What is This?

My mom had this on her counter, and we've had a devil of a time trying to figure out what it is.  I think it's one of those quickie projects you make from ribbon and fat quarters.

Anybody have any suggestions?

More Scarves

This girl is a genius when it comes to styling the infinity scarf -- check out her YouTube channel!

Black Friday

I got to hit Hancock's pattern sale on Black Friday!  Here's a look at what I got --

New Video Tutorial

Here's a great gift idea for Christmas -- easy scarf.  It only takes about half an hour to do.

Enjoy!

Thrifty Scarf

Just Checking In

I know, I know, it seems like I never post anymore!  If only I had time to sew and write in my blog!  I'm afraid this fall I have quite a bit more life than time.  I'm a full-time student, and thought this semester would be relatively easy.

NOT SO.

The drawing classes I thought would be fun?  Holy cow!  It's more brain work than math!  The geology that I thought would be fun?  What the heck are these rocks, anyway?  Somebody just TELL ME ALREADY!

And that computer 110 class I thought I could do in my sleep?  Well, I can -- except there's so daggone much of it to do!  Talk about busy work!

Fortunately, my American Writer's class is going well.  I have found that yes, I actually can WRITE in my sleep!  That is, when I do get to sleep!   

There are a couple more classes thrown in there, plus tutoring 3 students, plus running kids to tennis matches and community theater -- even just getting the laundry and grocery shopping done is a challenge. 

I think I need to take a nap just talking about it.

Amazingly, I am heading downstairs to the sewing room right now to make some purse organizers for a fund-raiser (Design Club at school).  Of course, daughter #3 has to have a Halloween costume altered --

In the meantime, here's a great video about aprons, one of my sewing loves:



Hopefully I'll be back with a tutorial soon on a quick Christmas gift for your college kid.

xoxoxox

Giveaway!

Not mine -- but Miss Mustard Seed (see the link in my sidebar) is having a giveaway -- and it's Lisa Leonard jewelry!  I've loved Lisa's jewelry for a long time.  Head on over and get in on the giveaway action!

xoxoxoxox

A Bit of a Departure

I don't normally do this -- but I make pizza every Friday night, and it's had rave reviews for years.

So I did a YouTube tutorial for it.  You can find it here -- Pizza Video

And here's the recipe:

FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZA

4 cups flour
2 Tablespoons minced dried onion
2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon minced dried garlic
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon (or one package) yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water (warm to the touch, but not hot)
1/4 cup olive oil

Pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
String cheese
The toppings of your choice

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, food processor, or big bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.  Add the olive oil to the warm water in a 2-cup liquid measuring cup.

Using your dough hook, turn the mixer on the lowest speed and slowly add the liquid.  When using a food processor, do the same but pulse it until the liquid is well-worked into the flour and pulls together into a firm dough.  If doing this by hand, add liquid in slowly as you mix with a spoon.

Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic.

Let rise for 30-45 minutes.

When dough is risen (between half and doubled in size), cut into two equal pieces.  Set one piece aside.

Take the other piece and shape into a flat circle.  Use your fingers to make indentations all around the edges to flatten the edges; it should look like a flying saucer.  Then take your rolling pin and roll it out to a circle about 2 inches larger than your pizza pan.

Now take your olive oil and sprinkle it over the dough.  Cover it using a paintbrush or your hands.  Lay the pizza pan on top of the dough, slide your hand under it, and flip it over.  Arrange the dough now so it covers the pan.

Place string cheese around the edges of the pan, laying them end-to-end.  Take the edge of the crust and fold over to enclose the cheese.  This can also be done with a little "hill" of shredded mozzarella that you put around the edge of the pan.  Just enclose it within the crust the same way.

Now just add sauce, spread it around, put your toppings on, and cover with shredded mozzarella.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.  Check it after about 17-18 minutes to make sure it isn't going to burn.
After removing it from the oven, let the pizza set for 5 minutes, then cut.  Serves 8-10.

 The dough can also be frozen and used later.  Just let it come to room temperature and rise a little before you roll it out.

Bon Appetit!

xoxoxoxox

Purse Organizer Tutorial

So sorry I've been M-I-A!  Not much time for sewing between all these classes I'm taking (19 credit hours, including Geology and Major American Writers!).  I am wishing I had more time to spend down in my sewing room --

HOWEVER . . . I did have some time a few weeks ago to put together this tutorial.  Have a look -- it's a quick project!



