After spending a week in the sunny, almost spring of the northwest, its kind of a bummer to come to the cold, drizzly south. But at least I have this new skirt for sunnier thoughts. Its my first time sewing a knit, and it actually went pretty smoothly. The bottom of the skirt is a flowy, cascading shape, so I had to model it to show it off. I’m looking forward to wearing more skirts this spring!
I am eternally grateful that Jon has great style. I never worry about him dressing himself. Over the past couple years, he has managed to phase out most of his older, college frat-guy clothes, and replace them with very classic pieces that he can mix and match and always look put-together.
We usually go through our clothes every season and rotate/donate as necessary, but since everyone is doing these fall wardrobes recently, we thought it would be fun to do a guy version. So here is Jon’s fall wardrobe. It is 40 pieces total, including his shoes and accessories. Here is a snapshot, but you can click through the post to see all the choices!
It was pretty fun watching him carefully choose his wardrobe!
I ripped this shirt apart more than once. The pattern is very long, and I should have tried it on before sewing on the gathered section (lesson learned). But I think I finally ended up with something wearable!
At first, I was a little nervous that it seemed too big all over, but it fits in the arm area, which keeps it from looking messy. The flowy look is also in right now, so I think it wouldn’t look too out of place if you saw it in a store. I’ve worn it to movie night with jeans, and felt super stylish.
Making good progress on the cute summer shirt collection over here! This week I added a floral sleeveless top, with a peter pan collar, and an asymmetrical hemline for a flowy, breezy look.
The fabric is a lightweight cotton for summer, and I like the watercolor look of the floral print. I also like that this is one of those kinds of pattens where, if I drip ice cream or something, its not completely noticeable (depending on the flavor of ice cream).
I read the directions wrong for the collar. I doubt it would have made much of a difference, and no one would be able to tell, but I would know. So out the stitches came.
And then it looked so much better the correct way, right???
And now, a grainy photo of the shirt being modeled. I ended up taking it in a bit on the sides because it was tooo flowy, but I am real happy with it now. I might add a couple little buttons near the collar too. (Please note the height of the tomato plants. They used to just be babies!)
I managed to finish three new garments last week. (I watch Project Runway while I’m sewing. Makes me feel more legit.) I only planned on two, but I ended up having a little extra fabric, so I was able to squeeze out one more.
First up is this fancy little shirt with a peter pan collar. The fabric is super light and perfect for hot summers. I already want to wear it everywhere.
Next we have a striped tank dress. I have made this pattern before, but with sleeves. I was really nervous to work with a stripe, since its pretty obvious if it turns out crooked then, but I have to start somewhere!
I had a little extra of the stripe material, since I didn’t make any sleeves, so I made it work with another tank top pattern! I like all the different stripe angles. I think this design would lay a little better with a more flowy fabric, but it was nice to get used to the pattern, and its definitely still wearable!
I’m trying out a couple new shirt patterns this week, which means we had to go get some fabric. Oh darn. I get really sucked into sewing. Following the pattern, moving on to the next step, and the next and the next until its magically all done. I have to remind myself to stop to eat. We’ll see how many pieces I can finish this week!
I had to make an emergency yarn run yesterday, so I stopped by the pattern department for a quick look. We are actually still in cold weather here in the heart of Texas, but it won’t be long before the sun is burning us alive. I started thinking that I should probably start sewing up some summer items now, so they are ready for battle when the time comes!
Well looky here. Just last week, this was a pile of fabric. Now it is a dress. I am sure it is very pleased with its transformation. I haven’t tried it on yet, but it looks pretty good on the hanger. 
It has some elastic on the sleeves and on the back at the waist to add some shape.
I had this cool gold button picked out, but I accidentally made the button loop too small. Good thing I had a back-up button ready.
I hand stitched the hem up. It actually didn’t take as long as I thought it would, and made me feel like I was living in a little house on a prairie.
I’m already on the hunt for my next pattern, so let me know if you see anything awesome!
And we have a final product! And it actually looks like a shirt, and is completely wearable in public, so that is a huge plus.
Its not quite perfect, but I think its a pretty solid first attempt. I also feel as if I have uncovered one of the world’s great secrets. Everybody is wearing clothes, but not everybody knows how they are made. I can join that secret club now.
Its fun to look back through the pictures and remember all the “firsts.” Also, all the calls and texts to my ma asking her if it was looking right.
Sometimes I just had to remind myself to go step-by-step, and it would magically become whatever it was supposed to be.
The continuous lap part. Thank goodness for youtube.
I’ve made buttonholes before, but I’ve never sewn on a button with the machine. The button foot is a little scary looking, but we made friends.
I’m excited to make another one! Maybe some spring fabric? Of course, now that my flannel shirt is done, the weather has decided to warm up a bit here.
guy and his girl 
