I'm still trying to get to know my camera so sometimes I go out into my garden to test out all of the fancy dancy settings. Here are some shots I got recently:
Chives have taken over half of my flower beds, but they're so pretty sometimes I just leave them...
Dragonflies are whizzing around everywhere...the good thing is that they've taken care of the out of control mosquitoe problem that was going on. Just wish I could find one in that beautiful bluey green colour...
Crab apples will be ready to pick soon!!
And sour cherries are always ready. Yummmmmm~
Just as I was about to go inside I noticed my beautiful, pretty, gorgeous little Katya sitting on a ledge just waiting patiently to have her picture taken. When I bent down and took her shot here's what she did...
She stuck her tongue out at me! That little stinker~ Ohhhh, she makes me laugh.
Over the summer I've shown you lots of super duper easy schmeasy things that I've sewn. Today, I thought I'd show you that I can actually tackle more detailed projects too!
Any sewer will tell you that Vogue has some of the most lovely designs, however they aren't always the easiest to sew. This pattern is great though.
It's pretty, fairly simple, very comfy, and still has lots of designer details that make it completely unique.
I've made the blouse in the middle picture (without the ties on the bottom hem). I used a quality rayon with some pretty flat black lace at the neckline.
Here's a close up look:
Unfortunately, I think this pattern may be out of print. But if you have it in your stock and haven't gotten around to making it yet, it's one that I'd say you should give a try.
I actually made this as a maternity top for a friend too! I just lengthened it a bit. Hopefully it doesn't look like a maternity top on me~
I love it either way. I think it's cute. Some day I plan on making the other two versions. Which by the way are completely different. Vogue patterns can be extremely pricey unless you find a good sale, so it's always nice when you get one that has several items in one envelope that aren't almost the same.
All in all, this is a great pattern. Vogue has some other really pretty Anna Sui patterns. You can find them here or at your local fabric store.
As you look around Etcetorize make sure you check out the "Follow my Friends" tab up top for more great crafting, decorating, and DIY blogs. If you've hit the follow button on the sidebar then you're invited to add your own button there too....just like Fonda from Southern Scraps did!
At first I thought Fonda's blog might be all about scrapbooking...but it's not! Her tag line is "Creating, Cooking, Stamping, Scrapbooking, Sewing (mostly with scraps!) in the Deep South and sharing ideas and tips along the way".
She makes the cutest things with scraps. Check out her super cute Flower Bouquet Tank .
Fonda has a little bit of everything for everyone over at Southern Scraps so head on over there and say hello. Make sure to come back and tell the rest of us what you found~
Oh! I almost forgot...Fonda has a special coupon code for Etcetorize that you can only find on her blog. Offer ends August 31st so don't wait too long~
Have a great day everyone~
Don't forget to add your own blog button on the "Follow My Friends" tab so that you can be featured too!
Last weekend we went from beautiful, sunny, hot skies to cold, grey, and rainy all within a day. Of course the lack of sunshine got me a bit down and I figured I had better start thinking about my fall wardrobe.
So, even though today's tutorial is a little ahead of the season it could easily be altered to make something much more light and summery for you~
All you need is a T-shirt and a pair of scissors.
Steps:
1) Lay your T-shirt out on a flat surface and cut a straight line from under one arm hole to the other.
You should have something that looks like this:
You can toss away the top part with the neckline and arm holes, or save it for another project, we're only going to use the bottom portion.
2) Rotate your tube so that the bottom of the t-shirt is farthest away from you and the edge that you just cut is closest to you.
3) Now you just need to cut long skinny strips up to about the 1/2 or 2/3 point. My strips are about a half inch wide.
4) Continue that all the way along the width of your tube.
5) And now comes the fun part. Stretch each little strip down so that it curls into itself and is even longer, skinnier, and fringier.
6) And voila! You're done. Just slip it on over your head and if it's big enough, double it up. Now you have a new and stylish scarf!
I call this the copycat scarf because it's not my idea at all. In fact, I found it in my suggested videos to watch on YouTube. You can check out the video below with Erica Domesek from P.S. I Made This...
Happy fringing everyone!! Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out the linky party tab up top along with the Follow my Friends tab~
I think it's just as wearable today as it was over 40 years ago. What a classic!
This one's from 1970:
Ah, if only I could be as cool and sophisticated as the woman in white~
Here are some great modern day versions from Micheal Kors and Ralph Lauren:
Sometimes updating a pattern has little to do with the shape and more to do with the styling. Use a beautiful modern print or go khaki for a safari vibe. You could even try some shirting material for a sort of sexy men's wear feel.
For this and other great patterns from the 50's up to the 80's head over to Etcetorize Vintage Pattern Supplies and check out all the great fashions from the past.
I have to admit that Victoria's Secret is one of my favourite places to window shop. What's funny though is that I don't really look at their lingerie so much. I love their make-up and clothes!
It's on sale right now for almost $70. As much as I love VS, I would never pay that much for a tube dress.
So here's my version:
I didn't use a pattern. I just made one long tube for the body and layered another shorter on the top for the ruffle. Then I hemmed it, made an elastic casing in the top, and voila it was done.
Well, actually, it did sit on my sewing desk for far too long because was paralyzed with indecision on two fronts. Whether or not to add an empire or regular waist and whether I wanted a simple rolled edge or if I should add some lace to pretty it up like the VS version.
Eventually I told myself to get on with it and just did a rolled hem with my serger. But I wore it once and realized instantly that something was missing so I added some pretty crochet lace to the ruffle.
Instead of any waist at all I just added a belt. I think this'll give me some flexibility in styling it.
I used a really thin cotton batik print so it's great for those days that are super hot but I still want to be covered up and girly.
If I had a bit more fabric I would've done another ruffle on the bottom hem but I like it as is too.
Now if I could just get the golden Victoria's Secret glow, come hither stare, and super sexy hair!
PS...don't you just love my crazy big sunglasses??? I had an empty spot on my Sunglass Holder and just had to fill it~
