I had one of those monday mornings yesterday where I felt tired, cranky, and un-eager to deal with the rest of the world.  It took me about an hour to get dressed, as I kept feeling unsatisfied with everything.  I finally selected one of my new tops from my work/interview shopping to wear, only to discover that there was one problem.  See if you can figure it out.

You guessed the baggy fabric underneath my chest right?  This beautiful wrap top is a nice structured cotton, perfect for the summer.  But for some reason, the designer decided to place gathers a good two inches below the bust line, leaving lots of extra fabric where it isn’t needed.  I ended up wearing the top like this most of the day, but I when I got home, I broke out my seam ripper and sewing machine.  This is normally something I would take to a tailor but 1) I was feeling really ambitious and 2) I wanted it now.  I took out the gathers, pressed them flat, made new darts that ended at the bust line.  I sewed them back in and voila!  a much better fitting blouse!

Like I said, this is one of the fabulous items bought recently at Nordstroms, along with my gorgeous teal top that you saw yesterday.  Since this is sleeveless, I wouldn’t wear it to an interview.  But it’s great for a regular day of work, and it looks amazingly sharp over a pencil skirt.  You’ll be seeing the rest of my interview wear soon, which includes my fab pencil skirt, a pinstripe blazer, and a silk black and white printed top.  Since almost everything was on sale, I got all these items, alterations to the blazer, and a pair of Spanx, for less than the suit I was originally going to get from JCrew would have cost me!  I never would have thought of Nordstrom as a bargain before!  (Of course, I should note that the money for my interview clothes came from extra money I took out this semester for this specific purpose, not from my regular budget)

I’m so glad to finally have some jeans at the right length for heels.  All my other pairs had been hemmed too short.  With these, I specifically tried them on with shoes my average heel height (about 2 3/4 inches) and then hemmed them so they would fall about 1 inch from the ground.

My shoes end up just peeking out from under my jeans this way, but the longer hem creates a much nicer line.

Blouse: Great Plains (Nordstroms)
Camisole: Old Navy
Jeans: Express Stella
Shoes: Dansko Neve
Pearls: ???
Earrings: Sara Westermark
Cuff: Thrifted
Purse: Morelle Oyster

This outfit was inspired by Academichic’s module on pattern mixing.  To keep the multiple patterns from looking too busy, I chose a simple color palette of white, black and blue.  The patterns in the outfit include black lace in the camisole, blue paisley in the scarf, blue brocade and white eyelet in the skirt, black and white polka dot on the bracelet and black mock-croc print on the sandals.  All of the colors came together in the scarf, which made for a lovely finishing touch.  This has also reminded me that I really need to try new things with my hair.  It’s so easy to just wash and air dry it every day, that I rarely try anything to style it.

This outfit also contains two of my new favorite wardrobe staples: my LOFT bolero and Clarks Rime sandals.  When I first purchased this bolero, I was somewhat skeptical of how often I would wear it.  But since I’ve discovered that it works as a draped cardigan (as in this outfit), as a belted cardigan and as a tie-front bolero (here also), I’ve realized that it’s actually far more versatile than a traditional cardigan.  

When I first bought my Clarks Rime sandals from 6pm, I was worried that the straps would hurt my feet.  But I’ve come to love them as my go-to sandals.  They are very comfortable and supportive, and the mock-croc and buckle makes them quite stylish.  And I have yet to get any blisters from them (although I haven’t taken a long walk in them yet – that will be the next test)

Camisole: Old Navy
Bolero: Ann Taylor Loft
Skirt: Sewn by me!
Sandals: Clarks Rime
Scarf: Thrifted
Necklace: Target
Bangle: Thrifted
Earrings: Claire’s

I got the fabulous book Sew U  for Christmas, and ever since then I have been trying to get the patterns exactly the way I want them.  I’ve mainly been focusing on the skirt.  The largest pattern size was too tight for me, so I kept adjusting the pattern according to my measurements.  I had to keep adjusting it to make it work for my hips, and there were some failed attempts.  After aggressive and honest measuring, adjustments to the darts so they ended at my widest point and adding extra room to accompany my hips, I’ve finally got a skirt that fits.  And it’s even lined.  I’m ecstatic! 

The blue fabric is some synthetic material left over from my prom dress I made years ago, so I was glad to finally make something with it.  The lining is some lovely eyelet cotton.  Normally, lining is supposed to be shorter than the main layer, but I decided to let mine peak out a bit.  I might re-hem it about 1/2 shorter though.   Now that I’ve finally got the pattern figured out, I’ve got plans for several more skirts, including an above-the-knee denim skirt and a hounds-tooth corduroy number.  Once there’s a little more cash flow, some lovely summery cotton skirts will be in the works as well.

Tee: Target
Skirt: Sewn by me!
Shoes: Naturalizer
Purse: Morelle Oyster
Pearls: Coryell Design
Bangles: Jill Popowich

• Paper patterns can be ironed on low heat to get the wrinkles out of them
• Transferring patterns to poster paper helps to preserve them and makes it easier to keep reusing a pattern.
• Store your patterns on hangers in your closet.  Or get a wardrobe rack like this.
• Always thread an extra bobbin when you start a project
• Change needles before each sewing session
• Use ballpoint needles for knit fabrics!
• Use tailor’s chalk to label all your fabric pieces
• Press, press and press when sewing!  Your iron is your friend.
• Measure twice, cut once.  Taking your time will save frustration later.
• Use quality fabrics.  Don’t settle for the cheap stuff.
• Read the instruction manuals for your sewing machine(s).
• Be a perfectionist.  Keep trying until you get it right
• Don’t beat yourself up when something doesn’t work.  With each failed project, you learn more and your skills improve.
• Measure yourself and compare you measurements to your pattern.  It may need adjusting (and usually does).