Thursday 26 April 2012

Leopard tee # 2

Yes, it's another leopard print top. AGAIN.


Obsessed? With leopard? Moi?


Well, possibly. Same pattern as before, with longer sleeves.


And how I wore it today...



Just as well I made an effort and dressed up today, because I had a FRICKING annoying and stressful day. I'm a firm believer in not allowing myself to look like crap just because I feel like crap.


My job has been more stressful than usual lately, but fortunately it will return to normal next week. I had to come home early and de-stress in a bubble bath with a cup of tea (not that I'm complaining about a bubble bath).


This pencil skirt is the one I originally made to wear with my sailor top at the costume partay.


Staple feel-good items - leopard print, red lipstick, Marilyn pendant, heels. Also, fur (not shown here, but I finished the look off with my brown bunny fur coat).

I have to go to bed now. Good night. x

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Polka dot bag and... other bag

I was going to call this a bag and purse set... but it's not really a purse. It's the same cosmetics bag design as I used a couple of posts ago.





The large bag design is new. It's taller than bags I've made previously and has no outside pocket.


I've kept the seams as neat as possible so it could, sort of, be reversible. I put an extra large pocket on the inside. There is no closure at the top.



This little bag worked out much better than the last one. The zip is still a problem but I think it's because I've been using zips that are too long. The handle on this one is much neater and has less of a dragged-through-hedge look than the last one.


And I attached it to the right side this time!


I really like these fabrics together.


Purple + polka dots = win!

Monday 23 April 2012

Leopard tee


I'm having an affair with leopard print at the moment. You can never have too much of a good thing.


Anyway leopard print is kind of a neutral isn't it? It just goes with everything.


The pattern is Butterick 3344. I don't think it's available any more. I made View C (the purple one). It's the most basic pattern ever and it takes about an hour to make.


I need to stop making dresses or my wardrobe will fall apart. So I'm going to focus on separates / coats etc for a while.

Here is how I wore it today.




I was being made to laugh and making the most ridiculous faces which is why I've lopped my head off these pics.


I've got another top and a fur coat in the works too!

Sunday 22 April 2012

Cosmetic bags - Take One


I thought I'd try my hand at making some little cosmetics bags. The design is mine (although hardly original), and in my head, it was very easy to put together.

It proved less easy in reality.


It looks just ok here. I'm not about to provide any close-ups though.


It's a little bunchy around the end of the zip and I cleverly put the handle on the wrong side. I'm also going to use ribbon for the handles from now on. That thin little handle was a total pain in the rear end to make.


Here it is next to some every day items so you can see how big it is.


I'm going to keep working on refining these 'til I get them right! More sewing coming this week!

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Naughty Librarian


Saucy Secretary?


I was told I look like a naughty librarian today.


I don't usually do an 'outfit post' unless I've made the outfit, but I bought these cherry-coloured tights the other day and they're just too pretty to not blab about. The entire outfit was based around the tights.


(Is my arm on backwards?? What happened?)



The hair is different too... I generally avoid wearing it up as it usually gives me a headache. Luckily, the bun was ok and I'm still wearing it now!


Purple blooms!

Tights - Voodoo
Leopard skirt (actually a dress) - Dangerfield
Jumper - Friends of Couture
Shoes - Seychelles via ModCloth
Hair flowers - no idea

Look how cute my jumper is even on the inside...


Sunday 15 April 2012

Burda Style wrap dress

I've finally got around to making the dress pictured in this post earlier this year.


Alterations: pretty much everything.

It took FOREVER to trace these pattern pieces from the magazine pattern sheet. They are all printed over the top of each other in a big mess. Then there's the instructions. They're just rambled out in a paragraph with no accompanying pictures or examples at all.


As far as I can tell, I did nothing according to the instructions. I think the waist-tie is supposed to be attached in two pieces, one to the outer seam of the wrap and one to the inner seam. The one attached to the inner seam comes through a hole of the opposite side seam...blah blah blah...


Who has the patience to try and figure out those kind of rambling nonsensicals? Also, there is supposed to be a flounce at the open seam. You can barely even see the flounce in the photos. Why is it there? What is the point?? What the hell IS a flounce???


I left it off.

I decided to keep the dress closed by way of two buttons, one at each side. And I just tied the waist tie around my waist. Rebellious, I know. And I made one side of the tie purple for contrast (also, I'd run out of fabric).



I made the sleeves short, instead of long, as the long sleeves are supposed to have an invisible zipper closure at the cuff. I hate, loathe and despise invisible zips.

I think it looks fine.


This fabric is different for me. It's a double knit, and I don't usually go for such busy prints. It's also a more casual style of dress than I usually wear. I think it will be a good go-to dress for Fridays.




I'll probably wear it with shoes if I wear it to work.

My holidays finish today. Waaaaaaa!

Friday 13 April 2012

Birthday shoes

So my birthday is in July. But I am already planning my party & outfit. It will be 1920's themed.

I think these I Love Billy shoes would be perfect. My dress will also be purple.

Lazy days (with cats)

I've had this week off work. It's been wonderful. I've been sewing, reading, and sleeping.

Molly pretty much sums it up here.



I've also been playing with Biscuit Face. He's been coming around every day. I think he has a crush on me.


It's sunny and warm today. We rolled around in the grass together.


Yummy grass.


Get it! Get it!


Waaaaaaaa! *crazy face*


BF's favourite game - Eat Your Own Tail.


Then came nap time.





Something smells good.


Possibly it's the treats I may or may not have been giving him.


I think I have a crush on BF too.