WIFD - Day Seven

Today was the last day of garage sale stuff, so I wanted something light and easy to wear. Enter Parfait again! I do believe that this pattern is the perfect summer dress. This was the first version of the Parfait dress I sewed, it was the "muslin" made from a sheet from the thrift store. I decided that I wanted to make the muslin from a piece of inexpensive fabric in case it turned out and I could still wear it - and it worked! I did decide to make some changes on the second Parfait, raising the neckline over 2" (hence the pink cami underneath - from either Costco or Sam's), making the next size up, etc.

On this dress I skipped the shirt-tail hem as the instructions called for and decided to try the rolled hem on my serger - perfect! Fast, easy and looks sharp too!

I've been wearing the same necklaces all week but haven't done a close up or talked about them at all, so I thought I'd mention that real quick. The bead necklace is a Brighton from my Mother-in-law. It has the three birth stones of my children, January for our son, August for our first miscarriage and November for the second miscarriage. It's just a nice way to have a tangible memory of my babies. The heart necklace was a mother's day gift from Carter (via grandma), engraved on it is "Mom, I love you always".

Other WIFD participants:

~ Quietude

~ Romantic History

WIFD - Day Six

Today was spent helping my friend with a garage sale (in which she generously let me put a bunch of stuff in), so excuse the sweaty, tired look.

The blouse is one of my new favorites, I got it at Kohl's this spring. The tank is another white Jockey (yes, I have a lot of these). The skirt is from Christopher and Banks. I wish I had gotten a close up of the pockets, they are so cute - just patch pockets with a flap and buttons.

Other WIFD participants:

~Quietude

~Romantic History

WIFD - Day Five

This was one of my favorite outfits last summer, I wore it about once a week and yet this is the first time I've worn it this year. And why, you might ask? Because my jean skirt doesn't fit any more. I borrowed this one from my Mom. I did just fine getting back into my clothes when Carter was born (back in my jeans within 3 weeks - ok, maybe not fully zipped up, but those c-section scars are rough). Once I had the first miscarriage at the beginning of this year, things started to change. Then the second miscarriage happened right on top of the first and my body forever changed - well, maybe not forever but at this point in my life I certainly don't have the drive to work overly hard to fix it. I am hoping to make another jean skirt that fits, but it didn't get done in time for WIFD.

Sorry for the really bad picture tonight. Jon is at work and my Mom and sister couldn't figure out my camera. Also, I really should stop taking pictures at night when I am tired and worn out from the day, duh.

Other WIFD participants:
~ Quietude
~ Romantic History

WIFD - Day Four

Today was supposed to be cooler so I decided to wear a maxi skirt that I got a Kohls a few months ago and a blouse I made that has to be layered with a cami / tank. Well, it wasn't any cooler and I roasted!!

Like I had mentioned, the skirt is from Kohls, the undershirt is just my staple Jockey white tank top and the blouse is one I had made before I had met my husband - that's more than 8 years ago!! It's Simplicity 5683 and the fabric is a quilting calico from Hobby Lobby which they still carry. This was my first garment sewing project that turned out and the only item that I've made that I'll actually wear (until now since I've found Colette patterns).

Other WIFD participants:

~ Quietude

~ Romantic History

WIFD - Day Three

I have to admit, I "cheated". This is what I wore for day three but I didn't feel too good, it was hot and I was working hard getting ready for the garage sale that I never did my hair or put on makeup. So I just put these clothes back on the next day and snapped a picture before putting on the clothes for day four.

The t-shirt is from Costco about two years ago, I wore it as a maternity shirt but love it so much that I still wear it. I made the skirt from a man's t-shirt using this tutorial. It is the MOST comfortable skirt I own! Next time I would make it using an XXL shirt just because it's tight across the back and it's too short for me. So to add some length I cut up the remainder of the shirt into 3 1/2" strips (4 of them) and sewed a ruffle. I might go back and add some hand embroidery to the ruffle for some decoration. Here is a close up of the ruffle.

And here is the reason this skirt is so comfortable - the waist. It would be perfect for maternity and post as well.

Other WIFD participants:

~ Quietude

~ Romantic History

WIFD - Day Two

Today's goal was to be cool and comfortable (something you'll be hearing a lot of this week). The skirt I got from Coldwater Creek 2 or 3 years ago on clearance - it's a really comfortable skirt and very cool. The only thing I don't like about it is I have to wear a slip under it when I am out and about. The tank tops are 2 Jockey brand tanks, layered for modesty. I have some other colors that go with this skirt better but they were in the wash. The sandals are the same ones as yesterday, just in a light brown color.

Today's list:
~ Take care of Carter (big duh here and an all day task as my 18 month old in particular is VERY active)
~ Hang load of diapers on clothes line
~ Trash day (long list of little things here)
~ Wash / dry Carter's clothes
~ Go to my aunts to have her help hem a dress and get her Stampin Up order
~ Take a nap so I can get over this cold
~ Phone calls
The rest of my to-do list didn't get done today so I'm not even going to post it ;-)

Other WIFD participants:
~ Quietude
~ Romantic History

WIFD - Day One

I am finally getting to wear a dress I made for WIFD (Week In Feminine Dress)! This is the Colette Pattern's "Parfait" dress that I mentioned wanting to make in this post. The fabric is from Denver Fabrics (not the online one, the local one in Denver, Colorado). Thankfully, Denver Fabrics isn't quite close enough to be too dangerous for me - JoAnn and Hobby Lobby is much more accessible. I am really quite happy with this dress, although I do need to make one adjustment as I got the "neckline" too tight to make this dress ideal. I have been so happy with the results from this dress that I am anxious to try another one of their patterns, perhaps the "Crepe" next?
I'm going to be doing a tutorial on several adjustments using this pattern soon. If you would like to see what I did and how I did it, please "follow" me. There will be several posts so you don't want to miss it. Some of the things I'll be covering are:
~ Raising the neckline
~ Adding 5" to the length
~ Using 2 different sizes (one for the bust and one for the rest for the dress)
~ Taking in the back
~ Altering darts
~ Getting a dress that calls for 2 3/4 yards of fabric out of less than 2 yards (even with adding 5")
~ Binding the neckline instead of facing (not sure about this one yet, I'm going to see how it goes first)

Only other note is I am wearing black sandals from Sam's Club, although you can't see them because of a fluffy dogs tail!

Other WIFD participants:

~ Quietude

~ Romantic History