How cool is this?  Have you seen it before?

(via Happiness is…blog)

Happy 2012!

I’m starting the year off right by sharing not one but two projects I recently completed. Today is the first official day back to work and I’m simply not ready so I’m posting to the blog instead (being used to working into the night and occasionally on weekends, my slowness into getting back to work is not such a big deal).

First up is another Built by Wendy #3835 dress, this time with the sleeve ties.  Honestly I don’t know why the ties on my version are so long compared to what is shown on the pattern cover.  I really think there is some serious funny business when it comes to companies representing finished garments from sewing patterns, at least there seems to be!  But the super long ties don’t really bother me, not enough for me to redo them (I didn’t notice how long they were while I was stitching them on, oh well).  We’ll see…let’s just say they are very fashion statement-y!

The fabric is a lovely cotton voile in a print that reminds me of the night sky.  I’d probably wear a slip under this is real life because the fabric is thin.  I also made this version super short because I’m realizing that short dresses/skirts really does look better on me (being 5’2″) although I’m super self conscious about my legs.  But I’m I’m feeling particularly modest (or cold) I can wear leggings underneath.

And I just this morning finished this dress:

I took New Look #6022 that I used for a blouse and merged the top of it with the lower half of BBW #3835 because the latter had more shape and is overall more flattering.  The fabric is a super soft denim and I top-stitched with traditional mustard-gold denim thread.

Seams are pinked because I figured serging them would make them kind of stiff.  I almost added patch pockets but decided to keep this one really simple and to keep the focus on the pleat details.

Now I’m going to trace off this new pattern 6022/3835 hybrid so I can make another dress just like it!

I just ran up and down the hallway 5 times with Spoo Kee on my heels (so that he’ll attack me with his hilarious Matrix moves) so I need to catch my breath before I continue on with the gibberish.

*deep breath*

I’ve been enjoying all the year in review-type posts going around lately, and thought about writing one myself, but seeing as how I feel *meh* about 2011 I’m not particularly motivated to do so.  (Don’t get me wrong, 2011 had its highlights, like watching my 2 year old nephew laugh hysterically while my husband karate-chopped bubbles in my parents’ backyard on Christmas morning.)

Some plans I had this past week fell through so it’s been a nice and quiet few days at home.  Initially (and as usual) I dreamed of all the stuff I’d accomplish but here it is, Saturday, and I don’t have much to show for it!  That’s okay, right?

But I do have these jeans to show you.  I feel kind of silly for posting about PUTTING PATCHES ON MY OLD JEANS but my fave pair just turned into my most favorite-est pair ever.

I wore these jeans to the point of the knees busting open and at first I thought: Cool, now I have authentic holey jeans and I did not have to buy them this way–ha! But the big holes really annoyed me, especially went I bent my knees which was a lot of the time.

So in true “make do and mend” fashion I patched them up with an assortment of denim scraps and calico.

Yes, they are a bit 1930s boxcar hobo but that’s not such a bad thing; I rather like it.  Anyway, Happy New Year to all my blog-friends!  Be safe and see you next year.

I really thought I’d have a sewing project to share (I’m making another Built by Wendy #3835 dress, this time with the sleeve ties!) but I simply don’t have time to finish it before Christmas, what with all the last minute gift-wrapping and pie-making going on.  So, I’m just here to wish you all a joyous and safe holiday with your loved ones.