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 

Blurred Plaids

Hello! Greetings from sunny So. Cal! It has been great to be home and play catch-up with life and people and all that. There's a whole lot I could talk about about being back home, but for now let's talk clothes.

I've been in a sartorial funk for a few months now and on top of that I lost nearly 80lbs while travelling. There's a lot of odd psychological things that happen when you lose that much weight unintentionally in such a small time. Maybe one of these days I'll go into it, but right now the point is this: I have very little that fits me. Almost nothing from my pre trip closet fit, and while some of those old items can be altered that takes time and it's been frustrating. I did manage to go out and do a bit of shopping after I got home but other than a few pairs of pants and I think three tops, two dresses, and a skirt, my wardrobe does not exist. I desperately need tops right now, but to begin with I made myself a dress that isn't even remotely a day dress. Hey, I've been travelling from farm to farm falling in various animal feces for 6 months, I DESERVE A PRETTY DRESS!

Cardigan- Thrifted, Dress- Me Made, Petticoat- Vintage (and on it's last life), Ferragamos- Thrifted.

The total cost of this dress comes out to about $2 or $3. The bodice pattern is Simplicity 1375 that my mom picked up for me over the summer for a dollar, and the fabric I bought at a festival a few weekends ago. I bought a large roll of this fabric for $3 and after making this dress that involves a full circle skirt, I still have about five yards left so like, I will have all the clothes from this fabric.

There isn't a whole lot more to say about this dress other than it was super simple to put together. It has pockets and is insanely comfortable and as soon as this little cold snap we've got going on is over it will be perfect for Californian "Winter." I'm pretty sure the fabric is a poly/cotton blend, but it's a nice fabric so the poly part doesn't bother me too much. This is the first time I've ever worked with plaid and took the time to match up the print and for a first time effort I am satisfied. There are a few minor mis-matches, but they aren't terrifically noticeable.  The only thing about this dress I'm not 100%  satisfied with is the bodice fit. I'm having to relearn how to fit my body and there is some weird new proportions on my body. I mean, it's so weird. But I'm making due!

I'll definitely be making another of these dresses and I'm thinking next time I might add in a built in petticoat since this vintage one I have is falling to shreds. Sad petticoat.  

My camera started having some weird focus issues towards the end of my trip making it super hard to get a decent photo so I apologize for any weird blurring. Someday I'll fix that until then, unintentionally blurred images for all!

Of course the best part of this dress is the perfect twirl ability of the skirt.

The Alys Tunic

The last few weekends we have been trying to get our yards into shape and plant some things and prune what we've already got and it. is. a. mess. Both our back and front yard have been neglected for too long and of course now we're paying the price (the driest winter on record and worst drought in 100 years isn't helping any either!). Plus there's a beehive between our and the neighbours back fences and after the first bee swarm a few weeks ago, that has made certain things a little more difficult (not that we aren't thrilled to have a whole colony of pollinators in our garden!).  We got our blackberries and raspberries planted, and pruned the out of control lemon tree and harvested three gigantic baskets full of lemons (I made a batch of lemon marmalade with them that was mostly a success. My Marmalading skillz leave much to be desired), but it's been overwhelming with everything else going on in life. So when I somehow stumbled upon The Edible Garden I was stupidly excited about growing things again. Knowing that at the end of all the work there would be a pretty and hopefully bountiful garden has made the not fun tasks a little easier.

As soon as I started watching the show I was totally smitten with Alys Fowler, the shows host. She's absolutely adorable and has the best wardrobe ever. Alys wears cute vintage dresses and skirts, floral prints, striped Breton tops, and salt water sandals while she gardens and it made me so incredibly happy. I particularly loved a yellow striped tunic top she wears. It looks vintage and is just so incredibly cheery. My own gardening and summer wardrobe could use a few more long-ish throw on tunics for wearing over jeans or leggings so I decided to make one inspired by Alys's.

The Pattern is Simplicity 8523 and has probably been in print since 1992. I remember buying this because I needed tops and I thought this one was a pretty good base pattern to maybe make more exciting at some point. The artwork makes this look super un-exciting, but this is a pretty damn nifty little top. I made view C sans sleeves and made it longer and wider at the hem to give more of a tunic shape. It's a really quick project  taking maybe 2 hours from start to finish.

For practicality I added some funky patch pockets for holding cellphones and seed packets. And finally: the fabric! This is obviously another bedsheet. I found this one with matching pillow cases at an Estate Sale for mere pennies and what can I say I am really drawn to orange floral bedsheets. This top is from the pillow cases except the arm facing which I used the super faded portion of the bed sheet for. I am so in love with this top it isn't even funny! So in love that I made a gaggle of companion pieces, but I'll save those for next time.

My bandana and cut offs are thrift find and my Espadrilles are from espadrillesetc.com

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.

Gracie Hobbie

The next few posts I have are all projects that were formerly in my UFO pile until I got super weirdly productive this weekend and sewed everything. I'm excited to show you them! First up is a little (literally) refashion. I bought a Holly Hobbie printed 70's Maxi Dress at a thrift store sometime last summer and  initially I was going to make me a skirt and Grace a top from this, but after some real soul searching I knew I would never wear the skirt, so I made a dress for Grace.