Here are the detailed directions:

Purse Organizer

Materials Needed:

Sewing Machine

Pins - thread - ruler
scissors
marking tool, like chalk
sticky back velcro or hook and loop tape
1/4 yd fabric for the base, something sturdy like denim or canvas
1/4 yd fabric for the pockets, like cotton
1/4 yd interfacing

Cut the pieces:
For the base, cut 30 x 14 inches.
For the pockets, cut 30 x 10 inches
For the interfacing, cut same size as pocket piece, 30 x 10 inches

1.  Take the base piece and lay it out.  Fold the pocket piece in half lengthwise and lay on top.
2.  Lay out all the items you want to store in the organizer.  Mark the lines for each thing.
3.  Take your pocket piece and fuse the interfacing piece to it with your iron.  Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the interfacing.
4.  Fold the pocket piece in half lengthwise again.  Lay it onto the unfolded base piece, and match the long raw edges together.  Pin together.
5.  Sew a basting stitch (longest stitch length on your machine) along the bottom edge, to hold the two pieces together.  Use about a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  You can also just match up the edge of your presser foot with the edge of the fabric.
6.  Sew along your marking lines.  Be sure to backstitch at the end of each pocket line at the top.
7.  Fold each end under 1/2 inch.  Press these toward the inside (wrong side) of the fabric.
8.  Fold the whole thing in half lengthwise, matching right sides together.
9.  Stitch along the bottom edge, using about a 5/8 inch seam allowance.
10.  Turn the whole thing inside out.  Press with your iron to get the seams flat.
12.  Lay out the velcro on one end.  Use either the fuzzy side or the loopy side.  Cut two pieces the width of the organizer (about 6-7 inches), and space them about 2 inches apart.
13.  Turn the organizer over, go to the other end, and lay out the other pieces of the velcro.  Space about 2 inches apart.
14.  Try it out.  Make sure you can attach it into a circle.
15.  Sew the velcro down, and topstitch the ends.
16.  Done!

This is adjustable to the size of your purse -- that's why you use two pieces of velcro at each end.

Back with more tutorials soon!

xoxoxox

p.s.  If that link doesn't work above, just go here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-uDs9cYKg

An Anthropologie Homage to Imelda Marcos

(click on the photos to be taken to Anthropologie's website for more photos and details)

I WANT THEM ALL.

Somebody help me.  

Or just send me about $2500 so I can buy them all.  On second thought, make it $3000 so I can add bags.

(And this isn't even a peek at the boots they have!)

Seriously, though, a few of these could easily be duplicated by taking an existing shoe and adding some embellishment.  You would never get the fit or the workmanship of the original shoe, but you might get at least a reference to it.

Ah, eye candy.  We all need a good dose.

xoxoxox

Free! Free!

I subscribe to about four different money-saving blogs.  I use coupons, it saves money, blah, blah, blah.

So I was reading one today and they had a link for a free e-book full of apron patterns!  I love aprons.  Much of my fabric stash was purchased to make aprons for my Etsy shop.

So head over here and get your free pattern book, courtesy of FaveCrafts:

8 Free Apron Sewing Patterns

If you happen to make any of them, do share -- and so will I!

xoxoxox

PR Episode 4: My Hat Is Decidedly NOT Off to these Designers!

I just watched Thursday night's Project Runway, and have come to this conclusion:

Apparently I have no idea what fashion is.


I could not believe my eyes.  What these designers could have done, the potential here, contrasted with what they did -- to call it disappointing would be an understatement.

Here is my rundown -- my not-so-humble opinion:

You can find this photo at here at BloggingProjectRunway.
You can find the individual looks here at Lifetime TV/Project Runway.

1.  Great idea with the shape, but what's with all this puffiness?  The lines of the hat were so sleek and clean.  This had such potential for a jacket and skirt, lots of very clean edges.  And out with the dots already!  How about a deep solid charcoal grey?

2.  I loved this one and give it high marks.  Maybe do a bit less with the sleeve.  But it's very sleek.  Great color, too.

3.  Huh?  If she was going for resort wear, a bright yellow would have been gorgeous in a georgette.  Maybe a halter neckline dress/swimsuit cover-up to reference the pointed top of the hat.  Lots of gathering from the neck, lots of volume hitting about mid-thigh.

