African Inspired Blouse

Here lately, the only tops I've been concerned with making are crop tops. Well that and bodysuits. Alabama summers are such that you don't want to be involved with clothing alone, much less anything complicated.  I've opted for simple designs that don't require fancy closures or much ado.  That led me to designing my latest blouse.

My local mom-and-pop sew/vac shop was having a sale on fabric, and I happened to wander into there in the final day of the sale.  I had purchased some African prints from the shop before and found they had even more and they were 50% off. I ended up purchasing a couple of yards of several prints.

 Of these beautiful prints, I found this magnificent batik print cotton. It was so thin and crisp and vibrant that I had to bring it home. Initially, I was only thinking of making an accessory with it. However the more I looked at it I realized that I had some burnt orange colored shorts that this would paired excellently with.

I also knew that I wanted to give this shirt a little more visual interest, so I decided to play up the sleeves, make a tassel for the zip closure, and make a decorative hem.

I drafted a simple boxy midriff top, experimented with sleeve draping, and came up with this geometric shape that can be worn in several different ways.  I added a scoop neckline, which is not something I typically wear.   I also added a zipper to the back. It wasn't necessary; however I wanted to add the tassel, and I hate the hassle of getting makeup on EVERY.SINGLE.THING that I wear.  So the zipper opening will help with ease of use. 

I bought a bunch of crochet spools awhile ago, though I don't crochet at all.  I forget my original intent, but the thread does wonderfully for all sorts of sewing needs.  I purchased several colors when Hobby Lobby had a sale on them. At any rate, I used it and a few jewelry findings and beads to fashion myself a tassel for the back.  I think it complements the look fairly well.

To tie it all together (no pun intended,) I used the same crochet thread in my overlocker/serger and finished the hems.  I've used crochet thread to finish this way for several garments, and it never disappoints me.  It gives a hand finished look without actually having to go through the trouble of spending hours looking up tutorials. I also feel that it enhances the print on the fabric as well.

Thank you for stopping by!

Open-Back Girl's Shirt

You may not know this, but I'm not a fan of strapless and much less a fan of halter tops especially for my little girl.  I did, however, want to make a top (or dress) that was in some way crafted with her back out so that she wouldn't get so hot in the summer.  I took some inspiration from the open-back dresses that have been popping up EVERYWHERE and crafted this little open-back number for her.

KCWC 2013

     I'm very late with posting this for kcwc 2013.  I made one other piece as well that I will post later.  Anyway I whipped up this quick little blouse for my babes.  I bought the fabric from my local quilt shop.  It's Riley Blake's Song Bird by Carina Gardner.  I paired it with a navy and white chevron and navy and aqua chevron both also by Riley Blake.  I used the navy and aqua chevron to make bias tape for the arm holes and hem.  Funny thing about the bias trim: I made just over 2.5 yards of it and just barely had enough of it.  Fortunately I made it.

     I designed the shirt to be a bit A-line and a little of a tent blouse.  I added a keyhole button and loop closure in the back.  I embellished the front with multiple contrasting ruffles.  I also added a bit of elastic to the sides to cinch in the bodice to keep it from being so balloony.

     Before I forget: When I uploaded photos of this shirt to instagram, Elsie Marley was the first person to like my photo.  Talk about your excitement!!!!  I was super SUPER SUPER excited to see that.  No kidding!!!!  At any rate, what did you create for kcwc spring 2013?  I hope you were more productive than I was!

Procrastination Station

I signed myself up for a crafty show about a month ago.  It's next Thursday.  Out of all this time that I had, I decided to start making things last week.  I know; for shame! Well I'm just trying to move along, and I have tons of things to make. Luckily for my embroidery machine, I can whip out tons of little things without much of an issue. I have just been extremely unmotivated about life.  Good thing I keep up with reading my daily devotion or I'd be completely lost. I have managed to pump out some wallets and some infinity scarves however.

I decided to use the assembly line process in cutting my fabrics.  Once I established a rhythm, everything went smoothly.  After cutting all the fabrics and stabilizers, I went through my zipper container and found coordinating zippers for each wallet.  Sewing only took a few minutes after all the organizing had been done. I see why people do it this way; it's overall way better.

I also decided to make myself a new clutch and keychain wallet.  I used some chevron and ikat print duckcloth that I purchased from Hobby Lobby.

I was just trying out something for the clutch.  I must say I like it.  Especially the pleats and the the snap.  It's small yet very roomy.

My daughter had Thanksgiving lunch at school.  I decided to doll myself up and head out. I look like I'm about to cry.  I think I had gotten choked up before taking this picture and my eyes were still teary.

