Me Made May 2014: Week 2

Day 1: Peter Pan Laurel / Day 2: Colorblocked Coco / Day 3:  Me-Mended RTW Striped Knit Dress

Day 4: Floral Laurel / Day 5: Refashioned Thrifted Striped T-shirt

Day 6: Refashioned Thrifted '80s Hawaiian Dress / Day 7: Denim Miette

So how was #MMM week two for everyone? 

Things I learned this week: 

1) Teal!
2) Red/white/blue!
3) Floral.
4) All of these work!
5) I need a NETTIE BODYSUIT.
6) How to do my first FBA.
7) Pretty Little Liars is just as fun to watch the 2nd time through.

2013

Looking back on this year of thrifting and sewing and blogging, I found myself putting together a list of some of the best or most memorable things. With the end of year reflections and Top-5's I've been seeing around blogland this week, I thought I'd join in and share mine.

Favorite Me-Made Wardrobe Addition:

This would have to be my Anthropologie inspired Laurel v. 5 top.

This top gets worn all the time, whether I'm going to work or just running errands on the weekends. I love the cotton-silk fabric and the cute pink spots.

Favorite Dress:

I made a good number of dresses this year (10 blogged, 12 total), but my favorite has to be the Floral Wedding Guest Dress I made to wear for Tom's brother's wedding in June.

This is more of a special occasion piece than an everyday dress, but it still won this category for me. The fit is not perfect but it is still such a fun dress to wear. I love the rayon bemberg lined full gathered skirt -- it's just perfect for twirling and frolicking.

Biggest Sewing Fail:

My biggest "meh" project this year was the Pilgrim Peony (wearable muslin) that I never quite finished.

I surprised myself whipping up this project on a whim and really liking the futuristic/mod collar I came up with. By the time I'd blogged about it, I was mere moments from tucking the unfinished blob into the closet to revisit later. I suppose I just lost momentum and have not touched it since. I have a feeling it's going to be sitting in the closet for a while.

Best Pattern:

This for me, as I'm sure you're all shocked to hear, would have to be the Laurel top & dress pattern by Colette Patterns. When the pattern was first released, my initial reaction was "...eh." It didn't seem too remarkable to me, but I decided to try it and participate in the contest Colette held, and then I was totally hooked.

I ended up making a total of 10 Laurel variations this year (including a top and a dress made for friends). My favorite and most worn dress version has to be my Back to School Laurel. It came out a bit short but is still a really versatile piece in my wardrobe. I even wore it on Christmas (with tights) when we had everyone over for family dinner.

Favorite Thrifted Find:

My favorite piece found during my thrift store and estate sale travels this year has been the short sleeved camel colored Bobbie Brooks cashmere sweater I found at a thrift store. It was a great price, is in excellent condition, and has made a useful addition to my wardrobe. It also happens to look great paired with my leopard print belt.

I don't think a person can have too many camel colored separates. They're a great neutral to pair with any other color or style.

Project(s) I'm Most Excited To Sew Next Year:

This one needs to be split into 2 categories: Dresses & Separates. The dress I'm really looking forward to trying out in 2014 is the Hazel dress by Victory Patterns.

And the separate I've been dying to sew for months but am determined and excited to do in 2014 is Tilly's Mathilde blouse. I've even got the pieces printed out, taped together, and cut, so all I need to do is pick my fabric and get to work!


In addition to ringing in the new year, there will be a little extra bit of celebrating going on in these parts as Sewin' Steady's 2nd birthday is coming up in just a few days. I'm considering giving the blog a makeover, will definitely be announcing some exciting news, and also doing a giveaway to celebrate. You won't want to miss it!

Season's Greetings!

 

And very happy holidays to you all!

I hope everyone has had a great month (almost) since I last checked in. Though there has not been a lot of blogging in these parts lately, there has been some sewing and thrifting. For my latest sewing project, I whipped up a dress to wear to the rehearsal + dinner for my sister's upcoming wedding. The pattern is M5845, the bodice of which Neeno loves and which I used for a previous wedding guest dress. On this latest version, I used a Navy cotton sateen from my fabric stash and dark purple/blue rayon bemberg lining from JoAnns. 

I modified the shape of the back opening by changing from the sharp, square cut-out edges to more of a scoop. I also raised the center back by about an inch, to help cover my bra, since the opening is a rather low scoop. The only other real change I made to what the pattern prescribes is to sew the darts inside of the garment, rather then having them on display on the outside of the dress. It's a more classy look this way, if you ask me.

I do love the shape of this bodice, but decided to use a sleeveless NL6000 for my upcoming floral wedding guest dress, rather than repeat the scoop back style again. This will be the dress I wear to the actual ceremony and reception. I've had luck with this pattern before as well, and since there's just one long front piece to NL6000 and two back pieces, instead of separate bodice and skirt pieces, I think it will work better with the floral sateen I've picked out -- more uninterrupted floral pattern! This fabric has a painted kind of look, which has a vintage feel to me, and is a rather bold print for my wardrobe! Here's a peek. 

