That's All

Well, we've finally reached the end of June, and the end of MMJ. I miss my "regular" clothes.

Day 27, sporting a me-made necklace and a mama-made blouse:

Blouse is same pattern as the blue one seen here. The fabric of this one is all crinkly, and was absolutely THE look at the time. I have worn this blouse to death, as evidenced by the many many torn and worn-out places, most of which are hidden near seams. The elastic at the cuff has completely lost it's bounce, but with so many seams falling to bits on this already, I fear it would just start a round of endless mending if I replaced it. I should really just let this one go, but I love it so. (Thanks, mom! I love you.)

Day 28, and I had no choice but to wear this previously seen brown blouse.

I did take some time to do my hair that morning, which is why I'm turned away. I want you to ignore the blouse and see the hair.

Also wearing me-made earrings and bracelet.

Pants are store-bought, and are the pair I was hoping to replace with the recently finished too-small pair, made in a similar fabric. The shape of these isn't quite right on me, but I loved the fabric. I planned to toss them as soon as I finished my "improved" version. So much for that.

I think I've figured out why I haven't made the "real" version of this blouse yet. The neckline on this is far too wide/low for me. I wear an undershirt with this one, for the sheer factor, but also because the neckline, while it is pulled up with the drawstring, is far too wide and low. My undies would be peaking out if I didn't cover them up, and that's never good. I have one other not-sheer blouse with a neckline this wide, and I find I don't want to wear it, even with the undershirt, because it's always slipping off to one side or the other. Sure, the undershirt maintains modesty for me, but I'd like not to be fighting the neckline, too.

So, I'll have to raise the neckline before I make this in the prettier, more expensive fabric. I don't like altering patterns. Besides, I'm thinking this blouse hits me at the wrong point on my hips.

Day 29, and, um, please don't laugh.

I love this jumpsuit. Truly. I know, it's all lacy and pastel and feminine, and not quite the right thing for work. But it's so pretty! (right?)

I couldn't find the pattern for this, so I can't tell you what it is. I probably have another one cut out and lurking among my many UFO's. Can't recall for sure. If I do, though, I should probably just let it go. The look is so 90's.

And, finally, for day 30, falling back on my trusty me-made white t-shirt (how has it stayed white all these years? I'll never know), and a mom-made jacket:

I don't think I've worn this jacket much at all. It was made to go over an off-white dress, which I wore to a wedding (not mine, of course). After that, I wore it to church a few times, but not very often. I've decided the dress needs to be shortened (I think), and maybe taken in a bit. Today was the first time I'd even considered wearing the jacket with something else. Can't tell you the pattern, because I didn't make it. Might be one of the Khalia Ali patterns, though. It has that sort of feel to it.

The storm yesterday blew away all the fading roses. I was loath to prune the bush, because there isn't enough time for it to re-bloom before my BBQ Saturday, but I guess there's no reason to leave it now.

Bye-bye roses, and bye-bye June.

remarkably similar

These old shelves from the vault at work:

no doubt going home with someone for free

look an awful lot like these brand spankin' new Expedit shelves:


complete with unassembled drawer unit due to missing pieces

 recently purchased ($$$!!) from IKEA.

Bummer.

Egg Critter how-to (sort of)

Okay, so I did manage to make a reasonable copy of our cute little flag-waving fella:

And I remembered to take a few pictures along the way, so I could share it with you.

It won't take long - I made mine in one evening. (see previous post for a list of supplies)

(It wouldn't be right for me to give you a pattern, even if I'd made one, because it wasn't my design to begin with. If I could find the artist, I'd refer you to her. Anyone know who it is?)

First, I sketched the basic outlines with pencil:

(my wooden egg came with primer already on it, but if yours was plain, you might want to give it a coat of white for starters) The line for the bottom of the jacket should be about 5/8" up from the bottom, measured straight up from the table, not along the curve. The bottom of the face should be just about at the half in the front, and curve up to about 1/2" from the top (measure straight again, not along the curve) at the center back. Line for the top of the belt should be half-way down the area between jacket fronts, and the lower line about 1/4" down. Corners of jacket at neckline are about 1/2" apart.

