Dressed up to get groceries

Or last minute Xmas gifts. Same thing.


I recently snagged a remote for my camera as a 'yay you survived midterms!' gift to myself. It is well past finals, and I'm finally using it.

This is the Dapper Day dress, which I wore again for a business class presentation earlier this month. I figured it needed a proper debut.

I'm slowly getting used to the remote and trying to pose naturally. It's gonna take me a bit, but this is very useful for when nobody is home and I want/need photos.

I was elated to find the hat at the Buffalo Exchange anniversary, it's a damn near perfect match to the dress, just a teensy shade lighter.

I am really fond of the fit of the dress. The material is a pain and a half, but it really works for the dress. The pattern was very straightforward, and I was able to finish this dress in a couple of days. One of my favorite details is the three darts on the sleeve.

Sewing Details

Fabric: Pale yellow synthetic. Gift from a friend.

Pattern: Advance 9925. View 1

Year: 1961

Notions: Covered buttons, self covered belt

How historically accurate is it? Pretty accurate. 

Any tricky parts to the pattern?  Eh, I got a bit better with bound-buttonholes on this. Figuring how the notches on the collar were going to go confused me, but after I pressed it, it all made sense.

Did you change anything?  According to notes, I put 'shortened pattern by 6 inches'. I'm going to assume 3 for the bodice, and 3 in the skirt.

Time to complete: February 14, 2014-February 21, 2014

First worn: Dapper Day at Disneyland

Total cost: Pattern was $12 from the Atomic Hideaway
Zipper was $2
Buttons were probably $3
Belt kit was $5
so $22 in total

Notes: If I were to make it in a synthetic similar, I'm totally using a lining. But next time, I'll make little belt carriers.

Outfit Details:

Dress- Made by me
Hat- Buffalo Exchange
SHIELD necklace- Petite Royale
Earrings- SD vintage flea market
Bakelite bangles- various
Disneyland charm bracelet- eBay
Gloves- Melrose flea market
Stockings- What Katie Did
Shoes- Ross

I love this Disneyland charm bracelet. I very rarely see them with the rocket from Tomorrowland on them!! (As I wrote this post, I did a quick google search, and they park did indeed offer them for purchase via a catalogue! On the 4th photo down, you see my bracelet!)

I had such an interesting confidence boost as I ran my errands this morning. People moved for me, and insisted they press the trolley open for me. I felt like a little ray of sunshine walking down the street on this bright winters day. Though as I walked down the Gaslamp Quarter for exercise, and to get the other trolley, I heard a bunch of interesting things shouted from cars, and from bars. I ignored a lot of it, only smiling when I got compliments, and older ladies said they liked my hat. My bank teller said I looked 'Very Jackie O!' so that brightened the rest of the afternoon.



Have any of you dressed up and ran your errands, were the people serving you surprised?


PS-
I talked it over with a friend, who suggested I turn the Pajama Party giveaway, to a giveaway to all blog readers. Now to figure out those widgets for giveaways, and to fix some links.

A Victory Knit

As you recall from a previous post, I knit myself a sweater! A sweater I'm actually proud of!

I used the 3-Hour sweater pattern, and it took me a couple months to create it.

I'm pretty sure if I actually measured it in terms of knitting time, and not the days I set my knitting down, it probably would have been a couple of days.

I followed the pattern to a T, and the only thing I changed,aside from adding in the color work, was knitting the sleeve patterns the opposite way. The written way was very confusing to me.
The pattern itself ended up very very short on me, thanks to my chest. But I rather like it. I have to wear a shirt under it though.

I first wore the sweater to the SD Vintage Flea Market, and a lot of people thought it was an authentic vintage sweater, which made me very happy. When I told them I made it, they were very excited and impressed.
The second time I wore it was the day I took the photos to school. Loads of compliments, and 'where'd you get it?'