4.  Nice.  However, I would have shortened it just a bit and gone with one shoulder.  And in a bright bluish teal.

5.  I loved this.  I thought it should have won.  Beautifully interpreted.

6. What in the world?  I get that the lightness referenced the feathers, but really?  I think something much more structured in a deep, rich chocolate brown would have been SO much better.  An exaggerated shoulder, very pointy, along with a wide-leg pant would have been really nice here.  HATED those boots.

7.  Well, here I thought she got the colour right, at least.  But this was a rose-shaped hat -- it should have been a playful summer sundress.  I did like the play of cream on white.  I would like to have seen ruffles and something peasant-like, off the shoulder.  At least a puffy sleeve.

8.  This designer went home, and I think the fail came not with the design but with the black colour and the construction, which was deplorable.  I wish she had done this in a bright lime green, with the accents in both orange and fuschia.  I confess that I did like the design.

9.  This thing just looks anti-hat to me, and it won.  The hat had such beautiful curve, and I would like to have seen something with straight lines -- not all these fluttery points.  It doesn't have to be heavy to be structured.  This dress didn't complement the hat, it competed with it.  Harmonious?  Clearly Michael Kors has a different opinion.  I'm conflicted on the colour choice.  I think I would like to have seen something more truly nude colored, with a peach tint.  And some kind of keyhole neckline with a lot of straight vertical line.

10.  The judges loved this.  I HATE IT.  Can I say that enough times?  I HATE IT!  It's corrugated box meets broomstick skirt!  And the colour!  For me, what would have made this absolutely stunning would have been a deep espresso wrapped kimono with a wide-legged pant, both in linen.  Slanted lines and the jacket with a simple, clean, tab closure. This would have meshed beautifully with an Asian-inspired interpretation.  It's a box on a hankerchief.  What a waste!

11.  OK, this guy is just out of his mind with this design.  I look at this and I am physically dizzy.  This look has entirely too many things happening.  He had this very avant-garde red hat that looked kind of like a sophisticated sideways jellyfish.  I would have taken the vest and referenced the tails by pintucking (or appliqueing) the vest with three lines down from the armhole at a slant toward the vest points.  Then I would have done a skirt with lots of bustled volume in the back, probably short in the front.  And all in gold with black lining.

12.  This one is a tough one.  There is such an interplay going on in the hat of pointy against circular, black against white.  I would have simplified the whole thing by doing a square neck, darted bodice that comes to the waist, and then an exaggerated, wide a-line skirt -- like an inverted triangle coming to the waist, and then a triangle on the bottom.  I think going short was a good idea.  As for color, I did like the pink.  But pale, baby pink.

13.  No, no, no, no, no!  What a mess!  The dress had nothing to do with the mask, and the bolero/shrug just looked like an afterthought.  She should have gone with a bright yellow or green loose tank in a chiffon, over a black ankle jean.  Or follow the shrug/zipper idea with a bright lycra top over the jeans.

These designers didn't let those hats speak.  They are works of art; the clothes should have also been works of art that complemented the hats.  I get that you can only do so much in the limited amount of time.  But the work that did go into the designs presented could have easily accomplished any of the suggestions.  None of these hats warranted elaborate ornamentation or complicated lines.

So, teams next week!  Hmmm, I'll be interested to see how that goes!  It's so hard for us to see the personalities and form opinions, and then hear these judges just go to town on the designs alone.  We hate to see the meanies win!  But it is about the most talented one winning, and it is entirely subjective, so there you go.

Your opinions?  Do share!

10.

Pattern Envy

You know, I don't buy patterns like I used to do.

(just couldn't bring myself to end that last sentence with a preposition)

I don't buy them for 2 reasons:  1-I have a ton of patterns already, and 2-the basics of tops and bottoms never change that much.

HOWEVER.

Remember that little black sundress I tried to make for the Bug and was a near fail?  I tried and tried to find more of that fabric, and finally found it.  So while I was in Raleigh yesterday, I ran into JoAnns for a quick look and got 2 more yards of it.  Plus interfacing.  And then I noticed --

McCalls patterns were $1.99, and Vogue was $3.99!

How could I resist?

So I quickly flipped through the catalog -- I really only need the first few pages for what's new -- and decided on a couple.  Some were gone, which was unfortunate.  But they were all McCalls and what I really wanted was the Vogue -- so here's what I got!