I used one paintbrush for almost all of this. It was a flat brush, natural bristles, about 1/4" wide. Don't try to use the kind that come with kids watercolor sets - get a decent brush, or the hairs will be coming out all over your project.

I had a little difficulty at first, because I couldn't find my flesh-toned paint. I know I have it, but I left it with another project-in-progress a while back, and I wasn't able to locate the project. (I know where it was before I moved the sewing room, but where I put it after that...I have no idea.) So I had to get creative and mix my own. Lots of white, a fair amount of something sort of peach-colored, and a touch of red, and I had something that looked sorta skin-colored. Do yourself a favor, and buy a bottle. I had to mix paint because it was late at night, and the craft stores were all closed up.

Paint the face/head area first, with the skin-color paint, and let that dry.

Then paint the "pants" in red (mine is called Crimson):

sorry for the blur - it was late

You can see that I ignored the pencil line that went straight across under the jacket, and went up to the belt lines. You'll want to paint a little over the bottom (flat) edges. If you don't have something to set it in so it can dry upside-down, just hold it a few minutes and fan it. It won't take long.

After that, I sorta forgot about taking pictures. I kept meaning to stop and go to bed (it was late), but every time I rinsed the brush, I would come back to the table and think, "Maybe I'll just do the next bit, and then go to bed." Next thing I knew, I was all done. But I think you can see where things went from here. I hope.

(I was going to make another and take more pictures, but the week sorta got out of hand, and I figured you might want to try making one yourself before the 4th, so I'm putting this out there anyway.)

After the pants, paint the jacket base, leaving the center bit white for his shirt (I just left that as-is, didn't paint anything). I used a very dark blue called Goodnight Blue. I really used the sketched lines here as my guide, just tried to hold the brush steady while I filled in. Usually, I'd paint along the edges of the area first, and then slopped paint across the rest of it. (No, really, you can see my sloppy brush-strokes everywhere.)

If you work fast enough, you can probably make the lines for the sleeves with a toothpick in the wet paint of the jacket, which should produce the effect of pale blue lines. I wasn't fast enough, so instead, I mixed white with a touch of the blue, and "painted" them on with a toothpick. I then cleaned up the lines by painting more dark blue paint over it where it went wonky.

Paint the black line of the belt, but leave the buckle for later.
Paint the flat heart black, on both sides, and set it aside to dry.

Paint the hands, using flesh-tone. I thought this would be hard, and I hadn't sketched them in. It was easy. I let the width of the brush dictate the thumb area, and then did a sort of elongated half-circle for the rest of the fingers/hand. You don't have to be terribly precise, because next you paint the cuff, and that will cover up any weirdness between the jacket/sleeves and hands. But if you're nervous about messing it up, practice painting a hand shape on some paper first. Let the hands dry before you paint on the cuffs.
Paint on the cuffs with white. Be sure you stay within the sleeve lines so it looks realistic.

After the hands and cuffs were totally dry, I used a toothpick to paint the belt buckle. You could use a finer paint brush, I just didn't want to get one out, and the toothpick was already right there. I used silver for mine, but you can use any metalic color. Or, you could draw it on with a metalic marker, if you have one.

Now for the face. Dot the eyes with black paint using the end of your brush or a toothpick. They should sit roughly in the center of the face, about 1/2" above his shirt. Mine are a little tilted, but I decided I didn't mind.
Use your fine point Micron (or other) black pen to draw the rest of the facial features. If you mess up (I did), paint over it with the skin color and start again. Nobody has to know. Again, if you're nervous, draw some practice faces on paper.

Blush the cheeks using a 1/2" stencil brush and rosey-color paint. You want the brush to be almost dry before you put it to the face. Tap it on a paper towel until it seems like there's not much paint left on it, then blush the cheeks. If you mess up, just paint over it, and try again. Or, you can use real blush, from your make-up kit, and a cotton swab or your finger. I didn't do that on this guy, but I often do use actual blush on craft projects.

