Wide-leg Pants

I'm ready to reveal my new wide-leg chambray pants.  These are self-drafted, elastic-waisted and a pretty fun shape.  The eyelet trim wasn't in the original plan, but even after adding length at the bottom when I cut them so I could have a nice thick hem, I ended up with a skinny hem and the need for about a half-inch more length.

I think the length issue ended up with a happy ending and adds another touch of unique to these. (worn with Simplicity 1872)

I tucked in a shirt for you so you could see the waist.  I made the front pieces almost the same as you would for a flat front pant and added all the extra in the back.  That's where I need it anyway.

Don't tell anyone, but I aspire to create a pattern for these.  I have plans to start drafting next week!

The "Birds in My Closet" T-shirt

My full post about this top can be found at The Sew Weekly.

Back to Little Things

Fall is coming.  It may still be a couple months away, but it IS coming... I hope.
I am going to sew like it's coming anyway.
My four-year-old, Eden, has a pretty substantial wardrobe, but many of the pieces I've made for her recently won't transition into cooler weather easily.  So I've been cutting and planning and sewing.

I bought $50 worth of fabrics in a shop in Marietta, GA last time we went to visit the family and I'm determined to dig right into it.  I find that if I let it sit, I lose my enthusiasm for sewing it and it just piles up.
Here are a few of the things I've accomplished so far.

This would be an obvious "back to school" choice in fabrics, but I really just got it because it caught my eye and when I picked up the bolt for a closer look, Eden said, "I really like that one!"  That, of course, sealed the deal.  She's been really into Hello Kitty lately, so I bought a fun Hello Kitty themed ribbon for the bottom.  This is Simplicity 6884 shortened to a blouse.  I took out half the pleats too because I thought four pleats on front and back might be a bit much with the "skirt" being just a peplum.  I just acquired some brown knit Matilda Jane ruffles that I think will look cute with this.

This is another top I technically made for Eden, but Arielle, whose torso is almost the exact same size around wanted to wear it first, so she got to be my model.  I finally used the leftovers of this owl fabric that was languishing in my extra fabric pile.  I had cut the rest of the yard into a bag that was never sewn up. :(

Here is a dress I really did make with Arielle in mind.  Eden is jealous and wants a t-shirt dress now, so I might have to work that into the plans for the rest of my fabric.  These are so comfy and I think this style will look particularly cute with a cardigan.

This top is just my own design.  I've sewn enough different bodices now for Eden that I have a pretty good idea of how to do what I envision.  I just cut out what I new I needed and sewed it up.  No pattern pieces or even drawing on the fabric.  I just eyed it.  Of course, this means I can't duplicate it without tracing around this one.

I know this still looks like summer, but I made the skinny straps  (which you can't see in this picture) specifically because I prefer that look with a shirt under.  I'll make her some pants to match, but in the meantime, I whipped up some shorts.

The shorts are MonkeysBug Sweet Sailor Ruffle Shorts and I really like the design and the fit.  I don't like them styled as MonkeysBug styles them.  I really don't think they look sailorish at all and I wasn't going to force it.  Maybe they would in the right fabrics.  They were a good alternative for me to the Oliver + S Picnic Shorts.

Cute and easy pocket detail on the back.  I have already stolen this pocket to use on two other garments because it's just that cute.

And then here's a little sneaky peak of some pants I made myself.  I was trying them with the Matilda Jane Peppermint Dress just to see.  That is eyelet trim peeking out from the bottom!  I'm getting more into embellishments lately.  I'll style them up for you later.

McCall's 6349

Here's an expansion on my "White Goes With Anything" feature at the Sew Weekly.

My first underlining.  My first exposed zipper.  My first time sewing with seersucker (I realize that's not really an accomplishment, but it's still a first).

And, my first time using a tripod to help me take pictures.  Brilliant idea, I know.  Who would've thought that using a tripod might be easier than balancing the camera on pillows?

I was inspired after finishing this dress to do a "one dress four ways" post like Jessica Quirk at What I Wore.  Sorry I don't have a bag too, but you do what you can with the brain cells and time you have left after 3/4 of the day with two toddlers has already passed. 

First up: my pin-up impression

You get a peek at the exposed zipper and the grosgrain ribbon tie I had to add at the top to cover the exposed zipper tape ends.  I just used a 7" jeans zipper and it almost wasn't long enough.

Here's my patriotic get up.  This dress is definitely a good candidate for the 4th, but it would be a shame to get barbecue sauce on it...

 

Probably my favorite look, just because this necklace (BaubleBar) and these shoes (GoJane) are brand new.  I was really getting desperate for poses and was trying to channel my Anthropologie catalog for this one. :)

The lining and underlining of the dress is Moda Sunkissed quilting cotton.  I had it in my stash waiting to be the backing for a quilt I started two February's ago (!!!), but I don't think I want a big ivory quilt back any more.... if I ever even get around to finishing it, that is.
I love script on fabric, so this is just a little happy for me on the inside of the bodice and under the skirt.

