lingerie challenge begins

i finally chopped up a thrifted slip and turned it into a cami and half slip. here's another horrible photo.

i used some crazy embroidery thread that i bought 100 years ago and rips like a bitch. but i'm really trying to test tension and thread the machine right, so it was a challenge i was up for. stuck it on some ruffly stretch elastic i bought a year ago when i started dreaming about making lingerie.

isn't it pretty? we'll put up with torture if things are pretty enough. i think that's a dating principle.

Wiggles do not trouble me!

Now that that's settled, I'm SO excited to be digging in to the Colette patterns I bought last week. So last night i stayed up late:

v. sweet. TOO sweet.

I cut Cinnamon (free [silk?], thanks Mena!) and Sencha (free plaid! thanks SW Meetup!)...And I'm taking care, yada yada. Should have taken a photo of my bias-cut pieces resting on my dress form, as I really follow those instructions.I may stick in a contrasting bodice front/band. that green is pretty, but all dressed up on ladyfriend, it looks a little bland.

I promise to show you later tonight!xoxo

only so much

friend! family! project! photoshop.

isn't it a bitch that you can't work full time, spend loads of snuggle time with your kid, see all of your friends, have a good relationship with your sweetie AND sew a whole new wardrobe? if you say you can, you're lying.

luckily, my boy is blessed with excellent style.

i've been doing all of those first things, and even though I blocked out a day to sew, i still went to yoga and had coffee with a friend. I love my people. *Probably* more than my clothes :).

done! easy linen shirt

it's super cute, it was totally easy. it's a classy linen shirt for a 3 year old.

Slightly contrasting thread...

 looks just interesting enough.

I have a feeling the arms are kinda long. my fit model comes home tonight and then we'll know for sure.

i missed the instruction to do a french seam on the sides/arms. Next time! 

his comments on the process fitting? "you should finish it."

Next up: tiger hoodie, flannel jacket, some warm blue pants. Agh! Now we both have long "to make" lists!

My First Muslin: Starlet

does it matter that i didn't actually use muslin? god i hope not. wikipedia or wherever said no.

so here we are. i decided i was a size 6, because i usually am.

here are my pieces!

here is my cutting board. did you know cutting requires 1000 tools, including a laptop and a new best sewing friend from canada? yes, it does.

so the thing about muslins is that i'm impatient. i want gratification now!!! but wow. this is great. the guilt and trepidation and terror if feel when i'm sewing a new thing is totally gone. sewing the muslin i was thinking "wow i'm doing this the right way, this is really teaching me something, this jacket is going to be The BEST!!!"

which is such a more pleasurable thought process than "oof this is going to fit like crap and what a waste of money ugh yuck i probably measured myself wrong again."

so, yay.

ok! here's my first princess seam. didn't i do a nice job? i did, i just don't have a ham to press it on. donations?

So. How Cute is This Jacket??

(really cute!) 

Look, the arm moves!    

i didn't do the fancy bias business on the sleeve cap because it's late and my cocktail is kind of strong, so the sleeve is a little wonky, but hot damn i aligned it right and the length is darling. maybe a little TOO darling? i may have to lengthen the sleeves because it's cold here (not really cold, yes really lengthen.) think she'll get mad?

i sewed the back stay on the wrong side. who cares? i learned. 

 

there's a lot of room on the back and sides, but it hangs nicely. I *think* that means it will accommodate the much bulkier fabric, lining, and whatnot that the real deal will have, without pinching. is that right?

and, for the grand finale, HERES THE REAL STUFF

I'm still a little scared to go cutting, but the muslin showed me gertie's got my back, right? 

it's a brownish black wool with hecka color flecks. i'm lining it in lime. the fool at the store tried to sell me a black lining. WHAT?  i'll probably do fabric buttons unless i find something fantastic and limey in the interim. HEARTS. 

ps i took this one when i was reaching for a back view photo. it is obviously my new avatar everywhere. xoxo goodnight!

sparkly things!

I'm working hard to dress (more) like a grown up. I'm THIRTY FIVE years old (I've been that age for 4 months now and am only beginning to claim it) and i suppose I should learn how. I live in Neverland, though, so it's hard. And I work at a College, in BERKELEY, a place where people really truly wear tevas to work.

thirty...whatnow? (yes, i'm lying in this photo)

Which is to say there are a number of factors working against me. In fact, when I got this job the hardest part was the "wow, what are you so dressed up for?" comments when I was wearing my business casual-est outfits.

I bought 3 new pairs of jeans and called it a warkrobe. (hows that for a terrible word no one will ever use?)

but ugh! I am an adult! And I want to look like one and I want to be treated like one except when it means people call me ma'am.

