Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The stockings were hung...


I finished the stockings with not a second to spare. (cue applause)
I hung them all up with the greatest of care.


For an old fashioned Christmas, which is what I was craving.
The kids were impressed, in fact they're still raving.


Okay, sorry. I'll stop.
I made the stockings using recycled wool. The pattern is in Stitched in Time. This is the lovely book by Alicia Paulson.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

fa la la la la

Seriously, anthropologie you must have the most creative team ever. How clever is this? Oh and by the way; I love the outfit. I'm really not sure which I love most the story or the clothing. hmmm.... I'm feeling a look for less.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

The look for less...

j.crew cashmere schoolgirl cardigan
retail $129.00 (on sale)

cashmere sweater (thrifted) $4.00
dye (darma trading) 3.99
new buttons (stash)
labor (how to measure)
leather belt (thrifted) .50

vintage drapery fabric (stash)

I finally finished this hot pattern skirt. I dug it out of the black hole. I was having fitting issues, but all is resolved. J.Crew catalog has several different versions of pencil skirts, retail $175.

This is way too much fun!!


Monday, November 24, 2008

And we have skirts....

Skirt made with vintage barkcloth

Wrap a-line with velvet ribbon trim

Wrap skirt with flounce and hankie pocket

Etsy update. I could not get blogger to cooperate in adding my etsy sidebar. So here is my link.
I will add the sidebar as soon as I can.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Fannie...or Butterick 5209



I'm still working my way through the alphabet. The name Fannie sounds 1947 doesn't it? So Fannie it is. I used this pattern from Butterick's Retro line. The dress is described in this fashion: Cap sleeve dress, below mid-knee length, has side zipper, fitted self-lined bodice and flared, gathered skirt. Pretty accurate I would say. The fabric is vintage from the stash. When we get to know each other better, I will tell you about (insert creepy, suspenseful music) the stash. ;)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

I've been busy....

I am planning an etsy update. I have some skirts that I did not get listed in time for summer. I plan to put them up on sale. Should be fun for my friends who are just now going into the summer season.
I am also listing skirts made from vintage fabric. The skirt above is vintage bark cloth. We took photos in a abandoned house on Saturday.
So....more fun to come.

Friday, November 7, 2008

The look for less...




The metallic Jardin sheath dress from jcrew is the inspiration for this look for less. I found this vintage brocade dress some time ago, but have not worn it. I like the way jcrew put casual pieces with their dress to make it work for day wear.
I have a cashmere sweater that I never wear, I think because it is a very pale fleshy pink and does not match anything. I plan to dye it, goldenrod. No surprise here, but at least it will match the rest of my fall wardrobe. I have done quite a bit of dying/over dying but never with something as nice as cashmere. I'll let you know.
This is really a lovely dress, I'll put the dress and matching jacket on my flickr if you want to see it as an ensemble.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

honey jar mary-janes

sigh....
Anthropologie, why are your shoes so expensive? These shoes are in the November catalog for $388. For shoes. I know. I wish I did not want them so much. I am definitely going to have to find this look for less.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Out and about...


The Pledge

I __________________ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__________________.

This is the pledge from the wardrobe refashion site. I am going to re-up. I think that this is such a great movement. I have always been intrigued by the WWII motto:

Use it Up-Wear it Out-Make it Do

I've also seen it:

Use it Up- Wear it Out-Make it Do- or Do Without

Use it Up-Wear it Out-Make it Over-or Do Without

Quite appropriate for the current economic climate, don't you think?

I made this over using a thrifted skirt that was several sizes larger than what I needed. The border fabric was simply gathered. I picked it apart, and used the fabric for the new skirt. Voila!!

McCall's pattern 5591

Sunday, November 2, 2008

T P'd


October 31, 2008
Dear decorating committee,
Thank you so much for the time you spent putting up my Halloween decorations this year. I really did not have the time, and just did not know how I was going to manage. Everything looks real lovely. Oh look, you even included the tractors. You are just too cute. Hey, and thanks for letting me sleep while you got this done. I've been a little short on both time and sleep, so much appreciated.

