30 July 2016

A Long-Gestating Sewing Project

Once upon a time, several years ago, in a department store far, far away... I spied a black shirt dress. I loved the style, the color, the fabric... everything except the fact that it was about 12 inches too short.  And, because I am not one to just put up with that, I snapped a picture, hung it back up on the rack, and made a mental note to make one someday just like it that fit me properly.

And a couple months ago, that project, which I hinted about all last semester, finally came to fruition!

(Photo credits go to my fantastic sister, Danielle)







I highly recommend the pattern that I used, Simplicity 8014! It was a moderately difficult build; not too confusing, just rather time consuming. I made it one size smaller than the envelope suggested, and it fit perfectly without any other modifications or alterations. I'm considering making a second dress from the pattern, perhaps with the mandarin collar and shorter sleeves, out of a more summer-y fabric? We'll see. :)

As for the fabric I used, the black "peach skin" polyester I got from Joann is probably the most comfortable and beautiful fabric I've ever worn.  It literally feels like peach skin, and flows like a nice quality silk.  Literally amazing... buuuut kinda a pain to work with, as with pretty much any silky-style fabric. :P

Oh, and with this project, I mastered buttonholes! Good thing, too, since I had to make something like twenty for this dress... ;D  My oldie sewing machine doesn't have the cool buttonhole setting like some of the newer models, but I figured out how to do them manually easily enough.  It was actually kind of fun, now that I think of it... ;)

So, that's the project I worked on all Spring semester long, finally completed! I hope you all are enjoying your summer (I am!) -- and happy almost August! ^_^

15 July 2016

Life Lately in the Summer Months

- Where I Am -

Currently breathing in the crisp air of the great North West.


- What I'm Wearing -

The shirt dress I made over the course of the last semester.
(Blog post on that coming soon!)

i'm no model but i try really hard

- What I'm Reading -
(from the Bible)

Daniel. God will have the glory due Him.


- What I'm Reading -
(from the library)

Re-reading Dragon Slippers, and about to embark in the next two
adventures in the series for the first time.


- What I'm Laughing At -

The Russian Hacker.



- What I'm Watching -

Classics of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s... such as, Citizen Kane, Psycho, and The Maltese Falcon.


- What I'm Listening To -

Heathenssssssssssss. And hymns, weirdly?


- What I'm Cooking -



- What I'm Doing -

Riding Icelandic ponies.


- What I'm Not Doing -

Pokemon GO.


- What I'm Writing -

He steps forward.

HAYES
Now see here, sir -- Sirs! What is  
the meaning of this, here, see here 
...? I mean, if I may ... good sir? 
Sirs ... I mean ... you there ...   
here ...                            

Sylvie pats Hayes’ arm.

SYLVIE
Well done, dear.                    
(to the large men)           
You heard ‘im! What exactly do you  
think you’re doing, blocking our    
way in this manner? Do you even     
know who I am?! I’m your princess!  
So you had better have a good       
reason for this outrage, or -- or --
Well, I’ll do something, and I can  
assure you it will not be pleasant. 

The large men’s faces betray their amusement at the odd pair.

LARGE MAN 1
Ah, we’re here to kidnap you,       
Princess.                   


- What I'm Looking Forward To -

Getting back to my university in the fall. ^_^


- What I'm Learning -

Joy is a choice. Choose it every day.