Happy Friday + Randomness

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Happy Friday! I’m dragging my feet on the girl-transforming-into-werewolf costume for K and my pleas for her to wear the ninja costume tonight are falling on deaf ears. I obviously need to re-evaluate who’s the boss here.

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A random comment on the age-old game of tag by K:

I’m not that into being “it” these days. I’m totally over it.

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Alright, I better see if I can muster the energy to focus on assembling faux fur…Have a great weekend, friends!

Happy Halloween!
Will you trick or treat tonite?
Chocolate’s my fave

Sewing for Me: All About the Comfy

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Hudson, meet Renfrew. I’d planned on having these Hudson pants done last week as part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel #6, but I already discussed my land-of-the-unicorns approach to my sewing output level (read: completely fantasy-based).

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But here we are, just a mere seven days later and voila, the comfiest lounge pants known to mankind. And look, I’m branching out and trying a new position other than my usual awkward standing. I give you awkward sitting.

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I love wearing these because they’re the very definition of relaxation, but I have to be honest…I don’t love how these look on me. I mean, check it out:

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I have these calves that would be called “daikon” in Japan, referring to large, napiform radishes (now there’s a vocabulary word for you). A rather unflattering moniker for bulbous calves, but sadly accurate. I fear that these so-called joggers highlight my stumpy legs and bulky calves. Not to mention my non-existent derriere.

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Gah.

I think I’m exacerbating the problem with the light grey knit (no idea what type it is). This is the kind of garment that should be made exclusively in black, at least for my body type. And I am going to have to make another pair because these are so darn comfortable. Maybe the shorter, capri version would work better — I will report back! Another tactic I might try is cutting one size smaller for the thigh area. I’d heard that this is extremely slim fitting so I went up a size to 10, but I think less bulk around my thighs would make the whole look more flattering. The pocket detail, by the way, is the denim knit I use all the time (e.g. here and here and here).

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Earlier this week, I posted a blurry shot of this stripey Renfrew top on instagram — hastily taken by K with my ipad — but I felt like it should be showcased a little better here. I’ve had this amazingly soft black-and-white striped sweater knit in my stash for some time, and though it was slated for K, I couldn’t resist using it for myself. K has already asked for a mini-me version. This is my second Renfrew top by Sewaholic (I haven’t shown you my first one yet), and I made some tweaks to improve the already great pattern. I lengthened the bodice by 2 inches, and also reduced the width for the sleeve cuffs and bottom band. The cuffs were too loose on my first Renfrew, and though I like the band looser just fine, I wanted to give this stripey version a slightly different look.

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If this outfit doesn’t say, “I’m not getting out of bed. Ever” I don’t know what does. Speaking of which, I think I might go take a nap.

 

 

 

Monday Outfit: Halloween Ninja

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Good morning, friends! Every year, I seem to end up making two Halloween costumes for K. This, I’ve realized, is because I never finish the main costume in time for the annual Halloween bash held at her school (which was this past weekend), so I resort to frantically sewing something quick and effortless.

Enter Ninja K.

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I’m quite impressed with K’s idea for origami ninja stars. I helped her make them, and we used the pinwheel instructions similar to this one since that’s what we happened to have in a little booklet, but there’s also a shuriken (ninja star in Japanese) tutorial online too. We wanted to add the extra badassness with the wristguards, but I’m now wondering if it seems as though she’s sporting two broken wrists. K expressed serious concern that she didn’t look like a girl; since female ninjas used to typically wear purple, we improvised with a purple flower barrette.

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The light blue criss-cross ties are actually fold over elastic. She thinks they’re beyond cool. In fact, she declared this the best costume I’ve ever made, though I’m still partial to the owl I made last year.

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I self-drafted the entire costume, and it’s rather slapdash and sloppy as far as costumes go. I didn’t even bother finishing any hems, edges, etc and the crossover top is safety-pinned together on the side. However, I’m pretty proud of the knickerbocker-like pants/leggings, which gives the costume an almost authentic vibe. Excuse the visible dust all over her socks and general garb — it’s the curse of black fabric.

