Oldie but Goodie

First week of school!  I was so tired Tuesday I actually went to BED at 8:30!!  ha.  I'm feeling a little more normal now and today went relatively smoothly.  I think we're crossing the line from "complete disorganized chaos no matter how hard I try" to "this IS a real teacher".   :-)

Sadly, I have nothing new to share (I had a bit of a virus over the past few days that lingered and made me extra tired over the weekend.  Super bad timing!)  But I can share what I wore today...not that I took a pic of my outfit or anything. 

Remember this skirt?  I drafted the pattern from the Sew What Skirts book, and used a psychedelic cotton print from Hancocks.

My favorite part has always been the pockets:

And an old photo of me wearing it.  I wore a turquoise sleeveless knit top and a cropped white cardi with short sleeves.

It was a hot day, so a good outfit for the heat!

Hopefully I'll get those buttons finished on the mustard skirt so I can wear it in a few days and share that too. 

Something new I "wore" today that I thought I'd share (even though it's a little, um, indelicate?)  This is SkinDura Secret Shield:

It's a skin protectant stick for anti-chafing.  (Wow, this is sort of awkward. ha.) 

Anywho.

If you need it, you know what that is.  If you don't, you don't. Am I right?  ;)  In a nutshell, for those days it's just too dang hot for Spanx (or faux Spanx.  Fanx?)  Two words:

Loved. It.

Wore it all day, no problems whatsoever.  Never reapplied.  I walked from one end of our building and back 4 times today (it was library day for my classes!) and you don't get much hotter or more humid than Arkansas in August!  I bought it from their Etsy Shop.  I recommend!

anthro-knockoff: Flurried Plumes Midi Skirt

It's finished!  And awfully cute, if I do say so myself:

You'll have to forgive the "inside" dressform photos, I'm still not upright for very long.

My inspiration skirt can be seen on the anthropologie website, the Flurried Plumes Midi Skirt.   I decided to make mine out of an ebay-purchased rayon leaf print.  The prints are completely different but have the same feel and some of the same tones too.

I did end up using a pattern for the base of the skirt, a 1980 See & Sew.  I used it this summer to make the cami (if you missed that project, check out the links in the sidebar!)  I lengthened the skirt by 5" and left off the ruffle.  Everything else was straight from the pattern (well, I did adjust the waistband length, but that was to be expected. Ahem.)  

I should have looked at the the inspiration photo again; I didn't realize the waistband was so wide and had 2 buttons.  Oh well!  I still think mine looks pretty good!  I could topstitch it, but I'm waiting to see if it stretches out too much on wearing (as linen has a tendency to do). 

The buttons were from my button box...I was shocked I had 6 of the right color and size!

All in all a super simple knockoff!  It normally would have taken a day or so to complete...but who's counting?

vintage.

(This slightly pigeon-toed pose is for Shannon. hee.)

Why I'm making (cute) linen skirts in the dead of winter, I have no idea. I did it last year too. Anywho...here's my half-circle skirt. I used the Sew What Skirts book for creating the waistband and the half-circle skirt pattern.

Setting up the camera is a good opportunity for a closeup of this awesome, vintage floral linen, and another peek at the fold over elastic (FOE) hem:


I think it might have been a tablecloth in its previous life. Or possibly drapes. Doesn't the print resemble these:

Crappy screenshot, but do you recognize the movie?? It's Apollo 13 (which I assume used period decor)! That would date my linen to the very late 60s. A slightly better screenshot and another skirt closeup:


And a few more skirt pics. I couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I just brought them all! The half-circle makes this a swishy skirt with lots of fun movement.


I couldn't really decide on shoes, but I kinda dig the yellow.


Hey...in the past several days I've treated you to a peek at 3 different corners of my house. The clean corners, of course. See that tiny picture on the upper left (on top of the Victrola)? That's me on a great big horse at the Buffalo Ranch, circa 1973.


