BurdaStyle 09-2012 #123

I love this top. I know I could have taken any old t-shirt pattern and added this contrast piece but, if you’ve been around this blog long, you know I have no creativity. None. At. All. In the magazine they show this knit top with contrasting solid fabrics like satin and a black jersey. Cute, I thought.

 

I made mine out of a purple knit (kind of thicker like a sweater knit but not really thick). I used gray wool suiting for the contrast panels. I added the bling on my own. Love the bling or is it too young for me? I’m closing in on 40 over here. But, I sorta love the bling. Oh, and who doesn’t have a kudu head on their back porch?

 

Here’s the close-up with the bling. The original pattern uses a facing for the neckline and has a keyhole opening in the back with a button. I used a self-fabric binding for the neck instead and did away with the opening in the back. This has a very small neck opening. With the added neck binding, it’s hard to get over my head and I have a small head. Be warned, fat-headed people! 

 

Here’s the inside. I used a regular straight stitch for the panels.

 

I found this ultra cool hot-fix Iron-On Art at Joann’s on clearance for $0.50. I bought all they had. I’ve used it a few times already and it’s so fun! It seems to really stay on too. It’s in three layers, a black plastic sheet, the blingies, and then a clear plastic “tape” that holds the blingies in place. First, you peel off the black plastic.

 

Then you stick the “tape” and blingies to the fabric. You can see on the right side where I cut and added some individual stones. I love it because the “tape” holds it in place and you can reposition it if you need to.

 

You go to the wrong side and iron for 10-15 seconds. On mine, I covered the purple knit with pressing clothes because I don’t know the fiber content of the knit. I bought it at the San Diego Swap Meet. Why didn’t I do it before I sewed it on? Well, I wanted to do a little fitting just to make sure I liked it before I wasted my bling on it. It’s like Elaine’s “Sponge Worthy” test on Seinfeld. I only have so much bling.
Of course, I can always buy more. Elaine couldn’t.

 

Readers, tell me straight. Do you like it? I like it but I’m also attracted to all things short, shiny, and tight. I must be related to Heidi Klum.

Simplicity 2404–Sheath Dress

I think I started liking this dress because of the color. I was lukewarm about the v-neck opening but something really kept bugging me about the dress. I finally made it up and I’m really glad I did. It’s great!! Here’s the boring photo of the model.

 

I made it up in a purple wool crepe. I know, wool. Really, Dawn? It’s May, you say? Well, it’s been cold at night so wool is still appropriate. See that patch of white through the railing by my knee? That, ladies, is snow. It’s been around 30 degrees in the morning and about 50 degrees during the “hottest” part of the day. I ask you, is wool not okay? But, I digress. Is this not a fun dress? The original dress only had two open darts but because I don’t read directions, I am infinitely creative, I have a design feature. The front skirt has a front seam in the CF of the dress. Instead of doing that, I put in on the fold and cut it that way. Well, I forgot about the seam allowance so I had to create another open dart to take up that space. I love how the waist and bodice fit.

 

Here’s pumpkin #4. She wanted to take pictures with Momma too. She’s such a diva.

 

My own addition was this really long exposed zipper. I’m not sure if I love it. But the dress is a win and I’ll make it again. I think the zipper is fun. What shoes would you guys wear with this dress? I’m not sure I like these shoes with it. The zipper is brass and a light gray. I used the directions in this Thread article to help me with the zipper. My zipper is from ZipperStop.

 

Next up, I’m working on a knock-off CAbi skirt.

Buttons - Better pictures

I realize that those last photos suck. I took some on the front porch. It's a cold but bright day. I think I'm leaning toward the mother-of-pearl ones now. They are the top ones.

As soon as I get it done, I'll take some pictures and answer Brian's question. Stay tuned.

Buttons -- Help!

Man these photos are horrible. I decided that I'm just not a jacket kind of girl. I am going to take the Chanel jacket out of my Wardrobe Contest plans and use this vest instead. It's a Burda pattern and I'll show it to you in detail once I figure out the buttons. What do you think readers? My favorite is #2. I did a close-up of the buttons at the very bottom because these pictures are so horrible. I may have to brave the weather and take a photo outside. It's about 8°F out there.

#1 is a lavender-y plastic button. I am debating the number of buttons too. I could do three or four.

#2 is a plastic button that is made to look like those leather buttons. There is a close-up below.

#3 is a black/mother-of-pearl button. You can't tell anything about it in this photo except for size.

I also put in two other potential buttons: black and gray. And, of course, I could go buy some but I'd rather use ones from stash.

I love ZipperStop

Have you shopped at ZipperStop.com?? I officially love them. Not only do they have a fantastic selection of everything zipper but they have great service to go along with it. I have ordered from them a few times but I always had a hard time figuring out which color I wanted from the monitor. No more of that guessing crap for me. I bought the color card for $10 so I can match or contrast to my heart's delight. I never realized that they offered quite so many colors. Cool, eh? We do have a local JoAnn's and a local fabric boutique. I buy from them when I need a basic color but they certainly don't have the selection that ZipperStop does.

My girls were oohing and awing over this section. Then they both turned to me and announce, "Pink is myyyyyyy favorite!" Twins can be a bit creepy sometimes.

Here is the boucle I plan to use for the Wardrobe contest. I bought these zipper a long time ago. I don't remember ordering pink but whatever. I think I'll use the dark purple one.

Nice?

Here's the color card all folded up.

I also bought 50 yards of 3/4" elastic. I use quite a bit of this size when I make kid pants. It is rolled up on top of the color card. It's very large. I'll have elastic for a looooong time.