I'm working on it, one piece at a time. I've decided that it's high quality items, not wearing pumps and dress pants, that will be my technique. As long as i work at that college and make peanuts for a salary, I'm going to have to use elbow grease and my lil elna to close the gap.

side note: I tried this mail order stylist service for a while, but their stuff was not super high quality and too trend chasey to pull off in the hallowed research halls (a good friend who works in fashion loves it! so if you have a better place to wear stuff, use that link, it's fun!).

Gene pool.

Another important factor, though, is the jewelry. It seems something adults do is wear jewelry. My gorgeous mom (isn't she, though?), who lives in a golf community and jet sets the world in retirement, wears t shirts from old n0vy. and she wears fancy necklaces and fine earrings, and often a movado! with them. and she looks like an adult. (She also wears boring shoes, but we won't go there, nosirree.)

Conclusion: I can keep wearing t shirts, though I am working on upgrading their fabric. And i can wear my new favorite skirt (which is a pencil skirt from old barfy, please don't hate i already have enough guilt about it -- if i keep my hair did and my accessories gleaming, and know that I am Done Up and high five, lady. I can also add blazers like the one I'll start any day i swear.

and so, i just bought $99 worth of sparkly bobby pins and tights and big ol earrings from anthrobarfogie. because the sparkle is an important part of the equation!

Did i just write this whole post to explain away shopping at work? maybe. but i also wanted to articulate the Wardrobe Project that's going on, too! ok. luv. xo

lace top

brown and lacy. ain't she perty?

good photos went missing! sorry!

i used this tutorial as a jumping off point. french seams are perfect for laceys!

I added the sorbetto pattern (love those bust darts!)

and the sorbetto sleeve. but i didn't have the sleeve pattern when i started cutting, so i had to do a little frankensteining in the pits. it's cool. i believe in the zig zag stitch!

i made up the neckline from my own brain- folded 1/4 inch and then 1/4 inch again in the back, tucking a chiffon-type ribbon in between the layers for stability.

[Back neckline- I had no idea i was so freckly back here? guess I should pay attention with the sunscreen!]

because the Sorbetto is supposed to be finished with bias tape, the neck was  getting a little scoopy for general use. So in the front i just made one fold with the ribbon between the hem and the bodice, and stitched it all by hand.

front and lovely ruffle sleeve

My new thing is hand stitching while watching a movie with the shorty. it was really nice to snuggle and also do sitting-still hand stitching. i hate sitting still! unless it's with him.

my lovely test model (who is still holding initial photos hostage) suggested i make a bunch and sell them. Ha! Anyway, it would be too expensive - lace is not cheap! BUT..this one is a little short, so maybe someone will get this v.1 as a gift. :)

this is one t shirt off the SWAP list. boom!

SEW Much progress!

trying to protect copyright...

Last night I finished blouse # 1 from the Burda book. It'll also be my first submission to The Sew Weekly woo!

(Are you going to the Meetup this weekend? I can't wait.)

Cut linen for my little guy's Easy Linen Shirt for the Sewalong...which is the quietest sewalong perhaps ever?

And I've started a photo archive of my fabrics and patterns. I know there's some kind of online tool for managing these. I'll dig through your archives to find it!

Woo so fun to wear my me-made shirt and me-made jacket into the office this morning. It's Me Made March!

SWAP fine print

ok, so i actually read the rules on the Sewing with a Plan thingading. According to the official boss lady, I'm supposed to make 4 items twice, they're all supposed to coordinate with each other, and it's all supposed to be done by April 30. Hmm. I guess I already said I wasn't trying to Win, so I have to reiterate that for my own self. It sure will get me rolling for Me Made May!

shimmer cheapo knit

so. here are the things i'll make twice.
   
Blouse or shirt    
1- ooops i forgot the plan and started cutting a burda style blouse (from the book) last night.

2 - sleeved sorbetto out of my uganda fabric in honor of that ridiculous viral video. 

T-Shirt
1- brown lace!  made some good progress on this last night. how to finish the neckline, though??

2- renfrew cowl neck in brown/gold knit. it's cheap fabric, but whatever!

watercolor!

Dress 
1- pretty watercolor cotton (right) with purple underlining. (burda style dress)
 
2- silk dress for Anj's wedding. look how it shines! or a cinnamon slip.
     
