a few blog favorites

recently i've come across some really amazing blogs (and some i've been following for quite a while) and thought it'd be great to share.


off the rack - this blog is a wonderful mix of fashion and a d.i.y. mentality. they have links to great and fashionable products, often featuring smaller shops, and the occassional amazing diy ideas.



fieldguided - after reading just a few posts by anabela, i decided that at some point we were separated at birth. i adore her style, and she loves cats, and she sews! she has the best d.i.y. tutorials (like this miu miu collar!) and is constantly sewing or fashioning new brilliant things. and of course, featuring her cat.



calivintage - erin runs this great style blog and she has the best fashion sense! i adore all of her perfect vintage or vintage-inspired outfits, and i'm constantly learning something new from her. from a new way to tie a headband like a turban, or where to find a cute vintage shoes or purse, i'm constantly amazed.



make something - this blog is such a source of inspiration. i love all of her projects, and am amazed at all of her fabrics she uses. just reading through her wish list makes me want to run out and sew something immediately.

d.i.y. caftan

a while back, i participated in a trade on etsy for this lovely red silk caftan dress, which was pretty long and flowy. i liked the flowiness for things like summery outings and cocktails on the beach, but for every day wear in the city, i thought it needed a little makeover.

i didn't want to permanently cut off the dress. so, going from this long length, i folded up the hem a few times, then put a hand slip stitch hem in place.

so, right now it's a nice short frock for city-wear, but i'm planning on pulling the thread and letting loose the long caftan for upcoming beach days.

new project: amish socks

a few years ago, i came across a photo in vogue knitting of a pair of wild and crazy-colored socks, reported to be worn underneath the somewhat somber and muted clothing of the amish. i liked the idea that even though no one could see them, some pretty crazy and colorful things were being worn underneath those long skirts.

even though it's in the middle of summer and i'm probably completely crazy for wanting to attempt these at this time, i've finally knit enough (socks, projects in the round, tiny things) that i'm finally putting my own amish sock pattern together. eek! it's very exciting. i'm envisioning crazy things - bright colors, fun design patterns, and textural designs. right now, i have a single half royal blue footie done. posting pictures soon of the progress.

new stuff in shop!

i've been working hard and made a few shop updates over the past week. check out the new items!



1. pyrite heart necklace                 2. black knit bowtie necklace
3. white lace crochet necklace     4. smoky quartz necklace
5. zebra necklace                             6. red crochet coiled necklace

crochet pattern: coiled medallion necklace

the pattern for this coiled crochet medallion uses the bullion or roll crochet stitch. it's pretty fun to do, but takes a little practice before you can do it in one easy swoop.

the pattern and instructions for the little coiled medallion necklace is below...or if you're not so inclined to crochet, you can find the crochet necklace in the shop.

bullion stitch instructions
the actual bullion stitch is done by wrapping your hook 5-10 times (start small for practice) somewhat loosely, but very evenly. insert into your foundation stitch, wrap once, pull through foundation st. wrap once and pull through all of your loops. wrap once and pull through last loop.


PATTERN

*size C needle
*small thread

you can use any size hook and yarn/thread that you like. the smaller the daintier!

Round 1 - create loop (to knit in round) and dc into loop 10 times
Round 2 - ch 3 st, then into each dc, do 2 bullion 10-loop stitches

tie off end and weave in ends. attach to a chain and you're done!

handmade....shoes!

the other day i stumbled upon a blog post that cited an etsy shop who made....handmade shoes. of all things! shoes are one thing i've never dared to try to make, so i'm completely impressed with anyone who can pull this off. at the time, i'd just ordered a pair of little leather oxfords from aldo, but they didn't fit and i was struggling with the whole hassle of exchanging them....only to stumble upon these shoes. with these handmade shoes being $15 LESS EXPENSIVE than the aldo shoes, and probably better constructed, i promptly returned my shoes and bought a pair of these wonderful goldenponies shoes.

i'm so excited about them! they did take a little while to make their way to me...but when i imagine the hard work the handmade shoe elves had to put into them, it's all worth it. they are super soft leather and are so comfortable! someone even commented on them saying they look like the shoes Baby wore in dirty dancing. that could possibly be the best compliment i've ever received!

candy necklace

a while back i came across a very bright (and very expensive) mounsser necklace that i decided i could relatively easily make myself. i’ve been forever collecting bright-colored trinkets and hearts, and finally felt like i’d amassed the perfect dangly bits and the best matched gold chain, so it was time to put it all together.


it basically has a million little pieces that took forever to attach. but, i’ve set up my jewelry workspace to watch hulu to pass along the hours while i work. this necklace was happily made while watching episode after episode of 21 jump street (i was running out of tv options), so this necklace will forever conjure up an image of young johnny depp’s face every time i wear it.

crochet necklaces - new colors!

i've been adding some new summer colors to the shop!

hot hot heat

after picking up wendy mullin's dress making book, i was inspired to pull out this polka dot dress that i started working on, ahem, a year ago, and finish it up.

i made this dress with no pattern (a first for me!). i loosely followed this tutorial and photo by maryy from burdastyle, and sort of made it up as i went along. it has a sort of sweetheart neckline (with a gathered front), and a very full skirt that starts right under the bodice. if you’re feeling fancy though, burdastyle later created this pattern which is similar to the dress, but honestly it’s so simple you could do it without a pattern.


to start, i made the bodice following mary’s tutorial, but only stitching up one side seam, and pinching and sewing the middle to create a sweetheart neckline. i did end up adding in 2 vertical darts to the bust to make the fit a little better. then i made a separate full skirt by sewing 2 really long rectangles of fabric together at the side seam (and adding a pocket). then i gathered it around the waist til it fit me, sewed it to the bodice, then added a long zipper in the side seam, attaching it all together.

and, sewing this dress inspired me to make 13 dresses this summer!

burdastyle d.i.y. summer guide

burdastyle is offering up a ultimate d.i.y. summer style guide with tons and tons of summertime patterns including bathing suits, maxi dresses, beach hats, etc.