November 01, 2008
Dear decorating committee,
Let me be the first to wish you a happy November. I guess these decorations will have to come down now. It's so windy today that some of the paper is flying over to the neighbors. I'm not sure why, but she is looking a little less than happy. Let me know when you're able to come by, I'll have refreshments waiting.

November 02, 2008 10:00 am
Dear decorating committee,
This project is not going to get any easier. Now the paper is all over the neighbors yard. Please find time in your busy lives to take these decorations down.

November 02, 2008 5:30 pm
Dear decorating committee,
Don't make me come find you.

Friday, October 31, 2008

accessorize


left to right
jcrew Madison dress* floral hairpiece (giantdwarf) etsy* vintage handbag
Butterick 2255* jcrew belt* jcrew belt
the perfect shoe Theremina d'Orable's* Vintage inspired dress* Mccall's 5813
As I do not own the hairpiece, the belts (yet), or the perfect to die for shoes, this is all really wishful thinking on my part. I am looking for a shoe of this type. Any ideas?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The look for less...



I knew that I had to have this dress. I even rant about it here. This is the jcrew Madison dress.
I have taken a wardrobe refashion pledge (must abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing) and I am holding to my vow.
So I combined this pattern with that pattern and... there you have it.
I wanted to pay tribute to one of my favorite bloggers. Her style is always timeless and lovely. I find her so inspiring. I'm calling this dress Effie.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Found


I am inspired by the photos from the movie. I now have my own vintage chunky sweater (thrifted). If I had a couple of fall floral dresses I would be set.
I almost have my hot pattern pencil skirt done. Hopefully tomorrow.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fall and Goldenrod....




Goldenrod; my new favorite color.

As the seasons change and the aspen trees turn shades of gold, so apparently does my wardrobe.
The corset top tee is the design of Natalie Chanin. She has her own blog, and to suggest that it is worth a visit is an understatement. What are you waiting for, go! When you get back I am also going to recommend the book. Projects and stories celebrating hand-sewing, quilting, and embroidery for a contemporary sustainable style. What a mouthful, I took this right off the book. I found the description to be accurate.
I needed this tee right away, so I did choose to stitch it on the machine rather than by hand. The flower detail is also all me, you won't find it in the book. I just cut out a shape, scrunched it all up and stitched it down. The next time I make this tee I am going to make it by hand. It is so soothing when stitching with only needle and thread.

The skirt:
Vintage, isn't it wonderful? The pockets are inset into the faux front panel. Enlarge the photo for a great fabric close-up. I had to make the waistband larger, it was made for a 26" waist. I just let out some of the gathers and it's not quite as full.
Back to the sewing machine, my hot pattern came in the mail yesterday. Yea.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

On the cutting table

The image shown is from the j.crew fall catalog cover. When I visit the website I do not see this skirt still offered, it may be sold out. I am making this look for less using this pattern.
This will be my first time using a hot pattern.
I'm off to sew.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

And sew it goes...



The nights here are cooler. There is a bite to the air in the mornings. I'm looking forward to fall, it's just; summer where did you go?
Happy belated first day of Autumn.

Monday, September 8, 2008

The look for less...



The first image is the bethesda jersey tee from anthropologie.

Recently I made a pledge to refashion, renovate, and recycle preloved clothing.

The second image is my look for less. Much less.
My sister-in-law was giving the t-shirts away. They were brand new. The only issue was the text on the front which read:
If My Hose Is Kinked All I'm Going To Do Is Dribble.
So scissors in hand, I cut the text away. Look what I found.
Materials:
two t-shirts large .00
vintage ribbon .35
cost .35

In the Revival Anthropologie catalog this tee sells for $48.oo plus tax. Woo-hoo. I'm having fun.



Saturday, September 6, 2008

For the love of good design...





Dreaming of fall, the color orange, braided hair, and beautiful design that never goes out of style. Orla I heart you.
I cannot find the link to the image of the braided hair. If this is your image please let me know and I will link back to you.

Friday, August 29, 2008

hey there delila....

