: Purple Leopard Double Knit

2012-01-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

Readers, thanks so much for the kind comments and welcome back comments on my previous post. It feels so good to be back blogging.

And, we have another installment of a garment made during the time I wasn't blogging...

I actually wore this dress to church yesterday, so I thought it would be a good time to snap a pic and blog about it. I have long loved this dress pattern that appeared in the August 2009 Burda Style magazine.

magazine pic

line drawing

8-2009-128

I just adore the shape of the dress. I really like the fabric that is used in the magazine, but I already have two dresses out of similar fabric, so I figured I didn't need a third. I just let the magazine sit and bake until I found the right fabric. Well, sometime last year fabric.com had a knit sale and I fell in love a purple leopard double knit. I love purple and I love leopard, so it was the perfect marriage. I was not sure what to make from it at the time, but I knew I had to have it. Then Jessica, at Green Apples, decided to make a sheath dress from it.

As soon as I read that, I knew immediately that I would make my long, loved Burda pattern from this fabric. A sheath dress from double knit had never crossed my mind.

I had never sewn a double knit until this one. I was kind of nervous, but after 12 years of sewing, I figured it was time. I read up on double knits. One of the best pieces of info I read is Gertie's Field Notes on Double Knits. The fact that I could treat a double knit virtually like a woven was helpful. This fabric has a little stretch to it, but not alot. I just plunged in and cut out my usual Burda size. This fabric sewed up easily and I did not have to make any alterations except that I omitted the zipper. Since there is a little stretch to the fabric, I decided to just pull the dress over my head. The dress is not lined so I wore a slip. I chose not to line it since I was working with a knit and I hardly ever line my knit dresses. I wore a black patent bow belt I bought a few months back from Forever 21 instead of making the one that comes with the pattern.

I LOVE this dress!!! Double knit fits very well. It is a little warm, though, because in deep south Alabama where I live, we have been having a winter heat wave. It was 74 yesterday and it supposed to be 78 later this week.

front

back

On my monitor, the purple is showing up kind of gray-ish, but it is really not. It is actually a very pretty shade of purple.

Speaking of Burda Style magazine, I let my subscription lapse over a year ago, but I am so impressed with the new February issue, that I am thinking of resubscribing. I will give them a couple of more issue, though, before I decide. Happy Sewing!!!

Well, Hello....New Look 6327 - Pink Leather Skirt

2012-01-19T16:06:00.000-06:00

Well, Hello, I have a blog. First, to all of you who have continued to read my blog these past 4 months I haven't posted, bless your sweet souls!!! And to the new followers I have gained during the months I haven't blogged, bless your sweet souls too!!! I actually did blog a couple of weeks ago, but I deleted it because I was unhappy ~~with the way my hair looked~~ my blog post. I thought about not explaining my absence, but the truth is that I had such a stressful semester at work at the end of last year, something had to go. My stress put me in a funk so I just decided to (wo)man up and get through it. I had so little extra time that I decided to use it all for sewing. It was sewing or blogging that had to go, and well I did not want to give up sewing. I did not want to give up blogging either, but if I don't sew, then there is nothing to blog about. I actually was very productive in my sewing. I sewed a lot of clothing. I have alot to show you in the upcoming days and weeks. This semester is going SO MUCH BETTER so far, so I plan to get back to regular blogging. I have not commented on the blogs I follow as I should have due to the very little time I had, but I plan to be better.
Well, let's get onto what I have to show you. Last year during Fabricmart's huge leather skins sale, I bought the most delicious lt bubblegum pink lambskin leather that you have ever seen. It sat, and sat, and sat in my stash because I was afraid to cut it. I did not want to mess it up. After studying up on sewing leather, I decided to take the plunge. I wanted to use a simple pattern, so I chose New Look 6327.

I sewed the view that the model is wearing. I cut out the pattern pieces and traced them onto the back of the leather. I held them down using cans of vegetables. Then I cut out the pieces. Then I sat down because I thought I was going to faint--not really, but that was a huge step for me.

I used paper clips instead of pins to hold together the pieces as I sewed. A size 14 leather needle was used. I did not have a teflon foot and did not want to buy one, so I used a tip I read about on patternreview. I put scotch tape on the bottom of my sewing foot to give it a smooth surface. I did not use any special type of thread, just what I had in my sewing box. I took a deep breath and started to sew. It went like clockwork. I never broke a needle--I could not believe it. Let me tell you, this leather is like butter. I saved every little leftover piece I had.

I did not make a muslin (I know that was stupid), but I figured I could just adjust the skirt as I went. Fortunately, it worked out. I did find this skirt to run big. I cut my usual size 12 and had to take it up alot. I probably could have made it two sizes smaller. I was not about to install an invisible zipper in my first attempt at leather, so I just did an exposed zipper.

Here is how I wore it to work today.

front

Outfit details:

olive cardigan - Alloy

ecru blouse - JCrew outlet

leopard belt - Spiegel

brown tights - Banana Republic

tan booties - Go Jane

back

(please forgive the wrinkles--these pics are after a full day at work-I didn't have time to take pics this morning)

Update: The last post I did was about a dress failure. I just decided to chalk it up to a bad sewing experience and not worry with it anymore. I am going to try and salvage the fabric for something else.

Happy Sewing!!

V1253: A failure for me

2011-09-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

I set out with such high hopes for V1253 when I started it a couple of weeks ago.

It is so pretty on the model, but I wish I had paid a little closer attention to the armholes before I started. Look at the back of the dress in the picture above and notice how low the armholes are. I don't know if that would have stopped me, but maybe it would have been a cautionary flag. I spent two weeks making this dress. My inspiration for it was the color blocking on this beautiful Skyscraper Dress from anthropologie. I bought some gray rayon knit from fabricmartfabrics.com and some black rayon knit from moodfabrics.com. They are both lightweight. I got my tricot knit lining from fabric.com as well as the organza for the petticoat. I think that the problem with this dress is that there are SO MANY gathers/ruching, which makes the dress heavy due to the amount of fabric. The back skirt alone consists of two panels. If I had it to do over (and I won't do it again), I would probably just use one back skirt panel. When I got through with the dress, it fit, but there were some problems. The problem was that the armholes were too low which was made worse by the heaviness of the dress. While I had the dress on, I could feel the heaviness of the fabric pulling at the armholes. I used the suggested type of fabric, so I don't want to blame it on the fabric. Also, try as I might, I could not get the armhole facing to attach appropriately. When I got it attached, it kept flipping out, even after I topstitched it. I attribute this to the heaviness of the dress. Also, at this point the side of my bra was showing. I would take a picture of the armhole issue, but I don't want to make all of you have to look at my armpit, nor do I want a pic of my bra strap showing going out over the internet. Tee Hee!! Other than the armhole problems, the dress fits me. GRRRRRRR!!!!! I was depressed over this, but now I am irritated.

I would love to know if anyone else is working on this dress and what your experience is/was. I was so excited about it having a dress with a petticoat and color blocking, which is so popular this fall. Is it a problem with the pattern or something I did wrong? At least this wasn't some of my birthday fabric or I would really be mad. Also, does anyone know of any possible way I could salvage the armholes and make them higher and prevent the facing from flipping out? I have tried to imagine how I could attach some fabric to the armhole, but I am not coming up with anything. I also considered taking out the seam on the shoulder straps (if you can call them that) and shortening them . I think the pattern called them the "upper bodice". The problem with that, though, is the overlap at the front center bodice. That was not the easiest thing to do or to figure out from the instructions. I thought about wearing a black t-shirt under the dress to compensate for the armhole issue, but I just don't know if that would look right. Even with that, there is still the problem of the armhole facing flipping out. This is all just making me want to flip out!!! If I am not able to salvage this dress, at least I can use the skirt portion to make a knit top of some type. There is most definitely enough fabric.

front

back

Next up for me is a dress out of a woven fabric. I had planned on making another of the new Vogues with the gathering/ruching, but I am a little gun shy right now. This was the second knit dress in a row so I need something different. I am going to use my royal blue gabardine fabric that I got for my birthday. If I am successful with it, I will make another of the Vogues.

B5674 - first garment with Birthday fabric (anthro knockoff)

2011-09-23T13:44:00.000-05:00

Awhile back I got some fabric for my birthday that is just like the fabric used in the anthropologie Gathered Hemlock Dress. It is a rayon/lycra knit from Emmaonesock.com.

fabric from emmaonesock

anthropologie Gathered Hemlock Dress

I looked at several dress patterns to try and figure out how I would make a close replica, but about that time Butterick came out with B5674. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the perfect pattern.

The bodice is different than the original dress, but the wrap skirt is almost dead on. The pattern is rated as "Easy", but I disagree. There are several twists and turns in lining the bodice that I think should give it an "Average" rating. All in all, the pattern was easy enough if you are experienced in sewing. I cut one size smaller than I usually do, because the pattern is for "moderate knits" and my fabric is very stretchy. I was a little nervous since I did not make a muslin and I was working with more expensive fabric than I usually work with, but it turned out well. WHEW!!! I followed the instructions exactly without making any alterations. I have only ever muslined a knit dress once because I am not sure how to do it other than buying double the amount of fabric I am going to use. With a woven, I just use some cheap broadcloth or linen from my stash. Readers, how do you muslin knit dresses? I would love to know because I know my luck with them is going to eventually run out. Here is the finished product.

front

back

outfit for work

Cardigan: Old Navy

Belt: Old Navy

Shoes: Anthropologie (Anniversary Gift)

Necklace: JCPenney

Happy Sewing!!!

S2281 - Cynthia Rowley Dress

2011-09-13T16:36:00.001-05:00

I bought this Cynthia Rowley pattern when it first came out because I loved the cut out shoulders and the neck strap that ties in the back. It sat for awhile in my pattern stash until I could find the right fabric.

I wasn't really sure what I even wanted to make it from until I was surfing around denverfabrics one day and came across this ikat cotton lawn. It has teal, black, light gray, and white making up the design. Cotton lawn is my new favorite fabric. It is so wonderful to work with in that it is not too wrinkly and sews so easily.
I cut my normal size, but if I had it to do over I would cut a size smaller. I think this pattern runs big. I did my normal folding out of fullness in the front and back bodices, but then I had to do an inch seam on the sides as opposed to the 5/8 in. Then to correct for a little fullness in the back, I tapered in from a 5/8 in seam to a 7/8 in seam towards the bottom of the back bodice.
Also, I was so disappointed because the instructions for the view D that I sewed did not have the instructions included. They only give instructions for View A/B. I had read a review of this pattern already that had indicated these instructions were missing, so I was prepared....but still disappointed. I basically just matched up dots and followed my nose. It wasn't too difficult, but just aggravating. I only lined the bodice as the instructions indicated so I just serged the seams in the skirt. I omitted the applique at the waist. Overall I am happy with the way it turned out.

I am trying to come up with ways to style it for Fall/Winter. I am thinking of incorporating some coral colors into it. Until next time, Happy Sewing!!

Kate Spade Skirt Knockoff--M5804

2011-09-07T16:31:00.000-05:00

The first time I saw this Kate Spade "Easton" skirt, I knew I had to make a knockoff. It is just so sunny and pretty.

My quest began with finding the right fabric. I searched and searched, but I could not find anything. Then, when I was looking for something else completely, I found the perfect fabric on fabric.com. This is how it usually happens. It is Michael Miller "Sunshine" Stripe. I bought it last year, but as is usually the case, it had to marinate for awhile in my stash while I worked on other things. When I finally decided to make the skirt, I just decided to eliminate the bodice of M5804 and use the waistband and skirt portion. I could not find a close enough skirt pattern in my pattern stash, and I did not ~~need to~~ want to go buy a new pattern. I need to work on sewing up what I have. We'll see how long that lasts. HA!

I had to tweak the waistband a little to make it curve into my waist by tapering into a deeper seam on its side seams. I inserted a back zipper and lined the skirt. The waistband was faced and the lining attached to the facing to achieve a nice clean finish on the inside.

I studied the bow on the Kate Spade skirt and tried to mimic it as closely as possible. It was just a matter of sewing strips of fabric together and interfacing the "bow" portion so that it would not droop.

I am wearing it for the first time to work today. If you notice, my stripes have a bit more of a wave to them than the original Kate Spade skirt because of the bias nature of the pattern. I am happy I got this made before the Fall weather begins to set in. Of course, here in south Alabama, it will be November before it gets really cool, so I am having a hard time getting into Fall sewing.

Here is how I wore the skirt:

Top, S2633 blogged about here

Tan patent peeptoes

Bib Necklace, F21

Rosette T-Shirt: Kate Spade Knockoff

2011-08-26T07:51:00.000-05:00

Last year I saw this Kate Spade Rosette t-shirt and thought it was so pretty. I wanted to do a replica and, fortunately, I came across a wonderful post on Adventures in Dressmaking that showed exactly how to do it. I love it when that happens so I don't have to figure it out myself.

A couple of years ago I bought a long-sleeved, turtleneck t-shirt off Walmart's clearance rack. I didn't bother to try it on and when I got it home, it was too big. I had planned to just take it up so it would fit, but when I saw this tutorial at Adventures in Dressmaking, I decided it would be perfect. Of course, I had to let things marinate for awhile as other projects took precedence, but, finally, I made it last week.
I did not take a pic of the before shirt, but it looked something like this except with a turtleneck. Also, my shirt is gray and navy striped:

I followed the tutorial on Adventures in Dressmaking exactly and it turned out very well. I won't repeat the steps here because I would just be rewriting the tutorial. After I got the rosette sewn on, I tacked it down in various places so that it would lay down and not flip forward as I wore the top.
The edges of the neck and armholes are finished with fold over elastic. I had never used fold-over elastic before and none of my local fabric shops had any, so I bought some on etsy from Deepwater Trading. I used just a little less than the two yards. I was a little apprehensive since I had never used it before, but it was so easy. There is a great video tutorial on Angry Chicken and also a how-to on Craft Stylish on how to apply it. Here is my finished top:

front of tee

closeup of rosette

cardigan: JCPenney

Jeans: Walmart

Belt: ebay

shoes: Dillards

shoe closeup

Stay tuned for another Kate Spade Knockoff--Happy Sewing!!

Lonsdale Dress

2011-08-16T08:51:00.000-05:00

When Sewaholic first announced the Lonsdale dress, I knew I would have to have it.

It is so unique and I have never seen a style quite like it. It has a halter front, but it has straps on the back like a sundress as well as a cute little bow. I can't resist a bow!!
I ordered the pattern as soon as it became available on Sewaholic.net. When Tasia started a Sew-Along (note my badge in the upper right hand corner) it was just the motivation I needed. Sewaholic describes the dress as being designed for a pear-shaped figure. I apparently don't have a pear shaped figure, because had to take out alot on the front bodice. Or, does that mean I am extremely pear shaped? I made my muslin of the bodice, and ended up having to slice out quite a bit. I would have thought that I needed to go to a smaller size except for the fact that the back bodice was perfect without any alterations. Here is a pic of my bodice muslin. On the right side I have drawn in the dart that I sliced out of the bodice.

You will notice several other colors of markers. That is because it took me several attempts to get it just right. The next pic is the bodice pattern piece with the extra folded out.

I also had to scoop into a 7/8" seam on the front center bodice seam to take out some fullness as well as taper from 5/8" out to 1/2" seam allowance at the side seams from about bust level to the underarm. All in all, I think I got a pretty good fit.

I used some wonderful cotton lawn bought from DenverFabrics.com.

