Little sewing tip

Hello everyone!

I figured I'd share a little sewing tip I've learned when I started sewing on how to keep yourself organized with small projects. (And any project, really)

If you have a project you keep putting off and on, and you have all your pieces cut out, use a zip top bag!
Put all of your notions you need for it; thread, bobbin, needles, etc. Have the fabric in it, and if you're like me and tend to loose pattern pieces, the pattern itself would be nice to have inside.

And keep it close to your sewing machine!

If you have larger projects, they make 2 gallon size bags which can hold your bigger cuts of fabric, and even your fabric envelopes.

And there you go, One more step to being a more organized sewist! I'm going o put this into better practice in the coming new year.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Blog Reader Giveaway Prizes

I like to think the Vintage Pajama Party was a first time success. Pretty sure if I do it again, it would be not during some major fall/winter holidays so more people can participate.

Now as a thank you to those lovely people who participated, and my darling blog readers, I am offering up a nice set of giveaway prizes.

All the cute and lovely prizes.

A hairnet from 1964. The color for it is grey, but I'm sure it would look cute on your hair, should you want to use it.

Some super cute vintage buttons. You can add to your collection, or add them to some cute outfit.

A cute (handpainted?) handkerchief.  The 'M' can stand for 'Magnificent' if your name doesn't start with  the letter.

Covergirl Outlast lipstick. This is one of my new favorite things, if you see my instagram selfies from the past few months, I've probably been wearing it in it. Janey reviewed it on her blog.

Yes, pajama sew along participants, all of these can be yours!

To enter:

Fill out the rafflecopter with all the appropriate info.



a Rafflecopter giveaway That's it!

This giveaway will end 12am PST on December 30th.

If you win, and do not respond with a mailing address within 48 hours, I will choose another winner.


Oh, and if my dear sewists can send me an email of their pajamas being worn, and some little blurb about how you enjoyed the sew along, or what things you learned along the way? I plan to scribble up a little showcasing blog post!

Note- I purchased all prizes with my own money, and am receiving no compensation for them.

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.