Boy howdy has it been HOT! Waaay too hot to sew! Having a box fan on full blast isn't conducive to a good environment for placing pattern pieces on fabric. Believe me, I've tried lol. Also, my sewing machine is the farthest it can be from the A/C so it's pretty miserable over there and being hot and sweaty makes me make mistakes which result in substandard projects.
Really the only thing I've been able to do is sit in front of my A/C and look at my patterns and plan a bunch of projects. BurdaStyle on my iPod has also kept me entertained. I'm thinking of making a "Coffee Date Dress" with my yellow/mint/mauve striped seersucker. It would make a great sundress for the rest of summer but I could also pair it with tights and a cardigan for fall. I also found an adorable 50's looking halter dress for my white cherry print.
I went fishing with my boyfriend and his mom last Monday. Alas, no fish and no pics cause I haven't been able to purchase a new camera yet. All I came back with was a HORRENDOUS sunburn on my shoulders! It was seriously the worst I've ever had in my adult life! I really wish I could have gotten a pic or two cause I was really a sight to see. The oh-so mature gentlemen I work with made a game of trying to poke me in my shoulders *rolls eyes* :P. I peeled TWICE and bathed myself in aloe all day. I'm really glad you can't OD on it, lol.
Moral of the story is WEAR SUNSCREEN!!!
Hope all your summers have been cool and sunburn free! I know we still have some summer left and for some of you there is a LOT of summer left for you. One thing I love about Wyoming is that summer is pretty short. We only get really extreme heat for about 2 1/2 months. But on the other hand, we get the deep freeze for about 4 months, which kind of sucks. I love jackets, hats, and scarves!
Anyway, done with my weather rambling...wishing for cooler weather! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Inspirations...
In lieu of posting my projects, I thought I might post some things I find inspirational for sewing projects, especially when it comes to drafting my own patterns (something I have yet to try!). The number one source I get for inspiration would of course be, The Pyramid Collection. I LOVE that site!
Every piece they make is beautiful, unique, and whimsical. My ideal wardrobe in fact. The only thing I don't like about it are the super high prices ($89.95 for a dress!). Also, I hate it when I read the little description of a dress I'm drooling over and it says "100% polyester" (YUCK!). Other than that, LOVE it!
I've seen one jacket in particular and while rummaging through my sewing patterns I came across Simplicity 2766 and view E is pretty much the jacket with a little sleeve variation!
I'm thinking just add a sleeve ruffle and I'll have myself a Pyramid Collection knockoff :P.
Another inspiration I got recently is from all the header pictures of all the lovely blogs I've been browsing. I'm thinking Apples of Avalon should have one soon. I named this blog "Apples of Avalon" because I absolutely LOVE the book The Mists of Avalon, in fact, it's my favorite book of all time. I had an idea to make a "Priestess of Avalon" dress and pose for some lovely pictures at a lake and do some Photoshop magic to create a smashing header picture.
I already have a pattern in mind and I'm definitely going to make a muslin first. Maybe out of some navy blue bedsheets. I'm thinking high quality indigo broadcloth for the final project. I've read the book literally 100 times so I have a pretty good idea of what it should look like. I can tell you one thing they are NOT that hideous color of orange that the TNT abomination depicted them as (I could go on and on about how badly they messed the book up!).
I have until maybe November until the roads up to the mountain lakes close but I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it done before then. Anyway, that's the plan for an upcoming Apples of Avalon makeover!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Every piece they make is beautiful, unique, and whimsical. My ideal wardrobe in fact. The only thing I don't like about it are the super high prices ($89.95 for a dress!). Also, I hate it when I read the little description of a dress I'm drooling over and it says "100% polyester" (YUCK!). Other than that, LOVE it!
I've seen one jacket in particular and while rummaging through my sewing patterns I came across Simplicity 2766 and view E is pretty much the jacket with a little sleeve variation!
I'm thinking just add a sleeve ruffle and I'll have myself a Pyramid Collection knockoff :P.
Another inspiration I got recently is from all the header pictures of all the lovely blogs I've been browsing. I'm thinking Apples of Avalon should have one soon. I named this blog "Apples of Avalon" because I absolutely LOVE the book The Mists of Avalon, in fact, it's my favorite book of all time. I had an idea to make a "Priestess of Avalon" dress and pose for some lovely pictures at a lake and do some Photoshop magic to create a smashing header picture.