Oh my goodness, Readers, I think cotton lawn is my new favorite fabric to sew with. It is just lovely!!! I have some more in my stash that I plan to use for a future anthropologie knockoff.

Here are pics of the dress:

shoes: Paris Hilton Senorita pumps (last years birthday gift)

pink jewelry: local store

If you notice, I need to straighten my straps a little better on the back, but I was in such a hurry to take this pic before going to church, I didn't think to check. However, I did check before walking out the door :)

Until next time....Happy Sewing!!

Happy Birthday Fabric!!!

2011-08-12T18:13:00.000-05:00

I celebrated my birthday yesterday and finally got to open my gifts of fabric. I already knew what I was getting (I ordered it) but my husband said I had to wrap it up and open it on my birthday. I love it when other bloggers share fabric purchases, so I will share mine. I will also share my plans for it, but those plans are always subject to change. Here is picture of all of it laid out in all its glory.

I will describe it left to right from the back row to the front row.
The first piece is a rayon/lycra knit print from EmmaOneSock. Here is a closeup from the website.

I found out about this fabric from the wonderful blog Welcome to the gOOd life. This it the exact same fabric that the anthropologie Gathered Hemlock Dress is made from. Guess what I am going to do? Yes, I plan to make a knockoff, as did Sarah on her blog, but I am going to use B5674. I just have to wait until Hancock's puts the pattern on sale so I can get it.

Next up is this stretch cotton ombre print from Mood Fabrics.

I have been looking for awhile for a fabric to use to knockoff anthropologie's Dreaming in Green Skirt. I am going to have to take a basic pencil skirt pattern and draft the skirt from it. That will take a little work.
The royal blue gabardine on the back row is from Hancock's fabric. The first time I saw Victoria Beckham's Carmontelle Dress, I almost fell down from the beauty of it. There are lots of images of it online if you just google it. It also comes in gray, but for some reason, I want mine in royal blue. S2282 is a close enough copy for me to be happy with.

The tan striped fabric on the back row is ticking from Country Curtains. I almost had a spell when I first saw anthropologie's Bold Boutonniere Dress last year. I have wondered what to use for the skirt fabric until awhile back Kristina on her blog, Kristina J, made a knockoff using ticking. I knew immediately I had to do the same thing. I am going to make the bodice of the dress from some ivory polyester poplin.

The very psychadelic-looking fabric that is on the back row is from Hancock's. It is one of their Linen Fancies. The print of it is just like a knit top I have and have always loved. I haven't the foggiest idea what I will make from it. Any suggestions?

Now we have made it to the first row. The green striped fabric is a polyester charmeuse from denverfabrics.com. I am thinking of making V1190 with this fabric, but I am still debating that.

To the right of the green fabric is, I think, my favorite fabric of the bunch--if you can pick a favorite fabric--isn't that like picking a favorite child? It is bright striped silk charmeuse, also bought from denverfabrics.com. I searched far and wide for some fabric similar to the fabric used on Kate Spade's Jeanette Striped Dress. I am debating doing a shirt dress with the fabric like the Kate Spade dress, but at the same time, I am really liking S2177, View B for this fabric. Readers, what do you think?

The next piece of fabric is a rayon challis by Free Spirit. It is one of their Van Gogh splatter prints in green. I bought it from Pattern Loft on ebay here. I also got the pink version, too which is the last piece of fabric on the first row.

pink splatter print

green splatter print

I first became aware of this Free Spirit Van Gogh collection on Green Apples blog. I became obsessed with finding it, but it had sold out everywhere. I finally came across it on ebay. Interestingly enough, I was looking at fabric.com yesterday, and now they have it. I am debating making V1161 from one piece of it, but I am not sure. Whatever I make from the remaining piece is still to be decided.

Finally, the fourth piece of fabric on the first row is a really pretty black fabric with polka dots and pleating that I got from Gorgeous Fabrics. I have been toying with the idea of making V1176 with it, but I am not sure how the bow on that dress would work with the pleating in the fabric.

Well, I am certainly going to be busy. I imagine some of it will have to marinate for awhile before I figure out what to do, but I am looking forward to getting started sewing . Needless to say, I am doing a happy dance.

Thanks for reading. Happy Sewing!!!

S2444: Lollipop Dress

2011-08-08T14:55:00.000-05:00

I think Simplicity 2444 is one of the prettiest patterns ever. The cape collar and the full skirt are just so girly. My first attempt at it was a wadder which then seemed to lead to a series of wadders. I decided it needed to rest for awhile before I attempted it again. A few months ago, I came across this cotton sateen on Fashionfabricsclub.com and knew I had found the perfect fabric for it. This fabric reminds me of lollipops, thus the name of the post.

I had to do some altering on the bodice of this dress after making a muslin. It just had a weird fit so I had to pinch out some on the front and back bodice. It had gaping in both the front and back neckline as well as gaping at the front part of the armholes.

darts drawn in where gaping (front bodice)

dart drawn in where gaping (back bodice)

folding to get rid of fullness in bodice front

folding out fullness in bodice back

When I laid out the bodice front piece on my fabric there was alot of wrinkling and bubbling in it due to the folding. It concerned me a little, but I forced the wrinkles and bubbling towards the bust area and smooshed it down as best as I could.

bodice front pinned to fabric

I had to fold out some equal fullness in the cape collar front and back pieces to match what I did on the front and back bodice. I am showing on the back collar piece below, but it was basically the same process as I did on the bodice pieces: draw in dart, fold out fullness, and smoosh down.

front bodice piece

collar back

Likewise, fullness had to be folded out of the front and back facing pieces, but that only required a straight fold as opposed to any weird angles. I also had to taper in from a 5/8" seam to a 7/8" seam at the shoulder seam to take even more fullness out of the neck. Then I tapered from 5/8" out to 3/8" at the side seam from the waist to the armhole so that I could breathe. After all of that altering, I achieved a really good fit. The topstitching on the collar and armholes was done with orange machine embroidery thread.

Here is the finished product:

front

bracelet: actually a necklace from JCPenney

earrings: some my sister got tired of (I love her jewelry hand-me-downs)

shoes: tan patent peeptoes from Steinmart

back

Happy Sewing!!!

S2599-Ruffle neck top

2011-08-02T19:06:00.000-05:00

I bought this Simplicity pattern quite awhile back, but it has just languished in my stash because I like sewing pretty dresses the best. However, it is always nice to do something different and something that is quicker for a change. If it has a ruffle and a bow on it, I pretty much like it. I have had some aqua polka-dot polyester charmeuse that I bought from Hancock's a couple of years ago that has also languished in my stash, so I just decided to put the pattern and the fabric together using View E (the view pictured on the model).

fabric closeup

This pattern was truly easy to make and even the ruffle came together easily. However, the top is rather voluminous as you can see on the model. I debated adding the elastic casing at the waist as in View F to make it a little more fitted, but since I plan to wear it tucked in I decided not to do so. The only thing I did differently was to serge the edge of the ruffle and then turn it down and hem it as opposed to doing a narrow hem without serging as described in the instructions. The top is not lined, so I serged all the seams inside.
I am letting my dress form, Lady Burgundy, model it so you can see the entire top.

front

back

(sorry the pic is a little blurry)

Outfit

skirt--I made this skirt a couple of years before I started blogging. It is a lightweight polyester with a quilted effect to it.

Belt - Charlotte Russe

Tan patent peeptoes-Steinmart

Necklace-JCPenney

On a side note, my birthday is coming up next week and I have already picked out what I want. Is it a shiny piece of jewelry? Is it a statement handbag? Well, of course not---it is fabric--but some really nice fabric. Swooooooonnnnn!!!! My husband told me awhile back to order the fabric I had been wanting and it could be for my birthday. However, he said I could not sew it until my birthday and it had to be wrapped up so I could open it. Isn't that sweet? It is sitting on the floor in my living room wrapped up in boxes staring at me. My cat has tried to pull off the bows on the packages. I have big plans for this fabric that I will share with you in a couple of weeks after I get to open it. Until next time...Happy Sewing!!

S2248: Inspired by Anthropologie Regatta Dress

2011-07-27T09:35:00.000-05:00

In 2006 Anthropologie introduced the beautiful Regatta dress. I just thought it was fabulous, but I just could not spend the money on it. Over the past several years, I have throught about it and looked at it in my file of inspiration pics that I save on my computer.

Awhile back I started to get serious about doing a knock-off of it, so I began to look for fabric. I found plenty of red and white striped cotton fabric, but it was all very regular striped. If you notice on the anthropologie dress, there are four red stripes and then a white space. I finally quit looking, and one day when I was on Gorgeous Fabrics looking for something totally different, I spied this fabric. I linked to it, but as I am writing only 5 yards are left. I believe it was on sale at the time I bought it.

This Regatta dress also came in a gorgeous black/white version and there is also a black/white version of this fabric at Gorgeous Fabrics.

The fabric is not exactly like the anthropologie fabric, but it is closer than I thought I would ever get. Before I found the fabric, I had already decided on the pattern: Simplicity 2248.

S2248

I made the first view on the first row of the line drawings. I did not extend the wraps around into a bow, but I just inserted the edges into the side seams instead. I knew I wanted to be able to wear a cardigan with it when it gets cooler, and the bow would just get in the way. Also, the straps were not long enough to tie into a nice bow once I got them made--(Make your straps about 1.5 feet longer if you go that route). Also, since there is a definite right/wrong side to this fabric, I cut extra straps, sewed right sides together, and turned them inside out instead of making the narrow hems down the edges. I avoid doing narrow hems when I can, although I will do them when necessary.

I made a muslin of this dress and had to pinch out some in the yoke back. I drew where it needed pinching out, cut it in the middle, and brought the lines together. Then I taped it together and smooshed it as flat as I could. Is "smooshed" a proper sewing term? Anyway, here is a pictorial of the process.

Draw in dart representing area needing to be pinched out

Slice up the middle

Bring lines together, smoosh flat, tape, and smoosh flat some more.

I don't know if this is proper sewing technique, but it worked and it fits. I also had to taper in from 5/8 inch to 7/8 inch out to the armhole where the yoke back attached to the back skirt to remove gaping at the back armhole. I also had to taper in to 7/8 inch at the front neckline to eliminate front neck gaping.

Here is the finished product of the front and back. Mine is not an exact replica of the Anthropologie Regatta dress, but I did not want a strapless dress. Mine is more of an inspired version.

front

Blue velvet shoes: Nine West

Necklace: New York & Company

back

If you notice, the pleats on the back skirt are a little hiked up. I promise they don't really look that way. It is because I have raised my arms and shoulders a little to hold up my hair so you can see the open back at the neck. If I had noticed this before taking off the dress, I would have retaken the pic. Happy Sewing!!!

Vogue 1174: Cynthia Steffe dress (100th post)

2011-07-20T18:23:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe this is my 100th post!!! When Vogue came out with this pattern several months ago, I thought it was so pretty. I bought it when it went on sale at BMV and then added it to my to do list. (Do you ever feel like your sewing to do list will never get all done? It almost stresses me out sometimes, but then I remind myself sewing is for fun) I waited for the perfect fabric to come along and it did. I used the same fabric that I made this skirt from.
   After shunning muslins for many years and, as a result, having many unplanned muslins (TEE HEE!!) , I have finally decided that, for me and my sanity, a muslin is the way to go--even if I only make one for the bodice. It is a great feeling to know without any worry (to a reasonable degree--I always worry) that what you make is going to fit, particularly if it is especially lovely fabric or, especially expensive fabric.
    I read several pattern reviews on this dress before I made it and many of them commented on it being sized too large. I cut my first muslin my usual size 12. After sewing up the bodice, it was HUGE!!! I pretty much knew I was going to have to go down two sizes, so I cut a size 8 and did a second muslin (a first for me). Even then, I had to taper in about a half inch more at the top of the side seams. My recommendation is that if you make this dress, you are probably going to have to make a size or two smaller. Even if you have never made a muslin before, I highly recommend it for this dress.
     I very much deviated from the instructions given for this pattern. They use a couture technique of horsehair and foundation and all of that stuff I have never done. After thinking about it for awhile, I decided to make this bodice like I did the bodice for my knockoff of the anthropologie Verite dress. I cut the bodice pieces twice, interfaced the bodice, and used the second pieces as facing.

interfaced bodice

I added boning to just the side seams of the bodice facing.

facing with boning

The pattern called for making piping. I have a serger foot that will make piping easily, but I was lazy (just being honest) so I just bought some from a local Singer store in the town where I work. I originally had thought about using a lavendar piping to pick up the lavendar in the dress, but I could not find just the right color. At that point, I thought about actually making it, but then I could not find just the right color of fabric. After holding up red piping to the material, I thought it would actually work best. The pattern did not call for piping the top edge of the bodice, but I did it anyway because I thought it would give it a more finished look.

bodice upclose

I also added straps like a blogger did at Sew Tessuti by making them a little wider at the shoulder. I loved the look of the straps with this dress. Also, since I was going to wear it to church, I honestly would have felt a little exposed in a strapless dress , but that is just me. I see people wear them all the time and I think they are lovely. Maybe I will get up the nerve.

I had never seen a skirt attached to a bodice like in this pattern, but it was different so I went with it. I used red topstitching thread. Also, I did not put in an invisible zipper. This fabric was so thick by the time you got the facing and interfacing in that I just used a regular zipper. It actually sort of disappears into the seam. Speaking of zippers, it is this dress that I took a break from to make my Ikat dress (previous post) while I waited for a store to open to buy a zipper. I also lengthened the dress by a couple of inches.

The lining for the dress is a basic polyester lavendar-ish pink lining that I bought at my local fabric shop.

lining

front

shoes - red Target peeptoes

I originally had on a necklace with lavendar stones, but I had taken it off by the time I took this pic.

Please forgive this flat hair--I took this pic after walking through the rain to and from the car at church. It is sooooooooo humid where I live in South Alabama. I actually hot rolled my hair if you can believe it, but one trip through the humidity destroyed that.

back

My final assessment of this project is that it is not hard if you have been sewing for awhile. However, even though I did not use all the couture techniques described in the instructions, it was still very time consuming.

I leave you with a pic of the nail polish I wore. It perfectly matches the pinkish lavendar in the dress--I'm sorry but I couldn't help myself--I like for my nail polish to match my clothing if possible.

OPI "Windy City Pretty"

M6069 - Ikat Dress

2011-07-14T21:23:00.002-05:00

I have had this McCall's pattern in my stash for awhile but have never found just the right fabric for it. During one of fabric.com's recent sales, I spotted the perfect fabric--Ikat rayon jersey.

This dress was truly one of the easiest garments I have ever sewn. Now, it took me more than the 1hour that the pattern envelope advertises. I don't even think I can cut out anthing in just 1 hour. I sewed View A and added the back strap. I went right by the instructions except that I omitted the pockets.
This dress came about while I was in the middle of another dress project (more on that in a later post). Unfortunately, I realized I did not have a zipper for the dress and being that it was the 4th of July weekend, there was nowhere open to go buy a zipper. Being this was the Saturday before the 4th, I knew I could not go without sewing all the way to Tuesday--I would go into withdrawals. I decided it would be the perfect time to whip out the Ikat dress.

back

Necklace: JCPenney

Belt: Old Navy

Shoes: JCPenney

Until next time---Happy Sewing!!!

Vogue Patterns, you have outdone yourselves!!!

