New cardigan & a pattern review

I just completed the finishing touches on a new cardigan. I used McCall’s M5978.

The pattern was quite easy to follow and it offers some cute alternatives such as hand-made flowers and 3/4 length sleeves. I had some slight challenges on the button holes as it was my first time doing them with this machine but they turned out great in the end. The sweater is actually purple but it looks blue in the picture. In any case, I’m really happy with the result and you should definitely give the pattern a try if you are in need of a new cardigan!

Hilarious Things Celebrities Wear

Well, it isn’t exactly what I would call a dress, but hey – to each her own I suppose.

I also wouldn’t have the guts to wear a full length velvet dress like this one:

But she looks darn good in it!

Now all I need is an event that requires head-to-toe velvet or a magenta belly-cut-out. One day!

Kate Middleton Classiness

Darn is this girl ever classy…

On anyone else this outfit might very easily look like someone turned an aging curtain into a coat and slapped an over-sized stale crepe on her head. But not on Kate. She makes me want to own every single item she puts on. Absolutely stunning!

Gathered Clutch DIY

I have previously used Skip to My Lou‘s incredible tutorials to create an easy clutch and that diy project has sinced served me daily as my hold-everything-I-can’t-leave-the-house-without clutch. I have wanted to make a birthday present for my friend for a while and finally decided onthis gathered clutch.

I started this post with the plan of laying out a step by step guide of how I created the purse. But I found I couldn’t find the right words and didn’t have the most visually explanatory photos. So instead I invite you to visit the original tutorial because it even provides a pattern and an excellent guideline to help you create this:

There are always little kinks to work out but on the whole I am very proud of the project and excited to present it to my friend for her birthday. I hope you get a chance to make your very own!

Free Stuff!

Because I can’t stop smiling from the amazing day I’ve had, I feel the need to share my experiences in this happy place. The amazingness all boils down to a simple joy in life – free stuff. Whether it’s that buy one get one free deal at your favorite store or that little lip gloss sample that comes in the mail – free things make the average day incredible. And today was definitely incredible.

A few weeks ago I got my roommate and I tickets to a local daytime talk show and today was the big day. The tickets didn’t cost a penny and the show was an absolute blast. On top of which we were given a loot-bag of health products and a 100$ gift card to Mendocino.

Right after the show we headed over to the store to see what we could get and found leather jackets that were regularly 80$ on sale for 50$. And we had free money in our pockets! So naturally, we bought matching coats and I still have half my gift card left to go!

It was such a liberating experience because I think buying that jacket was the most impulsive thing I’ve done in months. I’ve been meaning to buy a leather jacket for years but always hum and haw for what seems like hours and then end up chickening out. I never would have bought it if I hadn’t had that gift card in my pocket and I’m sure I would have wound up regretting it. But thanks to the show (and to my roommate’s helpful encouragements), I took the plunge and got the coat. And I couldn’t be happier!

Sometimes you really do have to treat yourself – and if that treat happens to be a free one – I’m all for it!

Retail Therapy?

I think I really need someone to explain to me how retail therapy works. It sounds like a lovely way to relieve stress in theory but every time I try it I never end up buying anything – or if I do I just feel really guilty about it. For example, today I had a day off so I decided to go shopping but I just wound up tired and felt like I had spent more money than I should have. Granted it was for work clothes so maybe that factors into it. I mean, who really likes to spend money to work? But even when I do go shopping just for the sake of it I always talk myself out of getting anything.

The interesting thing is that I never feel guilty when I buy fabric or craft materials. Maybe because I know it’s something I’m going to work on for a while and get enjoyment from along the way before the final product is reached. Perhaps the joy of buying a shirt or pair of earrings is just too short lived for me.

However, I will say that I get incredible joy and satisfaction from a good deal. It’s hard to feel guilty when you buy a much needed pair of jeans for13 bucks or six pairs of earrings at 75% off. So maybe there is hope yet for me grasping the joy of retail therapy – I just need to keep an eye out for awesome sales and jump on them when I need some shopping relaxation.

Fancy Gold Shirt

I had left over fabric from a dress I made that I really wanted to make use of. I bought that pattern and got started a while ago but got overwhelmed by the complexities and gave up for a bit. I am proud to say that it is finally finished! I used Butterick pattern #5497

I am very pleased with the results so if you’re up for the challenge of a lot of ruching and slightly complicated instructions then give this pattern a whirl. Here’s a look at the finished front and back

I’m just so happy it’s finally done! And now I can get started on some Fall and Winter wear…

Off the Shoulder Shirt

I made a 3/4 sleeve, off the shoulder shirt years ago and then somehow managed to lose the pattern. But recently I discovered that I am severely lacking in comfortable, fall shirts and decided to make one. I refused to let a lost pattern stand in my way so I used my old shirt as a model for creating a new shirt. Here’s how I did it:

Requirements:

- 1 yard of fabric

- matching thread

- sewing machine

- pins

 

Directions:

1. Fold fabric in half and cut shirt shape like the following (you can use an old shirt as a model if you need to – and then just leave half an inch around to allow for sewing and make sure to leave room for a wide neck):

 

2. Cut two equal sized rectangles like to following for bottom trim (the trim should be equal to the length of the bottom of the shirt so that they match up perfectly):

3.Pin good sides of fabric together down the sides and along the shoulders and arms. Then sew together.

4. Zig-zag stitch along cuffs and neck to prevent fraying.

5. Pin cuffs and neck then stitch in place.

6. Pin good sides of two rectangles together and then sew in place (do not sew long sides together):

7. Press seams on rectangular trim and fold in half lengthwise so good sides of fabric are facing out. Pin this trim to good side of bottom of the shirt and sew in place. When complete the inside of the bottom of the shirt should look like this:

8. And here is the final product!

My directions aren’t the easiest to follow so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask. The shirt is so comfortable so I really hope you get a chance to create your own!

My Etsy Shop!

I have been sewing and crafting since I was very young and have always enjoyed it. But my collection of handmade goodies has increased significantly since getting a sewing machine. I am constantly making things and decided it was finally time to try turning my hobbies into more of a fun side-job. I have always had a lot of admiration for the website Etsy so I opened my very own shop. So far I just have a few hairbands but I made them with lots of care so I would be honored if you took a quick look. I hope you get a chance to take a look at my shop!

Vibrant Print Shirt

Every time I go into my favorite fabric store there’s this vibrant purple print that always catches my eye. I couldn’t think of what I wanted to make with it and it was so pretty I assumed it would cost a small fortune and therefore could not be wasted. So imagine my surprise when the lady told me it was 5.99$ a yard! I only need 3/4 of a yard for my favorite flowy shirt pattern so I was sold. And here is my beautiful creation:

It looks best worn slightly on an angle so it slouches off the shoulder. I definitely think I want to buy a couple more yards and make a dress with this fabric. It’s just so vibrant and unique!