The Apron Skirt

We bought Olive a crib, which of course called for some mommy made sheets. I had this real cute sailboat linen, but only just enough to make the top, not enough for the sides. Luckily I had something to match, but it was the bottom of this wonderful vintage dress I took from my friend Bubzee's yard sale just because it smelled so nice. I didn't fit the dress. At least not in the boob area.So I took off the hem and added it to Olive's sheets, but was still left with a lot of dress. Which is now a skirt.
Here's me looking awkward in it:

Its kind of like an apron, but not. Very nice to be barefoot in. :)

Jersey

I have been on a little jersey knit frenzy, using up a bunch of fabric I've had around forever.

Its been booty shorts for me and extra-bum leggings for Olive. I don't use patterns. One reason being that I never have so I find them overwhelming. I pretty much draw up my own and wing it. Its great for learning. Although I am sure I have some nasty bad habits I don't even know about. I am starting to have an intuitive feel for the hidden shapes of the body. I used my cutout to make a bunch more shorts for my sister and friend Pamela.

I call them extra-bum leggings, because I put in a whole panel on the but just to accommodate Olive's diapers. She looks A-dorable in them.
:) And yes we can now match.

Old Shoes

 I think many a seamstress wishes they could make shoes, its a limitation in our field. Not that we cannot, but certainly shoe-making requires a lot more gear, patience and know-how than assembling shirts, skirts and dresses. I am very attached to my shoes. For two reasons; the first being that in my minimalist-environmental adventure shoes are one thing you cannot stop buying. They get the brunt of my wardrobes wear and tear, and inevitably need to be replaced. The second reason is that my shoes come around with me everywhere, they share my adventures, and hold my love. It makes me sad to see them retire.

That said, I made a promise to myself that I would not buy another pair of shoes until I wear through all the pairs I currently own, something like 10 pairs! I actually haven't bought shoes in almost a year, certainly not new shoes. This is my attempt to make one of my favourite pairs last a little bit longer. The holes in the front are so large that the bottoms flap while I walk. I had to sew in a lining just so I have something to attach the leather patch to. Its taken me so long that I think I wont do the other side, as its still a little wearable. 

:/

Katherine's Prom Dress

I am currently setting up my Flickr account and I wanted to try out the external slideshow. So, I figured why not make a post with and actual project of mine?

I made this dress last may for my cousin Katherine. Completely from scratch, I even made a duct-tape bust form, for I suppose what would be called draping. Although I didn't know that at the time. It seemed natural to me that if I wanted to create my own pattern I would lay the pieces on a "real-size" form, and go form there.
I do not actually remember what the fabric was on this. My favourite part though is the uncut extra long blue crinoline.
I remember I did not really know how to hem a dress, or fit a zipper at the time, I just learned from here. Winging it. It turned out really well in the end.