Sage Green Vintage

I can't remember if I mentioned this, but I collect vintage clothing. Every few years I go through a phase where I do a lot of buying, whether at Thrift Stores or eBay and renew my collection with fun things to wear. This dress was purchased at the tail end of my last eBay buying spree, more than a year ago. I had it cleaned and it has been hanging since then....because, while I love vintage clothing and designs, they don't always love me!

After Pic, sorry I forgot the Before!

I thought this dress was a likely suspect right from the start: a relatively high neckline, a kimono style sleeve (more on why that is important later!) and the skirt's measurement put the length right below my knee! Sounds perfect right? Well when it came it was not at all perfect. If you look at the picture here (Sorry, I forgot to take before pics!) the Ivory silk section is new.  When I put the dress on for the first time the skirt started right where the Ivory meets the bodice!  (So of course the "just right" skirt length was way too short, even if I could bring myself to wear it so short-waisted.)

When I buy vintage clothing I usually have 2 problems.  The first is that, although I don't consider myself long-waisted, I regularly find things to be too short.   Women with my body "size" in the past were shorter in the past.  They also were inclined to wear things somewhat higher on the waist as well I think, but it feels and looks awkward to me. 

This is somewhat related to my first problem, which is my gigantic Football Player shoulders on an otherwise scrawny body.  This is why the Kimono Sleeve is key.  Many times I have purchased dresses that pull tightly across the shoulders and under the arm but fit perfectly elsewhere.  Many times.  sigh!  The reason I think this is related to the first problem is that, especially in raglan and kimono style sleeves, the dress rests very differently across MY shoulders than intended, pulling up waistlines etc.  Compounding the problem my bustline is not what was considered "ideal" in the 50s....more like in the 20s: high and flat! hehehehe

The alteration was successful, but was still fraught with trouble.  I mean, I can wear the dress as it is now, but I need to be more thorough next time!  The pattern I used to make the inset panel is from a dress I used to wear all the time....I probably used the pattern 3 or 4 times.  A good basic dress, but not as fitted as it should have been in the front.  If I had used something with front rather than bust darts I think I would have been happier.  I also really should have pulled the old metal zipper out completely and set a new one.  The vintage one reset fine with the panel, but it is really too short....by the length of the panel I inset.  This makes it especially hard for me to get the dress on and off (over the shoulders....yeah, getting stuck in a dress is NOT fun.  Especially when you are trying to be careful with vintage fabrics etc!)  It goes on and off, but the added difficulty makes it less likely that I will want to wrestle with it on Sunday Morning, know what I mean?  sigh!

I do love the way the bias band wraps across the front and the waterfall sash effect.  If I were really dedicated (which I contemplated) I should have done the whole panel in bias pleats, but I was worried I would never actually get it DONE so took the easy route.  I can't even picture what the pattern would look like to inset the pleats like that!

The last pic is a representation of the ill-fated nature of this adventure:  That is a picture of my blood.  While trying it on in one of the pinned up phases, I apparently stabbed myself without noticing and bled all over everything!  I saw this spot, gave a little "argh!" of exasperation (took the picture for a funny note in the blog) and took of the dress and washed the little spot off.  Came right out.  I was very pleased.  What I didn't notice was the 7 other places I sopped up my blood across the back of the dress as I fidgeted with the fit!  I can NOT believe that I bled that much without noticing.  ugh!  N. says I should weep a bit on it, then sweat a bit on it too for good measure. hehehe  I plan to work on the spots on the skirt this week and try to get up the energy to wear the dress to Church Sunday. 

In dim reflection of this new dare for November, the sash needs to be re-basted as it is a little crooked and I ought to finish the inside of the dress, perhaps with a lining.....but since it is unlikely to see much heavy wear, I may just be lazy. :) k.

November's Dare: Completion!

One of the themes that showed up regularly in the suggestions is this: "Easy Gift Ideas."  Now, I think I am a terrible person, but I NEVER (well almost never) make gifts.  I think this is mostly because of the deadline issues.....which I am not good at.    Of course, I wasn't sure that "Easy Gift Ideas" matched really well with the kinds of things I am trying to use for the Dare....not quite open-ended enough, and yet also a little too "specific."  Except that people wanted to do it.... 