For his hair, I snipped up a scrap of raffia into 1 1/2"-2" lengths, and hot glued them onto his head. You could use yarn, or whatever else you've got handy. It doesn't matter much, because you're going to put a hat on him.

Fold up a tiny newspaper hat using a piece of newspaper measuring 2 5/8" x 3 1/2", and the instructions I found for you here. You can tuck in the corners like they do, but I didn't.

Glue the hat to his head, using hot glue, and squish down the raffia hair a bit.

Glue the heart base to the bottom of the egg using tacky glue. The pointy end goes at the back, and the top of the heart shape makes his feet.

Hot glue the flag pick to one of his hands.

Now, the one I was using for a model didn't have a bow, but I think he used to, so I wanted to put one on mine. I used a 3" piece of 1/4" wide ribbon, tied it into a bow, and trimmed the ends at an angle. Hot glue that just under his chin.

Ta Da!

He's all ready to wave his flag while he watches the parade!

Clothes of Desperation

MMJ day 25, threw on one of my summer dresses, but realized it would be a bit of a trick to wear this out IKEA shopping without exposing parts of myself, should I forget I'm a lady and bend straight over instead of gracefully bending my knees, so I threw on some shop-bought jeans as well.

Not my personal favorite look. But the dress is super-comfy. Made from the same pattern as my basic black dress, S7586. I could make this dress a hundred times over - it's just that kind of dress.

Day 26, and I feel like Barbie came to visit and left me some of her clothes.

This is a skirt (M3296) I nearly got rid of once, because it's not particularly flattering on me, I don't have the right slip for it, and it goes all the way up to mid-thigh when I sit down. And then I kept it because I realized the wrinkles don't show. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me.

Made the earrings worn for both days, but I didn't take close-ups. You'll just have to take my word for it.

All My Chickens, Week 22, "Be Proud" Rooster

Back to stitching again, and another free pattern from Palette Primitives, Be Proud Rooster pillow.

I didn't make this

MMJ day 24, wearing a skirt made for me (thanks mom!), and a pair of me-made earrings.

(shirt is Bass, by way of DI or possibly also from mom)
I told you I'd run short of me-mades that you hadn't seen already. But I did have this skirt waiting patiently to be worn. Mom and I both bought this pattern, M3936, but then she was making hers before I was making mine, and offered to make one for me at the same time, so I let her. I'm nice like that.
Technically, it's a bias skirt, but each of the sections has the straight of the grain running parallel to the ric-rac trim, so possibly not as difficult to sew as it might appear.
Curiously, the pattern states that it has a side zipper closure, but I can tell you that the skirt I'm wearing does not. There is just some elastic along the waistline. So, apparently, a zipper is not necessary to this skirt. Which would make sense, as it is on the bias, and you can get a lot of stretch that direction.
Fabric is a fairly light-weight shirting chambray, with regular size pink ric-rac inserted between sections. And yes, it's the same in the back, except the trim runs in the opposite direction, so it's got a chevron effect at the side seams. Nifty, huh?

same old, same old

MMJ day 22, wearing a familiar suit, seen here during SSS.

The best part about this outfit (besides the fact that I love it) is the shoes. I think maybe my lil'sis gave them to me? They are sort of like tennis shoes, but made of linen. The toe has what looks like burlap on it, and the sides of the soles have a braided jute trim. The sole is very stiff, so the shoe always feels like it wants to pull of the heel when I walk, but as long as I wear proper-fitting socks, everything stays where it should.
I feel like they complete the outfit, and I always get compliments on the shoes.
Pattern for this suit was NL6840, but not the current one. There was also a shirt just like the one I'm wearing, but as I already had this RTW version in my drawer, I didn't make one. I should make this pattern again, though. It was so easy, and I do wear it a lot. But, what color?

Day 23, more of the same, previously seen here.

I left this photo wider than usual, so you can see the abundance of roses I'm enjoying. Best gardening decision ever!