2011-07-11T19:15:00.000-05:00

I don't usually do reviews of new patterns on my blog because there are other bloggers who do that so well. I just don't see adding my voice since they do such a fabulous job with their reviews. However, I can't help myself this time. I just decided to pop over to McCall.com and see if Vogue had added any new patterns. WELL, THEY HAVE!!!! They are amazingly gorgeous. Just think drape and more drape, knits and more knits. I don't think I have ever been more exciited over a set of new patterns. May I just share some of the beauties that caught my eye.

Vogue 1259

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I think my favorite of the whole bunch.

Vogue 1258

Reminds me a little of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's style --yes I am a Kate-a-holic.

Vogue 1256

Jaw dropping!!!

Vogue 1253

So elegant!!!

Vogue 1252

The lines of the pattern are not very visible, so here is a line drawing.

Vogue 1254

This reminds me of that Catherine Walker dress Duchess Catherine wore while in Canada

Vogue 8742

Nice ruching.

All I can say about these patterns is, "Come to Mama."

S3503: Polka Dot Halter Dress

2011-07-07T20:20:00.000-05:00

I don't watch Glee, but I keep up with Emma Pillsbury's fashion via the wonderful blog, What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? One of my favorite outfits ever that Emma wore is pictured below:

Here is a better shot of the outfit with the red shoes.

Here is the full post on this outfit.
I knew I was going to have to recreate this somehow. First I needed a black polka dot dress. Even though Emma's dress is not a halter, I wanted one so I bought some lightweight rayon blend black/white polka dot knit from fashionfabricsclub.com (I think). It may have come from fabric.com, but I can't remember. I chose to use Simplicity 3503, View D, the shorter length halter dress.

I read a few reviews on patternreview.com and found out that to make the back elastic fit well I needed to cut it for the size smaller than I was making. I did that, but I could probably have cut it a little shorter for a tighter fit. It stays up okay, though. The pattern calls for a tricot lining. I had never worked with tricot before making this dress so this was a first for me. I bought some 40 Denier Tricot White from fabric.com. It was pretty easy to work with as it behaves like most other knits. However, it does tends to roll up on the edges.
Overall the dress was easy to make, except for one part of the instructions that made me a little confused. The instructions have you run the elastic through the back piece on which you have made a casing and then sew it to the bodice front to which you have already attached the lining. I had to look at the pictures to figure out what to do, but I just went with it and it worked out.

front

back

Here is how I wore the outfit inspired by Emma Pillsbury. I wore a necklace with lime green and pinkish/purple in it, so I chose eggplant patent Mary Jane heels instead of red ones like Emma wore.

Cardigan: Old Navy

Yellow belt: Walmart

Necklace: Charlotte Russe (I think)

Shoes: Parisian (before they became Belk)

Until next time, Happy Sewing!!

Spring Outfit: S2501/S5259

2011-06-30T20:34:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to make myself a JCrew inspired "watercolor pencil skirt" for sometime and have been waiting for the perfect fabric to come along. I follow alot of fashion blogs and I saw a blogger pair a pindot blouse from anthropologie with a similar anthropologie watercolor skirt. I just fell in love with the outfit.
Here is the anthro shirt and skirt that was worn together.

Picture Frame Blouse

Penciled Abronia Skirt

I decided I had to make something similar. I bought some Lipstick pindot cotton shirting from fabric.com when it went on sale and some Kerri Stretch Sateen and set about making my outfit. This pindot shirting is so soft it feels almost like cotton lawn.

For the blouse, I chose Simplicity 2501, View D, that had been in my pattern stash for awhile.

I have long loved this pattern and have just been waiting for the perfect fabric to come along. I made the blouse exactly according to pattern instructions with the only alteration being that I used 3/8" elastic in the sleeves instead of the recommended 1/4". That was only because my local fabric shop was out of 1/4". The red buttons are from my stash of buttons. This is currently my favorite blouse.

Here is my blouse being modeled by my dress form, Lady Burgundy. Lady Burgundy is just not herself anymore. She has become mis-adjusted somehow and I can't get her fixed. I really need to invest in a quality dressform. Anyway, here is the blouse:

front

back

sleeve closeup

For the skirt, I used S5259, View D.

Readers, this is the perfect pencil skirt pattern. I will definitely be using it in the future again. I made the skirt with no alterations except that I added a lining. I attached the lining to the waistband facing so that I would have a nice clean finish on the inside. The lining is a pinkish/lavender basic polyester.

skirt front

skirt back

lining

This sateen fabric is currently my favorite piece of fabric I have ever bought. I just LOVE the colors in it. I bought enough to make a dress from it, too.

Here is how I wore the outfit:

The shoes I am wearing are knockoffs of Anthropologie's Anticipation Heels. I got these at Ruche.com for much less than the original anthropologie heels. Here is a closeup of the anthro version, but mine look exactly like them.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!!! Have a great 4th of July!!

Knocking off Fables By Barrie (Sailor Dress) - B 4788

2011-06-03T15:21:00.001-05:00

Several months back I was surfing around Etsy and I came across this stunning dress. My jaw almost hit the floor. The dress was $150ish so I knew I would not be purchasing it. However, I began to think about how I might knock it off.

This dress is by a company called Fables by Barrie. I did not know that at the time until I saw the dress again later on Modcloth, but it had long sold out. I knew that it would be easy to find some navy and some white cotton interlock, but who knew how difficult it would be to find some red/white striped interlock with just the right size stripes?!?!? I looked everywhere and finally found some at Fabric Fairy. I had never heard of the company before, but I ordered anyway. I must say I am very pleased with their service. The red/white striped interlock is excellent quality. I turned right around and ordered some navy/white striped interlock from them. I bought my navy interlock and white interlock from fashionfabricsclub.com.

I began to look for a pattern to make the dress. I searched and searched and gave up. One day I was looking through some patterns in my stash and, lo and behold, I already had a pattern that would work, B4788, View B.

I did not realize it because you cannot really see the details of the dress very well from the cover pic. However, when I looked at the line drawings on the back, I knew I had found the perfect candidate for this knockoff.

I had already made View A of this dress a long time ago before I began blogging, but I did not remember what View B looked like. Next came the task of finding buttons. I went to Etsy and found some right away.

The dress was really easy to make. I followed the instructions exactly as they were written, except that I drafted facings for the armholes. I could not make the fabric turn under correctly as described in the instructions because the interlock was a little too thick, so I decided a facing would be much easier. I usually never make a muslin for a knit dress because, fortunately, they have always fit me when I just go by the finished bust measurement. I assumed this one would not be any different. However, when I got it made, it was gaping about an inch at the back neck. I debated how to salvage it and decided to put a pleat in back neck. There are pleats on the shoulders of the front of the dress, so I thought this might look okay and kind of go along with those front shoulder pleats.

back of dress

Here is the finished dress. I plan to wear it to church on July 3 when we do our July 4th choir musical presentation. Our choir director always wants us to look patriotic. I haven't decided if I will wear the silver sandals I have on with it in this pic or my red patent peeptoe heels.

As you can see on my dress, I omitted the bows on the shoulders and my bottom ruffle is a little more "ruffley" than the original dress. Also, my front bodice wraps over in a V neck unlike the original which is a U neck. I can't wait to wear this on July 3.

On a side note, I have tried several times to comment on many of the blogs I follow, but there is apparently something wrong with Blogger. Everytime I type in a comment (except for once or twice), it takes me to the sign in page. Well, I sign in and it takes me back to the comments where it then again takes me back to the sign in page. I don't know what is going on. Until next time, happy sewing, and stay cool!! Literally, stay COOL!! It is 99 here today with a heat index of 104. I am staying inside at the sewing machine.

Little Black Graduation Dress - McCall 5658

2011-05-13T17:28:00.001-05:00

I bought this pattern from ebay last year after letting it go out of print on me before I bought it.

My favorite view of the dress is View B in the red. It has sat in my pattern stash for a year while I have debated where in the world I could wear a dress like that. Then, it finally hit me about 2 weeks ago. I teach in a community college and every year all instructors are required to participate in graduation, unless we have a really good excuse. We have to don the cap, gown, sashes...all that stuff. Well, at least we have not had to wear the cap for the past several years. Before the ceremony, there is a reception of cake, cheese straws, mints, and punch where the faculty, graduating students, and parents hang out and mingle. My time spent at that reception over the years has become less and less because I don't mingle very well. Anyway, it hit me that I could make this dress and wear it to the reception (for what little time I spend there).
I actually made a muslin. I am getting much better about that. I used to never make a muslin and because of that have, over the years, ended up with a few, shall we say, "unplanned" muslins. I am reaching the point in my sewing hobby where I am starting to think they are worth the time. It sure beats messing up your best fabric. I am so thankful I made a muslin on this dress, because I had to make some fitting adjustments. I had to pinch out some on each side of the front band between the bust and the armhole. I made the marks on the muslin and transferred them to the front band pattern piece here.

Notice that the dart does not come to a point at the bottom, so I had to extend it onto the bodice front piece that attaches to this front band.

bodice front with added dart

Then I slit the front band piece down the middle of the dart and folded the lines on top of each other.

slit down middle of dart

dart folded together on lines

My plan for the bodice front (pattern piece #7) was to just to ease it onto the bodice front band when I sewed them together. That didn't work. Either it required more ease than I thought it would or it was the fabric, but I kept getting little pleats and folds showing where I tried to put the ease in. Finally I just went back and folded out the little dart on the bodice front. See pic below.

I don't know if this is the correct way to make the alterations, but it worked and my dress fits. After making these alterations, I cut out the dress and sewed it according to the instructions. It was a very easy dress to sew. I cut a size 12, but had to taper out from 5/8 inch seams to 3/8 inch seams on the sides right above the waist. This was necessary for breathing :)
The pattern only called for the bodice to be lined, but I lined the entire dress. I had great plans to put studs all the way around the circular band at the neck, but after I put the first one in, I knew that was not happening because I just did not have the time. They are only on the front square portion between the circular neck strap and the front band.

The studs came from a belt I bought at an outlet store. My sweet husband removed them from the belt for me. I have plenty left on the belt for any future projects requiring them.

Here is a pic of the inside of the dress. I bought this basic polyester lining at my local fabric shop. If you note, it is brown because the store did not have black. The dress is made with fabric bought from that same shop. It is black polyester shantung.

The dress has an invisible zipper and it held together at the back of the neck with clasps for pants.

Finally here is a pic of me wearing it just before leaving for graduation. I paired it with some silver
peeptoe heels from Target.

Happy Easter!!! Burda 11-2007-106

2011-04-24T13:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter, Everyone!!! Jesus is RISEN!!!

My Easter dress this year is Burda 11-2007-106. I have loved this dress pattern for quite awhile, but could never manage to get my hands on a copy of 11-2007 Burda magazine. Finally, I was looking around on ebay one day and there it was. It was the German version, but the English instructions were included, so I snapped it up.

Here is how the original dress was made in the Burda magazine.

I did the reverse on mine. I made my bodice a light pink and the skirt black. The bodice is made from charmeuse satin in baby pink ordered from fabric.com and the skirt is a black polyester shantung that I bought at my local fabric shop.

The construction of the dress was not hard at all, but I would say a little fiddly with all the ruffle gathering. The instructions were quite good, even for Burda magazine. I followed the directions and did not line it. However, if I had it to do over again, I would line it simply because the facing at the neckline wanted to flip out. I don't mind facings, but I have decided I don't prefer them with slippery fabrics. I sewed coins into the facing to give it some weight so it will stay down. Since I did not line the dress, I pressed the seams flat and serged the edges of the seams. Also, I curved the back seam in as I sewed it to make it fit my lower back better.

For the ruffles at the neck and armholes, I did a rolled hem in pink rayon embroidery thread on the edge. I just could not stomach narrow hemming them, particularly since they are made of slippery charmeuse fabric. I used elastic thread to make a little loop at the back neck and fastened it with a pearl button.

rolled hem edge

upclose of bodice

Here is my finished version.

The dress as styled by Burda has a very classic look to it, but I decided to make mine a little more funky. I love to play with color combinations, so I am wearing a yellow belt and these awesome shoes I bought a few years ago for a steal. They are "Saki" by Carlos Santana. Here is an upclose look at them. They have pink, lavendar, yellow and orange in them.

I hope you have a Happy Easter and a wonderful week next week!!!

S2580 - inspired by anthropologie

2011-04-12T16:52:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago, anthropologie introduced the Powdered Pigment Dress. It is unusual and attracted my eye. I love the way the stripes swirl around , the cowl neck, and the pleating at the waist. It is made from silk material.

I decided to do an inspired version. I used Simplicity 2580 and a striped ITY jersey I got on sale at fabric.com. For a better look, see here at the wonderful blog You, Me, and Anthropologie. This blogger tried it on and has some up close shots of it. It is probably a very good thing that I don't live close to an anthro.

I used the cowl neck from this pattern and the shorter skirt. I added a faux wrap to mimic the anthro dress and pulled up some pleats which I topstitched in purple. I did not add sleeves, but went sleeveless instead. Because my fabric is different, my dress drapes differently than the anthro, but I tried to capture the main idea.

front view

side view (forgive the dog toy in the background)

pleats

Readers, I am just not sure about this dress. I purposefully did not "slash and spread" the wrap portion of the skirt before doing the pleating because I wanted the stripes to swirl. However, something about it seems off to me proportionally. Do you think it is too long? I have considered chucking the whole anthro vibe of it by just taking out the pleats, shortening the dress, and making a sash out of the same material to go around the waist. What do you think?

P.S. I actually already did an earlier post on this, but I did not like it so I deleted it.

Giraffe Dress (V8489) and Refashioned Cardigan

2011-04-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

During my week off of Spring Break, I managed to get two dresses made and another cut out. I wore one of the dresses to church this morning. It is Vogue 8489.

I made the sleeveless view in a stretch rayon blend jersey knit from fabric.com. For the contast, I used some leftover Vera Wang ivory rayon knit that I bought when it was on sale for 1.95/yd at fabric.com a few months ago. I followed the instructions for making the dress exactly, so there isn't much to say there. I did find figuring out my size to be challenging, though. I usually make a 12 for woven fabric and either a 10 or a 12 for knit pattern, depending on the bust measurement marked on the pattern piece. When I looked at the bust measurement on the pattern piece, it looked like I should go up to a size 14. I was really afraid to do that because of this dress being a knit, so I took a deep breath and cut into my fabric using the size 12. It fits, so I guessed correctly. WHEW!! The only alterations I made is that I hemmed the dress a little shorter than it is pictured and I omitted the zipper. I just don't understand a zipper in a knit dress. I didn't worry about trying to do any pattern matching on the back seam because I think that would have been impossible with this print., or more trouble than I was willing to take.

It is interesting to me that Vogue calls this pattern "Easy Options". This pattern was not what I call easy. Now, I didn't find it to be difficult at all, but I have been sewing for 11 years. I pity some poor, unsuspecting beginner who picks this pattern up thinking it would be "easy" for them to start with. There are some weird angles at the neckline and waistband that require some finagling in order to get them to match up with seams.

It was a little cool when I stepped outside this morning, so I wore a cardigan that I refashioned from a sweater I picked up during my first thrifting adventure. I began with a simple U-neck cardigan that I cut up the front and attached bias tape to each side. I made the bias with my Simplicity Bias Tape Maker that I got for Christmas. I added some buttons bought at my local sewing store.

sweater in original form

refashioned into a cardigan

button and bias band closeup\

I cannot take credit for coming up with this method for refashioning a sweater. That credit goes to Kathleen Frances at Grosgrain. Here is the tutorial.

