Friday, February 26, 2010

Happy Valentines Day


Happy Valentines Day. What's that you say? I'm not quite making it out. I thought I heard; "Today's not Valentines Day." Really? Over? I completely missed the date?


It reminds me a little of my first date with my husband. Somehow the subject of punctuality came up. I was referring to the ten minute window - as if you've no idea what I'm referring to, I do not make the rules people. When it became clear that he had forgotten about this unsaid rule, I had to refresh his memory. The amount of time that you can be late before you are technically late. Fifteen minutes late is just bad form, but up to ten minutes is acceptable, after all life happens... Dead silence.
So he informed me that he had no idea what I was talking about. In fact he went so far as to suggest that being late is just that, late. Imagine.
Knowing him as I do now, I'm a little surprised that there was a second date.




Oh, the apron? I thought it would be appropriate for the occasion. Or rather would have been on Valentines Day.
Find the pattern here.
The fabric is from my stash. I've had it for several years - Mothers Valentines from Mary Mulari, Marcus Brothers Textiles.

huge disclaimer: I no longer subscribe to the misguided assumption that there is a ten minute window. In fact, I deny ever having used this feeble rule as an attempt to justify being tardy. Just in case my husband is reading this blog.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Yellow floral circle skirt


I want this skirt. I loved it when I first saw it on the Sartorialist blog.
I looked hard for several weeks for the fabric to make a skirt like this. I finally ordered fabric that wasn't quite what I wanted, but I hoped it was close enough. Nope.


Now I am seriously going to be haunted. I've seen it again. I tried to go back and find the link. I've lost it. Please someone, tell me you know where to get fabric like this.
It would also be nice to identify the model. I love her look in both of these photos.

from the comments edited to add:
Here you are: she is Finnish and quite famous ;-)
Molla Mills
thanks michou

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

BurdaStyle jenny skirt



....or the day after tomorrow, or the day after that. Darn you bloggers that make this look so easy. I find I never have everything I need. I don't have a photo, I don't have the words, I don't make the time, etc.

So as promised this is the jenny skirt. I am giving this skirt a firm two thumbs up. This pattern fit as is. I am making it again. This time I am going to shorten the waistband. I am not sure if this high waisted style is going to suit me long term. Again, burda I'm not lovin' the lack of a back vent. The pattern instructions have you turn in the seam allowance to finish the back slit.
I made this out of some mystery thrift-ed fabric. Which I love, by the way. It has some lycra content (so the skirt has some give) but still has a nice hand. The skirt pattern can be found here if you are interested.

As soon as I have decent light I'll get a photo of the entire outfit. In the dark the blouse looks like a yellow blob.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

All snowed in...


This is the view outside my studio window. We officially called this a snow day. The snow day turned into a dance night. My four year old sure knows how to shake it. Good times.


I was hoping to get a photo of this high waist-ed pencil skirt. It's a Burda Style pattern, which became part of my solution to finish the yellow floral silk dress. It didn't happen, it's way to dark in here. Tomorrow...

Friday, February 5, 2010

Zipper debate



I was prompted to share my thoughts regarding zippers when I read this post. Gertie addresses the invisible zipper issue.

Here's my official position. When I put a zipper in the side seam, I reach for an invisible zip. As hard as I try I cannot keep everything as flat as I'd like with any other method of insertion. I have tried. Believe me I've tried, because I hate invisible zippers. I love them in concept, but hate the plastic teeth and find them very poorly made. I'd choose a vintage zipper over new every time. Besides they come in such yummy colors. How about poppy, tango, mignonette, temple gold, moss green, frosty blue, devil red, mulberry, toast....



Steel grey, a perfect match.



Thursday, February 4, 2010

From bottle to blossom


Score,


Cut,


Bend,


Paint.

These flowers are from Anthropologie store windows. Made with plastic recycled bottle tops and bottoms. It's funky crafting with discarded items taken to a higher level. I heart you Anthropologie.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Frump to Fab

I pulled this dress out of my pile of unfinished projects. Yes, I have a pile of projects waiting to be finished. I'm not proud. This dress has been in the project queue (sounds more legitimate) for over a year. It is the result of a not so successful draping project that I dabbled in.
As it hung on the dress form the skirt continued to get longer. I suppose that I could have called it asymmetrical and wore it anyway, but I'm not a huge fan. I love the fabric to much to give up and call it a wader.


Flash forward one year. I have an event on Saturday that this dress (finished and fabulous) will be perfect for. Where is the sewing world version of underdog? You know, the super hero that shouts out, "HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY." Can I pull it off?
That then becomes the question. Keep your fingers crossed. I don't have much time, but I do have a plan. dun dun dun