Skirt  
1-  this in watercolor too?  (burda style from the book)

2- pencil skirt. I think I'll sign up for another craftsy class and make a pencil skirt with Diana Rupp. maybe denim or something MEGA versatile.

underthings aren't on the list, but they really build a wardrobe, so how about i make my own category for undies?
1 - cinnamon cami

2 - panties from my own design
3 - slip - maybe the ruby, since i have it printed at home...
4 - bloomers! this is for when i'm drunk and want to have a party.  

ok hugs and kisses and sewing til 2am.
bex

Focus: SWAP 2012

okay, Stitcher's Guild folksters, I'm in for the SWAP. I need a plan for all of these pretty things!

Here's the list of their suggestions.Is it a contest or a sew along? I don't have any pretensions of winning anything in sewing, so I'll think of it as a support group.

The setup is to choose any seven garments from this list. Here are my chosen:

Button Down Shirt w/Collar       

Uganda fabric, thanks Lola!

1) Blouse or shirt  yes please. I'll make a Sorbetto with sleeves out of my pretty green floral cotton (hopefully in time to post it on Sew Weekly for the St Patrick's day Green challenge!)            
2) T-Shirt out of brown lace!  I may have had a little fun at the Silk Road this weekend...     
Vest                           
3) Overshirt  I'm going to make this one for the little guy...obsessed with the "Luka hoodie" in here. (but crap, follow that link and you'll see they're doing a sew-along for the linen shirt...and I scored some nice blue linen last week for $1. so maybe a different overshirt....)               
4) Dress  pretty watercolor cotton with purple underlining. (burda style dress)      

$5 silk wooohoo

  4a) silk dress for Anj's wedding... If I get my chops up by the end of April, I'll take this on for May.
Jeans (pshaw)
Trousers (who cares about pants! all i want is dresses and boots.)  
Shorts or Capri Pants     
5) Skirt  maybe this iw watercolor too? I can't remember (burda style again)
6) Jacket (jean jacket, windbreaker, hoodie, etc.)  sewing along with Gertie for a "Starlet Suit Jacket"...in wool
Coat  (suit or sport coat)
7) Overcoat or Raincoat   Check!
8, optional) Bathing Suit & Coverup we'll see how it's going. If I am cranking 'em out and have a moment and a great pattern, I'll work a coverup for beach week with my family.

And we're off!                            

reclusive period

hi ya'll. i'm in hiding. you've seen this before, and it's really only going to last about 24 hours, but i have let down at least 3 dear friends during that time and so the time isn't really the issue.

my belly hurts
i'm overwhelmed with chores
my parents are in town and while that's fun it's also draiiiinnning
mama needs some private time!

those all sound fine, right? but i Made Plans! this is where the therapy comes in. i'm going to spend most of this "me time" (that I bought by flaking out) by beating myself up about flaking out.

in algebra that looks like

(amount of free time available)- (time spent with friends) = me time

(amount of free time available)- (time spent with feeling terrible about blowing off friends) = 0 time for fun of any sort!

so really it's a waste of my friends' good nature if i don't hop on it and make something of this time. AND if i just got off my couch and go and play with them, it's likely i would be happier and more effective.

blerg.

the math makes it clear that the cause is not worth the effect. but while we're here, let's at least examine the factors

arthritis makes me tired
working and parenting makes me tired
i am seriously still carrying flu bits in my throat and belly

so don't beat yourself up, lady! but also don't make so many plans. flaking feels like ass.

love
bex

HOT crafts

i made this for my bff so she doesn't burn her hands. or so i don't burn my hands when i'm cookin at her house. i'm also working on a coffee snuggie. maybe this is the labor of love that will make the man and I RICH. still in development, like our relationship.

The potholder contains
repurposed:
1) flannel bits from my auntie's "you're pregnant here are some giant pants" xmas gift (from 2008)
2) my office mate's hand me down cowgirl shirt that i really like but was just too short
3) tie silks from EBay Center for Creative Reuse (which is stocked with zippers for $.25!)
and new:
1) bias tape
2) Insul-Brite or whatever that insulation stuff is

(oh- props: i used Martha's recipe!) 

whoa dude, that's a bunch of layers! Hence the lovely wabi-sabi wonkiness of some of my seams.

stay cool, hand-os.
xo bex

inspiration: grannies

My Grannies were sew-ers. Would they be called sewists today? Probably. Then, they were just "women."

Cleo is the fashionable one, who was from Nebraska but never passed a sale without scoring something glamorous. Ms Cleopatra, as a single lady:

Aww. I want to copy this collar. but scoopier, of course, for the modern era. 

Here she is in the way back (are you a fashion historian? What is this, 20s?), showing off her unders and glamming on the porch. Fabulousss. I love how frumpy and froofy her dress is (that's her on the right), and that it still hugs her waist so nicely and is completely see through. This isn't a "flash effect" like you see on the red carpet today, there was no flash photography. She's just out, flashing in the sunshine.

