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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thrifty Thursday and OOTD

I had a very busy day today, so this post is coming just under the line for Thursday, at least in America.
Up first is the OOTD, my Hot Patterns Summer Breeze dress. I went with my yellow heels and a purse I made a while back for Fabulous Free Pattern Friday.
Here's a better picture of the bag. If you missed the post, it's actually made out of  a placemat. You can find the post here, http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com/2012/06/fabulous-free-pattern-friday.html
 An easy bag made from a placemat.
 I'm really enjoying the dress. Just perfect for summer.
Now for the Thrifty Thursday part of the day. Have you heard of Tina Givens? She has a lovely line of patterns that have been designed for linen or soft cottons. She has a number of free patterns.

Her patterns are soft, romantic and especially easy to wear. Above is the Kika Dress and the Bloom Dress, both free patterns. Below is the Plinka pant, also free.

                                                  
I decided to give the Plinka pant pattern a try for a number of reasons. First of all, sometimes I just want to be comfortable and pull something on that is truly effortless. I also wanted to try out the fit of the pant. They are very loose fitting. This is a pattern that anyone can make and not have issues with the fit as long as you don't mind a loose fit.
A shot of me playing around with my husband :)
I made mine out of a crinkle cotton and I also lined them with a cotton batiste as the white crinkle cotton was just a little too sheer on its own. The pattern goes together quickly and the pants are even easier to make. Of course you could leave the ruffle off the bottom if you like.
In my crazy shot above, you can see that I only pleated up 1 side of the hem. The pattern actually tells you to pleat up the hem in 4 places.
So, a loose fitting pant that is super easy to make and has no fitting issues. You can find the Tina Givens website here along with all of her patterns.
Have fun!



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Me Made Mondays Part 2

Just a quick post. I was asked to post a few extra pictures of the dress I was wearing in yesterday's post, so here goes....
I did not arrange the front drape as nicely as I do when I wear it, but I think you can you can get the idea. I also don't have the rock hard body of my dressform ;)  
The dress has a center front seam
The center front seam is not a straight seam. As you can see, it angles out which is what allows it to wrap.
There is an opening in the side seam for the left tie to go through.
 It has dolman sleeves and I tie it in the back
The bag is upholstered with embossed leather. I did this bag quite some time ago and it is truly one of my favorites.
The front piece actually keeps the bag closed. I was one lucky duck when the 2 magnetic closures matched!!
 The bottom of the bag with the feet.
So that's my quick little dog and pony show for today.
I will be doing a tutorial on how to do the hat I was wearing. I initially thought that I would need to buy a new straw hat, but then I realized that I have one that could use a little freshening up.
I just need to find some fabric to use for the brim.
Thrifty Thursday will happen a little later today. I have a rather fun little item to show you. So, I'll see you later this afternoon. Have a wonderful day!



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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Me Made Mondays at Frabjous Couture

Have you seen the new series that Marina of Frabjous Couture is doing? Rather than committing to an entire month of Me Mades, she has designated Monday, every day of the year as her Me Made day. And, what's even nicer is that she is inviting all of us to join her.  This week she posted this lovely sheath dress. Absolutely beautiful.
I participated in Me Made May two years ago and learned so much about myself and my wardrobe. I thought about participating again this year, but felt it was just adding one too many things to my plate. So when Marina posted that she would be hosting Me Made Mondays, without hesitation, I told her that I'm in!
This past Monday, I had a funeral to attend which explains the basically all black outfit. The dress is my design. I also made my accessories, not the necklace or the shoes. The hat is quite easy to do, just purchase a straw hat, cut off the brim and make a new brim. I can do a tutorial is anyone is interested.                      
    
The bag is one of my favorites. It's leather that has been upholstered.

If you've felt that an entire month of Me Mades is a little too much to do, give Marina's challenge a try and see how you do. I think you'll find it fun and rewarding and you may even learn a little something about your wardrobe.



