tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42486287707441088582012-01-01T08:31:52.204-08:00sewing, clothes, and general ramblings about all things fashionable. but mostly sewing.littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-14910700469987832252012-01-01T08:31:00.000-08:002012-01-01T08:31:52.253-08:00

Happy New Year to all!  We've stuffed ourselves, drunk our hearts out, had fun and chatted with friends and family until everybody was blue in the face.  Now it's time to start making those resolutions and pray that they will last past January 15!  Anyway, I forgot to cross-post my entry of this new cutting table that I hacked out of Ikea Expedit shelves.  It's a pretty simple hack, and it's

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-60515424101612226202011-09-04T10:01:00.000-07:002011-09-04T10:01:35.781-07:00

My blindingly yellow DIY jewelry display, as told here, and the sad state of my jewelry collection. Accessorizing is not one of my strength... I wear the same things over, and over, and over again.  (Same goes with clothes, actually.)  To add to that, my taste in clothes and accessories lean toward the "plain" side, as you can see above.  Okay, I don't call it "plain" as much as understated,

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-64799874772813539912011-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:002011-08-28T18:00:06.130-07:00

A little pictorial algebra:   + =   = Well, with a few steps in between, of course.  See it all here.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-38572856851561632872011-07-20T20:04:00.000-07:002011-07-20T20:04:41.678-07:00

By kitchen I meant just the cabinet, and by makeover I meant just painting a color that's really different from the previous one, and slapping on some new hardware.  Voila!  I have discovered the secret of DIY with the most impact! Enjoy the adventurous before, progress, and after post! Some teaser pics to warm up your eyes: Before:  Stinky, sticky, funky! After: White, bright, light! 

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-57361057785408564962011-07-09T09:32:00.000-07:002011-07-09T09:32:17.339-07:00

Before: After! Times two! Go here for more details

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-16394415129872305722011-07-04T21:37:00.000-07:002011-07-09T12:18:01.550-07:00

My first woodworking DIY - check it out here

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-77676678687923248232011-02-21T10:11:00.000-08:002011-02-21T11:53:28.198-08:00

No. 1, the top of the list of Things I Know Now That I Didn't Before is not to start a second blog when you can't even keep up with the first one.  Epic fail.  I'm closing it down.  It will probably take me months to get around to it, too. Anyway, so I've got a new house blahblahblah...  Big deal.  Actually, yes, it is a big deal.  I didn't know how much work it was going to be (that's item no.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-77259969716625159792010-08-07T08:21:00.000-07:002010-08-07T08:21:00.896-07:00

Dear readers, I'm starting a new blog to document my experience / thoughts / ramblings on fixing up my house. Go to Little Corner House and check it out if you're interested. Thanks!

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-78665880480031901232010-07-30T08:20:00.000-07:002010-07-30T08:20:31.827-07:00

The 9.5 months of waiting is over, and the work begins.  Sleep no longer matters.  Eight hours a night?  Bah!  Five-to-six is now enough for me, thankyouverymuch.  Nevermind the headache.  Bring on the coffee and aspirin! Food is no longer a culinary experience.  Well, not that it was ever a culinary experience...  (I just like food).  Now eating is just for fueling the body. This new "thing"

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-51350596848687509492010-07-11T15:07:00.000-07:002010-07-11T15:39:01.487-07:00

Continuing with my stash-busting mission.... This is a magenta / fuchsia / deep dark pink (Robert Kaufman calls it "berry" - whatever) silk-cotton blend.  Because of the limited yardage (only 2 yards), I chose a simple sheath with minimal practically no details... Burda 02-2009-124A  I was aiming for a simple yet bold work dress, but the result is more like the world's most boring bridesmaid

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-22813066120438697742010-06-21T18:55:00.000-07:002010-06-21T18:56:55.541-07:00

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway This is one of the rare cases where there's rickrack on a garment and it doesn't look crafty.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-86305791454026414122010-06-07T16:11:00.000-07:002010-06-07T16:11:00.632-07:00

From Yves Saint Laurent 2011 Resort collection (Picture taken from Project Rungay) Model, if you could just smile a bit, please. 

