It's not very often that I make a pattern twice in a row.  In fact I'm not sure that it's ever happened so I was surprised at myself when I finished my first Grainline Woven Scout Tee and immediately found myself cutting into more fabric. Must I be sick...no. Must I be insane...up for discussion.  Must it be a totally awesome, spectacular, super duper pattern....YES!

I decided to make this pattern when I seen Wanett from Sown Brooklyn was hosting a sewalong over on Kollabora.  I like the not overly exaggerated high-low hem and how it's fitted up top and flows looser to the bottom.  This top is also versatile, totally lounge it out for around the house or dress it up for work or play.    

My first look is more business in the front, party in the back...

 

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The fabric came from one of those 10 yard mystery bundles you can get at Fabric Mart.  The main fabric is very see through, well I guess both of the fabrics are see through...derp.  Yes I promise to wear a black cami underneath it when wearing it out.  For picture purposes I'm going commando. (not totally, I have a strapless bra on, tmi?!)

The lace cutout was fairly easy to do.  On my back pattern piece I marked a line 5/8 inch below the armhole.  Laid the pattern piece on my lace and folded the pattern on my marked line to cut.  I did the same with my main fabric.  I then attached them together using a french seam.  I also added some braided pebble trim from my stash for a little extra oomph.

I used a french seam for the shoulder and side seams.  To finish the armhole seams I used my cut and hem foot. I should of used my serger but I was scared to change out the thread just yet.  I used my narrow rolled hem foot on the sleeve and bottom hem.  If you've never used a rolled hem foot before they take a little getting used to but once your get the hang of them it's smooth sailing.  

I'm totally telling on myself here but I guess the insides looked so well that I didn't even know I was wearing my shirt wrong side out for like the first half of my pictures.  I was in a pose and as I was looking at the side of my shirt I realized I was looking at the inside of my french seam..doh'!!

   Fabric:   black lace and chiffon??  $2.00

   Notions: black braided pebble trim - given to me by my Hubby's sweet ol' Granny

   Alterations: The shoulder drop was really low on me.  I brought them in a 1/2 inch and made the
                         changes on my pattern.

   Likes: Only 4 pieces. Easy to follow instructions and a quick make.

   Dislikes: shaking my head no

   Wear/Make again: Already have

   Time to make: approx. 3 hours

   Total cost: $8.50

My second version was a total freebie. I got this awesome fabric from the even awesomer Erin of Miss Crayola Creepy.  Not sure what type of fabric this is but it was a little fickle.  The seams wanted to pucker a bit.  I tried different needles, stitch lengths, tension but couldn't get it perfect.  I was able to iron most of the puckering out so it's not noticeable.  I made this version a tad bit longer.  This is my favorite version of the two.

 

I believe I was cursing the wind here..."Oh come on!"

If you want in on the sewalong there's still time to upload your pictures by July 8th.

Oh and don't forget Google Reader shuts down tomorrow :(   I don't want to lose any of my followers so make sure to follow me on Bloglovin'!

~Peace out!~

It's baaaack!  If you remember back a few months ago I was doing a weekly post called Thriftin' Thursday where I'd show new life to a garment I thrifted from the local Goodwill.  Not sure what happened... I guess I got in a slump and was uninspired by what I had in my thrift pile.  That's all changed because I recently went thrift shopping and I left with a big ol' bag of inspiration and some stinky clothes.  I mean not stinky like b.o. or anything but that old musty smell every Goodwill seems to have.  Anyhoo let's start with this glorious piece of fabric ....

Whoa, what's so glorious??

I fell in love with this bold print and instantly thought pencil skirt with a black peplum top. I was really excited when I seen it was handmade as well. It's just a simple gathered skirt with an elastic waistband and pockets.  And speaking of elastic waistbands I'd like your opinion..How do you feel about pants or skirts made with elastic waistbands?  Lazy man's way out?....it's all about comfort?...who cares if no one's gonna see it....or no way! Peeuuuu!  I have mixed emotions on the topic. I mean I'm all for elastic waistbands in lounge pants but not so sure about work attire.  When i think of elastic wasted pants I picture a toddler running around screaming with a melting Popsicle in one hand, snot running down his face and a padded behind from his full diaper or that nice little old lady in the grocery store wearing skirt pictured above with panty hose and SAS shoes who's so sweet to let you go before her because she has all the time in the world.  Elastic waistbands aren't so bad are they??  

