april 24th {keep trying}

goodness, i have been a terrible blogger these past few days.  getting dressed has been a major challenge.  see evidence above.  yikes.  i'm talking swapping out multiple pieces in an original outfit before finally, finally just settling on something that works.  those types of mornings really frustrate me.  maybe i need to put more planning into what i wear each day...

speaking of which, i'll be doing just that next week with my friend marissa and we invite you to join us with our PANTONE-inspired color challenge.  we chose five hot spring colors and will be dressing in those colors next week.  read more about it here!

tuesday (simplicity)

 

united colors of benneton button-down {thrifted}
handmade (by me) skirt   &mittot;   merona mari heels

i am really excited to share this outfit today because ahh, i made this skirt and i am so proud of it!  i still get such a thrill over being able to say that.  the fabric is likely upholstery fabric but you know i don't shy away from making skirts out of non-skirt fabric.  i like the heavier weight of the fabric and the print really stood out to me as something i would be attracted to in a store-bought skirt.  overall, i'm pretty satisfied with this simplicity pattern that i've made a few skirts from now... the only struggle i have is making the correct size but this one came out perfectly.  thanks for visiting!

wednesday.

merona cardigan {thrifted target stock}   ·   handmade (by me) skirt

merona mattie cap-toe flats   ·   forever 21 belt

disappointment / today i wanted to wear another skirt i recently made from the same pattern as this one but it turns out it is too big.  this one turned out so well, so it's a little disappointing to have put all that work into cutting out the pattern pieces and doing the sewing and mailing it to my mom to finish just to find out that it doesn't fit.  i know where i erred, but there isn't much i can do now other than cinch it in at the waist with a belt.  so for now i'm wearing this one that turned out perfectly.  i'm wondering for any sewers out there how you bounce back from projects gone wrong knowing how much work you put into it, especially if there isn't a way to fix it?

also, thank you so much to my trickle of new followers lately, i have definitely noticed and it means so much to me.  it's pretty crazy that i am nearing 100 followers {could it happen today?!} and i would love to do something nice for you when i do reach that mark.  thank you so much for visiting!

pieced.

pieced / my favorite part of sewing from patterns is pinning and cutting out all of the pieces.  the very beginning stage when its fragmented but you can clearly see how it is all going to come together.  my least favorite part?  attaching waistbands.  i flew through another skirt like the one i wore last monday and it will soon be flying to my mom for her to finish for me while i do some googling and youtubing to figure it out for next time.

happy weekend!

monday {finally}

handmade black/tan print skirt   ·   gap button-down

target necklace {thrifted target stock}   ·   jessica simpson oscar pumps {thrifted}

finally / for as long as i have been sewing {only about a year}, i've wanted to learn how to make structured skirts from a pattern that look a little more polished than the elastic waistband skirts i have made that i wear at least once a week.  with my mom's help last week, i finally made one from simplicity 2451.  i couldn't be happier with this skirt!  i made a size larger than i thought i needed since i didn't pre-wash the fabric, but after getting worried once the side seams came together that it would be too large, i added a little center pleat and adjusted the waistband.  the length was a little short for my preference so we made a short hem with a pack of brand new iron-on hem tape i found at the goodwill. the zipper i used was part of my secret santa gift from my friend viktoria and my mom got me the fabric from joann's for my birthday.  i love that this skirt came together from a 99¢ pattern with gifted fabric & zipper and thrifted hem tape.  in my mind, that made it all the more perfect!

here are a couple more detail shots of the back vent & zipper: