Slow transition to fall... a navy geometric stripe miniskirt (aargh, accidental sideways skirt again?!)

9.04.2015

Slow transition to fall... a navy geometric stripe miniskirt (aargh, accidental sideways skirt again?!)

This happens every year. I'm a summer person, and I'm not ready for cooler weather, earth toned clothing, and pumpkin everything. Not ready yet. It's not even Labor Day, and I'm seeing fall and holiday stuff everywhere.

But I can't resist forever. I realized this year that I should slowly transition into the next season, and gracefully shift my wardrobe, cooking, and habits into fall-friendly ones. So I'm starting with this miniskirt!

It's a heavier brocade fabric, so it's not too summery for a fall look, but it's a miniskirt so it's good in the still-warm weather we've been having. I found this cool fabric and wanted a super simple design, so I used New Look 6003 but without the waistband!

Oh--the super bummer thing--this is not the first time I've done this, but unfortunately I designed the skirt for a horizontal stripe and then just went to default mode when cutting and cut it out in-line with the grain. URGH, why do I do that?!! I didn't remember or notice until I was almost done with the skirt, even!! "Wait, didn't I want to do this with horizontal stripes....aaaaack, crap!!!" is about how it went. I'm just so used to cutting things on the grain.

So, it turned out okay, although not as fun and pattern-emphasizing as I was hoping.

It still works well for a late summer outfit--I could even wear it to work, like with a navy sweater or button-up--and was a reason to pull out some riding boots for mid-week date night this week!

Jacket: Old Navy (similar). Tee: Gap. Necklace: Old Navy. Bag: Wilson's Leather (similar). Boots: Urban Outfitters (similar). Skirt: DIY!

Here's to a slow, seasonally appropriate wardrobe shift this fall! And, may I pay more attention next time I cut something out!

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White linen skirts are the best! How to Wear DIY, baby shower edition

6.12.2014

White linen skirts are the best! How to Wear DIY, baby shower edition

When I was in high school my very stylish friend had a white linen bias-cut skirt from Banana Republic that she, as said she said, "like lived in" one summer. I found a similar one in off-white somewhere else, and I found a lot of places to wear mine, too! Chic with black or natural leather accessories, easy to dress up or down.

I don't still have the skirt, and it probably wouldn't go with anything I own now since it was very 2002. But, the white linen and lace skirt I made recently has been filling a similar purpose in my wardrobe!

It's so easy to wear, and yet it looks more dressed up than another great basic like a black knit skirt. It goes with practically everything (like, as versatile as jeans?!), but makes any outfit look like you put some effort into it! ;)

So I wore it to a baby shower last weekend, which I thought was the perfect place for this white and light blue look. It was a shower for a baby girl, so pink might have technically been more appropriate, but... I figured... pastel colors, all baby-ish. The button-up makes it even more of an outfit than just the skirt and a tee!

(I think I was subconsciously inspired by this look and this look when I picked this out! Blue + white - classic combo!)

Plus the super simple flat Target sandals I have been wearing all. the. time. with this warm weather!

Shirt: Old Navy (similar). Necklace: World Market. Sandals: Target. Skirt: DIY, here!

I highly recommend the white linen skirt!

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A (super simple) spring midi skirt, linen and lace

4.22.2014

A (super simple) spring midi skirt, linen and lace

I love living in a time when skirt lengths of almost all varieties can be fun and cute. There have been many times in recent history when maxi skirts were totally out, or when the only skirt length you could wear if you were under 35 was a mini-mini with tall boots, and then there were times when ankle-length skirts were classy and chic (ha! Remember Molly Ringwald's skirt in The Breakfast Club? Baffling to us now...)

I read once in a magazine, several years ago now, to a reader question about flattering skirt lengths, that the good news for all of us is that pretty much any skirt length is acceptable now. I'm not sure we can all use that in context, and there are definitely some skirt lengths I don't tend to wear, but it is nice to think about all the freedom we have out there when shopping for (and sewing!) skirts.

When I make dresses, I tend to go for just-above-the knee--a little shorter if it's a straight skirt, a little longer if it's fuller and fluffy. Or I do maxi lengths. But I've been enjoying pinning and thinking about longer-than-usual full/pleated skirts this spring, and so decided to make myself a midi skirt!

Some of my spring midi skirt inspiration...

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I love the light and bright colors, the fullness achieved through gathers or pleats, and the textures!

So here's my DIY version!

No pattern, just two rectangles of lace and two of lining, plus a waistband (which is interfaced), and an invisible zipper.