Here is how I wore the dress in my church outfit:

necklace: local boutique for 75% off

sea green peeptoes: Dillards from years ago

Well, all my patterns that I ordred (and my fabric that I forgot to mention :) has come in. I have big plans and a couple of more dresses to show you. Happy Sewing!!!

More New Patterns...and Hair Update

2011-03-29T13:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much readers for the supportive comments about my hair travails. Just an update: The next day I decided something had to be done. I woke up the next morning and my hair looked even worse. It could have been because I did not have on makeup and had just woken up. Anyway, I called a lady who does hair in my hometown that I have gone to before. I had been to her at different times in the past, but I always leave and go to someone else because she does not use the modern color technique of foiling. However, there is something to be said for experience, and she definitely knows hair color. I very calmly dialed her number and when she answered I burst into tears. I don't know where it came from, but I think I had just been holding it in and it just all came gushing out. She was very sweet and had an opening at that moment. I jumped in the car and immediately went to her. She fixed my hair. I am so happy. It is a nice medium brown with fine highlighting. It is a little thinner because of breakage from the previous hairdresser, but it still has its length. My goal now is to not do anything to it for awhile and just let it grow. I would like to grow it six more inches and get my healthy naturally brown hair back. Anyway, enough of that...onto more important things...like new patterns.
I got an email from BMV this morning and immediately ordered some new patterns--like I needed any new ones. I can never contain myself though when I get one of their emails. The closest Hancock's or Hobby Lobby to me is 1 hour away and the closest Joann's is 2 hours, so I order from BMV when they have a sale. I got some goodies. I always love to see what patterns other bloggers buy, so I will share.
First up are the Butterick patterns I ordered. I adore the triangle open back of this dress. I have some fun stretch cotton sateen fabric from fashionfabricsclub that I might use to make this dress.

B5601

possible fabric for B5601

I also considered going in a totally different direction and trying a knockoff of anthropologie's Windowpane dress. I would have to draft a flounce for that, though.

back view of Windowpane Dress

Next is B5455. I have long had my eye on this dress. I have no clue what fabric I will use, but I probably won't use a large print like the one pictured first. I want something that will show off the lines of the dress better.

B5455

Onto the McCalls patterns... First up is M6024. I really like the sleeveless version of this dress.

M6024

I have the fabric I want to use for this dress. It is a red polyester charmeuse with white polka dots that I bought on sale on a rare trip to Hancock's. However, I don't think I have enough of it. GRRR!!! I may have to get inventive in the way I cut it, or use a different fabric for the ruffle of the dress.
The next pattern is a top. I want to use it to do a knockoff of anthropologie's Volante tee.

M6164

The last three I ordered are Vogue patterns. I have long had my eye on this little beauty. There are some gorgeous renditions of it on Patternreview.

V1174

The jury is still out on what fabric I will use, but I am thinking strongly about a watercolor cotton sateen I recently ordered from fabric.com.

Sateen fabric

I also ordered a skirt pattern. It is too long for my taste so I will have to shorten it a bit. I will probably wait and sew this up in a small plaid for fall. I really like the middle view of this skirt best.

V8296

Lastly, I ordered only one of the new Summer patterns that just came out. Honestly, this was the only one that appealed to me.

V8296

My favorite view of this dress is the lovely cream version of it.

Isn't that just scrumptious?!?!

I made two dresses this past week that I was off for Spring Break. It might be a couple of weeks before I debut them, because I like to take pics when I am actually wearing the dress somewhere. One is my Easter dress, so it will be Easter before I blog about it. In the meantime, I am working on another dress that I hope to finish by this weekend.

My hair travails... and new patterns

2011-03-22T21:24:00.000-05:00

First, readers, thank you so much for your lovely comments on my recent dress. Honestly, I had some misgivings about it after I made it, but all of you made me feel really good about it. I think the reason I had misgivings was because I had just watched What Not To Wear, and it crossed my mind to wander if Stacy and Clinton would approve of it. Who cares if they do or not!?!? I like the show because they do put together some cute outfits and there are some gorgeous dresses on there, but I find it to be very inconsistent. For instance, there were two shows on last Tuesday night. In the first show, Stacy told the makeover-ee that her dresses were too short. However, in the very next episode, Stacy was wearing a dress shorter than any the lady in the previous episode had worn...Go figure...but, I digress.
    Anyway, this is a mostly non-sewing post and a non-shoe post. This is really a gripe about my hair post so if you want to stop reading, go ahead, but if you feel like listening to, er, reading, a gripe, just continue along. I do talk about some new patterns I have ordered at the end if you just want to skip to that :)
   When I turned 33 or 34 years old, I decided that I wanted to go blonde after having worn my natural medium brown hair all my life. I started slowly by getting a few highlights here and there. Then, I went blonde overboard. I went really platinum. I got tired of all the upkeep so I got it lowlighted. Then over the next 3 or 4 years I would go lighter, then darker, lighter, then darker....you get the idea. Up until a year ago, I was in a reddish brown phase that I really liked. It was something I could handle doing myself, so I did my own color and just went to get my split ends trimmed ever so often. Then I turned 40, and I think I sort of went through a midlife crisis. I decided that I had to be blonde again so I went to a "professional". I started out with some highlights, but then I went blonde overboard again. You have probably seen it in my recent posts.   My colorist was excellent at doing blonde. It had no weird tones in it but was just a nice light blonde. I really liked it, but I started hating the expensive upkeep and the dark roots more. I had been giving it alot of thought and decided to go back to a light brown with very fine highlighting. I really think it looks better on my skin tone.   In the past when I have gone back from blonde to brown with other hair colorists, it has not been a problem.
   Well, when I walked into the salon this morning and showed her some pics to give her an idea of what I wanted, I had no idea what a traumatic event this would turn out to be. In the past when I have gone from blonde to brown, my previous hair colorists have just added dark streaks to it with a demi-permament color and used a toner to blend everything in. It has been no big issue.
    Well, she pulled out the hair swatches and started showing me different ones. We picked one that looked like the hair color in the picture. Now I know that you can't just put color on your hair and think it will look like the swatch. When you have bleached hair, you have to fill in missing colors. I started to ask her if she was going to fill in the missing colors in my hair first, but then her supervisor told her that what she was using would be fine since it had all the missing colors. She put it on my regrowth and then pulled it through the rest of my hair. It turned my roots this red color and did not darken my hair at all. She was totally stumped as to why my blonde hair did not go darker. The one thing you don't want to hear come out of you colorists mouth is "Hmmmm."   So she ran the color through again and it did not go darker. Then she decided to put bleach on my roots to get out the red. She then put a shade darker on my hair than she had used before and it finally went a little darker, but it is not as dark as I wanted. I still have this slight weird redness to my roots and my hair is this muddy water dark blonde. I will credit her for trying to fix it before I left, but I am not happy with it. As I was leaving, 6 HOURS LATER, she said, "it looks good for what it has been through." That is what concerns me...what my hair has been through. Amazingly, my hair ends did not fry at all. I must have a tough head of hair.
     She has lost my business. This may sound a little unfair, but you only get one chance with my hair. If you mess up once, that is all you get, because I can mess it up for a lot cheaper myself. I won't demand my money back, but I just won't come back again or recommend you to anyone else. At this point, I do not trust these so called hair "professionals" at all. I know there are some good ones out there, but not in this small, podunk town I live in. From this point forward, I will be doing my own color. I am just going to live with this awhile until I decide what to do. It is not awful looking, but I assure you I won't have people stopping me on the street complimenting my hair color. Thanks for listening, er, reading. I feel better just getting this off my chest.
   Also, to make myself feel a little better, I decided to take advantage of Pattern Review's sale of McCalls and Butterick patterns and order some I have been wanting. I ordered these 4 patterns:

McCall 6069

McCall 6321

Butterick 5356

Butterick 5491

There is nothing that quite makes you feel better as good as new patterns.

Inspired by Anthropologie's Night Blooming Dress - S2724/S2403

2011-03-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Night Blooming Dress-anthropologie

About a year ago, anthropologie came out with the Night Blooming Dress. The bodice was a beautiful silk with birds and flowers on it and the skirt was a black fabric (I am not sure what type of fabric). It had pretty pleating at the neck. But, it retailed at about $150-ish as many anthropologie dresses do. I knew this dress would be a difficult one to knock off, not because of the style of it, but because of the fabric. You can see a closeup of the bodice here. I chose not to post a pic because it is from someone else's blog and I think I should probably link instead.

The style of the dress is actually pretty simple, but finding similar fabric was another matter. I looked and looked and finally gave up. A couple of months ago, I was fabric shopping for something totally different and came across this lovely piece of cotton fabric by Alexander Henry. I bought it here from Hancock's of Paducah.

Alexander Henry fabric

Even though it is not silk, it immediately reminded me of the bodice of the Night Blooming Dress. It is a high quality cotton that actually feels like a nice linen instead of what I think of as cotton fabric. I knew this was probably as close as I was going to get, so I ordered it. I also ordered some black linen/rayon blend fabric from fabric.com. I looked through my patterns and decided to use the pleated bodice and puff sleeves from S2724 and the skirt and waistband from S2403. I also added the pockets that the pattern called for. I don't have a dress with pockets so I thought they would be a fun change.

As far as the patterns are concerned, I followed the directions exactly and installed an invisible zipper on the side. The waist and darts did have to be tweaked a little on the skirt because the skirt from the pattern I used was higher waisted than the actual one in the pattern that went with the bodice I used.

badly fitting back

(sorry for the crooked pic)

The dress does not have a back seam so to fix this, I made the darts go lower in the back and also took a deeper seam in them.

much better fitting back

I chose not to line the dress. Since I was planning on using an invisible zipper and already had a waistband, I was afraid it would just make the seam too thick for one. I did not put buttons down the front of the skirt like in the Night Blooming Dress. The silk bodice of Night Blooming Dress adds some elegance to the dress. Since my bodice is cotton fabric, I knew if I put buttons down the skirt front, it would look too casual. I decided to use a less full skirt without buttons for a slightly more elegant look, not that I would call my dress elegant by any means. I think it is just a fun, Spring dress.

upclose of bodice

necklace: JCPenney

Eggplant patent Mary Jane Heels: Dillards (before they sold out to Belk)

I am thinking about adding a belt to the dress, but to make it stay put, I will have to add some belt loops. I am on Spring Break next week, so I am hoping to get some serious sewing done. Until next time...

Kate Spade Bee Cardigan Knockoff

2011-03-10T16:29:00.000-06:00

First of all, thank you Readers for all the lovely, kind comments on my ruffle skirt. They were wonderful to read and I really appreciate all your encouragement and support.
Last year Kate Spade came out with a cardigan that I just gasped over when I saw it. It is the Kate Spade Bumble Bee Sweater.

Emma Pilsbury wore it on Glee. I don't watch Glee, but I certainly keep up with Emma Pillsbury's style. I just love it.

There have been a couple of fantastic knockoffs of this cardigan that I know of at Grosgrain and Little Nashua.
Here is my take on it. I bought a black cardigan off the sale rack at JCPenney. It has the prettiest rhinestone buttons on it. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for the knockoff. I bought an sequin applique bee off ebay and ironed it on.

I just love the little red heart antennae. The white stitching is done with 4 strands of DMC floss. This was the instant gratification project I have been looking for.

closeup of stitching

Here is how I wore it to work today. I made this skirt before I ever started blogging. It is a lightweight polyester material with a raised design in it. I don't even remember the pattern I used. The polka dot tights are from F21 and the Mary Janes are from Payless.

As I recall the Kate Spade sweater was $350ish (correct me if I am wrong) and mine cost less than $20. Talk about instant gratification.

Have a Great Day!!!

S2475- A Ruffly Confection Inspired by Anthropologie

2011-03-03T07:12:00.000-06:00

Last year, anthropologie came out with a very cute skirt by Leifsdottir called the "Coming and Going Skirt" in several colors.

I believe it also may have come in a navy. It retailed at over $200 as I recall, but eventually went on sale for under $100 I believe. I never bit the bullet when it went on sale because I said to myself, "I can do that", or at least something similar. Also, it was still just a little more than I wanted to pay for a skirt. I just put in on my long "Things to Knock Off" list. I was recently in my local fabric shop and saw a lovely Michael Miller light gray polka dot cotton fabric. It said to me, "I want to be your skirt." I did not buy it at the time even though it kept calling to me every time I went in the store. I just wasn't quite sure yet how I wanted to approach doing a replica or something similar. I was perusing the reviews at Pattern Review one day and just happened upon a review of S2475 using an alteration on the Joann's website. I would link you to the review, but I can't find it anymore. :(

I will just say from the outset that I hated sewing this skirt pattern. I loved sewing the added details of the pleats and ruffles, but I hated sewing the actual basic skirt. It is one of those that has the Slim, Average, and Curvy fit. I don't like those patterns because I find them too confusing to determine my fit. I know it is supposed to make it easier, but I am just weird that way. I just went with Average in the usual size I make. The pattern calls for 5/8 in seams except for one seam that is labeled 1" on the pattern sheet. I did exactly as the pattern described and when I tried it on, it swallowed me. I went back and did one inch seams everwhere, tapering out to 5/8 from the hips down to make it fit. I suspect I chose the wrong size or fit--who knows?

For the basic skirt, I used some cheapo fabric.com linen blend in a lt gray color from my ever growing stash (I will do post on that in the future) since it wasn't going to show anyway. You can see on this skirt where I marked the placement of the fabric strips.

I moved the zipper to the back and did only one seam vent (is that what they are called?) in the back. The alteration to this skirt calls for 11 strips of fabric cut on the bias, but I only used 9.

I originally planned to use an invisible zipper. I inserted it using a wonderful tutorial from Adventures in Dressmaking. It is the absolute best invisible zipper tutorial I have ever seen-it is pure genius!!! When I got the zipper in and tried to zip it up, I had lots of problems. I jerked and jerked on it and finally got it to zip up. I looked to see if my stitching was too close and I could not tell that it was. I put the skirt on and again began to yank and yank my zipper to try to get it to go up. Guess what, I broke the zipper. GRRRRRR!!!!

I took it out, bought another zipper, and redid it. It still gave me some problems zipping up, though not as badly as before. After reading this post on The Slapdash Sewist, I have come to the conclusion that my fabric is just too thick for an invisible zipper. I have the layer of fabric that is the actual skirt, then folded strips of fabric with overlap--5 layers of fabric in some places. I finally threw my hands up and put in a regular zipper. I am happy, though, that I originally put in an invisible zipper so that I could learn this tutorial. I will be using it from here on out for invisible zippers. Anyway, I did not line the skirt because it already has so many layers. I serged the seams inside and I am just going to wear a slip.

The circles that form the ruffles have a narrow hem that I made using my narrow hem foot. I really dreaded that part, but it wasn't so bad.

narrow hem closeup

narrow hem foot closeup

Although it is not an exact replica, it reminds me so much of the anthropologie skirt.

Here is how I wore it in an outfit to work today

Cardigan: Old Navy

Blouse: Old Navy

Yellow patent heels: Payless

Necklace: etsy seller

I am SO HAPPY that I am through with this skirt. WHEW!!! It took forever with the zipper mishaps. I am seriously ready for an instant gratification project. I have so many things on my list that I want to make, but I am determined that the next thing off that list will be quick and easy. Have a Great Day!

Less Expensive Look: Dusky Begonia T-Straps

2011-02-23T15:25:00.000-06:00

I bought these anthropologie Dusky Begonia T-Straps with some Christmas money. I salivated over them for weeks and when they finally went on sale, I bought them. I spent more than I usually do because, well, it was Christmas money. These originally retailed for somewhere around $160ish, I believe, but they went on sale online for $80ish.

