Lightning Bugs

 Lightning bugs are one of my favorite parts about living in the country during the summer.  They always remind me of childhood and running out barefoot with old Mason jars and trying to catch as many flickering lights as possible.  Of course, once they were brought inside the magic somehow disappeared.  The 20 glowing lights, became 20 gross bugs crawling everywhere and it wasn't quite the same.  But somehow the memory of the time catching them became even more special. 

What's one of your favorite magical parts about summer evenings?

Summer Sewing: DIY Scarf Skirt and Afternoon Reading

All photographs are self portraits taken by myself.

Indiana summer days are perfect for outside reading.  Being home has given me the time to catch up on all of the reading that I have missed out on this past year.  One of my favorite books that I've been flipping back to for inspiration this summer is Fashion Illustrations by Fashion Designers.  It's a collection of fashion sketches by different designers, and it's so cool to view all the different styles of drawing.  I might scan a few of my favorite pages and share them in a later post if I have the time!

Outfit:

Scarf Skirt:  DIY Esther Boller

Swimsuit:  Style Moi (I adore this swimsuit, but it comes a tad small.  I would recommend the next size up if you see one you like!)

Sunglasses:  ZeroUV 

Belt:  Thrifted

Shoes:  Aldo

I made the skirt that I'm wearing out of a scarf that I found in the dollar bin at Goodwill.  Scarf skirts are so inexpensive and easy to make!  First you'll need a scarf that's big enough, or you can even merge two scarves together instead.  Next sew the scarf together so it's one tube piece.   From there all you have to do shirr around the end that you want your waistband to be.  

If you're not sure what shirring is, here's a great simple tutorial on shirring and I learned so much for them when I first started sewing. 

After you've made the amount of shirr lines that you like - tada!  You have yourself a fun, colorful skirt to wear out and it only takes around 30minutes to make! 

If you make a skirt let me know, I'd love to see it!  Also, thank you to everyone who shared a bit of their moving out experience with me in my previous post.  I loved reading about everyone's different experiences! 

Photography: Pow Pow!

 All photos are self portraits taken by myself.

It's been really enjoyable to have the summer to expand and explore with photography.  Because my major is fashion design, during the school year most of my time goes into design projects, and I don't have a lot of time for photography.  It's been so much fun for me to enjoy the summer and have the freedom to still explore and play with photography.  I've been experimenting even more with this ink-splatter technique, which I like the way that it adds a different texture to photographs.

Outfit

Green jumpsuit (stellar jumpsuit, feel in love at first sight) - Sheinside

Jewelry - Forever21

I have about a week in Indiana left before I head back down to Savannah for the new school year.  Right now it looks like this is going to be my last full summer home, which is so strange to think about.  My next summer I'd like to start the internship/apprenticeship process, and I'm not sure what city that will lead me to.  I've started packing my room up with only the necessities, and throwing everything else out so that my family can turn my room into something useful for them.  I don't know where I'll be next summer, which is exciting, but nostalgic at the same time.

What was your moving-out experience like?  Were you happy, sad, nostalgic?  Tell me what this stage of life was like for you!  And if you haven't gone through it yet - what do you think it'll be like?

Summer Sewing: High Waisted Swimsuit

All photos are self portraits taken by myself. 

I've had the design idea for this swimsuit for the past year now, but I finally took the time to make it.  I found this incredible fabric last summer, and completely fell in love with the colors and pattern.

This is a really fun and easy swimsuit to make.  It's basically a wide tube with a strap that ties on separately in the front.  The top was simply drafted using my chest measurement, and the bottoms were drafted by taking apart a pair of old underwear, and tracing that as my basic pattern and then elaborating on it.  I made waistline higher and then I added a tie in the front.  Taking apart old clothes is a great way to learn about construction and make new patterns.

Outfit:  

Sunglasses - zeroUV  I love the way that this brand of sunglasses fits!  I'm pretty picky when it comes to sunglasses and I haven't found a bad pair yet from this company.

Swimsuit:  Esther from the Sticks 

I've been borrowing a sewing machine for the past couple of weeks for the filming of my class for The Sewing Party. The machine had a closed overlock feature which my usual machine does not have.  After sewing with it, I absolutely love machines that have this feature!  This stitch holds up so well, and is especially great for swimwear!

