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 :)

This Is Not A Cat Free Zone!

I thought I would do a bit of a post about pet safety in the sewing room.
I have to make sure my pins are secure and my scissors are put away. All very nice toys. I actually found his sister with a needle dangling  out of her mouth. She had swallowed the thread and the needle was dangling from her mouth. Thankfully I found her just in time! I now put everything under cover. So think about cat safety in your sewing room. They are slick little devils! Pincushions are pretty handy.. to us and them.
No matter what time of day I head to the basement sewing room. Today I have a Helper. He is very snoopy and always gets in the way.
He has his own special way of letting me know something is OK. Here he is inspecting an outfit I'm working on. I think I got his approval to proceed.

Thankfully despite all his help, I was able to finish up.

Here is the approved project.

Later All! Enjoy your weekend!

Bunny and Alex

One Hundred Items Goal

I have an Etsy store I'm trying to make a go at. Every indication is that people like what I make, but no actual buyers yet. Not sure what I'm doing wrong as yet. But the grapevine says volume is what I need. So I have been a very busy bee in my little basement sewing room. I have even decided to add some little girls outfits to the mix. I think I have finally found my calling. I love mixing and matching thrift-store finds to make something new. I tried to put together a tutorial but none of my outfits ever turns out the way I first plan. The fabric starts to talk to me and it dictates what it wants to become. So here are some of my latest projects. Maybe someday if I can stay on tract I'll put a tutorial together.

This was made from a very comfy old hoodie my mom gave me. I cut off the bottom and cut up some t-shirts I found. Oh to find more pretty periwinkle purple t-shirts.. my favorite color! They are hard to find.

I loved making this dress. I used some wonderful heirloom linens my Grandmother gave me that I knew I would never use. Here is a picture of the back.

I think it would make a sweet summer country wedding dress... don't you?

Here is a little girls top I made from the bottom of the hoodie.

I can just see this with some cute leggings and girls cowboy boots!
Too bad I don't have any granddaughters..... yet!

A friend of mine took this picture of her daughter wearing my black velvet creation. Spooky and elegant at the same time. I get lots of lookie loos for this on my Etsy site. It really needs to go home with someone!

Anyway, I have been having the time of my life making all these crazy creations. I can only hope that someday they make me the living I'm wanting so bad.

Bunny

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!

Tattered Table Cloth Skirt

My last day before I start school again. Sigh... I was having so much fun in my sewing room. I have been working on a new skirt for my Etsy site. It is made from an old tablecloth I had in my hope chest. It had a hole in the middle and I decided to just tear it open all the way. I decided to fold the torn part over to make a little apron and do a little painting and applique. I think it looks pretty nice. I have been making most skirts wrap around but I decided to do this one with an elastic waist.

So here it is. I had the most fun! I used a fabric dye to do some painting and an old cotton table cloth for the skirt.  I figure it will need to be washed in cold water and no dryer from now on.

Here is the finished skirt.

Here is a close up.

I should have it on Etsy soon.