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| My newly made knit top and pants |
Anyway I tried to throw it off balance a bit with this reversible vest I made awhile back
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| + ebay shoe/boots (I think they may be too small...) |
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| Another view with my old refashioned purple shoes |
I made a black knit straight skirt, and with the fabric left over I made the straight leg pants. Both from a Katherine Tilton pattern. These were the best fitting pants I've ever made. I usually have to jerry-rig them after the fact to fit right. Maybe I finally figured out the mystery of making pants that fit. (hallelujah!) Then there's a purple print knit that used a pattern created by Katherine's sister, Marcy for a T top. Although I changed that up a bit at the neckline. It was so easy, I couldn't believe it. I'm a new convert to knits because of those guys. And finally a real stash buster. I put together a wild one using all leftovers, including a broken zipper to make a top from another of Marcy Tilton's patterns. Again I went my own way with designing the bottom hemline (no revised pic of that yet). You can see the latest pieces on the Clothes for Spring page or by clicking on the bold items.
I'm off to join Patti's Not Dead Yet Style, late again and the crowd at Monday Mingle. But right on time for Lakota's Tah-dah Tuesday! Come on by.
So glad to see your post, my lovely Pao.
ReplyDeleteLove your reversible waistcoat.
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More made from fabric scraps refashions - love them.
DeleteWould we ever be content within a capsule? I think not. Unless we're living out of a suitcase because we're on some fantastic trip.
ReplyDeleteThe vest mucks it up just right.
I like the zing of the purple shoes as well.
You're right. This was an accidental capsule. I know, interesting how matching too much makes one uneasy. I like the big purple shoes best too. The pointy heels made me feel too old lady like.
DeleteWoohoo for reversibility! I'm itching to tackle another reversible belt, working on too many projects right now. Can't get over your fabulous purple shoes.
ReplyDeleteReversibility is like a fun secret to show off. I saw your prototype for the new two-sided belt - very cool indeed. I'm sure you have a waiting list already. Too many projects can be a good thing, don't ya think?
DeleteAbsolutely. Two more weeks before I can go fabric hunting for reversible belts, but I do enjoy my many pursuits. I'm back to writing on top of everything else. I'm trying not to let the inspiration slip away before I get it all out.
DeleteIf you have an idea notebook, or even blog about it, I find it helps to keep the ideas from floating away when you're not looking!
DeleteLOVE the vest! I am a vest fanatic. Don't they just complete an outfit?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Megan Mae...the purple shoes are awesome!
Yes! Vestless is liked being practically undressed-less. I have several versions of the one above and even made them for friends - they're such fun stash busters.
DeleteLove your blog name and am coming right over to visit, Diane.
Don't worry, you are not too matchy matchy. Still twisted in the best way. The clothes you make are so unique that they always have a delightful pinch. Now let's see you in a video go-go dancing.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's such a relief to hear you say so Ms. Melanie. But I've gotta say ix-nay on the ideo-vay.
DeleteYou'll never be too matchy matchy, there's too much quirkiness and individuality and cool attention to detail in everything you wear.
ReplyDeleteI love that vest and the trousers fit like a dream! xxx
ahhh Vix, you are such a sweetheart. I love getting reassurance from two of the most fabulously miss-matchy stars of the blogosphere. Am I in heaven?
DeletePao, you will never be too matchy matchy. You bring all your creativity to your clothes and make them just pao. Love anything reversible (like this fabulous vest). Thanks for bringing it to Vis Monday.
ReplyDeleteThat's a relief to hear, Patti! My hidden fears released. I just pao-ed them. You are a good therapist! Thanks for having us all at Vis Monday.
DeleteI'm pretty sure my life would be transformed if I could make my own trousers!
ReplyDeleteStart now, it takes awhile, but is surely worth it. I'm a very slow and easy does it learner - you may be quick as lightening! I mean look at that cake!!
DeleteI love your use of fabric scraps and 'wild one' is a new term which has great possibilities. The pattern on your reversible vest is swoon-worthy, but a shame if the boots are too small. Could they be stretched???