I don't think I said much about this suit the last time you saw it, so maybe a little detail is in order? This is actually just two pieces, not three. The "top" is just the front piece, sewn in on the sides and shoulders, under the "vest". Then the same fabric as the top is used for the sleeves, to give it the feel of a vest over a top. Cool, huh? Makes for easy dressing in the morning.
Or it would, if I didn't have to iron this.
I may have widened the pants a bit. I can't recall. They are just a tad short now, but I wear it anyway, and hope that nobody notices. As I said before, I love this suit, so I really don't care what anyone else thinks of it.

Well, I may have run out of "new" stuff, but I have plenty of me-mades left to get me through the rest of the month, even if it's boring. So there's that.

Does this dress make me look fat?

MMJ day 21, and I'm wearing another personal favorite.

I spent a lot of time making sure this print* wasn't lost in the smaller parts of the dress (S3874). I matched it at the sides (as well as I could - one side is better than the other),

and even in the casing across the back, (the seam is at elbow level - look closely and you'll see it) piecing part of it to get the match.

see how that palm frond goes right across the center back zipper, up near the top? I did that.

The front ties even ended up matching where they lay on the dress front before I tie them. (Totally coincidental.)

Thing is, I really really liked this dress, from the moment I made it. Then, last August, I wore this to my brother's wedding, and I later saw this candid photo of me standing at the buffet:

not exactly flattering.

(Hey, check out the matching on the seams there - you can really see it! Especially the bit where I matched the casing to the lower back - see that seam? Right at elbow level? And the side seam, just to the right of my arm? Yup, I got skilz.)

So I started to question my love of the dress.

Do I generally look like that, and somehow, I just think I look good when I see myself in the mirror? Am I intentionally ignoring how my upper arms look, because I know I look better with them under cover? (Probably.) Or was it my posture? (I should work on that - I know I slouch.)

My current weight is about the same as it was last August, so it's not that. You can see that I'm just as fair-complected now as I was then, too.

I know I pose myself at what I hope is a flattering angle when I take my daily me-made photo, but I just didn't think it was quite that much different from what you see in real life, you know?

I haven't worn this much since that time, because, after seeing that photo, I didn't have any confidence in the dress. I hesitated to put it on at all, but once I did, I loved it all over again.
I like where the bow is. I like the length. I know it's not tight anywhere, nor is it too big. Sure, if I had my way, there would be some sleeves on this to cover my upper arms. I know that about myself. I have read my Trinny and Susannah, and watched What Not To Wear enough times to know that everyone can look fabulous, no matter what the figure flaws. I know what mine are, and as much as possible, I work within the restrictions I've set for myself, because I want to put my best self out there.

I am a firm believer in dressing to flatter the figure you've got, even if it's not the figure you want. I know that fit makes a huge difference, and therefore try to fit my clothes with the proper amount of ease, so that I (hopefully) never look sloppy or as though I imagine I'm thin (or fat) when I'm not. Nothing looks as bad as poorly fitted clothing. Sort of in the same way that you don't really notice a persons crooked teeth as much as you might notice that they just don't seem to smile much, I believe that well-fitted, proportioned clothing can make you forget that someone is over-weight.

What do you think? Is this a flattering dress, or do I look dumpy in it?

*Incidentally, this fabric was picked up on the same shopping trip that netted me the hot pink & orange rose print. That was a good fabric shop day.

getting desperate

I'm really starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel here, trying to find new (or new-to-you) stuff to wear every day. I actually tried to pair up a seldom-worn pair of pants with one of my summer dresses a couple of days ago, just to get in two items for that day. Those pants turned out to be a little bit too narrow in the knees to be practical. I ditched the whole outfit and started over. Should probably ditch the pants, too, since I can't wear them.
But then I think, "I like my white eyelet pants! I can't just toss them!" To which I reply, "You don't wear them anyway - they're too see-through to be worn with anything shorter than tunic length."
And then I put them back in the closet.

