Lavender and Mint

So far this year I am being a good little seamstress and using what I already have on hand.  (Excepting the thread and zipper that I needed to complete the project - but those bits don't really count, do they?)

This mint fabric is something I thought I would never use.  I purchased it years and years ago from the flat fold upholstery remnant table at JoAnn Fabrics.  It is made of, you guessed it, polyester or a poly-cotton blend!  The horror!!

I believe it is trying its best to imitate a watered silk (although the moiré pattern is hard to see in these pictures).  The color is lovely, but the heavy material never seemed to suit any particular project . . . until now!

I picked the pattern up on ebay in a lot of three Butterick Retro reproductions that I missed out on when they were initially published.  When Butterick 6699 arrived, I will admit I was disappointed.  From the pattern illustration I assumed this was a dress pattern.

But after my initial regret, I realized that this is a really great skirt pattern.  It does, however, use a ton of fabric - especially if your fabric is directional - and let’s be honest, most of them are.  I really could not tell with this particular fabric, but because of the sheen, and because I had the yardage, I decided to play it safe.

It is a very easy and basic pattern – the only alteration I made was to move the zipper from the side to the center back seam.

And when I find the right fabric, I believe I may have to make another!

Sweater:  Made by me, "Elise"

Skirt:  Made by me, Butterick 6699

Coat:  Victoria’s Secret

Purse:  Harveys Seatbelt Bags

Shoes:  Nine West

What a Difference a Few Dollars Can Make

As I was in the sewing room this weekend, I was reminded of the fact that a simple upgrade to a basic sewing tool can make all the difference.

As years go by, I have come to the conclusion that buying quality is more important to me than buying quantity.  Gone are the days of grabbing up as much cheap sale fabric as I can get my hands on.  The frustration that comes from working with poor quality is not for me.  So I am going to work with the best that I can afford.

Another one bites the dust . . .

What, you may ask, brought all this on?  Well, in the past year I have gone through three, yes three, tracing wheels.  Not only were they inexpensive, they were cheap.  The thing is, I had the first one for almost ten years without issue.  The second one died in a little more than one month, and the third lasted an equally pathetic amount of time.  Did the quality of the same blue plastic tool from the same company change significantly in the past ten years?  Could I be that much harder on things these days?  Well, after the third one broke apart in my hands, I went to my local fabric store with a huge chip on my shoulder.  And wouldn't you know - the notions wall was not currently on sale – there goes another few wasted dollars.

But before I had a need to rip open the package, I made a purchase from Vogue Fabrics and decided to see what they had in stock before I completed my transaction.  And there was the solution.

My savior!

Yes, I could buy a few more of the plastic version for the price, but I believe this will last a lifetime (I hope!), and at the rate I have been going through the plastic junk, I believe this was money well spent!

Have you had any good/bad experiences with less than stellar quality notions?  Are you willing to spend two or three times as much for something that is truly of better quality?  And is there a way to tell the difference between inexpensive and cheap before purchasing an item?  

My Little Blog is Growing Up

I have been meaning to do this for quite some time, and yesterday I took the plunge - my new domain name is LauraMaeDesigns.com.  Lilacs & Lace will remain the name of this blog, but I thought it was time to grow up and get a .com.

When I started this adventure, I did not spend a massive amount of time finding a name because I wanted to start blogging!  Did you know that "Lilacs & Lace" is a thoroughbred horse?!  Now that is a name that instills fear - the equine that stops to smell the roses (and lilacs) and like to wear lace! 

Everything seems to be re-directing properly, so the old address will still get you where you need to go, but the proper address is now LauraMaeDesigns.com!

Please let me know if you encounter any technical problems.  Thanks!

Knitting: The Perfect Cold Weather Activity

While I have not managed to finish anything this year (what a slacker!) I have been catching up on my knitting - which is fitting, considering the chilly weather.  A Chihuahua on the lap, a cup of tea, and knitting needles in hand is the perfect way to stay cozy.

I love KnitPicks Cyber Monday sale.  And this year I stocked up!  So my needles have been busy.

The green sweater is almost complete, there is just the pesky button issue to resolve, and a bit of finishing.

But for now, I would rather be knitting and purling, so I am working on the second sleeve of another unfinished project.

When sewing I have very little trouble sticking with one project, but knitting takes too long not to switch it up every once in while!

Red Carpet Rivals

If I am being perfectly honest, I was rather underwhelmed with the fashion choices made for last night's Golden Globes.  And let's be honest - what other reason is there to watch!  I did not see the entire telecast, so I am curious to know how my opinion will change as more and more pictures show up and the details are revealed. 

Jennifer Garner is STUNNING – she keeps getting more and more beautiful, it is kind of ridiculous.  Strapless can be utterly boring, but not this Vivienne Westwood!  I really want to know what that fabric looks like up close!

