Bed Sheet Dresses: Inspecting Your Sheet

I guess this applies to all vintage or used fabric, the whole inspection before making regimen. 

Above I have some photos of a bed sheet I picked up at the thrift store. As you can see it has some pin sized holes and some tearing. I always check things over at the store but totally missed this. Glad I do a more thorough look-over at home. Sure wouldn't be fun to cut out my pieces only to find the fabric damaged.

When I bring home thrift store sheets I have a routine: Wash, iron (checking over the whole sheet carefully), then mark any damaged spots with a scrap of paper, (as you see in photo 2). I loosely set out my pattern pieces, giving you an idea how nicely the damaged parts show up.

Hope this was of some help. I just started this bed sheet dress today and can't wait to show you when it's done.

Later Dudes and Dudettes ;}

Spoonflower.com Fabric

Sweet mother of god! Look at these fabrics!

Favorite game retro

Star Trek inspired

Want to see more? Continue after the break.

The Great Search for the Breakfast at Tiffany's Hat

Top it all off

I know you've seen it, the famous Breakfast at Tiffany's hat. I just love Audrey Hepburn and her hat don't you?

visualize us

Where can I find one for myself? The search begins.... (read more?)

Skirts at Shabby Apple

When finding inspiration for a next sewing project, I like to mosey through the online clothing aisles to find things I love. Today the objective is beautimous skirts at Shabby Apple.

The Crosswalk Skirt


My favorite skirt at Shabby Apple has to be this one, The Crosswalk skirt. I love the the whole look especially the chevron pattern. 

Freshman Year Skirt

This one's cute with that flirty little pleat action. Another style to store away for future reference.

Lost at Sea Skirt

I didn't think I was a big fan of stripes but there's something about the way the pockets stripe opposite from the rest. The style is of the skirt is fun.

What inspires you when selecting your next project?

Swagger List: Betsey Johnson

Betsey

Betsey Johnson has been rock'en the fashion world for some time now. With her unique design, use of color and prints, she combines fun and femininity. She's on the list of inspiring artists for me and a reminder to not forget to take risks.

Betsey Beauties

When starting a new dress I have to sometimes remind myself to use elements that speak to me. Things like color, interesting fabric prints, or fun style elements. (Read on...)

Swagger List: Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius

I'm not sure if you followed the summer Olympics but this guy, Oscar Pistorius is amazing!

The Blade Runner

South African Runner

Okay, I know it's a Oakley commercial, but still inspiring. Some people remind us to reach high with what we got and believe we can. Way to go Pistorius! 

Watch a video on his story here.

Alex Clare: Too Close

I like surprises, (well the right kind that is), and this man's a surprise in a good way. If you've never heard this song or seen the video, close your eyes the first time and just listen. Then re-play.

What do you think? Were you surprised?

Word of the Day: Musicphile

A person who thoroughly enjoys listening to a wide selection of music, and varied musical genres.

                                   -- Urban Dictionary

Musicphile-- Is this really a legitimate word? I thought the definition above would better describe the word "audiophile" but when looking up "audiophile" it seems it is more related to quality of sound than actual music itself.

What are your thoughts?

Knitting Animation: Knitting Clay

Knitting Animation: The Last Knit

Have you guys seen this animated short film? I just love knitting animation!

Moment of the Day: The Dog Ate My Homework

A list of captions come to mind:

1. Reason's why you don't fall asleep (with your puppy) during puppy training.

2. The book didn't include a chew toy.

3. A puppy's review.

What would your caption be?

Reese's Popsicles

Cooling down in the summer can be fun! We made a little extra Reese's milkshake stuff and made some popsicles for later. I found these cute little Jelly Belly popsicle makers at Target and we've been trying all sorts of different popsicles this summer. To the milkshake mix, I squeezed a little heresy's syrup on top, which didn't work out like I planned. It just sank to the bottom and didn't freeze but, (not surprisingly), nobody complained. :}

Magic Bullet Reese's Milkshake

The kids and I made peanut butter and chocolate milkshakes today. Have to say they turned out delicious. You can make them too. All you need is vanilla ice-cream, peanut butter, chocolate syrup, and milk. Add the ingredients to your liking then blend away. I used the Magic Bullet but any blender will work.