After lunch with my daughter, a friend of mine called me up so we could go thrifting and found this print.  We thought it was beautiful, one of the best optical illusions I have seen in a long while.  I think the caption read "Beauty is Vanity."  But at an alarming $26 there was no way that was coming home with me.

I have been craving a shift dress lately.  I found this vintage printed jersey thrifting a couple of weeks ago so I decided to use it.  The name of the print is "Chevrons" by some designer.  The name escapes me right now.  It has an amazing herringbone print with polka dots floating about throughout it.

I didn't want anything to spectacular, just a little slip-on number.  This satisfied my hunger.  Now all I need is to get some opaque tights to toss on under here.

 This is me with all of my exhaustion.  (I have new neighbors that have only been here about 2 weeks now, and they have succeeded in keeping me away night and day.  They have an infant/toddler that is constantly crying, and they refuse to go to its rescue at anytime during its many bawl fits.)  That noise on top of my strain of getting this craft show stuff done has worn me completely down.

UGH!

Welcome to the Jungle

I've really been into leopard print and business apparel lately.  So I combined the two and made a leopard-print pencil skirt.  I say pencil skirt but it's more of a hobble skirt.  It's the first non-stretch pencil skirt I have owned (well at least what I can think of anyway.)

This skirt cost me $3.10. Three bucks for a yard of home dec twill I bought from Hobby Lobby years ago when I was working there and approximately ten cents for the zipper. I believe the zippers were $1.00 for ten; I usually order them in bulk from eBay.

So I drafted up a fairly simple little pencil skirt, but brought it in tighter on my legs just so it could give a better silhouette to me.  If you have never drafted a pencil skirt or don't know where to begin or just scared to take the plunge, try Cotton&Curls, What the Craft, or SewPetiteGal.

Ok now for the details!  I did add a small waistband and some tiny belt loops.  It has a back zipper.  There are double darts on each side in the back, totaling for back darts.  I also added a split in the back.  One of my favorite features is The hem in the front rises slightly higher than the back.  While the hem rests at the bottom of my knee in the back, the hem in the front sits right above my kneecaps. It is exactly what I wanted in a pencil skirt (aside from pockets).  I'm rather surprised it turned out this well.

Would you don a leopard print skirt?  Or do you believe that leopard print is not appropriate in such an article of clothing?

And Yet Another Button-down!

I do believe I may have become quite fond of sewing these types of blouses. Once you get the swing of them, they are pretty simple to create. I mentioned this one before in a previous post. So now for pictures!

And here is my adorable model who took care to be extra silly while trying on this shirt!

This shirt is also available in the shop now.

Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE sewing with vintage sheets. The possibilities are endless when it comes to mixing and matching these beauties.

This Past Week

I have been sewing like it was an Olympic sport. I am certainly not used to whipping out 3 or 4 items of clothing in two and a half days, but I did it. And mighty proud of myself too!

I have been working on a back to school collection for little "women" to add to the shop and am proud to announce that I have stitched up a few dresses and a wonderful little shirt (that I neglected to get photos of, sorry!)

So here goes it....

This one by far is my fave even though it is unfinished. It has cap sleeves, a ruffled placket, and elasticized waist. I have to finish adding the buttonholes and the vintage buttons to the placket and binding the neckline.

This dress had small pintucks on the bodice, pleats on the front of the skirt and gathers on the back. It is also bound with contrasting binding and a zipper in the back.

This dress, too, features contrasting binding and a back zipper. The skirt is in a "High-Low" style, which I think is adorable on little belles.

Another one of my favorites. It has a back zipper and contrasting binding. The skirt has teeny-tiny pleats that look like gathers. The bodice also has a peter-pan style collar.

I have so many more ideas and designs coming to my head now. I wanna make a little person dress every hour! I can't wait to get these into the shop.

I just enjoy designing and sewing dresses so much. What are some of your favorite things to make?

Vintage Sheet Sewing

Hi there everyone!

It's been quite some time since I posted anything. I have been a tad busy. I also have tried to remain sewing. I completed a self-drafted sleeveless button-down shirt earlier this week. I am rather proud of it actually.

This is the first button-down that I have ever sewn for myself. I have been really craving floral button-downs lately, and they never have exactly what I am looking for or my size at the store when I go shopping.

So last Sunday I sat down drafted up a pattern, picked up a vintage sheet, and set to work. I was so thoroughly impressed with the progress I was making that I wanted to skip work just to get it finished. But at last I got it done.

As soon as I can find more awesome floral sheets, I will be whipping out more of these guys.

The shirt is made from a vintage sheet, vintage buttons and vintage bias trim to line the armholes.

I purchased these Coldwater Creek green jeans from the thrift store and made them into skinnies. They are super comfy and only cost me like six bucks. Can't beat that price!! Plus they will look great with so many other things in my wardrobe.