White Hot

On a recent trip to the fabric store, I came across this gorgeous white linen. Since white is one of those colors my stash is lacking, I decided to get some. By the time I arrived home I had decided that Id make a dress for a gathering. I chose a simple pattern, New Look 6223 last used Here. Except this time I kept the sleeves and just added 6'' to the length. 

 The thickness of this linen made it somewhat difficult to iron and once I cut... ughh.. Horror.

                    I eventually decided against the dress option and trashed the bodice, even after what felt like forever ironing.

I resorted to using my no fuss, self drafted midi skirt pattern for the skirt portion. I actually like it better as the heavy linen allows for a full skirt. I also added pockets, just because.

                                                                     

Pocket

Side View                

How I wore it

Spring forward

Spring is finally here and with its arrival came.. more snow. And not a few flurries as one might hope or think, but actual, "I'm sticking to the ground and you'll have shovel" snow. Yup, those where its words. Speaking of words, Im quite tired of writing "snow and shovel" and would trade right about now for "sun and shine". With that in mind and anxiously waiting to toss the Parkas, I decided to start Spring Cleaning. First stop, my closet. They say, you should always remove everything, wipe down the empty space and to put back what your going to"keep". Since I do this all year round, my toss pile is always much smaller than my to keep. One thing I did notice I have very few of are Midi skirts. That same evening, my son wore a bow tie I made for him Here and I remembered this amazing fabric I picked up at Mood some time ago.

The skirt is self-drafted and started out as a gathered waist, but didn't last long as I eventually decided on inverted pleats. I lined it with white tricot and added hot pink hidden pocks for fun.

I used an invisible zipper at the center back seam and a 2" double fold hem for weight. 

Absolutely love how it turned out, I'm sure it'll be one of many. 

The Black Bow

When I first saw this pattern, I instantly wanted to make it. I also knew that I wanted to make it in black. Which is funny since I never like to mimic the picture on the pattern. Oh well... It must have been the sleeveless bodice with back tie ends.., or maybe its the fact that I'm weak for a patterns with a sexy back... Don't know right now. But off to Mood Fabrics I went and picked up this gorgeous black double knit.  The dress came together quickly therefore making Vogue 1102, a keeper. Although, I don't think ill need more than one of this dress, its a another great pattern to have as a base and to modify from.

 The bodice is self lined with a raised waistline. The skirt is flared and has a back zipper.  

But my favorite part has to be the back bow!

Thanks for reading and/or comment!

While it snows...

This winter wasn't so bad if you exclude the entire month of February! I kept telling my husband, "thank God it hasn't snowed so much.. a few flurries here and there", "winter isn't over", he'd replied.. and then bamm.... FEBRUARY 2015 rolls in with more snow than the previous 4 months. I think I'm going to need therapy for my back from all the shoveling. Anywho.. during one of these february storms, my boo and I went for a walk (because snow is pretty when its falling) and ended up near a fabric store. I decided to go in and warm up.. (right) and as I was warming up, I came across this beautiful cobalt blue fabric. It screamed at me and said.. "you don't have anything like me in your stash", SO I adopted it. At first glance, I wasn't sure what Id make, but as walked back home and he talked about this and that, I drifted into the possibilities of what it would become. When we arrived, and before enough snow fell to start shoveling, I looked at some patterns I had on hand and decided to make a simple maxi since the fabric has texture to it and I was in need of instant gratification. My only debate was, do I want it with or with out sleeves? Hmmm..

 

The pattern I used was New Look 6223 view D, but it turned out to be C since I eventually omitted the sleeves.  I also added length to the dress (no surprise there) by 16". I used the cotton from my previous post Here to line the dress and add pockets. Yes this dress has pockets, because who doesn't like hidden pockets? And this chevron fabric makes it "fun".

I also made some bias tape to apply to the sleeves, although, as I write this, Im not sure Ill keep it that way! The bodice front and back has darts and pleats, and uses a 22"

zipper closure.

                             This picture tells me Im in need of making a statement belt for this dress...

Overall, great dress to welcome in the Spring. Cant wait to wear it! 

In the meantime, let me go shovel....

