French Korean Inspiration

Wow!  So many new friends have joined Etcetorize lately, you have no idea how happy you all make me! 

For all of you new Etcetorizers, you may not know that at least once a week I try to post something that I think is inspiring.  Usually it's a photo from my travels around the world or just from my own backyard.  (You can see the past posts on the Inspiration Shot tab up top.)

This week though I'm going to show you something that isn't related to sewing, fashion, crafting, or even travel, but I think both things will inspire you.

First up is this amazing video from "Korea's Got Talent".  My friend sent this to me at work. Luckily everyone in the office had left by the time I got to watch it.  It's a tear jerker...but it's soooooo sweet....get your hankies ready...

                            

I just love how sincere he is.  He just wants to sing because it makes him happy.  How refreshing is that?!?!

OK, now that you're all emotional, let's jump to the other side of the world and really party down.  Have you heard of this blog?


Jordan is a party planner who used to live in San Francisco but recently moved to Paris, France with her family and is now living the high life crafting and blogging in France.

She has so many cool and fun projects from photo booths:


to party invites:


She also has what is probably the most incredible giveaway in blog history going on right now!

Believe it or not, Jordan is giving away a flight and hotel accommodations for a trip to Paris, France....did you just fall off your chair???  Yes, a flight from the US to Paris and one week to hang out in Paris, with or without her as your tour guide.  Is that not incredible?

You don't even have to do anything too crazy to enter.  Just head over to her wonderful blog and check out the entry rules here .  (I'm having one or two issues with blogger at the moment, so if that link doesn't work, go to ohhappyday.com and find the June 6th posting).   The contest ends on June 20th so make sure to get your entry in before that.

Thanks to Kathleen over at Grosgrain for bringing this contest to my attention!

See you tomorrow with another fun tutorial! 

Hope your inspired!

PS....I just changed my comment area to a pop-up window instead of an embedded form.  For all of us who have been having problems leaving comments this seems to be a solution for many blogs.  Let me know if this helps~

Summer Essential: The Maxi Dress

What's the one boho chic thing you need in your closet for the summer????  The Maxi Dress of course!  I love maxi dresses.  They're so comfy, they're easy to dress up or down, and they make you look sooooooooooo tall!

This is a Cynthia Rowley design for Simplicity.  At first I had a hard time figuring out the waistband but once I figured that out it was smooth sailing. 


Still in the Simplicity stock line-up!

The straps are self made bias binding.  I was nervous about this part because I figured there was no way the straps would end up being the right length, but they were!  They fit perfectly.

Here's a close-up of the pattern on the fabric.  It's a very slippery slidey polyester.  I know, I know, euwwwww.  Everyone hates polyester.  But sometimes it works.  Sometimes it flows, and sometimes it washes 10 times better than other fabrics....so sometimes I use it.  Besides, I figure if I'm going for a 70's vibe I might as well go all the way~

And because I like you guys so much I'm going to share another maxi dress!  (Two for one, just for you)

For this one I used this great vintage pattern from 1979.

The pattern is a sort of basket weave look (yes, more polyester).

How about you?  Do you go for the maxi dress?  I think they're great for everyone, every size, every shape.  There are so many variations.   What's your summer go to outfit?  Leave a comment~

Sewing Pattern Reviews

Have you heard of patternreview.com ?

It's a very cool site where you can read and submit reviews on sewing patterns, books, machines, stores, classes, websites, etc.

If you become a member (you can join for free or buy a premium membership) and write reviews you can pick up a customized widget like this one that's at the bottom of my sidebar:




There's even a fabric glossary, sewing podcasts, newsletters, expert speakers, contests and so much more!  There are almost 260,000 members and over 86,000 reviews that are, believe it or not, easy to sift through to find what you're looking for.  If you're a sewer, you need to be on this website.  It doesn't matter what level you are, there's something for everyone. 

I have to say though that there are a couple of drawbacks.  It's not overly attractive, maybe even a little dated in its design.  Also, it can be a bit cumbersome from time to time with multiple log-ins.  However, if you can get over those two little things, you'll enjoy the site.

The more pattern reviews you post and the more that other's leave comments and indicate how helpful your review is, the more stars you earn.  I got my first star this past week!!  I guess the more stars you have the more people are willing to listen to what you have to say (???).