Vogue 1044

This was for me-- it's a Vintage Vogue that takes yards and yards of fabric.  But so pretty, and hopefully I can make it up.  Barbie likes it too.

Vogue 1178

This is an Anna Sui, and I loved the ruffles and tiers for my girls.  Maybe even me if I cut it a bit longer--

Vogue 1182

This is a Kay Unger/New York, and I loved the lines of it.  It says it needs to be made up in a satin or shantung, but I think you could probably get away with a lightweight linen.  I have a couple of things in the stash that I may try.  I think JB would look like a million bucks in this.

McCalls P355 or 6168

This caught my eye because Barbie has a cute 3/4 sleeve sweater she got recently at Gap, and it looks a lot like the views to the right.  I love the idea of the sweater with a belt.  I think maybe some sort of lightweight knit would work here, even a sweater knit.  

And lastly, McCalls 5138

Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten this one if it hadn't been $1.99.  But it's a classic white shirt, with cute lines.  I liked the sleeve variations.  I probably should have gone with a shirt with a collar + stand, whereas this is just a flat collar.  But I probably have a couple of shirts in my pattern collection already that are just that: a basic button-down with a stand-collar.  

Classic, tunic-length white shirts seem to be all the rage right now.  I love that look; I swear my uniform since I was about 8 has always been a white shirt and pair of jeans.  Add a big wide hip-slung belt and a cute pair of boots, and you're ready for fall 2010.

What have you been buying?  Made anything lately?  Put it on your blog or Flickr, and link it up in your comment below!  Like I always have heard (and still hear) from my girls:  "I wanna see!  I wanna see!"

xoxoxox

Color Hunter

I just found this amazing online tool:

http://colorhunter.com/

You can upload images, and it will create a matching/coordinating color palette for you.

Pretty cool, huh?

xoxoxox

Quickie Video on Sewing Machine Essentials

You can also find this on YouTube --

I'm also in the process of doing one for hand sewing -- 

Enjoy!

xoxoxox

p.s.  Be sure and enter the giveaway below . . . 

Oooooh! Presents!

I thought a giveaway was in order.  I love presents, especially giving them!  My greatest joy at Christmastime and birthdays is watching the faces of those to whom I give.  It's such fun planning and scheming and plotting to put together just the right thing that would delight them.

Here's the big prize package to delight you!  It's just a few things I had around, so nothing too spectactular.  But I hope it will be a treasure for one of you:

There are three pieces of polished cotton fabric (each is the better part of a yard), quite a bit of lace, a generous heap of buttons, and the latest issue of Sew Somerset magazine.

(the buttons are on the blue fabric -- that's actually not a big white flower in the print.  My photography skills are sorely lacking!)

In order to win, just leave me a comment below telling me how you'd make something creative and fabulous from these humble pieces.

I'll choose a winner on August 7.  Be sure to leave me your email address in your comment so I can let you know if you win.

Sadly, I cannot send this package outside the US -- but for my readers abroad, I'd be happy to send it to a friend you might have here who can forward it on to you.

I can't wait to read your ideas!

xoxoxox

Thrift Store Haul for the 50+ Crowd

All over YouTube there are these people doing "haul" videos.  Basically, they just go over what they bought -- kind of like chatting with your girlfriend about what you got when you went shopping.

Sometimes, here at our house, we call it "The Fashion Show" when it involves trying on clothing.

So to adjust this sort of thing to the 50+ crowd (of which I am an active member), I changed it up.  I'm calling it "The Thrift Store Score."

After this many years, I get (admittedly) cheaper by the year, tighter than a tick, and stingier than Scrooge.  I can, as did my grandmother, get at least 3 more sandwiches out of that empty jar of peanut butter.  And I seriously have had to make myself throw away things and say out loud to myself "Jen, this isn't the depression!  It's gone!  Throw it away!"

The rubber spatula was invented for obsessive-compulsives like me.

Well anyway, I digress.  I found a whole bunch 'o cool stuff on my last Mental Health Day --  and here it is!

(You may not be able to see the entire frame here because of the size of the video.  If you can't, please go to Thrift Store Score July 2010 to view it on YouTube)

Enjoy --




xoxoxox

One Amazing Find

OK, how's this for a God-directed incident?

I attended Cincinnati Christian University during the early 1980's, and my husband's parents both graduated from there.  So I get the alumni magazine regularly.  I try to regularly check out the "alumni updates" section just to see what's up with friends.


