The Super Tote: School Edition

Last October I made my first version of the Super Tote by Anna Graham (check her shop out over at Noodlehead). The Whale Super Tote has seen some major action over the last 8 months and has performed so beautifully that I decided to make myself a new version to use as my school bag since I'm going back after a long hiatus.

I had a really nice, heavy weight canvas in my stash as well as a single yard of the writing print. As soon as I started to cut everything out I knew that piping needed to be involved...and then that evolved into needing 4 colors of piping. My sister is addicted to Ric Rac and I just can't quit piping. We are suckers for adding extra detail and flair.

Anyway, what you can't see in the picture is that the canvas is subtly quilted (I used Soft & Natural...my favorite!) to give even more detail along with the pops of color that match the colors on the lining fabric. I realize that the colors are slightly reminiscent of the 80s and make me think of waterfall bangs and stacked socks but what the heck, I'm a child of that era so it works!

Some projects are just fun to sew and this is definitely one of them. It's one of those patterns with clear instructions and well marked pattern pieces that ends with consistent results.  I absolutely LOVE this bag and can't wait to use it. It also definitely got me out of my sewing funk so hopefully more finished projects will be coming soon!

This is the front of the bag and has a pocket

This is the back of the bag...the pink piping is vintage!

This is the inside...there's a small pocket and elastic for my Bento or water bottle. 

Front pocket

The recessed zipper is definitely one of my favorite features of this bag.

The pictures make the bag look wrinkled...it's really not. 

Closet Flashback: Simplicity 2587 Upcycled Version

I made this dress about 2 1/2 years ago to wear to the pool in the muggy heat in Virginia. It's made out of an old tablecloth and is fully lined with a sheet. It was kind of an experiment dress so the fabric wasn't my primary focus. The dress has (of course) an invisible zipper and hidden side pockets. You can see the original post here which has additional pictures of the back and inside of the dress. I decided go a different route today and instead of posting a picture of my silly mug, I shot the dress with what I'd actually wear it with. Some funky jewelry from Etsy and my fav cardi and wedges!

Colette Patterns: My First Hazel Dress

I had so much fun making this dress. It was just one of those projects that came together beautifully and didn't require any adjustments, fussing or seam ripping! I cut my regular size for the bodice but used the size 18 for the skirt to give it extra fullness. I've seen other people around the internet use the same technique and I definitely prefer the way the skirt hangs with the extra fabric vs. cutting your regular size. 

The skirt has pockets too! 

This was an interesting project for me because I think it might be the first dress that I've ever made that has been totally unlined…gasp…even if a project doesn't call for lining I usually neurotically do it anyway. 

I had fun sewing in my "Straight from my Stash" label that I got from Etsy.

I got my money's worth outta my serger on this project…this dress has officially almost been serged to death!

I learned a new technique for finishing off an invisible zipper using a facing. Very cool. The folks over at Colette Patterns really put some nice touches on this design.

Narrow hem…and serged seams...YAY!

This is just a shot of the skirt and bodice detail. I bought the pattern just for the V design in the front. 

I already have the material for two more versions on the way from fabric.com. I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out and it's a fun bonus that this fabric matches my fedora. I actually bought the fabric from G-Street before I moved to Texas. It was on the clearance table for $2 a yard. I love when things come together like that!

My one qualm with this pattern is the darts…I may just need to get my ham out again and take them to task.   As of now though, they kind of, sort of make things look a bit like an 80s Madonna flashback if you catch my drift. 

Closet Flashbacks: Vogue 8469 in Polka Dots

I made this quick and easy Vogue pattern a few years back and still love how it turned out. It's made from a black quilting cotton with tiny white polka dots. This was one of those great projects where the pattern fit me perfectly with absolutely NO modifications!

This was taken when I was already running late and was trying to get a picture before all my curls fell out (I failed).

I'd been wearing the dress for several hours so please ignore the askew belt and wrinkles!



This is the type of cheesy picture you get when you are in a random parking lot where people are waiting for your parking space.

This is one of the few dresses I've made that actually has a lapped zipper...Now I only use invisible zips! 

Constellation Miette Skirt

I have a closet full of dresses. There's nothing wrong with that but I felt like I needed to branch out and expand my wardrobe in a new direction. I have no idea how I happened upon the Miette Skirt pattern from Tilly and the Buttons (http://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/) but I'm so glad that I did...you can buy it here by the way ;)

 

 

I had great intentions of wearing this on the 4th of July and taking wonderful pictures in it with the cows out at the ranch...the skirt is red, white and blue and covered in stars BUT when I walked out of the house that morning cotton felt too hot so I chickened out and wore performance gear instead.

Now that July is almost half over, I thought it was time to finally take some pictures. Nothing quite worked out as intended for these shots but you get the idea.

 

 

One of my favorite features of the skirt and a very necessary one, is the overlapping fabric in the back. It keeps things from getting scandalous when the wind blows which it does all the time here in Texas. Also, the pockets on the front have a hint of ease to make it easier to put your hands and keys or whatever else into.   

At the last minute I sewed a funny label into the waistband thus the double line of red stitches on the bottom. It makes me laugh every time I see it.

 



I think what really pulls the skirt together is the red piping along the pockets and the red top stitching. As it was all coming together I kept catching myself giggling because I was smitten with the color/pattern/piping combo and knew it was going to turn out perfectly!

 

 

The skirt is very easy to sew, doesn't require any buttons or zippers and sizing is forgiving. I've been looking for a wrap skirt like this for years and I LOVE how my first one turned out. My serger made finishing the seams quick and easy and the only modifications I did was to make a narrower hem on the edges and bottom of the skirt. This pattern is worth every penny! I think my next version will be in a dark denim or light chambray with redrafted or inseam pockets. 

 

 



Amy Butler - Cabo Halter

Yup....I made another Amy Butler pattern and once again I love it! This is a super easy halter top pattern with a lined bodice and invisible zipper. I really like how it fits long torso people like myself and that it could easily be converted into a tank top or sundress. I've made 3 already (one was a prototype) and I've had the pattern for less than a week. The materials for both halters cost me less than $10 too so that is an added bonus. It doesn't take a lot of fabric so it's a great way to use up small yardage long lost in the back of your stash. My only problem is that I ran out of zippers!