shop update.. floral totes and lace blouses

Shop update! 1970s spring denim dress, coral peter pan collar blouse, 1960s mint green ruffle top, floral denim pinafore, sheer lace blouse, and a floral tote - all headed to the shop asap.

Happy Monday!

sewing saturday.. completed wide legged high waist trousers!

Sewing Saturday! This weekend, I finished the wide legged chambray trousers I started a couple of weeks back.

To start, I sewed the two back pieces together at the center seam and sewed the darts in as well, much like I did with the front pieces previously. I then pressed the zipper opening by 5/8 inch and 1/2 inch on the front piece, hand basting the zipper in place (long, easy-to-remove red stitches in the first photo). Once the zipper was firm, I turned the pockets inside out, pressed them, and pinned them to their designated spots at the front of the pants. I sewed the two ends at the top and sides then topstitched along the curve, leaving the pocket opening at the top.

I then sewed the zipper in place using my machine's zipper foot. I attached the front and back pieces together at the sides then eased them to fit in the middle. I sewed the legs together from the crotch down. Once the legs were formed, I pressed then sewed the openings. I allowed a two inch seam, although now I know I'll have to hem them a whole lot more if I want them to fit me. Maybe I'll cuff them at the bottom.

Now for the waistband! I attached the faced piece of waistband to the waist of the pants, right sides together, matching markings on both pieces. I sewed them together within their seam allowance, trimmed the seams, then pressed the waistband upwards. The other piece of waistband was left. I ironed the 5/8 inch seam allowance on the notched edge of the un-faced waistband piece, then attached it to the faced waistband, right sides together, sewing the top and sides. I trimmed edges and turned them outside in, ironing the waistband flat. The 5/8 inch seam allowance that was ironed inwards is now at the inside of the trousers. I slip stitched the inside piece of waistband to the pants, carefully and discreetly.

The last step involved sewing some hook and eye closures to the waistband opening.. and then, done!

Now, these pants are nearly the entire length of me. So I'll have to do some major hemming. And the waist is a bit big too, but that's a problem easily fixed with a belt. I can't wait to wear them! What do you think I should pair them with? I've just found a pretty nude lace crop top that I might try wearing out with these pants (if I'm feeling brave and not going to church).

Friday marked the death of a friend of mine - my laptop. Red wine was spilled and all was lost. While being without my Macbook is definitely a pain (as well as losing some much-loved photos and files on my hard drive), I'm really looking forward to a new computer! Mine was nearly four years old, so it was about time to retire him anyway. Any laptop suggestions? Is the new 13 inch Macbook a good buy?

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

my favorite spring trends

ASOS sunglasses, Topshop denim bralette, American Apparel blouse and chambray mid length skirt, Topshop one piece and leather brogues, Apiece Apart pleated tea skirt

Trends are entirely subjective creatures - they are what you make of them. That said, I love translating current trends into my own sense of style, making them a bit more personal for me.. and this spring, there are plenty of looks that I'm really loving. Here are some spring trends I can't wait to wear in the upcoming months.

All American sock hop style! 50s inspired full mid length skirts, bustier tops, varsity jackets, and plenty of pleats. Always great for spring when I'm looking for fun, girlish shapes. ASOS has this incredible cropped floral sweater that fits the look perfectly.

Topshop crochet poncho, APC denim shorts, ASOS belt, Madewell sandals, Bodkin jumpsuit, American Apparel chiffon skirt and crop top

A trend I'm excited for but nervous about is the minimalist trend.. mixing whites and neutrals together for a utilitarian look. Still trying to figure out how to make this one work.. any suggestions? I plan on mixing up textures (like a crochet top with denim shorts, above) to keep things interesting.

Topshop wood wedges and crop top, ASOS felted wool hat and earrings, Tsumori Chisato chiffon blouse, Topshop wide legged rose trousers, Rag and Bone pleated maxi skirt

1970s Yves Saint Laurent style with wide brimmed wool hats, wide legged trousers, and platform wood wedges. Can't wait to try out this look with the flared chambray trousers I'm sewing.

Happy weekend, all! What trends are you looking forward to this season?

tba spring/summer 2011

I don't know where all of my time went, but it's certainly ran out. I feel super busy right now and can't really pinpoint a specific reason why.. maybe it's a combination of a million little things? At any rate, I'm in the middle of crafting a spring trends post for you all - but for tonight, here are images from my favorite spring/summer 2011 collection.

I'm sure many of you have already caught TBA's spring/summer 2011 collection circling round the web but for those who haven't, you're in for a treat. The collection is a sweet mix between Beatrix Potter and seventies chic, with a little art deco thrown in for good measure. I adore the colors, the collars, the oxfords with ruffled ankle socks, the feedsack florals.

The rose hued dress with pleated skirt is just wonderful, but nothing tops the blue liberty print blazer and matching dress combo. More photos here.

shop update.. floral chiffon skirts and silk blouses

Shop update! Headed to the store.. a Laura Ashley cotton floral dress, ivory silk blouse, cream cable knit sweater, navy wool toggle coat with plaid lining, pleated mauve bow blouse, and floral chiffon maxi skirt. I'll keep this post updated with links as items go up in the shop.

Happy Monday!

sewing saturday.. chambray trousers and spring finds

Sewing Saturday! Just a few steps this weekend.

Last week, I began wide legged chambray trousers by prepping the pattern pieces, ironing, pinning, and cutting. This week, I started sewing the pieces.

To begin, I sewed darts into the two front pieces, pressing them towards the center. I then sewed the front crotch seam together, stitching over the original seam twice for added strength. I clipped the seams with pinking shears.

I sewed the pocket lining to the pockets, right sides together, keeping two sides open. Once that was finished, I clipped the seam allowances and corners of the waistband fusible interfacing then attached it by placing the glue side to the wrong side of corresponding waistband piece and ironing it directly with a steam iron (not completely sure if this method was supposed to work, but it did).

That's all for today! Next weekend, I'll have the trousers finished. For now, I leave you guys with photos of some recent spring finds - vintage quilted fabric, a wooden trinket box, and other odds and ends.

lula snapshots

Better late than never, right? Nashville finally has Lula Issue Eleven. I grabbed it at Borders as soon as I heard it was in.

Here are some of my favorite images from Issue Eleven, featuring Rodarte's Laura and Kate Mulleavy as guest editors. The entire issue is filled with spring inspiration in the form of paper dolls, 1970s urban style photographs with button up blouses and midi skirts, and all-pink (in a good way, I promise) fashion shoots. One article features Kirsten Dunst in a white dress collection that's all at once elegant and eerie.

This issue's highlight for me? Definitely Sofia Coppola's interview with Milena Canonero, famed costume designer of A Clockwork Orange, Marie Antoinette, and Barry Lyndon.

Sewing Saturday tomorrow! Happy weekend, all.