Just one more look.  I probably could've found some different shoes, but I was grabbing stuff so fast I just didn't think of it for this outfit.  I researched on Pinterest for ideas and wearing a chambray shirt over this would have never been something I would've thought of if I hadn't seen it in a picture.

I have no idea how I got so many good pictures and had so many posing ideas because the rest of my day was bananas and ended on a pretty rotten note.  I wish I could get this inspired and have this many good photos of everything I make!

Find my feature and a little bit more about the actual construction of the dress on The Sew Weekly.

The "Create Your Own Vacation" Resort Ensemble

This post is almost exactly the one I submitted to The Sew Weekly for the "Vacation" theme.  I added a couple things for more detail here.  Enjoy!

We just took a beach trip and it was lovely. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like you’re really on vacation with two little ones in tow, but this time it really did feel like a fun vacation, so that was excellent.
BUT… if I were to design my perfect vacation, this would be what I would wear.

Fabric: taupe jersey knit from Fabric.com and taupe zebra ITY knit also from Fabric.com
Patterns: McCalls 6559 and McCalls 6173
Year: current
Notions: FOE and reg. elastic
Time to complete: about 3 hours for both
First worn: for these pictures
Wear again? Yes. probably not together, unless my dream vacation comes true.

So let me lay it out for you. This is Sara Upshaw Resort Activewear 2012. The leggings are soft and comfortable, not too tight and a little long for an effect reminiscent to leg warmers from my dance background. The tunic/dress is jersey in the front and ITY in the back for fun (but also because I hate it when knits stick to my booty and get all wonky, so the ITY is nice and slippery so there’s no wonky sticking).
My morning would begin with some meditation in a large room with floor to ceiling windows looking out over the ocean. 

The day would continue with a ballet class (not too strict) with a live cellist and more floor to ceiling windows, this time looking out over lush gardens.

After a stroll through the garden, enjoying the cool breeze from the nearby ocean, I would participate in a stretching class and then have some lunch and a fruity drink.

Before the day continues, I know y'all are curious about the fit of these leggings.  This is my second pair and I didn't do a whole lot differently from the first pair.  I kept the same fit in the back, but tapered starting at the thigh down to an xs since my first pair were quite roomy... for leggings.  

Relaxation would be on the menu for the afternoon, including a hot stone massage, manicure and pedicure.

Later that night there would be latin dancing in an outdoor pavilion complete with all sorts of awesome leads to dance with and a full latin orchestra.

  I love the high-low hem for dancing, but I'd need to get some more jersey to make myself some bike shorts.
I dug out my ballroom shoes (from 7 years ago!) for y'all...

After some exhilerating dancing to some exhilarating music, a group of us would head out to the beach to watch the sun set and listen to the waves.
And I’d probably want to do it all over again the next day… so I’d probably need to make something else to wear. :)

Indie Pattern Wishlist

I am unashamedly copying Green Apples' post because her post got me looking around at some things I'd skimmed over before and I'd like to document them so that when I CAN buy patterns again, I'll know what I want.
There are several smallish to very small pattern companies that have some very attractive patterns. Unfortunately, since I get most of my patterns for less than $3, $15-$20 seems like a pretty steep price tag. After all, aren't I trying to save money by sewing??
After seeing some reviews and after getting to know what you like, I don't think buying a few of these patterns would be a bad investment... and then there's always Christmas and birthdays, right?

First up, some monotony if you read Green Apples' post.  I knew of Style Arc, just hadn't paid much attention because there was no way I was paying over $3 for a pattern (as stated earlier) in my newbie sewing days.  Now that I'm getting more comfortable with knits, I can't help but be drawn to this dress.

The Marita.

Isn't it cool?  I can't figure it out, so I'm really curious to sew it.  I'm loving this for winter.

Next up: Victory Patterns.  Once again, another company there's been some buzz about, so I caught wind but wasn't ready to commit.  Ever since I first browsed their site, I've loved Hazel.

I actually love the colors and styling of this example, but probably couldn't pull it off.  It's perfect for the color blocking trend and wouldn't it be pretty in pink and orange? or purple and aqua? or coral and navy??

Now here's a pattern I already have, but I thought I'd put it in this post anyway.  It's the Scout Woven Tee from Grainline Studio.  This one's on the very affordable list, coming in at $4.50 and it's a great go-to staple for your wardrobe.

Lastly, I want to remember to get the Go Anywhere Dress from Sewn.  I would NEVER have bought this pattern had I not seen it made up in Whipstitch on a recent trip to Atlanta.  I was so drawn to it on the dress form and HAD to know what pattern it was.  The lady working there told me it was a great princess seam dress and so easy to fit.  She said they call it "the magic dress" there at the shop, because they'd made it, like, three times for three ladies that wear three different RTW sizes and they all wore the same size (with minor alterations) in this dress!  A dress that will fit anyone?!  Princess seams that go up to the shoulder instead of into the armpit and therefore are easy to adjust?  Yes, please!

Cassablanca Clutch Pattern Review

My pattern review was featured today over at Sew Sweetnes for Purse Palooza 2012!