I Was Inspired to Make This!

~ Yes, I do declare ~

I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but I've got the pictures to prove it.  I swear I never would've thought to wear my bloomers under my too-big-for-me-now jeans.  Never.

~ starting bottoms up ~

Worn with my pink Frye boots from ebay, my Mom's old kitchen curtains turned bloomers from long ago, those ancient blue jeans, and a long tank top made out of stretch mesh. 

~ this is it! ~

I only needed a light-weight, vintage looking fabric for the making of a shirt-dress/ duster to complete my sartorial splendor.  And I found this cotton voile with meandering embroidered flowers in white, pale blue to gray and faded black thread at Fabric Mart.    Perfect!  (It's no longer there).

I finally selected McCall's 7472 pattern and then changed it up quite a bit when I found I chose too small a size.  geez.  I had wanted something I could wear over things.

You know how it goes, in making changes, one thing leads to another, and another...

If you want to see more, plus the original inspiration photos, continue after the break.

It's Lounge Wear!

 

~ at full flight ~

Totally inspired from Catherine Daze's post and adapted from McCalls 7727 dress pattern.  I used some stretch poplin from my stash.

~ back view at rest ~

As Catherine states, the pattern runs very large, so I made it several sizes smaller than I usually would.

 

~ side view of high-low hemline ~

And I made it longer than their shortest option and shorter than the longest option.  (Yeah, I like it my way.)  I added side seam pockets (I mean really!).  Eliminated the sash belt (of course).  And kept the collar stand, but left off the collar proper.

 

~ bad photo (back lit) ~

But it does shows the front that has a hidden button placket.  That threw me for a loop, but after a few restorative naps, I finally figured it out.   I didn't do the gathered sleeve cuffs either because I knew I wouldn't be wearing them down and buttoned.

~ "What Is Real?" ~

Perfect for lounging around reading my true love's library book, What Is Real?

~ with my shoes from ebay ~

and now I'm off to Patti's Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like (a different Catherine), and Cherie's Shoe and Tell when they all go live.

Resort Wear 2018

~ Yes, strike that pose ~

Just lounging about on my back porch as one does in the dog days of August.

But what am I wearing you ask?  My usual this and that.  The fabric is a border print challis.  The pants started off from Sandra Betzina Vogue 1355 which is a favorite of mine.   The top on the other hand, was a flop (my own fault) from Butterick 5955 because I made it a zillion times too big as well as situated the print poorly. 

~ Hey, what's that I spy? ~

But all that's changed now.  After hours/days/weeks of pinning, trying on, taking apart, naps and readjusting, I got to something I really liked.  Amazing.  I'm always amazed that can happen. 

~ ahhh, a little rabbit just hopped by ~

Why can't I ever remember that while I'm going through the process?!  

~ and then my shoes from ebay came in the mail ~

sweet.

And yay, I'm showing up for Patti at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine's I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie's Shoe & Tell when they all go live. 

Transparent Gray, My Way

This light weight, woven striped, gray linen ensemble was a long time coming.  Started in May with many pauses as I figured and re-figured how I wanted to go with it.  I believe this is its final incarnation.   I luv that it's transparent.

~ on a hot June day ~

I started out using the Tina Givens Frankie pattern, but soon found myself going my own way.  I needed to use all French seams because the linen raveled just by looking at it and would certainly do so if there was any stress put upon them.  The pattern design includes an extra panel down both sides, so even more French seaming was necessary. 

So...you guessed it, the pants became too snug.  At that point, the changes kept on coming, but slow as molasses.  

~ see? they're also dungarees ~

That's where the crotchtal panel in jersey came in - after much research on how I might embiggen pants after they were already made.  The stretchy, thin, charcoal jersey insert made the pants more baggy and flexible.  It was also used for a yoga-type waistband.  You can't see them here, but I attached mitten clips as suspenders using the jersey for straps.   It helps with transparency issues.

~ or I can wear this exaggerated muscle tee I made for extra coverage ~

The tunic took even more modifications.  I ended up using bias strips of the jersey to fold in half lengthwise and sew onto the neckline and sleeve edges.  Letting the edges of the jersey roll up as it wants to do.  I added a 4 inch strip of jersey to the hem of the tunic and did not like it.  Seam ripped it all out.

The top just looked too big in front.  Jerry-rigged it to overlap down center front in a narrow triangle and stitched it down.  Added a 6" strip of horizontal linen attached with a French seam on the outside and liked that look much better.  Are you still here?


That's what I wore to work out today.  With different shoes, of course.

~ groovy sandals from ebay ~

I added the back strap from that gray jersey cuz they would not stay on my feet otherwise!



And with that, I'm off the join Patti and the Visibles at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine at I Will Wear What I Like and Cherie at Shoe & Tell.  See you there.

A Cool Blue Tablecloth Dress

for the last day of MeMadeMay'18

~ Am I Right? ~

It's funny how time changes things.  When I first made this, I wore it differently.   You can see how here, way back in 2014.  And now because of MMM, I'm liking it more in this relaxed, funky, layered-look way.

~ and here you can see it really was a tablecloth ~

And very simply made at that.  I just added thin navy bias tape to bind the neckline and sleeve edges.  The dress hem is the hemmed edges of the tablecloth.  There were some stains that I covered with appliques.  Like the two gray leaf forms at the center bottom.  They're actually cut out from other fabric and zig-zagged on.

~ this is the buttoned-up look ~

I added a matching button in the middle of the design and two buttonholes on either end of the fabric "wings" so I could fold them over, as you can see.  Those three little flowers on the white border were sewn on to cover more stains.

The blue lace pantaloons were self-drafted.  Piece of cake.

~ and cool blue platform sandals from ebay ~

I will be wrapping up my MMM'18 experience in the next post and comparing this year with last year.  Both had surprises for me.  

And thank you all for your comments of support.  It really makes a difference.  Especially since I don't do any of the other social media.  mmwwaaa!