Under The Sea

This was a fun and easy project.  I had purchased this awesome under water scene fabric on our Spring vacation to Portugal.  I really fell for the fabric and knew right away that I wanted to make this print/colorblock skirt with it.

I was frugal and didn't buy a special pattern but instead just altered one I already had in my stash. I used New Look 6164 , view D, cut it up, made new center front and back panels, replaced seam allowances etc. and voila- I had the skirt I'd envisioned. I especially liked the sewn on casing rather than using a zipper.  One day while perusing through JoAnn Fabrics, I found this nice black knit. It is thick , has some stretch to it, yet is stable and it has a sponge like feel to it.  It isn't a neoprene but feels like it. It was labeled suiting.  Anyhow, it was perfect for my skirt.

It went together easily.  I did interface the CF and CB to make them more similar in weight and hang.  The rest is history.  It feels so comfy on.  I would love to find more of this fabric to make some slacks.

I styled my skirt with a turtleneck and black tights to give it a "scuba-like" like look.  I guess all thats missing are flippers and a mask! (LOL)

Skinny Jeans and Black Top

McCalls 6405 and Butterick 5564

                                                 Skinny Jeans & Black Top

  The close fitting pullover top I am wearing has scoop neck with binding, draped sleeves that have pleats, inset and stitched hems.

    I used a tissue thing burn-out effect black fabric.  The only change made to pattern was to add 1” to waist length.  I like the style quite well but a bit disappointed with the limpness of my fabric choice. 

    I plan to use the pattern again only if I find the perfect fabric with stripe similar to the illustration on the Butterick pattern package “A”.

    The blue skinny jeans I am wearing I made earlier in the summer.  I chose to make the “A” view from the pattern and went by my waist size.

 I have very thin legs so it was hard to get them narrow enough.  I liked the back leg seams which allowed for better fitting.  The fabric came from “GorgeousFabrics.Com” over a year ago.  It is a nice denim with a bit of spandex.  Looking back I probably would have gone down a size or two to allow for the “growth” while wearing them.   I like them a lot, they were easy to make and I have lots of tops to wear them with.

SKIRT BUTTERICK 5285

This navy and white stripe poly cotton woven in my stash for at least 10 years!  In my mind it was going to be many things.  Then last summer I saw a “trend” of stripe skirts in the same coloration.  They were full skirted and on the short side.  I went a bit longer to be “age appropriate.”  I love how this pattern had side pockets.

  I saw on Pinterest there were several ways to style it.  I want to buy or make a yellow,  orange or a mint top to go with it.   I will stay with red for now.

The skirt went together easily.  The only adjustments made were adding length which turned out to be unnecessary so I cut some off later, and made a waistband a little longer for my size waist.  I will make this again.  In fact very soon as I have some black eyelet in mind for it.

I love that I can mimic a trend for much less $$ and have it fit me just right!

Old Print New Cut

I scored this lovely thin floral knit on our recent trip to Portugal this spring.  It came out of a bargain bin for 1.99 euros a piece.  It was just over a yard and a bit wider than 60”.  So my pattern choice was restricted to the size of the piece.  I chose McCalls 6604 View D for my top pattern.  The pattern called for woven’s  or stable knits which the floral knit was.  The only area I had a problem fitting was the neckband which was called to be cut on bias.  Oops ! No room for that!  So I just cut it out on cross grain.  It does not totally lay flat but it’s ok for a casual top.  It is so cool and comfy.  I love the pretty nostalgic floral print.  One short evening and a new top!

Sweet Dreams of Paris

Sweet Dreams of Paris

     On some of our travels DH allows time for shopping.  Being the fabriholic that I am I always reserve time for fabric shopping. The garment that I write about today is made from a fabric “souvenir” from last years visit to Paris.

What better to make with this white tricot knit with little black Eiffel Towers than a nightie? For the gown I used McCalls 6659 dress pattern view A.  The only change I made to the pattern was to shorten it by 2 inches.  I found the perfect trim for it too!  When I saw this black elastic made of 2 solid rows with a fine grid design and occasional rhinestones in between, I knew  I had a winner.  The grid pattern so closely mimics that of the Eiffel Tower its like they were meant to be(even though they came from different stores) . It did cause me a bit of a problem in that those rhinestones kept getting in the way of whatever presser foot I tried. I gave in and hand stitched it on both edges with a loose stitch and it worked fine.

Voila- a new nightie in a few hours and something that will keep my memories of Paris alive!

Paris Trip 2012

Dressing-down-a-culture-for-refusing-to-dress-up

  The author, Notre Dame University professor of history Linda Przbyszewski, sparked some attention to the fact that many people do not dress up anymore.  She refers to the many people she sees in stores, the streets and even restaurants who are grossly under dressed.  For example: wearing pajamas and t-shirts in public.

    I could not agree more. Does it come from laziness or that people just don't care about themselves anymore? And what about combing your hair before going out? 

    Ms. Przbyszewski likes to wear vintage styles that she sews herself.  "Dressmakers feel sorry for people who don't sew" she says. " Most people are dependent on ready to wear sizing that they don't  realize their clothing could be made to fit."  "Sewing is not that hard to learn", she adds.  "People think it's hard to sew, but they'll spend hours miserable in the mall looking for something to wear."

clink below for video:

www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57585174/dressing-down-a-culture-for-refusing-to-dress-up

    My thought is that one should dress appropriately for the occasion.  PJ's are for bed.  Dressing your best gives you confidence!  And your hair (as my father once told me) is your  "crowning glory."

Top Fashion Trends for Spring 2013

By Preeti B Karki

The well-dressed woman is on top of the latest trends in fashion, if for no other reason than to determine whether they can afford to add any of the outfits to their wardrobe without breaking the bank. Many of the top designers will make their designs available to the general public, in less expensive "off-the-rack" variations. Here are some of the top fashion trends for 2013, that can either be purchased straight from the designer or imitated with less expensive, but classy variations.
Black and White 
Despite the usual association of pastels with Easter and spring, black and white has become one of the top fashion trends for spring 2013. This combination of black and white gives any audience an impression of clean, crisp lines. The wearer is left with the confidence of knowing that they are sporting a style that is a classic look. Adding different textures, prints, and belts is one way to update this iconic design.
Peekaboo Cut-outs 
A new trend this spring is the use of strategically placed peekaboo cut-outs. Some of the pieces show a little more skin than others, depending on where the cut-outs are placed. The cut-outs not only apply to clothing, but to shoes as well. From Jason Wu's leather sheath dress to Calvin Klein's bustier/pencil skirt dress, there is a large selection of mid-riff baring apparel. Diane von Furstenberg's creation is much more daring, with mid-riff baring cut-outs as well as an up-to-there split.
Sporty Dresses - time to flirt girls! 
This season's sporty dresses flirt with the boys, drawing attention to the ladies' legs. The hemlines are well above the knee, looking much like tennis skirts in some instances. Some of the designers offer A-line skirts, which are compatible with both strappy heels and wedges. They also look good with the down-to-earth tennis shoe. Shoulders are also exposed to capture the sun's rays for that getting-ready- for-the-beach feel.
Leather 
Leather used to be associated with the bad boys and girls, but no more. Black seemed to be the only color available in the past. However, that has changed with this spring line presented by the various designers. Accessible colors range from deep and rich to the light and airy pastels. The leather itself is much lighter in weight in comparison to that of yesteryears. Part of this new look has it combined with other fabrics.
Conclusion 
Wrap it up!