I was perusing the sale section online at ModCloth today and look what I came across on sale for $37.99--almost an exact replica except for the colors. They are calling these these Chicka Chicka Noir Bloom Heel. However, there are only three left in a size 40 (at the time of this posting).

WOW, I have done two posts two days in a row. I am on a roll. Have a great day!!!

Valentino Shoe Look-a-Like

2011-02-22T13:56:00.000-06:00

Readers, are you ready for another shoe post? I love to surf the internet looking at shoes and came across this adorable Valentino Bow Jelly Thong Sandal. Since I have been watching "What Not To Wear", I have learned to talk about shoes and pants in the singular. It is a "sandal" or a "pant". Whatever... I didn't even have to look at the price because the name brand told me they would be waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy out of my budget. They retail for $275 at Neiman Marcus.

They come in several other colors such as red, pink and black, but I like the nude color the best. Well, I came across a very similar look by BCBGeneration called the "Davie" Flip Flop. They are available on Amazon and Dillards and some other places I have never heard of for a much lower price of $40. Now, $40 is still a bit steep to me to spend on a sandal, but compared to the Valentino version, it is not too bad. This sandal also comes in several colors, also.

I just wanted to share my latest find.

On the sewing front, I am working on a skirt. It is a bit time consuming so I hope to have it finished by this weekend, but that may not happen. I hope everyone has a great last week of February.

Knocking off Anthropologie: Floe and Current - B5145

2011-02-13T20:12:00.001-06:00

Two years ago when Anthropologie came out with the Floe and Current Coat, I became obsessed with it. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of clothing I have ever seen.

front

back

This coat originally retailed for $498. I believe it went on sale for $150 at some point, but I never tried to get it. I had already decided that I was going to do a knockoff. I live in South Alabama and have a hard time justifying spending more than $100 on coats. Except for this year, we really don't have that much of a winter. I have a long list of items I want to sew, but I finally made it to this one in the past couple of weeks. From what I could tell in the pictures, the fabric looked alot like pique. The lining of the coat is a butterfly fabric.

I spent awhile looking for a good coat pattern to make this and I decided on B5415.

I made version B that is pictured in white on the pattern envelope. I did do a few things differently, though.

I cut the front bodice and back bodice into two pieces and added a seam allowance so that I could have a seam in which to insert the flounces.

I had made flounces before when I knocked off the fluttering pencil skirt. I did a similar thing this time, but I graduated my flounce outward in width. I most definitely made a muslin of this coat first using actual real muslin fabric that I bought at a discount fabric store near my hometown. The flounce was a bit too flouncy (is that even possible?) so I took out some of the fullness at the shoulder of the flounce.

I did not want to have to do a narrow hem on the curved edge of the flounce (too stressful) so I just sewed two right sides together and turned inside out. I made four flounces and sewed two together at the shoulder to achieve the look on both the front and back of the coat.

The original Floe and Current coat has large eyelets on the front and does not have an inverted pleat in the back. I chose to do an inverted pleat like the pattern and also I used some pretty buttons instead of eyelets. Honestly, I was scared to death to put eyelets that big in this coat. I have not had good experiences inserting even small eyelets, so I did not want to chance destroying my coat. Also, my flounces are a little flouncier than the ones on the original and I tacked them down in different spots to make them lay like I want.

button closeup and a fabric closeup

Another thing I did was to insert the sleeves differently than the pattern described. I don't have the foggiest idea why these patterns are giving instructions to insert the sleeves the way they are doing, but I just set in the coat sleeves, set in the lining sleeves, and then put the lining sleeves down inside the coat sleeves and hemmed both individually.

Also, the original coat just had welt pockets on the front and I opted to make flaps and flaps are all they are. I do not have any pockets. The buttons on the flaps are a smaller version of the front coat buttons.

I did a hot pink lining with some basic polyester lining fabric. The original coat has a butterfly print lining. Honestly, the reason I used this fabric was because I have Christmas money each month to spend at my local fabric shop, and if I had bought butterfly print lining (from somewhere else) , it would have to come from some different sewing money I might want to use on something else. That was a small sacrifice since you don't see the lining anyway. Also, I just love the way hot pink looks with turquoise.

Lastly, the fabric I used was some stretch pique in powder blue that I bought from fabric.com a few months ago. When it went on sale, I made sure I bought enough to make this coat. I still have enough left to make a skirt or a small short sleeved jacket.

Here are some pics of my coat:

WHEW!!! That was not an instant gratification project and I am ready for one. However, the next project I feel driven to make is another anthro knockoff. It is really more of an inspired-by piece. However, it should not be as time consuming as this coat, but I am probably just kidding myself.

I hope everyone has a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!
I am entering this at Seventy Thirty Three's Knock off Contest.

A Less Expensive Look--Shoes

2011-02-10T19:09:00.000-06:00

Since this blog is named Shoes and Sewing, I need to do more shoe posts being that I love shoes almost as much as sewing. Just as I love to sew knock offs of clothing that is too expensive for me to buy, I really love to find knock offs of more expensive shoes or shoes that are very similar. Awhile back anthropologie came out with the Tangled Treasure Sandals (now sold out). These retailed for $110.

Tangled Treasure Sandals

from anthropologie

I was just surfing Payless.com and came across these sandals that reminded me of anthropologie's Tangled Treasure Sandals. These are not exact replicas but they are certainly a similar look. These are called the Liverpool Sandal and come in two colors, silver and gold. They retail for $29.99.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated wtih Payless--I just love their shoes.

I think I woke someone up early...a funny

2011-02-07T10:37:00.000-06:00

I thought I would share a funny with you...
I just had an interesting exprience with FabricMartFabrics.com. or at least someone who I thought was FabricMart Fabrics. I called just before 8:00 CST this morning to cancel an order I had placed last night. I slept on it and decided I didn't want it. The lady who answered said she would cancel it. I don't recall if she identified herself as FabricMart Fabrics when I called, but something about her voice tone just didn't seem right. I kept waiting for an email to indicate my order was cancelled but never received one. I am not the most patient person, so I called again 2 hrs later and a different, much more professional-sounding woman answered the phone. She told me that they had not received a cancellation call from me earlier and I kept insisting that they did. I heard a lady in the background saying that they had not received a cancellation call. Anyway, the lady I talked to was very nice and professional and she cancelled my order. She also sent me an immediate e-mail saying it was cancelled. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I dialed a wrong number and woke up some poor, unsuspecting woman who didn't have to go to work this morning. Maybe she just pretended to be from Fabric Mart Fabrics because she was angry for being woken up? My sister and brother-in-law's phone number used to be very close to that of a local restaurant that served a lunch buffet. They received numerous calls wanting to know what was on the menu to the point that my brother-in-law got so tired of it that he just made up something one day that could be on this restaurant's menu. Anway, I am a little embarrassed. I am almost positive that is what happened because I have always had very positive experiences with FabricMartFabrics.com. Be careful when you are punching those phone numbers in.

A simple skirt - S4074

2011-02-01T20:38:00.000-06:00

Last year I bought this beautiful knit floral fabric off ebay. I can't remember what vendor I bought it from, but I thought it was so pretty. I debated over what style skirt to make, but I finally settled on something very simple. I used the skirt pattern from S4074.

It is a super simple pattern with an elastic waist. I decided to keep it simple since the fabric is so busy and I wanted the fabric to be the feature anyway. I made it exactly according to the pattern with no alterations, and it is probably the easiest and quickest garment I have ever made. Instant gratification!!!

Here is how I wore the skirt in an outfit:

Mustard yellow cardigan: Forever 21

Brown camisiole: Walmart

Belt: Forever 21

Pearl Cluster Necklace: Forever 21

Riding boots: by Rocket Dog purchased from Overstock

I am super excited because all of my fabric I posted about in my last post has arrived. I can't wait to get started sewing it up.

Fabric Buying Binge and Future Plans

2011-01-26T17:04:00.000-06:00

I have been sitting on some Christmas money and I finally spent some of it today. I have been planning Spring sewing for awhile and have just been putting off buying fabric for it, but finally caved today and ordered it.

First up, I have long been in love with this anthropologie dress. It is the "Night Blooming Dress" and came out last Fall, I believe.

I just would not fork out the money for it. It is so unusual and pretty to me. The bodice is silk and if you look closely, you can see a bird on it. I obsessed, yes obsessed, over this dress, but I restrained myself. I set about looking for some fabric that would work for the bodice, but I could not find any, so I gave up. A couple of days ago I was looking for some cotton lawn fabric for a different item and came across this lovely fabric. It is quilting cotton, not silk, but it reminded me alot of the bodice of this dress. It is certainly not an exactly replica, but it just spoke to me. I debated over using a quilting cotton for the bodice of a dress, but I finally decided to give it a try. I asked for advice on patternreview and got some encouragement.

I am thinking about using a pattern I have similar to this one. I can't find my pattern that I have online, but this one is very close.

I am going to do the skirt of out of this Bussells Washer Linen Black that I ordered today from fabric.com. It is a rayon/linen blend. I do not like 100% linen because it is too wrinkly for my taste.

I am also going to use this fabric for the skirt of another anthropologie knock off I am planning. I attempted back earlier last year to sew the "Swinging Sweetheart Dress", but I made a bad fabric choice and really a bad pattern choice, so it did not work out.

Over at patternreview again--I know I drive them crazy, but they are so helpful and nice---I asked for help finding an appropriate pattern. Someone suggested a Burda Style pattern from an 11/2007. It is perfect, but finding the magazine was another thing. I just kept checking ebay until it became available. I still have to do the scallops at the waist of the skirt, but I found a Threads magazine article that is very helpful. For the bodice I am going to use Charmeuse Satin Baby Pink that I ordered from fabric.com.

Here is the line drawing of the Burda Pattern I am going to use. It is a straight skirt, but I like that better than the full one on the anthropologie dress.

I am also about to sew my first Colette pattern. I really love the Macaron pattern that I got as a Christmas gift.

I had no clue what type of fabric or look I wanted to go for with this dress until I saw a similar dress over at the wonderful blog, Vintageglammz.

used with permission from Vintageglammz

Isn't her dress lovely? As soon as I saw it I thought about the Macaron pattern. For the main part of the dress I am going to use this cotton lawn from fabric.com.

For the bodice I am going to use a black charmeuse from fabric.com

I had seriously considered using a black tulle fabric like the lovely blogger's dress, but I am going to be teaching in it, and I thought that might be a bit dressy. I really do like the tulle, though.

Lastly, I bought two Shetland Wool fabrics from fabricmartfabrics.com that I have been salivating over for awhile. I got an email that today is the last day they will be 50% off, so I knew I had to buy them. The discount shows up when you place them in your shopping cart. I don't know what I will make with them, but they are so pretty and "colonial" looking that I just had to have them.

Daffodil off white

Colonial blue off white

Thankfully, I was able to use coupon codes on my purchases. I am looking forward to these fabrics arriving. So much to sew, ....so little time!!!

Inspired By Anthropologie - New Look 6569

2011-01-18T16:58:00.000-06:00

Well, I fell in love with another Anthropologie skirt--I'm sure that is no surprise. It is the Peppered and Striped Skirt. It is a beautiful wool gray skirt with yellow polka dots and a plaid waistband. Isn't she lovely? At $128, though, I knew she wasn't coming home with me. I loved the fabric so much that I contacted anthropologie after it went on sale, but there were no skirts left anywhere.

I started searching for fabric and came across this similar fabric on ebay. It is so neat in that it is reversible. Here is what it looks like on each side.

The seller I bought it from has a website called Fabricall. When I saw this fabric, I knew I would never find anything any closer. It is of course a different coloway than the anthropologie skirt, but it is incredibly close in terms of the style. Being that it is described as 100% Italian wool, I thought it was a very reasonable price. When it arrived, there was a 10% off coupon on my next purchase placed with Fabricall.
I really do not like the pleats on the front of the anthropologie skirt, so I opted to just do a circle skirt. I did not want a really full one, so this New Look 6569 pattern fit the bill.

I sewed View B. The pattern does not call for a lining, but I added one. It is just a basic polyester lining fabric in a pinkish-lavendar color. I just attached it to the waistband facing. I followed the instructions for the skirt like they were written. Interestingly though, I made a size smaller than I normally make. I have not made alot of New Look patterns, so I wasn't sure how there sizing compared to the Big 4. Does anyone find that they run big? I measured the waistband on the pattern sheet and according to my measurements, I needed a size smaller than usual. It could be because I wanted to wear the skirt at my waist instead of below it like the pattern calls for. I used the polka dot side for the skirt and the plaid side for the waistband.

front of skirt

(forgive the wrinkles, but I had worn it all day when I took this picture)

waistband facing attached to lining

inside of skirt

My outfit with the skrit:

Taupe cardigan: Overstock

Top: JCrew "Frances" cami

Brown Tights: Banana Republic (old as dirt)

Pink Patent Mary Jane Heels: Shoes.com (old as dirt, too)

Anthro skirt knockoff - S2605

2011-01-12T17:33:00.000-06:00

If you have read my blog for even a short time, you know of my love for anthropologie clothing. Unfortunately, their clothing is sooooo expensive, many times even when it is on sale. When I see something I really like and think I can knock off, I try to do so. This anthropologie Tria Sweater Skirt was one such piece.

Here is the anthropologie version:

This was described on the anthropologie website as being a wool sweater skirt. I knew as soon as I saw this I have to have it---or my knockoff version of it. I love me some ruffles. When it went on sale, I actually placed an order for it on the anthropologie site with some Christmas money I had. However, my order got cancelled by anthro due to them running out of skirts. I am so thankful they did, because I made my own and saved alot of money in the process.
I looked for some charcoal heathered gray sweater fabric, but I could just not find any that I liked. I decided to use a double knit fabric because I wanted it to be thick. I ordered some charcoal gray double knit from voguefabrics.com. It is called "Aggravation Charcoal." I thought that was an interesting name and hoped that the fabric would not live up to it. Well, it was not aggravating.
I knew I did not want to make an elastic waist because the anthro version has a fabric waist band. I had never done one of these before so I decided to just go with my TNT pattern for skirts, S2605 View F. It is definitely TNT because this is the fourth time I have used it. I blogged about 2 other times and I still need to blog about the third time using it. I haven't blogged about the third use of it because it was just a simple skirt--nothing too exciting.

After making a muslin, I went down one size. This pattern is not for knits, so I figured I would have to go down a size. Truthfullly, I probably could have gone down 2 sizes, but it sits comfortably below my waist with the size I made. I left the darts in the pattern because I don't know how to remove darts. I omitted the zipper since this is a knit, and I did not interface the waistband. I wanted to make sure it was stretchy enough.
To make the ruffles at the bottom, I used the skirt fabric for the top ruffle, some leftover $1.95/yd Vera Wang jersey from fabric.com for the ecru colored ruffle, and some eyelet from my stash for the bottom edging. I originally sewed all the strips together to make one long ruffle, but it was just too much to handle. I ended up make several ruffles, tying the threads at the ends leaving a seam allowance, and then seaming them together. You can't even see the seams because they blend in with the ruffles.
Here are some pics of my knockoff.

front

closeup of ruffle

If you look closely at the anthro skirt vs my skirt, there is a slight difference in my ruffle colors. My middle ruffle is ecru and my eyelet is white, whereas the anthro version is the opposite. I decided to work with what I had instead of going out and buying new stuff.

Here is the first outfit I wore with my skirt Sunday to church.

