Sewing: "Lille" Blue Gingham Dress for My 1950s Self

When I saw Kelly's Lille dress for the July women's pattern subscription of The Sew What Club (read more about this fabulous new pattern club in my post here) I was dying to sew one for myself. I had a fabric picked out, but then I saw this blue and white gingham and thought I really needed a little Lille to satisfy my inner 1950s housewife.

I love this dress! Such a classic shape. It's so feminine! I think it's great with heels (I'm wearing the Oriana Billy shoes in Honey Leather) but this gingham would be cute casual too, don't you think? With a cardigan? Lots of possibilities.

I took Kelly's advice, which she provides in the pattern, and sewed a muslin first. I skip this step most of the time because I am impatient, but for a fitted dress like this it is worth it. Plus I sewed it in a nice cotton and used it as a full lining. It did make it possible for me to work out some fit details so that the dress looks custom made. I shortened the back length and moved some darts. I created more fullness in the sleeve with a little puff on the top. 

I changed the tiny single pleats on the skirt (such a great design detail) to tiny double pleats but otherwise the skirt fit as-is. It's such a flattering and forgiving shape! The high set-in waist band is great and I love the slight a-line which makes it possible to walk without a slit. You can see some pictures of the prototype Kelly sewed on The Sew What Club website in the patterns section, where you can also preview the August patterns.

The result is a dress I don't have to tug at, and I pattern I'll use again and again. I already have another Lille Dress cut out.

If you were thinking about joining The Sew What Club you only have through July 31st to get the July patterns. Don't miss out on Lille!

(In addition to designing exclusive patterns for The Sew What Club members, I'm also an affiliate, which means this post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links and subscribe I'll receive a small compensation.)

Craft: Rainbow Boho Tassel Necklace DIY (Tutorial)

I've been loving the Boho tassel necklace trend and thought making a rainbow version would be the perfect way to celebrate my friend, Katy Dill, on her birthday. Katy is a compulsive rainbow-tizer. Just one of the many ways she creates art and beauty in her life. No doubt you are a fan of hers too.

Skirt Fixation organized this virtual birthday party for Katy and I am so happy to be among the other creative women wishing Katy the best. Katy certainly brings joy to those around her as well as farflung virtual friends lucky enough to get a glimpse into her world. I especially enjoy her photographic eye and her appreciation for the teaching moments and beauty we should cherish in our lives.

This tassel necklace is so simple to make! It's seriously a fifteen minute project (assuming you start with a simple beaded necklace). It would be great for a kids craft too! Maybe as a party favor at a Rainbow Birthday Party.

I'm going to love wearing it with a simple black and white outfit (coincidentally, another favorite palette of Katy's) and Scarlett has already asked if she can wear it with the Rainbow Wrap Skirt I made a few years ago.

Want to make one? I've got the tutorial after the jump.

Sewing: Game Day Jersey Racing Dress in Gold

I've been working on another version of the Game Day Jersey pattern. An even "sportier" version. I'm calling this the Racing Dress.

The original pattern includes an option for an a-line dress, which I love. But I also love this straight version. With the racing stripe. 

I'll offer this as a pattern extension with options for the Racing Dress, with side stripe, and a Tee Dress, which is sans stripe. With all the sleeve options from the original pattern the possibilities have pretty much exploded.

I sewed this Racing Dress with a heathered grey jersey I purchased at Jo-Ann for the yoke. The cool gold foil and grey knit used for the body of the dress and the gold swim and dance fabric on the stripe and banding are also from Jo-Ann. 

This fabric almost makes this dress look dress-y. But my girl is a sport at heart.

Stay tuned. I hope this pattern extension will be ready really soon.

You can find the original Game Day Jersey Tee and Dress pattern in my Wee Muses Etsy Shop.

Sewing: Lyon Dress in Scuba Print

This is my favorite version yet of the new Lyon pattern by Kelly of Sewing in No Man's Land. It's part of the July subscription to The Sew What Club. And if you don't know all about that you'll have to check out this post with my other Lyon dresses. Or go straight to the website and signup!

This version of the Lyon has a dressier look thanks to the fantastic scuba knit print paired with a textured stretch satin. I purchased the grey satin from Jo-Ann in their special occasion fabrics section. I can't remember where I found this fabulous scuba fabric (Girl Charlee? Harts? Michael  Levine? all great sources for knits) but I bought enough to make something for myself because I love it so much.

We had a great time taking the photos too. Audrey loved it when I told her she could do whatever she wanted. And why haven't I used this big grey wall as a backdrop before? It's so perfect!

I could keep sewing this dress, and I'm sure I will again, but I'm going to mix it up a bit now. Something else for myself, something else for the girls. Stay tuned and see.

Review and Giveaway: Minted Art Marketplace

I have long loved Minted for their great holiday card designs printed on high quality paper. I think they were the first to raise the bar for custom cards and they continue innovating (did you see all the cute custom printed return addresses last holiday season?). But their Art Marketplace is new to me. Maybe to you too? They asked me to take a look and consider a giveaway for my readers. In the time it took the browser to load the Minted Art Marketplace I was certain this was something I wanted to share! So read on for a chance to win a $50 credit towards some new art for your walls.

I started by applying some filters to the art I was being shown. I loaded "more filters" and picked "landscape" for the style and "blue" for the color. Because isn't a blue toned landscape just what we need in the middle of a hot summer?

This pulled up a bunch of beauties, including some of my favorites, "Beauty Reflects Beauty," "Big Sky Country," "Water Levels," and "Mid-Summertime."

While viewing an individual piece of art the Minted Art Marketplace makes it possible to preview different frame styles. I prefer the simple frames: Flat face in natural wood or black or white painted wood. 

You can also select a size to print. As small as 5"x7" and as large at 44"x60". Cool! I'd love a giant print on my wall! All the art prints are limited edition and printed on acid free or archival paper with premium inks so the reproductions will remain vibrant. 

Sometimes it's difficult to visualize the scale of one of these sizes so Minted has provided an "Art Print Sizes" tab with pictures of a model holding the print in all the different sizes. How great is that? They also show some suggested art groupings in a room environment so you can imagine how it might fit into your space.

Similar to their approach with greeting cards, Minted has curated this original art from independent artists from all over the United States. I love access to such a broad range of talent, and the idea that my purchase will support a creative individual.

I'm a huge fan of original art work, but one-of-a-kind works are often out of reach. This limited edition approach from fresh artists is a great way to add some beautiful work to your walls.

Are you convinced? Check out Minted Art Marketplace to find something that speaks to you.

And enter to win a $50 credit right here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway