Sew Retro

I have been consumed with finding the perfect retro inspired dress.  I have a few old fashioned threads, sweater sets, and curve hugging pencil skirts…but still I am not satisfied.  I decided the only way to have the dress is to make it myself.

How hard could this be afterall?  I designed and made very complicated  costumes while working in the costume studio at Texas A&M so surely I can make a simple dress, right?

 

I found the pattern, a nice easy one, actually turned out to be the dress I was searching for.   I chose Butterick 6015.  The rumor around the blogs is it is the “walk away dress” because it is so easy that you can “start the project after breakfast and walk away in it by tea time”.  Well translate “tea time” to “happy
hour” and I am up for the challenge.

I did not want to spend too much on this since I am a little rusty on my sewing skills.  Also, a pattern?  I have not read or worked with a pattern since Home Ec in High School.  At A&M and after I did not really follow a pattern, they intimidated me so I designed and built my patterns with cheap fabric.  I ended up finding the pattern on the cheap and got some broadcloth at Joann’s while it was on sale for 1.99 (and then I had a 20% off coupon for sale items…SCORE!!!!)  So after a few more trips to the fabric store for “forgotten” supplies, I was ready to go.

I carefully read the instructions on the pattern then made adjustments along the way.   I laid out the pattern and fabric, diligently placed the pins, and began to cut.  I chose to make the dress in the largest size, 2 sizes too big (according to my store bought clothing).  I thought this would give enough wiggle room in-case the sizes ran small and also because of cheap fabric, for shrinkage.  Plus, really?  This was a trial run and the most I would use it would be as a house dress for chores.

There were only 3 pieces, the back skirt piece was to be used twice.  Not hard at all.  After cutting, I pinned and attatched the peices. 

I could not wait.  I had to try it on.  IT WAS TOO SMALL??????  HTHeck?  I was either not careful enough with my measurements or the sizing was wonkie.  So I guess I have a cool dress when I loose more weight. 

I am not adding the finishing touches right now.  I am going to buy some better fabric and make adjustments and make one that will fit.  I saw some nice fabric that was not too costly at Hancock yesterday so I have an idea of what I will be using.  The dress is really more of a summer dress so I have plenty of time to figure this out. 

I am heading out today to figure out what I am making for Jordan’s (my 13 going on 30 y/o niece) room.  While I am at Joann I am going to look for some fabric for a skirt I have my eye on.  I sure hope the sizing works out better.  it is another easy pattern so maybe I will have something new to wear by the weekend.  LOL

Tiffany

Curtains, FINALLY

So I never made it back with the big reveal of my new curtains / window treatment.  I am just not good at keeping my work when it comes to blogging.  I think it because I know there really isn’t anyone reading my blog just yet…but on I will go.

So, as I posted, I could not find a pattern or even a photo of the kind of window treatment that I had so firmly planted in my mind.  I had to design, build the frame, and sew as I went.  Some things worked, other things worked better.  I started off making a “frame” out of wire hangers.  That worked just fine for construction but not for a permanent fixture, which is fine….when I was learning in the costume studio at Texas A&M’s Theatre Dept (yes, we had a theatre dept, small as it was) we always made “mock-ups” and used those as a pattern for the final piece.  I then designed the cloth portion around the wire frame, sewing and pinning as I went.  I can not even begin to type out “steps” because it was so trial and error.  Whatever, the finished product makes me smile every time I walk into my room.

The window is also covered with oak stained blinds.  I do not really like these but looking from the outside, towards the house, I prefer all of the front windows to  have the same color.  Our formal living room, as well as our formal dinning room have the same blinds.  I am kinda stuck with em.  It works out OK since I have an old oak sewing table I am using for my sewing machine and it is right in front of the window.

Here is a close up.  I finished the curtains with some medium sized pom poms and pink ribbon (to hide the seam lines…the material was not wide enough and I had to add two panels).

I wanted a “awning” effect.  I think it worked out nicely.

I had some material left over so I made a chair cover to hide the gross blue of the office chair I have had forever.  The chair is comfortable and practical so I really did not want to replace it.  I am also making a cushion for Belle Starr with leftover material.  She has already claimed her piece of fabric and spot in the room.

Thanks for looking.

Tiffany

Off to Home Depot

My plans to “blog” more regularly got a bit sidelined last week.  I was off scouring the metroplex used furniture and antique shops, looking for a cute desk and something to put my TV on and had to cut it short because I started feeling a bit weird.  I do not know if I was really sick or just the side effects of my LC way of eating (that is a subject for a different post).  Anyway, for the rest of the week I was a bit bla and nothing got done.  I did loose 4 pounds, however 🙂

I am still making great progress on the new room.  Yesterday I started with my curtains / window treatment.  I could not find a pattern for my vision, so I designed, built the frame / skeleton, and sewed as I went.  I really like the result, so far, but the frame is a bit flimsy so I am off to Home Depot for another option.

I also started on a cover for my desk chair.  I got the top looking really cute but I ran out of fabric….so off to Hobby Lobby, too.  Good thing they have another 40% off coupon this week.

I think David will forgive me for going to HD without him since I would also be dragging him to HL.  He said he does not mind going to Michael’s with me but draws the line at HL and Joann’s.

