MMM'20: Lockdown Loungewear

~ yes, here I am in my jersey knit ensemble ~

Made decades ago from who knows what pattern.  But the top was recently scaled up to size by adding two triangular scraps of similar fabric into the side seams.  

~ ooo, it's still cold out ~

Now, of course, everything is a bit baggy due to the weight loss from this and last year's exercise/nutrition regime I've been on.  And that is okay by me.

~ ahh, that's better ~

The red canvas coat is made from the Tina Givens Elena pattern, last seen here.

Here's the obligatory shoe shot:

~ clogs from ebay ~

And the Lockdown Look must-have:

~ a me made mask ~

Hope to see you tomorrow...

My Top 5 Sewing Hits for 2019

in reverse chrono order

Sewcialists Top 5

A Tina Givens Trip Dress made in challis, with modifications seen here.

One of 5 "Hot House" Dresses using Simplicity 8332 made in challis as seen here.

Jumpsuit from McCall's 7936 made in challis as seen here.

My first jumpsuit from Vogue 1617 made from deep stash as seen here.

My first African Wax Print from Mood Fabrics made from Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1356, modified as seen here.

My favorite pants pattern (Candace) from Tina Givens made in cotton as seen here.

Tina Givens Elena Jacket made in canvas from deep stash as seen here.



I was actually surprised I had this many wins this year.  It didn't seem to me I had sewn that much.

Oh yeah, I'm heading on over to Patti's Not Dead Yet Style while I still have a chance and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like.  See ya.

What a Day Trip Dress!*

~ I woke up to this today ~

January in November.

~ See that tree behind me? ~

No, not the two evergreens on either side...

~ The one in the middle with all the green leaves that haven't turned yet or fallen off. ~

It's 22 degrees out, the other day it was 50.  Oh my.

~ Meanwhile, this is my Trip Dress* from Tina Givens patterns ~

I won the cape thingy at a raffle. 

I threw on some extra clothes with it so I could wear it outside.  Like a stretch mesh T-shirt, wrist warmers, obi belt and stretch jersey straight leg pants that I've made and worn previously. 

The scarf, gloves and beret are so old I don't remember when 
or where they came from.

~ a rear view ~

~ obi-less ~

Which was how I intended to wear it.  

Too bad you can't see the collar, but it was too darn cold.

~ and a side view ~

Let me tell you, this Trip Dress was just that - a Trip! (ha). 

   

The fabric is challis.  I decided on a size S (my last one was XS and worked out fine), but I was worried about the wrap bodice coverage so thought more is more.   

If you're not a sew-er, you can skip to the end pictures.

We're Talking Flower Power!

~ yeah, need I say more? ~

~ it's a Waxed Cotton African Print fabric from Mood ~

Yes, I finally succumbed when Mood Fabrics had a sale of 6-yard cuts of the stuff.  I'd never seen prices so low before.  I had to jump for it.  I know it's not the typical African pattern, but this one is sold out.  There are, however, several other patterns/colorways still available at 6 yards for $29!

~ and the inside is just as colorful and the outside ~

It's just not waxed.  

There are a few considerations to keep in mind when using the fabric:

• It only comes in 45" width.
• Pre-wash it in cold water, without letting it spin in the washer! 
• Air-dry it.  I used the clothes line and that worked perfectly.
• Only iron it on the reverse (non-waxed) side and still cover it with a cloth.
• It ravels like crazy and instantaneously.  Finish all the seam edges! 
• Use a pattern without gathering or a lot of fussy elements.

~ the pattern in its full glory ~

Because my fabric was one huge print that I didn't want to disrupt, I used it on the cross-grain, from selvedge to selvedge.  That's the selvedge as the "hem" for the duster and the sleeves.

The following is all sewing nonsense, so feel free to skip to the end.

I started off using Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1356, but changed a few things along the way:

• First up, the sleeves were incorrect on the pattern - being the wrong size by 2 inches for the armcyce.  
• Then I decided I'd rather not have two-piece sleeves for this fabric anyway.  I drafted my own one-piece sleeve pattern so as not to cut up the flowers any more than necessary.
• The duster was ill-fitting with the center front barely touching some places and widely overlapping at other points.  I ix-nayed that center flap.  This also led me to not want to use the  facing I had interfaced that was to go around the neckline and down the length of the duster on both sides. 
• Instead I sewed it on backwards, so to speak, to form an extension down each side like a kimono lapel.  That brought the two sides together more evenly and gave it some heft.  
• I tried using the back neckline interfacing to form a mandarin collar and failed miserably.  Off it came.
• I happened to have matching (?!) seam binding and used that to make a clean, simple neckline.
• I placed the patch pockets at the sides, centered over the side seams, again because I didn't want to disrupt the flow of flowers on the front.

~ ending with my yellow Docs from ebay ~

Now whatever shall I make with the rest of the fabric????

I'm linking up with Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like.  And Spy Girl's Summertime for June.  And Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.  Join us, won't you?

Day 29 MMM'19: A Lighter Shade of Pale

...Blue

~ yes, it is ~

The blue shades are as old as that song I alluded to.

