Learning to Like Yellow

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Yellow is a difficult color for me. I find myself naturally attracted to it, but aesthetically repulsed.
Alright, repulsed it the wrong word completely, but I'm having one of those "for lack of a better word" moments.
Yellow is bright, cheerful, happy, whimsical, and fresh. Yet, to me, it is also too bright, preppy, dated, and maybe a tad bit juvenile. Clearly, I've had a strange relationship with this color. While in Santa Cruz, I picked up a cropped cardigan from one of the thrift stores: a simple yellow knit with a crocheted back. It's slowly getting me to lighten up and enjoy it.

What I want to show you today is my current project, which doubles at my current attempt at learning to love yellow.

My idea for this dress was actually sparked listening to Azealia Banks one night. I think she's super rad all around: Her style, her voice, & her music. I was laying there bouncing my head, listening to her and sketching when I started thinking about how gorgeous she would look in yellow. & I admit, I began to get a lil' jelly.

Originally, this design started out as a boat neck, but I still want to perfect my sweetheart bodice top pattern, so I used that instead of drafting a new one. I'll get to the boat neck one day.
Because I wasn't sure if this dress would turn out, and because of my hesitation with yellow, I bought some cheap cotton broadcloth for this project.

Now, technically, all I need to finish on this dress is the hem. But after sleeping on it last night, I've decided to do some additional designing near the hem.

Here's what I've got so far (No laughing it's an odd work in progress!!):

disregard the daisies..

Bodice Back

Not my best lapped zipper..

I don't recall this zipper being as tricky last time, I'll probably end up taking it out and redoing it, but for the sake of fit, I've left it in for now. Speaking of fit, the only places that need adjustments are the darts at the waist by 1/4" or even 1/2" if I wanted a tight fit.

Well, here's what I've been working on for the last week...and it's still going! I probably would have finished it on my day off, but I had house guests for the last few days and there is not a lot of room to sew and entertain haha!
I hope everyone is having a lovely week! Now, I'm off to find some trim, and breakfast!

Estate Sailing!

It was an already warm Saturday morning & as trucks blazed past my house, I woke up particularly alert. I've been meaning/wanting to go garage sailing (saleling? Ha!) this month, and this morning felt like the one.
A quick Craiglist search had us on our way up valley to an estate sale at an old farm house on a vineyard called "Reese Ranch".

Photo from [x]

The house, built in 1870 has a long, dusty, dirt drive way lined with pretty, pink flowers. 

Photo from [x]

I wish that I hadn't left my camera in the car (I detest being the one to hold it ever since I lost the strap & Jordan won't take a photo if  his life depended on it!) because the inside was adorable. The stair rail was short with carpeted steps, and several rooms for entertaining guests on the first floor.


Unbeknownst to me, Saturday was the second day of the sale. So as I scrounged through what was left of the clothing, bags and shoes I thought, "okay, where is the jewelry?!" Everything was picked over, but a few goodies lingered & I scooped them up quicker than a TV on Black Friday.

I made away with an I. Magnin dress ( I can't wait to take up the skirt on this baby!)

The lapels are so delicate & eye catching!

A Sonni California hat

Remember this dress? ;)

I just need to replace the netting, it has a few holes.

a Trifari necklace

and an AMAZING sequin cardigan with fur trim cuffs. I forgot to take a picture before I left this morning, I'll update as soon as I get home! :)


I really wanted to take some art home, but I felt the prints I liked were overpriced. 
I'm kinda bummed that I didn't get there on the first day of the sale, it was evident that the lady of the house enjoyed higher end clothing. But, I won't beat myself up over it, I put myself on the mailing list for the next estate sale. You can bet I'll be first in line ;)

Simplicity 1609

Until I can draft my own patterns, I'll always be slightly obsessive when it comes to purchasing them. I mark on my calendar the dates my local fabric store puts them on sale and I get their within the first hour of being open so I get as close to first pick as possible (they are bad at keeping enough vintage repo & Gretchen "Gertie" Hirsch in stock!).

When I came across this style, I couldn't pass it up!

Find this pattern on the Simplicity website

As you well know, I'm bonkers for prints, and this dress style is purrrfect for going all out. When I began this dress I had intended to wear it to the Earth Day event I participated in for work. Read about it here. In true Earth Day spirit, I decided to only use materials I had on hand, and if I needed anything it would be purchased from one of my local thrift stores. Rummaging through my little stash of cotton prints led me to a forgotten treasure: a purple, pink, & teal Damask print with gold accents. I had bought it with the intention of using it for the skirt of a dress, but I thought that this particular project would put it to better use and show off how beautiful the fabric is more than a full skirt and crinoline. Plus, it's kinda psychedelic! It was destiny to use it for a 60's mod styled dress.

Now, there were a few issues while making the dress. First being, I was a dummy and didn't check to see how long the zipper needed to be. It calls for a 22" zip, and the longest I had on hand was 16". I ended up creating a loop enclosure (is that even the proper term?)  up at the top of my dress to finish it off.

I think I may add a second button to the top..thoughts?

Earth Day & Completed Butterick B5748

Happy Earth Day!
In observance of Earth Day, last Saturday our town held a small fair consisting of local businesses who offer "green" services. I actually work for a certified green business! Betty's Girl Boutique is a collection of redesigned vintage and recycled garments. I had been eagerly awaiting this day since February, so Friday night I hardly slept a wink I was so excited. That, and I was trying to finish a new dress in time...that didn't really happen..so I decided to wear my Butterick B5748 with a petticoat underneath the show you just how fabulous that skirt looks in all its voluptuous glory!

Our booth!

Bodega Bay

This week has been a pretty fun one. Which I really needed after the stress of my accident and constantly going to the chiropractor and doctor. One of my younger sisters is home from school for the week (she's actually going back today :( sad, sad) and we wanted to try and camp for a few days. Well, with my neck and back being cranky all the time, I couldn't really camp. Instead we decided to head out to Bodega Bay on Tuesday. It was so fantastic to lay in the sand and just listen to the ocean.

We've been going to Doran Beach since I was a wee lass. Isn't it beautiful?

Butterick B5748 (Part One)

My faaaavorite patterns are always found in a company's retro section. I've always loved vintage fashion, especially the 1950's and some 1960's designs due to their extremely feminine lines. I have a somewhat hourglass shape and love how complimentary this era is to my body type.

A Quick Redesign

GAH! Life came at me in full force for a billion weeks. But, fear not, my midterm is over with and I finally found a few moments to post this really quick before I begin spending all my time making bridesmaid dresses.

A couple of weeks ago a few friends and I stepped into one of the very few thrift shops in town. It's a Goodwill overstocked and overpriced with extremely outdated (were those baggy, below the knee jean shorts ever in style?), poorly taken care of garments (uhhh can you scream naasty pit stains??). But, this is ultimately besides the point!

I found this gem poking out of the dress rack for $6.99

I ripped the skirt off before realizing I should have taken a photo of me wearing it first!
But it was kinda atrocious, so maybe I saved you all from burning out your eyes?