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-63233592777419847882010-06-06T11:54:00.000-07:002010-06-07T15:47:34.829-07:00

About 2 weeks ago, I subconsciously started a stash-busting mission. I've accumulated a substantial amount of fabric over the past few months years and haven't done much about it.  Mainly because of lack of inspiration and general laziness. But no more!  I'm getting a little tired of the unorganized state of my little sewing studio, so those fabrics need to be used or go! So.  The first fabric

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-24194646697109037822010-05-23T09:33:00.000-07:002010-05-23T10:12:55.806-07:00

I generally stay away from floral prints, because they can look dowdy on me.  Geometric prints are okay.  Florals, meh. Once in a while, though, I come across some very nice floral prints that I just can't pass up, like this one: Tell me this is not the prettiest floral print you've ever seen!  Okay, maybe it's not, but if you agree with me, thank you and I like you very much.  In any case, I

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-13954030416954070802010-05-20T14:33:00.000-07:002010-05-20T14:48:05.379-07:00

Well, it turned out rather well, despite fitting challenges. The "very-easy" rating is true to its claim.  With no buttons or zippers, and just a couple of side seams, maybe some darts and pleats here and there, the Vogue 8646 is a breeze to sew.  The A-B-C-D cup sizes is a nice bonus.  These are the main reasons why I bought this pattern, by the way.  Those, and the $3.99 sale price.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-69465252709232489032010-05-08T16:05:00.000-07:002010-05-08T17:03:55.989-07:00

Seriously. I bought this pattern, Vogue 8646, during their latest $3.99 sale.  Isn't it a cute dress?  Perfect for summer, in white dotted swiss underlined with white cotton batiste.  (That's the fabrics I'm using, anyway). Based on the size chart, I'm a 14, so that's what I cut.  Lo-and-behold, it fits like a potato sack!  I ended up taking in 1.25" on both sides, front and back.  That's a

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-79012317978360053112010-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:002010-05-07T16:37:12.022-07:00

Confession:  I, too, am a selfish seamstress (just like another seamstress who has famously self-professed so).  With the number of hours involved in choosing, tracing, cutting, pressing, fitting, sewing, finishing a garment, I put myself above all others.  However, this year I resolve to make a thing or two for others.  Family members are a good start.  (Although I don't think I will ever sew

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-51287648295624157552010-04-29T20:14:00.000-07:002010-04-29T20:14:07.558-07:00

Hi all - thanks for your nice comments on my Burda chartreuse top; they definitely boosted my motivation to sew my next project. A few of you asked for pattern or tutorial.  I don't think my unorganized self is capable of putting up a tutorial.  Alternatively, I wouldn't mind tracing & posting the multi-size pattern pieces on this blog.  My concern is Burda copyright cop come a-knocking at my

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-5814651339367895252010-04-25T18:33:00.000-07:002010-04-25T20:02:10.280-07:00

Haven't put up anything new lately, because there hasn't been anything new made.  Last week though, I decided to do something with the growing stack of fabrics, so I resorted to this quick & easy project to see if it would get my motivation going again.   Burda 08-2009-117, the Parisian Chic flouncy top: Parisian chic indeed.  At least the model is.  Mine?  Well, take a lookie here: Wrinkles

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-42148471197776033692010-02-21T15:36:00.000-08:002010-02-21T15:59:20.528-08:00

This is Burda 11-2008-110 skirt, an 8-gored flared-hem trumpet-y number.     I used the wool suiting fabric from the stash and this nightmare of a lining, worked on it for three weekends, finished it last week, and wore it to work.  It's a very feminine skirt, a lot more than I'm used to.  All of a sudden all these curves just show up!  Wearing the skirt made me feel odd, giddy, and girly that my

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-45761679834115840662010-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:002010-02-15T10:00:30.633-08:00

No, actually, I do not.  Despite evidence to the contrary. The following pictures are of the rayon Bemberg / Ambiance lining for my current project.  Not a friendly fabric, I tell you what. Made quite a few mistakes and learned some lessons that I'm sharing here: 1) Do not scrunch, wring, or stomp on the fabric to get the water out, and leave it to air dry.  NO.  It results in what seems to be

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-54465345169495978662010-02-12T13:00:00.000-08:002010-02-12T13:04:29.448-08:00

My blog is featured as a favorite blog on We All Sew!  How cool is that?  Very, I think. We All Sew is central go-to for all things sewing, my favorite being growing list of links to freebies!  Go check it out!

