30x30 - Week Two

This week was harder for the Challenge. The weather was a bit colder than I had outfitted for, but I think I survived. :)

Day One - Monday - I really liked this shirt!
tank: Wal-Mart
shirt: thrifted
skirt: handmade
necklace: thrifted

Day Two - Tuesday - the hat -- mmmm!
hat: auction, 1950s
shirt: thrifted
skirt: thrifted

 
Day Three - Wednesday - happy colors!
scarf: thrifted
shirt: thrifted
skirt: Christopher & Banks (on sale)

Day Four - Thursday - comforting
tank: Wal-Mart
sweater: thrifted
skirt: thrifted
brooch: vintage, auction?
necklace: thrifted

 Day Five - Friday - friendly
shirt: vintage, from a friend
skirt: handmade
necklace: thrifted

Day Six - Saturday - green - oh yes, my favorite
shirt: Wal-Mart (on sale for $1, couldn't beat the price)
skirt: handmade
scarf: thrifted
brooch: garage sale?

Day Seven - Resurrection Sunday
dress: handmade from 1949 mail order pattern
Wore this to church with a cream sweater, and hair curled tightly - 1940s 

30x30 -- Week One

Week One of the 30x30 Challenge. The weather has not been outside photo-friendly. Thus, I had to borrow a dress form from a friend. So far, my first week has not been too dramatic, other than the bright orange, I guess. I think my favorite outfit was Day 3 -- orange and lace.

Week 1 - Day 1

 

 

 

Week 1 -- Day 2

 

 

Week 1 -- Day 3

Week 1 -- Day 4

Week 1 -- Day 5

Week 1 -- Day 6

Spring Sewing Projects

Over the past few weeks, I have been sewing - it's almost become addicting! I do enjoy it, and being able to make my own clothes the way I like them is so very rewarding. My first project was the Swing Dress Sew Along with Casey at Elegant Musings. The dress turned out ok, but still there were things I needed to learn. And learn them I did. With the help of my dear mother, I sewed four skirts (one of which I am not posting), and by the fourth one, which I finished yesterday, I was doing it solo. Here are a few outfit photos of my recent sewing triumphs. Each skirt does have a different accent. I have yet to make a purple skirt out of some nice cotton that I purchased on sale.

Blue Skirt - front pleat & tiny pocket -- handmade

Skirt -- handmade - this is the solo project
Sweater -- thrifted
Bracelet -- red, white, blue, garage sale
Shoes -- vintage 60s, thrifted
Brooch -- vintage 1941, auction sale

Black Jean Skirt

Skirt -- black jean, handmade
Shirt -- thrifted
Sandals -- Payless - the perfect store for small feet!

Black Skirt

Skirt -- handmade
Sweater -- vintage 50s or 50s style
Shoes -- ?
Dog -- (he was curious!)

Swing Dress Sew Along

 Dress -- 1949 mail order pattern, ebay; handmade
Shoes -- vintage 50s canvas/wooden, thrifted
(note: shoes were also worn for second dress outfit post)

Second Dress -- Photos

The weather was blustery out, but was able to shoot some nice photos inside. This second dress was fairly simple to put together. Being my second mail order pattern to work with, it was a bit challenging, because mail order patterns did not come with enough instructions. The sleeves gave me the most fuss, but I think they turned out all right. There is still room for improvement, though! The only thing I would definitely change is the collar. It fits very snugly around my neck, which isn't desirable, but overall, I would make this dress again.

 

Dress     -- handmade by me; mid 1940s college style; mail order, ebay

Belt        -- handmade by me; vintage pass through buckle, auction find

Shoes     -- vintage woven canvas, thrifted (shown in another photo)

Earrings -- gift from sister

 

Second Dress -- Completed

Pleased to announce that my dress is complete! It only took me a week - and with another mail order pattern, this is very exciting progress. The weather is not allowing for nice pictures outside, so hopefully soon I will be able to get a few photos. Also, I need to get some photos of my clothes for the 30 for 30 challenge. I probably won't start it until this coming Monday. There are quite a few projects going on . . . .

Remixing: 30 for 30

I have joined. Signed the pledge. And perhaps drafted my life away for 30 days. Now that I've applied the button, I must rummage through my closets.... hm, maybe I should have done the rummaging first. *Yes, you nod.* Ah. See? Tis my life.

If you have not heard about the "30 for 30 Remixing Challenge", I think it's a great way to downsize on that overflowing closet, dresser, under the bed . . . . Let's see if I survive.

Second Dress -- Sleeve Problems

Hm, well, the dress is almost done, much to my surprise. I think the longest time I've spent was hand-stitching the lace inserts. I took some photos today of the dress progress, but am not able to download them right away. You shall have them tomorrow.

But for now, I have a slight problem. My sleeves are not going in smoothly. There is a pucker on each side where the sleeve flows down the arm. (Instead of cap or 3/4 sleeves, I am doing just simple short sleeves. 3/4 is a little too long for the summertime weather where I will be traveling soon.)

Does anyone know how to ease the sleeves in such an intricate design as this pattern calls for? Please see the sleeve photo.