Feminine Sewing Inspirations

I am such a sucker at seeing something I like, and then wanting to duplicate it.

When I met Laura, I just loved the jumper/dress that she was wearing. I wasn't sure exactly what it was until a few days later someone had asked about it on the S&S sewing board and linked to her sewing gallery and her blue seersucker sundress. The above was her inspiration, and I was amazed at how well she duplicated it and yet changed it for modesty sake. In fact, I am always amazed with her sewing creations, (she showed us her sketch for her wedding dress ... talk about gorgeous!!!) and so if you all enjoy sewing and lack inspiration at the moment, head over to her gallery and you'll soon be drooling. =)

So anyway, for a couple of years I have had this blue and white seersucker plaid with white flowers (same fabric as this dress; click on the picture to actually see it) that I just been stashing away for something. I think I found my something to make it in. =D Since I don't have the pattern Laura used, and can't find it anywhere, I think I just use my a-line princess seamed jumper pattern as a base and then go from there...

Well Laura, I hope you don't mind that I'm going to make another item like something you have!

No. 4 - Baby Blue Tote

Well, this is my final installment (for now!) of tote bags in the shop! I have peasant shirts and aprons waiting to be sewn along with some Regency gowns and other items.

So without further ado, here is the newest addition:


The rick rack and wooden buttons are my favorite about this tote...



Like it too?

Tote No. 3 - An Old-Fashioned Plaid

Thanks to all of you dear ladies in get-well wishes! I am happy to say that I am feeling much better and enjoyed doing nothing for a couple of days. =) This afternoon I was inspired to make another tote and this is how it came out:

I love everything about this tote ... the blue plaid, the bias pocket, the cream lace, the odd shape ...

And it's already up in the shop if any of you are smitten with it! =)

To quote from Jane Austen's novel...

"My head is very ill tonight..." Mrs. Bennet bemoaned in Pride and Prejudice

And that would describe me in the last few days! =) I have a strange bug of a cold, headache, slight fever, and chills. I've been taking my herbs, vitamin C, and today my chiropractor did some sort of an adjustment that he said would help my immunity, so with lots of rest, I hope to be on the mend in a few days.

So as some of you may have guessed, I haven't been in the sewing room at all this week and so you all will just have to wait a little longer for those tote bags. ::wink::

Vintage McCalls 4575 - Seventies Gauze Shirt

I have this thing about collecting 70's patterns, and after this one came in the mail several weeks ago, I was dissapointed to realize that it's for knits only. Thankfully some teal gauze fabric (and it's not to sheer, April!) works perfect for it! I can hardly wait to make another shirt out of this pattern. But now, for a few pictures:

I added some crocheted lace around the sleeves

I ran out of the lace to go around the collar, so I added an extra straight stitch to define it a little more. I do hope that JoAnn's will carry the lace again though, as I think it would finish it off. I might try adding gathers to the front bodice sometime too, or would that look funny?

and so despite a serious look...

...I really do like it! =)

We'll finish our series of totes next week. I was getting tired of sewing them and therefore did a shirt this afternoon. =)

No. 2 - A Tote for Summer

I love the fabric lining in this one. I could have put the green stripe in as the lining, but I like how it looks with the vintage buttons on the front.

What do you think?

No. 1 in the series of Totes

My aunt gave me some very nice quality toile fabric. She knows how much I love toile, and this fabric just begged me to make it into a tote with a little black lace trim...

and two vintage buttons that keep the inside pocket closed...

I sure wish I could keep it, but it's already up in the shop this afternoon.

Aqua's in the Shop

You'd think that chocolate browns and bright aqua's are my favorite colors since everything that I have sewn upon returning home, have been in those colors. (But if you went shopping with me yesterday, you'd know that my favorite color is blue!)

Yesterday I finished this "Old-Granny" apron

Today I finished a hobo sack made into the same fabrics as this tote that I made awhile ago ... complete with the vintage fabric, yoyo's, and vintage buttons.

S&S ladies meet!

Laura, April, Annette, and I

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting some ladies from the Sense and Sensibility sewing board! We all met at Starbucks (after my tardy appearance due to being a little confused and lost in the "Big City") and chatted awhile, and then we girls headed over to Denver Fabrics while Laura's fiancé did some other shopping in the area.

