Getting Crafty For Spring

With warmer weather my crafty mojo is kicking in.  I blew the dust off of my sewing machines recently and have been sewing up a storm.  Thanks to my friend Susan for inspiring me to create clothes with a little retro feel.  She sent me a link to Pink Chalk Fabrics.  They have beautiful downloadable patterns and retro style fabrics.

This was the dress that caught her eye!

And this coat caught mine

I will make one or both of these someday soon, but I am an instant gratification kinda girl so off to the local fabric store I went to look at patterns and fabric.



I use to sew most of my clothes, but the day came when fabric was crappy and pattern cost sky rocketed so it became more expensive to sew than to just buy something at the local Target.  Oh sure I still made the occasional ball gown (I ball room dance), baby quilt and clothes, and I can't forget a bathing suit or two for my friends who compete in fitness comps.  I also am lucky to have a Brother Sewing/Embroidery machine so that was my creative sewing outlet for some time.  My husband and son (and me too!) have some unique shirts and bags.  As anyone who reads this blog knows I also knit and make jewelry, so I think those two things just kept me busy and away from my machines.



Lucky for me the first thing I did was an internet search and found PS I Made This.  I had some neat knit fabric that I bought for another project several years ago and so I made this vest/cowl thingy.

 Mine isn't as long as the one on her site, but it will be great all
year long depending on what I wear under it.  I wore it to work and
everyone wanted one and couldn't believe I made it.  So I bought some
dark grey fabric and made a longer one.  It was a hit too.  I needed a
couple of pins to hold the vests closed and decided to create some using
buttons, rhinestones, felt and glue. 

Here are the results:



I made this one for another project I am working on

I made some other button jewelry too....

Lucky for me the buttons were on sale this week.  While I was at the store I also browsed the patterns, Vogue was 75% off, so I got a DKNY pattern for about $7 and I also got a McCall's pattern for $1.99.  I had a conversation with a couple of ladies that were also browsing the patterns and we remember when patterns where about $2 all the time. 

I got Vogue DKNY 1236





And here is my version

I realized that it might be a little shorter than I wanted so I bought pink tulle and added a piece to the bottom and made a matching flower clip.  I got lucky and had 2 summer sweaters that matched it when I shopped my closet.  On Saturday I wore it with a sweater and the flower in my hair.  It was a hit!  I felt so girly and like I did as a kid in my new Easter dress.



I also made McCalls #6165

I made the tank top in bright pink.  I love flowey tops so this is perfect for me.  Oh, I also didn't hem it or finish any of the edges..t shirt fabric doesn't  fray!  So why waste time sewing it....

My next dress will be Burda 7517

I haven't sewn a Burda pattern in awhile, but they have adapted to the US market by including the seam and hem into the patterns....you used to have to add that one when cutting.

PS I Made This led me to searching the internet for other like minded blogs/sites.  How many things could I make with no pattern?  I found a ton of them and I am still finding more.  I made this dress from designer Anna Maria Horner.  She makes lovely fabrics and on her blog is a link to some free ideas for you.  I also made a skirt based on her idea.

I made a few changes...I used 1 1/3 yards of fabric, 45" wide.  I selected this cotton from the quilting area (it was 1/2 price!).  After washing I cut off about 6 inches along one end, and cut the fabric in half along the original fold line.  I created a waist band with the strip I cut off by folding it in half and after stitching one side of my skirt together stitching it to the top.  I then created three channels for the elastic to go in, and added it using a safety pin, stitching it down on each end.  I sewed up the open side and folded up a narrow hem and top stitched.  When I tried it on I realized I had a skirt that was too big in the waist and a little too boxy for my curvy figure, so I simply sewed it to adjust the fit.  Next one I make I will cut it a little more A line.  It is a great casual skirt and really cost under $10 to make.  I love to wear skirts in the summer more than shorts...just so comfy!.



Here are some other sites I have gotten great ideas from:

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/  there is a great knit skirt that I know I will make!

http://m-sewing.com/patterns-catalog/women/tops/draped-top.html

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/05/shoe-redo-red-ruffle-flat.html this site had a ton of great ideas

http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/08/garnet-hill-shirt-knock-off-by-dream.html I will be doing this shirt!

http://rufflesandrosescrafts.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-of-skirts-elastic-line-tutorial.html

http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/03/anthropologie-winding-road-tank.html



I have to figure out how to have the time to do all of these!  And there are even more sites out there to explore!  Good luck crafting, sewing and in your general messiness!