I’m getting ready for a busy weekend, which will include Busch Gardens, sushi, and lots of sewing! I’ll be sure to update you soon, as I think I’ve finally got the skirt pattern perfected.
To keep you entertained, here’s a link to an article about why dresses are the most essential wardrobe item. Enjoy!
You may recognize Orla Keily’s work from the housewares she recently created for Target. I’ve been spending some time looking over her website, and I find myself immensely drawn to the bright, beautiful prints she uses. Here’s a few of my faves:
This is one piece of luggage that would be very easy to spot at the airport. There’s matching laptop and carry-on bags too.
Multi Cross Hatch Midi Sling $184
Those beautiful pops of color with a neutral cross hatch backdrop mean this bag could go with everything and still add color.
While I may be a die-hard Moleskine, this notebook is tempting me for my less formal lists. Love that sweet pear print.
Since my birthday is tomorrow (whee!) I decided to put together an Etsy Love post focusing on amethyst, since it is the February birthstone.
Lady Slipper Posts in Amethyst
Lara – Amethyst Briolette & Oval Swiss Cheese Link Earrings
My life has been insanely busy this semester, especially in the last week it seems. Usually I end up spending my free time collapsing in front of the TV and knitting something really simple. But yesterday I actually had a nice, big chunk of free time, so I got some sewing done. I have been trying to work through the patterns in Sew U, tailoring them to fit me perfectly. I haven’t done much pattern drafting or modification before, so I’m learning by trial and error. After two attempts at trying to get the skirt right (the first one had too high of a waist, the second one was about 6 inches too wide) I think I’ve finally almost got it. I made this one by re-coning a pair of wide leg pants.
Thus these pants became this skirt:
Now you may have noticed that I said I almost got it perfect. Here’s why:
See that lovely little wrinkle of fabric? The skirt fits fine just below my waist. It seems to fit my hips alright. Yet the second I start to move after putting it on, it wrinkles like this, just below where the darts end. I know there’s some readers out there who sew or at least know a bit more about fit than me. How do I fix this? I’m really happy with the overall look and fit of this skirt. But this persistent wrinkle is driving me crazy, and I want to fix it before I continue to use the pattern for more skirts. I’m considering going to a tailor to ask for advice.
When it gets rainy, I prefer to have several elements in an outfit: pants (because I like my legs to be warm and dry), flat shoes with lots of tread (so I don’t slip), and some type of sweater or jacket to keep me warm. I incorporated all of these into today’s outfit, and managed to try out a new to me color combination. I find myself really liking how pale pink, brown and light grey with navy accents looks.
Here’s the original outfit:
T-shirt – Target
Cardigan – Minimalist handknit by me
Necklace – ???
Tote – Re-con by me
Pants – Worthington
Shoes – Aldo
Bangles - Jill Popowich
About 2 minutes after I took these pictures, it started raining, so I changed things up slightly. I added a navy silk scarf to keep me a bit warmer and a shawl pin to secure the cardigan and add a bit of class. Because of the weather, I took pictures indoors, so they aren’t super, but they get the job done. Please excuse the uber grainy-ness.
Silk Scarf: Thrifted
Shawl Pin: Snokist Farm Girl
While I’m okay with the outfit, I would change one element. The black shoes, while practical, don’t fit well with the rest of the color scheme. I would love to wear a pair of navy shoes instead, so add an accent to the bottom half of the outfit as well.
These would have been lovely:
Maybe when I go to Chicago in April…
I hate acrylic. I hate polyester. And a new goal I’ve set for myself is to never buy anything (clothing, fabric or yarn) again containing either of these two fibers. (I’m not tossing out any clothes that I already own, just not buying anything new that has synthetics)
This is not as easy as it may seem. I received strange looks at Victoria’s Secret once when I said I was looking for pajamas that weren’t polyester. I think I managed to find one cami and bottoms set in cotton and 0ne pair of shorts in silk. Everything else was synthetic.
I’m not sure if everything in this article is legit, but it might make you reconsider synthetics.
Personally, I’m not keen on the idea of wearing fabric made from chemicals and or plastic. I would much rather have a material coming from a plant (cotton, linen) or an animal (wool, silk) any day.
I like to be able to understand where my fiber comes from. But I still have trouble grasping exactly what polyester is.