The costume comprises five pieces (not including the FOE): The mask, a turtleneck tank, a crossover cardi, a sash and the leggings. It was a super fast project and I’m certain K will wear these regularly. Sometimes it feels like it’s the jankiest, least polished items I’ve made that she loves best.

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Anyhow, one costume down, one more to go! If anyone has any suggestions on how to make a werewolf costume with tattered dress pieces attached (to indicate that the werewolf used to be a girl), I’m all ears. We went from fancy-maid-girl to wolverine-in-a-fur-dress to girl-turning-into-werewolf. Although she’s indecisive, kudos for her originality…ninja star coming atcha:

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Happy Friday + Randomness

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Happy Friday! This little illustration is totally random, but these little kimono girls make me happy. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week, and are gearing up for a fun weekend. I’m keeping it sweet and short today since a certain 8-year-old wants me to sew up a rather involved Halloween costume.

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K on adolescence:

Mama, I hope I’m the kind of teenager that likes her parents…I hear teenagers are really mean.

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Have a lovely time
and wherever you may be
I hope you stay dry*

*It’s raining non-stop in Seattle. Ah, autumn….it’s funny, the rain has grown on me over the years.

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Sewing for Me: Perfect Pattern Parcel #6

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I hadn’t consciously planned on three tours in a row, but I’ve noticed that these opportunities to try non-Japanese patterns give me the much needed push to get me out of my sewing comfort zone and try something new. And when you combine a good educational cause with a bundle of patterns I’m eager to try like this Perfect Pattern Parcel #6, it’s all kinds of goodness.

I’ve been part of the Pattern Parcel round-up before here and here and here, and though they’ve all been great, this collection of indie designs is particularly appealing to me and includes:

I, of course, erroneously thought I would be able to sew the Julia Cardigan, Bronte Top and the Hudson Pants by today. Oh, and I thought I’d throw in the Syrah skirt and Zsalya Dress with the extra time I would surely have. I really need to stop overestimating my time management skills.
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I managed two Julia cardigans, though, and I love them! I’m confident that if a fabric store carries a fabric in a indigo + grey combo, I will sniff it out like a police hound, hyperventilate happily and unfailingly leave the store with at least a couple of yards. This polyester blend sweater knit is so soft and I’m gaga over the stripes, naturally. I sewed the version with the collar facing, and the additional fabric is so cozy and ideal for fall. The stuff is actually quite clingy and prone to rolled edges, so it wasn’t the easiest fabric to sew, but I’m so pleased with the end result. I believe I got the fabric from here.
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I’m not sure why my lower body is always in focus when I set the camera up to focus on my upper body, but my boots are cute, and I bet I’ll figure it out one day. I sort of wish I hadn’t worn such a body-hugging cami, but I was rushing to get photos in the dying light so I didn’t put a lot of consideration into the styling.
Anyway. The grey knit is textured with a subtle lace-like pattern. Super drapey and unlike the sweater knit, very easy to sew. I got it from here, and the bolt didn’t have any content info, but I suspect there’s a little bit of rayon and a lot of cotton.
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Because of the fluidity of this knit and because I didn’t use the facing, the collar has more of a cascading effect, which I like. It makes it seem more flirty and fun. I had in mind a 3/4 sleeve version (the stripey one is the longest sleeve length, which I actually had to chop a couple of inches), but I didn’t have quite enough of the grey knit. I do like that the simple shortening of sleeve length imparts a completely different look.
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I love love love polka dots, but now I remember why I rarely wear this RTW top: it looks like I smuggled one of K’s garments and threatens to be midriff-baring. Hmmmm….maybe I can lengthen it with a contrasting knit.
At any rate, like all excellent patterns that are easy to make, I want to fill my closet with Julia Cardigans! These are certain to be go-to items in my wardrobe for daily wear. And I’ll eventually sew up all the other patterns too…or so I say. Let me work on that time management thing.
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So here we go. Details about the Pattern Parcel:

How Pattern Parcel Works
Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we’ve raised over $12,000 for classrooms in need!

Bonus Pattern
Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #6 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That’s only $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Odette Dress by Bluegingerdoll. Vintage inspired silhouette is had two flattering necklines and a gorgeous skirt. The Odette Dress pattern goes from a size 4 through a 24!

Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win
Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win