Vintage Playsuit Summer Sew-Along 2014

          

 Contrary to my posting habits, I have indeed been sewing! I have a few art projects that need some work, so I've been unable to take pictures. Okay, it's that, and the fact it's allergy season in Northern California. This is the time of the year where the grass begins to dry up and leaving my home only happens out of necessity to avoid a miserable congested, sneezing, eye-watering existence! 

       Are any of you participating in Stephanie's Vintage Playsuit Sew-Along over at The Girl with the Star-Spangled Heart? I'm so excited for it! I've always wanted to make a playsuit, and had been planning on making one this summer anyways! Perfect opportunity to join in on my first sew-along.

          I've decided to make a 1950's style playsuit (shocker, I know.), and also get in on making the dirndl skirt as well. The only thing is I don't actually own any vintage patterns for a playsuit. In fact, I only own two vintage patterns in all. I do, however, own a 1950's playsuit. Here is a photo of the top:

               I bought it at Moon Zoom, a vintage store in Santa Cruz, last June. I've always wanted a bra top playsuit and practically squealed when I found this treasure hidden among the tops. It's made from a soft cotton chambray and came with a matching pair of high waisted shorts. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of me wearing the set as the shorts don't fit well, and I don't have the heart to alter them.

I was thinking, if using the Simplicity 1426 isn't okay (because its a vintage pattern repro), I could use this ensemble as my pattern pieces instead.

These are a few styles I'm considering making

I love the open skirt, and the wrapped top. Although, being bustier than her, I'd need a lower neckline. This pattern is actually up for sale now on eBay. Click here.

I think this is a 1940's pattern, the shoulders still have the military look to them. But. I really love the neckline on the two tops, and the shorter skirts are so flirtatious!

The shorts in this pattern were more along the lines of what I was contemplating. I like the gathering at the waist and the drawstrings on the leg holes. Little cutie pie bloomers.

           This photo was too cute not to post! I adore the girl in the middle, her hair is amazing, and her playsuit is adorable to boot! Again, her shorts are almost identical to what I am envisioning. While she's not wearing a bra top, I love the peasant blouse style and the way it ties in the front. I would be very interested in recreating this outfit and love the idea of wearing an open dirndl skirt with it.  

            By the end of writing this lengthy post, I've pretty much decided to recreate the center playsuit in the last photo. It's too perfect! Now, I must decide on the fabric to make it from and how to make the top..

Which is your favorite style? And let me know if you're part of the sew-along too!

I'm Back!

Hey there!
If there is anyone there! I'm back after my long hiatus. School last semester was grueling. I entered my college's business plan competition, and the preparation for that sucked the life out of me. I didn't even have time to sew anything new for my presentation, so I didn't have anything to update on here either as a result. The competition was worth it, I ended up winning 1st place! I've never given a presentation, let alone written a business plan. The experience was invaluable, and learning that I'm more capable than I tend to admit was very much needed.

I hope everyone's holidays were swell. Mine were! My family had something going on practically every night of December, so with finals, the competition, my birthday, and family holiday obligations, I only feel like I'm just now catching my breath!

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In November I was looking for a fab dress to wear for Thanksgiving at my boyfriends house. I found this ADORABLE 1950's dress that has a sequined bodice and made of this lovely synthetic seersucker plaid material. Well, that puppy ended up needing a little more work than I anticipated so I wore a Stop Staring dress instead. Point being, I used some of that 50's dress for what I'm about to show you! If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably already seen it.

I started out with the hem from a 1950's dress & floral yardage from the 1970's

 For my current project, I used scrap fabric from the pink plaid 1950's dress to create a ruffle and attached it to the bottom of the bodice to create a little peplum. I only wish I had enough to make the peplum longer, I don't really feel like it deserves to be called a peplum because it's more of a ruffle, really.

It just needs a zipper now!

 I knew I wanted to make bottoms that matched, but I couldn't decide if I wanted to make a sassy little skirt, or a pair of short-shorts. I decided that I needed to work on pattern drafting again, so I'm in the middle of creating a pair of high waisted short-shorts.

I decided that I wanted to try my hand at shorts, on top of that
I decided to try my hand at DRAFTING them myself

In other news, I'm working on a wedding dress! I'd show photos, but I haven't asked the bride for permission yet. We are using her soon-to-be Mother in-law's wedding dress and redesigning it to be a darling, and modern take on the classic 1950's strapless sweetheart dresses.

My best friend is engaged! We went to San Francisco last month to seek out bridal laces/get the heck out of dodge!

Nadine and I walking around Union Square

We had to stop and enjoy the view, I don't get out to the city very often!

Daiso Japan is my new favorite discovery!
 P.s. that facial cleanser is heaven sent at $1.50!

I can't wait to get the shorts done, and the wedding dress so I can show you all! I promise I'll be updating much more regularly this year. Is anyone working on something they are particularly excited over? I know Nicole over at ManicPop is working on her first dress pattern release, I'm super excited about it!!
Thanks for the read! xo

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 ;)

Santa Cruz

Last week I posted that I was heading down to Santa Cruz to celebrate 5 years with my man & also for a mental health break. We had a splendid time!! I'm already planning on going back...maybe in September..but we'll see ;)

Moon Zoom is my new favorite shop! Such treasures!

Cognito, another lovely shop. We spent a lot of time in there.

After walking around for 3 hours and shopping, we worked up an appetite. I love food, but I'm not always down to spend a ton of money on a fancy pants meal. I already get that living in the Napa Valley. So, we decided to hit up this little hot dog shop on our way to the Boardwalk.

It was delish & oh so filling.

After dinner at Surf Dog, we headed down to the Boardwalk. I wanted to show Jordan how pretty it is at night, he's never been! But, alas, it's still early in the season apparently, so when we meandered over around 7pm, everyone was gone! It was creepy haha. It felt like a horror film waiting to happen.

"Your glasses are too shiny"

"Is that better?"

Pacific Street has a bunch of fantastic little antique stores, I found sooo many gems in here, but I had to restrain myself.

Never without my caffeine fix!

Eventually, we wandered back over to the Boardwalk to enjoy sandwiches in the sun. It was an amazingly gorgeous day in Santa Cruz! The sand was toasty, the sea lions were yelping..or..eh yeah, they were yelping,  and everywhere you could hear laughter. Everyone seemed to be having a great day!

"Let's take a selfie." He never wants to take pictures!

After lunch, we wanted to hit up the arcade. Video games have never been my forte, so we only ended up winning about 180 tickets after spending 10 bucks. Jord suggested we find a little kid playing alone and give him ours. It's always fun making someones day like that.

I almost kicked butt at this one.

I love shooting galleries like this one! Takes me back to Disneyland as a kid.

That particular roller coaster wasn't operating that day :(

I promised a better photo of my Heartbreaker Fashion dress, here it is!

No trip is complete without the awkward experience of finding someone to take a photo of you!

I wish I had taken more photos, but I lost the strap to my camera, so I was afraid of dropping it..but I think these ones are just fine. So, there you have it! My two lovely days in Santa Cruz :)

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 Lil' Hawaiian

A few weeks ago I stopped into Community Projects and found this beauty:

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?