That means that photo is younger than my skirt. This amuses me greatly.

And since I just realized a bit ago what day it is, I'll take this time to wish all of you a

Happy New Year!!!

Be safe, Be merry, and I'll see you on the flip side!

b&w.

In my usual nuttery fashion, I skipped over the minimal effort required to finish the turquoise/lime floral circle skirt to make an entirely different skirt. Because I have SADD (Sewing ADD).

You might recognize this as my Zooey Deschanel inspired B&W floral skirt, planned a few weeks back. Still floral. Still linen. So at least I'm consisent!

No pattern used...just ingenuity & creativity! Oh, and a little bit of math. I used my waist measurement to create a straight waistband (which I've decided I kinda prefer to shaped waistbands. My hips make a sort of "shelf" anyway, and this type of waistband stays put. The shaped waist wants to shift around on that hip shelf alot.) Sew What Skirts has instructions for this type of skirt if you need further guidance in creating the waistband. I highly recommend this book!

I used 2 widths of fabric (26" length) to create the skirt front & back. I wanted a very full skirt, really "1950s" in feel. I had pockets to put in the side seams, but completely forgot to insert them when stitching it up! Grrr. It would have been a perfect pocket skirt.

I used a lap zip on the side for closure. I just didn't have a black zip to use for the exposed zipper treatment the original featured (even though I'm definitely going to try that in a future project). The hem is very deep, 4 inches, bringing it to the perfect, right above knee length.


Hey, and look at me getting creative with accessories these days. I bought this belt from Forever 21 and I love it. I didn't really have anything to wear with it when I bought it, but I figured it would come in handy soon enough! (I'll have to remember to suck in my belly while wearing it though, HA!)

And I promise to finish the closure on the circle skirt so I can get a pic of it this week too. It's every bit as cute.

peekage.

No, not at your presents! Rather, I sewed today, with my vintage turquoise & lime floral linen that I got last week! No sense in letting it languish in the fabric closet. After all, its been languishing under some Nana's bed for 4 decades.

I chose the circle skirt from the Sew What Skirts book, but didn't have quite enough fabric for that, so a half-circle skirt was deemed good enough by Fat Kitty (the only person at home to give an opinion.)

I LOVE this book. I would marry this book if it was taller than me and had a good enough job that I could stay home and sew and write snark all day.


While I cut & sewed up my screamingly cute vintage linen skirt, I watched this with Doris Day & Rock Hudson. Because is there any better inspiration than Doris Day in a wiggle dress??


I ran into a tiny snag at the home stretch when I tried it on (Oops. That should probably come near the beginning, huh?) and the silly thing was already the perfect length UNHEMMED. In a stroke of genius I busted out the pale chartreuse FOE (fold over elastic).


It wouldn't be my first choice for a hem, but it actually worked surprisingly well for a circle skirt.

Next, just gotta handsew that waistband facing down.


Fat Kitty tired out way before we got to this part.


Pictures of me in amazing vintage linen skirt forthcoming. When Fat Kitty wakes up and finishes the waistband.

And it's Christmas Eve Eve!! Just two sleeps til Santa!


Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I traditionally spend this day & evening alone, as my children go to their dad's. It makes for a lonely day, but the payoff is I get to have them on Christmas Day. I don't think there are many others out there like me, who will be alone tomorrow, but just in case you will be...I'll be thinking happy thoughts and saying a prayer for those who find themselves without family and loved ones at Christmas.

I wish you all safe travels if you are on the road this week. And may you have a very blessed and merry Christmas!

Trans Siberian Orchestra

Christmas Canon
link via youtube

BWOF 8-06-133 & a fake

Ok, just to prove I really HAVE been sewing a bit here and there the past couple of weeks...here are two skirts I finished recently. This one is from the 8/06 issue of BWOF and is #133. Here's the line drawing. (I really like the top too!)



