Retro Sewing: The Dress

This is the pattern I started with. I have been sort of dreaming of a wrap dress like this for awhile now. I wanted to do the contrast style (like the black and white one on pattern). I was looking for a cool print or a bright color for the inside and then black for the outside. It needed to look awesome because I was planning on wearing it to the Rockabilly Hootenanny in just a few days.

This is how it turned out:

I wouldn't call it perfect (Project Runway material I am not...yet...) but i was still pleased with the overall look of it. I made it out of a lightweight cotton because it has been sooooo hot here recently.

This inside fabric is this badass red with blackbirds. Far away it looks like a pretty delicate pattern, up close it looks like Edgar Allen Poe tried his had at fabric design! I think it gave it just enough of a pretty goth edge to work for me.

Sadly I wimped out when it came to the day of the concert for wearing it. I will probably break it out soon though. Also now that I see where I had some evenness issues I will probably make more. I want to find a sweet Halloween print for the inside to wear as my hostess dress for my party this year. A really kitschy red and green dress would be sweet for Christmas as well. Oh the possibilities!!

What do we think? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Etsy Update

Couple new pieces for the shop today. Slowly working on some new designs that I want to add to the shop.

'Noir' is a super long layered black necklace. I wanted to make some really big statement necklaces and although these have a lot of look to them the are not heavy or overly fussy.

'Sandstorm' is long and layered and is less dramatic than the all black of 'Noir'.

Both can be found over at the shop!

Retro Sewing.

I have a penchant for retro things. I have sort of always had it but I am finally embracing it full on and letting it become more and more of who I am on an everyday basis. I grew up watching black and white films, I love all things to do with the '50s, I have a slightly odd obsession with vintage pin-ups and I am now moving towards a more retro inspired wardrobe.

To get my retro fix I like browsing the Rockabilly flickr group and contemplating how I can make my hair do that. For help with that I have Lauren Rennell's fabulous book "Vintage Hairstyling". If you are going for the retro look at all you NEED this book! I also read her great blog. I lust after outfits here and here. I have recently started hanging out online at Sew Retro which inspired me to head to the thrift store to get some old sewing patterns.

From a vintage slip pattern to tennis shorts to an 'cowboy' shirt I got quite the variety! And hopefully I will be sharing projects that coincide soon.

I also got this little gem:

How could I not? I was OBSESSED with catwoman as a child. I even had a catwoman themed birthday party. It was sweet.

But then I had a moment of weakness and I headed to the fabric store next to the thrift store and I bought two 'new' retro patterns!

One is a wrap dress and the other is a '40s style robe. Super excited to make both of these. I am hoping to make the wrap dress this week because I have a Rockabilly Hootenanny to attend this weekend!!!

Gearing up for a wedding.

Mom and her bridesmaids, in color
Originally uploaded by epicharmus

My best friend is getting married this weekend! I am so excited I can not stand it. I have never even been in a wedding before! Crazy right? Well I was just a little to old to snag a flower girl spot (damn younger sister nabbed with that head of curls she had) and I have yet to be close enough to anyone getting married to be a bridesmaid. Now I am MOH! Yesssss! Not that I know what I am doing but I am still excited and I have been reading tons of blogs and basically I really just want to plan my own wedding. (I seem to be missing something though... oh right a fiance...you dont really NEED that though do you?)

As excited as I am for my friend's wedding mine would be full of vintage fabulousness like this picture here. Isn't it great? I really wish we could have these bow-hat things. I am kind of in love with them. I wonder what the bouquets are made of? Looks like ribbon and....?

Now I just have to finish writing my toast and pray that the dress still fits and that everything goes smoothly.

People, get ready to party!

Dec. 31, 1965
Originally uploaded by valjean56

Because I just quit my job! Thats right. Two more weeks and then I am FREE! FREE I TELL YOU! After almost two years and more stress than I can put into words I am finally cutting ties with the local Women's shelter that I work at. I believe in the work they are doing there but it is no longer for me. I am burnt out. I don't know how some of those amazing women have been working there for 10 + years!

Do I know what I am going to do now? No. Probably it will involve me moving back home with mommy. (Lame? Yes. Free rent? YES. Hell I am still young enough for this to be only slightly lame.)

Am I happy with my choice? YEP.

Do I need a drink? Most definitely.

Wish me luck people! It is going to be a bumpy ride!!!!

Summer Pie

Mmmm pie. I love pie. I love summer. I love summery yummy pies filled with berry goodness. Smitten Kitchen always has the recipes that I crave until I end up making them. Her strawberry-rhubarb pie was one of those recipes.

I went to the local farmer's market in the morning to get some rhubarb when I realized there was still an amazing crop growing in my friends backyard! I think she got a pretty good deal- friend comes in the morning and takes some rhubarb and then returns that evening with it prepared in pie form.

I went a little Martha on the pie and used a cookie cutter to add some pizzaz to the top.

And oh was it good! Tart and lovely. Perfect for our summer cookout.

Hipster Survival Kit

My friend Krista is kind of a hipster. Her birthday was this week so I made her a kit.

Illustration from Nan Lawson on Etsy, 2 pairs of fake glasses from StarSturckLadies on Etsy , and hipster beer of choice PBR.