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-39014732820555567292010-01-29T11:00:00.000-08:002010-01-29T11:00:00.440-08:00

BurdaStyle is having the Pink & Red challenge.  I thought about entering when it was first announced, but the 20-day notice is too short for me, since I sew only on the weekends.  This is what I was going to make... ... which is inspired by this gorgeous Trina Turk Algonquin dress (looooove the design but not so much the price): I will still make this dress in different colors (not too crazy

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-84317803999139237802010-01-24T16:30:00.000-08:002010-01-24T16:30:54.597-08:00

I lost my sewing mojo.  Looked everywhere... under the bed, in my closet, in the car, inside the coat pockets....  It's nowhere to be found, not even at the last place I looked (the refrigerator).  Maybe it flew south to escape the winter.  If you find it, please tell it to come home... I promise I won't yell again. When I was not looking for mojo in the last few weeks, I was busy sketching on

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-70074525220635848182010-01-03T20:01:00.000-08:002010-01-03T20:09:41.328-08:00

Good thing I used the cheap polyester knit for this one.  As predicted, I did some wrong math on the pattern drafting effort.  The armholes ended up very tight.  The book says to up the armsyce by .75 inches, so I did my usual .5, which in retrospect wasn't necessary (might actually need to lower it instead).  Also, the pattern calls for a straight silhouette, but I cut mine on the curvy side.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-67781610087933559152010-01-02T09:38:00.000-08:002010-01-02T09:38:25.222-08:00

If you miss the Weekend Designer, Don Morin just published Bag'n-telle, another pattern-drafting blog.  This is what he says about it: It will basically be a fashion pattern-drafting blog much like that of Weekend Designer yet will offer some insight into the design process of fashion accessories. The blog will be more simplified in content and  show the pattern-making process. It will feature my

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-29264041546306316252010-01-01T15:35:00.000-08:002010-01-01T17:35:06.713-08:00

... will be something from the book Pattern Drafting by Dressmaking, volume 1. It's a Japanese pattern drafting book that is written in English and filled late 1960's fashion. If you like late 60's design and/or pattern drafting and/or Japanese craft books, definitely look for this one on ebay or etsy, but be prepared to spend quite a bit.This particular dress caught my attention because of

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-84219291836850705952009-12-29T10:45:00.000-08:002009-12-30T18:01:40.673-08:00

Remember this knitting attempt?Yeah... that's about as much as it's going to be. Knitting requires supreme ability to sit still, which I lack. I managed to knit and purl my way out of about 20 inches, and now it's been collecting dust on my nightstand for the last two months.So I made this instead:It's a circle scarf, the idea of which was inspired by Karin (also see mywakingmemories' tutorial

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-76106532030588071972009-12-27T10:00:00.000-08:002009-12-27T10:00:02.338-08:00

For once, I'm ahead of the game! Well, really I'm very late, since this dress started in - wow-has-it-been-that-long - three months ago.Without further ado:A close-up of the mock buckle, inspired by a J. Crew dress, and also to cover up the seam because I didn't cut the band on fold:Here's me modeling it:The end of the zipper is usually a struggle. As you can see here, it's all wonky. (Anybody

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-5490249670959493302009-12-09T18:36:00.000-08:002009-12-09T19:21:49.023-08:00

Sort of. Well, at least I'm very close to being back.Thesis is approved, one more final exam (going to rely on pity points to pass this one), and come Tuesday night, I am free! Or, actually, I'm already free now since I've checked out mentally. Biggest lesson learned from graduate school: when bored at work, get a hobby, don't go back to school! It's taken me 3 years and countless dollars to

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-86642471817162479692009-10-30T12:45:00.000-07:002009-10-30T12:45:16.998-07:00

... apparently I knit too!This knitting thing is mainly to provide distraction from sewing (no idea how to actually construct the colorblock dress with lining) and schoolwork (no idea what the professor is saying) with the guidance of Debbie Stoller's book Stitch 'N Bitch (I do have an idea of what she's saying!).My intention is to knit a scarf, but we'll see what we end up with.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-73422331375903374922009-10-17T10:00:00.000-07:002009-10-17T10:05:11.055-07:00

... even though I'm drooling for Robert Kaufman Radiance silk/cotton blend. Still nervous about dropping double-digit-dollar per yard of fabric.So I dug around my cheap-o stash and found just enough miscellaneous cotton to make this dress:White Ikea bedsheet that I was using for amateurish photo backdrop, and later for muslin, and now it will be the skirt of the dress. It may be enough for a bias

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-65517503202287348072009-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:002009-10-11T11:07:41.932-07:00

... is a LOT faster than taking a commercial pattern and then doing all the adjustments in the world to make it fit your own non-standard measurements. For me, those adjustments are usually: full bust, square shoulder, forward shoulder, erect back, sway back, let out waist, take in hip, omgmybrainisabouttoexplode! Such is the reason for my investing time in making a basic dress sloper a while

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-62699284231914912442009-09-27T12:30:00.000-07:002009-09-27T13:17:54.077-07:00

All work and no play makes me extra fidgety. So, I took a break from studying, browsed some fashion mags, and saw this Rachel Roy dress worn by Lucy Liu:Gorgeous! I've been wanting to make a color-block dress and this one just knocked my socks off. The colors are nice fabulous, and obviously the fabric some kind of fancy expensive designer silk. On Lucy Liu it looks elegant, on me

