It’s been a while since I’ve had anything to share around here so it’s feel good to be posting again. I recently purchased a new pattern and it already seems I’m going to be getting quite a bit of use out of it. By this time every year we are all clamoring for Spring. Everybody is pulling out their cute dresses and pastel colors just hoping it’s warm enough to wear them.
Well I am not exception. I want all the cute, warm weather clothes but it’s still hanging out around 60 degrees. To feed my need for spring I’ve been wearing lightweight utility jackets paired with cute tops and dresses. When the temperature sneaks high enough I can slip my jacket off and enjoy the sunshine. If you need a source for a utility jacket I suggest something like the one I’m wearing from JCrew. I have it in this canvas color and navy. Also check out this similar, less expensive jacket from JCrew factory.
Since I’m not one to shy away from a statement earring – let’s be honest, I love big earrings – I was super excited to find these white flower earrings at Target. They are part of the Sugarfix from BaubleBar collection and only $12.99. Last summer, I remember wanting a pair of the Amariella earrings from BaubleBar. I kept going back and forth about them but finally decided they were just too big. Of course I was really excited when I saw this pair at Target. These flower studs are not small but they aren’t as big as the Amariella earring either. This Sugarfix version must be popular because BaubleBar has a mini Amariella earring now as well.
I downloaded the Boho Babydoll dress and shirt pattern from Patterns for Pirates in February and picked up an inexpensive fabric for testing from Joann’s. The Boho Babydoll is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – a fitted babydoll length bodice with a flowy Boho style skirt. The pattern comes with several skirt lengths including a maxi, knee or thigh length, a tunic, and a shirt. The first version I made wasn’t exactly a total failure but it did have a lot of fit issues. I started by making a maxi dress with a racer back. Unfortunately, the cute fabric I bought from Joann’s was a Rayon Spandex. I didn’t account for the weight of the material and how much it would pull and stretch. It’s still cute but I will likely repurpose the fabric for another project or just use it as a pool dress.
For the next version I decided I needed to use something with some more structure. I really needed to get a more accurate fit and see if I needed any adjustments before I cut into my more expensive fabric. Instead of buying more fabric I pulled an old dress out of the closet that I made sometime last year. After making that dress, I hated the fit so much that I never wore it. I actually never even finished hemming it. After taking the old dress apart there was only enough fabric to make the tunic version. I’m not sure I would have tried to tunic length otherwise but it ended up being perfect.
The tunic has a high-low hem so it is longer in the back than in the front. The 100% cotton knit I used gives the shirt a little more structure in the skirt so it is a bit poofier. This cotton fabric wouldn’t have had enough drape for a true skirt so it worked out great. I’m sure I’ll end up wearing this shirt over and over this spring.
What’s your go to item for the spring?
Nicely done—repurposing other fabric into something you’ll love and wear! I wish I were a sewer. I always feel funny writing that word, lest people read it as the thing that carries waste away. How can one word have 2 such opposite meanings?
Anyway, have you bought or sold on Poshmark? I just started selling on there and totally got sucked into buying all the cute things! I had to put a stop to it. I’m only on there to sell! I try to support the other sellers by sharing their items but there is NO room in the budget for buying!
And those earrings are fabulous! I don’t like statement jewelry on me but I love it on others and you are so totally pulling it off wonderfully! Happy Sprung!
I love to look on poshmark but I haven’t actually bought or sold anything yet. I really need to though because I have so many clothes I don’t give enough love to! The word sewer totally gets love and hate from the online sewing community. Lots of people have started using the word sewist – sewing artist. I don’t favor either one but find it super interesting!