Daffodils and Denim

And in the never-ending game of catch up, here are the finished pictures of that blouse that I made a few years back, paired with a vintage reproduction Simplicity skirt that I would highly recommend adding to your pattern collection.  

For some time I have been searching for the "perfect" blouse pattern.  I cannot put into words what that would look like exactly, and I cannot even imagine it in my head, but I am convinced that it exists!

While this particular design ended up looking a bit more camp shirt than I would have liked, it is a handy garment to have in the closet.

If there had been slightly more yardage left on the bolt, I would have made myself a dress out of the charming daffodil print.  Alas, there was an extremely limited amount.

I had thoughts about finding some kind of sky print in a mid weight cotton to pair with a daffodil skirt, but I was concerned that it might end up looking too childish.  In the end, I think I made the better decision with a separate that I can pair with different skirts.  It is perhaps more casual than my normal garment choices, but I am pleased with how it came out.

The following candids made me laugh while sorting through outfit photos.  This is my standard reaction to spotting a dog.  I have been known to follow strangers walking their dogs or even cross the street chasing after a dog so I can say hello.  This is Isabella who lives in my Mom's community.  She's a sweetie, although I haven't had the good fortune to see her lately.  It's always a highlight of the morning to see doggies while taking photos (or any other time, for that matter)!

Blouse:  Made by me, Butterick 2259
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 8019
Shoes:  Royal Vintage "Dolores"

Faux Cables and Cozy Knits

I go through phases with knitting.  For months and months I barely pick up a needle, only to spend the following few months obsessively knitting up a storm.

I generally gravitate towards very fine gauged designs, so the projects take a rather long time to complete.

However, in the last year or so, I find myself drawn more towards DK weight yarns.  It feels rather miraculous that one can finish an entire sweater in a little over a week!  It also helps when the yarn is lovely to work with and the stitch pattern is interesting enough to keep things from getting boring, but easy to memorize.

Looking at the photos, the silhouette might need some extra shaping through the torso, however, the finished sweater is incredibly comfortable.  I may even make myself another version at some point in the future.

The original idea was to refashion a dark purple rayon skirt that had shot elastic and a few tears.  It ended up that there was not enough to make the skirt pattern I had in mind.

But then I remembered Simplicity 8019 and thought that it might work without the front button placket.  So I found another skirt to refashion and give the pattern modification a test run.

Turns out, it works great.  It may not be the most interesting skirt in the world, but it is certainly useful and will go with a whole lot of sweaters and tops in my wardrobe.

Now that I have figured out that the hack works, I should probably figure out if I have enough of that purple rayon to make myself another version.

But maybe I should concentrate on the wool in my stash first, since that is more weather appropriate at the moment!

Sweater:  Made by me, Quick Knit 1940's Style Sweater
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 8019
Shoes:  Remix "Miranda"

An Uncommon Refashion

I have a difficult time getting rid of, or even altering, garments that I have made.  But a few months ago, I decided that it was time to let go of my full length linen/rayon blend hip hugging maxi skirt that I made in the late 1990s.  

The skirt actually got a fair amount of wear when it was first made, and I have a matching halter top around here somewhere.  But I haven't worn it in a long, long time.  I suffered through the super low-slung hip trend in the late 1990s and early Aughts.  It is not at all flattering to my figure, and a skirt with this silhouette always rotates on me as I wear it throughout the day, so that the side seams end up front and center.  I like my waistlines to sit at my waist, thank you very much.

I also had an idea that Simplicity 8019 might make a nice zip back skirt by eliminating the front opening.  I thought that the fabric would work as a wearable muslin, with the added benefit of reusing something that would otherwise languish unworn in the closet.  And I am always worried that if I donate something handmade (especially something like this skirt which looks like nothing when it's folded up) it's going to head straight to the garbage pile.

It was a tight squeeze, but I managed to cut all of the pieces out, even if I had to shorten the skirt slightly.

To work with my negligible hem allowance, I cut up the remaining scraps into bias strips to apply as a hem facing.  This also helps to give a little bit of extra weight to the hemline, which always wears better.

I am not entirely sure if the waistline stretched out, or if I mis-measured the pattern as I was altering the opening, but it turned out a little too large.  This was easily fixed by opening up a couple of seam allowances.  And, of course, there is some seam binding in there to keep things nice and tidy.

It's certainly not the most exciting garment I have in my closet, but I am confident it will come in handy.  And one thing is for sure - it will see a lot more wear in its current state than the previous incarnation!

Fore!

Here is yet another outfit that was made last year, but never made it to the Blog in a timely manner.

It is certainly safe to say that this outfit was inspired by my Royal Vintage "Hepburn" shoes.  I couldn't resist the style, but they are a little out of my comfort zone.

The obvious thing to do was to spend some time in the sewing room and make myself some new separates!

The skirt is my second version of Simplicity 8019.  It's a great little vintage reproduction pattern, and I may have to make another longer version out of a more drapey fabric at some point in the future.

I managed to squeeze the skirt out of leftovers from this jacket.  I did have to piece the waistband at center back, but considering the small amount of yardage I was working with, I am quite pleased with the results.

The blouse was made from a vintage Brioni shirt that had seen better days.  I Oxicleaned the heck out of it and was able to avoid the shredded and still discolored bits to cut all of the main pieces for Butterick 4985.  I did have to make the neck tie narrower than I might have liked, but it works.

The other change I made was to swap button loops at center front for the buttonholes suggested by the pattern.  And it worked!

I love the pattern, and need to make myself another.  Or maybe I should move on to another design with a tie neck?  I will be holding on to this pattern, though - it's a keeper!

Blouse:  Made by me, Butterick 4985
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 8019
Shoes:  Royal Vintage "Hepburn"

A Casual Outfit

A few years back I decided that I needed more separates in my wardrobe.  

They are definitely not the first patterns or designs that come to mind when I want to start sewing, but having items that can be mixed and matched are really nice to have around.  And I am going to pat myself on the back and say that I have actually made quite a few in the past couple of years.

This blouse was my "wearable muslin" of the Smooth Sailing Blouse from Wearing History.

As with most of the finished garments I have posted recently, this one has been finished for quite some time.  If Instagram is to be believed, it was in June of last year.

Now, I cannot recall exactly when I made the skirt.  I can't even say whether or not I made my green version before or after this one (time to get back to blogging on schedule, methinks!).

It really is amazing how often a jean skirt comes in handy.  Which reminds me, I should probably make another for the Fall weather.

Simplicity 8019 is a great vintage reproduction.  I suspect I will make another out of something drapey like rayon in the future.

I even made machine buttonholes.  It was a pain, and it renewed my love of bound buttonholes, but I got through it!  And I can say with confidence that these two pieces have been great additions to my separates wardrobe.

Blouse:  Made by me, Wearing History "Smooth Sailing Blouse"
Skirt:  Made by me, Simplicity 8019
Shoes:  Royal Vintage Shoes "Dolores"