That's all for now on the sewing front, though my thrifted finds the past few weeks have also had a significant sewing theme. In fact, I don't think I've found a single fashion accessory and not more than one article of clothing in my travels, but lots of notions, some bias tape, and some fun fabric. I found a teal sweater type of knit that I'm considering using for a Hazel dress (Victory patterns, not Colette), and a thin soft cotton/poly blend floral fabric. I love the color combination of the two together!

A quick peek at the fabric before I run off to wrap presents and get into the holiday spirit!

July

I cannot believe it's August already. To me, that means summer is basically OVER, but I'm not even sure what happened to my July. It was my birthday month, as you know, and it was a busier few weeks than I'd expected. The sewing WIPs are still moving slowly (I'm trying not to admit I'm in a little bit of a rut), but I did manage to acquire some new-to-me vintage things, which is always fun.

First up, I found this vintage dress at Goodwill on my birthday. I love the color palette of the fabric and the ILGWU tag indicates it's from the 1950s or '60s.

The fabric is soft and semi-sheer and has begun to pill slightly in some areas. There has been some mending done to it by a previous owner and a little more is needed now, especially along the waistline. It'll take a little work before I can wear this out in public, but I think it'll be great.

During my birthday weekend, Tom took me to my favorite antique store in downtown Leesburg. The vendor there who stocks her room with vintage sewing patterns and notions was having a closing shop sale, which was good and bad because I'll really miss shopping in her section, but there were great deals to be had. I picked up two cute patterns for an awesome price.

In another vendor's room I found this pretty blue cotton 1950s Swirl dress. It is just the right shade of blue and the floral fabric used for the skirt is so cute.

Some surprising construction detials on this dress include an elastic waist, just on the back of the dress, and a full front zipper, rather than a side or center back zip.  The bodice has cute rows of pin-tucks and the skirt is pleated, which always seems a little bit more flattering than a gathered skirt.

I wore this dress out to dinner with Tom to celebrate my birthday at a Thai restaurant in DC. It was delicious and I was so glad to be wearing this comfy cotton dress while sweating my face off as we devoured spicy food in the quaint, un-air-conditioned restaurant. :)

What about you all -- was July a busy month for you too? Did you pick up any exciting vintage or sewing goodies?

I spy...

I've got a few projects in the works right now. This weekend I did some research at Anthropologie and inspected a top that I want to recreate, got some fabric from Mood for the job (did you know they mail your orders wrapped in a Mood shopping bag?! Now I can re-use the bag and causally flaunt it all over the place - yes!),  cut out  a new dress project, started working on a Laurel top for my friend (after seeing my rayon print version, she wanted one for herself), and did some thrifting at Goodwill, where I scored these adorable 1960s pajamas.

The PJ's are Co-Jamas by Cohler, size 36 - just my size! I paid a whopping $6 for them, and think they are awesome! As I tried to show in the photos, they've got high-waisted pants with little pleats in front and back, instead of darts, and the length of the pants is cropped/capri-length. There is an opening on the left side that is closed by an adjustable button tab that is surprisingly comfortable. Did I mention that the fabric is super cute, too? It's got light blue tulips, some medium & darker blue strawberries, dark blue butterflies, plants, and bees, and little French words. I'm in love.

Sew...much!

I feel like I've got a lot going on in my brain & sewing room right now! I'm clinging to multiple sewing ideas, while also trying to do some refashioning and complete my Pendrell blouse. I actually took some time off work to give myself a long weekend for getting things done. However, in the sewing department, instead of being productive, I've ended up spending a lot of time marveling over all of the ideas for things I could work on. There's sewing project inspiration, potential refashioning projects waiting in a pile, and my in-progress Pendrell blouse.



Inspiration:
Ever since starting to read (yes, read - not just flip through the pretty, pretty pictures!) 100 Years of Fashion, one particular style has been stuck in my head. I know I've claimed the '60s as my best style decade for its more wearable, cute fashions, but who can resist the New Look.

1947 'Bar' by Dior -  V&A

Something about the fitted jacket and or blouse belted over an a-line or full skirt, idea won't get out of my mind. For some reason I'm picturing myself wearing this type of suit, maybe in dark blue, boarding an airplane? Don't ask. I've found a pattern that I'm dying to try, but then again, I think I could turn Gertie's jacket and skirt from her book into just as nice of a suit, and I wouldn't have to purchase any new patterns. But, just look...

Source: etsy.com via Susan on Pinterest

It's even from 1960! But, then there's also this lovely '50s pattern, too.