ReplyDeleteDo you like the way I say "I think they may be too small?" Translation: They're too small, but I don't want them to be. I don't know, how are boots/shoes stretched? I was even thinking of cutting up the toe area and reconstructing them, but it seems a shame since they are brand new, never been worn...and the bottoms have this delicious scene of elves and mushrooms et. al painted on them.
DeleteThat's not matchy-matchy--that's FABULOUS!!! I love the outfit and the vest is so cool!!
ReplyDeleteOh, you make me feel so good Tamera!
DeleteYou don't look matchy matchy to me and I love your waistcoat. The purple shoes are gorgeous. I really don't think you need to worry at all.
ReplyDeleteI had a pair of boots stretched by a shoe mender. It helped a bit, but not enough to make them really comfortable - sadly they were just too small for me.
I was looking up how to do the boot stretch thing myself after Judith mentioned it, so I am going to give it a try. The suggestion was to fill a zip lock plastic bag with water, put it in the shoe and then put it all in the freezer over night. We'll see. Maybe I'll get cold feet!
DeleteI think the reversible vest just pulled it all together more. Sorry. You're not matchy-matchy. You're just impeccably styled. Should I say sorry for that? lol
ReplyDeleteI'm in on the IDGAF Club. We need letterhead.
No apologies needed. Yes! And buttons and a secret handshake and a clubhouse and IDGAF what else!
DeleteI don't think you look matchy matchy - love the reversible vest! Why don't clothes designers do more of that - I only have a couple of reversible things and its fun to wear them one way and then the next another time.
ReplyDeleteI love fabric that looks interesting on either side - the right or wrong side. That's what this vest was made from. I think there are designers that do use that, I just don't know names...
DeleteYou stun. You sparkle. In a perfectly coordinated way. No way too matchy matchy. Pretty awesomey though. Love the reversible vest!
ReplyDeleteYou're the last straw, Bella. If you so say, I just gotta believe. Ain't no better one to pass the judgement: No way matchy matchy! And even better: Awesomey! Yea.
DeleteGee, it's tough when you have so many lovely clothes you can't decide which ones to wear! Looking good, dear pao. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo sad. You know how I feel about shoes/boots - no matter how cute, if they aren't comfortable then they are gonzo. Life's too short to live with sore feet.
Yeah, I know Louisa. It's the price I pay for sewing so much - so many nice clothes, so little time to wear them all. sigh.
DeleteAs for shoes...even though I got them for a good price, they've still never been worn and pricey originally and cutish. I won't wear them as is, but I hate to just toss 'em. And I really don't want to get into ebay selling. So I think I will give the self-stretching a try around the toes first...
Good-fitting pants are an essential. I'm so glad for you for achieving that and motivated to try a Tilton pants pattern for myself.
ReplyDeleteAs for shoe stretching - I once stretched shoes for a co-worker and they got too big for her, so watch out.
We used shoemakers stretchers, the ones you can make longer by increments. If you own a pair of good stretchers with wooden toe boxes in your true size use those. If not, get some cheap flexible metal stretchers.
Insert a tightly balled up newsprint into the toe area, and arch the metal between the paper and the heel. (Or use the wooden stretcher as is.) Then put the shoes on a warm radiator. The warmer the faster this works.
Keep inserting a few balls of paper in certain intervals to mimic the effect of a shoemakers stretcher.
In the case of the over-stretched shoes we left them first for the day and then overnight.
If you do this at home you have the opportunity to try them on periodically.
(I can tell you my co-worker was not pleased. Those were new shoes and she just needed them broken in.)
Another thing you could attempt, either before or after stretching, is to cut a notch on the outside (inside too if you wish) rim near the ankle bone. This will give more width at the toppers if that is an issue.
I hope you succeed, these shoes are too much fun to be passed up. Though you could always cut the leather out and make jewelry... or a small purse... perhaps.
Ok, so I can go hot or cold with them. We have hot water radiators so that could work. I don't have any shoemaker stretchers though, have to see about the metal ones. I just need the toe box stretched higher up, not necessarily wider. Everything else is fine. Thanks for the tip, Juli!
DeleteI'm so jealous of your ability to make your clothes!
ReplyDeleteDon't be jealous, you can sew if you wanna. Just start and it adds up. I love doing it.
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