What's your favorite milkshake?

Did You Know: Fat-Free Salads Can Be BAD

Source

Did you know, having no fat in your salad actually diminishes the benefit of eating vegetables? Read here about how fat free dressing can be unhealthy.

If you are doing a celebration dance thinking how you're going to pile the fats on your next salad, slow your roll! And... read up about fats. There's good and bad ones you know, plus, there's a limit. Don't just have a few lettuce leaves swimming in a lake of dressing. Take a look at just now much fat is needed to get those nutritional benefits.

(You may continue your celebration dance now.) ;}

Related Reading:

Reduced Salad Dressing

Bad Low-Fat Dressing

Dietary Fat is Necessary

Trashy Diva's Rocket Dress

Sci-Fi Rockets print

I'm just crazy about print fabrics! A certain print can just turn a dress into something amazing and unexpected. Like this dress from Trashy Diva:

Word of the Day: Gabbler

Noun: One who gabbles; a prater; a noisy, silly, or incoherent talker.

-Wordnik

Patt-O-Rama 8320 Continued

Peeking around in the Patt-O-Rama patterns I found two more that have a similar look as the 8320 shirt dress pattern I like so well.

It seems Patt-O-Rama specialized in half-sizes and larger sizes. These two were too large but it's still nice to see more possibilities.

And the search continues... ... ...

The Magic Bullet

The Magic Bullet

Not sure if you heard of the Magic Bullet before. We have one and I have to say it's one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. I've made pesto, smoothies and milkshakes, plus grind my coffee beans. It comes with these individual cups that plug right into the machine making clean up easy and the amount you make exactly the amount you need.

Pretty awesome gadget! I'll be posting some home recipes in the near future so come back and visit.

The Great Search for the Patt-O-Rama Dress

Vintage Patt-O-Rama 8320 Pattern

Well, it's the way it always works doesn't it! Some Murphy's law or something. You find a vintage pattern you adore and it's not in your size. Frankly, pattern re-sizing freaks me out, plus I'm lazy. Yeah, I said it. Lazy with a capital L. I just want to take out my pattern and begin making, not mess around with the abracadabra equations and all the hokus-pokus it takes to re-size a pattern. Maybe I'm not desperate enough or maybe my pattern illiteracy is showing through, and re-sizing isn't as bad as I believe? Maybe I'm just hungry for a good ol' fashioned hunt. I need to work off my irritation at not finding what I want with sleuthing out substitutions.

Well, whatever the reason may be, I welcome you to join me in the great search for the Patt-O-Rama dress pictured above. I love a good mystery and if you do too read more below.

Day After Day Dress in Bluebird

Day After Day ModCloth Bluebird Dress

I've had this thing lately about the simple day dress. You know, just something that you can wear everyday, casual enough to not look super fancy. Something I can chase my three sons around in. Something that's not going to slow me down (they're fast!) but looks stylish and makes me feel feminine.

This dress would be just the thing. Not too flashy. Perfectly casual. And elegant. I love it-- just know it would go great with blue Dr. Martens, (which I don't have), so I'd have to settle with my navy canvas shoes. ;}

So I'm off to find a pattern and do some dress "dabbling" so to speak. (The word "dabbling" actually has a whole different meaning than "dabbler". It is more in line with ducks than with tinkering, just to be clear I'm not speaking of ducks. Just know you were thinking that.)

Toot-a-loo :} 

Boots From Across The Water

These I bought used from Germany. Barely worn and with their interesting look, they were a steal.  They are, in my opinion, my most unusual pair of docs.

Hone Your Crafting Dress

Hone Your Crafting ModCloth Dress

Dresses are like art, they can inspire you. I guess all clothes in general can be seen this way.

