The 50 cent dress!

Happy New Year!

I wanted to make a new dress for New Years Eve.  Why, I don't know.  We didn't go anywhere and were asleep long before midnight! However, it was a good excuse for a new dress!

I had picked up a bunch of remnants from a local op shop for only 50 cents each - bargain!  I planned to use the fabric as muslins (when you roughly make a pattern from cheap fabric first to test fit etc).  This pretty navy and green (my favourite colour combo!) fabric really appealed to me.  It also has a bit of stretch, so was perfect for a fitted dress.

I am so happy with the result!

This pattern by Simple Sew came free with the Love Sewing magazine - the pattern was the reason I bought the magazine!  I loved everything about it!

I only made 2 small changes:

• I added 2cm length to the bodice, everything else was just fine. 
• The pattern had an open slit in the back; I made it a vented slit so the backs of my thighs aren't exposed.

It's rare that I get such a good fit without too many alterations!  The skirt is a little looser, which I love as it gives me more of an hourglass shape than I really have! 

This really is a 50 cent dress (the zipper was from Nona's stash!) so naturally I pair it with the most expensive shoes I own! Why not?!

I Made It Monday - Pencil Skirt with Leopard Accent

On todays "I Made It Monday" I'm wearing a basic black pencil skirt that I made with a little leopard flare.

Top: Long Tall Sally / Skirt: Made By Me / Shoes: Diana Ferrari

I love leopard print but in my wardrobe I only have it in shoes, scarves, belts & bags.  I love leopard on other people in the form of skirts, dresses and jackets but just don't think it works for me.

So I've found a way to add a little more leopard print to my wardrobe.  For me this is a happy medium; it's still my basic black staple but it's a bit more fun and interesting with the addition of the leopard print.  Maybe this is me taking baby steps towards an actual piece of leopard print clothing!

This is an easy technique you can use to add some colour or pattern accents into your wardrobe if you're like me & too chicken conservative not ready to go all in!

Here's how to do it:

 

1. Take a pencil skirt pattern or existing pencil skirt like I did & trace to get front and back pieces.  (Take into consideration the amount of stretch your fabric has).  Add allowances for seams, waistband casing and hem.

2.  Deciding how wide you want your accent strip to be (e.g. 10cm) deduct 5 cm from each side on both front & back pieces.

3.  With right sides together sew the accent strip to front & back pieces.

4. Make a casing for your waistband elastic.  Thread elastic & close casing.

5. Hem your skirt to desired length.

Ta da!  You have a fabulous new skirt!



Photos c/o my wonderful Husband
Who loves an action shot!

 

Fabulous Separates

In my post on Monday (check it out here if you missed it) I talked about how I sometimes make a top and skirt out of the same fabric to maximize my wardrobe.  When I wear them together they look like a dress, but I have the benefit of wearing them as separates. 

This genuine 1970's polyester fabric which was lovingly gifted to me was so fabulous I wanted to make the most of it!  I usually dislike synthetic fabric, but who can pass up genuine 1970's polyester?!  Fabulous!

Here is the matching top and skirt:

 

Here is the top with a denim pencil skirt (also made by me):

The top is New Look Pattern 6194 with the neckband omitted
& length added (but that's just a given for me, right?!).



Photos c/o of my wonderful Husband

Winterize A Summer Favourite

Now that winter is upon us in the southern hemisphere it's time to pack up the summer clothes.  I do rotate my wardrobe, but there are some pieces I just can't bring myself to put away.

This stretch floral denim pencil skirt is one of them (made by me). 

Here is how I take it from a summer staple to a piece that works in my winter wardrobe.

My apologies for the iPhone images but life got in the way of taking proper photos!

This is how I usually wear the skirt in summer.  Casual and perfect for running after toddlers.  I do sometimes dress it up with a nice top and dress shoes, but more often than not I'm wearing it as a casual piece.

Skirt: Made By Me / T-shirt: Target / Sneaks: Target /
Earrings: Made By Me / Necklace: Made By Me / Bracelets: Eastern Living

To make it work for winter I add black tights, boots and a black top.  I added a scarf which picks up one of the colours in the skirt and breaks up all that black! 

 

 



Boots: Diana Ferrari (old) / Skirt: Made By Me / Top: Long Tall Sally
Scarf: RM Williams / Earrings: Made By Me



 

For an extra layer of warmth, or to dress it up a bit more I'll add a blazer.  Black of course...I love it and just can't help myself!

Blazer: Cue (old) / Leather Earrings: Made By Me

Ta da!  From summer to winter!

Which pieces do you wear all year round?