I will post a photo of my super cute curtains and chair cover later today….well I hope.  I have to get them completed, first.

Tiffany

Little by Little

It is getting there, little by little.  I am only moving ONE room away but it is taking quiet awhile to do it.  I am on day 2 of moving.  Yesterday I got the big cube shelves and a few little ones moved, along with the glass containers, etc.  THAT is what takes so long…ALL THAT GLASS.

I love my little containers, however.  Most are the different sizes of old fashioned candy jars from Hobby Lobby.  Others are unique shaped jars I have found at antique and second hand shops.  These are great for keeping so many things in.  You can see what is inside and they are really cute, too.  So functional and pretty.

Anyway, since they are glass, I am being extra careful not to break anything.

I am so glad that I took so many pictures before I started moving everything.  There are some things, like how the shelves are set up, that I would like to mimic in the new room.

I have a terrible memory so pictures will really come in handy.

I found a used small cabinet while garage saleing the other day.  Iwas already white, clean, and in good shape.  I love fixing up old things but this needed nothing…absolutly noting done to it.  Well…Hobby Lobby DOES have thier decorative knobs on sale this week so I might change those out.  I love the shape and the backing on this cabinet.  All of the Stampin’ Up! and misc stamps I have collected fit perfect.  The little doors can hide the extra stamp pads and other supplies.

I got that cute little pink fan at Hobby Lobby, too…but all it is good for is being cute because it only works for about 15 minutes per battery change.  As you might have guessed, I only bought it because it is PINK!!!!

OH!!! This little white shelf on the very top was a “re-do”.  I got it at a second hand store.  It started out jet BLACK and had all kinds of little sections.   I removed some of the dividers, sanded, painted, and THOUGHT I would add photos and other odds and ends to create a knock-off 7Gypsies Printer Tay project, still might do that…but for now it holds all off my misc stamps perfectly.

Ok…enough goofing off for now.  I have glass to move.

Tiffany

Sprucin’ up the old joint….

David, my wonderful husband, decided that I need a bigger room for my crafting, scrapbooking, sewing, etc so we are painting the front spare bedroom to get ready for me to move all my “goodies” in.  It will be so nice to have a big space to spread out and lay pretty fabric out.  Everything will have a spot, my art supplies, books, scrap goodies, and FINALLY a DEDICATED spot for my sewing machine to stay out and ready.  I have big plans for the sewing machine.

The previous owners had painted this room a YUCKY blueish / Greenish color.  We do not really know what this color is or why anyone would choose such an ugly shade.  Lack of taste, no dought.  Their is no getting around it, the color is U. G. L. Y!!!!  We have one coat already and you can still see the blue / green.  We are hoping it will not take more than two coats. 

 

We are painting it Bridal Veil white.  I love the name of that color.  I love everything about weddings so it fits.  I would REALLY like a pink room but I think white will be better.  I have a ton of pink accesories so this way nothing clashes.

I found some old socket plates that I bought a long time ago to dress up an old apartment that I lived in.  Since I never throw anything away, I knew they were packed away some place.  I found them right off and spray painted them white.  David dug out two old crystal door knobs that will be put on the closet and entry door.  Once all of this is complete, it will be ready to move in my shelving, funitute, etc. 

For now, we are leaving the carpet.  It would be nice to have hard woods in here but this is the best looking carpet in the entire house so I would like to replace flooring in other rooms.  The carpet actually looks semi new in here…and with Belle Starr sharing a room, it is easier to contain all that hair with carpet.  I had hard woods in the Town House, and I could never keep all that fuzz under control. 

I am going to document this process on here so stay tunned….

In the meantime, here is a cute LO I did from our very first Home Improvment project.  We painted our hallway when we returned from our honeymoon in Hawaii, last year.

Tiffany

Sharing some work

Now that I have started this blog, I really have nothign to say.  IDK how that can be possible, I always seem to have so many opinions, most of them changing as often as I change clothes.  Until I can come up with something profound to say, I will just share some of my scrapbook pages.  My style is rather simple, I prefer clean lines as opposed to the popular “bulky” style.  I seem to enjoy buying all the pretty flowers, embellishements, and what-nots rather than using them.  I tend to focus on the titles, journaling, and photos to tell my stories.

This one says a lot about me.

As cheesie as this layouy it, it says that I enjoy being an old fashioned housewife.  I actually enjoy taking care of the home so David does not have to worry about it.  He knows he will always have a nicely ironed shirt for work and a hot meal when he gets home. 

Speaking of taking care of a home, have you heard of The Fly Lady?  She has a website that really helps you “fly” thru your day.  Daily routines and tasks to keep everything neat and tidy and on schedule.  Take a look.  http://www.flylady.com/

Have a great day,

Tiffany

New Blog….same old Girlie Girl

I have decided to start a new blog, away from Diamond Events by Tiffany.  I have avaoided posting just everyday things on the Event blog and in turn have really not posted much at all.  This blog will be used to just chit chat about every day things….and those who know me, KNOW that means alot of scrapbooking and paper art stuff.  Hopefully I can share some fun projects. 

My other love is shopping for good deals so I hope I can pass some good deals along, too. 

Tiffany