This dress is a package of creative dynamite! I get a ton of ideas flowing just admiring the style, the details, the fabric. This is a dress that can look a million different ways, (changed fabric, colors, maybe even a patchwork design?), and continue to spark new ideas.

Lets make a deal. I'll keep my eye out for a similar pattern to work off of and you... well, whoever finds the pattern first wins. :}

Adina: Dr. Marten Beauty

These are the showiest pair of boots I own. Most Doc's come with a name that you can find on the tounge. Adina is the name of this boot. It's also vintage old stock.

Bygone Days Dress in Bake Off

Bygone Days in Bake Off ModCloth Dress

That's a long name to give a dress!

I sure do love this style and the vintage looking print, so fun. This is such an rousing project! If any of you smart people out there have any ideas on what pattern to use or where to find fabric like this... well you know... don't keep it a secret.

Want more peeks at the dress look here.

Red Leather Super Boots

These are my superhero boots. They're the tallest ones I have and I'm sure they have superpowers.

Frames and Fortune Dress

Frames and Fortune ModCloth Dress

I got my eye on you! Okay... a bit cheesy I know but come on, take a look at this dress! It's enough to make anyone loose their marbles.

Think I have a pattern pretty close to this style so the challenge would be the fabric. I'll keep my eyes peeled for glasses fabric... or maybe not. That sounds pretty gross now I think about it.

Brown Leather and Stitching

These are the only pair of doc's I've bought bran-spanking new. The online shoe store was having a sale and I broke down.

Black Swirls and Skulls: The X-Files Boots

These guys are my second favorite. They're so darn comfy and the design is awesome. I also found these on eBay, one of those "bought them and wore them a couple of times" deals. They were pretty much bran-new, with tags and box, at half the cost. In fact...

Phoenix Sunrise Dress

Phoenix Sunrise ModCloth Dress

Where do they come up with the the names for these dresses? Have to say I love it. The fabric on this is fabulous! I'd have to change the strapless thing though. (I have a bit of a phobia of my boobs popping out  at the most opportune moment. Not that I have so much to worry about, so who knows what my problem is?)

Remember, pattern recommendations would be much appreciated.

'Til the Gals Come Home Dress

Til the Gals Come Home ModCloth Dress

Lets face it ModCloth is awesome. I get a towel handy when visiting their site for my serious drooling problems.

If you would like to look at this beauty in more detail look here, and if you can happen to know of a pattern replicating this dress, spill the beans... please. ;}

Deep Purple Dr. Martens

The first pair of Doc's I'd like to show you are my favorite at the moment. I say favorite because I seem to reach for them more than  the others.

A Fabulous ModCloth Dress

ModCloth: Drinks on Me Dress

Are you drooling yet? Think I'm getting drunk looking at this doozy! The price though... ouch!

If you'd like to take a look at it on ModCloth click here. (Not to say it isn't worth it but unfortunately my pockets are filled with lint, not cash.) So I'm going to do the next best thing, dream a little dream and look for a similar pattern to make it myself, or at least, get as close as I can.

Do you have any pattern suggestions? Sure love to hear them.

Obsessions/Collections: Doc Martens

I LOVE Dr. Martens! I mean really love them, and I've acquired quite a few-- enough to be considered a collection. I'd like to share my collection with you this week. To kick things off, I'll leave you with this fun drawing my son made for my favicon. (Been having some problems with it showing up so hopefully it is there.)

Do you own a pair of Dr. Martens?

Protecting Your Patterns

I use comic book protectors to store my patterns, then tuck them away in a small filing cabinet after use. The comic book protecters come in two parts a backing board, (the white part), and the plastic sleave. I hate trying to stuff pattern pieces back in the original envelope so I just slide them behind the backing board and can still view my pattern. I love using vintage patterns which I feel need the extra protection and am very happy with this system.

How do you keep your patterns?