Calvin Klein is generally not my style, but Jessica Chastain looked phenomenal.  Love the color, but the back view makes her look wide – not sure how that is possible.  The return of Veronica Lake waves is refreshing instead of the messy strands that have become standard red carpet fare.

[Added:  Quite a few people are suggesting that Ms. Chastain’s dress silhouette is not very flattering.  But clearly nothing on her body is sagging, anywhere!  I thought the design was reflecting more of an Edwardian s-curve at the bodice front, and never even imagined that the draping at the front waist was meant to suggest sagging bits!  I guess I was blinded by how well she looked in the color!  I do have to say that the straight line at the back waist (not seen here) could have been altered to make her appear a bit more curvy – but that really isn’t the Calvin Klein look, is it!  And I am so relieved she did not flat-iron her hair!]

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ singing was incredibly embarrassing (keep talking, because no one is going to applaud your singing, lady), but I think I like the gown.  I am just going to pretend Ginger Rogers is wearing it and love it.

I love seeing sleeves, instead of the never-ending sea of strapless.  Kate Hudson’s 1940s inspired dress is lovely, but something is off.  I think that the neck ornamentation should have extended through the shoulder, or the gold on the belt should have been narrower for a better proportion.  Perhaps a bold color would have looked better?

Am I the only person who would love to see Adele in something other than a black, high-necked, sleeved dress?  She does know what works for her, though!

This is the ode to the 1960s I want to see!  Julianne Moore's Tom Ford was perfect for her.  I just love the back drape.

I just adore this Carolina Herrera oversized floral fabric worn by Lucy Liu - where can I get some?!  It was unexpected, and I am sure that some critics will think it looks like upholstery, but I appreciate the risk!  I would, however, really like to see that dress on someone who is four or five inches taller!  [Do you think this was made for her, or do they re-hem the dress, after which it is dragged about for an evening and can never be taken out again?]

My favorite Zac Posen of the evening could have used an actress with some hips inside it, in my opinion, but I really do like the dress, skinny Naomi aside.  This angle is how I will choose to remember this dress.

And what the heck happened to the color emerald?  So much for the color of the year.  I want more deep beautiful green, please!

Helena Bonham Carter always looks like she just got out of bed and threw on something from Miss Havisham’s closet, but I love her just the same (and the Lulu Guinness clutch).  Her shoes match this time around, so that is something!

Who were your favorites?

Keep Your Clothes Spotless

Here are some helpful suggestions for stain removal from Fashion:  Fall-Winter 1950.

“Following are simple, effective ways to remove stains and keep clothes and home fabrics spotlessly clean.  Work carefully, quickly out of doors or in a well-ventilated room.  Gasoline, naphtha and ether catch fire easily, so never use them near a fire.  The first rule is to start while the spot is fresh, even before it dries if possible.  Be sure you know what the cloth is made of – cotton, wool, silk, rayon, etc.  Never use strong acids or alkalies.  Water weakens rayon; sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide are the safest bleaches to use.  Find out what the stain is, if possible, before trying to remove it.  Keep all stain removers together on a handy shelf out of reach of children.  Label all jars and bottles; be sure to mark ‘Poison’ on the poisonous ones.  For a complete shelf you’ll need bleaches, absorbent powders; grease solvents; cloth, white blotting paper or cleansing tissues; medicine dropper; glass rod, bowls.  Use removers sparingly with light brushing motions.”

I am not sure what to think of applying kerosene or turpentine to any of my clothes in an effort to remove something as benign as gum!   "Use sparingly" - you got that right!  And which is worse:  grease stains or gasoline and benzene.  Seriously – who has benzene in their home!?!

Although, to be fair, I have no idea what most of the scary-sounding ingredients in any standard household cleaner actually do - which is also disturbing, come to think of it.  So perhaps gasoline, kerosene, and benzene are mild in comparison to what we use today?  Any chemistry majors out there?  Because it seems to me that some of these helpful suggestions are just as likely to burn right through the fabric rather than remove a stain.  I guess dissolving fabric is one way to remove that pesky mark from your favorite frock!

I think I will just stick with the old-fashioned soap and water route!

[Vintage adverts & photos source]

Black & White

While working on my end of year review, I came across these photos.

The more I wear it, the more I love this dress.  I have plans for a cotton version for summertime, if and when it reappears!  All of those light-weight fabrics are calling out to me when I should be focusing on wool.

I just love pulling a dress out and re-styling it.

Obviously, there is no way to truly disguise this dress, but swapping out a belt, and changing shoes and adding a hat changes the outfit for me, even if I am the only one to notice.

Dress:  Made by me, Advance 5470

Hat:  Made by me

Shoes:  Anne Taylor

Necklace:  Banana Republic