My background in this shoot is actually one of my mom's paintings.  This one has always been one of my favorites!  It's an abstract oil painting and the title is "Mourning Praise."  I love that my mom paints big, because it made for a perfect backdrop!

Here are a couple behind the scene photos from this shoot

 Also these are our cats!  The cat on the left is Bobbie and he's been my bud for the past 17-years.  The one on the right is Logan, my younger brother's cat. They always hang out nearby whenever I do a photo shoot.

 

I have a lot more summer sewing projects on the way, including my final sewing project from this past school year!

Summer Sewing: Vintage Plaid High Waisted Shorts

 All photos are self portraits taken by myself.

I've been sewing so much more this past summer than I have been all school year and it's felt so renewing.  I made the shorts that I'm wearing using a vintage pattern that I bought at a thrift store a few years ago.  That day was such a good thrifting score.  I found a whole box of 1940/50s sewing patterns for sale and each pattern was only 50 cents.  Needless to say I bought a lot and this project was one of the patterns that I bought.  

Outfit:  

Crochet Mesh Top:  Sheinside

High Waisted Red Plaid Shorts:  Made myself 

I've made three different pairs of these shorts and and each time I make a new one I fall in love again.  They're so comfortable, and the fitting in the crotch was perfectly drafted, which I've had a hard time finding that in modern sewing patterns.  Although I've only sewn a few pants patterns so I'm sure there are a lot of great ones I've been missing out on.      

What are your favorite pants sewing patterns?

Announcment: The Sewing Party

I'm so thrilled to announce today a very exciting, first one-of-a-kind upcoming event called The Sewing Party!

What is The Sewing Party?  Well it's basically an online craft fair!  It's the first of its kind and will be hosted for one day.  This all day event will include:  instructional sewing/DIY classes, product demos, and connecting with other seamstresses like yourself!  How cool is that?  Here's some more detailed info from The Sewing Party:

The Sewing Party is the first ever online-all-day DIY event in history!

On November 8, 2014, thousands of DIY-ers will gather for a fun-filled day of sewing and crafting classes taught online by leading bloggers and educational experts. It’s all about Connecting. Crafting. And Creating.

Attendees will have access to more than 30 online classes available on the day of the event and for an additional 90 days. There is truly something for everyone! Classes include home décor, fashion sewing, quilting and upcycling, crafting, costume design, techniques for turning your craft into an entrepreneurial venture, and more!

Space is limited and likely to fill up fast! For just $40, “The Sewing Party” participants can attend classes; chat with participants from across the country; interact with top bloggers and educational experts who are teaching; and explore the latest crafting and sewing tips, techniques and products in our marketplace.

I'm also very excited to announce that I'm going to be one of the teachers at the event!  

My class is going to be instructing how to sew curved seams.  I'll walk you through the techniques of drafting curves into patterns, sewing, and finishing the raw, curved edges.  There are also some other really talented teachers and incredible looking classes at the event as well!  If you'd like to attend click the button below to register!

Hopefully I'll see you there! 

Summer Sewing: Oriental Inspired Dress

  Photography:  Esther Boller (myself)

Model:  My stunning sister Ruth

Since I've been home this summer I've been finding all of my past sewing projects.  A lot of them are still only half way finished so lately I've been completing them.  This is a dress that I started last summer, but I never finished it until now! 

Last summer I fell in love with oriental style dresses.  They have a really simple and beautiful shape that I think is lovely.  The pattern is my own that I designed and drafted.  The dress is a sheath dress with a standing collar, cap sleeves, hook and eyes connecting the front bodice, buttons down the back, and a vent flap in the back of the skirt.  There are also a lot of curved seaming detail in the bodice and the skirt

I'm slightly sad, because the fabric is such a heavy print a lot of the seam details don't show up very well.  I'd like to make another version with piping in the seams to make them pop; especially the detail seams of the skirt.

 New projects are on the way!  Below is an Instagram preview of the swimsuit that I was telling you about.  I'll be sharing the full photo shoot next week!