Semi-DIY Curtains, Round 2

This striped shower curtain at West Elm caught my eye online as a possibility for bedroom curtains, but supposedly the thing is sold out everywhere and backordered until August.  Bleh.  Undeterred, I chose the zigzag pattern to see if I liked it in our room.  These shower curtains cost $39 at West Elm (yowza) but they're a great weight and way cheaper than their $55-75 per curtain panel prices.

I know, my cell phone photos are totally lacking.

Before cutting.

I put the whole curtain up on the window again to see if I liked it.  With my own self-approval, I then made the cut and stitched up the rough edges, this time folding/pinning.  I totally treated this more expensive shower curtain better than the Target one.  I'm ridiculous.

They aren't blackout curtains like Duke may have been hankering for (I may order some blackout curtain liner to sew onto these later), but I really like the look!  Despite the pattern, I feel like it will match just about any bedspread I put on the bed.

I dig it.

Speaking of, I'm on the hunt for a good bedspread that's less girly.  I like grey/yellow, but not finding what I'm looking for.  Sigh.  Maybe an ikat print?  We'll see.

Semi-DIY Curtains

I think I saw something about making window curtains from shower curtains via Pinterest or Twitter or something recently.  (Was it you, JTal?)  Anyways, Duke and I were noticing how unbearably warm our bedroom becomes since our large window (and its cheap, apartment complex blinds) don't block the sunlight on the weekends when we try to sleep in.

As I was browsing Target's selection, I got a bit peeved that each curtain panel was like $30.  Seriously?  Why don't they sell them in pairs?  Weird.

Testing out the size...

Then I noticed that the shower curtains were indeed much cheaper, and they were the perfect size for our large windows.  BOOM.  So I picked up a pair and took them home.  $20 for a curtain.  I chose their blue Bird Shower Curtain in their Threshold line, available in-store.

Bear enjoys the bird pattern.

I didn't end up liking the one I chose for the bedroom (too sheer), but I did keep one for the guest room.  I hung the panel up to check the fit (Duke installed the basic curtain rods) and then I snipped the thing in half.

Cut it straight up the middle!

I did sew up the cut ends, though to be honest I didn't do any folding, pressing, or pinning.  I just rapid-sewed the thing up.  Kind of janky.  But I like the panels a lot, and I think they add something to the room to make it look more put together!

Lazy sewing...

Finished product, in poor lighting, but not too shabby!

I'm still shopping for curtains for the bedroom to solve our problem, but I'm also browsing for new, more gender-neutral bedding.  (Now that we're cohabitating, my turquoise/pink bedspread is a bit much.  Duke says he doesn't care, but I think it may be time for a change.)  So I'll post back if I figure out that situation!

$5 J.Crew Shorts

I love clothes.  My closet is organized so I can shop every day as I get dressed!  And so you might think I go a bit crazy spending money on them.

Well, not so much...  I scour clearance racks, online super sales, and even thrift stores.  Here's an example of a haul from my local Goodwill!  For under $15 total, I got a flawless (and super-soft) Tahari tee, pink J. Crew shorts, and Old Navy shorts that look very Lilly Pulitzer.

I shortened the pink J. Crew shorts to be the same length as a blue pair I bought at LOFT outlet... and you can't tell at all that I paid $5 for the pink ones!  Retail price for pink J. Crew shorts right now?  $45.  BAM!

Comparing prices... you can't tell which is more expensive!

So you see... things aren't always what they seem!  I take pride in finding great deals and hidden steals, and then squirreling the way my money into savings and my Roth IRA.  :)

Snow White goes for a run...

I'm excited to be heading down to DisneyWorld this weekend to run Disney's Princess Half Marathon!  To get into the festivities, I decided I needed to run in a costume of sorts... so I decided on Snow White.  Not a full-on Snow White costume, but more of a Snow White goes running theme.  I like to be comfortable, especially for long distances, so that was my top priority overall.

I bought a yellow SparkleSkirt online, because I didn't want to mess with the shorts... spandex shorts are perfect to prevent chaffing.  SparkleSkirts has a great reputation, so I let them handle that.  :)

For the top, I purchased a navy-colored tank top on the cheap from Eastbay, and bought some white, red, and blue athletic fabrics (in tiny quantities) from Fabric.com.  My friends at Fabrika Fine Fabrics helped me come up with a plan/pattern for the collar and sleeves.  I did a cap sleeve so I wouldn't have a tight armhole or elastic around my arm, allowing for freedom of movement.  I free-hand cut the red accents, sewed them to the sleeve (I serged the sleeve edges), and did a simple gather stitch to give them a little poof.  I did a set-in sleeve, and it was sooooo easy.  For the collar, I added interfacing for stiffness, sewed right sides together, pressed right side out, stay-stitched and sewed it directly inside the collar seams on the tank top.

