New For Fall

 It has been an interesting week. My friend who died back in May, and for whom I am the executor of her estate, was cremated so thankfully there was no rush on a funeral service. Due to COVID, everything is a little more challenging, as we all know all too well. But, I knew that I would be coming to Colorado the 1st of October, and I knew that it would be much easier to have a service for her here. It was done on Wednesday, and although it was quite private, it was lovely. We were even able to have a Rosary said, so I was so very pleased. After the service, we went out for breakfast.

As I said, I have been in Colorado. The forest fires have been horrible, and we are in a county where they have been especially devastating. On Wednesday night, the night sky was aglow. So eerie. We prepared to evacuate. While many did have to leave, the fires never came this far east, so we were spared. What a year it has been!

As easy as it would be to look at all that is wrong in the world, I have decided to do my best and focus on all the good, and to also be all the more appreciative of all that I have in my life that brings me joy. There's my husband, and of course my little Mr. Berkley :), but also ranking near the top is sewing and creating. Such a wonderful gift!

A few weeks back, I shared my plans to make this March Tilton pattern, Vogue 9108. Bunny of La Sewista was so gracious to leave a message with a link to a post that she did on this pattern. You can find her post HERE. Her dress is simply gorgeous. By all means check out her post. And, if you do decide to give the pattern a go, she has detailed the changes that she made, so it's a great guide.     

Here are the fabrics that I will be using for my dress/tunic. I'm super excited!!! I absolutely love the 60s/70s retro print. The colors didn't photograph well, but I have a sheer green, and another green that's a little lighter that I will use. Then the blue will be an accent piece. The mustard polka dot fabric will also be an accent. I used the polka dot fabric for the t-shirt and leggings which I have already made. I think this is going to be such a fun project. 

    

If you were to look in my closet, you would most likely think that the last thing I need is a new coat. But, I really could use a basic black coat for the cool fall temps. I really like this Vogue 8862. Not sure if it's still available??? I purchased the pattern for view A and B, but I am going to make view C.

I bought this great piece of quilted black fabric. The face is a sueded like velveteen. The backside is a basic lining fabric. Since the fabric is quilted, and lined, I'll need to bind the seams. I have this cotton that has a white dandelion print that I thought would be fun for making bias binding.         

I need to get busy as it's almost the end of October!!! How can that be??? 

Hope you are finding a little joy in your fall projects :)

I'll be back tomorrow with a new edition of my 1 year challenge.

Have a fabulous day!!!

Rhonda

Feeling Beautiful Each and Every Day

Whenever we set a challenge, I think it's important to give ourselves a little leeway. After all, we aren't perfect, and then there's life. All in all, my 1 Year Challenge is going well, but I have missed 2 days. I was a little disappointed, but in the overall scope of things, this is hardly a problem. I think the most important thing is to just keep going.

Wow, how things can change in a month. I wore this outfit on August 12th. It was a super warm period in Chicago. A month later, we're having a high of 63 degrees. I actually bought the fabric for the skirt at Walmart!!! It came with the print laid out for a circular skirt. All I had to do was figure out the mathematics for the circumference of the waist. I've had this skirt for years,and I take very good care of it as I love it!  

The following day was a flight day. I made this outfit last summer. The top is the Chelsea Raglan Tee from fabrics-store.com The pants are the free pajama pant pattern from Martha Stewart. Just a nice, basic pant pattern.

I flew to Lexington, Kentucky that day. This was just before leaving and coming back to Chicago.

I absolutely love this t-shirt. You've seen it before. I had scraps of both the solid blue and the ruffles. Thought I could get a tee, and it all worked out. I used the Molly Tee from Pattern Union. 

Be sure to watch the video to the end. You'll see just how human I really am ;)

Because I love a rectangle, I wanted to give the Envelope Dress from Chris Wood a try. Super, super easy piece to do. Just 3 rectangles. It's not an actual pattern, but instructions on how to draft it out. As I said, super easy.

This little dress is STILL puzzling me. I was looking for fabric to make the Envelope Dress, and thought this would be so cute since it has a border. Pulled it out to find that I had already cut it. I have absolutely no memory of cutting it, and I have no idea what pattern I used to cut it. So, all I had was a front and a back, but I decided to make it work. Added some darts, made shoulder straps. and called it a day. So happy I found it as I really love the dress now that it's made up.

This dress has a fun story. I had gone to a luncheon. A woman 

came up to me and told me how much she liked my dress, and then asked, "who are you wearing?" I replied that it was my dress. She then said, "Oh Rhonda, I know the dress belongs to you, but who is the designer?" I replied, "Me!" She was shocked to say the least. Best compliment ever!!!

 

Another flight day. When there's a jet on the tarmac, I just HAVE to have my picture taken :) Hey, a girl can dream! I'm wearing a top that I made for my Sleeves On Saturdays series, the Square Shoulder Sleeve. I so love this sleeve in a stripe. The pants are another pair made from the free Martha Stewart pajama pant pattern.  

I made this dress back in April and I absolutely love it. It's Vogue 9112, a Marcy Tilton pattern. So perfect for a hot day. A little shorter than I typically like. I'll just lengthen it a bit next time around :) 

Another flight day, and it was cool for a change. In the video you'll see that I am wearing one of my most coveted garments, a jacket that was a gift. I'm wearing a pair of pants made from Simplicity 9017. It's just a great, basic pant pattern, and works beautifully with ponte. I paired it with a long sleeve Molly tee from Pattern Union.

I think that just about everyone who sews has made this Donna Karan Vogue pattern, Vogue 1250. It's out of print. For the life of me, I don't know why because it's just such a great pattern. One that's truly a classic.

We're finally up to August 22nd. I've had both of these pieces for quite some time. I was in a grocery store in Houston, my favorite, Central Market. I had just walked in, and was looking around the produce section when a man came up to me and said, "You are absolutely beautiful!" I stood there rather shocked. He then said that he just had to tell me, wished me a great day, and walked off. I thought, "Wow!!!, I think I need to wear this outfit EVERYDAY!!!" Truly made my day :)

The skirt is nothing more than a rectangle. I will do a tutorial on it soon. I just purchased a tool that will make doing tutorials so much easier. If all goes as planned, once I get it, watch out!!! ;)

    

So, that's it for the dog and pony show today. 

A number of you have sent notes telling me that I have inspired you to not only start enjoying your wardrobes, but I've also inspired you to do a little more sewing. Oh my goodness, that makes me so very happy. Life is so short, much too short to not celebrate each and everyday. By all means, wear your lovely makes, and allow yourself to feel beautiful each and everyday :)

Rhonda