Thrift Store Haul equals Two Dresses

Sometimes you just make a great buy when visiting the local thrift store. My last visit yielded over 12 yards of stripe plisse’  cotton. I made two different looking dresses in my signature lagenlook style, simply by changing the direction of the stripe. FUN!

OOTD: Wool Crepe in Small Check

Got a few errands to run today, and the weather is lovely, bright and sunny. I put on one of my newest Signature  Dress, socks and lace-up flats.

Wool Crepe Signature Dress handmade by me, Handbag a gift purchased in China, Charm Pendant Necklace purchased from Nordstrom, Medium Hoop Earrings, Nordstrom,Pinstriped Brogues purchased at Nordstrom Rack, Anklets from Nordstrom Rack.

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.                                                            Deuteronomy 29:9

"It Is What It Is!"

Just finished this dress on this pass week, and it offers great possibilities for personality presentation. I don't care what fashion experts say, but wearing a more relaxed style of dressing requires very deft styling and image coordination. This is a casual styling, that I have worn to church on my teaching day. The pattern is my own adaption of the basic T shape body covering. Check out my youtube video of basic components of the one-piece pattern, "New Twist on Old Style Dress". My measurements put me in a ready to wear size 10, and I classify this dress as a small.

ELEMENTS: Faux Ivory Carved necklace (a gift from sister-in-law), black wingtip brogues by ABOUND (Nordstrom Rack), flower print anklets (Nordstrom Rack), Anna Beck silver ring.

"Be the type of person you want to meet"

OOTD: My New Jumper

This is my easy and roomy jumper, I wore to church today. I wanted to be very comfortable because it was my day to work with the 2 - 5 year olds during service time.As anyone knows, children in this age group can be a handful to work with. I try to dress not only comfortably and creatively around my little charges. The jumper is a upcycle from a wool crepe wrap skirt in aubergine, bordered at the bottom with the recut of a charcoal grey bias cut skirt.  The neckline and armscye are trimmed with the same charcoal grey, adding a small patch on the jumper back, one of my favorite design features. The necklace is a 25 year old button assembleage my children made, probably one day when there was nothing else to do---it is a favorite accessory.

 "Never underestimate God's hand in all your plans."

OOTD My Favorite Dress

Wore this to church today, its one of my favorite lagenlook styles. I'm not a true lagenlook wearer, because I really don't layer my outfit peices, but I do admire components of the style. Enjoy!!!

My dresses, always make me look bigger, they also make me feel wonderful and creative. So I wear them with joy, and look big.

 How do you feel about the way you wear your clothing, current fashion trend or indie style?

I am a artist.

OOTD Silk Upcycled Dress

I made this dress from a combination of recycled fabrics and purchased goods. The top yoke portion started out as a pair of deep greenish blue silk pants, whereas the lower dress section is a black and white print silk from my fabric stash. I love wearing this style of loose-fitting easy comfort dres, but usually make them in monochromatic tones, with very little distinct color-blocking. I set my camera up and took a dozen or more pictures of myself in this dress, because I want to know what I am visually presenting with this design combination. I feel lovely and decently alluring in the dress, totally self confident, unique and happy with just the way it wears on my body. My apprehension came from looking in the mirror at myself and seeing the color blocking balance---its not to flattering! I wore the dress adding a soft wrap in a tie dye ethnic print, that somewhat hid the bodice area, and felt quite comfortable. This dres is a keeper, but I have to definately tweek the visual presentation each time I wear it.

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."

OOTD Ready to Praise

Mister is going to service without me today, because I had a little knock down by our pups. Woke up this morning with a very sore hip, and thought it best to relax at home for the day. Without me on his arm, he still looks pretty good.

End of Summer White Ensemble

The j juxtaposition of two time worn pieces, that I just don't want to get rid of.

More than one Way to Wear the Jacket

Got a chance to see a different take on the Western Jacket, as my client put some color in his style. The classic style of this jacket is definitely going to be an exciting staple in his wardrobe. A great new look is achieved by wearing a blue-green shirt, black pants, custom cowboy boots, and of course a mean black Stetson. Totally awesome!