Source: etsy.com via Susan on Pinterest

Pretty! I'm not normally into suits, but these seem so smart and fun to wear. I'm especially liking the look of the jacket being nipped in at the waist and extending down to cover the hips, but not as long as a '40s style suit jacket. This look definitely helps create that hour-glass silhouette, but isn't revealing or racy. I'd call it ladylike but cute - at least that's how I'm hoping it would look on me.

Drooling over inspiration is a lot easier than completing a sewing project, though. Which tends to leave me with too many ideas to narrow down to a starting point and no progress on my current projects.

That said, I'm also being tempted by the Polka Dot Frock Fest that's been talked up over at Scruffy Badger Time.

I already own this pattern but have yet to sew it up. I also own some blue, polka dotted fabric that's been sitting forlorn in my stash for longer than I care to recall. Sounds like a match made in heaven, if you ask me.

If I do participate in the frock fest, I'm hoping to make my version something I could wear in my casual work setting without getting "...you're dressed up today" comments. I'm liking the view that's already illustrated in a   spotted fabric on the pattern envelope. Hmm... we'll just have to see.



Refashioning:
Earlier this month, I picked up this black, wool herringbone pencil skirt at the thrift store. I think it's from the '70s or '80s? It's fully lined, has pockets, and has a little strip of elastic on each side of the waistband  This might not sound like a plus, but the elastic is not super noticeable and makes a big difference in terms of comfort! It's a great length for a vintage office-y look, but my office is pretty casual, like I mentioned, and I'll get more wear out of this piece if I shorten it to above the knee. Not really a drastic refashion, more an alteration, but yeah. That's the plan.

Thrifted wool skirt with pockets  - closeup shows elastic at side-waist

I also have 4-ish other thrifted pieces just sitting in a pile, unwearable until refashioned into something better. I've tucked them away for now because I don't want to get sick of them before I even have time to start working on 'em. I easily get carried away with all of the pieces I see with "potential," rather than keeping in mind what I'll actually have time/energy to work on and will be able to really wear when completed.



Actually Working On...
In the meantime, through all of the swirling inspiration and project plans in my head, I've come to terms with the fact that trying to work on, or even just think about, too many things at once ends up being bad news for my sewing productivity. Once I finish my current project, the Pendrell blouse, I'll move on to address any lingering sewing inspiration or refashioning ideas. That may sound dull, but I think I'll go insane if I don't focus!

In-progress, creased and droopy, teal Pendrell

Today I'm planning to draft a collar to add to my teal rayon Pendrell WIP. Gertie's tutorial from her book seems pretty easy to follow for collar drafting, so, hopefully that'll turn out nicely. I am trying to make an effort to not rush through this relatively simple project. I don't want to be tempted to cut any corners and end up with a poorly finished piece that I won't enjoy wearing. Wish me luck!

Lately...

This weekend, I had a couple of good thrifting trips. Some of the items I picked up you'll be seeing more of in the coming months (so secretive!), but one you'll get to check out right now. It's an eShakti grey/beige eyelet dress that I found at Goodwill.

As you can see, the color is a little bit ...meh, but the fabric says it's 100% cotton (I'm assuming that excludes the shiny, matching greyish lining), so I was thinking I might try to dye it. I've got a couple of packs of Kelly Green RIT dye that I'd bought with the idea that I'd dye a length of white (probably synthetic, not receptive to dye) lace I've had laying around and try to make some kind of blouse out of it. Sound weird? Well, it looks great in my head.

When I showed Tom the newly thrifted dress and held up the box of dye next to it, he was like, "Green...??," which got me thinking, maybe this is another idea that only sounds good in my head. I have no idea if 1) the lining that peeks through all of the little holes in the eyelet will take dye at all, and if it does, how much; and 2) if the silky (rayon?) thread used in the embroidery of the eyelet detail on the fabric will take any dye either. This means my results could be crappy. I'm thinking maybe a more subtle color might be better...but what?

Duke is by my side for support, but doesn't have much advice to share.

Also this weekend, I've been trying to do a little mending that's been waiting in the mending pile for far too long. More of Tom's shirts that need taken in with some darts (copied from the job the tailor did on another of his shirts recently).

I was initially surprised when I saw the tailor had made two long darts down the back of the shirt he'd asked be adjusted so the fit was more...fitted, but it seems to be the best/easiest way to take care of it. Taking the shirt in at the sides might sound simpler but would probably actually be more annoying than darts, I'd think, due to the fancy (flat-felled?) seams there.

Anyway, I'm working on those shirts. Mending, blerg.

Another update: remember that holiday gift-making sewing I'd mentioned briefly before? Well, now I'm starting to think I might end up waiting on that. I'm actually feeling rather un-motivated to sew lately. So those holiday gifts might end up being belated... or just random late-winter (think...January/February) "just because" gifts. We'll see.