DuBarry 5355 in navy linen progress

I love this pattern and after my earlier attempt, I decided to make it again in a crisp navy linen.

When I made the first one, I had an issue with the fabric that made it drape too much. I thought I sized the pattern wrong. Turns out it was the fabric. When I cut this one out I made sure to prep the fabric rather meticulously:

I overlocked all the pieces. Laid in all the facing for the blouse, belt and ties.

Pressed the darts flat for straighter sewing.

Basted all the gathered sections of the garment that needed it. Stitched the darts. Then started the construction.

I also made sure to pay attention to where I notched and how bulky parts laid. I notched on the sides of gathers so I could fold and press them down properly. Thats something I like doing, because it helps the garment lay so much neater. Notching is awesome!

I even curved up the construction line of the front and its peplum. I get a bit too much dangle from the front fold over of the blouse to my liking, so I curved up their joining seam about 1/4".

Then there is the belted back.

Im determined to have a good belted back. I think it is an amazing look and this dress suit just screams for it. Like with the other one, instead of a regular belt, I did the belted back but sewed in a ties at the sides. I dont know, I really like that.

I did a test fit after I basted the sides of the blouse together and it fits just fine. The linen hangs very well and I love working with it.

The skirt is complete. All I have to do is the hem. Ill finish sewing the blouse tomorrow. I plan on wearing this on the weekend with its matching skirt (finished) and the beret and bag I made. This outfit is for a cocktail party. I loves the cocktails.

Catalog Sunday

Today will be excerpts of Sears fall/winter 42-43.

I love my Granny.

She celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this month, and this past weekend the family threw her a dinner. I couldn't make it, but with how much I chat with her, Im sure she understood.

So here is my homage to my Granny, who makes me crazy sometimes but whom I love dearly. Her high school graduation picture from 1938, and her diploma. Imagine being a black woman with a high school diploma in 1938! That astounds me.

Whenever Im frustrated about my own obstacles, I think about her life. I think the name of her High School says a lot of it. I have her diploma, my mother's and mine all shadow boxed hanging on my wall. I look at them everyday.

Love you Granny :)

New Pattern Day Yay!

Well many asked, so here you go!
A reproduction pattern of the flower pattern I so adore. The bonus, I included the gardenia pattern I created. This pattern is in PDF form. Yay! It will be emailed to you and you can print out the pieces and get started right away!

You can find the pattern here in my etsy store.

Rip-up, Reuse, and Re-wear!

I made a resolution to NOT have clothing in my closet that needed alterations or was just a lost cause.

We've all done it. Made projects that you HATE and then stick them in the back of your closet. Then, when you think of that new project and say, "Oh! I have the perfect fabric for that!" Only to remember you used it on that crappy monstrosity now gathering dust in the bottom of your closet.

To this I say, no more! Get those old projects back out and get that fabric used again. Dont fear the bad sleeves, or mismatched pleats ever again! Its empowering!

So to spark inspiration, here are some of my lesser successful projects that were remade into new items I love to wear.

I *hated* this dress. HATED it. I thought this 30s number would look good. So, so wrong. So it became a 30s blouse. I love it now.

This 50s dress was another hate. Ick. Just ick. But the cotton was so nice, so it became a blouse.

This top one and bottom one were one of those horrid 'walk-away' dresses, but I call them 'fly-away' dresses. You know, the kind that wrap and have a flap in the back. Everyone who sews makes them, its a given, but I hate them. But thats another story, or perhaps blog post.

This dress (below) was just a bad idea. I wore it once and felt so, so stupid. So a blouse it became.

This last one the fabric was a great heavy twill. Too heavy for this type of dress. That and always felt I was gonna pop the zipper in it.

I have many, many more projects that Ive done this to. Its so gratifying, taking what you learned from an old project and making something else you would actually wear.

So I invite you all, cannibalize those unmentionable projects, reclaim them and find the joy in making something new again!

My sewing for sale!

In an effort to decrease my closet (so I can make more clothes, lets face it), Ive decided to offer up many of my personal wardrobe staples in my etsy store. Over the next week, Ill list lots of handmade dresses, blouses and skirts.



A lot of garments Ive only worn a couple of times. Most of them finished off with vintage buttons or other accessories. Im sad to see these lovelies go, but I need the space for more clothes! HA!



So if you are between a 46"-50" bust and a 48"-50" hip, you might find something you will like!
Thanks and yay sewing!

The Gardenia

I was up last night and I wondered; Do I have enough linen to make some fabric gardenias?

I did!

I altered the rose pattern and made three of these little beauties.

I gotta say, no flower reminds me of vintage like the gardenia.

I know, I know, its because of Billie Holiday. Im not oblivious, but come on. How can you look at this picture and not *see* cool personified?!

The flower is so feminine to me. Even more so than the rose. Its wide and curvy and screams to be noticed with its incredible scent. Its so woman, right.

So I made these flowers, not necessarily because of Lady Day, but more because of how feminine they make me feel. They are inspiration, and they have worked their magic on my next project, which Im glad to say will be so awesome, I might make people jealous. I know! Thats a tall order, but Im serious. So don't be mad at me, okay. Give me a couple of weeks, and the secret project (a dress) shall reveal itself.