mixing the wardrobe

The results of some Friday Night Sewing (just in time for Saturday Wearing). Thank you Steve, for waiting until 11pm to start the movie ("I'm just one seam away from a new shirt!", except it never really is just one more seam, is it? Always some other detail I forgot. Thanks for not complaining about that).

The shirt is Built By Wendy pattern #3835, which I finally got around to giving a go (why did I think they weren't available at JoAnn's? But they are. And conveniently found on $1.99 Simplicity pattern days, which I get ridiculously giddy about, even though I rarely buy new patterns. Still. Such a deal! Am I rambling?). This pattern is so clear and easy and I love the fit. I had all sorts of fun floral prints pulled out to make with it, but the reality was that I actually needed a white shirt (something about white not lasting long around here ... I wonder why?). In my stash, I found this crispy white vintage cotton sheeting with a bit of texture (is it poplin? it might be poplin). It's just what I needed. And I'm sure this pattern will be used again in the near future - the idea of not needing to buy any shirts this summer excites me in a silly way.

The skirt is a trace of another one I have.  I wasn't sure exactly how this fabric would work, and given that I have YARDS of it, I was a little lazy in my sewing - basically the trace of a skirt - front and back - and a simple waistband with a rolled hem at the bottom. Simple. Easy. And sooo comfortable. I found this vintage fabric (yes, polyester) at the Salvation Army sale this year - such great colors. And there's even a slight touch of green so I can wear my favorite green boots that I now only save for 'once in a while' since they're getting a bit beat. Perfect - looks like I've decided what to wear tonight for my date with my mother-in-law (who, by the way, I completely lucked out on - she's so lovely), to see Patty Griffin. I can't wait.

And really - taking pictures of yourself? Not so easy. You'd think after two years of blogging, and even with my new nifty remote, I'd have some tricks. But nope, I don't. I just move around trying to find good light (because I barely understand light in photography), and thinking, "I should just put it on a damn hanger to take the picture". I don't know how all you wardrobe remixers do it, really, every single day - but how cool for us that you do.

Most of my shots come out like this. I can't explain it.

Comments

[kristin]

the photos are great as well as the new threads! i absolutely love the shirt. hae fun at the show tonight. sounds like a great night out.

[Jane]

Have a wonderful time tonight!

[erin]

i am working on a different bbw pattern....how did the sizing work on this one? just curious because i find that i have to go down a size or so in her patterns....

you look super cute amanda! i really love the skirt fabric - poly makes for fast sewing, too! have fun tonight!

[Mama Urchin]

It all looks so pretty, even the polyester. Love your braids.

[Heather]

They're both great and I'm SO jealous! The one performer I would like to see would be Patty. You're quilt from last week looks awesome too! And the "You Tube"... we do much the same around our house. If you're interested, we have a video of our daughter feeding her pet snake. I think that your boys would love it and it's a pretty cute commentary by a four year old. I know... feeding snakes mice is not everyone's favorite, but it really is a cool National Geographic type thing. Anyway... the link if you want it http://youtube.com/watch?v=-EhgYuA6C7w. Have a great time tonight!

[Ellie]

Great photos - it looks so lovely and Summery there. (Blustery Winter wind here!). And white shirts, they don't last long here - but I still love wearing them. My sister wears her baby stains (generally leaked milk) proud. Thanks for inspiring me (once again) to get my skirt made - that one looks so super easy and comfy. Enjoy your day.

[heather]

the photos are great amanda! and the new summer items...just yummy. have fun at the show, i've seen her a couple of times, incredible live. what a treat!

[Kelly]

Gorgeous!

[beki]

Great stuff, Amanda! I'm loving that fabric you used for your skirt.

[Julia]

love that skirt fabric. and the shirt style is super cute! (i wonder if they have 1.99 simplicity days at all joanns- hmm). i've been having similar issues taking photos of myself- yours look great!

[Ella]

cute new styles and great with braids! Hmmm Joannes....wish we had that in Canada.

[SOULEMAMA]

Erin - I followed the measurements and went with that size, though I think it was a tiny bit big. I might go a size down next time.

[Madeline R]

I love your braids. And of course the new outfit. I mentioned that my son wants to make a quilt and I don't sew? I found "A Boy and his Quilt", a book we've owned forever that may have planted seeds for this ages ago. It has boy-friendly directions! I am so excited. This may mean getting a new (used) sewing machine which means maybe easy skirts like this in my future. I'll block out my bad history with sewing. thanks for the inspiration.

