Pinafore Promise

I promised that I would treat myself to something special next time I made a sale on Etsy.

So, tonight I bought myself this...

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Ok, so this is completely pathetic - our Net Nanny program is blocking the Blogger image uploader so I had to pin the picture to Pinterest and then embed it in the post.

*grrrrrrrr*

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - if Net Nanny were a person, I would strangle her.

Sorry to get violent there, but you have no idea how irritating she is!!!

Um, yes, I did say "she".

Send help.

End Rant.

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Ahem...where was I?  

Oh yes - I bought myself this...

Source: etsy.com via Natasha on Pinterest

*squeal*

Isn't it the most darling thing ever?!

I've been planning on making myself some simple, vintage style, cotton print dresses for this summer, and this pattern looked absolutely perfect.

So, I bought it.

And I will definitely share pictures of the finished dress/dresses. =)

Happy Trails, y'all!

Mint Chocolate Chip

My recently completed peasant style blouse/tunic top, graciously modeled for y'all by Betty the dress form;)

 

 

 

I used Simplicity 3750, but made a few "improvements", of course.  

 

• I didn't want a big sash around the whole top, so I made simple ties instead. 
• I also made my own cuffs because I didn't like the buttoned ones they had - ok, so I'm lazy and didn't want to make button holes;)  They ended up a bit tight (I always do that!), so I need to rework them at some point...
• And I added elastic to the back neckline - it gaped open and looked really weird without it.
• Oh, and I raised the neckline by 2" and seriously shortened the front neckline elastic - uh, talk about not being able to bend over otherwise;)

 

On the whole, I love this blouse!  It'll probably be worn out by the end of summer;)

Costume Inspiration

Being the costume junkie that I am, I am simply enraptured with the beautiful dresses worn by Arwen and Eowyn in the Lord of the Rings movies, especially Eowyn's.

 

The Victory Dress -

 

I'm in love - in LOVE - with this powder blue dress of Eowyn's.  

 

She wears it at the victory celebration in Edoras in The Return of the King.  In the movie, you don't get to see much of it (all head shots), but I finally found some good pictures of it here (and the rest of the pictures in this post).

 

Above is both the over and under dress, but it's the under dress that I'm particularly interested in...

 

 

I love the buttons on the front.

 

You can see the pattern on the fabric better in this shot...

It's so sweet and delicate.  I love it!  I already said that, didn't I:}

 

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The White Dress -

 

 

My favorite elements from this dress are the embroidery around the neck and the laces on the sleeves.

 

 

 

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The Green Dress -

 

The velvet is so sumptuous=)

 

I'm really, really liking the collar...

 

 

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The Shieldmaiden Dress -

 

Like the white dress, I really like the lacing on the sleeves and the sleeves themselves...and the bodice.  And, while I'm at it, her sword - the curved hand guard is shaped like two horse heads:)

 

Here it is with a brown skirt.

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Arwen's Periwinkle Dress -

 

This dress was not used in the movie, unfortunately, but it is beautiful!  I love the colors and the beading...

 

 

 

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I have visions of beautiful medieval gowns swirling 'round in my head.  What bliss.

 

Actually, I have a medieval gown already in the works that I started about a year ago, but I was having some trouble with the over dress.  I haven't even started the under dress, and I am so thankful now that I didn't!=)

 

Now I'm planning to incorporate the button front into the under dress and incorporate the laced sleeves into the over dress.

 

But, I am extremely hesitant to experiment on the nice fabric I bought.  That makes sense, doesn't it?  Yes, yes it does. :)

 

So, I'm planning a fabric store trip for Friday, which happens to be my birthday.  I thought it would be a nice way to spend the day, fabric store and then sewing:) 

I want a lighter weight, less expensive fabric to play with (I've run out of old sheets;), but I still want it to look nice so I can wear it.   No point in buying fabric if you're not going to wear it, right?!

I'm thinking linen at this point, in cream, brown, or blue. 

 

I'll keep y'all posted;)

Patterns, patterns, patterns...

There are so many things I want to sew.  Sew many...er, so many delightful patterns out there.   I spent two hours at Hancock Fabrics yesterday - my mom and dad dropped me off on the way to a doctors appointment - and I looked through every single pattern catalog from front to back.  There were so many sweet patterns, I just had to share them with you...

 

I LOVE the Vintage Vogue section!

 V1094

 

V1044  I absolutely adore this dress!  The hat and gloves just make it.

 

B5315  I thought this dress was sweet, and practical enough for everyday use.

 

B5041  This skirt looks so nice and full, and the waist band is neat.

 

And of course, there are always more retro apron patterns to try...

B5435

 

You simply must see this apron, view A!  I couldn't save the picture, so click here.

 

I love hats:)

V8840 The newsboy cap is so cute - I really must make one.  The cloche style is cute, too.

 

V8052  Aren't these hats simply delicious?!

 

Well, that's all for now folks!

 

P.S. I didn't buy even one pattern - I managed to go in and come out with only the items that I needed in the first place.  Amazing.

 

P.S.S. I think I just might have to get V1044 - it's too sweet!