Shimmer

It is true that in my teenage years I used to wear t-shirts and baggy sweaters almost every day during the winter. And...wait for it...thick wool socks with sandals.

And at least once a week you would catch me sporting a sweatshirt to school. A sweatshirt. Unflattering in every possible gray and shapeless way.
Now, you can't blame me too much for my poor fashion sense. I do, after all, live in one of the most casual states in the Union. And style was different during the 90's. Girls didn't wear dresses and heels. At least not around these parts.

And certainly we didn't wear ruffles.
Oh My how things have changed. Somewhere during the last decade I (re)discovered my frilly side. It had been dormant since my childhood. Once awakened, I can't stop it. All I want to do is wear pretty blouses and sparkly jewelry.
Fortunately for me, the powers-that-be in the fashion world agree that it is high time for a little femininity. Of course, they'll charge you an arm and leg for their frills....
But believe it or not, this lovely top cost me less than $10! I started with a stretch camisole that was collecting dust in my dresser. You know the type I'm talking about--lycra, paper thin, found everywhere in the lingerie section of retail stores....
Then, with about a yard of this pink champagne colored satin and a lot of ironing into pleats, I transformed said stretchy cami into a dressy top, perfect for layering under sweaters and for wearing to parties.
Long gone are the baggy sweaters and long-sleeved tees. Hello to girly pleats. Layers and layers of them!
And you, too, can transform a stretch camisole into this blouse for just a few dollars. All you need is a little patience with the iron, a sewing machine, and some shimmery fabric. And of course my pattern, available in my online store (click here!).

I, for one, am very happy to have upgraded from shapeless to shimmer.

Hope you all have a great Monday! Come back tomorrow for some handmade holiday packaging ideas!