I'm enjoying the community and I love that I can look up a pattern there first to see if anyone had any problems with it or if there were a number of people who made similar adjustments to a pattern.  It's a great way to save a lot of time and frustration, plus it's kind of fun to check out everyone else's projects.

If you have a sewing blog I highly recommend joining this community.  It's a great way to connect with other sewers and to reach a whole new audience.

Are you a member already?  Have you tried it out?  Leave a comment below and let everyone know what you think.

Super Simple Summer Sack

OK, once you've mastered that tongue twister you're ready to make one!  This is one of the simplest designs but so cute, with lots of room for all of your beach stuff or little things you pick up at garage sales.

Here are the supplies I used:



+ a sewing machine

I used .8 metre (31.5") of 115cm (45") wide cotton fabric, but you can use any length.  The longer your rectangle, the bigger your bag will be~

Steps:

1) Create a tube with your fabric by folding it along the long edge, right sides together, and closing the open edge.

2) With a straight edge, mark a diagonal line from one corner to the other and cut along this line.

    

3)  You now have two large triangles.  Hem the two sides.  You can just zig zag or serge, turn over, and sew down for the basic purse.  I lined mine for a more finished look.  I just followed the first two steps again with contrasting fabric, laying one lining on top of one outside fabric, right sides together, and stitching up the two triangle sides.  Just ignore all of this if you're going for the super simple version and do a simple hem.

4) Once your sides are hemmed, lay one triangle on top of the other, lining up the bottoms, and having the bottom point of the left triangle match up with the centre of the right triangle.  Pin along the edge.

5) Turn over your triangles and overlap the same way on this side as you did in step four.

6) Stitch along the edges where the fabrics overlap, attaching the two fronts together.  You can continue to the end of the strap if you like.

7) You're almost done, just the bottom to close up.  Turn your bag inside out, pin along the bottom.  You may need to trim your fabrics to line them up.  This is normal because when you cut your diagonal lines you cut along the bias of the fabric.  That can sometimes cause the fabric to stretch.  Just trim what you need to, pin, and sew through ALL of the layers of fabric.

If you  have a serger, serge your hem.  Make sure to cut your corners so that when you turn your bag right side out the corners won't bunch up.

(If you want a flat bottom, just use the technique I showed you when I made this cushion.)

8) Here's what you should have.

9) Just tie the straps, fling it over your shoulder, and away you go!

 I made another one for my friend Gen who gave me the Vintage Dress and Silk Blouse to transform that you all liked so much.

There are sooooo many ways you can make this your own.  You don't even need to buy new fabric, you can make these using a pillow case if you want.  Add some piping or lace along the edges, play with the proportions of your rectangles, add fabric embellishments...the list goes on and on.

Have fun with it and check out loads of other great projects on the linky party tab.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Here come the Lilacs

Yay!  Finally, the lilacs are starting to bloom.  I have 9 Lilac trees in my yard and the really fun part when they bloom is that almost each one of them has a different flower.

I don't know the names of any of these varieties, I just know that they're all so pretty and smell so nice.



Just a common Lilac



Variegated Petals



White Lilacs!



Light Mauve

Light with a bluey undertone

Too bad you aren't able to smell them but trust me, it's lovely~

I think I'll wear a mauve top today!

Bridesmaids

I went to see Bridesmaids at the theatre last night with some friends.

Source

This movie comes to us from the same people who did "Knocked Up", "The 40 Year Old Virgin", and "Superbad" but I have to say this one is sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better.

I really needed a laugh and boy did I get one, one after another after another.

Source

Of course, we already know that Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph are hilarious, but here's the girl who really steals the show:

Melissa McCarthy

I knew I knew her from somewhere but couldn't place her.  She's Molly from the TV show Mike and Molly and she's been on loads of other TV shows.  (Did you know that she's Jenny McCarthy's cousin??)  Without her, this move would have been funny.  With her, it's hold your sides because they hurt so hard from laughing funny.

        

I think you can figure out the plot just from the title so I won't get into all that.  Just know that if you're having a bad day and want to take your mind off of something that's bugging you, head to the theatre, watch this movie, and I promise, you will feel better.

Besides, this cutie patootie will make it worth your while.

Chris ODowd

(Note: This movie is rate R for fairly good reason, but if you can handle a little vulgarity I think you'll have a good time.)

Have you seen it already?  On your way to see it?  Leave a comment below and let others know what you thought of it.