Current Projects and a little Thrifting

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Last night I decided to make my mister a tie to match my holiday cocktail dress. I used the free pattern available as a PDF from the Purl Bee. You can get a copy here, if you’re so inclined: http://www.purlbee.com/fathers-day-ties.

It came out super stiff and really short. If I were to make it again, I’d add several inches to the middle. I do love how skinny it is. We’re going to look straight out of Mad Men. If only I could convince him to wear a pair of vanity horn rimmed glasses. I still have enough of this fabric to possibly make a clutch purse. Do you think that is too matchy-matchy?

This was the first time he's "successfully" tied a tie.

Today, I went over to my friend Sofia’s and we had a sewing party. I helped her make some little aprons for her nieces and I was able to cut out my next project. I HATE CUTTING! It’s so boring. I was able to get over my fear of the rotary cutter, that does help speed things along.

I’m making Mr. F this sweet 70’s western shirt out of this super cozy plaid flannel. I’m making view B, with the rodeo announcer yoke. I think I’m really going to enjoy using vintage patterns, because they are usually cut (have I mentioned how boring I think cutting is?).

Yee HAW

I told him I was going to make him a shirt for his birthday (in September) which I never got around to. I really need to get this done before we leave for Christmas vacation. It’ll be the most badass Christmas shirt ever!

In other news, I went to one of the thrift stores near my house and scored 4 yards of this 60″ wide upholstery fabric. It’s camel colored and will soon become a cape. I’ve been lusting over capes recently. Today I saw someone wearing one and she looked so chic. That will be me. I also have 16 holiday napkins which I plan on upcycling into the most obnoxious Christmas skirt an ugly-sweater-party has ever seen. I’m stoked.

I also found a picture of a beaver.

Butterick 6582, I’m in love

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My Yaya (grandma) has about half a dozen gorgeous dresses from the 60’s in her closet. My grandpa was in the navy andnd once upon a time they lived in Hong Kong. While they were stationed there he had gorgeous clothes made for her. Sigh. I used to borrow them  for special occasions (prom, weddings etc). Here’s my favorite dress from a friend’s wedding a few years ago.

We like to get low on occasion.

I can’t find a better photo or one that includes the matching boxy jacket. They are all to die for, but sadly they all eventually go back to her.  I really think she should give them all to me! My sister and cousins will feel sad and I will never let them borrow them ever.

I just completed Butterick 6582, which is a retro re-production of a pattern originally printed in 1960. This is in homage to those fabulous dresses and it’s mine-all-mine!

I used some emerald/ tealish and gold brocade I found on sale at Joann fabrics (This hot little number cost me less than $20 to make).

I cut a size 12, and had to make a few adjustments to get the fit close to right (I made two muslins). I shortened the waist 1 1/4″ and the length by 2″ so that it would hit below my knee as opposed to mid-calf. I also ended up making the side seams a full inch to get this bad boy to hug my curves..

The adjustment I’m most proud of was figuring out how to lower the back 6″ and re-drafting the back facing to fit.I finished the side seams by pinking and finished the facings with vintage pink seam binding (from 1966, naturally). I inserted an invisible zipper  for the first time (thank you Colette Patterns) and hemmed by hand using a catch stitch (thank you Sewaholic).

What I’ve done so far.

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This first thing I made were bandanas for my dogs. You can tell by the photo how enthusiastic they are about them.

He hates life right now

I followed that up by a purse made for my sisters graduation. I’ve never seen her use it 🙂

My family has put up with me giving clumsy gifts for the past year

Next up, a little bit better, pot holders and an apron for my Yaya (that’s my g-ma folks). She loves them, that’s why grandmas are the best people. Then I started getting interested in sewing clothes. I appliqued cutesy owls to a skirt  (I never wear this) Cheesy cheesy cheesy.

I copied these owl from a library book

Then I made my first garment, a skirt in icky, quilting cotton. People, I swear I have taste. I didn’t feel like learning how to hem yet, so I bound the bottom in bias binding. I was super pleased with myself and wore this on the fourth of July.

I'm super fucking pleased with myself.

At this point in my sewing voyage, I’d become completely smitten with making things. I became a voracious reader of sewing blogs and books. Absorbing as much knowledge as possible and I decided to focus on making clothes.

My next victim was my husband, poor guy.

I made him laugh. He's not normally this excited

I actually really like how this shirt came out. Unfortunately it only lasted two washings. Apparently you need to finish your seams.

I even tried piping, although I didn't bother looking up the proper way to do it. Baby steps people.

Next I made Beignet by Colette Patterns. This came out awesome, I’m on fire!

❤ It's pink and has glamorous ladies from the 50's on the facings.

Next up 2 missteps. I caught the romper bug and it’s a mistake. Not flattering at all. Probably because I’m not 5. Oh well, they can’t all be wins.

I wont ever post the back of this one!

The next is a floral dress that was looking good until I royally messed up the neck band. I still wear it, I don’t care.

Best viewed from far away

I made my little sisters 22nd birthday dress. She looked awesome.

She's a ham.

I used Simplicity 2406. We’re really good dancers. Then Halloween came. I went as Babraham Lincoln and my husband as Sexy John Wilkes Booth.

This is so sexy I give myself a boner looking at it.

That my friends is about 6 months of work and ya’ll are up to date.