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-34253386378999473392009-09-12T16:21:00.000-07:002009-09-12T17:00:38.213-07:00

... and it looks like a sofa: With me wearing it, it IS a sofa.Hee... hee... Just kidding, I don't have body-image issues. I like the dress. I've worn worse things.Anyway, a couple of technical highlights following.Instead of sewing the v-neck in one continuous stitch, I did it shoulder-to-front on one side, then repeat on the other. No puckers or bunches like I used to get! Although,

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-90438365218973105522009-08-29T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-29T18:00:02.202-07:00

... I'm thinking another little cotton dress. How creative!I've been eyeing this Burda dress (02-2008-124). The basic, simple design is right up my alley:During a trip to LA weeks ago, I bought this fabric from Michael Levine that I think is destined for this dress. It's a heavier-weight cotton which makes it suitable for all season with the appropriate accessories.A few adjustments to make:

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-90931567669307182122009-08-23T16:30:00.000-07:002009-08-23T16:30:00.549-07:00

... the completed purple dress with pleats: Details at the sleeve:... and at the hem:I decided to use scrap cotton for the lining, which turns out rather nice (it actually looks better than the outside):Here's me wearing it:The fit could be improved around the bust, but it fits pretty well otherwise. The cotton makes it look home made, although I can get away with wearing it to work during a

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-69237397900285998042009-08-16T14:00:00.000-07:002009-08-17T20:10:16.839-07:00

... because it is taking longer than I expected. It should have been done this weekend. Evidently not.Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly of this week's progress:The Good: Connie Long / Threads quick-lining tutorial worked. (Of course it would... otherwise they wouldn't put it on a book.)The Bad: This is related to the sleeve/armhole pleats. In the construction, the pleats are to be

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-42894916079900040562009-08-12T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-12T18:00:00.730-07:00

... is on newsstands now.While I have not actually made anything out of SewStylish (I have all of the back issues), there are a couple of pieces that caught my immediate attention on this issue.First, this skirt:A girly, feminine number that is more elegant than cutesy. Such beautiful color too, nicely contrasted by the purple blouse.Then, this top: A simple V-neck with ties going to the back.

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-77690182012409624682009-08-09T18:15:00.000-07:002009-08-09T20:45:35.584-07:00

Yup. Didn't do @#$%& hem allowance!!After a few minutes of "serenity now" chant, I realized that the hem will have pleats on it, which will extend it down by another inch. So far, here's what I've completed.Cut fabric and liningSew all dartsAttach lining to facingAttach skirt pieces to bodice piecesMade sleeve pleatsAnd I ended up with pointy darts:@#$%& again!The point is more apparent on the

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-89413603199597281412009-08-06T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-07T09:25:52.187-07:00

... of the purple dress: It was supposed to be without a waist seam (like this), but I figured this would be a chance to test the sloper fit. (Translation: I really didn't want to draft another pattern). So I just adjusted the sloper bodice.At the front: take in shoulder strap 1" at each end, lower neckline by 3". At the back: take in shoulder strap 1" at each end, lower neckline by 1", and

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-55392226031557545822009-08-04T18:00:00.000-07:002009-08-04T18:00:00.360-07:00

... I decided to get this book that is so often mentioned on PatternReview.com: Fit for Real People by Pati Palmer and Maria Alto (aka FFRP). I wonder why I didn't get it sooner! Like all other fitting books, it goes over common issues and how to fix them. This book goes a step further by taking you through a tissue-fitting process. I'd never gone through a fitting, so this was enlightening. It

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-2641796470583706852009-08-02T08:30:00.000-07:002009-08-03T18:49:00.272-07:00

... on my way back to square one of sewing well. My brains get all jumbled when I think of all the projects I want to do. So I usually end up overwhelmed and not doing anything. Sketching helps me focus and gives me something to do during weeknights when TV sucks. It's actually pretty easy for right-brained folks like me, if you don't try to do it from scratch. I found this Design & Draw Fashion

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248628770744108858.post-31037171484110147022009-08-01T08:30:00.000-07:002009-08-02T08:53:29.148-07:00

... and save the planet by jumping on the bandwagon.Yup, I just jumped on the sewing-blog bandwagon. I have succumbed to peer pressure. Dammit - I thought only teenagers do that! Anyway, I will be posting about my efforts and accomplishments in sewing. Ideas, sketches, to-do's, patterns, fabrics, books, sewing progress or lack thereof and the corresponding frustration, and hopefully some

littlecottondresseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404990205720259436noreply@blogger.com2