I really love the Lisette line of fabrics at Joann. I think they're one of the few lines at JoAnn that's designed with clothing in mind, since there is such a wide variety of weights and fabric types, from voiles to bottomweights. Everything I've made from that line has held up really well, I love all the prints, the colors and the feel. They're a dream to sew on and unlike many Joann fabrics, they wash nicely and are on-grain! There is little more annoying to a sewer than getting a wonky cut of fabric, amiright?
So, I love it when I score a Lisette fabric during the clearance sales. I don't really even look for them, my eye is usually drawn to the print and then when it turns out to be Lisette, I say, "of course." Ha!
This cotton voile was one such fabric. I grabbed it knowing it was in my desired color palette and knew right away I wanted to make a basic woven tank from it. There are little turquoise dots inside the white dots, if you look closely.
I like it so much, I might have worn it two days in a row ... but I'll never tell ;)
It's great by itself and will be nice and breezy for Summer. I love cotton voile because it's lightweight, but not so much to require a cami unerneath!
The best part is that it goes with two things I've made that are unique colors for bottom pieces and that I needed more to go with than a black tee. This might be my fave:
That's my yellow corduroy skirt I made almost two years ago. Still a favorite!
AND, it goes with my green shorts I made last Summer! Also a Lisette fabric, incidentally:
It goes with several of my cardigans too. Like this great coral one:
I love the fit of this cardi, but it wasn't getting a lot of wear until I started pinpointing my color palette and focusing on a mix and match wardrobe.
Well, I have really been branching out in my sewing lately! I have seen some pretty cute printed shorts out there. A bit classier of a style than jean shorts. Just check out this J.Crew page to see what I mean. But, not only do I not want to pay J. Crew prices, I wanted shorts just a little longer than I usually find in stores. So, at the last JoAnn's sale, I bought a couple a couple of Lisette bottom weights on clearance (which was an additional half off). So, each of these shorts cost about $4 to make! I already had the pattern and the zippers (because if ever there's a bag o' zippers at a thrift store, I do not pass it by, I buy it ;)
Here's my first pair:
And with a different shirt:
The pattern is Simplicity 1617. I've already made the skirt on the same pattern, so I have more than gotten my 99 cents out of this one, ha!
Here's my second pair:
I wasn't sure I had any tops to go with either of these, but once I took a lot, it turned out I had a few for each pair! Actually, though, this last one I am not liking in the pictures. I don't think it's the best fit for me, so it might go in the giveaway pile. See?? Everyone should take pictures of themselves in their clothes if they really want to know what they look like. Ha!
This pattern had no pockets, so I drafted some based on a different skirt pattern I have. On the green pair, I used a cute Heather Bailey cotton for the pocket lining. It's a cute surprise in there :)
And for the second pair, I added a ruffle, just like the pockets on my favorite yellow corduroy skirt I made last Fall! So cute.
I did not photograph the rear view, but the fit back there is perfect! Also, I tried out the fabric glue stick method for the zipper instead of hand basting in it, which was previously the only way I could get them in right! The glue was awesome, it worked like a champ and did not gunk up my needle.
I'm super proud of both of these because I took extra time in making a muslin (in two different patterns, actually--I was determined!) and the extra time paid off because I feel like I can use this as a base for all kind of shorts and pants! I have one more pair in mind to make, so hopefully I'll be sharing those soon!
This is my second attempt at a peplum top. I made the first one out of denim and while it looks cute on the hanger, I've yet to wear it. I think the denim just made the peplum stick out and it hit the widest part of my hips and just widened me in all the wrong places! But, when the Spring New Look line came out, I thought 6198 would work better than the previous pattern I had used (which had pleats on the peplum, only adding to the wideness).
Anyway, I wasn't sure I loved this at first, but I've already worn it several times--to our homeschool co op, to a baby shower and last night to an ARMY spouses' dinner. So, I guess it's a keeper! I just had to get used to the shape, I think.
My yellow cord skirt is still probably one of the most worn and versatile pieces I have ever made!! Love it. I actually did make this skirt again and since I'm behind and know I probably won't get around to posting everything individually, I'll just share some stragglers here while I'm at it :)
I like this skirt, but not quite as much as my yellow one. The top is another Renfrew! I really liked it. But, I didn't preshrink the fabric because I wasn't ever planning on putting it in the dryer. And then I put it in the dryer!!! Dumb. It shrunk up. I think I can maybe add a band to the bottom though, I can't remember if I had extra fabric or not.
And! I made another of these maxi skirts (don't think I made all this super recently, cause it's been over three months or so! I'm just behind in sharing!) Here's a kinda fuzzy Layla pic:
I think that's it! At least, that's all I have pictures of. I made another lace Renfrew that I keep wearing and keep forgetting to photograph. And I'm wearing another me-made outfit today!
