The Perfect Project

So I had this fantastical idea that I could incorporate a whole bunch of my current "loves" and sew my way through the last 100 years of fashion... In this day dream there were unicorns thoughts of one pattern per decade, 10 pieces in all, that would stretch my sewing skills both in technique and experience working with new fabrics - but also put some unique and hopefully classic pieces in my wardrobe.

The trouble was, in going through my wardrobe recently, I discovered that in a lot of ways I already have lot of unique and classic pieces, and while certainly there are areas I'd like to expand (shirts for example - shirts are good - and dresses), I didn't feel the need for a range of 10 pieces.

Separately it had occurred to me that 1) my oldest daughter is growing like a weed 2) we are running out of hand-me-downs 3) I really dread going to the mall and 4) my tastes run a little too expensive for our budget.

The mental equation went something like this:

The sewing equivalent of unicorns + I love sewing + I love vintage fashion + my kid needs clothes = an absurdly monumental task that both delights and frightens me.

That's right, not only am I going to sew my daughter her 8 year old wardrobe, I'm going to sew it through the last 100 years of fashion.  Vintage patterns, vintage fabrics, twists, turns, unicorns, and maybe I'll actually learn a thing or two along the way that helps me be braver.

As you can guess, my other "love"?  Yep, biting off more than I can chew. 

Tomorrow: The trouble with the 90's.

I love projects.

Today's project was the craft/school cupboard.  Periodically it becomes such a quagmire that even I, in my optimism, can't face another day staring at the disaster that has befallen three shelves of stationary and pens, and assorted games and craft items.  Let me just say, there is a reason they call it Play D'oh.

I avoided it for a while, dodged around it, stepped lithley over it, danced about it, and basically did everything I could not to actually sit down and do it.  But then I saw a miscellaneous thumb tack (what!!) and realized the risk was far greater than I first realized...

And, as per usual, once I got going chugging happily along through various artistic interpretations of mermaids underwater adventures, Charlie and Lola go to the hair dressers, and Impressionistic Backyardigans (stopping here and there to peel puppy stickers off the floor) it wasn't quite as bad as I feared... I just had to face the fact that the journey to a clean craft cupboard is paved with - well... the strewn contents of the said craft cupboard.

Why mention all of this?  Well I've had a few ideas for projects that have been pottering about in my head most of the summer, and it struck me today I might be stuck in the "dodged around it" phase longer than necessary.  The fact is, I just need to sit down and do it.  I need to face the fact that the journey of a project is paved with the strewn contents of said project.  And that's ok. 

This is my jumping in -


*ker-plop*



More details to follow.  Hope you'll travel with me!

Love or Folly?

Rhinestones and Telephones: Glitter Pumpkins

With 3 kids, 5 and under, what do you think?

Headwear Folly

What goes well with a designer gown in yellow?  Why Balding Beige, naturally!

And this:

 Because sometimes, on really special occasions, there is a need for some spontaneous cheer-leading.

(I'd be cheering too if I was wearing a dress like that - the magenta number is especially yummy!  You can buy the pattern here at So Vintage Patterns.)

Love Links

Spotted this week:

One truth about shared domesticity: Pleasant View Schoolhouse

Elegant Pumpkins by Papernstitch

Overwhelmed by your underwear?  There is help over at Minimalist Moms.

Easy, tasty veggies for fall and beyond - Simple Bites

A taste of the Love/Folly conundrum:

I call it The Happy Bedtime Song and Dance:

A: I'm going to bed, uh huh!
C: I'm going to bed, huzzah (insert mod hip twist)
D: I'm going to bed, oh yeah!
B: Mom, you're cute, but seriously?  Every night?


pattern available here at The Blue Gardenia

I Love Lazy Glamor

I am loving these "faux separates" dresses that have been appearing around the place.  These are from another of my loves, Anthropologie.

  Vestiges Dress                                      Seaside Fields Dress

Curtain Call Dress                                      Stylist's Eye Dress

This concept has been around for a few seasons now, but in looking for a pencil skirt with a knee split I had picked up Simplicity 2724  (check this version out).   The new appeal of this dress now that I'm sewing again is actually sheer laziness on my part - a kind of dressing "2 for the price of 1 if you will".  One dress + accessories and you're done.

Additionally, the flexibility inspired me. All kinds of fabrics are represented here: cotton, wool, silk, modal... and types of fabrics - shirting, jersey, brocade, chiffon...  Consider the dynamic possibilities as you dress up, dress down, and accessorize and layer through the seasons.  See - lazy glamor.  Don't you love it? :)