Well, maybe not “sew pretty” if you look too close at the skirt. Like at the parts where the stitching resembles a wave… so stay back! But it isn’t too bad for my first sewing project.
Blouse (heart print), flats – Evans
Skirt – Handmade
Cardigan – Lane Bryant
Belt – Torrid
It took me about 4 hours, start to finish. Though there were a few internet breaks for “instruction” and looking up information about my sewing machine. Most of it was the ironing. Oh god, the ironing. I was pretty crazy obsessive determined about the ironing. So much that we’re taking a break. We could benefit from some time apart. There were a few tears (it leaks) but it’s fine now.
I definitely need to shorten the elastic. It kept riding up, up, up! The belt helped a little but ultimately traveled north as well. But otherwise, it is exactly what I expected and I can’t wait to make more! My next will probably involve a waistband and a zipper – uh oh.
I cannot stress how easy this is. Seriously. I am a lazy crafter all the way. Always have been, always will be. I jump from craft to craft, project to project and hey, I actually finished this! I can’t say that about my knitting… The ironing takes the most time but the end result is worth it. I just wish my “grand plans” for sewing were more on level with my skills. It is a little frustrating to have ideas but not the ability to create them. All in time, I guess!
Now maybe you’re wondering what finally got me jump started? Over the last several months I’ve had a chance to view Eryn’s wonderful creations. She has made skirts, dresses and chopped up thrifted pieces for awesome DIY makeovers. Every time I commented on her mad sewing skills and lamented about my lack, she was super sweet encouraged me to go for it! And given some great advice in the process.
Click through to check out her original outfit posts!
As if this post needs to be any longer… I still have something important to address. Glasses. Specifically vintage, cat eye (preferably) variety. I’ve wanted a pair for years but always settle with what my optometrist has available or what looks cute. I’ve even bought the same style two years in a row but in different colors. Not very exciting, right? I just had my eye exam a few weeks ago and decided to splurge on a pair of vintage frames to put lenses in.
My only concern was fit. The internet told me that vintage frames run small. And when buying off of Etsy or eBay, you don’t really have the luxury of trying things on. Plus the added risk of the glasses not being in good enough condition to place lenses in – which is something my optometrist wanted me to be aware of. Yikes! I compared several styles to my current glasses and found two vintage pairs, in good condition that I wanted to try. Then prayed that one or both would work!
These were the first pair to arrive and I pretty much love them.
The navy blue cat eye’s arrived next but the first set was definitely winning. I planned on only getting lenses for one set because I wasn’t sure how much it would cost. After a round of Photobooth photography and sending e-mails to trusted friends, the I’s had it – the first set won. I dropped it off today, even better that the cost is only $60 bucks – wayyyy less than I was originally quoted.
The pictures are all a little squinty – despite the deceptively cloudy background the sun was shining through the clouds and into my face. Then add that to taking pictures along a popular road… yeah. It is hilarious that on a road where people usually travel at 50+ MPH, a fat girl with a camera makes them slow to 20! I took a bow when some lingered a little too long and it usually scared them on their way.
It was sunny in the morning but by late afternoon the clouds rolled in so I grabbed a cardigan before leaving the house. While I was up on the hill, the wind started to blow and it also started to rain. So much for bare legs – I was a little cold.