Outfit Details

Scarf- Melrose Flea Market
Earrings- VaVoomVintage's instagram sale
Sweater- Made by me
Skirt- Made by me
Bangles- Various
Socks- Target
Shoes- Ross

It was my first time doing something with a lot of colorwork in it. I was inspired by WWII-era patriotism, and the whole Make Do and Mend movement. I frogged this yarn from two different projects, and the red and blue came from scrap balls of yarn.

I sketched up the sweater on a scrap of paper in class, then gathered up a lot of graph paper. The pieces were color coded, and stitched up according to how'd they fit on the pattern.

I mostly worked on this during my breaks at school, a lot of people were curious as to why I'd knit a sweater when I could just buy one. (Surprisingly, a lot of these people who asked were fellow fashion majors. Go figure.) I love challenging myself, and putting my heart into a project.

I know I'll use this pattern again, in fact, I'm charting up another pattern for one, and I can't wait to get the yarn for it. I'm thinking of getting Knit Picks yarn, as I'd like to have a nice wool sweater .

Knitting Details

Yarn: 100% Acrylic yarn. Vanna's Choice in Mustard, Scarlett and Colonial Blue

Pattern: 3-Hour Sweater

Year: 1930's

Notions: Plastic button from stash

How historically accurate is it? Eh, pretty accurate, despite it being made with acrylic. I'm sure some person in the 40's would use a past pattern, and add colorwork to it. Make Do and Mend, ya know?

Any tricky parts to the pattern?  Well, the sleeve knitting was a bit tricky, so I reversed how it was done. And the seaming was sort of difficult, but I figured it out. And not so much the patterns fault, but the 'C' was supposed to be more centered.

Did you change anything?  Sleeve knitting method.

Time to complete: Couple months.

First worn: November 2014

Total cost: I don't remember. I used yarn from past projects

Notes: I LOVE the sweater, but I'm sure when I knit it again, and I most certainly will, I'll make it longer.

Have any of you knit anything recently? Have you made anything with colorwork?

I sewed for victory

Earlier in the year, I told myself to create more clothes for myself, but I've been failing in the documenting and photographing department for it! I mean, I just have the few I showcased for the group.

I made this ensemble for Sew For Victory in the spring, and I have to say, it's one of my favorites, so far. And I'm happy to be showing off my very first bakelite in it. Yay.

I did double duty with the blouse, I received it from Marie for her Vintage Pledge kick off, and sewed it up for that as well.

As I mentioned in the post, I used the vintage Simplicity pattern for the skirt, which seems to be well loved by a lot of other bloggers. I had to shorten it quiet a bit, thanks to being so short, but it works very well!

My sister once again had a good time photographing me, and I'm thankful for her being savvy with a camera. She had me laughing a lot, and she took a lot of silly pictures of me, which is very fun.

 At this point, she mentioned 'You look like the lady in the posters…um, oh man, 'WE CAN DO IT!'? –Thinks for 3 seconds, gets photo taken, then busts up laughing- "Rosie the Riveter?"  'YES! GO POSE!'

So of course, she had to get me to tap into my inner Riveter.

I think I did a good job, and so did she.

So now, I'm going to do a couple of new things. First, talking about the sewing details

Sewing details

Blouse

Pattern- Vintage Simplicity 2382
Fabric- floral cotton from JoAnns
Notions- Four buttons, and hand made shoulder-pads
Any changes to original?- I shortened the bodice by 2 inches, and sewed my own shoulder pads. Other than that, it's pretty accurate.

Skirt

Pattern- Simplicity 3688
Fabric- 'Caviar' bottomweight from JoAnns
Notions- zipper, and five buttons (four in, one out)
Any changes to original?- I made removable straps to make it a bit more cute. And I shortened the length by 3 inches, and widened the waistband by 2 inches.


Outfit details

Scarf- Melrose Flea Market
Earrings- VaVoomVintage's instagram sale
Blouse- Made by me
Skirt- Made by me
Bangle- Antique mall
Socks- Target
Shoes- Ross

Thank you all for looking!

And I have an exciting sew along planned for next week, so stay tuned for that! I'm writing up some posts in advance, as I know November will be a busy month for me. I hope you all like it, as I'm excited to be working on it.