~ yes they are ~

The vest I made so long ago, I really don't recall.  But a long while after that, I refashioned the jacket that it was, into the vest that it is now.  I had also made matching pants.  Now where are those...

~ I seem to be misty-eyed ~

The shirt you've seen before and is a recent make from stretch mesh, self-drafted.  I wear it a lot.  The pants are a few years old now, made from a heavy linen table cloth using Tina Givens Phoebe pants pattern, modified.  Also seen here.

It was actually a bit cool out, so another layer was necessary.   

I threw this on for our walk.

~ recognize that print? ~

It's the same 2-sided stretch denim that I used for the pants I had on yesterday.  ha.

~  I luv the pattern used to make it ~

The Sewing Workshop's Thai Coat pattern.  I've made another one, here,  but this one is the best choice of fabrics for it.

~ and it's not hard to make either ~

and finally,

~ more Mary Jane Doc Martens from ebay ~

Only two more days to go!  phew.

Meanwhile, I'm all set to join Spy Girl's May Florals.  And go for Catherine's Share All link-up too.  Stop on by.

Day 21 MMM'19: Grey Gardens

in the City

~ That's Me! ~

Head to toe

 on another chilly May day.

 

~ Let's see what I'm wearing ~

• Fleece Bug Veiled Hat last seen here, made from McCall 7519

• Sunglasses from the $ Store

• Cotton Skull & Heart Scarf from China

• Cotton Twill Coat last seen here, made from Tina Givens Peplone pattern

• Fingerless gloves, self-drafted, here.

• Silver Bag from neighborhood yard sale

• Docs from ebay

You can't see their true colors here.  Really they are a lavender grey, followed by black, green and lavender/grey strips of leather.  Lovely.

I'm linking up with Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like, come on over.

And that about covers it (me).

Day 20 MMM'19: I'm Baaaack!!!

More or Less...
 

~ hmmm ~

What to say or not to say, that is the question.  Well, my computer's back with a new solid state electronic hard drive.  Half the data on my old hard drive was lost.  I had a back-up always attached and running.  Now my files are partially here and there somewhere.  Everything's been re-booted or re-uploaded so nothing is set as it was and I've been having a very interesting time finding myself around here.

But the show must go on.

~ and here I am in a mish-mash of stuff ~

At least it's all in the same burning bush color family.  Everything's been worn before, but not together in this particular way.  The top is from a failed Tina Givens Tessa pattern made out of challis.  I also made pants to go with it.  I'm wearing linen pants on this occasion using Tina Givens Greta pattern.

~ and now for the burning bush part ~

There was a bit of a chill in the air, so don we now a thin knit version of Tina Givens Leigh Coat pattern.

~ with tie-dyed charcoal markings ~

~ and orange Trippen shoes from ebay ~

Sweet.

Day 12 MMM'19: For All You Mothers

Out There.    And for those that aren't (myself included).  Celebrate!  yeah.

~ I'm so Pink, I'm so Pink, I'm Pink, I'm Pink, I'm Pink ~

Not to paraphrase Scot Richard Case and I'm So Glad, but when you're feeling it...  Go on, give it a listen.  Just a little will do ya.






Anyway, back to the topic at hand

~ front ~

I'm wearing a pinkish silk dupioni dress made from Tina Givens Mila dress pattern that I've worn previously. 

~ and back ~

~ plus a little closer view ~

What's new here are my pale pink linen pants with a bit of the silk as an insert.  Made from Tina Givens Tessa pants pattern.

By now you must've noticed my super groovy pale pink suede shoes

~ ahuh,  from ebay, of couse ~

Hold on.   I simply had to top everything off with that newly made pinkish velvet coat.

~ yesh, I just had to ~

Last worn here.

~ really, they were made for each other ~

~ aww, like an Easter bunny or some thing ~

I'll be linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when they go live.  And now, just when I need it the most, Cheri's ended her Shoe & Tell!!!  Well, thanks anyway, Cheri, for all the good times.

Cheers!

Day 10 MMM'19: Captain Clash

 and the Fight Against Blasé-ness

~ pay no heed to that hand jive ~

Who knew burnt orange and purply-pink would look so smashing together?!

You've seen this all before, only not all together.  Hat is from Secret Lentil, last seen here.  Coat is made from Tina Givens Becca pattern, last seen here.

Underneath is my exercise wear for today.

~ too blurry photo posterized ~

I think it helps a bit.

Here's another one of those vests I was talking about in yesterday's post. 

~ back view, and a peak at side contrasts ~

Pants are made from Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1355 pattern using challis fabric.  I also made a matching top for them as seen here.

~ inside view ~

Here you can see a bit of the red side of the reversible vest.  And my stretch mesh ivory Parisian scene top.  It's just a plain t-shirt type top and I don't recall what pattern, if any I used.

~ Vivienne Trippen shoes from ebay ~

I spy something floral, so off I go to Spy Girl's May Florals link-up.  And a hat for Judith's May Hat Attack! 

Until tomorrow,