More inspiration

http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/2011/10/wardrobe-bold-autumn.html

I've got this site bookmarked. Great ideas. Thank you, Dana for posting it on your blog.

Why???

I heard it's available on HSN. I wonder if Peter knows about this.

Inspiration

Yikes! What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

Lori is hosting a Wardrobe Basics sew-along. I decided, on a whim, mind you, to join.

I really need to do this. It doesn't seem daunting as the plan is already laid out for me.

1. Slim Black Pants (on the segment they called these ponte pants)
2. Dark Skinny Jeans
3. White button shirt
4. Black turtleneck
5.Camel - khaki skirt
6.Tie Waist Sweater
7. Puffy Vest
8. Faux Fur Vest
9. Black Dress
10. Riding Boot
11. Black patent pumps
12. tights
Now we cannot sew 10, 11 and 12 but we can sew the first 9, so let's get started with those items.

Most SWAPs seem overwhelming. This keeps things so simple that I might actually accomplish it within a reasonable time frame. And I'm sewing everything from my stash. Other than changing the style of some of the items, I will stick with the plan as stated. I do need a substitute for the puffy vest though. Any suggestions? Why don't you join us?

Sssnakey Bells- OOP McCalls 3724

I've had this pattern marinating in my stash since it first came out. I bought it thinking the low rise styling would save me the hassle of doing any alterations. The fabric (purchased several years ago) is a denim weight cotton, that I planned on making some sort of topper with. This is Naimah, one of my teachers and I'm going to her performance tonight. My girlfriends say I am too dressed up when we go out. So I'm compromising with this outfit. LOL.

Though the finished measurements are on the tissue, I cut my regular size, giving me enough seam allowances to alter. I did not make a sway back adjustment (I should have).

The pattern has two lines for cutting out the back piece. I use the outside line, but after taking the pants in almost four inches, I realized I should have used the inside cutting line (I've since made a note on the envelope). Since there are no darts, shaping comes from the back and side seam allowances, and the two piece waistband-which I removed because, it came up too high on my waist. I used a strip of leftover fabric to make a facing which I turned in and stitch down. The zip placket didn't lay flat at the top, so I inserted a tab (4th photo), stitched on a snap (spray painted gold) as the solution. I wish I had made a bias facing for the waist, (the brain cells were out to lunch) because that may have help with the gaposis, I'm experiencing in the back. A sway back adjustment would have help as well. But since I'll wear my shirts out, my "smalls" won't be on display whenever I bend down. I did taper the leg from hip to knee because I wanted a closer fit. Overall, I love these pants! They sit right on my navel, don't cut off the blood circulation in my thighs and the length and width cover my shoes. I hiked them up in the 3rd photo so you can get an idea of the width. I should have taken a better photo so you could see that but the resident photographer was still half awake when he took these. BTW-stained toe nail is a result of Vixen nail polish.

Warning! Accessory Overload

You can be better dressed when you own a lot of stuff. You see someone looking fantastic, and you say Ah yes, she knew just the sweater, belt scarf to buy to put that look together. Probably not true! She very likely did it with the stuff she already owns plus a little of it is new. You can put together a great look more easily with enough different belts, bracelets scarves to choose from. ~~Having It All by Helen Gurley Brown, 1982




When I read this book years ago, I was in the military, prior to that I was in parochial school. There were few times that civilian clothing and accessories were needed in my wardrobe. But on travels I've accumulated quite a collection of bits and baubles. All of which I love. I joined in on Toy's Accessory Hop, hoping to have an Autumn accessory story to share with you. I thought about it all week but couldn't narrow it down. Depending on my mood, I'll grab anything off the wall (the necklaces are hanging by thumbtacks on one wall in my bedroom!) Toss on a belt, an armful of bracelets, step into pumps/booties/boots and finish off with earrings and a gele (always!).

If I did these post right, this is third in the trio and should be at the very top of the blog. And it should be Saturday.

Handbags, Pocketbooks, Clutches! Oh My

Big or small, no matter what they're made of, I love them all. Plain and boring will never do.