Wallflower

It's a well known fact that I am the world's biggest wimp in the heat. I mean if it gets above 65F I'm already done. I just don't do hot. So life gets pretty miserable fast in So Cal. Honestly this Summer hasn't be so bad so far, but we did have a spell of nasty horrid heat the first week of the month. I made this button front crop top (that needs work, but is fine for now) out of a cotton bedsheet, and oh man does it make hot and sweaty me feel so much more put together! This skirt is an antique one I altered and again is 100% cotton, so it's been my go to outfit for the particularly hot days.

Hat-Thrifted, Shoes-Thrifted, Top- Me Made, Skirt- Thrifted, altered 

Second Time Around

Dress- Me Made, Belt- Thrift Store, Sandals- Target

I started this dress last May in anticipation of the Mumford & Son's San Bernardino stop of the Gentlemen of the Road Tour. I remember being really frustrated with this dress and abandoned it for this one, though I am not really sure why. I know that at one point I even put this half made dress in a donation pile, but at some point apparently rescued it. 

There really wasn't much left to do: attach the buttons, finish the arm and neck openings, and give it a hem. However after trying it on I found several fit issues. They were fairly simple to fix but I guess I must have been way too frustrated with this dress to see the solution. Sometimes taking a second look is worth it.

Excuse the terrible photo. I was trying to get a shot of the pretty vintage buttons I used. 

But sometimes things are NOT worth a second look. Stay tuned for that horror story.

Sweet Dreams

 I made something out of bed sheets again.

But with a twist! I actually used to sleep on these! These were my sheets from my dorm room at OSU. They're from Target and while I don't really understand why you would want white sheets, I really liked the print on these (and maybe also they were the only non neon ones left by the time I went to fit my dorm...). I managed to get this nightgown out of the flat sheet (keep in mind this was one of those dorm twin sheets, so it is a little longer than most) and have a little left over (pocket fabric!).  As much as I liked these as sheets, I much prefer them as pajamas. They are soft and cozy and recycled! Plus if the weather keeps on acting like a mega jerk, at least now I have some non flannel pajamas to wear.

The pattern I used is Butterick 5723, view "E." I have no memory of buying this pattern, which means it must have been during a 99cent sale, and frankly this isn't a pattern I'd typically buy. But I'm thinking I must have bought it for this specific view, although to be honest, this pattern is growing on me. I'm in need of a robe, and sans the terrible ruffle, I may take a crack at this one.  However, this specific view was incredibly wonderful to stitch up. I got most of the construction done in two episodes of Ancient Aliens, and this last week's Sherlock ( at the risk of sounding like a major fangirl (but, it's true) can we take a moment to discuss who amazingly brilliant and fantastic that episode was? I have not laughed at a tv show that much in forever. Also, Mary is quite possibly the best thing to have ever happened to this show.). Considering that there are only four pattern pieces it really takes no time to cut and stitch up. A really great easy pattern with cozy, pretty results. There's something about having freshly washed bedding and a cozy new nightgown (especially after an entire week of being sick!) that is so relaxing and comfy. These have definitely brought me sweet dreams!

  

P.S. My goal has been to get up to posting twice a week this month, but good lord it has just not worked out! So maybe we'll try once a week? Regardless I hope your week has been fantastic! So far 2014 is treating me very well!

Daisy Chain Dress

Dress- Me Made
Jacket- Walmart
Shoes- Target
Shades- Target

I gotta be honest here, I am not terribly thrilled with the way these photos came out. I guess I am a little out of practice with outfit photos and poses, and really that sounds shallow and pretentious to say those things, so we'll stop now. But seriously, this is what I get for doing a rush shoot. But to be fair there are "dress" issues that make me not terribly thrilled with this shoot either.