And so it goes.

MMJ day 20, wearing yet another skirt.

This is one of those pieces I just can't love. The fabric is soft (so very soft!), it fits well, and I think it looks okay, but I just can't seem to get excited about wearing it.

For one, I have to iron it, and then press the pleats back in, every time. No thanks. For another, the stitching on the invisible hem shows anywhere the print isn't dark, because I wasn't going to change threads just to match the colors, just for a hem. And as if that weren't enough, the red in the skirt isn't the same red as my red twin-set, so I'm a bit limited as to what to wear with it (another reason I need more red).

I have oodles of this fabric "left over", too. It was just so soft, and seemed like such a basic color combo, I bought way more than I needed for a skirt.
Pattern is S4703. The rest of the outfit is shop-bought, except for the necklace slide, which is another of my scrabble tiles.

All My Chickens, Week 21, Patriotic Egg Critter

A few years back, there was a booth at my local craft fairs that sold little seasonal "people" that were wooden eggs, all painted up cute, with little hearts for their base/feet. I haven't seen any for sale for years, but there were so many I meant to get, including this little flag-waving cutie:

I didn't buy this one, but my friend did, and now, I'm going to try my best to copy it, right down to the little newspaper hat!

I'll warn you right now, I'm not at all a painter. Sure, I took some art classes in college, and I've got plenty of craft paints around the house, but, mostly, I stencil stuff (doesn't take much in the way of skill, really) or I paint things that need to be one solid color.

I've looked at this fella (and others like him) for years, telling myself it couldn't be that hard.
We'll see.
After all, it's only paint, right?

*supplies needed: wooden (or paper mache) hen's egg with a flat bottom, 1 3/4" flat wooden heart, paper flag on a toothpick (like the kind you'd put in a cupcake), various acrylic craft paints (flesh color, plus colors of choice for "clothes"), small flat paintbrush, newspaper for hat, small amount raffia for hair, 005 Micron pen in black (for drawing face), hot glue, tacky glue, and a couple hours*

What to wear for Father's Day

MMJ Day 18, and I've got a new shirt! I've been looking forward to wearing this ever since I cut it out, which was, um, I have no idea how many years ago, but it was well before I moved the sewing room. So, a long time.
Anyway...

 I actually like this one as much as I thought I would!

Pattern is B3386, which is now, of course, out of print. Skirt is also me-made, in a light-weight denim, from M2029 (only recently OOP). The top, in these photos, doesn't really look spectacular. It could maybe use a little taking in on the sides? This may have been cut out when I was a few pounds heavier. Not sure. But the sleeves fit perfectly, so I don't want to mess with that. We'll see how it fits after a wash (though I know I pre-washed, so it shouldn't shrink or anything), and then maybe take it in just a tad. Make it look just a little bit more feminine, if possible. (Wardrobe item the 12th! If I stop sewing clothes now, I still have an average of one per month for 2011, and it's only June. Awesome.)

I now think of this as my Father's Day Polo, because I wore it to a family celebration dubbed "Father's Day Fiesta" which has been going strong for, I think, 8 years now. It's held the day before Father's Day, on Saturday, and, whatever else we do, there is Mexican food and a pinata. I contributed my chili-pepper cookies again this year, and this time, I did them in multiple colors (and sizes), just to add some pizazz.

Aren't they awesome? I think so.

Here's a close-up, so you can see how awesome:

I love making these cookies.

Moving on, to Father's Day itself, day 19, showing off one of my favorite skirts ever, which somehow doesn't get out as much as it should:

Made in a lovely challis, and NL6953. Pattern is out of print, but this is basically just a couple of rectangles, with an elastic & self-drawstring waist. At the bottom is a ruffle, made from sheer ribbon, gathered and sewn on, with the seam allowance pressed toward the skirt and stitched flat. I've made this same pattern in a wildly printed green and yellow silky fabric for my sister, which I may have to borrow just so I can show it off.

Skirt looks wrinkled because we took this picture after church, so I'd been sitting down for a few hours by then. Rayon challis does have a bad habit of wrinkling.