So, the challenge for this month is two-fold.  The first required part: You must finish SOMETHING.  I don't care what it is, or how long it took you but you must have something to show for yourself by the first Monday of December.  You should also post a blog post about it.  (And I am giving you all the eye....look over at the Labels list on the side....I know you can see that ALL, well most, of the posts are tagged by me.  Will it help if I ask nicely?  Please will you post your projects?  Pretty Please? heheheh)
The second required part is that you identify, whether online or from your own brain at least one (but perhaps hundreds) project that is easily "completed."  We are looking for those projects that can help you feel accomplished on a day when nothing seems going right.  Projects that give lots of bang for your buck but that won't sit on the work table forever.

When you link to projects, please be sure to give credit to the actual designer (especially if it is YOU!) and if you try it, show us pics of yours.  You don't have to try all of the ideas you post (although ideally it should be a great item to be completed), just share some of the fun things you can find out there!

For the December meeting we will practice with zippers.  (Everyone sounded like that might be a good skill to review/learn.)  If you have zippers, bring them, if not we will try to have some available.  Also, bring pins, practice fabric and your sewing machine if you can.  And ask around to see if anyone knows some good tips and tricks for successful zippers.

Now go out there and finish something!  ANYTHING!  and then blog us about it! k.

Walla Waldo

So I took a red shirt and a white shirt and got this! I guess it is like Carolyn's shirt kinda. The hat is made from left over pieces of both. The Glasses are mine.

Free Child's Dress Pattern

So, my thoughtful mom sent me a pattern for a girl's dress that she thought looked like one I would enjoy making. The thing is, I already own the pattern and have made several dresses with it. In this photo you can see Audrey being silly in one of them. So, would anyone like the new pattern? It is Simplicity 5695 and is in size 2,3,4--which was the perfect size for both girls when they were 2 and 4 and is now too small for Audrey now that she's a tall 5. It's very simple to make and a very cute dress. Or, if you know someone who might like it, just take it from me and pass it along. I'll give it to the first person who responds to this post.

My Late Embellishment Report

And this is how we begin!  Several years ago I realized that some types of products I was making were too time-consuming to be made for a price people wanted to pay...so I sent out some fabric to have these made in one of the factories specializing in doll sized items.  Since that time, I have really done very little with them, and the company that helped me do it is now gone, but I still have this heap of tiny shirts.  There are 9 styles of shirt and I had 20 in each style made....I still have 19 or 20 of many of them.  This project has been a LONG time in coming! hehehe
For the great embellishment adventure I decided to pull out my supplies (of which there are mountains....you should see it!) and actually DO something with these.  Here is a little taste of what can/could/might/should be done with them:

The first four shown are SD sized.  (I would be happy to share measurements if you are interested....and if you don't know what SD sized means, well it probably doesn't apply to you or any resin you own. heh!)
I found it was MUCH more difficult to generate a good spiral pattern on the small sized shirts.  If you look carefully you can see it on the orangey crewneck shirt, but it is pretty subtle.  The circular yoke dyeing was clearer.  The longsleeved was done just with horizontal bands (Carolyn did that one!  Her very first!) and the fade was done with dipping rather than tie-dyeing.  Those were a little tricky because the biggest problem I have in tie-dyeing is dye-pooling while still active.

In a normal setting you put the dye on pre-wet, pre-wrapped shirts and it has to cure(?) for 4-24 hours while remaining wet.  This usually means: in a bag.  Of course if you really saturated your item (because you want strong color) you are going to end up with you shirt in a puddle at hte end of those 24 hours. (We saw this with many shirts during the family reunion tie-dye extravaganza...where we also saw MUCH better spirals.)

