dressy a-line

Today has been a snow day.  The building where I work was closed so I have been home doing things that I never seem to get a chance to do.  I did some cleaning.  I got some letterpress plates ordered and a bit of other computer work.  I mended for a couple hours.  And I finished this dress.

I saw a dress from France in this shape.  They did it in wool with a lot of interesting applique.  It was a bit much for me but I liked the concept in a simpler fashion.  I went into my stash and found a work in progress that has been that way for years.  The shape and curve are straight from the dress from France.  

I added a sparkly button on the back.  It makes me happy.

I lovely dressy dress.  Life is good.

sleeved a-line

I am still feeling like crud but I got this dress finished.  I can sit at a sewing machine especially with much tea and rests.

I played with the a-line dress pattern I have been making and added sleeves.  The first muslin I made pulled badly over my chest.  But this one did not.  I added three quarter length sleeves and modified the bodice and arm holes to take the sleeves.

I would have gotten a picture of me in it but my official picture taker has been under the weather.  I just know I like it.  I will have to make myself more.  I have a few dresses that I think we end up in this shape.  It is exciting.

newest pinny

This is my newest pinny.  I really like it.  It is linen and made from two previous projects.  Talk about about repurposing!  A skirt and a towel.  The skirt was actually a dress at one point.  This is my life.

We went and talked knives with one of my Beloved's customers tonight.  It was a good time and we were out much too late for a work night.  It is going to be interesting tomorrow.

a weekend of figuring out

I have been spending time at my sewing machine figuring out the best way to put sleeves on my a-line dresses.  I am liking this style greatly.  It fits well under a sweater or a pinny.  I can do anything I really want to do in them.  I feel lovely and elegant.  Since we do not have a full length mirror, I am not sure how they really look, only how I feel.  

I think I have the sleeves figured out.  My Beloved laughed at me because it means I will have two new dresses.  One with sleeves and one without.  The one without is from the first test not working out quite right.  It pulled funny across my chest.  I recut the sleeves and bodice a bit.  When I finish the sleeved version, the true test is trying it on.  Let us hope it works!

It has been a weekend of boys under the weather.  My Beloved is still healing.  He is better then last weekend but the dizzies are still around.  Small Mister has a cold.  I had a lap full of small boy most of the morning.  Lately, as soon as he is awake it is "OUTSIDE!"  We have not heard that today.  It has been a good weekend on the whole.  

tunic top

The latest issue of Taproot magazine had a pattern for a tunic top in it.  I really like the idea of tunic tops and decided why not?  I have an old table cloth that I can use.  I found it a year ago in a junk shop camping.  The cotton is lovely but it is very stained in bits.  I used this edge for the sleeve.

I cut out the small and brought up the neckline.  It came together very rapidly.  But even though I cut out the small, it is really too big.  The sleeves are too wide and so is the body.  For a free pattern, not bad.  I just really need the xs or the xxs of this top.  I may cut it down but it may become quilt square too.  

Refurbish or reuse.  It will be one or the other.