MMM'20: Purple with Some Other Color

~ hmmm, I say ~

What do you think?

~ It does seem a wee bit odd ~

But anyway, I've got it on, so that's that.

The jacket is made from faux suede with an attached silk scarf.  It closes with hook and eyes.  I made it decades ago and don't recall what pattern it was from.  It only fits me again now.

~  very plain, but still interesting, I think ~

The dress is from Tina Givens Nani Lee pattern which I've worn before, here.  Made out of an orange and olive green cotton/tencel two-toned twill.  I think the neckline is just lovely.  I did made the sleeves longer, added pockets, and eliminated the zipper because I could easily slip it on and off over my head.

Oh, and I added a scrap piece of velvet for a belt, part of it is a dusty maroon and the other is a vivid cherry red.  The maroon side is showing now.

Great luck stumbling across lavender fishnets in the sock drawer(s).

~ worn with my PSKaufman Oxfords from ebay (brand new for $21.50)! ~

And Last, but not Least...

~ a doctored Mask Mug Shot of Yours Truly ~

See ya later...

Navy and Stripes

~ No doubt about it ~

That's my old pea coat from high school.  Ok, maybe it was college?  ahhh, I luved that thing...which is why I still had it in the ole archives.

~ And here's another thing ~

This jacket was made much later, say only 25 to 30 years ago.  Also lodged in the archives.  I can wear this stuff now!

~ Yikes Stripes ~

The top is highly modified from a free Tessuti turtleneck pattern which contains nothing from the original except for the body, kinda.  Thank goodness it was free because while the body is extra long and boxy, the sleeves and turtleneck are inhumanly tight.  

Details are:  

• On the body, I shortened the front more than the back and allowed for slits on each side just to make it more interesting. 
• I used the turtleneck piece to wrap around the upper arms in lieu of the pattern's sleeves; cut the "hump" off the top of the sleeves and added them on below giving myself extended looong sleeves with a thumb cut-out. 
• I used the strip of fabric cut off the bottom front and used it for a very modified T-neck band.

The pants from Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1355, however, fit amazingly perfect right out of the box at a size C.  The fabric for both is a slinky knit.   The pants only take a few hours to make at most with 2 pattern pieces, one for the pants, one for a waist band and take much less fabric than the pattern suggests. 

The top doesn't take much fabric either, but I did have to figure out how to rescue it.  I do like it in the end.  And I know I wouldn't have created what I have now if I hadn't been forced to come up with ways to resolve the pattern inaccuracies.

~ worn with Mary Jane Docs from ebay ~

By the way, I've been working on those 2020 goals.  All of them moving right along...ahem...except for the stop buying patterns one.  (did I say that?)  Well, I haven't.  Stopped buying them, that is.  But everything else is as smooth as silk.  I've even been making what I call everyday, normal things, like what's above.  You know, pants and tops that you can wear around the house, outside, exercising.  Even sleep in if you want to...



Meanwhile, I'll be joining up with Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when they go live.  Hope to see you there!

The Last of the Hot House Dresses

After all, the Fall Equinox has arrived.

~ and I had to add leggings, boots and a jacket ~

~ plus it was windy ~

The brocade jacket was something I unearthed from the archives, made about 30 years ago or so.  Who knows from what pattern.

~ Here worn with one of the obi's I've concocted ~

I liked it with the obi before I saw these pictures.  Now I think it works better without.  Whatever.

~ ah, free at last ~

~ What do you think? ~

The dress is made from what was called China Silk and was a real pain to sew.  (I do luv the print though.)  It kept puckering, which is why it is inundated with lace trim.  But I guess it came out alright in the end.

~ ending with the ole shoe shot from ebay ~

I'm rushing on over to Patti's Not Dead Yet Style and then Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like when she goes live. Hope to see you all there. 

Day 31 MMM'19: And So It's Time...

~ to say goodbye ~

I made the jacket long ago from a big 4 pattern, but I no longer have it to share with you. 

~ to all our family ~

Pants are made from New Look 6533.   Stretch mesh top you've seen before, here.

~ I'll be seeing you ~

But not every day.  At least not until next May.

~ leaving you with my embroidered velvet shoes from ebay ~

I'll be stopping by Spy Girl's last day for May Florals. sniff.  Come on over.

Day 28 MMM'19: All Them Blues

~ just kicking back here ~

 

~ being cool ~

~ ahuh ~

~ with a do-si-do ~

~ and all that jazz ~

So what's that I have on, you ask?   Well, glad you asked.