Since I wanted the white to STAY white I actually clipped the shirt inside its bag to a skirt hanger.  You can see that we had a little cross-over with the bight pink on the sleeves, but on the whole I think it was fairly successful.  You can see that same effect on the boatneck tops for the 16 inch-ish dolls.  For those I just dipped the wet shirts hems and sleeves and let the dye creep up the fabric while it rested in the baggies (hanging up.)  You can see how the magenta and turquoise behaved a bit differently on the purple one.  You can also see where (if you look closely) I got a small dot of yellow on it.  Argh!  It is really hard to keep track of all the dye at once!  We had a LOT of trouble with that during the extravaganza too.  This round was better because I used a wire cooling rack instead of a flat surface as my work area, but there was a stray drip of yellow I didn't wipe away before I set the shirt down while working on it.  Sigh!

You can see some bullseyes, and almost spiral and even a slightly too subtle heart in this group too.

Here is my first ever hot-fix rhinestone use! I have had this little motif forever and, since I am not much for sparkly, just never used it.  I didn't get the straps on, but here is "Independence."  I think the motif is actually supposed to be a snowflake, but I think it looks more like fireworks....besides I need to use some of this fun ribbon.  My excuse for not having the straps on?  Can't decide if I want it to be a super casual tie-neck halter, if it needs some fancy back and forth through loops or if I should just put sliders on plain straps so it will fit "everyone."  Probably the latter but who knows.  Someone actually wanting it would be enough motivation to get it done I think......hehehe

These are the other two I tried going for actual embellishment. I know that my "embellishing with color" is kind of cheating but since this group is for "motivation" I figured I had better take that motivation where I could find it! The purple ribbon tank has sliders on the straps...like you would see on a full sized tank with adjustable straps! Can you tell I am pleased with that? I also included a little sequin shaped like a flower under the beads but the pic isn't great. heheh

These last pics are of my adventures with silk screen paint. I actually used stencils (as the prospect of making screens for tiny things is still daunting me.) The first pic includes my first and last trials of the evening in question. The SD (larger) t-shirt suffered a terrible accident, in that I was not as careful with my workspace and it got dripped on, and then I over ran the edge of the stencil. There was much cursing, let me assure you! According to the information on the paint itself, until it is heat-set it should wash out. I set the spider and should wash it to see what I get. The sleeve drips are smear-y because I just rinsed it a bit to see if there was an EASY fix. We shall see I suppose.

The small tank was my first realization that you could control the density of color. The first was too thick, so this little spider was done with a very dry brush and I love the misty look it has.

The last butterfly's only excuse is that I was tired and didn't secure my stencil carefully so it shifted. Poor thing.
And THESE, which have been in the plan for almost as long as I have had the "shirts," are actually part of a greater plan. I have some great camo fabric...that is made of butterfly shapes. There is a GREAT clothing line in this fabric, and this is the beginning. Sadly, the rest of the line needs to find me some more motivation. Even the notebook I drew the sketches in is missing! Some day! hehehe

I custom mixed this color (I have all the "basics" but didn't really want it black or bright.) I mixed and mixed and then mixed some more and finally got a convincingly camouflaged color.....of course by then I had a huge bowl of paint. Using my new-found knowledge, I used paint density to get a surprisingly wide range of color for my little butterflies. I also tried to come up with some less conventional placements.

The stencils I used for all my projects are from "Dreamweaver Stencils".  They are metal and very easy to use. She has some really great designs (and I was delighted to find this tiny butterfly which is almost the exact shape of the motif in the fabric in her collection.).  In case you are wondering, I asked the designer if I could use her products in creating my work and she graciously said yes.   Crafting Ethics can get complicated sometimes, but I have found people to be gracious each time I have asked for permission, and as such, I have no trouble in saying "You should go buy stuff from this great designer!"


So there are my adventures in embellishing for September!  I have all the supplies for it, so if you want to try any of those things out, come on over! k.

I can't remember when I first learned how to use a sewing machine, but I was young. My grandma taught me on her vintage Singer - the kind with a pedal foot or treadle. I am extremely jealous of my aunt, who got that machine when my Grandma passed away;) The very first thing that she taught me to make was an apron. Here's a picture of my youngest daughter wearing it (yes, I still have it!)