The day before these were taken my mom, Grace, and I went out thrifting and Grace bought this jacket that she is obsessed with. Absolutely. Obsessed. She kept "mocking" it while we were at Goodwill but we knew she wanted it, so my mom bought it for her and she has just hung out in it ever since. Yesterday she stole a Stetson of mine, made a tinfoil "sheriff's" badge, took a pink ribbon and tied it around her waist to stick her rubber band and cap guns in, and told everyone in an effected Texan Accent that she was Sheriff Grace and stick 'em up! Eariery she has been Tasha who lived in Nashville and had nice legs. 

I don't know where he gets it.

No seriously...

Anyways her dress looked pretty spiffy with it.

Grace is the most difficult person to get to take a picture.

The ruffle was already on the dress so I just shortened it and gathered it to the bodice. The bodice pattern is Simplicity 1893 which is apparently out of print now, which is sad because this is a really great little girls dress. The pattern is crazy easy and has some cute variations. I've made this once before for Grace (in a Merida from Brave print), and I will definitely be using it again. It's an absolutely perfect sundress and Grace is a big fan. 

Underpinnings

I feel just a tad silly in posting this. It's not my best make ever, nor the most glamorous, but it is definitely useful! Most weekends I don't go out much and a result often find myself on Sunday night still in Friday night's pajamas. It's gross. But I have been trying to be better about at least throwing on clean loungewear each day. My biggest weekend sartorial offence though is my penchant to shed my bra Friday night and not put another on until Monday morning. I'll spare you the boob talk, but let's just say I don't really have the type of chest that can go about braless and still be decent. Anywho, I've been wanting a couple bralets or bandeaus to wear under t's or tanks for a while but they are either way too expensive or just don't fit my chest. So I made one.

The sun had set by the time I took these, so forgive their darkness. The construction was simple (except that I absolutely HATE putting in elastic!) and took maybe half an hour. The fabric I picked up at Joann in the summer of 2012. The over layer is sheer with quite a bit of stretch, while the lining layer is much thicker and less stretchy. Both are some sort of knit and were surprisingly easy to work with. The straps are a total joke! They basically serve no purpose whatsoever, but I like the look. If you want to make your own this is the tutorial I used. 

The most shameful part of this whole bit is that I cut this out after I bought the fabric. This has been languishing in my UFO pile for over a year! Of course, now that I've made it I can't believe I let it sit there that long, but at least I have it now! Definitely excited to make up a few more of these!

P.S. Here is a little pic of it in action from Instagram. It's so comfy!

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!

Summer Stripes

Summer Stripes Dress- Me Made
Belt- Target
Sandals- Target
Sunnies- Target
Nail Colour-Revlon "Rapid Ruby"
Lipstick-Kate Moss for Rimmel London in 01

I know that everytime I make a dress I say that I'll never make a new pattern, this is my favourite, and all that, but seriously I want this dress in 30 different prints and colours. er. mer. gerd. I love it! The fabric is a quilting cotton I bought from Fabric.com eons ago (same time I bought the pink version that became these). It was white and red and the stripes were wider than I'd been hoping and also it was just so... bright. Y'know that almost neon-bluish-blinding white (the same kind that mall bridal gowns are made of...)? Well that's what this was. Which is why it sat in my stash for so long. Then one day a few weeks ago I had a brilliant idea and tea dyed it. After a few hours it was absolutely perfect! Like a faded American Flag. I'd been toying with dress ideas in my head and saw some photo on tumblr of a dress that just seemed so perfectly Summer-worthy. And thus this dress was born. The top is Simplicity 1692 (like this one) but with an altered boat neck. I also skipped the waist tucks since I was adding elastic. The skirt is a simple dirndl skirt with elastic stitched in. I actually am absurdly proud of the way I attached the elastic on this. I hate exposed casing stitching, and I hate visible zig-zag stitches. Solution? I left quite a bit of seam allowance in the waist and stitched it there. Then I tacked the sides down and pinked the raw edge of the casing seam allowance. The hem and arm and neck openings are faced with red hem lace and hand stitched. It was a super quick project and I am seriously in love. 

Smile and a Song

Bow- Target little girl's section
Earrings- Me Made
Cardigan- Old Navy
Pin- Vintage, gift
Dress- Me Made
Belt- Target
Petticoat- Vintage, thrifted (Stupid thing kept hanging too low! Time to replace the elastic.)
Shoes- BC Footwear via Nordstrom Rack

I made this dress a few weekends ago and wore it to go see Mumford & Sons. The top is a seersucker remnant I had leftover from this project, and the skirt is Kona Cotton leftover from an ill-fated dress attempt for my cousin's wedding. I didn't intend to cut the bodice so short, but in the end I don't mind. It ended up being so very summery and light. It made me feel kinda nostalgic and cook up visions of lazy days by a creek, living in the forest, picking apples, escaping from my evil step-mother- wait what?

Delaney was the one who pointed it out first. "Oh it looks like those modernized version of princesses! Like for Snow White."  I didn't see it. Both times I've worn it out since people have compared it to Snow White. If no one had pointed it out I doubt I ever would have made that association, but of course now, that's all I can see. I'm okay with that. As long as no one tries to poison me with an apple...

Coincidentally the flavour of this lipstick reminds me of Disneyland.