First OOTD Post

I've always wanted to do an 'outfit of the day' fashion post but honestly never felt like I had a cute enought outfit on. It was my birthday last weekend so I felt licensed to shop a little and get my hair done. Finally, I had Ryan take a few shots...

 

Peplum Top: Forever 21

Pencil Skirt: I made

Skinny Belt: Target

Green Suede Wedges: Faryl Robyn (5 years ago)

Necklace:  Forever 21 (similar)

Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs (birthday gift from kind sis)

Missing: bangles like this or these

Fête des Fleurs

To ring in Spring, Shabby Apple has a new line, Fête des Fleurs, or 'Festival of Flowers.'  The light and airy line is full of pastel tulles, chiffons, always with a vintage touch. Another bonus: receive 40% off two dresses when you purchase a dress from the Fête des Fleurs line. Check it out...





I like this necklace...


Some of my faves from the line:

Belle de Jour

Paradigm Shift Dress

Bouquet Dress

Blossom Skirt

Easter 2013

It was the first time I took Easter photos myself.  The original plan was for Ryan and I to be in the photos, and to use a tripod and remote control for the camera, but hubby is camera shy.  I was relieved because so am I.  Our town has some pretty cool spots, lots of old brick and wood buildings.  The trees here still are bare, so we opted for wall backgrounds in our small town. I'd been scoping out walls for weeks. I didn't get to make the girls dresses this year, but I did manage to make the boys' bowties.  We did a few "shoots" throughout the day...

Wiksten Tova Top

I'm probably the last person on Earth to sew a Tova Top.  Wikstenmade's been on my blog roll for years, and I remember when the Tova Top Pattern came out.  I had found Jenny Gordy's blog via ellybeth on Flickr back in 2007.  I used to love ellybeth's handmade clothing and the fabrics she used.  Now she has her own line called Garment House.  The two ladies did collaborations on patterns, like tops with Peter Pan collars.  Both ladies are extremely talented.  Anyway, I couldn't afford the Tova paper pattern when it came out, and to be honest, I thought it would look too "maternity" on my figure.  Then, a year or two ago, the pattern became available in pdf for $10 and everyone was blogging about it, making three or four, etc.  I guess you could call it peer pressure, but I had to try it...

I got the chambray fabric at WalMart for less than $6/yard. I cut size M.  My measurements called for a size L, but I read on line that the chest area would fit more nicely if you go down a size. I cut the dress length, but think I will be shortening it to hip length. I just wanted to test out the dress length. Overall, I am pleased with the fit, especially at the shoulder, armhole and yoke area--a nice "professional" fit--less baggy than the Simplicity patterns I am used to. 

Challenges

• Attaching the inset. I had read that the inset was the hardest part, and it was, but not impossible. It's the corners of the inset that are difficult to catch as you sew, as there is a slit at each corner. So, unless you're used to doing it, it just will take a little finagling and working. Next time, I won't cut the slits quite as long.  I think I cut 1/4" long slits, maybe I will do 1/8" slits next time.
• Topstitching the inset at the bottom center.  I had to redo my topstitching at the area at the bottom of the placket on the inset. There's so much fabric there that getting over this "hump" without wobbling the topstitch line was difficult. I have a relatively cheap machine, and think that a sturdier machine would have less of a problem.

What I'll Do Differently Next Time

• Armholes and sleeves. I think next time I will cut more sleeve fabric on the side that is set to the armhole so that there are more gathers at the armhole. One sleeve had more gathers than the other...maybe I stretched out the armhole on the one. 
• Add buttons. As of now, I wear a camisole underneath.I may add a couple or more small buttons on the placket. 
• Use thicker thread for topstitching. I used cheap black thread this time.

I got lots of compliments when I wore it to a girls' night. It was the first time someone asked me where I bought my top rather than the infamous, "Did you make that?" said in a 'how cute' tone with head tilted to side.  Someone else said they'd been eyeing my top all night, and how nice dress shirts are so hard to find these days...it made me blush, and now I want to make more!

Quilt Class

I attended my first quilt class at my local library last weekend.  It was a 4-hour class, we brought our own machines and notions and the library provided us with some fabric for our first few blocks.

The blocks consisted of nine 1.5" squares of two alternating fabrics.  It was my first time using small pieces, and I found the tedious-ness therapeutic. 

These are the 3 blocks I finished. We were encouraged to chain piece the blocks to make it go faster, which I knew how to do, so I helped a couple of my neighbors out. With helping, cookies and cocoa trips, and chatting, I'm surprised I got even this much done.

My sister is expecting a boy in May, so I went home and worked up a couple of ideas for a baby quilt. These are a gray Ikea sheet and French General's La Petite École dots and stripes.

After the class, I had time to kill so strolled around and checked out the sewing book section.  I found at least 100 sewing books!  I know I shouldn't compare, but our old town had twice the population as this one, and it only had about 15 sewing books.  Just another thing to add to my list of things I like about this town.