For this transformation I pulled out Simplicity 2258.  I didn't want to spend a lot of time and I knew this would be a quick make.  I had to size down my pattern because the size I had was 14-22, I'm more of a size 10.  To do this I looked at the finished garment measurements, and figured the difference between a 10 and 14 = 3 inches.  I then cut out the size 14, cut each pattern piece in half then overlapped the pieces by 1.5 inches.  I have no idea if this is the correct way to size down a pattern but it worked for me.  After washing my stinky skirt I cut out the elastic.  I started with a seam ripper because I was hoping to salvage it but HOLY MOLY look at all those zig zag stitches...

Pug approved

The deets:
   Pattern:  Simplicity 2258 - won from a giveaway hosted by the adorable Sally from The Quirky Peach

 

I think this is one of my favorite remakes so far.  I was able to take this outdated frumpy skirt and make it young, hip and fresh again.  (well I hope it looks hip and fresh anyway..) 

Howdy peeps!  I took part in my first sewing swap organized by Kestrel of Kestrel Makes and I'm here to show off what I got.  I was really excited about this swap I mean cuz come on who doesn't like receiving fun surprises in the mail.  Sure beats bills!  I was paired with the lovely Rose of Strange Notions.  She's a UK gal and I thought that it was pretty cool receiving a package that said Royal Mail.  Made me feel all fancy and important.  I wonder if the mailman thinks I'm royalty now...yeah probably more like a royal pain in the ass cuz I'm always having packages delivered that won't fit my mailbox so he has to get out and hand deliver them....sorry guy I have a slight fabric...shoe...purse...ok shopping obsession!

Rose and I exchanged emails on what our sewing goals/tastes were.  I think it's a good thing limits were placed on the amount to spend because I had so much stuff I wanted to send.  I found it really challenging to narrow it down.  Rose mentioned in her cute little ladybird (I find it so weird saying ladybird because I've only ever known them to be called ladybugs.  I like ladybird much better) card that she was going by the keywords bold, fun and floral.  I think she touched all bases quite well.

100% cotton fabric

Designed by Lucie Summers for Moda Fabrics 

Second word - FUN

                     

What's more fun than Robot buttons?

   
Provence rose printed ribbon

"A Pavlova is a meringue cake with a light, delicate, crisp crust and a soft sweet marshmallow center."

 I'll take two please!  I had no clue Pavlova was a cake until I did a Google search for the pattern and all these pictures of cake popped up instead.  It then dawned on me what an idiot I am.  I was wondering how they came up with such a fun name for their pattern.  Twirling around the house saying Pavlova 100 different ways had become a way for me to entertain Vito.  Why can't I think up any cool words?!  And now after finishing my Pavlova wrap top I see how the cake and top relate.   I am just a big ol' pile of sweet marshmallow goo when you unwrap me. bahaha!

I downloaded the top only from Craftsy.   The pattern purchased from Steph's Etsy site comes with a circle skirt as well.  My fabric is from Joann's, a pink polka dot reversible knit.  The other side is striped.  This is a fairly quick make and the best part, I made absolutely no alterations or fit adjustments! That's a first!  I did learn a couple of new techniques, the lapped neck seam and using steam a seam to finish the edges. Oh steam a seam where have you been all my life??

   Fabric:    Reversible knit - Joann Fabric $5/yd

   Notions: Steam a Seam (optional but I def recommend) $3 for small box

   Alterations:  zip, zero, zilch!

   Likes: Quick, easy, comfy to wear

   Dislikes: It is short in the front. You'll need to wear a tank underneath or wear with high waisted

                        pants or skirts...or you can just let it all hang out like me.

   Wear/Make again: Yes!