For more information about the benefits of natural fibers, I recommend checking out The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. While it is a book geared towards knitters, there is excellent information in here on different types of fibers, where they come from and what properties they have. Even if you don’t knit, this beautifully designed and photographed book can teach you a lot about where your clothes come from.
My exception: Modal is actually made from wood. I’m still a bit confused as to how it actually works, yet I love this super-soft, cotton like fabric.
What’s your opinion on synthetics vs. natural fabrics?
It’s true that I have yet to buy any clothes on Etsy. But with all the amazing options I’ve been seeing lately, I know it’s only a matter of time. I love the idea of being able to put a face and name with the person who made my clothes, as opposed to it being someone anonymous in a sweatshop. I love the idea of being able to communicate with the designer, to change elements and sizing so that the garment is perfect for you. And I love supporting artisans and indie designers. Here’s some stuff that’s caught my eye lately.
Puff Sleeve Ruffle Frill Pink Orange Blouse
Sweater Top With Cowl Neckline
From sunny Florida to all of you out there, Happy Valentine’s Day!
I had a lovely morning of riding bikes and getting breakfast with my boyfriend. It’s a beautiful day, and this weekend will have lots of relaxing family time. It’s a good change of pace from the very busy and stressful semester I’ve been having.
I just recently discovered Boden. I haven’t bought anything from them yet, but I’ve heard from other reliable sources that their stuff is top quality. It’s a bit pricey (for me at least) and all the sizes are UK, which can be a bit confusing for some. But the items they have are beautiful, classic, well-designed and made with quality fabrics. I just got their Spring 2009 catalog, and there’s so many items I would love to get. With my budget, I can’t really afford to get more than maybe one or two items a month, so we’ll have to see. Even just one of their colorful jackets would make a huge difference for my wardrobe.
Well, everyone else is doing it, so I figured I’d post a picture of where I blog. While I’m at it, I’ll also give you a peek into my studio and closet and talk about how I plan to completely change it (with the help of IKEA) in the next year.
Here is my desk where I blog. I bought this desk at a garage sale years ago and repainted it. I love the look, but the fact is that this is really a child’s desk, and it just isn’t a comfortable height for me. It also has too many drawers, which results in lots of clutter and things getting lost in the abyss.
This is my bookcase, which is functional, but doesn’t really fit with the aesthetic that I want for my creative space.
I’d like to replace my bookcase and desk with the Expedit bookcase/desk combo from IKEA.
Lots of creative, versatile storage space. I can keep the stuff I don’t need frequently in the cubbies under the desk. I can add drawers or boxes to organize smaller items. And I think it looks rad.
I’ve had this dresser as long as I can remember. It belonged to my brother and my cousin before me, and it’s probably been repainted at least 5 times. But it won’t quite fit (physically) with the changes I’ve got planned. I’ll still hang on to it, just in a different room. I’ll be replacing it with a MALM six drawer chest from IKEA. Because owning a dresser designated mainly for lingerie, jewelry, hosiery (and t-shirts) makes me feel grown up and lady like.
Now for some photos of my sewing space. The shelves and fabric cabinet have gotten cluttered. The sewing machine desk is not very ergonomic. I have plans to replace and add to the shelves (with more IKEA goodness). The desk will go in favor of a VIKA table. I’ll add a small storage unit on casters underneath the sewing desk (so it can be moved out of the way as needed). And I’ll get my fabric cabinet more organized. I built that sucker, so there’s no way I’m getting rid of it. Oh, and I’ll be getting some type of desk chair, since right now I sit on a piano bench to sew.
Last but not least, my closet. I may have mentioned before that my closet is quite small. I wasn’t kidding.
That holds all of my clothes (except heavy winter coats), all of my shoes, my cameras, my files, and random craft storage. My goal for my closet it to get everything that is not a part of my wardrobe out of here. Hopefully, with the improved storage in the rest of the room (new shelves, new bookcase), I can do that.
Of course, the studio renovation will not happen all at once, since there still is that little thing called a budget that I’m supposed to stick to. Also, the Tampa IKEA doesn’t open until May, and I hate driving two hours to the Orlando store. So most of these changes will wait until the summer. I think that I’ll be a lot more productive with an organized space, both in my outfits and in my sewing and crafting.