Whew!

All in all, it only took me about an hour or so.  SUPER easy, and I LOVE the aesthetic result.  I can't wait to wear it!  And RUN in it!  :)

Easy Bow T-Shirt Upcycle

Jason Wu for Target, $22.99

I love bow blouses.  I wish I had more occasion to wear them, especially the pretty chiffon ones!  I was at Target today, browsing their current Jason Wu line, and picked up a bow blouse for my shopping cart.  But then I realized I needed to buy Breaking Dawn: Part 1 on Blu-Ray instead, and saw another shirt from the collection for $22.99, a regular t-shirt with a bow...  What a great idea!  Especially since I'm a little obsessed with the bow that character Emma Pillsbury wears so consistently on Glee.

I checked out the construction, and it was simple enough.  This is something a novice can do!  I think it took me a total of about twenty minutes.  The shirts are super soft, and they are more casual than a normal bow blouse. I could wear these with jeans, or a coordinating cardigan!

Do you love bows, too?  :)

What I used:
-patterned fabric from my stash (I just cut a simple, long strip, based on a blouse I already had)
-two solid t-shirts (purchased on the cheap at Target!)
-scissors
-thread to match t-shirt color

My fabrics

1) Sew the bow right sides together, then turn inside out.  Finish the ends.
2) Simply pin to the inside of the collar, and sew!
Make sure your thread blends with the shirt color to hide your work.

Shirt #1

Shirt #2

The "Something Blue" Dress

Check out my latest sewing creation on The Sew Weekly!

Fabric: Blue floral cotton print from stash (4 yds.)

Pattern:  Simplicity 4343 (vintage)

Year:  early 1960s

Notions:  Invisible zipper, Hook & eye (all from stash), Double fold bias tape (3 packages!  $3)

Time to complete:  3 hours

First worn:  February 2012

Wear again:  Maybe

Total price:  $3

This is the first dress I've sewn with the vintage patterns I bought.  The fit is off, and the fabric isn't my favorite, but I wanted to just give the pattern a try to see if it was close to my fit.  It's also my first attempt at sleeves and bias tape, both of which were successes this go round!  I'm going to keep practicing (and hopefully buy a dress form to improve fitting) and start making this vintage patterns fit a more modern wardrobe.  I'm also buying a petticoat to go under these full skirts to make them look a little better.

Lessons Learned from Sewing

credit

People often ask me why I took up sewing; even with the popularity of shows like Project Runway, most find it to be an old-fashioned hobby.  And a twentysomething single gal who takes up sewing?  Add a few more cats and it just screams SPINSTER to them.

But sewing is more than the tedious, time-consuming sweatshop work I think most people imagine it to be.

Sewing sparks creativity.  I love to shop, but sometimes it seems like the clothes out there weren't made to fit my body or personality.  I truly enjoy being able to choose a sewing pattern/design, choose a fabric, and customize a garment into something that I really like.  Sure, the fit isn't always perfect, and sometimes it takes longer than expected, but to choose how something is made from start to finish is really awesome.  Sleeves or no sleeves?  What length?  What color?  The options never end.

Sewing teaches patience and attention to detail.  Learning to sew wasn't second-nature to me.  It took me a while to learn to thread my machine without a manual!  And everything from cutting fabric, to pinning, to pressing (ironing) all along the way makes a huge difference in the finished product.  I can tell when I got tired or sloppy, because I skip the steps that make things look tailored and clean.  You have to maintain focus, and sometimes you just have to walk away for a while!

Sewing is cathartic.  It's a solitary activity, so you really fall into a rhythm with the sound of your machine.  You're working with your hands, guiding the fabric, piecing a puzzle together.  And in the end, the reward is sweet: you've created something for yourself or someone else, something you made from start to finish.  It's a great escape, and it can actually be soothing.

So you see, it isn't just an "old lady" hobby!  :)  And unlike my baking habit, it won't add to my waistline.

The "Lilly" Dress

Check out my latest sewing creation on The Sew Weekly!

My inspiration came from Lilly Pulitzer... the dress isn't perfect, but I love the print and lace!

The Facts

Fabric: Amy Butler Modern Midwest II Fresh Poppies (Sky), $8.98/yd x 2.5 yds. from Fabric.com
Pattern: McCall's 5882 (Dress F, without contrast)
Year: 1960s style
Notions: Invisible zipper, Hook & eye (all from stash), Lace trim (eBay, $6.99)
Time to complete: 4 hours
First worn: Plan to wear for Savannah Philharmonic's Afternoon Adagio in February!
Wear again: Yes!  Once I fix the crooked lace and maybe fit it better.
Total price: $30  (a real Lilly would cost $200!)