It's a really pretty gore skirt, and I made it in a burgandy & cream "tweed" -ish fabric, lined in a poly charmeuse in gold. I used a lapped zipper because I didn't have an invisible zip on hand and wanted to finish it! I love it, but it will be put in the late fall/winter section of the closet for another couple of months I'm afraid. It's hot!

It did fit really well when I made it three weeks ago! But the first two weeks of school, we all have the bad habit of eating out for lunch every day. Something I just can't do without immediately noticing a change in my waistline (even though I worked my fanny off most days in the classroom moving, arranging furniture, etc.) So now my skirt is the tiniest bit tight through the middle (versus perfect, leaning towards a tiny bit loose when I made it). Grrr. It will go away once I'm back at school for "real".

Tweedy fabric:


Gold lining:

(these shoes are painful, but gorgeous!)

Next I made a skirt I've wanted to do for a long time now. This skirt is based off of the BWOF 5/07 #105 "sailor skirt":

I really liked the sailor effect of the button on portion, and the wide ruffle at the hem. I changed it up a little since I probably won't be tucking in a top with this skirt (or any other for that matter) and I didn't need the button on flap to be functional. Here's my variation (in wrinkly white linen):


Sorry I didn't press it before taking the picture! I was in a hurry because I was losing light and my camera batteries are still pretty much D.E.D. I still think you can tell its a cute skirt! I LOVE the ruffle. It's awesome and flippy.

I used my Sew What Skirts a-line pattern for the front, and cut a center front panel plus seam allowances, then cut two side panels to create the front with the topstitched seams. The topstitching is navy double row. The buttons are non-functioning! I just stitched them on after checking placement in the mirror (after sewing the center & side panels together for the front).

There are darts in front also, to improve fit. Topstitching and super cute navy buttons:


I interlined this 100% white linen with cotton voile rather than lining. The skirt portion itself is pretty short, before you attach the ruffle. The ruffle isn't lined.

Instead of a waistband, I used a facing, since I don't plan to tuck in. I used my skirt pattern piece to draw a facing pattern for front & back. I should mention that used my Sew What Skirts gathered skirt pattern for the back of the skirt, and added an elastic waist rather than a zip. I actually used a "facing" to make the casing too, rather than turning under and stitching. This allowed me to sew the front & back facings together at sides before attaching, for a clean finish at the side seams & top of the skirt.

Then I stitched the back facing in place, to form a casing for my 1" elastic. After I pulled the elastic through the "casing" row in the back, I stitched in the ditch through the side seams to catch the elastic on both sides. Then I tacked the facing in on the side seams, and on the front, tacking the facing to the interlining.

The fake sailor buttoned placket is cute, but my top (when not tucked in) covers up the top button. Shoot. I don't like things in 2's. I wanted the 3's!! Ah well, I'll still be wearing this, hopefully with a navy & white striped Weekender Cabana Tee that I've had lying here cut out for a few days now! (AND my hot red shoes!)

(These shoes are gorgeous and completely comfy!)

Sorry to report that I haven't found my energy stores so there isn't much sewing and blogging or blog-reading going on right now. Back to school is a killer!

Sew What Skirts: Drawstring

Ok, I know. I've posted 3 (or is it 4?) days in a row...each time with a new project. Don't get used to it. I'm just having a moment.

Anywho...I made another skirt from the Sew What Skirts book. This time I made the "gathered" skirt version, except I added a drawstring. I did have to make some changes to my original draft of the pattern. First though, here's the cutie patootie finished skirt:


When I drafted the gathered version using the directions in the book, it was VERY a-line! And too big all around. So I removed quite a bit from the side seams, and also lessened the angle of the hem. I'm guessing it's because there's a big old difference between my waist and hips? I vaguely remember doing this for my a-line draft too when I originally made it.

Here's the skirt on me (sorry, its a headless day!) It's not a straight skirt like it appears here, (and it really was on straight too.)