So today I'm reading through the CCU 514 magazine, checking out the Alumni News, and I come across this:  

          Emily Hill (Att’d 99-2000) has started an online 

          boutique, Stop Traffick Fashion, combining her

          interest in fashion and her passion for fighting 

          human trafficking. Stop Traffick Fashion exists 

          to raise awareness of human trafficking, 

          empower survivors and support organizations 

          that are rescuing and providing rehabilitation 

          for survivors. Visit www.stoptraffickfashion.com

          to find out more.

This girl is making a significant difference in the world, in a way I can appreciate!  

Here are a few of my favorites from StopTraffick, along with information about the company that makes them:

The Diana Purse, $59.99: 

STOPStart (Formerly Hagar Design) employs women from Hagar International in Cambodia.  Hagar works with women and children from devastating backgrounds of violence, abuse, and trafficking and supports them in their recovery, rehabilitation, job readiness, and community reintegration. Hagar is committed to individualized and long-term assistance for its beneficiaries, advocating the strategic use of the social enterprise model as a tool for social rehabilitation and economic empowerment.

The Freedom Tee, $21.99:

They’re here! Freeset tees are made by women in Kolkata, India who were once marginalized and trapped by poverty and prostitution. Freeset has given them a way to find freedom. They have learned new skills and now earn a respectable, shame-free living making tees for you! A Freeset Tee sustainably pulls people out of poverty, children and pesticides out of fields, and women out of the sex trade. Make your money count!

The Blushing Necklace, $74.99:

Wonderfully Made’s model of social entrepreneurship hopes to provide an alternative income for girls and boys leaving trafficking situations. Sustainable jobs are created through producing high quality products desired by Western markets. The jewelry is made in Chiang Mai, Thailand and helps to provide hope and new life for survivors of human trafficking.

and The Blue Butterfly Bag, $18.99:

The Emancipation Network helps survivors of slavery rebuild their lives, earn sustainable income, acquire education, and reintegrate into society. They work to prevent slavery in high risk communities, such as red light and refugee communities, by creating jobs for adults, organizing volunteer trips, and making donations to shelter partners for rescue, school fees, emergency needs, and reintegration.  The whimsical purses in our kids collection are from Made by Survivors. They are handmade from wool felt by survivors in Nepal.

It looks like shipping runs about $10, and there is tax if you live in Ohio.  Checkout is handled through Google, so if you have a Google account, it's easy.

Seriously, I am STUNNED.  I never would have imagined finding something like this in my Bible college alumni magazine!  But what I find absolutely wonderful about it is simply this:  Emily Hill had a talent and love for something that might seem completely out of place in terms of Christian service.  But she took that and combined it with a need to illuminate the tragedy and injustice of human slavery, and an ability to aid those either trapped in it or escaping it.  

While I see this all the time with many secular organizations, I've never seen it in the place I should have always expected to see it: the Christian university I attended.  Things are changing, and not just for the better -- but to God's glory.  

Well done, Emily!  For those of you who are Christians, please keep Emily and her organisation in prayer as God brings them to mind.  And for all of us, please add this online shop to your list of go-to places for cute tees and accessories.  You'll get something really cute for a great deal, and you'll be making a difference in the world!

xoxoxoxox

Hobby Lobby Annual Haul

I just got back from vacation.  We always go to see family in Ohio and Indiana, and I always try and hit Hobby Lobby while I'm there. It just wouldn't be a vacation without that and a thrift store . . .

So here's what I got!

Love the black floral.  The owl print will probably be for my daughter Rose.

Closeup of the black floral.  It's really pretty -- 

And another closeup of the owls.  Very cute.

This is probably my favourite.  I love the grey with the turquoise.  This photo really doesn't do it justice.

The green and pink floral on the left is REALLY soft.  The others were on sale; the brown floral on the right is almost a twill weight.  It will make a nice jumper.

The blue is a close second for my favourite.  Although, I don't know, maybe it's my favourite.  Can I have two favourites?

The keys print was a novelty I got for Bug, who loves keys.  Not sure what I'll do with that yet.

A couple of t-shirt knits

This is one of those already-ruffled knits that's super easy to make into a little skirt.  I'll probably do that for JB.

What I got here was the gingham in the middle.  Interestingly, though, I realised that the black Chinese character print (that I've run out of) actually came from Hobby Lobby!  They had the two companion prints, but not this one.  So the gingham it was.  Anybody seen this print or know where I can get more?