Inspiration

Vintage Patterns!

I recently purchased my first vintage sewing patterns!  I spent a few days scouring eBay and Craigslist, but didn't really find the perfect lot until a few days ago.  It found a sale of 30 patterns from the 1950s and 1960s.  I paid about $28, which is was a pretty good deal considering the patterns are actually in my size! I figured if I don't want all of them, I could sell them individually on eBay and possibly even turn a profit if I want.  I haven't been able to check them all for completeness, but I really hope to sew at least a few of these this year.

Here are a few of my favorites!

I want to make the version with sleeves, and I love the little bows! 

I love this illustration.  Separates!

The buttons on the back are one of my favorites.  I might have to learn to do covered buttons!

I haven't blogged much, but I had a great weekend!  I had a fun girls' night out at Jazz'd and Bar Bar on Saturday, and a great Sunday movie date to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (GREAT film!) and also some delicious Indian food.  Today is a lazier day, with a 1st birthday party on the agenda.  Then tomorrow I get to babysit that birthday boy while his parents pack up their house for a big move!  Busy busy busy, but that's the way I like it.  Doesn't it feel good at the end of the day to be all tuckered out and ready for an awesome night of sleep?  :)

The "Red Satchel" Dress

Check out my latest sewing creation on The Sew Weekly!

Not the best thing I ever made (had zipper issues!), but I love the dress pattern and will make it again!

The Facts:

Fabric: Cotton print (2 yd.) from Walmart, $4.44/yd
Pattern: Butterick 5450 (Dress C)
Year: Contemporary
Notions: Invisible zipper, optional blanket binding from stash
Time to complete: 4 hours
First worn: January 2012
Wear again: Maybe, if I fix the botched zipper job!
Total price: $10

"When Life Gives You Lemons" Skirt

Fabric:  Cotton print/solid from JoAnn's

Pattern:  McCall's M5591 (Skirt A)

Time to Complete:  3 hours (fabric was already cut)

Yesterday, I realized I'd been a bit of a bum over the long New Year's weekend.  The only time I'd been out of pajamas was to have a delicious (and fancy!) birthday dinner at 700 Drayton with BC and LD, so today I made myself productive.  I did my chores, then took a look at the different sewing projects lying around the office...

I recently joined the Sewing Circle at Sew Weekly, and I anxiously awaited my first weekly challenge of the year... but nothing popped up until the evening.  Nonetheless, the comments on my past projects inspired me to do something about it.  And when life gives you lemons (or a citrus-printed fabric!), you make a skirt, right?

This was my first apparel item with pockets, as well as my first skirt ever.  I'll be the first to admit that there are flaws all over the place, it's too tight because I cut it for my size a year ago (hello, New Year's Resolution!), and the inside is hideous.  I didn't understand the directions for the yoke (waist) or the band, so I kind of made things up along the way.  But in the end, for three hours of work on an easy day off, I'm pretty happy.  I definitely feel like I'm back in the (sewing) game!

In other news, so long as I can keep up, I am a registered contributor on The Sew Weekly!  I'll be posting most of my sewing projects there, but I will post photos/links here once they are published.  Check out my introduction post.

I changed out of PJs just to take these photos... no makeup either.
But cute shoes!

I made a dress!

Okay, first off, I have to give props to the awesome Ashleigh and Emily at Fabrika Fine Fabrics in Savannah.  I could talk to them for hours, they're super-cool chicks, and I secretly want to be bestest buds with them in real life.  (Creepy?  No, I just think they are awesome and their store rocks!)

Emily has taught me everything I know about sewing, from threading a machine on down.  I went back on Monday for a dress-making class, because I was having some trouble with my apparel sewing, and this class was an awesome opportunity to learn some more.

We started by sketching dresses on a croquis figure, then transferred that design onto a dress form.  Using muslin, then pattern paper, we made a bodice and skirt pattern for the dress.  I really liked learning how designers go from a sketch to a pattern to a garment.  I felt very 'Project Runway' and appreciated everything Emily had to show me.

Sidebar...  the fabric selection at Fabrika is to die for!  I want a little of everything, so I chose not to bring my own fabric to the class.  I wasn't disappointed; I adore the print that I chose!  I was also glad to review how to do a zipper (invisible ones are the best!), how to sew darts, and how to properly hem the skirt.

We did a tie-halter dress with a sweetheart neckline and A-line skirt.  I love it!  I am now super-excited to sew my next project.

