The Hemming of the Two

So I had an almost-completed Butterick 6582 hanging in the closet - just hanging there! - that needed hemming. It was one of those ‘hang it for 24 hours prior to hemming’ things that just got lost in the no man’s land that is my closet. Also, hand-stitching the humongous full skirt - hello!

But lo and behold, this weekend I whipped up a Vogue 8728 in a lazy afternoon and hemmed both of those suckers before dinner! Ah, the rush of industriousness and virtue! Of course, my kids watched two movies and fed themselves, but hey, I chalk it up to personal sanity time.

Let me just add that I’m not nuts about the 8728. I’ve worn it a few times to try and ascertain why it fails to rock my world. Perhaps I need to make it out of my trusty standby, cotton, instead of the silky slinky stuff I found on sale at JoAnn’s? The side zipper always catches my delicate waist-parts also, when I zip it up too quickly. Ouchies!

The B6582 is lovely and received several compliments, however. I made it in a mini-gingham red and ivory that I found at the thrift store for about $3. That’s the only way those circle-skirt vintage patterns are affordable to make, I tell you! Who can buy 6 yards of fabric these days?! Next time I make it - and there WILL be a next time - I need to drop the neckline a bit. It’s very Mad Men and all, but the girls need some air.
Next up, the Bow Tie Blouse from Gertie’s New Book. Sigh. I just love her. I’m going to draft the Peter Pan collar, per her instructions, instead of the bow. Nothing against the pattern, but I don’t do bows. They remind me of a Working Girl-era Melanie Griffith.

Mysterious Button Society

So there's this button store in my town. It's a little hole in the wall, and the sign out front simply says 'Buttons'. It has piqued many an interest and has been blogged about by others quite a bit.

Finally, I found it open and went on an adventure!

This was the tip of the iceberg, let me just say. There are drawers upon drawers of buttons in this place with only a rudimentary nod to organization. If you venture in, know that they're only open about four hours a week and take cash only. Prepare to be there for awhile, and enjoy your chat with Mary, the owner. She's a peach.

Skirt to Hat

I've always wanted to make a hat. I dunno about you, but I think about things and how they're constructed a lot, and sometimes I just can't get something out of my head until I make it and see if it works the way I'd imagined it. Anyway, here's a hat I knocked out today. The floral used to be a skirt that I picked up at the thrift store for a few dollars. The gingham was also thrifted, and heavily interfaced to give it some stiffness.

 

Yup, it's reversible!

The brim is a little wonky on one side. I think I didn't quite estimate the degree of curvature correctly! But hey, does it keep the sun off? YES!! So I'm going to do my best to not care!

Gaultier or, Swooning at the De Young

Played hooky and went to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. This was my favorite, by far. There are little toile appliques on a mesh dress. The mannequins had faces projected onto them, so they appeared to be looking around the room and speaking. It so perfectly captured the elegant goth aesthetic that I adore.

Also, I got to see Madonna's actual cone bra from her Like A Virgin tour. I swoon, I die.

Vintage Pattern Score

I found this unused pattern while on vacation in Nevada City, California, in the most random cluttered vintage shop! I love the wiggle dress, but what I really lust after is that hat!

Vintage Fashion Expo

Today's haul from the Vintage Fashion Expo in SF. No actual garments were purchased, although a $45 mink stole tried really hard to come home with me.

Simplicity 2588, the second!

I swear, I love piping so darn much! I'll be buried in a piped coffin if it's up to me. Anyway, here's the next incarnation of my favorite dress pattern.
And how does it feel to successfully install my first invisible zipper?

Oh yeah! Like I'm a rock star!!
I've been avoiding these things for SO DARN LONG, but they are so super easy that now I'm embarrassed I waited so long! There are so many easy tutorials online, I encourage you to give it a shot.

Somewhere on my camera is a photo of how the pattern on the back perfectly matches up on either side of the zipper, I'll have to dig it up because I'm just so proud I could pop.