A Beautiful Mess

I got an email from Cynthia at Altered Couture Magazine the other day. She was asking for submissions for next year. I always panic a bit thinking there is no way I can produce anything good enough. But then I always give it a go and try anyway.
I love scrappy fairy skirts but honestly hate the process. I over think things to the point where I have so many unfinished projects laying around. But I finally found a formula for making them in a reasonable amount of time without my OCD ADD Bipolar personality kicking in. ( oh yah, I'm a mess but only if you can hear the voices in my head. Muwahhahahaha)

Ok, down to earth again. Sigh... maintain soldier!

I started with this....

Scraps of linens, lace, hankies, doilies... what ever I just couldn't throw away. I"m such a pack rat.
I cut a big square of printed muslin and cut a really long spiral out of it. Then I started sewing the scraps along the strip of muslin until I had a really long strip of all these scraps.

I had a lined skirt I had cut the outer layer almost all off. It still had maybe 8 inches left along with the complete top of the skirt.
I started at the bottom of the lining and pinned the strip in a spiral pattern until I got to the top just under the skirt. I turned under the skirt and sewed through all the layers. It turned out very nice If I say so myself.

Here is the beautiful mess in the sewing machine...

And the finished product.

I hope Altered Couture likes it! It will eventually be in my Etsy store. Oh, and it is a size 12.

Cheers!!

Inspiration to Lose Weight!

I made this little frock the other day and it seems to be a favorite view on my Etsy site. I even took it apart a few times before I felt it was just right. I so wish I could fit it it myself. It is made with a Tommy Bahama silk button up the front shirt and a women's green cotton plaid. The top is a brown khaki cotton with some pretty vintage lace sewn down. I used another vintage lace and some silk ribbon for around the middle.

Hopefully it won't last long.

Custom Work

I was so excited to get my second order from my Etsy store. A stranger this time. I feel like I might actually make it. Still tons of work to do to get noticed!!! But my customer also wanted another dress. She gave me free reign. (I hate free reign). I of course stressed big time. What if she didn't like what I made? These dresses look easy. Just sew a bunch of scraps together. No such luck. There is at least 8 hours of hard work in each of these two. That doesn't count my date with the seam ripper..... twice. The blue one I actually tore down twice before I was happy.

Here is the second one I made.

I made a sweet little flower from the collar of one of the blouses used in the skirt. I thought it turned out pretty well.

She liked the blue one. So the pink one is now available for sale!!!

Back to the basement :)

Steampunk Sexy Librarian Dress

Ok, so that is quite a title. But I was thinking it would fit that category on my Etsy site. Anyway, my newest creation or re-creation.

I had the BEST time making this dress. I thought about it for quite a few days. I was originally going to do the cutout a little differently but it just wouldn't do what I wanted. So I sewed strips of old sheer curtains and my most favorite table cloth. My dogs when they were puppies had torn a hole in it and I have kept it trying to decide how to fix it. I used strips of it in the center. It looks so much better in real time. My camera phone does not do it justice. It is a size 8. I just have to sew down the lace on the shoulders and then off to my Etsy site it goes. I just wish I could make a living doing this. I could do it all day. Way too much fun!

Enjoy!

Upcycled Fun

Well, I have been a bit busy. I have been having way too much fun doing some upcycling with a bunch of clothes I found at the second hand store. Here is my latest creation finished. My camera is terrible with color. I had to tweek the color a bit. This picture almost has it right on! My etsy site it looks pretty drab. Maybe someday I'll get a big girl camera.

I added some pretty antique lace I have had forever and a cute batik and lace skirting in the back.

Too bad it is a small. I would sooooo wear this! but alas, I'm not quite the right size. So I put it in my Etsy store. Curious Orange Cat Etsy Store I can't wait to get back to the sewing room. So many ideas so little time.

Here is another creation. It is a very whimsical skirt made from scraps of an old table cloth, antique lace, silk ribbon. Even some old linings from some really nice cashmere coats. Not sure what to do with them just yet.
But check it out!

Again, a size small. This is the back.

I had way too much fun making this!
Can't wait to get back to my sewing room.
Later!