What a fun store and everybody got something. =) I picked up some plaid wool for a skirt later this fall, and some cotton shirtings to make up into tote bags for the shop. It was fun to get good quality fabrics on sale and just about as cheap as Walmart prices.

Meeting Laura and April (and her sister too!) was like being reacquainted with dear old friends and I hope that Lord willing, we'll be able to see each other again!

Highlights of the Midwest

Having LOTS of fun at the Strings Workshop for two weeks!

Camping on the beaches of a couple of Michigan's lakes

Taking a ferry to Mackinac Island, shopping, buying fudge, seeing the Grand Hotel, going for a carriage tour, and so many other delights.


Enjoying the historical buildings and fragrant lilacs on the island. =)

Pictures take quite a awhile to load, so you all just get to see the above. =) But for those of you who are curious about my statement in the previous post...

I will be heading back to MI again in a few weeks to stay with my Grandma for a few months! The door has clearly been opened, and so I am excited for this new opportunity. Since I can't possibly take my sewing machine with me, this blog will go on a sabbatical for awhile unless you'd like random posts while I'm there. =)

In the mean time, I am going to attempt to sew as much as I can find the time after violin, while I am here at home. In fact, some of you may have already noticed that I added an apron to my etsy shop. =)

Home!

Yes! I am home! =) After being gone for 3 1/2 weeks, it was a delight to step onto "home soil" this afternoon! Stay tuned for perhaps a few pictures (if anyone is interested) and some news that will definately change my life for awhile, as an avid seamstress.

In the meantime, LAF recently published an article I submitted quite awhile ago, and while I don't have the gift of writing, every now and then I get inspiration to write something. =) So if you have time, feel free to take a look at some scribbled notes to fellow single young women that I probably wrote close to 2 years ago.

An outfit for Strings

Last week I was able to sew up a white collared shirt for my summer travels. I used some white poly/cotton fabric and thrifted buttons:

My favorite part about this blouse are the pintucks down the front. They add such a nice feminine, but classic touch. Thanks Shannon for your help with this! =)

I wanted a no-iron jumper for my month-long journey away from home, and I was glad to find some stashed tropical breeze to make up into a favorite princess-style jumper.

Ties are sewn into the back princess seams and tied in a knot

These will make a good pair awhile at the Strings Workshop. Until I return, cheerio!

Happy Sewing

Ahhh .... it always feels so good to get something done! And yes, I have stayed up late again to finish the above Regency Robe. I like it better than my green ones I sold. Of course, it probably has nothing to do with blue being my favorite color.

See more pictures here.

Links

For all of you who like to sew their own skirts, you all should take a look at Shannon's new skirt that was inspired from another skirt! Talk about WOW! =) I tried out the bias ruffles on a blouse recently, and it really does work, so I'd like to try this technique again soon. Maybe on a brown linen skirt like this one? Hehe, yes, I'm hooked on linen right now. =)

This evening I decided not to do any sewing, but list a Regency dress up on ebay that I have taken my sweet time to do. I have another one to list, and the navy linen robe too, but they'll have to wait until later this week.

More in the shop...

a 1930s apron in a cheery daisy print

a summer-y peasant shirt made out of vintage calico

These will be the last that I'll add to my shop until July sometime do to a busy schedule, travel, and a family vacation next month.

A Perfect Time to Sew

Today I won't feel guilty if I spend a good majority of my time in the sewing room (which is in our basement). Why is that? We are under a tornado warning, and will be under a watch until late tonight. =)

Maybe I'll even complete an apron to add to the shop!

Aprons in the shop!

a 1930's apron made in Heather Bailey's "Freshcut" fabric

an "Old Granny" 1940's apron made in real vintage fabric

Pictures from the tea

Don't you just love the hats?! =)

The wide variety of little delicacies were so delicious and fun at the same time!

Young mothers visiting

A full length shot of yours truly... =)

Gathered hem detail in a back skirt layer

Last two photos are copyrighted by Leah Cross Photography.

I know, I'm crazy!

It is now just past midnight, and I just finished it:

It is completed except for the sash, which I want to add another lighter pink. I also have to do the rosette, but I think just tying this one will be sufficent until I can go to Joann's.

