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Leopard Print

Here's another quick project I worked up for my New York trip a few weeks ago. 

I've been obsessed with making/buying a leopard print top for several months now. It pretty much all started with these pins from Pinterest (mostly the first one)...

Source: Uploaded by user via Forrest on Pinterest

Source: victoriassecret.com via Forrest on Pinterest

But I hadn't really been able to find a fabric I liked to make one. I did however find this sort of tacky, ruffly, polyester top at Goodwill a month or two ago and I thought I could make it work for now, until I found something better.  

Ugly ruffled sleeves...

So this is the result. I took it in a few inches on each side, I wanted to keep the blousey feel but it was an XL originally so it needed to be trimmed down a bit. I also cut off the cuff, removed the ruffly bit of fabric, shortened the sleeve and reattached the cuffs. They're both the same length in real life even though though they don't look like it in the picture. It's maybe not the most perfect shirt ever but it is comfy and definitely "adequate for the purpose" as my aunt would say.

One more thing:

The lovely Ginger of Ginger Makes nominated me for a Sunshine Award. Such a doll with such awesome knitting skills! I'm crazy jealous because I'm so intimidated by knitting! Anyway, here are the answers to the questions associated with this award.



Favorite color: turquoise, and lets face it, probably pink
Favorite animal: my cat
Favorite number: I don't know if I've ever thought about it... Maybe 25? I'm turning 25 on July 25 and I think it's going to be a good year!
Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Dr. Pepper, it's terrible I know but I'm addicted. Maybe I'll get help soon.
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
My passion: my faith, the boy in my life, my family, my job raising money for good causes, sewing, reading, eating cheese and other things that are bad for me, discovering cool things to do in my city
Getting or giving presents: definitely both
Favorite Pattern: Right now it's either Colette's Clovers or the Bombshell dress from Gertie's Craftsy course, but it changes monthly
Favorite day of the week: Friday
Favorite flower: peonies (same as Ginger!)

Favorite celebrity role model: Amy Poehler, I adore her. Close seconds are Tina Fey, Mindy Kaling and Kristen Wiig. Basically any lady that is hilarious...

Happy Monday darlings!

Crazy Lady Top

Over the past few days I've been sewing, packing and cleaning up a storm in preparation for my New York trip and I've actually finished a few pieces but the weather has been horrible so photographing hasn't really been an option... In the meantime, I thought I'd show you this weird top I made a few weeks ago out of a piece of fabric from my neighborhood thrift store.

I love the crazy print but here's the issue, this wasn't actually a piece of yardage. I'm pretty sure it was the back piece of a jacket lining that never got sewn together.  I thought I had pictures of the original piece but I can't find them so you'll just have to imagine. It was pretty large so I figured I could at least get a Sorbetto out of it. The fabric is a crazy shiny polyester I'm assuming from the 70's?

I added sleeves and had to add a seam on the back in order to make it work with the small amount of fabric. Luckily the print is so crazy you can't really tell...

 

Here it is with a blazer, which is how I'll normally wear it due to the picture below...

This neckline is gaping like crazy! I think it could be caused by one of two reasons:

a. I forgot to staystich the edge of the blouse.

b. I used a bias facing but it wasn't actually cut on the bias because I didn't have enough fabric for that.

I intended this top to be something worn under blazers or cardigans because the print is kind of wacky and overwhelming, so I guess it will still work in that capacity.

 

Here's a close-up of the fabric. Can you see the ladies with crazy hair in the print? They're why I bought it...

Anyway, two more days before I leave for NYC! Hopefully I'll get some more finished objects up in the meantime, but get ready for some fabric porn after my trip to the Garment District on Tuesday!

One more top before Christmas...

Here's yet another top I've made with in the last few weeks to beef up my separates wardrobe...

It's a blouse version of Simplicity 2497, the pattern I made my cocktail dress from! I have to admit, modifying this pattern to a blouse was stolen from Sew Tessuti. It was a really easy modification, I just measured the length of a shirt I liked, then added the difference to the bottom of the bodice front and back pieces. I didn't even trace it on to new paper or anything, just pinned the original pattern piece to the fabric, measured down, drew a chalk line and cut.

I went back and forth on the details of it for a while. First I was going to make it sleeveless with the ruffle detail, like the Tessuti version, but then I decided I might want sleeves too. After going back and forth on using one or both elements, I finally ended up with just the sleeves because they have a really pretty detail, and I worried that with the ruffle it would be overkill...

Love the pleating! (even though it's crazy wrinkled!)