"Are you sure it wasn't made for you?"

Title coming from something my sister said in regards to the dress I bought and finally wore.



I kindly asked my grandma if I could borrow one of my late great-aunts hats to use in some photos. She gladly agreed, and I asked my dad if he could take a couple pictures






You can sort of see the top detailing on the hat a bit on this one.



The veil should be covering my eyes, but it's a very scratchy material, and I wear glasses, so no thank you.

Then, my younger sister stepped forward and took some more for me, and we had a blast.











She had a lot of fun playing photographer, and offered her services whenever I needed them, so I think I'll take her up on that offer more often. I'd love to wear this somewhere nice, so whenever I wear it, I'll drag my 'little' (she's 5ft 8in...) photographer with me.

This dress is super comfy, and stood the test of time. The day we did this mini shoot, it was in the high 80's and we both feeling very uncomfortable and gross. But this being a silk dress, helped me stay cool. Gotta love those natural fibers.
And it was fun wearing the hat I was loaned, it made me realize I need to buy some more hats!

Have any of you made a super lovely purchase lately, and haven't had the time to wear it?


Oh! And I was debating doing a sew along during next month. On either Sunday or Monday, I'll have some more details about it, but to those I mentioned it to, they seemed to like it enough, so stay tuned!

Spring Dapper Day 2014

On February 23rd, I attended my 3rd Dapper Day. (yes I went to last falls, I just never blogged about it. Oops.)

It was an interesting day all around. It was very packed that day, and I got a bit overwhelmed with the crowds, so I stole a friend and broke away quite a lot.



I acquired some yellow synthetic from a friend and made the dress as per the instructions, with the exception of shortening the bodice, skirt, and sleeves. (I'm fairly short). The pattern is Advance 9925.



I ran off with my sweet friend Erin for a bit to get some air, and to hop on the monorail, something I hadn't done in about 20 years.



We ran around the Grand Californian for a bit, contemplated buying a Vespa and did some shopping.




(photo from Jets stream)
I ran into my friends Aimee and Jet and snagged pictures with them.



Then we all piled in the car and headed back home. I only made one purchase from the Dapper Day boutiques, and it's those gloves. They are nice creme color, with pale yellow piping, and were made in West Germany!
I also snagged a parasol from New Orleans square, and was gifted a tie and pocket square from a sweet acquaintance from SDCC.

I can't wait for the next time I hit up Disney -cough- next week -cough-, and I totally can't wait for my next Dapper Day.

Completed Fall for Cotton outfit

Here is my completed outfit! I had a lot of fun creating this fun little number. I would love to make another, and soon! I couldn't get anyone to take photos for me, so a tripod and the automatic count down it was. I love the length on the trousers, even though you can't really see them. I hope to get a family member to take a proper full body picture for me. My sister told me it looked like I bought the outfit somewhere, and was happily surprised when I said I made it myself. I am really hoping I can get my hands on some vintage patterns, so I can make more adorable outfits for my wardrobe. Next time I start a sewing project, I'll try to remember to take construction photos. Alright, time to look through everyone elses awesome outfits! Did any of you participate in Fall for Cotton? Share your outfits with me!

Spinning in circles

Well, I finished my circle skirt.
I made it in an evening, and I love it to bits and pieces.
After I agonized for a while, I decided the best way for you all to see it would be on me.
Why did I agonize? I've got the weirdest self-esteem ever. I'm perfectly content with slaving over a costume to wear to a convention, and have a bunch of photos taken of me, but when it comes to 'normal' photos, I'm suddenly shy. It's the strangest thing ever.

I have on my 2012 goals list 'Increase my self-confidence' Well, where better a place to do so than on my blog? A friend of mine said I seem to be more confident in things of my own making, so there's a start. I have an excuse to make more cute clothes for myself, and possibly show off some of my costumes from this years convention!

Well, without further ado, my circle skirt.

Okay, I'll get better photos of it when I find a nicer blouse, but excited, and quite content with this one so-far.