Simplicity 2681: Vintage Nightgown

This nightgown has been planned for many months, but just recently became a reality. I really needed to get back into sewing after my first trip, so I thought this would be a good one to begin with. Time-consuming tracing of the vintage pattern kicked it off!

Project salvage: Retro dress to a skirt!

Before:

My younger sister made this charming dress from a vintage pattern, and while the first from it fit correctly, this one did not. More's-the-pity. During a much-needed wardrobe consultation session with her older sisters, she decided to let me work some magic with it! ;)

Because of the strange method the vintager's had for inserting zippers, I had to narrow the skirt down, which actually turned out to be very good. Using the scraps that little sis had leftover, I inserted the opposite stripe in the skirt. Then I hemmed it and managed to cut the waistband from the extra I cut out of the skirt. I salvaged the invisible zipper from the dress and used a blue piping scrap from my older sister. Some seams, hand sewing and pressing later, and the Cinderella skirt was ready to wear!

It's definitely a favorite-forever project now!

In progress: Blue and Yellow Afghan

Itty Bitty Baby Dress and Panties

When Lauren posted this dress pattern on her blog, I knew I had to try it! I cut up a very unflattering linen gingham jumper for the main part and some scraps of muslin for lining. I had to purchase more grosgrain ribbon, but I think the effect is worth it! For the panties, I used a Simplicity pattern.



Everything (save the buttonholes) were hand sewn; french seams and all! It took me a few weeks amongst several other projects to get it completed, but it was worth it!

I want to make a matching little boys suit now. :)

When one can't decide which project to sew next, one should just start a crochet project instead!

*smile*



At least, that's what this one did.



I altered a basic flower pattern and then crocheted them together before adding a border. My mom thinks it almost looks like a grandmother's flower garden pattern. I still haven't decided what to call it though. Perhaps Roses on the Rock Wall? This will take pondering.

~Kyna

The bridesmaids purses and hats

These little purses afforded me much needed breaks from sewing the dresses and were quickly satisfying! :D I made up my own patterns for them, but exhaustion and running out of time worked havoc with the last one, so I looked to Craftster for it's replacement.

Please take a moment to let them introduce themselves.

"Hi! I'm the most tailored!"

"Hello! I'm chic with pleats and a little color!"

"ciao, sono una figura di divertimento" (In english, that's "Hello, I'm a fun shape!")

*giggle* "I'm the favorite!" *blush*

"I'm last. That's just life, I guess." (This is also the only one that wasn't completed. The embellishment was only pinned on during the whole thing!)

I used tulle, ribbon roses, satin bows and my imagination to embellish them. We finally put the last few stitches on the hats the morning of the wedding. It was so worth it!

Some had little pockets. Only one had a zipper closure.

Every girl had at least one jewelry pouch. I made these because there was one in each of the vintage purses that my grandmother lent us for parties. The snaps were a breeze once the hammer finally made it's way back to the house after some very efficient hands whisked it off! :)

The hats were TW's idea, but I created a pattern that would work and set Annie on making them.

They really added to the vintage look that the bride wanted!


Many, many thanks to my younger sister for so patiently helping me fashion the ribbon roses! Yep, all 38 of them; there was painstaking small stitches to wrap the ends up, too! Also thanks to Mother for finding us the instructions and the rest of my sisters for moral support and advice. We giggled a lot late one night working on them!

We did not carry our purses during the ceremony, but it was nice knowing that these cute little things were waiting with family for us and they looked very good with our bouquets on the bridal table!

Note: I do intend to eventually post pictures of the bridesmaids dresses, but I don't have the professional pictures yet and I want to wait for them! There are a few shots that I'm hoping the photographer caught!

The finished aprons

Designed by Yours Truly.

Birthday gift for a special friend

My first ever crocheted doily!





EXTRA BONUS!!!
Here's the birthday card! From this tutorial.

Cranberry Celebration

There is kind of a story behind this blouse. I bought the fabric almost two years ago intending to make a Christmas shirt. Shortly before Christmas 2006 I realized that more important things must take precedence. I set it aside quite sadly.

This year I finally started by making a mock-up and then cut into the fashion fabric only to realize that I was short on fabric. Very depressing, I assure you. I asked my dear mother to get me some that would go with it. In the store lighting it looked much more purple and the solid fabric was the closest match. At first I was leary of it because it is quite a different shade, but I decided to use it anyway. Now I am very glad I did. I love the combination.

So, after some long sewing days (including other things, too), I knew it wouldn't be finished in time for Christmas. I kept on sewing though and even worked on it Christmas Day while I waited for our holiday guest to arrive. :8o

By that time I only had some hand sewing left to do and the front closure. I barely had a chance to work on it while our Christmas/New Years guests were here, but picked it up again once everyone had departed. I was determined to finish it then and after I attached the buttons I decided to line the solid sections. I did all that by hand while sipping tea and staying warm. :D

At last it was done and I just had to wait until another snowfall to photograph it. *deep breath*

This is my first synthetic shirt. I normally stick with natural fibers, but I couldn't resist this fabric when I saw it it on clearance. The bolt said 100% linen, but it cannot possibly be right. It is not linen. I'm guessing it is polyester. *Note: it is much more burgundy than the pictures lead you to believe.

I used Vogue 8196. Other than size alterations, I changed the bottom sections to be flat instead of gathered. I knew gathers don't look good on me, so I used some pieces from another shirt pattern. I am really pleased with the way that part turned out.

In fact, I am pleased with the way the whole thing turned out. I think I might make this shirt again in a cotton print for summer. I just can't decide if I should do the long sleeves for protection from the sun or the short sleeves.

The best denim skirt I have ever made!

I used Vogue 8315. As you can see, I altered it quite a bit. :) Immediately noticable is that I made a skirt and it's a dress pattern. I also narrowed the flares down two inches on each piece just so I would have enough fabric and it's plenty full without those extra 16+ inches!



I had to taper the top pieces in to fit my waist and drafted my own waistband pattern. The belt loops and the topstitching make it more casual, but with the right top and shoes it is quite dressy! :D The waistband facing and the hem facing are both brown cotton. I love doing that, but forgot to take a picture!

It works great with sandals for warm weather and I am looking forward to wearing it with tall boots this fall/winter. It is a very versatile weight 100% cotton denim from Joanns, purchased with a coupon, of course! :)

Graduation card!

When I looked for a graduation card a few weeks ago, I couldn't find many and I didn't care for those I did find. So, I made one!