Here's a more color accurate picture on leopard-print me. The color is really pretty and vibrant. I think I look best in jewel tones, so I should probably make a few more like this!

Sorry for the wrinkles!

I really adore the fabric, which I bought from Fabricmart forever ago. It's a charmuese and it was so easy to work with! Suspiciously easy actually. Maybe it's made of rayon? I bought it a while back so I can't remember for sure...

Now back to my endless Christmas sewing that must be accomplished in the next two days! Ahhhhh!

Toppers

I still haven't taken pictures of my Thanksgiving dress because I'm super lazy, so that will have to wait a few days. In the mean time, I thought I'd show you two tops I made a few weeks ago.

I, like most seamstresses, tend to make mostly dresses because, well, they're more fun... But I've been trying to up my separates game, especially when it comes to tops, so I have something to wear with slacks when it gets cold. Here are two steps in that direction...

First, I made a Pendrell! I'm going to be trite and reiterate what all the other bloggers have said, this pattern is fabulous! It was easy to put together and I really like the way it fits and looks. I finished the inside with french seams, which I know is crazytown on a princess seamed blouse but it worked out all right. It's made with a poly charmuese (sp?) from JoAnns.

 
So here's the problem... I didn't notice until it was already finished that I inserted the sleeves unevenly! Luckily you can't really tell because of the pattern, so I pointed it out for you. Yikes! Somehow they're even on the back but not on the front! I asked my co-workers if it was super obvious and they said they couldn't really tell so I'm going to ignore it, instead of ripping it all apart and re-doing it.

Next up is a tie-front blouse from the 10/2010 issue of Burda. This was made with yet another poly charmuese from JoAnns. Clearly I have an addiction to super difficult to work with fabric.

I think I like this blouse in theory more than in actuality. Even though I cut the tie smaller than the instructions called for, the slippery, heavy fabric is making the bow hang strangely. I think overall it's fine, but I don't love it the way I thought I would.

Despite the problems though, yay for new tops!

Skirt of Armor

So, as often happens when I set lofty goals, life got in the way this week and even though I cut out 3 tops on Sunday, I didn't get around to making any. However, I was able to make a quick outfit last night for a concert this weekend. Both the top and the skirt were self drafted. The top was from Miss P's tutorial for a quick drafted top. The skirt is inspired by this tutorial by Mommy Go Round via Sweet Verbena...

I was dumb when drafting the pattern for the top and I made the neckline a little too large, so this has become yet another off the shoulder top (accidentally cut my face out of this one...). Other than that I'm pretty happy with it, I was looking to make a blousy, slightly over sized top to tuck into skirts and this fits the bill.

I have to admit I kind of love this skirt. It makes me laugh and I think it's going to be great for work with a cardigan (they already think I dress weird...)

Hopefully I'll get to the tops tomorrow night, and in the meantime, I'll have another fun project to show you tomorrow!

Happy weekend!

Thrifting + a Good Mail Day

Lots of sewing items acquired this weekend. First off, the new Burda and a Sewaholic pattern came in the mail!

I loved lots of things about the new Burda but I really loved the fairytale theme than ran through the issue and I thought the Christmas crafts were adorable! It almost makes me wish I had kids so I could make a Little Red Riding Hood house!

Also loved the artwork for these plate and fabric transfers!

This page makes me want to learn to knit RIGHT NOW. How cozy does that blanket look? LOVE it!

I ordered the Sewaholic pattern to make this skirt for my sister. She is young and cute and in college so she can get away with wearing cute short skirts. I already had the perfect fabric in my stash so when I saw her pin this on Pinterest I knew all I needed was the Crescent skirt pattern to make it. Hopefully starting on this in the next few days...

Source: flickr.com via Forrest on Pinterest

Next up I visited my neighborhood thrift store and picked up some more sewing stuff. I probably have 20 jacket and top patterns just like this but for 25 cents I couldn't resist taking them home just to make sure...

I also picked up this hilarious jumpsuit pattern that just makes me laugh with it's craziness, but let's face it, I'll probably make it and pretend it's cool. I loved the sexiness of this 70's jersey dress, not sure when I'll make it but I couldn't pass it up.

Finally I found this great 60's Vogue suit in my size, and...

3 yards of black wool suiting, which is exactly how much this pattern calls for! And for only $6! Yay! To be honest, I have no idea when I'll get around to this project but I feel like it was serendipity to find the pattern and the fabric together!