I love this pattern. I don't generally make a pattern twice in the same season. Fickle girl that I am, once I've seen the pattern come together I am always anxious to start another project. The fabric is vintage (100% cotton) and it feels like silk. I barely had enough. In fact, I mixed the two prints to get the length I needed. I think it turned out great. More photos on my flickr.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Reclaimed

Found and reclaimed this gorgeous wool gabardine suit jacket and matching skirt (waist size impossible, who were these tiny women?) from the forties. The jacket is loaded with custom details from the notched lapel to the turned back cuffs on the sleeves. The buttons are covered and they fasten through bound buttonholes. This may have been a custom tailored set. The label reads Frankel's, Des Moines. I love the attention to detail that was so common in clothing of this era. Click on the photo to enlarge if you want a closer look. This is a rare find in this part of the country. Score.
Yes, I will have to redo the waist to wear it :)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

summer of the dress continued


I'm not keeping up with my photos. I really have been sewing. I completed the Bella dress and posted to wardrobe refashion here. Then I made the Cassie dress for my sister's class reunion. She got out of here before her photo session. The dress is this simplicity pattern. I made view D in a salmon colored cotton fabric with soft white piping trim. Hopefully I will round her up in the next couple of days for photos.

Sofa Refashion Deax

Before:





After:
I'm not sure how to best fix the gouge on the back. I am tempted to slap a fabric patch on; Anthropologie style.
If I had a couple of pillows I'd take a nap

Sunday, July 27, 2008

The Look for Less



I am a huge fan of anthropologie. The catalogs are so beautiful. I keep back issues and use them for inspiration in my own design work. This handbag is from the summer '05 issue. I wanted it but did not want to pay full price for it. As far as I know it never went on sale. As I still want one of these, I decided to make one like it. I know right. I-d-e-n-t-i-c-a-l. I can hardly tell the two apart. Oh, not so much? Hey, I already had this fabric. I did not have any vintage kimono fabric that is just a shade off watermelon. The project really went south when I realized I had a vintage silk tie that matched perfectly, and was crying out to be bag handles. Voila.
You know I'm not really seeing it either. I'm not quite sure how this happened. Back to the
drawing board.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

I'm trendy. Who knew?

In Seattle according to this link you can rent a goat for $25 per week. The goats are tether-trained and all you have to do is move said goats around your weedy yard and give them water. Free fertilizer!! Also known as organic weed control.



Meet Smokey.
Smokey is a real force to be reckoned with. Yes, he is as small as he looks. Okay again yes, he still sucks from his mama. You just wait. He's eyeing those bad weeds right now.




Friday, July 4, 2008

strawberry shortcake memories

I am the oldest child in a family of thirteen. As you can imagine we are all fairly close in age. My mother gave birth to me and fourteen months later gave me a baby brother. Growing up we were close and he was one of my best friends. He was protective and treated me more like he was older.
Mom always put in a big garden and we had our own strawberry patch. Sometimes we had enough strawberries to actually have a shortcake.
One summer evening when I was about fourteen we were hanging out in the backyard with our shortcakes. I was going over my day (in detail as I was inclined to do) and Greg was my ever attentive audience. I should have clued in as he was a little more attentive than usual. So I am all blah, blah, blah he doesn't say a word. All of a sudden he falls to the ground laughing so hard. Okay, I thinking I'm funny but maybe not that funny. What? He cannot even tell me he's laughing so hard. When he finally catches his breath he said, "You just ate a fly." Followed by much more doubled over hilarity. You know now that I think about it maybe he wasn't one of my best friends.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

New Look 6799

I have a pattern collection by accident. I try not to buy patterns unless I really think I'll make the garment. I have a particular weakness for dress patterns and own quite a few. Okay, more than a few. If I do the math (pattern+amount of hours to complete) I cannot sew all these dresses up in my lifetime. When contemplating my next project, I went through a few of my patterns (alleged pattern collection) and did not feel that little tingle. You know the one. So.. I went to the store and bought this pattern. Okay, I know. I am a very responsible consumer. I do not practice over indulgence as a rule. But seriously isn't this a really great dress? I have named her Ava Rose. Enough said.