For now I'm going to get some shut eye...

Speed sewing

Why do I get into last minute projects? =) A friend is borrowing an Edwardian blouse that I made last fall along with my silk sash that goes to my white lawn dress. Which mean I have to have something for myself to wear.

I just got done cutting out my "Titanic Swim Dress" and it will be in the same pink and purple pastel shades as on the film, although I've never seen it ... just pictures of the dress. I only have a few hours to work on it, I've been awake since just past 4am, and I have work in the morning, with the tea being held promptly at 12:00pm.

Can I do it? =D I'm going to try, but if I can't, I'll use the deep pink sash from the aforementioned project as a sash for my white lawn dress. Here's hoping that it still fits...!

A little bit of early 19th century sewing

I have everything done except for the buttons/buttonholes and the hem of this period correct Regency dress. I have been oh-so-tempted to keep it, but I really don't need another one.

Navy linen yet to be cut out and sewn into a Regency Robe. The color looks really weird, and the buttons look strangley dusty, but they aren't, honestly! =)

I had hoped to have both listed on ebay in a day or two, but now that I have parted with some of my Edwardian clothes for a ladies tea, I'm going to have to sew a dress for me to wear! Either that or not go.

Titanic Flying Dress

For those of you who have been searching for this pattern, there is one up on Etsy right now. It is a little more than what I'd want to spend (I'm hoping for a thrift store find - a 49 cent price, you know?) =) and since it isn't in my size anyway, I thought I'd pass it up and mention it here!

We ladies were invited to another ladies tea (different hostess too!) and I am considering making the Titanic "Swim Dress" from Jennie Chancey's pattern that I got for my birthday. The only problem is that I'm on a "fabric fast" ie, not buying any fabric for a month. I have nothing on hand that I could use so, should I or should I not break my fast? =)

::sighs:: Don't you just love these early 20th century dresses? And I just LOVE those hats! I wonder why I could find one? Any ideas?

I hear about reenactments for lots of eras, or balls and assemblies for this time period or that one, but I don't hear much about the Edwardian era. Hmm, I wonder why? I think it would be so much fun to be in one. It would be as if I just walked out of Green Gables to visit Avonlea's General Store... I may be 24, but sometimes I feel like being about 10 years younger to be a carefree youth and dress up without having to worry that people would be looking at me strangely. =)

A thrifted dress made in a blouse!

It has been awhile since I've had a "Week in Feminine Dress" here on the blog, but perhaps some of you would remember this dress? I got sick of it quite quickly unfortunately. I loved the style, but it was either cut out wrong or the fabric was just "to much" made in a dress. So I stashed it underneath my sewing table along with a few "what do I do with this?" items.

This weekend, the out-of-print blouse pattern came in the mail and I had the notion of making up a blouse for spring. And with being in a mood to sew something with that fabric, the two came together!


What can I say? The vintage rick-rack adds just what this fabric needs, the fit is perfect (no alterations except shortening it a little) and I have found a favorite blouse pattern! =)

Where's Waldo Cheri?

Where has she disappeared and what has she been up to?

If you can believe it, I only sewed up one item last week, and that was a skirt (I'll post pictures once my sister downloads them from her camera). Last week I did however get some inspiration for some sewing projects:

• One of attending a Colonial Living History day down in the big city put on by a church and homeschoolers. As you all know, trying a Colonial era gown has seemed a bit daunting for me, but after some inspiration from a couple ladies from S&S combined with seeing some gorgeous gowns a few days ago, I have decided to plunge in and give it a go. The general census is that the J.P. Ryan patterns are good and not to difficult, so whenever I get some extra funds I'll be purchasing a couple patterns from there, using this fabric.
• Second was getting the 1910's Tea Gown pattern as a birthday gift. The Edwardian and 19-teens era would probably be my favorite era's, and I have always admired the pictures shown on the website. I adore the floaty layers of sheer chiffon pastels... Anybody up for a tea party? =)

Right now I have a lot going on outside of the sewing room ... a garden to think about, a violin audition in about two weeks, the possibility of being out of town next week ... so I don't know how much I'll post this week, since I'm not sure how much time I'll devote to my fabric and machines. =) We shall see...

