Garden Updates

Some photos I took a few days ago before the current heat wave.  This week I have been doing evening garden checks, to see how the plants are surviving the hot temperatures.  By the time evening hits, my chard has wilted to the ground!  The plants eventually revive, but it does take a couple hours.  

Eggplant Ichiban

Swiss Chard Bright Lights

Pepper plants are such fruitful producers here, so much that in the past we have ended up throwing many of them away.  This is one garden product that's best in small amounts!  I pickled some of the Serrano peppers last week, using David Leibovitz's recipe.  A brief word of warning though: vinegar really intensifies peppers' heat.  I had previously added a whole chopped serrano to a burrito, and hardly noticed it.  Then I decided that since they weren't terribly spicy, I could probably eat a pepper straight from the day old brine.  Big mistake!  After part of one pepper my mouth was on fire, and it took about an hour to knock down the sizzle.  If you pickle your peppers, use them carefully :)

Pickled Serrano Peppers

Short Style

Let me begin by saying that I do not usually wear shorts.  You might think my hesitance is in part due to my inability to achieve the adequate amount of summer tanned-skin.  In truth this is my least concern when in comes to bearing my naked gams in short pants. They leave more of my legs bare than I am comfortable exposing, allowing my skin to stick to bus seats and diner booths.  They also expose my lower half to the elements; Not always a good idea as I get cold easily-- which explains why I enjoy stepping into a sun warmed car after prolonged periods of time in air conditioning.

Despite my reservations on shorts, I do own two pairs of of pleat-front, cuffed shorts.  They fit my body type (pear/dewdrop) and style (more Audrey Hepburn than Brigitte Bardot) better than any old denim cutoffs.  

Pullover: Yoon

Shorts: Mossimo 

Loafers: MTNG

Lately I've been planning a summer shorts wardrobe update.  There are so many cute styles to try.  Here are my most recent favorites-- please follow the links for fabulous sources of inspiration!

1. Scalloped shorts, 2. Popomomo shorts, 3. Summer white - lace shorts, 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs ombre shorts

I hope you're keeping cool!  Here it's almost too hot to sew, but I still have some projects in the works, and one recent FO from the Drape Drape books that I can't wait to share... 

Happy sewing :)

Cheerful Summer Skirt

I am excited to share my most recent and most favorite project-- a hot pink bow skirt!  The fabric is a Marc Jacobs print from Fabric Mart.   Once spied, I was instantly smitten with the fabric (and I must not have been the only one, as it sold out fast!).  I made this same skirt two years ago, using a rust colored stretch poplin.  You can read about that version here.

The skirt has pockets, a nipped in waist, and it's cheerful color makes me smile each time I wear it.  This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I sew--sometimes the pieces all come together perfectly, and the result is pure bliss!  


Warm wishes, and happy sewing :)

I'm still here!

I was preparing a couple new blog posts for this week and realized that I never shared pictures of my entries for the Vintage Modern Challenge.  How could it have already been three months ago?!!  I made a lace shift dress and a pleated skirt for the challenge, both with contrast piping.  Have a look:  

I will admit, while they are both nice pieces, neither skirt nor dress has made it into my weekly rotation of favorite outfits.  Maybe this will help me learn my lesson about participating in contests.  I really do get the most out of my sewing when I develop the entire idea, not just the choice of fabric and design elements.  


Anyhow, definitely time to clean out my wardrobe!  I'd just like to figure out how to find new homes for some of my hand made clothes.  It's just so hard to imagine giving them away to Goodwill, after all the long hours put in.  How do you come to terms with purging lovingly made clothes from your closet?  Please share your thoughts, and happy sewing :)

What I've been up to...in pictures

It has been busy around here the past couple weeks!  I have been spring cleaning, planting early veg outside and starting seedlings inside, completing two projects for Burda Style's Vintage Modern Design Contest, and trying to untangle several balls of yarn (more on that topic later)...

A very sad mess of yarn 

A planted row of peas, complete with twigs to support their vines

A couple radish seedlings pushing up

A jaunty row of spinach shoots

A freshly planted spray of viola

And... my Mom's wintered-over strawberry plant already has flowers!

Will issue more updates as time permits!  I am also swatching for a spring sweater, and will have pictures soon.

A New Sweater For Renaud

Renaud finally got to model his new hoodie!  See below for lots of pictures, and a link to the pattern on Ravelry.

