Perfect for a Funeral

I'm really not trying to be morbid. But you know how in the movies funerals are always held on a rainy day so everyone can carry black umbrellas? All the gents wear black suits, the ladies don black dresses and coats, and everything is amazingly set for the most perfect tear-jerking scene.

Don't worry: no one has died. It all started when I saw these adorable gloves at Dress Barn...



Which led me to putting together my current version of the perfect funeral garb. Hopefully that's not terribly morbid.

First and most important: the dress. I found this LBD on Chadwick's website which made the perfect piece for my funeral dress.



Now, let's accessorize. Simple, yet elegant, necklace and shoes from Ann Taylor... (Hope the rain hasn't been too hard or the heels will sink into the muddy ground. But even if it has, fashion over function, and they are relatively washable, right? And on a movie set, I'm sure we'll figure out some way to keep the heels up.)



Bag from Dress Barn...



And if it's cold (as it usually is on those rainy, autumn, funeral days) add this coat from Chadwicks, this hat from Dress Barn, and, of course, the hounds-tooth gloves from the beginning of the post.



Black umbrella optional. We'll leave that up to the director.

Next time I'm working on my costume design for an upcoming film that entails a funeral scene, I've got one scene of the heroine's wardrobe covered. :oP

Pictures from Ann Taylor, Dress Barn, and Chadwicks

Rainy Days and Mondays

Remember when I started this dress last June? I did most of the sewing back when I posted, but then I realized that I bought a regular zipper instead of an invisible one. And I had never put in a regular zipper... So I used one of my amazing talents: procrastination.

But as the end of summer started coming on, I decided that it was time to finish it before it became too cold to wear a sundress! So I have now officially put in my very first regular zipper, and finished my third dress off See and Sew 4957!



I made some alterations, adding ~1 inch to the bodice and a couple inches to the hem. I did this with the blue and white version, and I really like the way it changes the fit. Sometimes when you're 5'9 you need stuff to be longer!




I love how simple this dress is. Simple lines, easy assembly, and very fun to wear. A good combination! Though the construction is easier when you buy the right zipper. I much prefer putting in invisible zippers!!!



I probably won't get to wear it much until next summer, but it's always fun to have new clothes, no matter what season! And with a cardigan or jacket, I think this dress will get some use this fall!

My First Blog Award - The Liebster Award

Hey everyone! Miss Virginia from The Lady's Resource Blog charmingly gave me my very first Blog Award! Thank you so much Miss Virginia!



The Leibster Award:

The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. The rules of the award are:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!

I'm going to award -

1. Anna at Simple Thread

2. Laura at Sigh No More

3. Amy at Purple Paraphernalia

4. Emily at The Welsh Family Blog

5. Tricia at Little House in the Hills

Awards are so fun! Thanks again, Miss Virginia!

Nautical Blocks

I finished another quilt block today! Quilting is so much fun, and I love dreaming of the day when the finished quilt will be my bedspread. :o)



The design will eventually make stars, but at this point you can't really tell... I'll have to get to work so that we can see them!

60s/70s Patterns

Because people know that my sisters and I like to sew, we are sometimes given sewing things, which is so lovely! We're handed anything- fabric, notions, patterns. All very fun and often times useful! This time it was a bag of vintage 60s and 70s patterns.



I prefer 40s/50s fashion over 60s/70s, but I really like this basic 60s dress, and have thought about making one before off Simplicity 3833, which is very similar.



Maybe getting these will inspire me to organize the sewing stuff in my closet... And it's probably time to make a list of the sewing projects I have going and the things I want to make in the future!

Simplicity's New Baby Layette Pattern

I've fallen in love with Simplicity's reproductions of vintage baby layette patterns and have been slowly collecting them when they are on sale at JoAnns. I happened to check their website today and discovered the newest one in the collection! This sweet little thing is a reprint from the 1950s - my favorite fashion decade!



Isn't it adorable? Next time Simplicity patterns are on sale, I'll have to pick one up!

Mushrooms and Fairies

My sister recently discovered Cinderberry Stitches which is full of adorable, inspiring things. It's all adorable, but I think the fairy in the sailboat is definitely a favorite. :o)



Her stuff is just so darling! There is even a free pdf pattern for a little mushroom house, if any of you embroiderers are interested. :o)

Photo from CinderberryStitches.com