Saturday, July 5, 2008

My goodness, where did June go?

I knew I was taking a break, but I didn't think it was a month-long break!!

Anyway, here are my latest and greatest, completed on July 4 and 5, respectively.


I've wanted a lightweight, summery tunic for a while and when I spotted this tomato red crepe on sale at the store, I knew I had to have it.
The finished garment hits the top of the thigh and is perfect as a coverup or simply with some jean shorts. Easy. Breezy.

And heh, the cost of materials was about $6, including the gold ric-rac I added at the neckline for some pizzazz. Hey, one might still be at the beach, but one can still be glam.

Of course, I have also purchased a chocolate brown crepe, but I will not be making the same pattern, I have plans for that chocolate crepe, and of course, I shall share same when the time is right.


I've tried taking a bazillion photos of this dress and it just does not come out right, just like the previous dress I made of this pattern. It figures, my favorite dress pattern, and I can't get a decent shot. Arg.

There is a wide waistband with ruching so it's really flattering and it doesn't show at all with the bold purple print of the fabric, so I just took a picture of the fabric itself, you can see some of the ruching I did at the top, it's a gorgeous fabric, very cool and comfortable to wear.

As soon as this fricking 100+ degree weather cools down, I will find a reason to wear this sweet dress.


And for reference, this (left) is the picture on the pattern envelope. It's a very flattering pattern, a v-neck to hint at the lovely bosom, the ruched waistband to conceal any blubbery tummy troubles, and the graceful skirt. Gorgeous all around.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

A parade of pants


The easiest thing in the world is to make pants for my little men. Two pieces of fabric, one cut, a few runs of the sewing machine and you're done. In one morning I made 6 pairs of pants and shorts for them. My sister has been contributing to the cause - whenever she goes to get yarn from the store, she rummages through the remnant section and buys any kiddie fabric she sees :D

Monday, May 12, 2008

The delicious little plaid jacket


This has got to be the easiest jacket pattern I've done. So rewarding, too, for one measly day's worth of work, you get this delish little jacket, swingy and lively to throw on as you dash out the door, ready for a sweet summer evening.

Friday, May 9, 2008

The sexy gold top



This little top is probably the most delicious thing I have made. The fabric is crepe back satin, which is the best of all worlds, you get the luster of satin and the stability of sewing on something not so slippery. The sash is pretty long, about knee length, very glam.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The sari fabric top


When I saw this gorgeous burgundy and gold sari-style fabric, I just had to have it.

Originally it was going to be a dress, but as my life doesn't call for too many dresses, I figured a top would get more use.


The fabric is just gorgeous and I wanted to use the heavily embroidered edging in a subtle way, so I used it for the cuffs.
The pattern is an old one but very flattering, it fits very well at the bust and then skims over the stomach, I can't wait to wear it!

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

And more elephants!


My oldest son's obsession with elephants shows no sign of waning, and when I saw a great deal on printed fleece, I started to search for something with elephants on it. I found this gorgeous shade of blue with the requisite elephants, plus other jungle animals, and he loved it as soon as he saw it.

Mother helped me with the collar, as she has yet to show me how to do it on my own! And there was enough leftover fabric for pants for Alexander. This is from a rub-off pattern she did.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

When life gives you an extra long pair of plaid pj pants


Make shorts for everyone!

My husband received an extra long pair of pj pants. The pants were at least a foot too long, so I made them into shorts for him, and out of the leftover legs, made 2 pairs of shorts for the boys. I have yet to capture all three in their matching shorts, but I will persevere!

Friday, April 25, 2008

The red silk tunic


I wanted a dressy red shirt that I could wear with the plaid skirt below, so I made this pretty tunic. It's got pleats in the front, leaving plenty of room for the boobage, and the fabric is a gorgeous embroidered red, of course. It picks up the think red lines in the skirt and gives the whole outfit oomph. Loved this pattern, I will probably be making more of these in the near future.

Friday, April 18, 2008

The high waisted skirt


Ever since I saw this gorgeous Badgley Mischka dress, I knew I had to make a high waisted skirt. I didn't want to make the whole thing because I prefer the freedom to change the top, so I was happy to have one yard left of a black plaid material, because that's all I needed to make the skirt. The pattern is McCalls 5590 and couldn't be easier. I have a feeling that I will be making a few more of these skirts, because women with small waists, like me, look fricking AWESOME in high waist garments. And it just so happened that for my next project, I will be working on a dark red blouse, which will be fabulous with the skirt.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

The sexy satin top


The shape of 2008, the collar neckline with the tunic-y bodice, made in a gorgeous, dark and mysterious green satin. It is the leftover fabric from an evening gown I am making. Super easy to make, even if satin is a bit tricky to work with. The pattern is actually for a dress, but it was no drama to shorten it to tunic length.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Somebody really needs to get married


This fall. Preferably not in a warm climate. Because this dress needs to be worn to some fabulous soiree. I fell in love with this embroidered brown velvet the moment I saw it, it has threads of gold and light blue and it is the most luscious thing ever. I made a dress from a pattern I have made before, yet another wrap dress, but in this incarnation it is gorgeous and sexy. The flower at the waist is the final touch.