And look, it's raining again. At least the roses like it.

Also sporting me-made earrings, so I'm still managing the minimum of 2 me-made's daily.

mmmm.....donuts.....

it's all downhill from here!

MMJ day 16, wearing an old favorite, first seen here.

I even wore the same (me-made) jewelry, though I did wear different pants.
(Excuse the odd angle and pose. I fumbled the camera that morning, right before we were going to do the usual photo, and the fall broke one of the battery contacts, which of course meant the camera couldn't function. I had a flash of brilliance on the way to work, though, and figured that I just needed a bit of a spring (such as a piece of one from a pen, maybe) to replace the broken bit, and, as it turns out, it worked (I'm lucky like that). While getting the camera back to it's usual settings, I also discovered the self-timer, and how to work it, so I took my own photos at the office. None of my tries were very flattering, but this one shows an earring. It's also one of the few in which I managed to actually smile. Sort of.)

Day 17, wearing a new-to-you top and earrings.

Top is M6453, vB, in a linen blend. I meant it to be a nice basic to wear with work pants/suits, but somehow it just hasn't been that. Might be because it's a trifle small, especially at the hips (which is why it's tucked in), and also, I find the scallop neckline a little busy with a lot of my suit jackets.

Scallop neckline wasn't as hard as I thought it might be. I think I traced the lines right onto the fabric to make it easier to sew, though I don't recall for sure. Scallop is all the way around, which in ready-to-wear you know wouldn't happen. I should try this in something softer, something with more drape to it. Obviously add a smidgen more around the hips (the bust is fine), and a bit more length, too. I think it stops at an unflattering point on my hips.

Here's a close-up of an earring:

(a little out of focus - sorry)

It's one of the first pair I ever made. They're slightly heavy, and the beads are stacked on a pin, not strung on wire, so this isn't flexible at all. But I do like the look, so I wear them whenever an outfit demands them.

more new-to-you

MMJ day 13, wearing a look (and a slouch) that says "I will be at that 8am Monday morning meeting, but I don't have to like it."

This dress has been in my closet for years, but doesn't get worn terribly often. I sometimes wish I'd made the shorter length, which I know would be easy to fix, but I don't do it, because I ended up with enough fabric left over to make a knee-length straight skirt, which I haven't even cut out, because in my head, I think I'd prefer a longer skirt. So, if I'd only cut the dress shorter to begin with, I could have had a longer skirt, but, since I didn't, it seems a waste to cut the dress shorter now, even though I might wear it more, because I won't get a longer skirt out of it, just more left-overs.

Dumb, right?

Pattern is M2117 c1999, fabric is a linen blend that doesn't need much effort to make it look nice.
In case you're wondering, I cut the pattern just exactly as it is, but my sleeves look much longer than the drawing.
I also made the bracelet, though you can't really see it.

Day 14, Flag Day! (the roses - they get better every day!)

Wearing another skirt from NL6569 (view B), this time in a large-scale navy polka dot print. I could seriously just chuck out all my other skirt patterns and make this one over and over. It's easy to make (front, back, curved yoke/waistband, side zipper, narrow hem - so basic!) and seems to flatter just about any figure. I always get compliments when I wear skirts from this pattern.

Also donned a vintage slip that I've had for a while, but never thought to wear with this skirt, because it's a full slip - as in, it's up there under my shirt as well. It's very nicely made, from a lovely batiste, and the tag inside says "Barbizon". I think the ruffle at the bottom does something nice for this skirt, so I think I'll be wearing this under it again in the future.

Again, not finding other me-made clothing to wear with this (I have plenty of plain blouses already, thanks, no need to make one just yet) here is a close-up of the me-made necklace I wore:

Made from hemp and "crystal" beads, while at Girls Camp a couple years ago.

Day 15, wearing my eye-catching Hot Pink Daisy Dress (so aptly named, don't you think?):

and another me-made necklace:

This dress always makes me feel sunny and happy. Made from S7330 (oop, long time).

