easy does it

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I’ve been really, really lazy lately, trying to figure out how I can get decent results by putting in the least amount of effort. So I’ve applied this laid back work ethic to come up with this latest dress –and I seriously doubt that there’s an easier dress out there to make. It’s the Burdastyle.com Anda dress (same as that Mork from Ork dress I made a little while back) made with a drape-y, polyester spandex knit. I really like how this fabric falls and moves. I also really dig the bold print (check out that ginormous sunflower on my shoulder!) and I felt that the simple cut of this dress was perfect for showing off a busy pattern.

Yes, yes — it is polyester which means zero breathability–and it’s not exactly the most eco-friendly material either. Oh, would that I had enough money to purchase 100% natural, organic fabrics!

There was also supposed to be an elastic casing around the waistline, but I figured why do that when I can just cinch the waist with a cute belt? So lazy. But it turned out alright, I think. See mom, sometimes it pays to take the easy way out. Hehe.

bird print dress (Built By Wendy 3964)

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Everyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for anything with birds on it (“bird” is actually my family’s nickname for me and has been since I was a wee girl), so I was immediately attracted to this bird print fabric by Alexander Henry designs. The pattern I used was Built By Wendy 3964 — but I omitted the inset and the sleeves, basically out of laziness! I decided to be bold and use a contrasting bias tape to finish the armholes. I wish I’d made the skirt just a bit longer so that it ends right below the knee — but otherwise, I’m pretty happy with the result.

bird print dress

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Everyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for anything with birds on it (“bird” is actually my family’s nickname for me and has been since I was a wee girl), so I was immediately attracted to this bird print fabric by Alexander Henry designs. The pattern I used was Built By Wendy 3964 — but I omitted the inset and the sleeves, basically out of laziness! I decided to be bold and use a contrasting bias tape to finish the armholes. I wish I’d made the skirt just a bit longer so that it ends right below the knee — but otherwise, I’m pretty happy with the result.

sculpture of the week

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My lovely sister-in-law Jill was over from the UK for a visit and I was able to take a week off of work to spend some time with her. Mainly, our days consisted of shopping, eating junk food and watching Project Runway. It was bliss.

We were also able to visit the Getty Center and while there, we saw a fun toy in the gift shop called “Shapescapes – Sculpture in a Box” which Jill described as “adult legos.” She very kindly bought them for me as a gift, so I’ve promised to create at least one sculpture per week.

Here’s #1:

And here’s Jill’s masterpiece which I definitely prefer over mine:

wrap shirt from leftover fabric

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I finally got round to making the Desira shirt pattern from Burdastyle.com and am very happy that I did. I used the leftover fabric from my last dress (the Azalea.)

It was one of the quickest things I’ve sewn up (surprisingly easy) and am very happy with the result, despite making a rather horrible mistake! While I was finishing up a front seam with some pinking shears, I carelessly cut a hole in the garment. Yes folks, I’m a klutz. Anyway, my clever sister-in-law Jill who is visiting us from the UK recommended I make a little flower with some leftover scraps and cover up the patched hole. Definitely a happy accident! I honestly couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

weekend recap

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It’s a sad thing to be writing about the weekend on a dreary Monday morning, but here goes…

I was able to complete two projects–and get in a little bit of tidying up which is no small feat for the likes of me.

First project is the Burdastyle Azalea dress I made from pairing some Robert Kaufman fabric with the remnants of a satin-y bedsheet (yes, I do love those bedsheets!) that I had previously used to line a purse.

burdastyle.com azalea dress

Second project involved this beautiful art nouveau/Tiffany-style print fabric I’d gotten from Tonicliving.com that I had intended to use for a dress, but hadn’t realized that it was a sturdy home decor fabric. D’oh! Maybe I should have read the details more closely.

Anyway, it dawned on me that these colors matched the scheme of our bathroom–and I’ve never been happy with the plain, store-bought curtains I’d hung when we first moved in–so…

Tada! I’ve transformed our plain bathroom into art nouveau heaven. I really love how the busy pattern livens up the space.

And while I was busy at the sewing machine, my Breadman Pro was slaving away in the kitchen to make me this gorgeous loaf of cinnamon raisin bread. So not everything in this home is handmade. 😉

first, there was a yoke…

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During my heavy crochet phase, I made this yoke with a star motif on the back, intending to use it for a dress or top. I hadn’t decided yet. I also needed some matching fabric for it, which I didn’t have. So I set it aside and almost forgot about it entirely–that is, until Dane decided to do a big spring cleaning of the bedroom yesterday and I found this old polka dot skirt I bought years ago that I don’t really wear anymore. And then I had a lightbulb moment…

I so love the idea of recycling/reinventing old clothing, so I’m particularly proud if this creation.

orange/white striped minidress (Built By Wendy #3835)

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Alright, the minidress is done! I did, indeed, use that Built By Wendy pattern (3835) I mentioned in the previous post and will definitely be using it again. Lots. I just love the rounded neckline, raglan sleeves and, of course, the pockets. I had a rare dinner out last night with some old friends I hadn’t seen in, geez, probably over a decade and wore this dress just minutes after it left my machine. I took these photos after dinner, hence the wrinkles because, at this point, I was too lazy to iron them out.

I like the stripes/dots combo that the belt lends.

orange/white striped minidress

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Alright, the minidress is done! I did, indeed, use that Built By Wendy pattern (3835) I mentioned in the previous post and will definitely be using it again. Lots. I just love the rounded neckline, raglan sleeves and, of course, the pockets. I had a rare dinner out last night with some old friends I hadn’t seen in, geez, probably over a decade and wore this dress just minutes after it left my machine. I took these photos after dinner, hence the wrinkles because, at this point, I was too lazy to iron them out.

I like the stripes/dots combo that the belt lends.

new fabric

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Oh, the possibilities.

The yellow bird and black/white medallion print fabric came from Tonicliving.com. The yellow birds in the design turned out to be a whole lot bigger than I thought they’d be, so I might have to change my original plan to make this into a dress. Cushion covers? A handbag? I’ll ponder it a little longer.

The one I’ve chosen to work with first is the orange/gray stripe fabric — which was a lucky thrift shop find! I got 3 yards of the gorgeous stuff for only $2.99. Methinks the weather calls for a minidress, and I’ve got this Built By Wendy pattern in mind…