Sweater Vest - JCPenney

Turtleneck - Peebles

Belt - Charlotte Russe

Boots - Baker's Shoes

Dark red tights - McRae's (just before they went out of business)

Jewelry- Christmas gift

Here is the second outfit I wore with the skirt to work yesterday.

Cardigan: Target

Blouse: JCrew Outlet

Belt - Charlotte Russe

Shoes - Payless

Necklace - F21

Dark Green Tights - McRae's again (they were having a huge going out of business sale)

A couple of posts ago I featured a jacket I made. I finally wore it to work today, so here is my outfit with it.

front (my goodness, that is a weird pose)

blouse - Ann Taylor

pants - Express Columnist pants

Eggplant Mary Jane Heels - Parisian (before they went out of business)

back

I have a couple of more skirts to show you that I have made. I have been on a tear lately...or is that "tare". Anyway, I will show them to you as I wear them. Both are inspired by anthropologie. They are not knockoffs, but they have the same vibe as the anthro skirts that inspired them.

Thrift Store Shopping for the 1st time

2011-01-06T18:12:00.000-06:00

    Since I have been blogging I have acquired quite a blogroll of blogs I love to follow. Grosgrain is one such blog. There are lots of fabulous features and one that really caught my attention was the "Embellish Your Knits" month that took place during November and December. I really love J Crew and Anthropologie cardigans, but they are so expensive that I wait until they go on sale, and, even then, I have to be very selective because they are still pricey, IMHO. During the months of November and December, Grosgrain redid about 30 cardigans that came from thrift stores. It was absolutely amazing to see a rather dull looking sweater be transformed into something that looked like it came from Anthropologie or JCrew.
     I decided that I wanted to try this. I usually don't shop at thrift stores because I have always been under the impression that my area does not have any good ones. I live in a very small town that has no major department stores. We don't even have a movie theater. Even the local government has taken down two red lights on Main Street in our town and turned them into four way stops. I joke that we are trying to become a one stop light town. The neighboring town I work in has only one major department store and the closest Anthropologie and JCrew to me is 3.5 hrs away (probably a very good thing!!) A friend of mine suggested to me that I try a particular thrift store in the town where I work. She said she has found some very good items in there. I decided to go visit today on my lunch break to see if I could find a sweater to embellish.
     Well, I began to search through racks of clothing--something I have always thought I would hate. I am a mathematician and I like order. Therefore, I gave myself my lunch hour to do this. It didn't take but about 2 minutes to come across a very good looking sweater (no pilling) in my size that I thought would work well to embellish. It is this very nice looking orange sweater. It was marked $3.50, but the cashier sold it to me for $1.25. I am considering turning it into something similar to JCrew's Traversa Cardigan.

After that success I kept looking. About 2 minutes later I found some JCrew City Fit skinny ankle pants in an orange color. I remember wanting a pair of these when they first came out, but I would not drop $98 (or was it $78) on them. $98,$78--- it is all the same expensive. Unfortunately, when JCrew stuff goes on sale, it is usually FINAL SALE (read...NO RETURNS). I have learned the hard way not to take this Final Sale chance with pants. (read...I have a pair in my closet that doesn't fit). I took a good hard look at them and decided they would fit. Now these can't be returned, but in this case, I am only out $3.25. But, guess what...?!?!...THEY FIT!!!!! There is a slight discoloration under one of the front pockets, but it is not noticeable from 3 feet away.

I was on fire now!!! I kept going down the racks like a mad woman. Next I found this cute little black and cream striped dress with lacing down the back. I haven't decided what I will do wtih it yet. It is to long so I am either going to hem it shorter or I may just salvage the fabric and make a cute little top like maybe this anthro top. I really love the style of it and the big bow on the shoulder.

back

front

I was having alot of fun by this point going through the racks of clothing. My orderly mathematician self had just melted away. I found another pair of pants. They are black with a windowpane type print in ivory. They fit perfectly, too. They were just $3.25.

Well, I have saved the best for last. I decided to go over to the coat rack to see if I could find some old leather coats. I have been wanting to try sewing leather, but I don't want to spend alot of money on a piece and then mess it up. I thought if I could find an old leather coat, I could salvage some of the leather to try sewing with. Well, something unexpected happened. Before I tell you, let me share a little background. I used to have this beautiful lambskin leather coat that I got from my sister. When my cat and his late brother were kittens, I used to keep them in the closet and laundry room while I was at work. There is a door between the two rooms and I would leave it open so they would have a big space to play. Unfortunately, it never entered my mind that they would entertain themselves by climbing my lovely black lambskin leather coat. One day I was going to wear it and I noticed that it was all nicked up with claw marks. I was devastated. I have wanted another one, but they are just too expensive for no more than I would wear it.

As I was looking through the coats, my eye caught this beautiful piece of black lambskin leather. I looked at it and, lo and behold, it was a black leather lambskin coat--in my size. This coat is scrumptious!!! I looked it over and the only flaw I found is a very tiny piece of paint at the bottom of the back hem. It is just a tiny line about an inch long and about the width of a strand of hair. It is so tiny that you have to look for it. I checked out the price of the coat and it was marked $8.00. I snatched that thing up quicker that you can drop a hot potato. I most definitely won't be salvaging the leather to sew on. I just cannot fathom why anyone would give away such a thing I beauty as this coat that there is absolutely nothing wrong with. It looks brand new. However, I am happy they decided to donate it. When I got to the counter with my 5 items the cashier only charged me $6.00 for the coat. I could not believe it!!!

My total bill was $17.75. Will I be going back to the thrift store next month? Ummm...absolutely!!!

I think I am more excited over these clothes than I have ever been over any anthropologie or JCrew item I have ever purchased. I feel such satisfaction at having gotten these items at such a cheap price, and the coat is just the icing on the cake.

I will keep you all up to date on how I refashion the sweater and the dress. Next week, when I get back to officially teaching, I will post my two new skirts I have made. Thanks for letting me share my happiness over thrift shoppng.

M5936 - Velveteen Polka Dot Jacket

2011-01-02T16:34:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone and belated Merry CHRISTmas!!! I have had a very enjoyable almost 3 weeks off work, but now it is time to go back to work. God was very good to me this CHRISTmas. I got lots of nice goodies, but in the way of sewing items, my husband surprised me with two things that I just absolutely love. The first item is a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker . I have never told him that I wanted one, but when I opened up the present, there it was!!! Apparently the lady who owns my local fabric shop knows me very well, even though I have never said anything to her about a bias tape maker. BTW, it was $20 cheaper than what it is on the Simplicity site. Secondly, my sweet husband gave me a $50 per month gift certificate, or $600 per year, whichever comes first (and we all know what that will be :) to the same local fabric shop. I am so excited about that because I stop in there alot to pick up interfacing, lining, buttons, zippers, etc--all those pesky things that add up over the course of a year This will really take care of that. Also, this store has some gorgeous fabric that I want, so I will be taking advantage of that.

M5936

I have been doing alot of sewing, too, but it doesn't seem like I have accomplished too much. I think I need to rename my blog the "Slow Seamstress". Part of the reason, though, is that I have tried to be a good little seamstress and make muslins. This jacket that I made, M5936, is one such item I made a muslin for. However, I learned a lesson that you need to use the same kind of fabric for your muslin as for the real items--i.e., don't make a muslin out of fabric with stretch and then the item out of fabric with no stretch. I am sure all of you already knew that, and I did too, but it didn't stop me from doing it. I guess I just didn't realize that the velveteen I worked with had absolutely ZERO stretch.

front view

I had never worked with velveteen before, partly because it scares me to death. I did some reading on how to handle it before I started. This navy w/white polka dots velveteen came from fabric.com when it went on sale. I don't have much money in it, so I figured if I destroyed it , I would not be out that much money. However, the fabric is so cute that I wanted to be successful. I tested out the iron on a piece of it. I was able to iron the back of it by actually touching the iron to the fabric for a few seconds, and it did not mess up the pile. I don't remember what the fabric content of this velveteen is, but I would recommend testing out any velveteen before getting too brave with an iron. I was also careful to cut all pieces with the nap going in the same direction (in this case, down).

back view-it fits me better in the back than it does the dress form

I did not make any alterations to the pattern because my muslin fit well. I was really nervous about sewing the curved seams on the front and back, but it was actually no problem at all with the velveteen. I started out using tissue paper (the kind you put in gift packages) under my fabric when sewing, but I finally stopped. I could not tell that the presser foot was really leaving a mark, and the fabric did not slide any easier under the foot. Speaking of which, the fabric did not slide very well under the presser foot. I had to pull from the back to help it through. I used a walking foot, but I think a roller foot would have been better.

front closure

The problem with using stretch vs. non-stretch fabric is that I could not actually button the jacket. If it had some stretch in the fabric, I could have done the button closure. I tried a couple of things, but I finally ended up sewing a small piece of fabric to one side of the front of the jacket and using what I call pants closures. I really like the look of it without the buttons.

setting in sleeves

The most difficult part of this project was setting in the sleeves. I don't enjoy doing that anyway, but it was particularly aggravating using velveteen. I finally muscled them in with alot of pins.

lining

The instructions for lining this jacket are the strangest I have ever seen. If I had it to do over with I would just bag the lining. However, I followed the instructions and just did not have the patience to line the sleeves like the instructions detailed. The instructions had you to insert the sleeve lining into the sleeves and then turn it under at the armhole and sew it down. I left them unlined.

Lastly, during our Christmas gathering with my side of the family, I stated that I had always wanted a Mama cat and newborn kittens. I know my cat would never stand for that. Well, my husband went out and bought me this stuffed Mama cat and kittens. The attach to her belly via magnets. Aren't they cute?!?!?!

My cat has fallen in love with them. See pics below.

To take care of some unfinished business, I was going to show you a pair of pants from Burda that I was working on. Well, they were a failure, so I just threw them in the garbage can. I still want to make a pair that fits, but I think they are harder than jackets, at least for me, and I don't find them to be fun to sew. I have something to show you very soon, another anthropologie knock off.

I hope all of you have a blessed 2011!!!

Burda 4-2010-125--Boucle Skirt

2010-12-09T19:54:00.000-06:00

Back several months ago when Fabric.com put their Vera Wang Lavendar label fabric on sale for $1.95 a yard, I bought this piece of Wool Blend Tweed Boucle. It is descrbed as being teal in color, but it is more of a green. I love the color green. I debated over what to make with it and I finally decided to make a the skirt Burda 4-2010-125. I would link you to the line drawing, but I no longer know how to get to them since Burda "improved" their website. AHEM!!! Anyway, I digress.
Here is the fabric:

The skirt was very simple to sew. I didn't pay much attention to the instructions because, well, it is Burda we are talking about. Also, I have made plenty of skirts. I lined it in a basic hunter green polyester. I think the fabric may be a little heavy to support the pleats on the back hem, but I like them anyway. I omitted the bow that the pattern called for. I love bows, but I just thought the material might be a little heavy for it.

Front View

Back View

Inside with lining

Shoe and tights closeup

Here is how I wore the outfit to work today.

Rosette Merona cardigan: Target

Blouse: JCrew "Frances" Cami (on sale)

Tights: Modcloth

Shoes: Gap

I have pretty much abandoned making pants for awhile. I just don't enjoy doing it enough to deal with the fitting issues. I really don't have a big problem finding RTW pants to fit, so that is probably the reason I am not real motivated. Right now I am working on a jacket out of some leftover plaid suiting from my stash and next I plan to make a Chanel-eque jacket out of the remaining material from my skirt. I think I have enough. I am not generally a suit person beacause I like to mix my clothing pieces up a little more, but I think my skirt is calling out for a matching jacket. What do you think?

Tweaking the Fit of the Sailor Pants--Before and After

2010-11-30T11:24:00.000-06:00

Before

After

Readers, thank you so much for the kind comments and suggestions regarding the fit of my sailor pants in the previous post. I decided to try to see if I could make them fit a little better. I did sew a muslin but I guess I just didn't pay alot of attention to how they looked in the back until I saw the picture--those things are worth a thousand words aren't they? I am still not totally happy with the fit, but I do feel I am leaning valuable lessons in how to go about fitting pants.
     What I did was to rip of the side seam of the legs from as close to the waist as I could get to the knee. I took a deeper seam on the back and kept the seam the same on the front--so I had uneven seams. I also "scooped out" the back seam down to the crotch. I also took up a little bit on the inside seam of the legs. They feel very fitted, but I still am getting some weird lines on the back below the rear. Anyway, I am going to wear them like they are.
   I might make these again and try to get the fit perfect, but honestly, pants are just not my favorite thing to sew. I would rather sew skirts, blouses, jackets, and dresses. Life is just to short to spend time sewing things you don't really enjoy. However, if I do make them again, I am wondering if I need to make a fisheye dart?   If anyone knows of anything else I can do to perfect the fit, I would love to hear it.
   I am currently working on a pair of BurdaStyle pants. I am interested to see how they are going to work out. I will post them when I finish.

Hello Sailor Pants--HotPatterns 1016

2010-11-25T19:07:00.000-06:00

Back in Feburary 2009 I made these pants. I have worn them once since making them, because they have absolutely no stretch to them, and I have to be having a non-bloated day for them to be comfortable. Since I made them, I have wanted to make a pair in denim. A few months ago, fabric.com had some denim on sale so I ordered some. It is 100% cotton, so it has no stretch. I used the same size 10 from before, but I changed my seams from 5/8" to 3/8" so that the pants this time around would be a little more comfortable. I absolutely love this pattern and it is well-written, except for one part that I found confusing. I borrowed that pic from Erica and, I am so thankful that Erica posted a tutorial on how to handle this part of the instructions. If you make these pants and find yourselves scratching your head, I highly suggest you look at her tutorial.
The only alteration I made other than the smaller seam allowance is that I lengthened them by 4 inches at the knee. I am not incredibly tall, but I love to wear high heels, and I knew from making them before that they needed to be lengthened for heels.

front view

Back view

Now, readers, I need your honest opinions. What do you think of the fit of the rear end and legs of these pants? In the pattern picture, they look more fitted, but I know that is just a drawing. They "feel" like they fit well in the rear, but do the legs look a little loose to you right under the rear? I could just say I was going for the slouchy look, I suppose. I used 1/8" inch sliver eyelets. It was so hard to find these eyelets. I could not find them anywhere locally, so I ordered them from etsy. I used a shoestring for the tie in the back.

back closeup

I used buttons from my local fabric store. I thought they were perfect jeans buttons. In these pics on my monitor, the denim looks charcoal gray, but they are a medium blue denim.

front closeup

I hope all of you had a Happy Thanksgiving. My husband cooked our entire Thanksgiving dinner--ham, dressing, dumplings, beans, and corn. All I did was make tea and slice the cranberry sauce.

I am so excited over these pants that I am almost through making another pair from a Burda pattern. I just need to put some fasteners on the front and hem them. I will show them to you soon.