Necklace is a tiny glass bottle filled with sand from Clissold's Beach in Laie, HI, (on the Hauula side of Laie Point). My family lived near there when I was 12, and I went to that beach almost every day. Took my twins out there a couple of years ago for a short vacation, and I had to take home a little bit of sand for a memory. I made up a dozen or so of these as gifts for friends. The cork is glued in, and has a small screw eye in the top, which I looped the ribbon through.

All My Chickens, Week 20, Piggyback!

In honor of Father's Day, I decided to make something that represents something all dads should know how to do, and do well.

Piggyback , by Michele Wilcox. This is a crochet pattern for a cute little piggy with a chicken on it's back. Adorable.

*you may have to register on the site to download the pattern, but it's free

new combinations, and new-to-you dresses

For MMJ day 10, wearing the new-for-SSS blouse, seen here, with the skirt portion of the mustard green ensemble seen here. It works.

What really makes the outfit here is the necklace. It was made for me by a friend (thanks, Liz!) and it's a clear, flat marble, backed with a cute print of a bird. Instead of a chain, there is a dark brown ribbon, tied in a bow just above the marble. I should get a close-up so you can see this. I felt totally blah about this whole outfit until I tied that ribbon around my neck.

Later in the day, I swapped out the skirt for my pale chambray pants seen here, and it was off on the garden tour!

MMJ Day 11, ready for a full day of touring gardens* (starting with a 4 hr volunteer shift at the Mott garden, but as that one included the amazing house as well, the time was well spent).

I wore my "modesty pants" today, though I usually do just wear the dress by itself. I knew I'd be getting in and out of the car a lot, and I just felt like a little extra coverage would be nice. Dress is NL6610 (not the current one - link is correct - New Look re-uses numbers really quickly), made in a super-comfy lightweight seersucker. (Satchel is also me-made. My own design based on looking at a ready-made item.)

I lengthened the dress a couple inches (I'm tall), but to do that, I found I'd need a little more fabric. By the time I was cutting it out, though, I'd forgotten where it came from. I carried it around from store to store asking if it was from their stock, and explaining that I needed less than 1/2 yd more, so a remnant would do, if they had one. I was about to lose hope, when I spied the remnant I needed at WalMart. Walmart? No wonder I couldn't remember. Sure, I find some cute stuff there, especially in the "bargain" fabrics. I just didn't remember that this one came from there.
My plaids are matched anywhere and everywhere they could be, and I can prove it:

Washes up beautifully, no ironing necessary, except occasionally on the buttonhole side of the front opening where it can develop a bit of a crease.
I want to make this dress about a hundred more times.

Day 12, wearing one of my favorite dresses ever, which I can't believe I didn't wear in September!

I always get lots of compliments while wearing this dress. And not just off-hand, either. I've had ladies make their way through a crowd to tell me how much they love my dress. Since I love it, too, I have no problem accepting the compliment with a genuine smile and a sincere thank you!

I was in Hancock Fabrics one day, and this print just about jumped out at me (you can see why), nearby there was a texture-woven solid orange that matched exactly. A quick browse through the pattern catalogs, and I knew just the look I wanted: S3797 (just barely oop), but I didn't want the sleeveless dress. Another look through, with an eye for the silhouette of the dress, and I was all set!
Dress is S4014, which you can see has the same basic lines. (Solid orange jacket is cut from the inspiration pattern, and I expect it will look fabulous when I'm done.) The dress is fully lined, but I don't feel justified counting that as a second me-made. Instead, I give you some of my home-grown roses in the background. That is all one bush behind me, spanning an area about 8 ft wide, and grown to a height of roughly 6 ft or so. It's called "Iceberg" and has a lovely, delicate scent. I planted this one about a dozen years back, after seeing one on the garden tour that was about 5 ft wide by 7 ft tall. It's basically a no-maintenance rose. Otherwise, it wouldn't still be here.