I don't remember making much after that....actually, I don't remember making anything until I took a sewing class in college. This class did me NO GOOD. The apron I made as a child was far superior to anything that came out of this class. But after the class I made a stuffed rabbit, complete with dress, pinefore, and bloomers, and it was good enough that it restored my confidence. When I had my first baby I bought my first sewing machine and went crazy. Nothing I made was terribly great, but I did have fun, and I was extremely proud of the blessing dress I made for her.

I used an old brides-maid dress that I had for the material. I had a dress pattern, but I only used it as a basic idea. I added the medieval-style sleeves and ribbons, and I love it. Since then I have sewn on and off, sometimes following a pattern, sometimes making it up as I go along. The last thing I made was this jumper/dress for myself...

...which I actually wear:) I am excited about being in this group and expanding my horizens. I've been busy lately (no, really, I have), so I didn't do the embelishment challenge, but I'll try to get my stuff together to do this months challenge. Happy now, Kimberly?:)

k. embellished with color

I feel very guilty that I have not done my post....very guilty. hehehe  I had great fun this month embellishing with color.  I dyed, I used silk screen paint to print with, I even used s few sparkles.  I also just lent my camera to my Father in Law so I can't just grab it and take my final pictures to post.  I am a terrible "example" for my own brainstorm group.  Do NOT follow in my footsteps!  (Seems like we still need some introductions.....)

I promise that once I have my house back there will be pictures of tiny tie-dye, some ombre dip dyeing, tiny butterflies everywhere, and some information about water soluble stabilizer which is my dearest friend, after you of course, dear reader.  I will also tell you more about "Dreamweaver Stencils" and http://dharmatrading.com who were my suppliers for most of my adventures this month of embellishing with color. 

Also, I have a plan for my Alteration Project.  Remember to submit challenge ideas also! k.

Mine

Okay, side by side mine isn't as cute, but I still really like it. Also, please overlook the way I'm standing. I don't know how to pose for pictures. Also, I cut my head off because I'm too vain to post on the internet how I look at the end of the day.

I bought a long-sleeve t-shirt, cut off the sleeves, made long strips of ruffles from the sleeves, and sewed them onto the shirt. It's quite simple and something I've tried before. For that reason I feel like I took it too safe with this challenge. I had plans to buy some interesting and fun stuff at Dongdaemun to embellish a t-shirt with, but when I went at night it was closed. So, don't go there at night. Someone told me the hours are 9-5ish. I can't guarantee the closing time, but I was there at about 8 p.m. and it was dark and empty. I've always gone in the morning before at about 10 a.m.

I also made the shirt a little more fitted in the sleeve and sides. This shirt is 95% modal (which is "essentially a variety of rayon" according to wikipedia, and as you know wikipedia can be written by anyone so it has to be true) and 5% spandex. So it's a slick fabric, if that's the right word. When I cut the sleeves I kept getting a v shape on the top of the arm, which I tried to fix and never could. I decided I liked it and left it. I also didn't hem the sleeves because 1) I was feeling lazy 2) I like the raw edge look sometimes. I tell myself that the raw edge of the sleeve goes well with the raw edge of the ruffles.

I have more shirts that I'm going to ruffle or otherwise continue to embellish. I know we've moved on to another challenge, but I may still share with you my adventures.

October's Dare: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare

Hahahah I got you there.  But the truth of the matter is, that IS the dare.  Here it is:

SONNET 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
   If this be error and upon me proved,
   I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 

Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds....You have a thing in your closet, you know you do.  That thing that was such a good piece, seemed like such a good idea, just needed a little....yeah, you know the one.  This month we will take something that we do not love, for whatever reason large or small, and alter it.  I hope your projects don't have to be borne out even to the edge of doom but we all know that we need some good "disaster" entries to start us off on the right foot.

Feel free to post your ideas, frustrations and miracles during your brief hours and weeks.  Be inspired, be inspirational. (And don't delay until too late like this month! hehehe)k.