I already have a pattern in mind and I'm definitely going to make a muslin first. Maybe out of some navy blue bedsheets. I'm thinking high quality indigo broadcloth for the final project. I've read the book literally 100 times so I have a pretty good idea of what it should look like. I can tell you one thing they are NOT that hideous color of orange that the TNT abomination depicted them as (I could go on and on about how badly they messed the book up!).
I have until maybe November until the roads up to the mountain lakes close but I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it done before then. Anyway, that's the plan for an upcoming Apples of Avalon makeover!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Camera Disaster...
Hope my fellow Americans had a good 4th!
People loved my dress and the fireworks were crazy of course. The only thing that was bad was my camera got soaked with water and is now ruined. It really bummed me out! So until I get a new one, I won't be able to post pictures. :(
As I'm writing this I have the A/C and a fan on full blast so it's pretty hard to think of fall/winter right now, however, I'm still starting to plan out my fall/winter wardrobe. Per my challenge, I also need to make warm pajamas and lots of jackets! It's making me sweat more just thinking about it! At the end of the month, Burda should release their fall/winter patterns and the other companies have been releasing their early fall collections. Lots of inspiration already starting!
As much as I love new patterns and fabric, I really need to get my current inventory down a little. There are at least 3-4 pieces of yardage that I have that I know for sure what I want to make with them. That's as good a place to start as any, I think. When I get enough pieces made, it might be time to do a "handmade only" week, like I see on many blogs.
Also, there's this British site that sells woven clothing labels that you can personalize and sew into or iron onto clothing. I definitely want to purchase some of those! They're not that expensive, maybe $27 for 144! Not too much for a nice personalization to the clothes I make.
Anyway, hoping for a new camera very soon!
People loved my dress and the fireworks were crazy of course. The only thing that was bad was my camera got soaked with water and is now ruined. It really bummed me out! So until I get a new one, I won't be able to post pictures. :(
As I'm writing this I have the A/C and a fan on full blast so it's pretty hard to think of fall/winter right now, however, I'm still starting to plan out my fall/winter wardrobe. Per my challenge, I also need to make warm pajamas and lots of jackets! It's making me sweat more just thinking about it! At the end of the month, Burda should release their fall/winter patterns and the other companies have been releasing their early fall collections. Lots of inspiration already starting!
As much as I love new patterns and fabric, I really need to get my current inventory down a little. There are at least 3-4 pieces of yardage that I have that I know for sure what I want to make with them. That's as good a place to start as any, I think. When I get enough pieces made, it might be time to do a "handmade only" week, like I see on many blogs.
Also, there's this British site that sells woven clothing labels that you can personalize and sew into or iron onto clothing. I definitely want to purchase some of those! They're not that expensive, maybe $27 for 144! Not too much for a nice personalization to the clothes I make.
Anyway, hoping for a new camera very soon!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Stars and Stripes Forever Dress!
Got my 4th of July dress done!
Finding the fabric for it was way easy! As you can see I decided on Burda 7012, super easy pattern! Didn't want to go to the laundromat to wash the fabric so I just gave it a good washing in my bathtub while listening to John Phillip Sousa marches. What can I say? I'm still a band geek!
I think I made the shirring a little too tight cause it makes the skirt a little poofy but I actually kind of like it. The pattern calls for big gathered straps but I thought they would look ridiculous on my tiny shoulders so I made a halter strap.
I'm definitely going to take some pictures during the festivities tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait to post it here (and on BurdaStyle!).
Happy Independence Day!
Finding the fabric for it was way easy! As you can see I decided on Burda 7012, super easy pattern! Didn't want to go to the laundromat to wash the fabric so I just gave it a good washing in my bathtub while listening to John Phillip Sousa marches. What can I say? I'm still a band geek!
I think I made the shirring a little too tight cause it makes the skirt a little poofy but I actually kind of like it. The pattern calls for big gathered straps but I thought they would look ridiculous on my tiny shoulders so I made a halter strap.
I'm definitely going to take some pictures during the festivities tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait to post it here (and on BurdaStyle!).
Happy Independence Day!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Feeding My Fabric Addiction...
My boyfriend and I went to Riverton last night and for the budget I gave myself, I was VERY conservative in my purchases. I have to get my boyfriend acquainted with my fabric buying process. I tend to pace up and down the racks of bolts until something catches my eye. Had to keep sending him to other parts of the store :P.