Today I'm starting my "Week of Tops". I'm hoping to get through my Fall sewing by powering through a category of clothing each week. This week I hope to finish 3-4 tops, next week I'll focus on 3-4 skirts, then I'll give myself 2 weeks to get through 3-4 dresses. All the tops are cut out, and they should be fairly easy because they're all pullovers with no closures. However, I'm supposed to be spending this afternoon teaching a girlfriend how to sew, so my projects will have to take a back burner today. We'll see how it goes!

Hope your weekend was fabulous!

Polka Dot Fever

My last two sewing projects unfortunately did not count towards my stash busting goal since they were already cut out when I counted my yardage. Now, however, the busting begins. I started working through the extra green and white polka dot left from my fabulously 80's dress. First I made a Sorbetto (no pleat, plus sleeves) that is a fun, lightweight, easy piece...

This picture doesn't show the shirt very well but I like the way it made my "reading nook" look so I used it anyway. Plus my battery was about to die... Also, I've been getting a TON of wear out of this skirt!

Next, I have a baby shower coming up next weekend and inspired by Valerie I decided to make baby shoes. I was telling a co-worker about my project and she asked me to make a set for a baby shower she has this weekend. I also threw in a diaper cover inspired by the tutorial on Made (the shoes are based on these). I'm planning on making another set in the polka dot, plus one in pink gingham for my shower. Yay for stash busting! (also, I'm not gonna lie, making baby shoes makes me 1% want to have a baby...)


TGIF!

Sewing Seperates and my Fall Reading List...

I actually made something! It's a red hot miracle... Ever since Zo announced Self Stitched September '11, I've been contemplating what I'll need to do to get ready. I participated in March but opted out in June because I figured I hadn't made enough new pieces. Now, however, I think I've made enough stuff that September should look pretty different than March. I've also been on a separates kick, due to the fact that I had pretty much only had dresses to wear for the March challenge. I found this pattern at an estate sale a while back and I adore it! I think it has great 30's feel despite being made in the 80's. I'm dying to make a pair of high waisted, black linen trousers to wear with it.

The material is a really loose weave cotton, almost like gauze. It's a vintage piece that I picked up at the same estate sale where I got the pattern. It was sort of difficult to work with but I loved the pattern and colors too much to give up. I have no tripod and no helper so this is my attempt at a self portrait in the shirt...

Close up of the sleeves...


Also, here's a picture of the third assembly line skirt in action. Not necessary but I really liked the shoes with it...

Finally, exciting things this week! Elaine at Selfish Seamstress is back! Her's is the first blog I really read when I started sewing, plus her Burda previews are hilarious! Glad to have her back. Also, Sarai at Collette announced her new book. I'll admit, I saw it on Amazon a few weeks ago and I'm definitely pre-ordering it! As well as these other books (and Gertie's when it comes out!)...

Source: amazon.com via Forrest on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Forrest on Pinterest

Source: amazon.com via Forrest on Pinterest

Happy weekend!

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People are Reading My Mind!

The top on the leopard print version of me, with the cat hiding behind...

Secondly, I am constantly amazed at how connected our brains are in the sewing blog community. It's like we have communal ESP! Just this week, my fellow Texan, Sarah at The Sew Weekly, made a dress crazy similar to the She's Out of My League dress I made earlier in the year for the black and white challenge. (PS pictures of my completed dress for the challenge will hopefully be up tomorrow)

Hers is made from a different pattern (also from Simplicity's Project Runway line) but with the exact same fabric from JoAnns! Guess I'm not the only one who thought that fabric screamed for a full skirt!

The Universe is Consipiring Against Me...

I'll admit, the reason I'm HORRIBLY broke right now has a lot to do with several unnecessary, impulse, splurge-like purchases in the last few weeks (True Blood Season 3, I'm looking at you...). However, when I realized I didn't have the right elastic for my fabulously 80's green polka dot dress, I thought, rather than running to the fabric store and being tempted to buy tons of things I don't need when I pretty much can only afford to eat rice and air sandwiches until next Tuesday (aka payday), I'll just start some other sewing projects that I can make entirely with stuff from my stash and in the process, clear out some room for new purchases.

So I start working on the Sorbetto top from Colette Patterns since I NEVER sew separates and I figured all I needed was fabric and thread, which I have plenty of!

Due to my current obsession with Pintrest/Polyvore, I found this fabulous top and decided to modify the Sorbetto pattern with a ruffle and use the remenants of a gray bedsheet I had in my stash to imitate it...

Source: polyvore.com via Forrest on Pinterest

After carefully cutting, gathering and attaching the new ruffle to near perfection, I ran completely out of gray thread!!! Looks like this whole "sewing from my stash" plan is going to be more difficult than I thought and this potentially cute top will be added to the stack of things that will get finished after payday...