Laverne & Shirley

It's looking a lot more grey around here these days, so it seemed like a good time to post something nice and bright from a sunny Summer's day.  Which is not to say the weather will keep me from wearing bright pink.  It works in any season, and I love it, and you cannot take it away from me!

In fact, I think it's time to pull out the oversized turtleneck made from this exact yarn, because it feels like it just might be cold enough to wear such a cozy garment.  

This short sleeved monogrammed sweater was made from the remaining yarn from that project.

I am usually a bit aggravated by leftover yarn from a project.  I feel as though I should be able to get fairly close to the amount needed by looking at the pattern.  Other the other hand, it means that I get two sweaters for the price of one (or at least I can trick myself into believing that)!

And now that I have had the opportunity to wear this sweater a few times, along with the turtlenecked version, I feel safe to say that this particular yarn is really lovely.  Although it appears to be discontinued on the KnitPicks website, I believe this fuzzy marvel has been rechristened "Wonderfluff" in a slightly larger gauge (from DK to Bulky).  

Surprisingly, this particular yarn does not shed much.  I have a couple of sweaters made of alpaca that leave fiber bits everywhere.  I was expecting to have a similar issue with these sweaters, but I was willing to deal with the mess because I love the color so very much, and wearing a fluffy sweater is very fun, perhaps even comforting.

Now I am thinking that I need more super soft fuzzy fluff in my life.  And I don't feel like casting on an incredibly complicated knitting pattern at this point, but this yarn makes stockinette stitch look pretty fantastic . . . so maybe I should start looking for cozy sweater patterns.

And until that time, I have two fabulously fluffy sweaters to snuggle up with when the mood suits.  One has a monogram that makes people think I am channeling Laverne DeFazio, but hey, that's what happens when you wear a monogram and your name starts with the letter "L"!

Sweater:  Made by me, "Jailbird Blouse" by Poison Grrls
Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6285
Shoes:  Remix "Babydoll"
Earrings:  Vintage

A Floral Bouquet

It all started with a floral knit that I found while taking a turn down the knit aisle at JoAnn Fabrics.  What I was doing there, I will never know.  But this particular print immediately caught my eye.  And it was not made of polyester!! Hooray! 

I was unsure that a rather thin rayon knit would ever come in handy, but it came home with me anyway.  Probably one of the main reasons is that I really love the color turquoise . . . and I find it hard to resist an oversized floral.

A few months later, while looking for a bottom weight fabric for a skirt, I came across what looked like the same print, but this time in the cotton stretch woven textile that I have had quite a bit of luck with in the past.

Aha!  I knew exactly what to do with that knit.  A double layered wrap top was just the ticket, and the cotton/spandex was perfect for a lovely full skirt, making Butterick 6285 the obvious choice.    

This wrap top pattern is wonderful.  I will definitely be making myself another version when the right fabric comes around.  

But for now, I have a lovely new outfit with so many possibilities.  This whole separates business is really beginning to grow on me.  Now I just have to train myself not to avoid solid colored fabrics like the plague and my outfit possibilities will be endless!  

Top & Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6285

Shoes:  Remix “Baby Doll”

Earrings:  Banana Republic

Ring:  Grandfather’s high school class ring

A Floral Set

This floral print is one of the designs that I came up with for printing using My Fabric Designs print-on-demand services.  

My original intention was to make a full skirt as well as a contrasting blouse in a lighter weight fabric with a smaller scale version of the print.

I ended up with three yards of the heavy cotton twill that was my textile choice.  

The pattern I pulled out for the skirt was Butterick 6285.  I have made this design before, and actually have a third version hanging up on the back of my sewing room door along with the knit top included with the pattern that I will start wearing as soon as the weather cools down a bit.  I am slightly obsessed with the design and thank goodness the skirt requires a cross grain layout or I would probably be making myself another.

Because of the yardage requirements of My Fabric Designs (no half or quarter cuts are available), I ended up with a little too much yardage.  It was a squeeze, but I managed to cut out a matching top with the remaining bits.  I pulled out a few pattern possibilities, and Advance 8751 was the only one that I could get to fit.  In the end, I think it turned out to be the perfect choice, so hooray for challenging cutting layouts.  

Who else loves getting an extra garment out of leftover fabric?  Now I just need to figure out what to do with all those just under a yard leftovers that are taking up a ton of space . . .

Top:  Made by me, Advance 8751

Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6285

Shoes:  Banana Republic

Earrings: Gift

[Disclosure:  My Fabric Designs provided me with a coupon code which was used to purchase this fabric, but the opinions posted here are my own.]

A Pink Hat

This is what comes of leftover yardage.

A matching suit set!

I have been wearing this vintage outfit a lot lately, and wanted to add another cropped jacket to my wardrobe.  This is the result.

I love this combination, and may have to make another at some point.  (That project list is getting really long!)

My closet is slowly being filled with more and more separates.  

And while I love a great dress, the versatility of separates is pretty fabulous.

This project has also reminded me of the many vintage suit patterns that I want to make up at some point.  (Add that to the list, as well!)

I think I even have enough yardage left to squeeze a pencil skirt out of this lovely fabric!  Which makes three new project ideas that came of this one. 

For the time being, I am taking a break from this particular textile.  But the black and white color combo really does feel Spring appropriate, so perhaps that pencil skirt will happen sooner rather than later . . . 

Jacket:  Made by me, Vogue 9082

Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6285

Hat & Gloves:  Vintage

Shoes:  Re-Mix Vintage Shoes

My Kind of Separates

Last year, I found an amazing black and white floral brocade online at Elliott Berman.  I love textured fabrics, and this one was too hard to resist.

The listing has disappeared, but I believe it is a cotton/poly blend.  Which reminds me . . . I should really write these things down while the information is still available!  

But yes, I loved the print so much I was willing to brave the evil that is polyester!

As it often goes, my initial plans for the fabric changed once I got it in my hands.  When Butterick 6285 was released, I knew immediately that I wanted to make up the skirt and this fabric seemed like it would be a great fit.  It is probably on the heavy side for those double pleats, but with a bit of trimming, it all worked out for the best!  (By the way, the seam allowances on this thing are HUGE - I have never come across another Big-4 pattern like it.)  

The only alteration I made was to swap a shaped waistband for the straight narrow one drafted for the pattern.

Then came the issue of what to wear with the skirt.  I have wanted to make another version of McCalls 7053 for some time, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity.

My original plan was to dye some rayon twill turquoise and have at it, but in the end, I decided to go with fuchsia.  And I am so glad I did - this blouse has already had quite a bit of wear.

And I may have made myself a matching jacket for my fabulous new skirt!  Hooray for separates!

Blouse:  Made by me, McCalls 7053

Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6285