Prize Winning Peanut Butter Cake--Earthquake Cake

2010-11-13T15:18:00.000-06:00

I don't consider myself to be a great cook, but around Thanksgiving and Christmas I love to bake. We are having Homecoming at Church tomorrow, and this is usually when the baking begins for me. I usually make my trusty Caramel Cheesecake and Hash Brown Potato Casserole, but this year I decided to try a different dessert. I was reading in a newspaper and found a Peanut Butter Cake that was a grand prize winner at a recent festival in a nearby town. I LOVE peanut butter so I thought I would bake it for Homecoming tomorow. It calls for Betty Crocker Butter Cake mix. I had never used that before because I always use Duncan Heinz Butter Golden Recipe. After my cake layers cooled, I started making the Peanut Butter Icing. It calls for 12 oz of Evaporated Milk. As soon as I turned on the mixer and got it mixed a little, I suspected a mistake in the recipe (more likely a misprint in the paper), because it was much too soupy. I began adding more confectioner's sugar and finally added a whole extra box. I could have added a little more, but I ran out.
I laid the first layer down on my cake plate and iced the top of it. Then I placed the second layer and it developed a tiny crack in it. "No worry", I thought to myself, "I will just fill it in with icing." Then I placed the third layer on top. It cracked a little larger. Again, I thought, "No worry". I began icing the cake and the crack got a little larger so I filled in it with more icing. Then, the disaster began. It was like a mini earthquake just took over my cake:

The top layer began to pull apart like the earth's crust during an earthquake. This is the final result. I don't think I will be taking this to Church tomorrow. I will just take my casserole. Does anyone know why a cake would do this? I have dark cake pans, so I dropped the oven temperature to 325 as suggested. I baked them two minutes longer than the suggested time because they just didn't look done when I checked them at the suggested baking time.
On the sewing front, I am making outfits for my husband and me to be in a Christmas Bethlehem Drive at Church. I cut out his outfit today and after I get it made, I will make mine. I just finished a skirt that I will share will you soon.

Knipmode 4-2008-11 -- motivated by anthropologie

2010-11-09T07:34:00.000-06:00

I am not titling this post an "inspired by anthropologie" post because it really wasn't anthropologie that inspired me to make this skirt. It was, however, anthropologie, that made me stop procrastinating and go ahead and sew it. I first saw this skirt here on Miss Celie's Pants blog. It just blew me away. I immediately began searching for the Knipmode magazine that contained the pattern and finally found it on ebay. Then as things go, it just lay around in my magazine stash.
A few weeks ago, anthropologie was selling the Higgledy-Piggledy skirt and it immediately made me think of my Knipmode pattern. I decided I had to make it.

Higgledy-Piggledy Skirt

My skirt is not an exact replica, but it has the same vibe to it. The Knipmode pattern is in Dutch so I used Google Translator to wade through it. It did not help very much, but since I had made a wrap skirt before I just figured it out as I went. It was pretty easy.
Here is the line drawing from Knipmode:

I used some of the Vera Wang fabric that I bought when fabric.com had it on sale for $1.95.

It is a polyester blend suiting and has sort of a slight flannel-type feel to it. The pattern does not call for a lining, but I did one anyway. I could not find any lining fabric quite the same chartreuse color as the fabric, so I just used some nice chocolate brown. I thought it would look great peeking out along the edges of the folds.
Here is the inside of the skirt.

I used some wooden buttons bought at my local fabric shop. I could not find any buttons the same color as the skirt, so I figured light colored wooden ones would blend like a neutral.
Finally, I wore the skirt to church on Sunday and then to a birthday party afterwards. I have never gotten so many complements on a skirt before. When I told people I had made it, they were amazed. Now, all of us in the sewing community know that the making of this skirt was really no big feat, but it still amazes me that people are so stunned when you tell them you made something. Here is the outfit I wore:

Velveteen Jacket: JCPenney (old)

Ecru blouse: JCrew outlet

Chocolate brown Tights: Banana Republic (old)

Bouquet of Roses Shoes: anthropologie (Christmas present last year)

Here is a shoe closeup for all you shoe lovers out there:

S2605 and M5884 - blouse and skirt

2010-10-30T16:17:00.000-05:00

Awhile back my local fabric shop put some lovely fabrics on sale for 1/2 off. I had been eyeballing this pink plaid tweed, so I snapped it up when it went on sale. It languished in my stash for awhile, but then I decided to make a skirt with it. Actually, the skirt is just part of a whole outfit I put together in my head.
The plaid is hot pink and and has navy, lime green, and various other colors in it. I decided to make S2605 View D. I have used a different view of this pattern before.

The pattern was very easy, and I followed it to the letter so there is not much to say there. I did find the fabric to be extremely ravel-ly. When it was time to attach the flounce across the front, I knew I would get very frustrated if I tried to hem it. I decided to fringe the edge instead. I just sewed a line of zigzag and then another one on top of the previous. Then I begin pulling out threads. Here is the skirt and an upclose of the fringe.

You may notice that my skirt is not fitting my dressform very well on the sides. I cannot zip it up the back. The skirt fits me, just not my dressform. I don't know what has happened to Lady Burgundy. Somehow, she has gotten messed up. I think it is from moving her around too much. It sounds like a good excuse to me to get a custom dress form. Anyone got any suggestions?

Once I got the skirt made, I decided I needed a navy blouse to go with it. I used M5884 in View A. This pattern is out of print, but is still for sale on the BMV website.

I ordered some rayon from fabric.com in a navy blue color. This fabric is scrumptious. It has a shiny side and a matte side. As you can see, I used the shiny side. I just love tie neck blouses. I sewed the blouse exactly from the instructions and it went together easily.

I am not doing a post this week totally devoted to wearing what I sew, because I only wore one thing. Actually I wore it Friday of last week .

Jacket: blogged about here

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Old Navy

Shoes: Madden Girl

Until next time...

Wearing What I Sew--anthropologie is the theme

2010-10-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

Here is this week's "Wearing What I Sew" feature. I have an anthropologie theme going this week, because both sewn items I wore are knockoffs I made of anthropologie items.

Tuesday

Cardigan: Forever 21

Dress: my knockoff of anthropologie Verite dress

(blogged about here)

Necklace: Etsy

Shoes: Target

Belt: ??

You may recognize the above picture, because I took it from a previous posting. It was the same outfit I wore Tuesday, so I didn't bother to take another pic.

Wednesday

Jacket: JCPenney

(please forgive the wrinkles--the pic was taken at the end of a long day at work)

Blouse: JCPenney

Skirt: knockoff of anthropologie fluttering pencil skirt

(blogged about here)

Shoes: Steve Madden Magnolia

Closeup of Shoes

toenail polish is a dark gray "Essie"

Do you notice a difference in my hair color between the two pics? I had brown hair in the first pic and now I am blonde again. Until next time...

Plaid Skirt: Burda Magazine 1-2009-105

2010-10-16T19:28:00.000-05:00

Front

Back

I have been wanting to make myself a plaid skirt using this fabric I got at Walmart for $1.00 per yard about 2 years ago. I used the fabric make a jacket that I blogged about before.
I searched through some old BWOF's (they will always be BWOF to me) and found this cute skirt pattern. It has a visible zipper (although not totally exposed like the ones that are so trendy today)

I took this picture from the magazine with my camera because I can no longer find the archives for this issue on Burda's website. I really don't like what they have done to their website. Here is the line drawing, also photographed with my camera.

The skirt was very easy to make. I followed the instructions as best as I could interpret Burda instructions, and then just did what I thought was correct where I had problems understanding theirs. The skirt did not call for a lining, but I added one. I did something I had never done before: I attached the waistband facing to the lining. What I usually do is sew the lining to the skirt at the waist, then attach the facing at the waistband, and then handstitch the edge of the waistband facing down to the lining. However, I am getting more obsessive about a more nicely finished inside, so I decided to try this. I simply cut off a piece at the top of the lining pieces in the shape of the waistband facing, minus the seam allowance. Then I sewed the facing to the lining pieces--basically they filled in the part I cut off. Here is what it looks like all put together on the finished skirt:

I really like doing it this way. It cuts down on handstitching. I topstiched the skirt where it was called for in the pattern with rayon embroidery thread. I am letting my dressform, Lady Burgundy, model it for you. I will feature it in an outfit in the future when it gets a little colder outside. Would someone from New England send me a little of that Noreaster that is blowing through? It is still in the 80's in Alabama during the afternoon.
My kitty, Minor, wants everyone to know that he has taken up the study of Patternless Fashions:

Wearing What I Sew: Tuesday & Wednesday

2010-10-14T06:51:00.000-05:00

One of the hobbies I enjoy doing, if you can call it a hobby, is to visit blogs where bloggers showcase what they wear. Most of these blogs do not feature sewn items but mostly clothing from JCrew and Anthropologie. I was really excited to see sewing bloggers featuring what they wear during Self-Stitched September. I have considered for awhile featuring what I wear if it involves a sewn item, but I am so self-critical of my own pictures. I see every wrinkle and every place where it doesn't fit exactly perfectly. I have finally decided that we are our own worst critics and am just going to throw caution to the wind. I have been wanting to blog more and this seems like a good way to do it, as I do wear alot of what I sew. So here it goes. This is what I wore Tuesday to work:

Cardigan: JCrew Bling Button Cardigan in lavendar (on sale)

Blouse: Old Navy

Skirt: I made it and blogged about it here

Shoes: Purple suede BCBGirls (about 5 years old)

Necklace: from a local boutique for 50% off (not that you can really see the necklace)

This is what I wore Wednesday to work:

Dress: I made it about 5 years ago out of black cotton/polyester broadcloth
It was one of the big 4 pattern companies, but I can't remember which one or find it in my pattern stash.
Necklace: JCPenney
Bracelet: Target
Shoes: Steve Madden

Squeal!!!! Look at the pattern I just bought!!!

2010-10-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

I was surfing around the internet and came across this pattern. I almost squealed when I saw it. It is a good thing I didn't because my students were taking a test. I was keeping one eye on them and one eye on the computer screen. Here is the vision of gorgeousness---vintage Vogue 2112:

Is this pattern not to DIE FOR!!! I came across it on a sewing blog so I began searching for it. I did a google search. I found a site that had it for $95. I have no problem with people charging alot for rare vintage patterns. I try not to make judgements about what they charge, but I am not paying that. I immediately began trying to figure out how I could reproduce it. It made me think of S3833 which I already have. I figured I could just figure out how to do the split down the back and make a bow.

However, I have not been too sucessful lately on tweaking patterns, and it seems like my mistakes happen in threes, so that really did not appeal to me.
Suddenly it came to me to look on etsy. Guess what? I found it in my size..well almost. I will have to take in the bust, but everything else is right. Also, it was $17.95 plus shipping which brought it to only $20.45. I never thought I would describe a pattern as ONLY costing $20, but when you have seen it for $95, then $20 seems cheap. I already have the fabric I am going to use--a bright red linen blend that has been in my stash for years. I will definitely make a muslin for this. I have learned a valuable lesson the hard way on that.
I have two more things I need to do before I make this dress. I know it is going to be too cold soon to wear it, but I might could wear it to a Christmas gathering that is inside where it is warm. Those two other things are two skirts. I hope to have one to show you this weekend.

Inspired by Anthropologie - Ruffled Plaid Dress: McCall 5972

2010-09-30T18:24:00.000-05:00

GASP!!!! GASP!!! That was my reaction when I first saw Anthropologie's Ruffled Plaid Dress.

front

back

The first GASP was at the beauty of it (a good gasp). The second GASP was at the price (not a good gasp). Sometime I just see a dress a think I have to have it, so I decided to try to knock it off. As I was looking through patterns, I came across McCall 5972. I had bought it several months ago and it just kind of sat in my pattern stash. I really had no idea what to do with it, but I had to have the pattern because it is just so pretty!!!

When I remembered I had it, I knew it would work for making an inspired-version of this Anthropologie dress. I ordered some tropical wool octavia check fabric from fabric.com.

I love fabric.com because they have great fabrics and fast/cheap shipping. This fabric is navy plaid whereas the anthro dress is black, but it is the closest I could find for a reasonable price. And, I just love navy blue.
     I ordered extra because the Anthropologie dress is cut on the bias, and I wanted to do that. I have never cut a pattern on the bias before that was not meant to be cut on the bias. I really did not see any difference in sewing fabric cut on the bias vs sewing fabric cut on the straight of grain. It could be because of the type of fabric I was sewing.
     I made a muslin, something I don't normally do, because I have been in such doldrums lately in my sewing that I wanted to be sure it would fit correctly. It was a good thing I made a muslin, because I had serious front and back neck gaping. I had about an inch of gaping at both the front and the back. To fix this problem I just took each pattern piece, marked in from the center back and center front about 1/4 inch, and then drew a line from there to the fold line right about waist level. That's was my new fold line. That took care of a 1/2 inch on front and back, but I still had more to take out. I then tapered the shoulder seam from 5/8 inch at the armhole to 7/8 inch at the neckline.  I redrew the neckline just a bit so that it was smooth. I have no idea if this is the best solution but it's worked well for me. I had to do the tapering at the shoulder seam for the bottom flounce at the neckline, but I did not make adjustments to the ruffles. I just gathered them a little more.
     Except for that adjustment, I made the dress exactly according to the pattern. However, I did not line the dress. I almost always line my dresses and skirts because I really don't like slips. However, I already had 4 layers of fabric at the neck. The McCall pattern suggests chiffon for the ruffles at the neck, but that wasn't the look I was going for. Therefore, I ended up with 4 layers of tropical wool at the neck. I did try to line it at one point, but the neckline just flipped out and showed the lining (even with my understitching) because it was so heavy. I did a bias neckband instead. I'll just be wearing a slip with this dress.
Here is my version of the dress. My ruffles are a little more elaborate and the back bodice of my dress has ruffles, whereas the anthropologie dress does not.

front

back

Here is a close up of the ruffle at the front.

Also, the anthro dress has a corsage pin. I chose to wear a rhinestone butterfly pin I got a couple of years ago.

I purchased the belt I am wearing from Anthropologie (on sale) and the shoes are a Christmas present that came from anthropologie.

belt closeup

shoe closeup
This dress was a confidence builder so I hope I am back on track, at least for awhile.

Vintage Vogue 2517 - Ice Cream Dress

2010-09-26T15:51:00.000-05:00

I became obsessed earlier this year with finding this Vintage Vogue Diane von Furstenberg pattern when I saw the awesome dress that Kathryn' made on her blog.

After sending out SOS's here and on a couple of message boards, I was alerted that it was up for sale on ebay. Even though it was a size larger than I needed, I went ahead and bought it. I knew I could take deeper seams if I needed to do so. I purchased the peach and fushia jersey fabric from fabricmartfabrics during one of their big sales, and the off white jersey is Vera Wang 100% rayon jersey that I got from fabric.com when it went on sale for $1.95/yd.
I had never sewn a vintage pattern before, but the instructions were great. The most difficult part was keeping straight what pieces went with what color of fabric. I followed the pattern and the only alteration I made was taking a deeper seam in the side under the arms. I serged the inside seams and cover stitched the hem. I sewed a little tie at the side.
The reason I call it the Ice Cream Dress is because it reminds me of a cone of several flavors of sherbert ice cream. Here is the front and the back.

I probably shouldn't point this out, but I have a little bit of weird wrinkling going on at the seam between the fushcia and white fabric on the right back of the bodice( in the above picture). After taking this picture, I put the dress on my dressform and the wrinkling wasn't there. I think it was the way I was standing when I took the pic (or at least that is what I will tell myself for consolation).
I will leave you with a parting shot of the shoes I wore with this dress. I got them for my birthday. They are Paris Hilton "Senorita" heel in gold and they have hot pink soles. I am not a Paris Hilton fan, but her shoes sure are cute.

