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Cheery Romper

When I see a romper or jumpsuit I think of the 70’s..so when I had this loud cheerful print laying around that also reminded me of the 70’s I thought it would be a good fit.

But the print alone was too loud, so to add contrast I used some dark denim.  I had a pair of old trouser jeans laying around that didn’t fit me anymore and was the perfect match.  I made sure to cut the pieces from the jeans so I could reuse the existing hem and the existing side seams.

I wanted to add a lot of details to this romper, those details I don’t normally take the time to make.

I knew I wanted to create my own bias tape using the print fabric.  I made it extra thick so that it would really show up against the dark denim.

I also knew I was going to add a button front.  This was actually the first time I have made a functional button shirt.  Due to some sick kids and a limited time frame, I wasn’t able to run to the store to buy buttons that matched.  luckily I found a dress I was planning on altering that had buttons on the sleeves that matched perfectly.  I cut them off, and used them on this project.

After I had the top constructed I put it on my daughter and realized it was way too wide.  So I decided to add some pintucks that would not only compliment the design, but help lessen the width….perfect solution.

My daughter is super long in the torso, so I made sure to add a strip of fabric that would lengthen the torso and also give the jumpsuit a faux belt look. 

She should hopefully be able to wear this for the next couple of years.

Here is the back, where I also placed some of the print.

I did use an existing romper that she had as a basis for the pattern and then tweaked it here and there to fit her more appropriately.

I hope to get some pictures of her in it soon…it should be warming up and staying warm any day now.  I also plan to make a head scarf with the remaining fabric…I think it will go together perfectly with this 70’s inspired romper!

Polka Dot Craze

I have been loving the polka dots all over the place recently.  I also love stripes.  I own a lot of striped pieces, but I don’t actually own anything with polka dots on it.

It was time to remedy that.

I looked through my closet and found that I had 3 shirts that were basically the same.

All plain navy blue.  I took the one I wore the least and decided I would paint on some polka dots.

This painting project turned out so much better than my last attempt.  And there is so much potential to wear this shirt.

Simple with a pair of colored skinnies and flats.

Covered up with a brown sweater, skinnies and heels.

If it gets too warm, just take off the sweater.

And another more laid back look, mixing patterns, polka dots with stripes.

Here’s the back…polka dots all around.

Hopefully this inspires you to add some polka dots into your clothing!

Upcoming Projects

I’m busy working on a new project for Bella.

It’s actually a triple threat.

1.  I’m using an old pair of jeans for part of it.

2.  I’m using up a wild print of fabric I bought a couple years ago that I couldn’t find anything else for.

3.  I’m making something very functional for Bella and hope she can get a lot of wear out of it.

Unfortunately in the process of making it I have already broken two needles…see I thought sewing with jean material was going to be a problem.  And I even have the correct needles, or so I thought, and it’s still causing me problems.

I also need to go buy some buttons to finish it up…hoping to get to the store soon.

Here is a photo of the in action project.

I have also been busy painting on fabric again.  This time I think it turned out better than my previous attempt.

Pictures to come soon….

Sources of Inspiration

There are a couple of design shows that I like to watch religiously.  Project Runway is one of them.  I usually have clear favorites when watching, but this season the designers have been all over the place and the challenges have been so “limiting” that it’s hard for me to pick a favorite.

I do however have two different designs that I am eyeing and hope to recreate one day.

First up is a chiffon number.  The judges didn’t actually like this print, and I sort of agree.  I do however have a chiffon print that I already purchased and was hoping to make into a dress, once I saw this design it gave me an idea.

This second one I absolutely love.  I love love love it.  I don’t think I can pull off as deep a plunge in the front, and I definitely can’t pull off as high of a slit, but maybe something halfway like it could be done.  This was made out of a soft jersey knit fabric with leather trim.

I also have been watching Fashion Star lately.  Does anyone else watch it and get mad when Saks Fifth Avenue buys something that you like?  Because then you know you can never ever buy it, the price will be ridiculously expensive.  Plus it just goes to show you that it could be the exact same item of clothing but sold in a different store can make it 100 times more expensive (maybe a slight exaggeration!).

Anyways…I am really starting to like jumpsuits.  Here was a design from last week’s episode.  It was for sale at Express, but all colors have sold out already.  I really wish I could have gotten over to the store to try it on.  I really want to make one, but I’m not sure how it will look on me.

I’m thinking maybe I should attempt a shorts style one first…like this one.

Because if nothing else, it would make a cute swimsuit cover-up!

Lace Sweater

I think it’s about time for another repurposed item from my closet.

This was a plain tan sweater with a little embellishment at the neck that was hard to see.  I have owned it for a few years and have probably worn it out of the house once.

I bought two different colors of lace online when I was trying to figure out what would go best for my final pinterest challenge dress.  I took the color of lace that I wasn’t going to use, which was a gold color, and decided I could add it to this sweater to dress it up a bit.

Hard to tell it’s even the same sweater.  I basically cut out the front piece and used it as a template for the lace.  I did cut off the entire arm bands and bottom band and then sewed them back on.  I also cut off the sleeves using the originals as a pattern.  The sleeves are lace all around and shortened up a bit.  I also took some of the original neck detail and simplified it before I sewed it back on.  You can’t see it, but the back is the original.

And because I couldn’t leave you without showing another dorky picture!  I’m cool…I’m walking…I’m flipping my hair!

Pinterest Challenge Wrap-Up

It’s time to wrap up my pinterest challenge.  If you have been following me you know I have one more item left to create, which has been postponed due to Easter.  So here is my original pinterest board for the challenge.

 

I ended up doing a super secret pinterest challenge instead of #1, Disney inspired pictures - posted here.

I completed the crazy sock monkey pants out of knit scraps all sewn together posted here.

I painted on a dress I already owned in a similar fashion to this inspiration photo and posted about it here.

I repurposed an old sweater and turned it into a new printed shirt and posted on it here.

I attempted to make the globe as shown in the inspiration photo, but haven’t found the right pieces to finish it out posted here.

Lastly I switched out making the sweatshirt since it should be the beginning of warmer weather.  I was going to switch it up and make a fancy lace dress for an upcoming wedding.  Since Easter came first I went ahead and switched it up again and made this dress posted here.

I plan to continue making pinterest inspiration pieces once a week or so.  Next up will be this lace dress.

Check back to see how it goes.