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.