This is the sundress I made for Bug that didn't fit.  I'll post photos when I get it done.

Interfacing and zips

And that was it for the haul.  

Today, I played mechanic to my two vintage machines.  The Singer, although it's been oiled and cleaned, will need a trip to the hospital.  I just can't get the bobbin shuttle to grab the needle thread.  I think the thing needs some surgery.

But the Pfaff just hums right along.  I oiled her up and set the tension.  I also played with the adjustable zig-zag.  And I remembered just how much I love this machine!  I previously had her in a carrying case.  So I switched out the Singer into the case and put the Pfaff into the cabinet.  I really need to paint that cabinet -- but for now, the Pfaff is all set up and will alleviate me having to change threads during projects.  

If you can ever get your hands on one of these, jump at it.  It will be worth it.

Tutorials in the works!

xoxoxox

For My Wonderful Chinese Readers . . . 我的精彩中文读者

I have some Chinese blog readers.  But their comments are always in Chinese, and I would like for everyone to read them.


我有一些读者评论谁在中国。

So I humbly request that they first translate the comments into English, so everyone who reads English can share in them.


因此，我谦恭地请求他们先翻译成英文的意见，所以大家谁读英语可以分享它们。

I never imagined I would reach such a wide audience.  Thank you to all my readers who speak Chinese.  I love you!


我从未想过我会达成这样一个广泛的受众。谢谢你对我所有的读者谁讲中文。我爱你！

xoxox

亲吻和拥抱

From the New Anthropologie Catalog

If only I could make shoes.

 

xoxoxox

New Tutorials in the Works!

I have two projects on which I'm currently working: a tutorial for a peasant nightgown, and a tutorial for copying a purse/bag from Target.  I've done the video for each one, but as I'm a sewer and not a video producer, it takes a little time.  I think I need to recruit one of my genius-at-video-stuff daughters to edit.  If only I could draw them away from episode after episode of the past seasons of Gray's Anatomy . . .

The nightgown tutorial is closer to being finished.  I've used vintage sheets for fabric, because hey, what better fabric to use for a nightgown than a worn, soft sheet?

Here's a quick glance at the finished products --
   

The Peasant Nightgown

     

     

Let me just say here that I'd model these for you -- but I'm a Pastor's wife.  So the Pastor and my daughters are really the only ones who see me in my jammers.  I can tell you this:  I've been sleeping in the lighter print one, and I never want to take it off!

                                                                                                     

The Target Tote

      

I changed this one up a bit to make it even better.  It's really cute.

So I'll keep you posted!

xoxoxox

This Just In

I just found this on Grosgrain.  Have a look.

This particular dress is fabulous.  I hope she puts out a pattern for it soon, because I'd love to make it up.

The Streamer Frock Grosgrain Giveaway

Be sure to enter.  You could win it!

xoxox

Cool Flip Flops

Check out Gianny's cool DIY flip-flops.  How this girl does this with those nails -- well, let's just say that I have my acrylics cut short for a reason!  But she's a genius with using pliers to push a needle through the rubber of the shoe.  End result?  Gorgeous!

It Never Fails

Rose, Bug, Barbie, JB, or Babydoll, doesn't matter, take your pick:
    "Mama, make me stuff.  Make me a dress."
Me:
    "OK."

The result:

Usually something like this.  Very cute sundress but it doesn't fit.  Very frustrating.

I wanted to surprise Bug with this and basically just whipped it up while she was at work, yesterday afternoon.

Bug is long waisted.  The pattern I used is vintage (as in "it was mine when I was her age"), and the bodice was cut to the waist.  So I shaved off about 3" from the waistline to make it more of an empire waist.

Bad idea.

First off, it hits about 2" above her waist but well below the empire line.  Secondly, she informed me that she looks terrible in empire waisted things.  (When did this happen?)

So the plan now is to cut the bodice shorter, add a contrasting lower bodice that will fall almost to her hips, and then re-attach the skirt.  A whole lotta trouble for something I was just going to whip up in an afternoon.

And by the way -- the print is one I got from Hobby Lobby summer before last.  It's chinese characters printed in white on a black background.  Bug loves all things Japanese, and it was close --

I'll post the finished dress when it's done.  And successfully on the Bug.

xoxoxox