Selfish Sewing Part 2 - Winter of Comfort 1

And a new long tunic for me!  Yaaaays!  So from this super-easy Burda pattern I found on sale at Joann's for $2.49 (I went nuts and got a ton), I made myself a lovely long something to wear.

Seriously, super easy.  And I had some beautiful vintage fabric that was screaming for a simple minimalist aesthetic, on account of the paisley.  Since winter is hard on the more voluptuous set (it's always so fucking hot everywhere.  Who said 74 is reasonable?  FUCK.) and everything I love is at least $85, I decided to make myself some winter clothes.

Simple, comfortable, long tunics for leggings and boots in fabric I love and exactly my size and proportions.  Really, what's the issue?  So, as my first project I made this!

Belted with a ribbon for now.

Please ignore my crafting crap in the background.  But SO PRETTY.  I cut the sleeves on the bias for fun.  The hem is a high-low:

And sewed with a tight zigzag to make it wavy.  The shoulders were way too big, so I added a pleat.  Just did it on the fly, but it doesn't suck.

Just folded over an inch and sewed down each side 3 inches.  Then top-stitched the shoulder to make it look intentional. 

I just love the delicate neckline.  And the fabric is amazing.  Thanks, Big Daddy for scoring this little gem for me!!  With a skinny brown belt, pumpkin leggings and boots this outfit will be in heavy rotation this winter.

Seen here!

And here!

Here too.

Butterick Retro Pattern Orgasm

Joann's had Butterick patterns on sale for $1 from Aug 22-24.  I went absolutely NUTS for the Retro line.  As a big girl, these patterns are very pricey ($20 each!) and not in the usual catalogues.  So, at any opportunity, I grab them like a shrieking fishwife at a fire sale. 

Such beauty and elegance!  And such amazing possibilities!

And in sizes I can actually wear and use.  I'm so excited for the mash-up possibilities, the color blocking and fabric blending, the mind BOGGLES.  Or bottles, if you're a Blades of Glory fan.  And I AM. 

Because these are Retro (as opposed to Vintage), I'm much less hesitant to cut on them and tape pieces together.  But I do have an awesome hipster shirt in the works that will KILL.  

More on that later.  For now, revel in the Retro lusciousness with me.  And Dream...

London Underground Tea Towel Tote

Because a tote with an accent is even smarter...

It's a London Underground tea towel tote!  Actually from London, my mom brought this back from one of their trips across the pond.  Well, she brought the TOWEL back.  I made the tote!

The pleated pockets in front are from the very top of the towel.  I cut off the logos and made little pockets for stuffs because it was too cool to throw away.  The lining is the whole reason for the bag in the first place.

CROWNS!! I KNOW!  How much more perfect could it be?  And this little remnant of Joann's lining makes this tote so very bitchin'.

The back is just as cool...

That's what became the pockets on the front.  The straps are leftover nylon webbing from another project.  I just love it and people never fail to ask me about it.  

MIND THE GAP!!

Seen here!!

Selfish Sewing, Part 1

Yay, selfish sewing!  I've been rounding up projects, finishing little things and making some others and I was ready for something new for myself.  Big Daddy reconned some absolutely GORGEOUS knit from a garage sale for me and inspiration smacked me in the gob.

New dress for Momma.  Like, right now.

So pretty.  And even close up...

I did the back in the contrast knit because I just couldn't squeak out the back bodice from the fantastic ikat knit.  I'm thrilled with the way it turned out and it feels absolutely wonderful on. 

The pattern was a simple McCall's. The gathers in the front and back are very flattering and, if Big Daddy can be trusted to give an honest opinion where my feelings are concerned, it looks as good as it feels.

I am definitely making this again in anything I can find.  The possibilities are endless and I can whip one of these out in a day.  Plus, the Pretty.

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