It was hard to take a picture of the hood, until he was laying down...

The best part about doggie sweaters?
They make for a sleepy pup!

More details about the project can be found on Ravelry.  Happy Friday!

Getting Started

I love the color of this vintage sweater;
It's mainly dusty aqua, but with green flecks to liven it up.
Also love: grograin plackets with real shell buttons! 

Little pockets on my new lacey dress from Shae

Cutting out pieces for a new skirt!
The fabric is tencel, which will be underlined with cotton voile.
The black bias strips will make a contrast piping.

There will be more updates later this afternoon, as I am also cutting out for a lace dress with contrast piping.  I had plans to photograph Renaud in his new sweater that I finished seaming on Sunday, but right now it is pouring rain out.  Will have to wait and see what the day brings.  Happy sewing!

Things to come

Spring is returning and so am I!  After nearly two year's hiatus, I am ready to take up long forgotten sewing plans and knitting projects.  I hope to be able to share the results of my efforts with you here, and to reconnect with the online sewing community.  Airing out and cleaning stored yarns and fabrics has been taking up a lot of my time-- it is so exciting to take these pieces out of their boxes and to remember what I had dreamed up for each one.  

Now that I have collected all the drape drape books, I hope to start making a few of the projects!

Right now I am finding mossy patches around the yard...

Even the weeds are starting to bloom!  We'll let them think the garden is theirs for now, though I have already started to plant radishes, carrots, spinach and green onions right next door.  I'm so excited to pick out seeds for planting once the last frost has passed!  Right now I have a variety of heirloom tomatoes, pickle bush cucumbers, hot peppers and ground tomatoes.

Amidst all the excitement of spring's arrival, we also have one tired little boy back from the groomer.

How are you getting ready for spring?

Full Floral Skirt

Another month has past without a single blog post.  I can't believe I've been so lax.  Or maybe I can.  I've spent much of the last month straightening things out for a big move in August.  I have been making time to sew, but the projects I've chosen… Let's just call them high maintenance-- as in I've spent more time hunting for buttons than sewing!  


On the bright side, I found the right project to give me a little instant gratification while I wait for those buttons to materialize.  Using some gray floral poplin I bought from fabric.com and Verypurpleperson's very excellent easy full skirt tutorial, I made this: 

Styled with...

Racer-back pocket tank - Uniqlo

Drapey Silk Cardigan - TJ Maxx

Gladiators - 80%20

And one last shot-- testing out the twirl factor of the new skirt...

It looks like a keeper to me!

I should add that I made a couple modifications to my full skirt.  The waistband was created just like a self-fabric casing, only i left about 2 inches above the casing to make the paper bag effect.  I also added side-seam pockets in a contrasting (vivid fuchsia) fabric.  All skirts must have pockets!

It feels so good to finally finish a new project, and to be able to twirl in it.  What type of projects do pick when you're looking for a quick sewing fix?

May 31: All good things come to an end

I can't believe Me-Made-May is over!  The time has gone by so quickly.  My challenge to myself was to wear one self-made garment each day of the month, and I'm proud to say that I did achieve that goal.  This has certainly been the longest period of time in which I've worn something I made each day.  So often I cultivate a love-hate relationship with the clothing I make.  I'll stop sewing for weeks, months, unsatisfied with my own creations-- despite how hard I worked to design and sew them in the first place.  


If there's one thing that I've learned from Me-Made-May, it's that most of the garments I've made are actually very versatile pieces.  I may need to make a few more pieces in order to create an entire wardrobe, as I don't have very many basics.  Instead of making practical, wear-with-anything pieces, I tend to pick the most intriguing patterns (or fabric).  The end product of this approach?  Mostly stand-alone pieces, unless I'm feeling very daring.  And Me-Made-May has made me daring!  I have learned that it is just as easy to throw on a self-made ensemble as it is to put on the workhorse jeans and t-shirt.  Not only is it easy, it also makes me feel more confident about my sewing.


Here's what I wore:

Swiss-dot overblouse by me

Black shell (worn under) by me

Shorts - Cynthia Steffe 

Gladiators - 80%20

The overblouse is the one new item I finished this weekend.  This is one of those projects that was in my head for the longest time before I finally made it.  And, it only took one day, for both cutting out and sewing! I will share more details soon :)