Very cool scalloped daisy lace c/o WholePort, and I used a lovely 100% linen for the lining/base layer, which is so much nicer to wear (and keep things modest) than a lightweight cotton or poly or nylon.

The border of the lace means I only had to hem the lining! Easy!

And then husband told me the cat was in the picture...

And then we just went with it.

It went together in about an hour, not including cutting time - which is always a little longer with lace because you have to stretch it a little and line it up carefully.

Ready for some spring outfits with this one! Ideas??

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Simple tulle party skirt in shimmery copper

1.15.2014

Simple tulle party skirt in shimmery copper

Pretty, shimmery fabric and a classic full-skirt tutu shape!

I love the tulle skirt look, but it's never seemed super practical and I know from making my wedding dress skirt that sewing layers and layers of tulle is no picnic.

Just a few recent full puffy and/or sparkly skirt inspirations...

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So fun! I love that the longer length, easier to wear, is still cute, and of course the festive fabrics. Cheerful!
So here's my version, and a few instructions.

You will need:

• At least 4 yards tulle. I used the shimmery stuff--it's extremely cheap, like $0.99/yard or something, so you can buy even more and add more layers. I did two layers of two-paneled skirt on mine (4 panels total, about 36" long each).
• 1 yard or so lining fabric. I used silk dupioni, but it was a little too stiff, so I recommend something a little lighter weight. But the silk is very nice next to my legs!
• 1 1/2"-2" wide elastic for the waistband (I hid mine in a casing waistband)

1. Cut all the tulle panels the same length--for me, that was about 36" long each, so I opened the fabric and folded it back on itself so it was 2 yards; then folded and cut again so I had four 1-yard pieces all the same size and stacked on each other.

2. Sew the side seams of each set of panels together. I didn't press my seams open--fabric's too fragile for much but a very low iron, and it's so bouncy anyway, it hardly matters.

3. I gave the lining a proper hem (see below), but of course the tulle needs no hemming. It's nice that way.

4. Stack the tulle panels one inside the other. Since they are identical in size, it should be relatively easy to treat them as one skirt and gather the top edge.

5. Gather the top edge of the lining.

6. Match center front, side seams, and center back and pin tulle layer and lining layer together.

7. Attach the waistband (elastic, self-fabric lining fabric (cut one strip about 2" larger than your hip measurement so you know it will go over your hips!). I did this by sewing my waistband fabric right sides together with the gathered skirt, then pressing and turning it back on itself and topstitching it from the underside. I left a couple inches open at the back, fed the elastic through the casing, and sewed it up.

I thought about giving mine an elastic waistband, since an elastic waist gathered skirt is pretty much the easiest, fastest skirt project there is... but I've never seen an elastic that's exactly the right color, and having the self-fabric makes it a little dressier.

It goes together pretty quickly, aside from stacking all the layers!

Note: I had an issue with the lining fullness and had to cut it apart when it was done and re-do the gathering... so in the end, I took some length off the lining fabric and now it's much shorter than the tulle. There are two solutions to this: 1) cut the tulle shorter (sketch!! It was hard to cut straight) and 2) let the lining hem out and give it a much shorter (1/2" turned under twice) hem. I think I'll do #2 next time I have some extra time on my hands. ;)

So fun!!! Good luck sewing with tulle!!

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How to Wear DIY: I love this skirt! High-low shimmery vintage skirt makeover in a winter party look

12.27.2013

How to Wear DIY: I love this skirt! High-low shimmery vintage skirt makeover in a winter party look

Happy holidays! Hope you had a great Christmas and are enjoying this magical-but-kind-of-awkward in-between time of year before New Year's. We're on a little holiday this week but I brought my laptop, and have a How to Wear DIY to share with you, perfect for the holidays.

I'm super excited about this look because this is exactly what I had in mind when I saw this funky 90's vintage skirt at Goodwill and brought it home to make over. I wore it last weekend for a holiday get-together with family, and it was perfect!

I got a little creative and paired it with my new fave cozy cable sweater and black tights, because... brrr. Contrast!

I also got a chance to wear (well) this gorge necklace that was a gift from Favery, a flash sale jewelry site started right here in Portland. Anne from Favery has had us Portland Bloggers over to their super cute space a couple times now, most recently for a trunk show!, and I got to try this lovely rose gold long necklace by Jules Smith.

Source:  My pal Sam Rosen's lovely blog!

