The windiest day ever...

skirt from vintage bark cloth
self drafted pattern

In our household we have the same conversation every Spring.
Usually it goes something like this.

I can't believe how windy it is. I think this is the worst windy day ever.

Did you forget how windy it was last Spring?

Yeah, but this year it's worse. It's serious windy out there.

You said that last year.

Noooo... it's definitely windier.

You've just forgotten how windy it gets here in the Spring.

I'm serious. What in the world are we going to talk about when we're a couple of oldsters? I am pretty sure you only get a certain amount of this kind of dialog. Once you've used it up, that's it.

I had planned on a little gardening.
Then I realized I'd gone out on the windiest day ever....

pattern review mini-wardrobe

I finally put a storyboard together for the mini-wardrobe challenge.
The objective:
Create a 4-piece wardrobe in 4 weeks.
The garments must combine to make 4 distinct outfits.

All the fit issues are resolved (muslin) and the actual fabric cut out, except for the fourth garment.

Square Dancin'

As you know I have a Nubian goat. Actually; you don't know that, but let's for this conversation pretend that we've talked about her before. Remember when we were talking about spring and new beginnings and tiny new baby animals? One of us must have said something like, "Wow, wouldn't it be great if Tess got knocked up and had little ones this spring?" So then we looked around and found her a boyfriend. As love goes- one thing led to another and then the triplets came.

And before you go forming that mental picture, NO this outfit is not for the baby goats. While I don't mind the label eccentric goat owner, I'm not that eccentric.

It's just that; what do you get the owner of said boyfriend to express your appreciation and gratitude for walking you through this incredible process?
Well... as it turns out her daughter also had a little one (human). So I presented her with her first goatie square dancin' outfit. Because yes, although not a square dancer, I'm that eccentric.

Did you catch the little rumba pants? I just sewed some eyelet lace directly onto the onesie. If you want to see it nearly life sized just click for a closer look. :)

Thrifty Thursday

This is my little haul from the thrift store today. I love finding vintage sewing items. The bias trim is 100% cotton instead of the more modern polyester or poly-cotton blend. My most favorite of all - can you make out the bias trim with the ditsy print? score.
Of course (greedy girl that I am) I wish there was more of the gold brocade.

Can you see it as a pencil skirt? Something similar to this j crew number? A look for less?
I just don't think I can squeeze even a pencil skirt out of this. darn.

On a totally random note; I signed up for the pattern review mini-wardrobe contest. I tend to be more productive when I feel as if I've a deadline.

New Look 6898

Happy Spring. I hope it's warm where you are. Here? Not so much.
Every spring I am reminded of how much wind we have.
In fact it was cold and windy the entire weekend.

I did manage to get some productive sewing time in. This skirt is a New Look pattern. Overall I am happy with the results. The front pleats are going to take a little getting used to. I generally make skirts with a flat front.

Full pattern review here.

My view.

Colette Patterns Biegnet skirt

I'm posting the Biegnet skirt even though it's not quite finished. When I tried to make the buttonholes my machine was skipping stitches.

A friend of mine owns a Janome sewing machine. She is impressed by the buttonhole maker. I'll try it on this skirt.

:: my informal pattern review::

::I liked this pattern. The instructions are in a sweet little illustrated booklet. Sarai takes you through the construction step by step. Don't shy away even if you are a beginner.
::The Colette patterns are sized using a different method than the fabulous four. I believe that it is closer to what you find when you shop RTW.

::The skirt is lined, I flipped it inside out to show you the way the facing is attached to the lining. clever

::I used a stretch cotton poplin from my stash. The lining is also cotton with a hint of lycra.
::I haven't yet decided if I will make the belt carriers. I like the idea of wearing different size belts with this skirt. I put the belt on for the photo, so that the high waist would be more apparent.
::Overall a really cute skirt. A little trendy with the high waist, but classic enough to become a wardrobe staple.
::Plus it has pockets in the side seams...

Indie pattern designer

Still here.

I've had this Colette pattern for a year. When Sarai first came out with her pattern line I was intrigued. I cannot believe it took me so long to get back around to this. Look how cute. This is what I found when I opened the package. Such attention to detail. The instructions come in a booklet with a pocket in the back for storing the pattern pieces. I hope to finish this skirt in the next couple of days. I'll do a complete pattern review then.

by the way::sweet sassafras is one of my favorite places and if you've not been it's well worth the visit.

Black eyelet dress

This is a reproduction of a much loved (threadbare) vintage dress. I took the dress apart to use it as a pattern. I wasn't able to completely replicate the skirt. The original was much fuller than the skirt I ended up with here. For the skirt I used the remaining fabric and just applied it dirndl style using small pleats instead of gathers. Although not petticoat worthy, I like it.

I lightened the last photos up a little to show off the fabric. It's a vintage cotton eyelet that I've been saving for a special project. Since I knew the dress would fit I wasn't afraid to cut into the fabric. I have huge issues cutting into vintage fabric that I really like. I worry that once the fabric is gone it's gone forever. I'm turning into a hoarder. I'm working on that.

vintage inspired dress
vintage slip
self drafted petticoat
vintage shoes 50's
vintage singer sewing machine in cute carrying case
reproduction hat box