The cutest pair of shorts... for under $10!

Have you ever visited Kings Street in downtown Charleston, SC?

Let me tell you that there are some unique shops there, but items can be a little on the "pricey" side. About a month ago, while strolling and window shopping with my daughter, we happened to stop in a little shop that had the cutest pairs of shorts in bright floral colors. We could not resist oohing and awing over what we saw there. .. But the cost, if my memory serves me well was above $50 per pair. OUCH! REALLY! For a pair of shorts!

So here is my version of what I saw in that little specialty shop!

I lined the pockets and the waistband in a contrasting yet complimentary fabric.

I used Simplicity 1879 and the pocket design from Kwik Sew 3614. I made a muslin to ensure the style and fit was what my daughter would be happy with. After the 1st fit, she did not like the tucks made in the front of the shorts that the Simplicity pattern and instructions called for; instead I turned them into darts. This gave the shorts a flatter fit in the front. There is an invisible zipper on the left side and the waistband is secured with a hook and eye for closure.

Aren’t they cute! Now that I have her design and fit, there are more to come in other cute colors and prints. I may just make some for me.



Graduation Celebration in Charleston (What I Wore - Butterick 4343)

What an exciting day! We enjoyed having family in town to celebration my daughter's graduation from the College of Charleston.

I am so proud of her! Now on to graduate school in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

I am on the hunt for a pattern that I can look to as my TNT sheath pattern. I have tried 2 patterns that have turned into wadders (Vogue 8491 an Butterick 5706) but with this one, I think I have a winner!

Here are the front and back views on my dress form.

A up close look with the dress on. I just love the floral print! It is so Charleston!

Here I am with my graduate and my marine! What wonderful gifts for Mother's Day weekend!

How I fashioned my "Something Old Becomes New Again" Dress?

I am so glad I did not give this dress away! I received comments all day. It really made me feel good. As promised, here are some pictures.

I must do better than using my Blackberry to take pictures. My next goal... "How to use the timer on one of the many cameras in the house :)!

"Baby Girl" Graduating from the College of Charleston - May 12, 2012

I am a proud Momma!

Something Old Becomes New Again!

I have had this dress for over 10 years, and probably only wear it once a year. For Lent this year, I decided to give away 40 items from my closet; and not to buy any new clothing items for 40 days!

Yes, I was successful! I actually gave up over 100 items from my closet, including shoes! In the process I can across items that I still loved, but felt were outdated, so I decided to keep a few to refashion and to make "new" again.

Here is one of my projects!

I decided to remake this dress into a sleeveless sheath with a squared neckline.

I also decided to make the dress more form fitting and took it in about 3/4" on each side.

I used bias tape for the neckline and sleeve facings.

My finish refashioned dress!

I plan to wear it with a summer bright colored cardigan for work! Hope to post pictures when I do!

Estate Sale - 10 Patterns for $8!

One of my favorite things to do is attend estate sales. Prior to getting back into sewing, I would hunt for antique furniture; now I look for sewing supplies and patterns. I was able to purchase a basket of sewing supplies, such as binding tape, zippers, scissors, and an ironing board for under $20 total and that included the 10 patterns listed below. If you haven't tried going to estate sales, try them, you'll never no what you will find!

Vogue 1723 (1986) - Flared skirt and slighlty flared pants. The skirt has side pockets and pocket opening. The pants had front pleats, slanted pockets and pocket opening. I love both looks!

Simplicity 9113 (1979) - Front wrap skirt in two lengths. I like both lengths, but will probably not make the long version unless there is some formal event I need to attend.

Simplicity 5014 (1972) - I can see this is the maxi for the summer!

Simplicity 7139 (1967) - "A collarless pantdress" is the phase used on the back of the pattern envelop; I like both lengths of this jumpsuit and can't wait to try both!

Butterick 5180 (no date on the envelop) - One-piece dress and coat; I picked this one out for the coat; something I have yet to try, but is on my list for the fall.

McCall's 9213 (1968) - Dress or Jumper and Pantdress/Pantjumper and Blouse. I love the simple dress!

Simplicity 8786 (1978) - Dress in three lenghts and pants; I like View 2.

Simplicity 7118 (1967) - Collarless and sleeveless A-Line dress with loop and button sholder closing. I love the simplicity of this dess, only 7 pieces too!

McCall's 3544 (1973) - Princess dress with a front zipper; I like View C, the sleeveless version.

This one I could not resist! Simplicity 1979 - Body suits, mini-front wrap skirt and bag. I wore body suits all throughout high school and would love to add them back into my woredrobe!

"Starting at the Top" - Top #4

Top #4 - Butterick 5496

I am looking forward to wearing this one on an evening out with my Dear Hubby! I plan to wear it with a black or white cami and black or white slacks. I love the graduating polka dots and made a scarf with the leftover fabric and can be worn with this top or with other garments.

The patter calls for elastic at the waistline, but I am not sure if I will add it, I like the easy, breezy flow of this top! I can't wait to share pictures of when I wear it!

Top #3- New Look 6964

Top #3 is  New Look 6964; My nautical look! The fabric is a navy blue and white rayon/polyester blend, I believe, bought from Hancock's! I plan to wear this top with white shorts/slacks! I cannot wait to wear it; living in Charleston, SC this is the right look for walking on the Battery! I plan to make this one again, and will sew the other versions as well! I did one modification from the sewing instructions; I added elastic to the hem of the top. I just thought it brought the top "all" together; especially in regards to the sleeves.

Top #2! Vogue 8634

Vogue 8634

I really like this top! I bought the fabric about 1 year ago from Fabric Mart and love the pattern of colors flowing through the fabric. The colors lend versatility to the types and colors of bottoms that can be paired with it. This is the second time (1st time here) that I have made this top; it is easy and provides sewing satisfaction every time!

This is the first time I have used a double-stitch needle! So glad I did; it made the difference in the finishing of this top!

Starting at the Top #1 - "What I wore today!"

Completed Top#1~

What I wore today!

My Plan for "Starting at the Top"!

Hope to post my 1st finished top by Wednesday! I'm excited!