• Layer #1 is from Tina Givens Lotus Shirt Pattern made from a Hawaiian cotton print a friend gave me.  I've made at least 4 of them that I can recall. You can see them here, here and here.
• Layer #2 is also from Tina Givens called the Poppy Shirt made in stretch mesh.  As seen in another ensemble here.
• Layer #3, again from Tina Givens, are the Oprah Pants made in two-sided stretch denim.  See the reversible side here and another rendition here.

And, of course, the pièce de résistance:

~ my Docs from ebay ~

These Docs show scenes from one of the sections of Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights", a triptych he painted c.1500.  Can you guess which one is depicted?


And that's the way it was.

Day 11 MMM'19: Blue Bottom Bells

from the Way-Back Machine

~ yep, made 25 years ago or so ~

~ it's a time warp and I'm groovin' ~

In my Nehru jacket, peace sign (that's really mine from the '70s) and denim wide bells.  I have no idea what patterns were used for either item.  That was a quarter decade ago, for goodness sake!

~ geez ~

I wore this for the last day of school, until Summer starts it up again.

~ and navy Mary Jane Doc Martins from ebay ~

oh, when I got home, I found this in the mail:

~ my MMM pin! ~

It came all the way from England.  Finally.  Before the end of MMM'19.

And that's a wrap.

Except, of course my floral journey to Spy Girl's May Flowers link-up.  I just can't stop.

Day 8 MMM'19: Layered Views

Yes, it was quite chilly out, so I put on layers.

~ wide open ~

~ and wide shut ~

Raincoat seen previously here.

~ kimono minus the raincoat ~

Kimono seen previously here.

~ underneath, side view ~

Stretch mesh top was adapted from Vogue 8450 pattern.

~ yep, looking down ~

Worn with stretch knit pants adapted from Sandra Betzina's Vogue 1355 pattern.

~ and that's about it ~

Well, except for the grand finale:

~ yeah, bay-bee, matching satin dotted Docs from ebay ~

Until tomorrow...

Oh, I do believe I spot a bit of floral on the ole kimono.  Must join Spy Girl's May Floral link-up!

Day 7 MMM'19: What Do I Have On?

~ I ask myself ~

What I'm wearing is the Norma Jeans pants pattern by Tina Givens made in tiny, tiny dotted denim-type fabric that has a cool reverse side (see the turned up cuffs).

I wore them once before here.  But I've never found anything to wear with them that gives them any oomph.

~ Well now it kinda looks like a zoot suit ~

sorta.  maybe.  whatever.

~ a lovely view of the backside of things ~

I think the semi-fitted denim jacket with matching vest (ooo, I forgot to show you that) gives them the silhouette they've been asking for.  yeah?

Btw, those two store bought pieces were revived from the archive since I've arrived at the lost weight state of things.   (see this post about that).



But here's the real kicker

~ my Puma creepers from ebay ~

 and That's all folks for today.

Day 3 MMM'19: Attack of the Florals

You know, it's still cold in May, even with the occasional sunburst.

~ suppressing all that flower power ~

In my plain ole hooded red fleece sweatshirt from Butterick 6253 pattern. 

~ Abstract Florals Galore ~

 Starting with my kimono made from Simplicity 4291

~ layer after layer ~

A chiffon remix shirt from Vogue 9040 as well as the stretch jersey pants from who knows what pattern.  All with a quasi-Asianesque vibe, I do believe.

~ not to be outdone, here are my Doc Martens from ebay ~

This was today's workout outfit, by the way...

And off to link up with Spy Girls Florals for the Month of May.  While I'm at it, let's go for Style Crone's May Hat Attack! too. 

See you tomorrow.

Day 2 MMM'19: Flashback in Pink

I do believe that trying on some items from the archives has turned me into an Austin Powers' prop.

~ yeah, baybee, yeah ~

I would not wear this combo in real life.  Trade out the shirt, for something longer, shorten the pants above the ankle, maybe wear the jacket with a voluminous dress or skirt.  With a little work here and there, I might manage something do-able for this decade.  We'll see.

~ I do feel silly ~

Anyway, the suit is made from pink corduroy, lined with matching polyester, of course, using McCalls 4391 pattern.  Made at least 25+ years ago.

~ with Mary Jane Doc Martens ebay shoes ~

Later,