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth

2010-08-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted, but I have been following alot of sewing blogs. I have just been a little disillusioned the past couple of months with sewing. I have had a few sewing disasters and that has kind of put the damper on my enthusiasm. I tried to make a pair of pants (not my strong point) and just really messed up the fly zipper--wasted fabric. Then I tried to remake that off white jersey dress I stained with makeup awhile back and got it done. Well guess what I did again---I don't even have to tell you. It is just not meant to be. Then I attempted to make a simple ruffle knit top and cut almost all of it out when I ran out of fabric. I should have measured first, but I didn't. After that, I just decided to take a little break and did not sew for about 3 weeks. Then I decided to make a dress from a pattern that I have made before out of some gorgeous polka-dot silk charmeuse I got from fashionfabricsclub.com. It was going to be my 40th birthday dress (for today...hmmm did I just let that piece of info drop?) but look what I did. I was putting the neck binding on and somehow I caught the sleeve up in it. Before I noticed I had already trimmed the seam and in the process trimmed a chunk out of the front sleeve edge. I don't have a clue how to fix it. It seems to be cut a little too far in for sleeve binding and I don't have the patience to remake the bodice. Any ideas what to do? I had planned to wear it with a cardigan, so that may just be what has to happen, but it is so frustrating.

I am literally scared to sew now. I am wanting to make a simple skirt, but how will I destroy it? Anyway, I suppose we all go through these sewing episodes. Until next time...

Anthropologie knockoff--The Fluttering Pencil Skirt #2

2010-06-05T17:01:00.000-05:00

Back in September I sewed a knock off of Anthropologie's Fluttering pencil skirt here. I decided that I needed a summer version. A friend gave me some fabric from her stash--I love free fabric. It is a navy blue polyester blend with raised white dots. It is sort of pique-ish. I used the same technique that I used before which shams at Communing with Fabric did a tutorial on. It works wonderfully. I won't go into it because her details are so great and I would just be repeating what she is describing. I used a basic pencil skirt pattern from Burda--BWOF 10-2008-104 (you will always be BWOF to me!!) I cut the front on a fold and took out the two pleats at the bottom of the skirt back. Then I just proceeded with shams' tutorial.

Here is the original anthropologie skirt:

and here is my knockoff. My skirt buttons are from my mother-in-law's stash. The only money I have in this skirt is in the interfacing, skirt lining, and side zipper.

Here is a side view. My blouse is from JCPenney. I bought it for about $8 last year during one of their huge clearances. You can't make it that cheap.

Bed sheet dress - Simplicity 2497

2010-05-27T12:04:00.000-05:00

When I was a little girl my mother made me a floral dress out of a bed sheet and I loved it. I was reminded last year about using sheets to make dresses when The Slapdash Sewist made a dress using a sheet. I went to Walmart and bought a sheet in a pretty teal blue to make the same Butterick dress she made. The sheet is 60% cotton/40% polyester. But, you know how a fabric and pattern stash can build up--there is always so much to sew and so little time. The sheet just sort of sat in my stash as I was distracted by more fabric and patterns.

When this Cynthia Rowley S2497 pattern came out awhile back I knew I had to have it. I just love the neckline ruffles. I knew I wanted to wear this dress to work and, therefore, could not make it too dressy. I do not want to look like I am wearing a formal dress to work. I deliberated over what fabric to use, and then it came to me to use the bed sheet.

I made this dress about 3 weeks ago, but today is the first time I have worn it to get photographs. I always make a size 12 with no alterations, so I did the same thing this time. However, it was too big in the chest. I took in another 5/8" seam allowance to fix it. If you are small chested, I would advise dropping down one size in the bodice. My invisible zipper went in perfectly (not normal for me). This dress was really easy to make.

I am wearing it with a necklace/bracelet/earring set my sister gave me and some silver sandals from Go Jane. For those of you shoe-aholics like me, Go Jane has some cute, inexpensive shoes. Some are wild, but there are alot of cute ones.

Check out this Rowenta Iron Giveway

2010-05-24T08:49:00.000-05:00

Check out this Rowenta Iron Giveway. I entered it. I need a new iron. I am back from Disney World. It was so much fun!!! Now I am going to get back to sewing. I have decided to let my anthro-inspired dress sit for awhile. I am considering maybe doing the bodice in something other than pink that is less little girlish. I don't know. I am going to start remaking my stained dress disaster. A wonderful poster over at Stitchers Guild sent me some of the ivory colored Vera Wang dress fabric..for FREE!!! Isn't the sewing community great!!!

Thanks ...and an update

2010-05-15T18:07:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for your suggestions on what type of zipper to use for my anthropologie-inspired dress I posted about in my last post. I had not thought of using a pick stitched zipper, so that is what I did. When I got it done I looked at the dress in its (almost) entirety and....it just looked....homemade. I still had the collar ruffle and sleeves to do, but when I looked at the scalloped waist area, I could see the seam through the bodice where the skirt attached to the waist. It did not look good. I had initially stitched the scallops down with a straight stitch, but because of the thinness of the silk batiste, it just didn't attach well to the linen. Then I sewed over it with a zigzag. It looked better, but it still bothered me. I could not figure out what was wrong until I realized that I had intended to order "satin" batiste...not silk batiste. I use to sew children's clothing and I didn't remember satin batiste being as papery-feeling and papery-looking. I guess it had been so long since I had sewn baby clothes and little girl's smocked dresses, that I forgot which fabric was which. I live in a small podunk town and I have to order virtually all my fabric. I do have one local fabric shop, and there is some good fabric there, but not what I needed for this dress.

The bodice of this dress is so sheer that you can see every seam. I had considered binding the seams where the scalloping is done with bias tape, like Amanda does, but the more I looked at the zigzag stitch, the more I hated it. I had already ripped a small hole when I took out my unsuccessful invisible zipper so I knew I wasn't about to rip out all that zigzagging. I decided I didn't want to put all that time into binding and still not be happy with the outside stitching. There were a couple of places where it wasn't exactly right, and it really showed with the pink stitches being right next to the black skirt.

I decided there was no way to save this dress as it is. It was really disappointing and I pouted for awhile. Do you ever pout over your sewing mistakes? I decided that the whole problem is the sheer, flimsy, papery silk batiste. I need something more substantial for the bodice. When I tried the dress on, it went to my ankles (tea length). I want it at my knees, so what I did was to cut the bodice off the top of the skirt (yes I resorted to scissors) and used the same fabric to recut the skirt in a shorter length. I am still trying to decide what to use for the bodice. Any ideas? I need something that is not sheer. I am still thinking satin batiste, but now I am worried that I don't remember much about its nature either. If I recall, it isn't sheer, is it?

Unfortunately, I am not going to be able to wear this dress to the wedding I was making it for. I think the time stress may have been a contributing factor. I can't sew well under stress and should have remembered that. I will just have to wear my standby wedding dress. Meh... Part of me wants to just chunk this dress. I keep telling myself that maybe it is too little girlish for me...I will be 40 in August, but I hate that I spent all that money. It is not what I would have spent if I had bought the actual anthropologie dress, but it is more than I usually spend on a sewing project. Well, if it ends up wasted it is not the first wasted money I have spent on a sewing project, and I am quite positive it won't be the last.

It is going to be a week before can work on this dress again because I am leaving for Disney World in Orlando tomorrow. I am going to see Tinkerbell, my favorite Disney character. Maybe I will get refreshed and rested and be able to defeat this dress. Readers, thanks for your suggestions and help.

Exposed Zipper...or no?

2010-05-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

I am currently sewing a knock off of this gorgeous Swinging Sweetheart Dress that was available recently at anthropologie. Even at the sale price I could not stomach it, so I decided to sew a knockoff. I am using a vintage pattern that is very similar to this dress. The bodice is silk batiste (never again) and the skirt is a linen/rayon blend. I stabilized the back seam using fusible interfacing and attempted to insert an invisible zipper. The last time I inserted an invisible zipper, it went perfectly, so I should have known it would be a disaster this time.

I tried about three times to get things to line up, but they would not. When I ripped a tiny hole in my fabric, I knew it was time to stop. The hole was close enough to the seam allowance that I could take an ever so slightly deeper one to cover it up.

Now I am on to plan B--what I am thinking is that I might try something I have been intrigued with for awhile--an exposed zipper in black. I found a wonderful tutorial on how to insert one. This dress is so feminine and ethereal looking, that I am wondering if it might add a little edge to the garment...or would it just look out of place?

I had also thought of just doing button holes and running buttons up the back, but I don't have time. I am truly on a deadline to get this dress done. I am also thinking about just buying a regular pink zipper to match the bodice and doing a centered application.

Readers. what do you think?

Kate Spade Knockoff - S 2724

2010-05-02T13:26:00.000-05:00

I saw this Kate Spade Cloey dress several months ago online and fell in love with it. If there is one thing I love me, it is some ruffles, bows, and flounces. I don't watch Glee, but I do keep up with Emma Pillsbury's fashion, and she recently was spotted wearing it in a different colorway. Isn't her cardigan just cute with it? It is already hot in South Alabama, so when it get cooler again, I will have to get me a cardigan for my dress.

Kate Spade's dresses unfortunately run over $400, way out of my budget for a dress, but it didn't look too difficult to make. I had purchased a gorgeous tweed-ish fabric from my local fabric retailer a few months before that I knew would be perfect for the skirt portion. I purchased some 100% polyester poplin from fabric.com for the bodice and set to work. I started with S 2724. I used the bodice for the dress with the ruffle down the front. However, since I was going to do a bow and a flounce, I drafted a different facing for the neckline.

Then I morphed the flounce from B 5284 View B onto the front of the bodice. It did not fit exactly, but it was within the seam allowance, so it worked. To make the bow , I just sewed two rectangles of white poplin together, leaving an opening to turn them inside out. The I wrapped a piece of fabric around the center. It is held onto the front of the dress with two snaps. I chose to do a straight skirt instead of an a-line like the original Kate Spade dress and attached an orange grosgrain ribbon at the waist.

Here is a closeup of the skirt fabric:

Here is my dress:

Here is a closeup of the bodice. I originally had turned under a narrow hem on the edge of the flounce, but it looked ugly, so I just did a rolled hem with my serger. My bow and flounce are a little less dramatic than the Kate Spade version, but I am very happy with it.

B5206 - Border Print Dress

2010-04-26T10:39:00.000-05:00

I finally have something from my sewing room to show you. I bought a lovely knit border print fabric awhile back from fabricmartfabrics.com when it went on sale. I just can't resist their sales. I just wish their shipping wasn't $8.00. The combination of colors is one of my favorites--rose & blue. Also, this fabric reminds me of stained glass, which I also love. I really had no idea what pattern I would use, as is frequently the case when I buy fabric. For several months I have been looking for the vintage vogue pattern 2517. I had pretty much given up on finding it, so I was going to try to adapt a wrap dress pattern to the color block design. I chose B5206 as my starting point. I wanted to test the fit and use this beautiful knit fabric for a dress, so I decided to kill two birds with one stone (my that is a terrible sounding saying---I love birds) Anyway, I would get my dress out of this material and know how the fit is. Once I knew the fit, I was going to cut the pattern into pieces and attempt to produce a pattern like the vintage vogue.

front

back

I rarely ever make muslins--I have made about five in entire 10 years I have been sewing. I just sort of fit as I go. When I make a knit dress I always go by the finished bust measurement. I did the same here and the dress fit with no fitting alterations. Well, there was one planned and one unplanned alteration. that did not involve fitting. I had planned to do the short sleeved version and as I was serging the sleeve seam, this slinky fabric slithered its way under the serger foot, and I sliced a huge hole in my sleeve. I had already had enough sewing disasters recently (see previous post) that I did not have the patience to recut the sleeve and deal with the seam allowance issue. I just picked it out and decided to go sleeveless. Another alteration was that I chose not to use the contrast trim. I used clear elastic to fold under the edges. I had never done that technique and it is something I have been wanting to learn. It was really easy. Here is the tip on how to use it at patternreview.com. There are other tutorials on the internet for using it. I took a stitch at the neck so that it would not gape open. Also I left off the belt and just wore one of my own. I also coverstitched the hem using my coverstitch function on my Babylock Evolve Serger. I basically kept it very simple so that this print would be the focus. I am happy with how it turned out. I am not so sure that this particular ecru color is good for my skin tone at the neck, so I wore a denim jacket with it to work to add a little more color.

Well, while I was making this dress, a lovely lady from patternreview let me know that the vintage vogue pattern I wanted was on ebay. I don't think I have ever surfed the internet so quickly. I snapped it up so I am very happy I don't have to create a pattern now. It was going to be my next project, but something else has moved into its place. I have a very special wedding to attend in a month. My husband's best friend's youngest son is getting married to his dream girl. They both go to my church and I am so happy for them. I have been asked to sing at their wedding, and I have been looking for a dress. I found one at anthropologie, and it was on sale....FOR $90!!!!!! By the time I paid the astronomical shipping and tax, it would have been over $100 when I received it. I just can't spend that much money on a dress. Also, their sizing is all over the place, so you never know if you need to go up or down a size, and the closest anthopologie to me is 3.5 hrs away---probably a good thing :) I have decided to attempt a knock off of it. The dress is the "Swinging Sweetheart Dress". Here is the front and the back. I am probably going to do mine with a straight skirt so that it is more elegant. The antho dress is pretty as it is, but I am almost 40 and that flared out skirt together with the scalloped waist, ruffled neckline and sleeves, and gathers makes the "Swinging Sweetheart Dress" as it is a little...well... too sweet. It is going to be a challenge, but I am looking forward to it.

I have another dress to show you that I made this past weekend, when I get photographs. I plan to wear it to work Thursday, so I will do a post this weekend on it.

Two months of wadderville

2010-04-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

First I want to say thanks to the 102 followers I now have. WOW!! And, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. It has been awhile since I have posted, but I have been living in wadderville. I set out to make an Easter Dress from S2444 using some of the gorgeous Vera Wang fabric I got when fabric.com had their sale for $1.95.

I have been in love with that pattern since it first came out. I ordered it from sewingpatterns.com and had pretty much given up on getting it. It had been 3 weeks and they still had not sent it and had not charged my credit card. After emailing them, a week after I had ordered it, they told me it had shipped. It never came and the did not respond to my two later emails. I will never order from them again. I gave up and ordered it from somewhere else. Well the day after it arrived, the one from sewingpatterns arrived. GRRR!! I had planned on having a giveaway with one of the patterns when I reached 100 followers, but I lost one of the pattern pieces and had to cut my second one. GRRR!!! After I got the dress made, I put it on and it was just too much!!! It was too poofy and I looked liked I was wearing a curtain. I am just calling it an unplanned muslin :)

On to plan B---Then I decided to make M 5752 using some of that gorgeous Ivory Vera Wang jersey I got in the same sale.

That fabric is to die for!!! Well, I got it made and even did a pretty little cover stitch on the sleeves and hem using my Babylock Evolve serger. This pattern was really a pain to sew because it had one inch seams. I had my outfit all planned out in my head for Easter. I was going to wear a little jacket with it that I had made the year before and some shoes with the same colors as the jacket. I got the dress on that morning and was putting on my makeup. When I stood up from the chair after putting on my makeup, I had somehow gotten several spots of makeup on the dress. I am usually so careful.

Here is the dress and the makeup disaster:

Needless to say I had to wear something else to church. I immediately sprayed Shout on it and washed it. It did not come out. Then I sprayed Greased Lightning with Bleach Power on it, let it set, and washed it. It did not come out. I am bummed. Now, I just have no desire to sew. I am tired. In my mind I want to sew, but my body says no. Does anyone know how to get this stain out? Someone at Stitchers Guild suggested something from Joann's that sounds good, but I do not live close to one. Anyway, I know I will get over this and get back to sewing, but right now I am pouting. Thanks for listening :)