Simplicity 2698

Since I did such a great job with the mini-wardrobe challenge (read: one skirt yet to be hemmed, lacking buttons/one dress, half done/one shirt, cut out/skirt number four only a vague idea)
I've decided to challenge myself yet again. I know, the worst part is - that it totally makes perfect sense to me. Which may mean that I'm losing it; or, I'm playing into the sentiment that, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Thomas H. Palmer

singleton buttons


Me Made May!!!
I plan to participate at the light level, making one handmade item part of my ensemble each day. I will be including re-fashions as I've a pile of stuff that needs tending to.
The Me Made Challenge is the brilliant idea of this lovely blogger.

I'm totally cracking up over here- it's the word ensemble. It suggests that I have a wardrobe plan. As if I don't just get up and put on the same boring but comfy stuff everyday.

Green

Hello green.
I took this photo yesterday, and woke to three inches of snow on the ground this morning. Maybe I'm being a tad hasty with this herald to Spring.

We took a walk today (in our mud boots) and talked about celebrating earth day everyday. So...happy earth day today and everyday.

Thoughts of warmer weather have me dreaming of vintage inspired dresses. And aprons. And apron skirts with pockets that are large enough to hold chicken eggs.

floral bobby-pins

this photo is the property of Kayte Terry

Every now and again the girls come home from school with birthday invitations. I've always wanted to build up a little stash of handmade cuteness for just this purpose. *While I've not the time right at the moment*, I am gathering the tutorials/materials together to work on a gift stash. Find the tutorial for this floral bobby-pin on Craft Stylish.

The contributor is Kayte Terry. The tutorial has been around for a bit, but I was reminded of it when I ordered Applique Your Way which is her most current craft book. She is also responsible for Embellishing. I made a skirt inspired by one of the projects from this book. I'll share it in the next couple of days.

*All my sewing time has gone toward the mini-wardrobe challenge.

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.