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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Finishing Up the Fascinator/Part 5

The final step in finishing the fascinator is to finish the inside of the cap. 
I simply cut a piece of my fabric, pinned it in place and hand stitched it to the edge. When adding the lining, be sure to not pull it tight as we want to retain the cupped shape of the cap. This will allow it to sit comfortably on the head.
The lining has been stitched down.
The fascinator will not magically stay on the head, so we need to add a way to hold it in place. For a piece like this, I like to use elastic button loops. They can be found in the notions or the bridal area of your fabric store. Be sure to get the loops that are elastic. They come in black, white and ivory.
I run a small bead of Fabri-Tac around the edge and then attach the loops. Once the loops are in place, I then stitch them down along the outside edge.
It's a little difficult to see in the picture below, but the loops are stitched down and there is a stitch inside each loop. This is important because we don't want the loops to lift up once the comb is inserted.
To insert the comb, have the rounded side up and then push the loops over the teeth.
Push the loops to the edge of the comb and flip it over. This comb is just on the edge of being a little too large for this piece, but once it is in the hair, the edges should not be visible. If the comb hung over the edges a little more, I would have cut it in half and sanded the edges. The other loops will be used with bobbie pins. Just slide a bobbie pin into the hair and catch the loop. The fascinator will sit nicely on the head without any fear of it falling off.
When you last saw the fascinator, it looked like this.
It now looks like this.
 I had these feathers. They came on a stem, also from the floral department.
From the side.
The feather pieces were just nestled into the ribbon and around the flowers. I rather like the addition of the extra feathers.
So that's it, not at all difficult. My best advice is to just have fun and enjoy the process.
I won't be wearing this until October, but I'll see about getting a few pictures of it on my head before then. I'm sure you would like to see what it looks like on a real head and not a stuffed one!!! I think you'll be surprised by how it seems to just become a part of the hair and not appear as over the top as it does on the millinery head.
I hope you've enjoyed the posts.



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The New Issue of Sew News and a Give Away!!

Have you seen the new issue of Sew News? Can you hear the excitement in my voice?!!!!!! Well, maybe you can't hear me, although I have been accused of being able to scream loud enough to be heard in another state ;)
I just received the new issue last week and it is full of all sorts of lovely projects, like the sweet, sweet apron below, and yes there is a free downloadable pattern that you can find here, http://www.sewnews.com/articles/2-Free-Apron-Patterns?bc=c There are actually 2 free apron patterns offered. 
And what about this tote?!!! Now who would believe that you made this??? Great zipper detail! And yes, there is a free pattern offered for this tote too. You can find it here, http://www.sewnews.com/articles/Roomy-Denim-Tote-Bag-With-Free-Patterns?bc=c
And now for my bit of excitement....my article on the upcoming Colette Clover Slim Pant Sew Along!!!
I liked the pattern so much that I actually made 2 pairs for the article. The pair in the above picture are made out of a wool and lycra blend and the pair below are just perfect for summer as the fabric is a lovely cotton and lycra blend.
The sew along will start September 2nd. If you would like to join along, you can find the pattern here, https://www.colettepatterns.com/sewing/clover

Sew News has very generously given me an extra copy of the magazine to pass along to one lucky person, so if you would like a chance to win a copy, leave a message on this post. I will announce the winner next Tuesday, August 5, 2014.  



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Monday, July 28, 2014

Monday Morning Inspiration/Chanel Fall-Winter 2014

Over the weekend, this video was posted on Facebook. It's amazing, so I had to share it with you. Below the video, I've attached pictures of the pieces that are featured.











This video show the pieces on the body with incredible detail. I think you'll enjoy it, I know I did!


Below are a few of the pieces that were featured in the second video, but not the first.














Whether you like the collection or not, I think that for those of us who sew it's just an incredible treat to see the pieces as they are being created and then again to be able to see the detail once they are on the body. I've also attached the full length fashion show if you would like to take a look. Get ready ladies, I think we are going to see shorts under skirts in the near future whether we like it or not!
Have a wonderful week!
Rhonda



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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sunday Night Reflections

Emerald River — Rio Verde, Texas. Gorgeous, this is the stuff my dreams are made of

No Man ever steps in the same river twice,
for it's not the same river,
and he is not the same man.
                 
                                                                                                             Heraclitus






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