I'm not a huge fan of this photo... I think it makes me look wider for some reason.  But it shows off the dress nicely!

Sewing Machine Cozy

After reading a "crafty" shoutout on my friend JT's blog, I realized I haven't sewn anything since my St. Patrick's Day dress. Looking at my scrap fabric, I decided to thread the machine and see what I could come up with on a weeknight. (I should be studying for the GMAT, however this was a great opportunity to procrastinate!)

I had some thin pink cotton from my Mom, and some scraps from my very first sewing project. So I decided to attempt a free pattern from Spool that my friend CM sent me to try. After all, I didn't have anything protecting my machine from dust. An hour later, VOILA! My sewing machine cozy is complete.

The fabric is a bit see-through, but I was too lazy to make multiple layers. I used my rotary cutter for the first time, and I can definitely see how it will be a valuable tool. I think the decorate scrap patches are cute, though I would like to learn to applique like CM does! Also, I shouldn't sew while watching Sex & the City because I don't really pay attention to what I'm doing...

All in all, not too shabby for an hour's effort with some fabric scraps on a Tuesday night. Got to keep myself in practice!

Seeing green! A sewing project.

So everyone knows St. Patrick's Day is a big deal in Savannah... so I thought, why not sew a cute dress for the occasion? I finally set up a corner of the office for my sewing (so I don't have to drag the machine out every time I want to use it!). I bought this green Celtic-print fabric a long time ago, with a plan to finish four aprons and a skirt as "practice" projects before attempting the dress. Well, St. Patty's snuck up on me, so I skipped the two remaining aprons and skirt and dove head-first into my first real apparel project.

It was not easy. I just lack skills at this point, and I wish I'd had more time to practice. I beat myself up because all I see are flaws! But you know what? For a dress that can really only be worn for a specific occasion, I'm really happy with how it turned out! The sash is something I added that wasn't part of the pattern; it needed something more, and I wish it was longer to make a bow, but I like it.

Next project is a sewing machine cover so my machine won't collect dust between uses. My friend CM sent me a pattern, so I am hoping to do that as a quick project sometime soon.

WHEW! I am exhausted.

First solo sewing project!

Adorable sewing basket and supplies that I got for Christmas from Mom, Dad, and lil sis. Plus my new sewing machine... yay!

So I spent the better part of the day (okay, pretty much the entire day) making an apron. It's McCall's pattern M5505, part of the "Easy Stitch" series... and let's just say that for my first solo project ever, it wasn't THAT easy! Thankfully, I learned the ruffle at my last sewing class, so that helped a bit.

I think that I prefer aprons with an adjustable neck strap, so in the future I'll change the pattern to do that. Also, I need to learn an easier way of turning the straps right side out after sewing... any ideas? It's not perfect, but I tried it on and I like it. So that's a plus.

Anyways, the fabric is WAY adorable, from Fabrika Fabrics in Savannah. They have the cutest prints in town. This apron is a much-belated Christmas gift for my friend LC. So if she reads this, I've ruined the surprise, but after spending the whole day at my machine at least she'll know I put a ton of effort in. :)

Sewing Lessons!

I had my sewing lesson at Fabrika Fabrics in Savannah yesterday, and I am SO glad that I took the class! I knew from the moment I walked into the cozy little shop that I had found the right place to learn to sew. I loved the all-natural, colorful fabrics that they had there, and the retro-inspired patterns and all-around cuteness all over. I wanted to learn to sew with the goal of eventually sewing some of my own clothes, but I needed a class to tell me whether or not it would be something I could get into without the cost of investing in a machine and accessories.

My instructor and one of the shop's owners, Emily, started me off with the very basics: learning to thread the machine. It was a bit intimidating to me, with all the steps, and one of the things I was the most concerned about. But she made it easy, and in the end I felt comfortable with it. She had me practice sewing straight lines, then pivoting, then curved lines, then a myriad of stitching patterns resembling a sewing obstacle course.

Next, we went downstairs to choose fabrics (LOVED this part!) for the tote bag I would be making. She showed me how to cut the pieces, pin the material, and do everything I needed to create my bag. Despite the small imperfections I can see, I am SO happy with the finished product! It's a tote (with small interior pocket) that I love and as dorky as it sounds, I'm proud of it.

After the class, I ordered my first sewing machine (very similar to the one I learned on!), and I cannot wait for it to get here. Emily suggested I start with a skirt as my first clothing item, which is very exciting as I would love to be able to make some fun, patterned skirts. My big goal, which Emily says is achievable, is to make a Hawaiian-print halter dress to wear to my friend LC's Polynesian-themed rehearsal dinner. Wish me luck!

Always,

Aubrey