Sweater: Old Navy. Shoes: Target via Goodwill. Necklace: Jules Smith, c/o Favery Skirt: DIY makeover, here!

Simple but special, with shimmer and rose gold! And the funky high-low skirt with tulle petticoat sewn in.

What are you wearing to parties this Christmas-New Year's time of year?!

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Simple holiday party DIYs, and How to Wear DIY: leopard for the holidays!

12.13.2013

Simple holiday party DIYs, and How to Wear DIY: leopard for the holidays!

It's a funny combination, but here goes. Last weekend we had a lovely holiday party at our home for family and friends. Pretty proud of myself for DIYing this little invite in PicMonkey and sending it out; it was just what I wanted for the simple potluck get-together. Sweet, not too fancy, festive, natural elements...

Here it is without the address and such!

(You can use it if you want, too! Just save to your computer, open this baby in PicMonkey, and add the date, time, address, and RSVP info at the bottom! Font is Quicksand.)

I also made these little printable food signs that people filled out as they brought things to the table. It's always nice to tie in the theme of the invites with the decor, and these simple paper folding tents were easy and practical! (Here they are below advertising those amazing chocolate chip sunbutter cookies--I made a double batch for the party!)

I even tried to set up a pretty bar! No pro hostess here, just trying with some things I have all year 'round.

As you may have seen on my Instagram, we have two trees this year. Well, the white one is technically not a real tree, if you ask my husband--it's a "Christmas decoration" and does not count as a real Christmas tree! So we have another one that we cut down in the snow, literally, and both were lit up and on display for the part. Great thing about Christmas parties, right? Practically no decor necessary since you already have a tree and probably some candles or Santas up! ;)

And of course a holiday party is a great opportunity to dress up!! I wore this skirt that I made last fall, and I never would have thought it would look festive, but... I think it did! The bright red sweater and TWO shiny gold necklaces helped.

And honestly, black leggings under skirt? Best thing ever in the winter. Especially when the party is at your house and you don't have to go outside in the cold... but still, cozy and comfy! A great hostess outfit!

There were other people there, I swear. ;) Husband took these before anyone arrived. We played Cards Against Humanity for about three hours, I swear!

So print out some cute invites, have some friends over, and pull out the leopard! Or your fave DIY elastic waist skirt!

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A loooong time coming: Sweater skirt makeover into a cozy mini

12.09.2013

A loooong time coming: Sweater skirt makeover into a cozy mini

It's ridiculous how long ago I started this project. 2011, I think. I actually saved the "before" photos of this skirt in my "Unfinished projects" folder on my computer. :/ (Where blog projects go to die.)

I cut up this amazing wool maxi skirt two winters ago with the intention of adding a casing and elastic waistband. My classy grandma gave me this gorgeous skirt, from Peruvian Connection--she liked it but it was so long and snug, with no slit up the back for movement, and she couldn't walk easily in it. She gave it to me thinking maybe I could shorten it and enjoy it. I really liked it long, but I couldn't walk in it, either!, so I cut it off!!

So I cut it apart those two winters ago, must be now, but didn't get to finishing the project until last week. I had already cut off the waistband and hips; just had to take in the sides to reshape the hips and add the casing for the elastic waistband. Inside shot...

And here it is!

Simple enough, but a whole new skirt!

So funny because when I was at Target this weekend I saw this super similar one!! Comes in a couple different colors; same dark, wooly, geometric pattern look.

I think mine will be fab with sweater tights and boots. But maybe I just think that now because it's been 15 - 35 degrees all weekend and I can't imagine wearing anything less than thick pants or jeans, tall boots, and my puffy coat out!! I actually haven't worn a skirt this short in ages. Outfit ideas??

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Funky skirt remake: shimmery high-low party skirt!

12.04.2013

Funky skirt remake: shimmery high-low party skirt!

After my series on holiday party dresses, and after pinning holiday outfit ideas recently and seeing lots of glitter and shininess and pretty colors at stores and online, I'm getting excited for holiday party wear.

So when I found this vintage (practically) 90's circle skirt at Goodwill recently, I had a vision of a pretty party skirt with a high-low hem.

So I folded down the center front of the sheer poly organza outer layer, lining, and net under layer, and cut a curve in them to the side seam. Then I unpicked the hem near the new edge and hemmed the newly cut part, merging the hems.

High-low!

Fun to twirl in, full, great with heels--or on tip-toe, so you can get the effect!

Hooray!

Outfit ideas for a holiday party with this pretty pale, shimmery skirt?

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