is family time. No sewing on yesterday.... we celebrated my oldest daughter - Amber's 15th birthday. We went to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. We've been to the Tennessee Aquarium a couple of times and we decided to check out this one. Fun, fun, fun! Here are some pics from our day.
the entrance
Amber, me & Mikaela. Notice Amber's new Coach bag she got for her birthday.
Michael buying the tickets; Brian & Amber.
When we left there, it was so beautiful out - a balmy 80°, we headed to Centennial Park.
You know I had to get my pose on!
Seems somebody was getting a little tired on her day out.
I'm pretty sure I have the goofiest husband ever!
Michael, me & MikaelaNaomi Campbell does community service like she works the catwalk. Only a "true diva" could pull this off!
Day 1 - Chanel newsboy cap, Ralph Lauren coat, Louboutin heels and toting a pair of work-ready combat boots.
Day 1 - Chanel newsboy cap, Ralph Lauren coat, Louboutin heels and toting a pair of work-ready combat boots.
Day 2 - Since it was a little chilly, she decided to wear a $1,995 Giuliana Teso fur jacket with a Borsalino fedora. Lets not fail to mention the diamond studs and Alexander McQueen sunglasses.
Day 3 - She arrived for the third day in a Burberry leather coat, Bottega Veneta boots and a Proenza Schouler bucket hat.
Day 4 - She steps in style in a pair of maroon Marc by Marc Jacobs boots, a purple satin Etro blouse with wide-leg J Brand jeans, and a very luxurious Pologeorgis fur.
Day 5 - She plays it "Oliver Twist" style... rocking a Hermes newsboy cap, rolled up Gap khakis and oversized Burberry cardigan paired with her now-familiar vintage work boots (see day 1). But wait...
For the Grand Finale - she donned a silver sequined couture Dolce & Gabbana gown. I'm pretty sure this was her way of giving the finger, and sped off in a matching silver Rolls-Royce.
Now where am I suppose to buy fabric locally?! They will be closing 134 stores. I sure hope the one conveniently located in my area will not be one.
Read more...
Thanks Stacy for the link.
Update - here are the Birmingham locations that will be closing:
#1004 -7001 Crestwood Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35210
#1377 - 9078 Parkway East, Birmingham, AL 35206
Great... my two favorite locations aren't on the list! Not to be heartless, but these locations are wayyyyyyyyy on the other side of town and I've never even been in these, so I'm unaffected.
DKNY - Spring 2006Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 2951
Fabric: Black & White Linen (55% linen/45% rayon)
Notions: 7" invisible zipper; hook and eye
Description: Skirt has pleated front with invisible zipper back closure, 1" below waist and above knee length.
I'm really getting into this voluminous, bulbous look of this season. I thought this skirt was really cute. It has "the look" without being too much. This little tulip shaped skirt is rated "Vogue Average", but IMHO, it should have been rated "easy". There were only SIX (6) pattern pieces and I sewed this in an afternoon with two DVDs!
This skirt is SO basic that it's not a lot to say. The pattern was easy to read, all of the pieces matched up perfectly. The pockets have french seams (which was different to me). The pattern suggested to finish the seams by turning them in ¼" on raw edge and stitch. I thought that this would be too bulky for my fabric. Instead, I serged the edges and pressed the seams open.
I'm really getting into this voluminous, bulbous look of this season. I thought this skirt was really cute. It has "the look" without being too much. This little tulip shaped skirt is rated "Vogue Average", but IMHO, it should have been rated "easy". There were only SIX (6) pattern pieces and I sewed this in an afternoon with two DVDs!
This skirt is SO basic that it's not a lot to say. The pattern was easy to read, all of the pieces matched up perfectly. The pockets have french seams (which was different to me). The pattern suggested to finish the seams by turning them in ¼" on raw edge and stitch. I thought that this would be too bulky for my fabric. Instead, I serged the edges and pressed the seams open.
This is another version of this dress with this fabric. This time, I used a stand collar and added cuffs so that it would look a LOT more like the DVF dress here:
Donna Karan - Spring 2006
Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 2942
Fabric: Organic Bamboo Knit (97% organic bamboo/3% spandex)
Lining: Tricot (100% polyester)
Notions: 1 3/8 yds. of 5/8" Ribbon; 1 1/8 yrds of ¼ elastic
Pattern: Vogue 2942
Fabric: Organic Bamboo Knit (97% organic bamboo/3% spandex)
Lining: Tricot (100% polyester)
Notions: 1 3/8 yds. of 5/8" Ribbon; 1 1/8 yrds of ¼ elastic
Description: Tapered, lined, pullover dress, below mid-knee has close-fitting bodice, purchased ribbon shoulder straps, raised waistline, in-seam pockets, pleats and hem band with side slits.