I agree, self-portraits are super hard (did my first one ever on Sun. and ended up only liking the one that showed a bit of my red hair, one eye and lots of trees).

[Blair]

it looks great amanda, I get giddy about white shirts of all kinds, but I love the sleeve effect on that one. maybe I'll venture into making clothes (again). so nice to see you after talking with you yesterday! xo

[hannah]

why does that bottom picture make me think of calvin? love that top and the skirt is giving me fits. i need new (made by me) skirts for the summer stat.

[denise in c'ville, va]

oh
so
jealous
crafting clothes
female vocals to die for!
good for you

[Laura]

Enjoy Patty Griffin. I saw her in March in San Francisco...so great. Have fun.

[Melissa]

Very pretty! I wish I could sew my own wardrobe - and my baby's, too! :) maybe someday!

[AnnaA]

Pretty! And the braids too! ;)
Tis might be something for you: http://www.burdamode.com/index,1333669,enEN.html

[AnnaA]

Well... Can't spell today... And I ment to say there are downloadable patterns there. For free! :)

[Grace]

I really love the print on the skirt! The top has such a nice line/drape ... very pretty! Great photos, even though I totally sympathize with you about the problem of photographing oneself. That's why we have 5 and 6 year olds, right?! Um, well ... sometimes. ;)

[Lisa Clarke]

I've had my eye on that pattern, but I've only been sewing for 3 weeks and am not sure if I could do it easily... I've been sticking to straight lines as much as possible ;-)

I love the way yours came out - I think I'm going to have to give it a try!

[Kim]

So cute! That's a wear-every-day-till-people-think-that's-all-you-own skirt.

[Cat]

I love that skirt fabric. Just beautiful!! And the braids are awesome. Thanks for continuing to share.

[earthchick]

1. Your blouse is adorable. Simplicity 3835 is my current favorite pattern - it's the simplest, quickest thing I've made. And it always turns out cute! I love your white one. Now I need a white one. :)

2 - Your skirt is fabulous. So sweet.

3 - Your husband is sweet, too, to keep waiting for you before starting the movie. My dh seems to always be waiting on me to finish up some project before starting a DVD, too.

4 - I have the same problem with taking picture of myself, even with a tripod, even with a remote. It's hard! (and I hate to ask others to do it)

5 - Your hair in braids is so cute!

6 - Enjoy Patty Griffin!

[earthchick]

p.s. about sizing with BBW patterns. I have had to go down a size or two with the BBW tops I've made. If I do the size suggested by my measurements they invariably end up too boxy and big.

[T]

I just pre ordered your book on amazon. I am so looking forward to getting it.

[katie]

You and your new outfit are both the cutest! I made the same top out of a vintage sheet, too. Here's mine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/prudencerabbit/484555150/

[Plumtickled]

Made the same top for myself.... except I can't wear mine! I guess I didn't trust the instructions and made my sleeves too tight and also didn't do the ever important fitting around the hips before cutting it all out! Yours ....... awesome! Have fun tonight!

[molly]

okay, i love the outfit, and that last picture is too cute with your braids, but we need to talk about patty--my all time fave, always in my CD player-artist! Have an awesome time. Give us a full report, please. oh, i'm so jealous.

[Molly]

I love the outfit!

And, yay to wonderful mother in laws! My own, well, the one I'll have in a month and a half, is FABULOUS. So, so lucky. :)

[Addie]

Been lurking for a while... Thanks for the inspiration! I've started sewing again (getting ready for baby) and even opened my own (humble) Etsy shop and made my very first sale yesterday. Love, Addie

[Z]

Wonderful!

[blossom]

so cute! i love the top especially. i think i have that pattern! must try it soon.

[shari]

a beautiful outfit. enjoy the patti griffin show. i took, well i tried to take, a self portrait today and the results were funny. maybe i'll post one. xo

[Stefani]

Superstar in braids! You rock, sister :-)

[Dawn]

The top is lovely and the skirt is really pretty. You look fantastic. Love the boots too. I actually did not know you could buy Built by Wendy at Joann's...so awesome. I think you did a great job of taking photos of yourself. You really do look gorgeous...hope you had fun tonight. xo

[Cindy]

Wow, love that skirt and top too! I love your blog and mostly I love how you love your kids and it shows so beautifully.

[kate]

way fun fabric on the skirt, good find!!

[QueenMum]

shirt looks better on you than on the model in the package -- cheers