In the meantime, I knocked some $ off of a few items in my shop to clear them out of here, and make way for some new stuff.

70s Wrap Apron

a new 70s Wrap Apron is in the shop tonight...

Fabric Craze

Well, has anyone else been enjoying the sales at JoAnn's this week? It ends tomorrow, so if you need something, or want something, you just might head over there! I confess that I've already been there twice this week and may be going again tomorrow with a friend. =) Here are a few pictures to prove my purchases (though some were bought awhile ago, at antique stores, or online) ...

Fabric for a Regency gown and navy linen for a Regency robe:

Various fabrics for totes and aprons:

Linens for a spring/summer peasant shirt and tiered skirt:

And then Erin and I stopped off at our local thrift store where besides some summer sandals, I found these bags loaded with tatting thread! I was thrilled too with them containing mostly size 30 which makes for perfect bookmarks. I've already added some new tatted bookmarks to my etsy shop. =)

Coming soon to the shop...

A cheery and spring-ish 1930's apron made in a green and white floral cotton with bits of butter yellow rick rack.

I just added it ... Somehow making it and seeing it up on Arabella made me smile. =)

A view of the sewing room

This afternoon I was getting a creative-feeling-streak and started pulling out stashed fabrics, trims, and whatnot. Not sure what I'll start with, but thought you all my get a kick out of seeing my side of the sewing room.

I assure you, it isn't normally this disastrous unless I'm feeling really creative. =)

Hobo Sling Bags

Wouldn'tcha know ... a vintage tote bag pattern that I finally was able to get, didn't have the main pattern pieces in it?! Thankfully I was able to sort of make out the shape of it from another pattern piece in there.

And of course, all the cute pocket pattern pieces were missing, so I had to make up my own. I chose a cross-grain oval-bottom shaped that is lightly gathered at the top, to a thin band.

The actual pattern was dated in the 60's, but I think that it could pass for 70's. Especially when made up from vintage 70's fabric that I picked up from the flea market. =) Needless to say, they are a little "original" in design, but that's what makes them fun! Don'tcha think?! =)

I already have a few stashed fabrics and little fun trims that I've been wanting to use for totes, so keep an eye out for them since I just might add them to my shop without any announcement like the tote showed above.

And guess what? Today at work, I saw someone carrying one of these exact sling bags around! It looked like it was a "real vintage" one made out of a tapestry type fabric with bright embroidery designs. Fun, fun!

If all else fails*...

...go to Christopher & Banks!

I have had my eye on this retro, British, toile-looking designed skirt for some time now. Today I saw it on sale, plus 40% off the sale price, so I gave in and bought it. =)

Yes, I do sew most of my own things, but every now and then when I need something (or see something I think I need) =) my favorite place to shop for clothes is Christopher & Banks. A good majority of their stock is beautiful, attractive, and feminine. They also have great sales too. For instance, today they had a store-wide 40% off all items. So if it was a regular priced item or if it was marked down, you got 40% off! They only do this sale twice a year, and so Mama & I took advantage of it this afternoon. =D

*And by the way, nothing failed in the sewing room, but shopping at C&B is still fun! And thanks to Leah for taking the picture.

Spring Church Dress

I got on a roll with sewing this afternoon, and I finished up a dress that I was going to have done for Easter. I never did get it done in time. I had the top part finished, but didn't feel like doing the skirts, putting in a zipper up until today... =)

It is a polyester (Simply Silky) from JoAnn's that I picked up on sale last year; it looked so cheery, and springish! And sorry, but I don't have any pattern numbers for this dress since a friend of mine gave me her's and I almost want to say that she made it up. But it is a princess-seam style dress with short sleeves, and straight, a-line style skirts with darts.


I thought on the chilly days, my Land's End sweater, which was a $3 thrift store find, would pair up nicely with it:

Finally, I can sew!

After what happened to my finger, I haven't done a great deal of sewing. Well that combined with just being busy with other things. But thankfully my finger is healing, and while I don't think life is going to slow down anytime soon, I managed to sew up the two aprons for the shop:

a cutesy housewife apron...gotta love the fabric!

the all-time, hands-down, over-all favorite! =)