   Time to make: approx 3 hours

   Total cost: Guessing here....$20

So wait it's not over yet..I have a complete outfit to show ya'll!  I also made a skirt using another Simplicity Amazing fit pattern.  I have to say this skirt's fit came out more amazing the first time than did my red hotpants.  Learning from that I cut a size smaller than what I did with the pants. Fit turned out a lot better.

   Fabric:    Khaki cotton sateen. Purchased with my winning gift card from Mood

   Notions:  Zipper, bias tape, trim for bottom hem...all from my stash

   Alterations:  None other than slightly tapering in at the sides starting from the top of the pockets.
                                I thought it looked a little wide on me towards the bottom...Do you think?

   Likes:     I love the front pockets. It was also a quick make.

   Dislikes: I think the instructions were missing a few steps when it came to attaching the yoke.
                         I wish I would of lengthened it about an inch.

   Wear/Make again: Yes

   Time to make: approx 5 hours

   Total cost: 99 CENTS!!

I like my skirts to hit right above my knees so I was only able to fold up the bottom hem 1/4 inch and finished with some fancy trim from my stash.  I also used my newly found steam a seam to help me accomplished this.  Oh yeah and I finished the yoke edges with some bias tape from my stash as well.

One thing that really bums me out about this skirt is that after I washed and dried it the yoke got all wrinkley.  I don't know why this happened. I used a woven interfacing like I always do.  I guess the cotton sateen and interface just don't jive.  Anyone ever have this problem?  It's not so noticeable after I iron the crap out of it.  I can always wear a belt to try and cover it up or just wear a shirt over it...no fun.

Before you leave be sure to take a look at my Bobbin List page. Often, like right after finishing this outfit, I become quite confused at what I want to make next. A lot of times I have plans but see other things along the way that I end up going and buying fabric and patterns for. I've managed to accumulate so much that I've forgotten what fabric I paired with what pattern or I don't know what to make next. I decided to photograph all my fabric and pair it with a pattern and put it in order of importance (not that it's not all #1 important!).  As I complete I will delete it from the list and add it to My Makes page which also needs a huge overhaul. I'm hoping this list keeps me on track. I will continue to update it and add to often so keep checking back.  I've got a lot more fabric to photograph and pair up with patterns.
If you think this is a good idea and would be helpful well then why not make your own "Bobbin List"?!. 

Peace out! xoxo

Let's see here, last time I went swimming....yeah that'd be about 4 years ago.  Do I see a sunny beach or sparkling pool in my near future?? Likely not but is that gonna stop me from making the kick ass Bombshell Swimsuit by miss Heather Lou of Closet Case Files??  Hellz no!!  I'm totally in love! I've always adored these 1950's style silhouettes and they are so hard to find RTW without costing a fortune.  It's a modest suit yet can still be sexy and cover your whole ass to boot.  The best of both worlds.  Gone are the days of me frolicking around in a two piece bikini.  I'm over it.  The older I get the more I wanna cover.  For me this swimsuit just affirms the saying less is more. 

I'm totally digging the blue version...halter neck, gathered bust (always a good look for us tiny boobied gals).. and can we just sit and adore the the backside for awhile??... A centre back seam with all that ruching, ~swooon~!!  

I just recently started following Closet Case Files (yes I have been living under a rock).  I have to say Heather Lou really knocked it out of the park with her first ever pattern!  Like some of you I'm rather intimidated when it comes to even thinking about trying to attempt a swimsuit.  I still snatched up this pattern in exactly 2.7 seconds of discovering it.  That's how good it is.  What's even gooder?? Heather Lou is hosting a sewalong starting on the 17th.  The last two hours of my workday were spent secretly clicking back and forth between various browsers consisting of work (spreadsheets, boo!) and fun (swimsuit fabric, yay!).  This suit has endless possibilities...

Oh shit I can't decide, is one of each too much for a person who's feet rarely skim the water?  Maybe I'll just move to Florida to have an excuse to make one in every color.  I'm so excited about this pattern I can barely stand it.  Anyone else feeling my excitement?