Now- the wedding shot. By this point, she had hopped a boat to Central America, started lying about her age, and bagged an up-and-coming young pilot for her Man. How lovely is her super understated dress? And what? fingerless, opera length gloves? Yups. 

And finally, here she is with my pretty mom and (paternal) great grandmother. In Hawaii in the 60s. I am genetically blessed, right? Pardon the grave note, but this is what Grandma looked like while she was dying of cancer.  

 Not a ton of style to steal directly (like in the form of dress patterns), but I'll keep looking. And no matter what, I get some sweet white hair when it's time. None of that screwing about with grey. Woop!

Can I borrow your grannies' outfits? xo bex

well, that was easy. and a comment on office fashion

 

 That didn't take long. the inside isn't awesome, but it is going to send me to the store for pinking shears. So that's a plus--at least for the local economy and my sewing station.

In other news, JEGGINGS. This trend needs to die. I have seen them worn well, but it was a Sunday evening at that person's own house. There are TWO people wearing jeggings at the office today, and it is just not ok. 

1) they are ferociously ugly and 2) i do not want to see every curve of your lower body, please. please. please. 

from tight jeans - but never jeggings - land, 

xo bex

psst

i can't wait to put this one together. don't tell anyone you saw this fabric though - it's for a special surprise!

SILKS - what to do???

i friend gave me 4 square yards of Thai silk last year. They. are. gorgeous.

but each one is a square. a yard, in a square, of these luscious colors. they would be good for some fancy person's throw pillows, but i am not that person.

here's what i'm thinking:

1) bloomers- one color front, a slightly different color for the back. will that look like i peed myself?
1a) then i could use another square or 2 for a cinnamon cami (ps there's a local shop that carries Colette! wooo. next to the cafe with the donuts...)...but will that become the silk merchant hillbilly look? the colors are nice together, but this is getting a little coat of many colors for a boudoir set, ya know.
2) uhhhhh

 isn't that color nahhce with my nails and pallor?

how do you know when it's time to cut something you've been holding for so long? I want to wear this gorgeous fabric. but maybe i should wait until my chops are up to it? but the shape is so weird, they'd just become a patchwork lining or something...or..help?

here's a favorite washing instruction:

I would like to know who is enforcing this fabric care regulation ;)

ok people - what should i do with this stuff? I'm headed to the fabric store this afternoon, so notions and additionals are all possible....holler! xo R

i finished! a week ago?

Hi! i finished the coat! it's exactly the color scheme I wanted, and the styling is good, but it's way too big.

see? some of the seams are straight! stitching in the ditch (burgundy thread) is not a strong suit.

I'll make a muslin for a complicated project like this next time. I'm really tempted to tear the whole thing apart and take it in, i'm also tempted to just start fresh with another fabric (like wool!). but mostly, i'm excited about a spring wardrobe (even though it's been freezing and I've had the stupid FLU), so i'm looking for dresses and tops patterns for now.

Here is the jacket! I think I'm violating some rule of the sewing bloggers with bathroom mirror pictures, but i'm a n00b, so sue me.

I love the fabric. swish swish swish is it olive or brown? i couldn't tell so i used a contrasting thread & zipper. All told the fabric and MESH lining (so sporty) cost maybe 45 bucks, and i used a zipper that i think came from my mom! total for the jacket is about $60, which went to 1) independent designer and 2) local fabric shop. woo! And it's an excellent price for a good looking rain jacket with a hood...but oh lord it took at least 40 solid hours of work, partially because i had trouble understanding the directions and partially because it had been so long since I sewed something so involved and actually stuck to the pattern...

i'd definitely make it again! with these changes
1)  in a size 6, with the famed FBA. i wayyy overcompensated for the big hips small bust shape of the jacket by making it 8 on bottom and 10 (!) on top. yes, this is why muslins are popular.
2) definitely include pockets. i think on seam (thanks, Amy) is the best option. what with the welt and patch pocket options that popped up in the sewalong, i skipped them out of indecision. But  now that the thing is on my bod, I keep reaching for the nonexistent pockets. (poches!)
3) get the proper zipper length for the hood pocket...heh . you can't tell me what to do!
4) line the hood and collar with fleece / fur / flannel -- something cozy.

5) mesh is easy to work with! way easier than i thought-- but it does reveal the elastic. so know that!
6) get ball point needles. CHECK. I had no idea these existed.

This process also prompted me to get a dressform - here she is! her name is ladyfriend.

i'm been sewing furiously as I avoid my problems (do you recognize that atrocity of a t shirt? its pattern is very hot right now and boy did i blow it!). more photos to come!