Perfect Picnic Pillowcase Dress - Simplicity 2176

 I just love this! The pattern I used is Simplicity 2176 and it just fits my body so perfectly- no adjustments. You'll see this bodice a lot because I've been using it like crazy. This and the Simplicity 1873 are my go-to's for bodices. But mainly this one because I can do just about anything with the straps- halter, criss cross, strapless, etc. I love the pleats (which are mirrored on the back). I have a bunch of full dresses already so I was excited to finally make a slim-ish skirt. It has one large box pleat in the center with two smaller outward facing pleats on either side. Very simple but also very pretty. Oh, and I know my strap in the back is twisted... It's not sewn that way I promise! It just twisted itself as I put it on and I didn't know until later that it was wonky.

Believe it or not, I found a set of three pillowcases at the thrift store and that made this entire dress!

Anyway, it only took about an hour. 

Plus if you're looking for a beginner pattern, this would be great for you!

P.S. how many times did I use a P-word in this post?
"Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. How many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?!"


XOXOXO

On letting go + Letting God

" I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. " Psalm 32: 8

 " For the Lamb Who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. " Revelation 7: 17

Alone in a room, it's just me and you. I feel so lost 'cause I don't know what to do. Now what if I choose the wrong thing to do? I'm so afraid, afraid of disappointing. My hopes and dreams are fading fast. I'm all burned out and I don't think my strength's gonna last. So I'm crying out, crying out to you- Lord I know that you're the only one who is able to pull me through. So show me how to do things your way. Don't let me make the same mistakes over and over again. Your will be done and I'll be the one to make sure the it's carried out.

So I need to talk to you and ask you for your guidance. Especially today when my life is so cloudy. Guide me until I'm sure.

I open up my heart to you.

XOXOXO

Bedsheet dress #2 - Simplicity 2248

This dress looked pretty easy. Just a front and back pattern piece and a piece for the sleeves thing. Just three pieces! I thought oh cool super easy- WRONG! It has these weird darts that were so unflattering. I tried to adjust them the best I could but as you see they wound up sorta crooked and uneven. The way the pattern had suggested the darts/pleats/panels were supposed to come all the way down to my belly button. Maybe on a taller slimmer girl it'd look good but not on me. If you're wondering why I picked this pattern up in the first place it was the key hole back and the sleeve options. Other than that it was pretty much impulse. It's not a terrible dress. Just... not how I wanted it to turn out. 

Clearly this dress is screaming for a belt. I honestly think it looks 10x's better, am I right?

Omg I can't even lie, I was so frustrated with this dress trying to make it work. I had to put it down and come back to it on another day. Two days and a whole lot of fairy dust. I probably won't ever make this dress again but I do love the key hole sleeves. So I won't be getting rid of this one. It's not all bad lol. But what IS bad is the length... I thought it'd be cute at the knee like on the models, but I forgot that models are like 6 feet tall. On my 5'4" self it just looks plain awkward. Maybe mid-thigh? Or I may even just nix the whole dress idea and make it into a top. Sound good? Good.

Til next time
XOXOXO

Tiny little bows

As July comes to a close, I reckon it's been a very busy, very productive, very short month. I've sewn 'til my fingers were numb, eaten to my hearts content, celebrated birthdays with family, spend quality time with my sisters, and among other things. Speaking of 'things,' I've gotten rid of so many 'things' I no longer have a use for. Things that were just taking up space. In my room, my closet, and in my heart.

catharsis:

1. A purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially pity and fear, described by Aristotle as an effect of tragic drama on its audience. 
2. A release of emotional tension, as after an overwhelming experience, that restores or refreshes the spirit.

" Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. "

 

  

 

 XOXOXO

Lace bedsheet dress - Simplicity 1873

The only alterations I made to the pattern was a longer skirt (about 3 inches so it hits right at my knees), exposed zipper instead of invisible, and slightly enlarge the armholes. Other than that I'd say this is a really great and easy pattern to use. I will say though, that the skirt rather than being gathered is pleated towards the center which was confusing at first... but as long as I made sure the markings were matched up correctly there wasn't much trouble.

Believe it or not the fabric is actually a bed sheet! TBH almost every dress I've made has been out of hand-me-down or thrifted bedsheets. Sooo much cheaper than going to the fabric store. I mean, you can't really beat $2/$3 total vs $9.99/yd. Unless there is a massive sale, that is.

For the first time using this pattern I think it only took me about 1 1/2-2 hours. Not too shabby!