I did take a clothing break and work on the remaining blocks for Jenn and my collaborative quilt project. And, I made some cute knit skirts for my girls for Valentines Day. Then I made a Kelby a super cute hat!! Can't wait to give those to them. Next up is some pillows for our family room couch and then doll clothes for Natalie's birthday!! Should I even show you how my 18" doll clothes pattern collection has grown?? It could get embarrassing... think I'll keep it to myself ;) Darn you, JoAnn and your 99 cent pattern sales!!
You may remember another post with this same title in recent months. I'm getting so much wear out of that yellow cord skirt, that I wanted to make another equally versatile skirt. I've had Cynthia Rowley's skirt pattern, Simplicity 2512, for at least a year, but was hesitant to try it because I didn't know how this silhouette would look on me. Due to some recent wadders, I went ahead and whipped up a quick muslin (gasp! I never make muslins) and was pleasantly surprised! I went ahead and cut it out in this purplish fabric someone gave me a few years ago. I love the texture in this fabric, it's a perfect weight for a skirt and I think it turned out great!
Here it is, worn four ways.
I didn't bother with shoes and my photos could have been better, but it's all I could do to document four changes of clothes, so it'll have to do!
I love that this skirt can be casual or classy. And the cute waistband shape and binding make it unique. Very happy with how it turned out!!
I am SO happy with how my latest project turned out!! I have an Ann Taylor skirt that I picked up at a thrift store last year and just really love the fit of. So, when I got some yellow corduroy on clearance at Denver Fabrics, I set out looking for a pattern to copy that skirt. I wanted a skirt with a waistband and I wanted it straight, not a-line. I found it in New Look 6030. I love all the pocket variations on this pattern and that it has belt loops!
Since versatility is my wardrobe sewing goal lately, here's my new yellow skirt, worn 4 different ways:
After taking these photos, I kept finding more things in my closet that this skirt will go with! I took a bit of extra time in getting the fit perfect, so it is super comfortable to wear. I really love the ruffly pockets:
I decided to add a lining after I had the shell complete. I tried it on and could see my undies right through it, so I grabbed this cute cotton pin stripe and lined it.
I have plans to make at least two more of these in the coming months, but with some of the different pocket options, so they'll look totally different. Can't wait!
I've been pretty inspired by a few sewing bloggers' posts on creating more practical sewn wardrobes. One is this post on Ten Thousand Hours of Sewing. I love the idea of creating pieces that mix and match with at least 3 other things in my wardrobe and that can go with some things I already made that I have nothing to wear with (the plaid jacket in the third photo above is a case in point). Also, I'm loving this series of posts on A Fashionable Stitch. The gist is to sew more everyday clothes and things comfortable and cute, that can be worn around the house or anywhere. I don't know about you, but I need to feel cute in my clothes, even if no one sees me all day but my kids--it just helps me function at my best! I know some home schoolers love to stay in their p.j.'s all day occasionally, but I'm a mean mommy and make my kids get dressed for school--I even do the girls' hair, because how we look affects how others treat us and how we feel about ourselves, there's just no way around it!
I can't believe I only just recently started using Vogue patterns, because seriously, they're a cut above. When they go on sale for $3.99 at JoAnn's, I usually grab one, just to start building my collection. I bought Vogue 1152 awhile ago and finally got some fabric for it a few months ago.
Here's my result:
I love all the great details on this dress! The front gathering and piping are unique and the sleeves are puffy, but not too puffy. I actually finished this a month ago, I just needed to get a cami to go underneath, which I finally did. The neckline is pretty low, so this was a necessity if I want to wear this anywhere other than a date with Casey. The hem, though, is one of my favorite parts!
I was nervous about that hem, cause nothing can ruin a dress like a wonky hem, but Vogue's instructions were amazing. I've never had a curvy hem turn out so well before!
We don't have much planned this weekend, which is unusual, actually, so I may get some more sewing in! I can't wait to show you the yellow corduroy skirt I've been working on!! Things take me a bit longer now that I only sew in the evenings, but the results are still so worth it. It's also making me think more carefully about prioritizing projects. Anyone else have Christmas sewing on the brain already? Just me? Okay, then.
Oh, my goodness, there have been so many things I want to blog about and as much as I would love to be a daily blogger, let's face it--it's a busy time of year! So, I'm going to combine it all in one post :)
First off, it's been awhile since I've crocheted anything, it seems, but now that I am in that phase of life where I occasionally cart kids someplace only to sit until practice or class is over (no complaining about the sitting, I love it. I rarely get to sit :), I started this project and toted it along to work on whenever I could. Before long, I had this...