Anyway, got some great stuff! Here they are...
Overall, not a bad loot! While I was there I also got some tulle to put over our bedroom window so we can enjoy a nice breeze while we sleep but not have to get eaten alive by mosquitoes. Only about three windows in our house have screens!
So, I'm thinking the 4th of July dress will be the first I start on. It's going to be really hot it's definitely going to be a tank or halter dress. I have Burda 8045 which is a cute little number. I also have Burda 7012 which is a super easy one with shirring at the waist which means I wouldn't have to put in a zipper. Still thinking about it! Better get started, wish me luck!
Anyway, got some great stuff! Here they are...
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| I had a great idea at work to make a cute dress to wear on the 4th. Still searching for a pattern! |
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| After a comment my boyfriend made on this fabric, the dress I create from it will be known as my pomegranate dress! |
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| TOTALLY thought of my best friend Karla when I saw this . I think it will become a cute halter dress. |
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| This is a remnant I found to make a practice dress for my niece. She's going to be 2 next month! |
Overall, not a bad loot! While I was there I also got some tulle to put over our bedroom window so we can enjoy a nice breeze while we sleep but not have to get eaten alive by mosquitoes. Only about three windows in our house have screens!
So, I'm thinking the 4th of July dress will be the first I start on. It's going to be really hot it's definitely going to be a tank or halter dress. I have Burda 8045 which is a cute little number. I also have Burda 7012 which is a super easy one with shirring at the waist which means I wouldn't have to put in a zipper. Still thinking about it! Better get started, wish me luck!
Monday, June 27, 2011
I'm a Slacker :P
I totally played hooky from sewing yesterday and I'm actually glad I did. My boyfriend came back from helping out with the floods (apparently the town of Saratoga , WY is trying to float away) and his friend came over and we all decided to go to Sinks Canyon and play around. It ended up being a really great day!
Every time I go up to the mountains, I have a great time. Even when I have freak outs when I get on really high rocks, haha. It's just so quiet and peaceful, the only thing you hear is the wind rustling the trees and the birds singing. It's a really great place to go after a stressful couple of weeks at work.
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| I was loving that foot hold |
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| I just love the mountains! |
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| Made it to the top! |
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| So pretty! |
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| Me doing some yoga poses on a boulder. (Bakasana or Crane Pose) |
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| This is another rock I tried Bakasana on. Only on this one, I lost my balance and FLEW face first into that bush to the right. It was hilarious! |
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| This mama moose hung out here practically the whole time we were there. You can see her baby in between her legs. |
All in all a good excuse to play hooky from sewing. Tomorrow I'm back to work...yaaaay...so it might be a while before I finish those projects. Better get dinner started, I have a hungry boyfriend to feed now :P.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
My Bottom-less Unfinished Project Bin...
I admit it. I'm a pack rat. I'm a big pack rat, especially when it comes to my fabric. My bins of fabric have been getting quite unorganized of late so I began to dig through the stacks and scraps. I have a huge bin where I put my unfinished projects where I found several things in various stages of finished. It seriously has no bottom!
So for now, I think I'm going to stop starting new projects and work through this beast and get them done. I also have quite a lot of remnants that I just don't have the heart to throw out (pack rat!!). I have some clever ideas of how to use those, thanks to an article on BurdaStyle.
Anyway, here's a list of the projects I found and that need to be finished:
* jade green cotton lawn skirt
* purple burnout jersey knit wrap top
* burgundy/orange/green stripe Elinor top
* green/black check flannel pleated skirt
* fushia cotton strapless top
* green leaf print pleated sundress
* black/purple close print halter top
That's a rough list of what I have in that bin. Hopefully, I can get a bunch done today and tomorrow before I have to go back to work.
*
So for now, I think I'm going to stop starting new projects and work through this beast and get them done. I also have quite a lot of remnants that I just don't have the heart to throw out (pack rat!!). I have some clever ideas of how to use those, thanks to an article on BurdaStyle.
Anyway, here's a list of the projects I found and that need to be finished:
* jade green cotton lawn skirt
* purple burnout jersey knit wrap top
* burgundy/orange/green stripe Elinor top
* green/black check flannel pleated skirt
* fushia cotton strapless top
* green leaf print pleated sundress
* black/purple close print halter top
That's a rough list of what I have in that bin. Hopefully, I can get a bunch done today and tomorrow before I have to go back to work.
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