Another Simplicity 3835

The first time I made it was in 2008. Here, I've paired with a cashmere cardigan by Camaïeu that I bought on my mission in a town called outside Geneva called Annemasse.  On P-Day (missionaries' off-day) eight of us sister missionaries would meet up in downtown Geneva or a nearby town and go (usually window) shopping and get lunch at a yummy restaurant.  I've had the cardigan since 1999 and I just won't get rid of it. It seems to get softer and more meaningful with time.

About the pattern...this time, I made the high collar with invisible zipper in the back.  The last time, I did the easier and lower elastic/gathered neckline.  This was my first time wearing such a high neckline that's not stretchy knit fabric and it choked me a bit when I would sit down.  I took the kids to the library for toddler wiggle time and spent a lot of time on the floor with it digging into my throat.  Okay, so it wasn't the best floor-time activity dress. Plus, I was wearing knee high boots. Live and learn!

Also, I shortened the sleeves a couple inches.  These photos aren't very revealing, but I'm sure you've seen this popular Built By Wendy dress so many times, you'll get over it.

 

Happy V-Day ♥

Garnet Hill Kids

Flutter Sleeve Party Dress

Butterfly Fantasia Dress

Have you seen the new Garnet Hill Kids catalog?  I got mine yesterday and was kind of excited to see designer quilting cotton fabric in a couple of the dresses they're selling.  The dresses are designed by Moxie and Mabel, specializing in boutique style dresses.  On the left in both photos are Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy fabrics; on the right are fabrics from Heather Bailey's Freshcut, both re-released last year. Looking at these makes me anticipate spring even more.

Some Random-ness

Later today I'm going to a free quilting class at our local library.  They're giving us some free fabric (ahem!) to start the blocks as well as door prizes.  I've never been to a quilting class, or bee, or circle before. I'm looking forward to it.  I'm mostly looking forward to meeting other quilters/sewists from my town and am in need of some me-time, big-time. You can imaging how stir crazy kids get during the months of January and February in the cold weather here.

I got this book of awesome sticker labels designed by Lotta Jansdotter (designer of Echo and Glimma fabric lines) for Christmas.  I made some gift tags with them.  I love the neutral colors and hand stamped look of her designs. Did I mention I'm part Swedish?

gift tags w/Lotta Jansdotter sticker labels (except top left)

For fans of Tea Collection, they're having a 15% off sale sitewide through 2/14.  Use Code GOTHERE15. I've been a fan of Tea clothing for years. I have a couple of knit baby boy shirts that have lasted through 2 messy boys and still look pretty new. That photo above is my oldest, Keira, now 7, when she was 3, wearing a cotton lawn dress by Tea Collection.  Read the funny post about that photo here.

 

Shabby Apple is also having a sitewide sale: 10% off their entire retro-inspired Ferris Wheel collection (enter code FERRISWHEEL at check out) just in time for spring.  Although it's still in the teens here, I'm one of those "Spring is coming!" people (opposite of the "Christmas in July" people).  Check it check it out.

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

A scarf is an easy way to brighten cold-weather outfits as spring approaches.  If you can sew a straight line, you can sew one of these infinity scarves in 15-20 minutes.  You might want to make 10 in an afternoon to mix and match with your wardrobe.

Choosing a Fabric
...the best part, right?  Typically, for spring/summer scarves jersey knit, cotton lawn, voile, chiffon, challis (almost any lightweight polyester), and even medium weight quilting cotton will work. For fall/winter jersey knits and sweater knits you buy off the bolt work well too. You can really use anything that has a nice drape, soft hand, and colors you like. The fabric I used for this tutorial was a light weight cotton double gauze.

If you're not sure where to look for scarf fabrics, Fabric.com has a $1.95 section that sometimes has decent lightweight sweater knits, jersey knits, and polyesters that would be perfect for making an infinity scarf.  I found this poly knit fabric at WalMart for $1/yard.



These are basic measurements. You can take either your cloth measuring tape or the uncut fabric and wrap it around your neck a couple of times to see exactly what length you want.  Draped only once around your neck, the bottom of the scarf should reach a couple of inches below your belly button. Again, these are basic measurements.  If you want to triple up a scarf add about 10 more inches.  Another style is a single tight scarf.

Generally, it's easiest to use a fabric that is between 54"- 60" wide. That way you only need to purchase about half a yard to make one scarf.  Or, you can purchase two yards, cut down the length of the fabric, and make a few extras as gifts.

If your fabric is striped like this one is, you should match the stripes up as you sew, especially if your stripes are large/wide.  Mine are so small that I didn't bother.

 

  

 Make sure to back stitch when you begin and end sewing so that the hole won't spread open.

 

 If you need instructions on how to slipstitch, check out this video.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.