See, it's a-line! (I just have worse posture in this one, ha!)


I added the drawstring using the elastic/drawstring combo method I learned several years ago in a New Look pattern. You make 2 buttonholes in the CF, and then do your casing as usual (but you don't leave an opening for threading the elastic through.) Make 2 tubes for your drawstring ties and stitch these to a length of elastic. I measure the elastic by stretching it across my back from one side to the other. It's not an exact science. ;)

Thread through your button holes, then stitch in the ditch through the elastic at the side seams to secure it and keep it from moving around.

I also added white linen pockets with a self fabric flap, turned back on the diagonal (these are featured on the tablecloth skirt in the SWS book). The button is just decorative.


Last thought...isn't this fabric cute too?? I know I keep saying that but I've had really great luck finding cool fabrics lately. This is from Hancock's and is SO 1970's retro it is just one step away from our old family room curtains.

And I love it.

Sew What Skirts: Wraparound

Hey! I sewed something! And...I immediately wore it! Here's the wraparound skirt from the (really cool) book, Sew What Skirts. I used a fabulous Jennifer Paganelli fabric.


This is really a great little book. No pattern is included, instead you use your measurements to draft the perfect-fitting skirt pattern--a-line, straight, and gathered to start...then there are lots of adaptations, like this wraparound version. The instructions are very easy to understand and the drafting was easy too. Both skirts I've made using my draft of the a-line skirt pattern have fit perfectly!

For this cute little wraparound number, you do a buttonhole in one of the sideseams to thread your "tie" through. (A word about the ties in a sec.) Note that I cut through my buttonhole when I was cutting it. Drat it. (I wore it anyway. I'll have to go back and fray check it tonight!)


For this skirt, the sides of the warp and the hem is just a simple turn up & stitch.


And the waistband is part of the ties. The instructions tell you to cut (I ripped of course, because I like to!!) two 3" pieces, selvedge to selvedge. That sounds like plenty. But...for a hippy girl like me, that didn't leave me enough left over to tie! Whoops. I didn't even notice until I already had the waistband/tie section attached. Here's the waistband topstitched to the skirt front & back/side pieces (I topstitched rather than stitch in the ditch as the book instructs. I have better luck with this method.)


And here's how I fixed the too-short ties (they have to be long enough to do front, back, plus 12", plus enough to "tie" while wrapped around you. ) I ripped one more selvedge to selvedge pice and sewed it up in a tube. Cut in half. Then I turned under one end, and "tucked" the too-short tie into the end of one of the tubes. Then I just top stitched. Repeat for the other side. Here's a bit blurry picture of one:


Now, it's not pretty nor perfect...but as far as ties go, they're "tied" all the time. And wrapped around you, so who's going to notice? Plus, they saved my skirt! See...here's me wearing it today to go out to lunch and a movie with my "girls"!



ps...We saw the Proposal. Super cute, I highly recommend it!

power.

Little people have big power. Yesterday the CPSC has granted a 1-year stay on the new law while they revise & edit the law.

Meanwhile...I got kind of excited about refocusing my sometimes hobby excess/sometimes extra moolah business away from baby/children. Here's my new Etsy store banner:


And here's my new label design, just sent off to the weaver for garment labels! (the care/content/origin labels are boring so we'll just skip that picture.)

I must be on a red/aqua kick (when aren't I?) because while off for my little weather suckage break, I also have been working on a spring skirt from the book Sew What Skirts:


from this fabric


It's mostly finished.


Waist & zip are done


Only hem to go, which will be dotty. Of course.


This book is very cool eye candy, but more importantly, it shows how to draft a skirt to your measurements. You can draft a straight "pencil" skirt, a-line, circle, wrap around... with various modifications for each of those. And there are no size limitations because you use your own measurements to draft! Very cool.

Flickr group HERE. Another HERE.

Spring skirts with snow still on the ground...who else does this?