My cousin got married on the 16th (more on that later) and we all trekked to Phoenix to attend. This is what I wore (the dress at least). I made the dress the night before, like I started it at 7:30. And finished at 11:30 Boom. The fabric is, of course, a bed sheet, and I used Simplicity 1692 for the bodice and two gathered rectangles for the skirt. Pocket, side zip, some bias tape, and an embroidery stitch later, it was done! I wish I'd taken a before picture because the first incarnation of this dress was seriously in the land of "Sister Wife-y." I shortened the sleeves, like, a ton, and scooped the neck a lot more. This dress has been worn more often than not since it's creation, and come summer this will be perfect for frolicking through fields and picnicking by the river (assuming I don't melt first because right now it's 75 and I'm like dying.). HOWEVER, I still wrinkle my nose at a few things.

First off, this was my muslin. I read the finished garment measurments on the back, and accordingly graded up about an inch in the chest. And for some reason now it looks like I have a sack hanging round with my boobies. It's just too much! I actually like the blousy-ness at the back, but the front, not so much. it's easy to get lost in that fabric. I also did only one tuck instead of two, which I think contributes to the sack 'o'boobs effect. I'm also now sure I like the sleeves. I tend to cover my arms because I have some seriously bad acne scarring on them, and I get self-conscious, but I think there is something about the shape that is just weird on me. I need to play around with the pattern a little more to figure out what works on me. Which is great because this pattern is super quick and easy to put together, and I have a couple tops waiting to be made up (in different views). But as for this dress, it's pretty great, not totally perfect, but obviously I've worn it about 5 times in the last week, so it must not be that bad.

This is definitely my favourite part of the dress. The neckline, hem, and arm holes are all stitched down with a scallop embroidery stitch. It's all in the little details!

Tablecloth Chic.

Meet my new dress. Her name is Florence. We call her Flo for short. Speaking of flow, I had the most awkward conversation with some of the people in my office this past week when I asked for some Motrin or midol. I'll spare you the details, but just know that old ladies have no propriety when it comes to these things. But anyways.

I made the dress myself. It's not perfect (<--- a="" as="" but="" cute="" far="" from="" href="http://yammeringmuse.blogspot.com/2009/03/im-alone-on-bicycle-for-two-or-this.html" is="" it="" perfect="" pretty="" read="" s="" the="" this="" very="">tablecloth fabric

mentioned before by the by. I really, really love how it turned out. I have at least two and a half yards of the stuff left. I was thinking about a matching bag or headband or something, but I'm afraid that will look a little too "matchy-matchy" to quote Heidi Klum. Maybe I'll just make a skirt or a top or something. Pillows would actually be cool in this, not that I have a need for pillows, but whatever.

This is another built by wendy pattern. It's supposed to have ties at the cuffs, but I didn't like the way they looked. Oh and you can probably tell I actually put the sleeves on. Turns out I'm just an idiot and sewed the whole dern sleeve up when it was supposed to be open so you could, y'know, like, attach it to the dress. Once I figured this out the sleeves magically fit me. My only real issue with this dress is the length. I like mini dresses, but man this thing is MINI! when you sit in it, it doesn't exactly cover all my hiney. Thus the tights are necessary.

I look a little Stepford Wife-ish here...
Chelsea found her SD card full of pictures from our trip to Portland last summer. OMG. I was so friggin fat! It's funny because I look in the mirror and go, "oh glory, poop, I've got a long way to go!", but then I saw those pictures and was like "Holy frocking Saturnalia, I've come a long way!" it was slightly pleasing. Wanna compare for yourself? See the above pic and compare to this:

My favourite thing is how excited Delaney and Eric look in this.

Every item of clothing I am wearing in these photos have since been given away because they were too big. So that's kinda awesome. Go me.

Oh and for your viewing pleasure, here is a story about my littlest sister Grace, while I crack up. This video was made for charissa at 2 am. That faint popping noise is my thoat opening and closing while I laugh. It's a thing I tried to do in voice lesson and never could, but I can do it when I'm laughing really hard. Go figure... That is Bri, who is sick telling the story.