It's an infinity scarf. One big loop, so you can wear it like a cowl. It's mine, not Natalie's, but since she had it on, I let her model it for the picture--she's a beautiful model, too :) And now, she wants one too. A yellow one. And because she wants one, Layla wants one. Guess i have something to do on our coming road trip! Oh, I used this pattern and it was just lovely.
My JoAnn finally got the new McCall's patterns and since my mom was going while they were on sale this week, I asked her to pick up these three for me:
How fabulous is that Denise Schmidt quilt!? So excited. And, can you see the top right view on the apron pattern? It has a tool belt. I want to make all three kids aprons for Christmas and I have a great girlie apron pattern, but this one is perfect for Kelby. The skirt pattern is going to be great, I think. I do not like the saddle bag view--I don't know who would want to add ten pounds to each hip, but whatev.
Next up, did you know that thrift stores and consignment stores are the absolute best place to get kids' books?? Well, it's true. My consignment store has a book club--I get one free book per month per kid! Last time, I walked away with 8 books for $6. Not bad. Last night, I went to Savers, my favorite thrift store and came home with quite a load...
This isn't all. There are four more that were in the hands and laps of little ones when I took this picture :) The Children's Books of Virtues and the Children's book of Faith are in new condition. So are some of the others. And, how awesome is the 1970 edition of the Richard Scary Mother Goose book?? Savers has kids books from .79-$1.99. Plus, for every 4, you get one free. AND, I had a 20% off coupon from a previous donation. Good deal. I see lots of homeschooling unit study and read aloud possibilities in this stack :)
Finally and probably the coolest part of this post!!! My Dad is in a video on Youtube!!! I love this video! It is SO much fun to see where he lives and works in Mongolia and to see him in action. Start looking for him right at 2 minutes. He's in a classroom and in front of an overhead screen. He's in it again towards the end and it's easy to spot him because I think he may be the only American face in there. And if you have little boys, they will love this, it's crammed full of tractors :)
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND GRATITUDE-FILLED THANKSGIVING!!!!
Guess what, in case you didn't already know, I FINISHED MY DEGREE ON MONDAY!!!!! Yep, that's right, I'm a college graduate, the first in my family line, actually, so I am proud and more than an little relieved that it's over!
We don't start homeschooling for another couple of weeks, so I signed the kids up for swimming lessons--four days this week and four days next. And let me tell, ya, after only 3 days, my kids have been replaced by three little fish; they would swim all day!
I have also made no less than three dresses for myself recently and one for each of the girls. I guess I'm a bit behind on posting them! Here's one, though, the only one I've taken a pic of so far...
Sheesh, I coulda smiled, right? This is a combination of two patterns. The bodice is Simplicity 2209, the Lisette passport dress which I've made once already...
And I used the skirt from Simplicity 2177, also a dress I've made once and love...
I originally started to make the Lisette dress, but because of that great nautical-looking border on my fabric, I needed a skirt that was cut straight and the Lisette dress has a curved hem. These two patterns are very similar in cut and style, but I like the fit of the Lisette bodice a bit better, so I measured carefully and it turned out the straight skirt would fit the Lisette bodice perfectly! And, I went with it :) I like the dress, but I'm actually picturing it styled for a Fall look--with a red or yellow cardi, maybe and a skinny belt, I think.
Anyway, it seems I finally figured out how to get in-focus pictures with my self-timer, so maybe I'll get the other dress photographed pretty soon!!! While we were at it, the kids and I took this one:
Do we do blue eyes, or WHAT!? :)
And, my leggy Layla girl. When did she lose her baby legs???? So sweet...
Oh, man, I don't think I've ever been so relieved that summertime is coming! Yesterday we had some truly amazing weather. I actually got a bit of a tan :) Since I've been in such a Summer mood, I've been doing some Summer sewing.
Here's a dress I made Natalie out of some fabrics my friend Jenn gave me. I don't love this pattern--it kinda has that dorky homemade look. But, as my friend Angela reminded me, that look is kinda in right now :) Plus, Natalie really likes it AND it's longer that anything you can find in the stores right now!
As for me, I've sewn lots of things for myself lately, but it's very hard to take pictures of myself wearing them. I did manage this one, though:
I have a white linen skirt exactly like this that I got at Old Navy after Natalie was born--six years ago. I wore that skirt through my next two pregnancies and beyond. I even took 6 inches out of it when I lost 50 pounds a year and a half ago. When I saw this gorgeous linen on clearance at JoAnn for $4 a yard, I had to make myself another one. I copied the white skirt ruffle for ruffle, pleat for pleat. I love it :)
I'll try to have Casey take some pics of me wearing the other things I've made!
Another kind of sewing....
This pot was left here when we moved it. I spray-painted it yellow. Much better :)