Monday, March 24, 2008

The dress that would not take a good photo



I swear this is the most flattering dress I've ever made, even if it looks like a damp dishrag just laying on my sofa. The problem is, the ruched waist panel won't spread out properly as it would when worn. I tried hanging it and the whole thing just drooped. I know, I know, I should take a photo of it ON ME, but by the time I take the photo, it is usually hella late and I am so sleepy a photo would be a crime. So trust me, I will be making more of these dresses and just so you see what it is supposed to look like when worn, here is the link to the pattern photo itself.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Pretty pretty plaid


This pretty plaid is going to rock with a plain gold top - which I still need to make. Because I need a gold top for about 7 different bottoms, so I better make it soon. Or, uh, make 7 different gold tops. Ya think?

Anyway, I like this pattern a lot, makes the whole schoolgirl plaid skirt thing a bit more lady-like and less tart-alicious.


The same dress pattern I used for my summery Giselle dress gets ready to parteh in this gold-threaded plaid. I would probably throw a fitted brown cardie over it and wear lovely gold heels.

I like this pattern a lot because it fits really nice over the boobs and (once I took in about an inch per side) the bodice looks really sexy-yet-nice, like, I know I got it, I just don't need to serve the boobage on a platter. However, I might ditch the belt and go with a bought leather-type belt instead.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Pretty paisley shirt


This is the last bit of the pink paisley I had, I made a wrap dress with it and have another pattern already cut out and ready to sew, but enough is enough and here's a top in the dernier cri of style. I don't know how a D cup like me can wear this without looking pregnant but I will sure wear it, it's so pretty and spring-y that it makes me long for a nice warm day so we can have a barbecue party.

I added some floral ribbon to give it a pop, too.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

That's the last bit of brocade I'm dealing with in the near future!


Don't get me wrong, I love the finished product, but man, brocade is a pain, it frays as soon as you look at it. I end up covered in it, my table and floors end up covered in it, and you have to zigzag the edges of all seams or risk your garment undoing itself in your closet.

That said, I can't wait to wear this lovely skirt - the Simplicity 4036 pattern is incredibly versatile and easy to work with, I just love it!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

My big great fabulous suit


This is the big one, the one project I've been dreading, the one I kept putting off and off because it scared the heck out of me.
I found this gorgeous linen blend fabric with floral embroidery, it just took my breath away. Every pattern I could find for suits were too intricate, i.e. too many pieces, and I just wanted a pattern with as few pieces as possible so I wouldn't have to butcher the fabric.

It's probably the last time I ever make a lined jacket, because let's face it, I live in fricking California, but it was good practice and the fabric does itch a little. I did have some help from mom, but COME ON! Look at it, it's my biggest and fanciest project thus far and I am super happy with it.

Now, someone needs to get married in the fall/winter so I can wear the thing :D

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Diego applique t-shirt


Well, I HOPE my oldest wears it to his 3rd birthday party, because it's a Diego theme, but let's face it, he'll wear whatever he wants to wear.

That's the last of it, I promise



These are the strappy summer top and full circle skirt I made with the rest of the sheet set. They came out pretty cute and just touching the light cotton makes me think of warm summer evenings and barbecue get togethers with friends.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

A pair of pants for the little one


After I made my oldest a set of Diego fabric pjs, I had enough leftover fabric to make this pair of pants for his little brother. It was also my first time making a rub-off, where you take an existing garment and create the pattern from it. Considering it was a two-piece garment, it was hella easy.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

My Princess Giselle dress


If you've seen Enchanted, then you know that Giselle had a gift for making dresses out of household textiles - so when my sister gave me a set of sheets that didn't go with any of my bedroom colors, I decided to make like Giselle and make a dress. The pattern was super easy, only 4 pieces, and it's quite va-va-va-voom-ish, very Sophia Loren. Love it.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

It was supposed to be a top


Okay, so this was supposed to be a v-neck tunic with a band around the waist and elbow-length sleeves. Then I realized I had enough for a dress so it became a dress. This one is a mock-wrap dress you pull over your head and it's not shapeless as it appears on the hanger, it conforms well to the body without being tight and I plan on adding some decoration but haven't found something I like yet.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Starting my summer sewing


But who are we kidding? I live in California so I can probably start wearing this in April with a cardie on top. This is from a paisley fabric I have way too much of, in a light grey background. This dress is pretty and floaty and shows off enough cleavage without being vulgar.