*more on the garden tour later, probably

more new stuff and an old friend or three

MMJ day 7, debuting the fabulous mock-shrug top!

Seriously loving this top.
Know what would make it better?
Red pants. (Told you so.)

I really tried to find something else me-made to pair with this, even jewelry, but totally failed. So, instead, I bring you pictures with some other things I've made!

Donut was knitted the night before, as part of a set for a sweet nephew, so I figured it'd be good to show it off.

Cap'n Underpants there, well, he makes sense as part of this shoot because it is largely due to him that this gorgeous knit top exists.

If you recall, I went in search of some red fabric for his cape, (after designing his appendages, I wasn't up for more knitting, just to make a cape) and was lucky enough to find this usually pricey high-quality knit fabric in the remnant bins. The red was just exactly the right color, and then to find the pretty brown, in the same fabric? that was a bonus. I knew right away I could make something using both of them together. Back at home, after Fab Fibers, I found just the right pattern, and cut it out that same evening. Then, as per usual with me, I found reason to procrastinate - it was getting colder, and I knew short sleeves were not going to get worn for many months, did I have the right color red thread, etc, etc, etc.
Finally, near the tail end of May, realizing I would want something new to wear for June (if I participated), I changed the serger threads (always entertaining) and plunged in.
I basted, I drew my seam-lines on with chalk, and I took it slow and easy. I didn't have anything left to fix it with if I messed up, so I had to be careful.
It was worth it.
Pattern is S2364. I could have wished for a little more fabric so I could have longer sleeves (I'm not exactly toned in the upper arm area). Also, if I make this again? I think I'll try to work it so the sleeves are doubled over instead of having to hem them. I think it would look much better that way. (Wardrobe item the 10th!)

For MMJ day 8, we have the pink top shown here, brown pants seen here, and a fresh-from-the-sewing-room scarf to tie it all together.

Scarf/sash made from the same pattern as the black & white sash shown here.

Finally, for MMJ day 9, I bring you my chambray ruffle-front blouse ( See & Sew 3125 c late '80's, early 90's), paired with my work-horse black trousers, previously seen here, and here. (Maybe I should use the same pattern for the much-needed red pair? These do get worn a lot.)

I need more red

Looking at some of my me-made clothes, and trying to come up with outfits using at least two items, it has come to my attention that I am in desperate need of a pair of red trousers. In fact, my whole closet is sadly lacking in red.
I have a red skirt, but it's suede-like, so that's going into storage until it's cold again.
I had a cute pair of very casual red pants, but the decorative zipper pull caught in the lint trap in the dryer, and half the zipper was ripped off. (They're too small now anyway.)
I have, somewhere, a pair of full-legged linen pants which need some patching done in the crotch area where the fabric wore thin. (TMI?) I don't want to make the repair, but I also don't want to toss the pants. Lame.
I also have a pair of super-wide red & white striped pants cut out - but those are a tad flashy to be paired with anything that isn't plain. (Think: clown-like sophisticate.)
I need a pair of no-fuss, work-worthy, basic red pants. Which I guess means I need to go fabric shopping. Darn.

old favorite, new skirt

MMJ day 5, wearing one of my old favorites:

 Previously seen here. I made the necklace, too. (Well, not the chain, just the little...slide? charm?) Wore this dress Sunday because I thought it was one of them that didn't get worn in September. Drat. Seems I don't have quite as many previously un-blogged me-mades as I thought I did. I'll have to get more creative about this if I'm going to last the month.

And for day 6, debuting the Batik Panel Skirt, finally hemmed back in October (after a couple years of hanging about while I contemplated how best to hem a 1/2 circle), but then tucked away to await warmer weather. (Sometimes I just finish things because I find I have the time, even if that item can't get worn right away.) This was made using M5111 (oop), but cut from a panel print, so you probably don't really need a pattern if you can find the print. This one came from JoAnn, but, like I said, a couple years back, so it's not likely you'll find one now. They seem to have gone out of fashion (again).

Paired in a not-very-flattering set with Ennui Blanc, previously seen here.