Rissa

Rissa, my daughter recently asked me to make her a tulle skirt. She even had a particular color and style in mind, all thanks to her pinterest board. The only unfortunate thing, tulle is one of those materials I don't stash! I told her we could pay a visit to the local fabric store, or even better, take a trip to the garments district and visit Mood.. I love Mood.. Anyway, it didn't matter cause she eventually settled for some fabric I received in the mail. My very first online purchase of fabric. Although I've sewn for some time, I don't normally buy fabric online because I like to touch it. Ideas come to me that way.. Weird I know. Nonetheless, I went out on a limb (really?) and bought some. It was a lightweight cotton and I reasoned, you can't go wrong with cotton. Besides, What's the worst that can happen.. I can always make a bed sheet?... Anyway, the fabric was pink and white chevron. Nice fabric, but it gave me the impression that someone younger should be wearing it. We then decided to take a trip to our local Michael's and picked up some fabric dye.. dark dye... Charcoal to be exact. The end result was a pretty, more age appropriate pink and gray. Sewing the skirt was simple and rather easy.  I used McCalls 6706, view D. I decided to substitute the hook and eye for a button closure by adding an inch to the length of the waistband. This pattern also calls for a side zipper and narrow hem.. Kept the zipper, but the narrow hem went out the window. I opted for a turn over hem instead. Im overall happy with how it turned out, but more importantly, so is Rissa.

Liz

For as long as I can remember, Liz has always been a dear friend to me. Our friendship began many moons ago when our daughters attended the same dance school. But as time would have it, life and responsibilities take their toll and sometimes you lose touch.. Fast forward some years, it would take something called a mutual accaintance and an email address to reconnect us. When it did, It was as if time hadn't passed (besides the kids getting bigger and an addition to my family) we picked up right where things left off. So when I posted this halfway done dress on IG it was no surprise to see that she "liked" it. But that would be an understatement. Apparently,  I was not the only person missing a hunter green dress in their wardrobe. She eventually texted me and asked if the dress was completed.  "Yeah, why", I asked. "Because I want it". And that began my departure with this amazing dress. Not only is this pattern a beauty, but I hit a winner with the fabric choice. Thank god for fabric stashes! I used Vogue 8825, which comes together rather quickly,  or in my case during a snow storm. Nonetheless, a few hours. I added 1 inch to the bodice top and another 2 inches to the skirt. But that was when the dress was for me. I had to alter it some for lovely Liz. My only dilemma now, I'm still missing a green "something" in my closet!

Then this happened...

With Love,

 NYC!

The Color Purple

Taking a closer look at my wardrobe, I noticed that it mainly consist of neutral colors. Not a bad thing but the lack of vibrant colors got me thinking. Its not like I don't love color, I just don't own much of it. With that in mind, I decided to turn away from my norm and venture out.. First things first, buy some fabric. Not sure what pattern I'd use or if I'd draft something new,  but if the fabric was present, I was sure to use it. So before I could start on another thought, it was time to visit my local fabric store. Althought it's local, I don't often shop there for lack of variety. It also bothers me when nothing is labeled and it seems as if everything is everywhere. But I went anyway and wandered until I came across something that spoke to me. Atlas I came across a gorgeous purple light weight double knit. Easy to cut and even easier to sew, I loved it! The pictures don't reflect how beautiful it is. I actually hesitated posting it until I could get a better camera, but thats another story. Nonetheless, here are some of the shots I was able to take. Needing some instant gratification, I decided on Vogue 8667 view E, and added an inch seam allowance since it calls for a fitted bodice and straight skirt. The cowl neck was something new as well but it was the back of the collar that won me on this pattern. A definite do again!

(L)ong (B)lack (D)ress

Every closet needs a LBD and mine is no exception! So whats a girl like me to do.. make my own LBD.. Long Black Dress. One style my closet was missing was a wrap dress, so I decide to combine the two. Good thing I did, since I am loving this little or should I say long number. I used a black cotton stretch fabric found at a local fabric shop and vogue pattern 8379 with a few alterations. All I need now is a great picture in it! To be continued...

And of course a pic of one of my favorite places... Shake Shack