This dress is Vogue Pattern's interpretation of one of the pieces from Donna Karan's Spring 2006 collection. I decided to only do the dress. This pattern is rated "Vogue Average" and has 13 pieces. The instructions were very easy to follow and the pieces were laid out well. I did however make small modifications. If you decide to make this dress, be sure to notice the length.
I'm 5'9" barefoot and this dress would have stopped mid-calf on me. I adjusted all of the skirt pieces by shortening them by 3", so that when I added the hem bands it would fall just below the knee. No FBA was necessary since the darts lined up perfectly according to my bust measurements. Elastic is placed at the top of the bodice's back and front. I sewed this in using a stretch stitch (or I'm sure you also use a zig-zag).
One unique design feature is that the darts are sewn on the outside -- that's something you may want to pay close attention to. The skirt is attached to the bodice by leaving the pleated edges raw and sewn on top of the bodice. The overall construction of this dress is quite simple but the making of the pleats was really time consuming. I really like this dress and loved the way it is constructed. It's very comfy and flowy. I also decided to add a 2½" ribbon sash to provide a little more definition.
This dress is Vogue Pattern's interpretation of one of the pieces from Donna Karan's Spring 2006 collection. I decided to only do the dress. This pattern is rated "Vogue Average" and has 13 pieces. The instructions were very easy to follow and the pieces were laid out well. I did however make small modifications. If you decide to make this dress, be sure to notice the length.
I'm 5'9" barefoot and this dress would have stopped mid-calf on me. I adjusted all of the skirt pieces by shortening them by 3", so that when I added the hem bands it would fall just below the knee. No FBA was necessary since the darts lined up perfectly according to my bust measurements. Elastic is placed at the top of the bodice's back and front. I sewed this in using a stretch stitch (or I'm sure you also use a zig-zag).One unique design feature is that the darts are sewn on the outside -- that's something you may want to pay close attention to. The skirt is attached to the bodice by leaving the pleated edges raw and sewn on top of the bodice. The overall construction of this dress is quite simple but the making of the pleats was really time consuming. I really like this dress and loved the way it is constructed. It's very comfy and flowy. I also decided to add a 2½" ribbon sash to provide a little more definition.
Got my great fabric from the fabulous Ann - Gorgeous Things.
I am so in love with this psychedelic, Pucci-esque print.
This one is my favorite. I love the fact that it matches my red shoes perfectly!
I am so in love with this psychedelic, Pucci-esque print.
This one is my favorite. I love the fact that it matches my red shoes perfectly!Not sure what I'm going to make, but I bought 3 yards of each, so I'm pretty sure it'll be cute springtime dresses.
Hancock's has McCalls and Buttericks for .99¢, and please believe I was there this morning when they unlocked the doors... I'm such a sucker for a sale!
(sorry for the blurry pic, my photographer was sick today)Project Details Pattern: Kwik Sew 3489
Fabric: Matte Jersey
Interfacing: Palmer/Pletsch PerfectFuse™ Light - Charcoal-Black
Fabric: Matte Jersey
Interfacing: Palmer/Pletsch PerfectFuse™ Light - Charcoal-Black
Description: Misses' fitted wrap dresses have waist seam, flared skirt with shaped front edge, V-neckline, bust darts, and self-fabric ties. Dress has wrap around ties that tie in front and has collar and full length sleeves.
I've been stalking the Diane vonFurstenberg version of this dress that retails for $298.00, for months now and I finally decided to do one. I decided to use Kwik Sew 3489, because it was the closest pattern I could find. Kwik Sews never disappoints, all of the pieces went together effortlessly... I didn't even need the directions. Since the skirt portion of the pattern had a rounded hem, I retraced it and squared the hemline to achieve the look of the designer dress. I also modified the ties. On View A of the pattern, the dress tied on the side. I wanted wrap around ties like View B. The only problem was the pattern pieces were for spaghetti-style ties and I wanted mine wider and longer so I drafted the pieces for that.
**EDIT: One detail that I forgot to mention is that I cut the bodice in the size medium (37" - 38½") instead of the large (40" - 41½") and cut the skirt in my normal large. The reason I dropped down a size for the bodice was because I was using a stretch knit and I wanted to achieve negative ease for a better fit.
Now that I've got my mojo back, next up - Vogue 2942!
