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!

Daisies.

Hi there, everyone!
July has been a pretty busy one for me. Between work and family, I've found myself spread on the thinner side.
That being said, I decided to approach Wednesday with more relaxed vibe.
I altered a Butterick pattern a few days ago and decided to test it out.

I look so much like my mother here!

The fabric I chose was navy blue with daisies. I'd been eyeing this one for a few months, but waiting for the right project to justify buying it. It's a very soft, vintage cotton. I wish I could date it. The women who work at the shop wouldn't know due to a lot of the fabrics having been in stock well before they began working there. Normar Fabrics opened in the 1950's!

For the lining, I implemented the lightweight muslin I had actually used to test out my pattern. It's nice and soft and breezy.

I used a pale yellow invisible zipper down center back

I've noticed recently that I'm very attracted to blues. It's a very chic, versatile color that goes well with my love of pinks and purples! Besides blue, I'm always looking for great crop tops. Unfortunately, and my fellow buxom babes know too, there aren't many on the market that are cute, affordable and made to fit a C cup or larger (I myself am a DD!)

Grabbing a bite of breakfast at a local favorite! Sweetie Pies Bakery.

I love it paired with this simple stretch jersey skirt and vintage crinoline! 

Paired with a cotton jersey pencil skirt. I was on my way to buy the computer I'm typing on now ;)

This was a GREAT little project. I came out of this learning three things:
1) Zipper needs to go from the bottom up in order for it to fit over your head.
2) I am not a size 14 as far as strap length goes.
3) Next time I'll understitch the straps as the lining peeks out a bit.

It's always nice to be able to finish a project and immediately see where your skills and problem solving are improving/need improvement!

Now, the question remains, should I make a matching pair of pants or a gathered skirt?
Decisions, decision!

Crazy May

I've been quite bad about updating here, but it isn't without wanting! May was a terribly crazy month, between the research papers, mini papers, finals and my freelance job and my two real jobs, I haven't had much time to update, let alone sew a dress to update you all with! The deadline for my freelance job is looming overhead, and very soon I'll be updating you all with lovely creations. I'm DYING to make myself something.

This month my boyfriend and I are celebrating 5 years together. In commemoration, I decided to be a regular Jolene and take a regular 5-day work week so we could spend two days in Santa Cruz. I'll take lots of pictures and post them next week! My boss told me about all these lovely vintage shops, so hopefully I'll bring home a few treasures too!

A Dress for My Little Sister

Today's post is going to showcase my first attempt at using an adult size pattern for a child...
Nellie Bell's 12th birthday was March 22nd and while trying to figure out what to get her I had a brilliant idea! Why don't I make a dress, I thought. So, I pulled out some fabric, and got down and dirty.