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7

Another Project Done

My client asked for a custom fit western style jacket, with the yellow rose of Texas embroidered on each sleeve. The finished project looked absolutely awesome on him.

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.  

Nahum 1:7

Another Remix: XL Man's Shirt

Thrifting this XL man's shirt just because of its graphic print, and I knew there was a necklace in my jewely stash that would just match it. To create the dress, I upcycled a 100% cream colored silk pleated skirt I found some time ago at Texas Thrift, San Antonio for $4.90. The dress wears well, and its easy care because I machine washed and line dryed both pieces before construction. Not bad for $10 total in fabric and a days worth of pleasure sewing.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

                                                                                               Luke 12:32

Minimalist Dressing…the Beginning

New Dress, lots of Fun

This is what I did on Mother's Day----got some of my thrifted and given pieces and made a new dress. Love it!!!!

Thanks hubby for the impromptu photo.

"The Look Of Love"

A few days off work and I went fabric shopping, at a fabric store!  My normal method of acquiring fabric for projects is to purchase clothing from thrifting environments, anything thats 100% cotton. silk, linen or wool and do reclaimed clothing styling. This day was to be a treat, I would be purchasing the total yardage needed to make a new dress!  It is amazing how fabric selection has changed over the years, it was the hardest task to find at retail a quality piece of  dress goods, most fabrics are mixed blends. I found a lovely black and white large grid plaid, 100% cotton, and very soft to the touch. The purchase was just three yard, the amount needed to create a wonderfully soft and easy style dress.

So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous:...         Psalm 58:11

Going Slow

I love hand stitching, it gives me great pleasure to hand stitch a hem on a skirt, or the binding on a neckline. My quilt projects of the past were mainly done in the traditional manner with plenty of hand piecing followed by lots of hand quilting, and of course a hand-stitched binding. But over time somewhere along the way, the act of hand sewing got to slow, my sewing machine became the quick facilitator of project finishing. Today I began a new project, because one of my favorite clothing items, a 10 year old hand-stitched slip could go no further as a wardrobe staple, a new one must be made. Just looking at the workmanship I put into the original slip made me nostalgic for that same quality in my new slip. I'm going slow, hand finishing my little project for beauty and utility.

Bias binding finishing on neckline

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.     Psalm 33:21

When Being Creative goes Array!

It all started so innocently, a recent buy from the thrift store of a peasant style three tiered denim skirt. I just knew this soft denim skirt would be a awesome addition to my work wardrobe, but after trying it on at home, I decided the skirt just didin't compliment my figure at all. The question became what to do with such a great find, out came my sketchbook, and on came the light of creativity. This lovely bit of fabric could be a new purse, or part of some other project. I decided to create an infinity scarf with cut out t-shirt fabric embellishment and thread emproidery to start. To put it plainly, it didn't work---the finish project lacked something. I'm going to keep it around and see if it will grow, but for now the creative spark for this project is not shining to brightly.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.     Hebrews 11:1

Patches

Drapery samples Skirt

Red lining add some flair

This is a lovely pencil slim skirt I made from drapery sample squares. I guess I could call this upcycling, because this is the second generation use of the squares. If anyone remembers the days when you could ask for outdated sample books from paint/wallpaper stores to use as you wished, is how I ended up with my samples. My girls sewing class used the majority of squares for first project potholders, which all turned out lovely. Nothing gets wasted, so I have this unique patchwork skirt that is almost seasonless in its wearing potential.

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:” 

II Chron. 32:7

Putting on the Bright's: Thrifting Refashion

Totally loving some of the great finds at my local thrift stores, such as an extra-large yellow “Tommy Bahamas” polo shirt. I’ve been wanting to add some vibrant green to my wardrobe, and this yellow polo gave me the best opportunity. Some color block applique, with machine stitching to mimic an argyle pattern, and a chartreuse green lower banding. 

"Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."

                                                               II Chron. 15:7