Retail Motivation on a Budget

I just found this cute sleeveless dress where, if you have the dinero, you can go here to drop a pretty penny. But if you are like the rest of us, trying to live life looking oh, so fabulous, may I suggest pairing it up Simplicity 2209 as seen here.  As for the bow, you can search YOUTUBE for video tutorials on making fabric bows.

RED Valentino Stretch Poplin Bow Dress Retail Value $595.00    Alice + Olivia High Waist Back Zipper Capri Retail Value $187.00

A few seconds later, I stumbled on these polka dot, back zipper capris. This look is totally do-able for the home seamstress on a tiny budget. You can use Butterick 5895 as seen here. FYI: Joann's is having a 5 for $5 sale on all Butterick sewing patterns from Thurs., April 4 to Sat., April 6th.

There are certain items that I will splurge on, but I often prefer to live within my means. I'm putting these creative suggestions together to use as a future reference for everyone and anyone to undertake.

Adios.
 

Sew for Victory Entry PICS

Today was the deadline for the the 1940's sew along hosted by Rochelle from Lucky Lucille. Check out her blog here. This was my first time participating in a sew along that was truly at your own pace. I started working on my retro dress from Simplicity, as mentioned here and here, sometime in February. There were many adjustments, bloopers, mishaps, and fitting issues that I had to plow through in order to finish in time. So here are the pictures that my hubby took:



 


   

Overall, the dress looks fabulous to the untrained eye, but it does have unfinished hems at the bottom and sleeves. I had to do so many alterations because in the middle of this sew along, I made a lifestyle change. I decided to give up Fast Food for Lent, meaning I would be cooking my own meals at home. Well, I started loosing inches from bust, waist, and hip area gradually. Therefore, I kept having to fix the side seams because I wanted the dress to compliment my curves. It was a lot of hard work and feel super excited about these pics.

Laters.

Striped with Couture

 
Just thought I'd share this Kate Spade Striped Coat with the cutest bow on the side. I believe the retail price is $628 here. I needed to grab this image to remember how simple this coat looks and to guide my inspiration for later projects.



See you.

Fear NOT Sleeve Adjustments

I have been working steadily on my 1940's retro dress from Simplicity 1777 to meet the deadline for my first sewing challenge as previously posted here. I love the pattern, but I have to admit, the pattern required a couple of major alterations around the waistline area, sleeves, and neckline. Since I used matte jersey fabric (stretchy), these changes have been easier to make.    

 

This is a picture of the sleeve with alterations- added 3 inches at the underarm area, added 2 inches to the sleeve cap, and pin-fitted the sleeve for a better fit. I am so excited about this dress because I absolutely love the pink/orange floral fabric. I already have the shoes! Take a peek:

 

It's all coming together slowly.

Nitey-nite.

A Pattern From My Stash

I have signed up for the Pattern Stash Contest over at pattern review. Check out the button:

 

I like the idea of looking through my stash and dedicating time to a pattern that I have purchased in the past. So, I did choose a pattern. Here you go:

I will do version B. I have been a busy bee this weekend. Here are some pictures of my pin fitting:

In a nutshell, these are the changes I have made so far to get the desired fit: (1) added 1.75 inches to the side seams, (2) pinned the princess seams at 0.5 inches and (3) dropped the neckline 0.5 inches. Those changes helped get the fit right for my curves.

Toddles.

An Upscale Frock for Spring

It's a combination of the weather change and daylight savings time, but I'm really thinking of altering a pattern to mold it into a fanciful frock from Oscar De La Renta. Here is the inspiring dress:



Love, love, love the black and white dress on the left side. I have no idea how much this dress would cost, but I'm sure it's out of my price range..lol. But, that's why I sew. I have to look through my patterns to see which ones come close to make my own version of this uptown, classy dress.
I do have the Peony dress pattern from Colette. The structure of the Peony Dress seems to match the profile of the Oscar De La Renta dress. Of course, the changes that would be made include (1) changing the neckline to a V-neck, (2) Take out the sleeves, (3) Add the neckline detail, and (4) make a bow belt.

Here's a quick sketch of what would be my Upscale Peony Inspired Frock by Oscar De La Renta:

 

My apologies for my simply sketch.

That's it for now.

L8

Basted and Sleeveless Simplicity 1777

                       

Here I am wearing my version of Simplicity 1777 on matte jersey fabric. I had to switch the fabric as previously mentioned here. I also realized that the muslin fabric I was using (linen) did not match the fabric I was going to use (matte jersey).
I love how the dress looks, but when I followed the instructions for gathering the center front bodice and skirt, I had to get rid of them. I decide to keep the inverted gather at the center front and eliminated the rest. These extra gathers near my waistline were not working for me because gathers add bulk. So, out the window they go, asap!!
Everything has been machine basted. Now, its time for the sleeves.

Hasta Luego.