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When Diane von Furstenberg created and debuted the wrap dress in 1973, I wasn't even born yet. But when I secured my ticket for a benefit event happening tomorrow night, I knew that I needed something to wear. And I knew that almost 40 years later, Diane's creation would be my inspiration.
The wrap dress is iconic for many reasons. For one thing, it's pure genius. No buttons. No zippers. No belts. It is the kind of dress you can just throw on in the morning and look fabulous in all day.
Two, it is flattering to all types of shapes and sizes. I hardly know of a woman who could go wrong in this silhouette. Even in a zany print it showcases a woman's curves. 
Third, the wrap dress is comfy. Made from knit jersey, it stretches. And drapes elegantly. And moves. And feels soft.
In other words, it isn't stiff or starched or tight or scratchy.
Lastly, Diane's dress is easy to make. It is a great project for newbie seamstresses (again, no zippers, no buttons, no belts...) and could be completed over a weekend. So give it a try!
As for me, I'll be showing off a little Diane tomorrow evening.
For information about this Vogue pattern, click here.
For information about the benefit I'm attending, click here.
Good Monday morning! Hopefully you're all having a more successful time at rousing yourself for the week ahead than I am! Frankly I can't stop yawning, and I had to peel myself out of bed this morning. Of course, my new denim pencil skirt helped motivate me a little.
I recently finished the skirt using the same Vogue pattern I tried this past winter, with a few modifications, of course. And just like last time, it worked like a charm.
Except for that part where I made one size too small and had to do some creative alterations. But we won't dwell on that...
During this recession, people are always looking for ways to stretch their dollar, and I think that sewing is one of the best. I love that I can buy a pattern (which usually always includes several variations on the style) and use it to make an infinite number of garments in many different sizes, colors, and textures. And if I choose a classic design (like a pencil skirt, for instance), I can reasonably expect to be able to use it throughout my life without it going out of style.
It occurred to me the other day--as I was making a shopping list for Target--that I haven't purchased new clothing at a store in quite some time. In fact, after taking a brief inventory of my closet, I realized that with the exception of two long-sleeve cotton tees, I haven't bought one single new item of clothing since last summer! And yet my wardrobe has evolved with the seasons just like in years passed.
The difference? I started sewing. And in the process I have saved quite a bit of money. And it hasn't felt like a "recession-induced-sacrifice" at all.
Of course, the bottom line--really--is that I now have an adorable denim skirt that I can wear all spring and summer. I can dress it up and down, and wear it with sandals or heels. And if I grow out of it or get sick of it, I can just make another one. And then maybe use the denim to make a cute handbag or something...
The possibilities are endless in a recession--no sacrifice required.
Can you think of a positive impact that this recession has had on you? Perhaps you've learned a new skill (like sewing!) or rediscovered the pleasure of simple things... Share with us by posting your comment below!
Do you ever have those weeks that are crammed with work? The ones that tax your brain and drain your energy? The kind of week where you wake up on Thursday thinking that it's Friday, and then spend the whole rest of the day mourning that it's not?
Well...I had one of those weeks. Which is why come yesterday afternoon, I desperately needed a creative boost.
Fortunately I had just the supplies I needed for a recharge--namely a Vogue pattern and some silky soft fig colored fabric.
To say that I "whipped up" this lovely wrap blouse would be an exaggeration, because in truth it consumed much of my afternoon and early evening.
In other words, I made mistakes. Many of them.
These mistakes admittedly compromised the "relaxation factor" of my enterprise. As did that moment when I knocked over my can of root beer and it spilled like a river into the bottom of my desk drawer. And onto my computer. And all over my chair. 
But I managed to recover, both from the sewing mistakes and my sticky root beer problem, and ended up with this beautiful new shirt for my wardrobe.
The fabric, I think, is the best. It drapes elegantly, and feels so soft against my skin. I think it has some silk in it, although I can't remember for sure. Regardless, it certainly makes me feel like a lady when I'm wearing it.
And did you know that purple is the traditional color for royalty? Apparently the dye used to make purple was quite rare and expensive in ancient times, so only the fanciest of women wore it. 
I like to think of that when I'm cloaked in purple. Especially when I'm sitting on a still slightly sticky chair and have a whole day of work ahead of me before the weekend.
What are you looking forward to this weekend? I'm having dinner with family tonight, brunch tomorrow with friends, and hopefully some spare time to catch up on Project Runway, Big Love and my latest knitting project... How about you?
There is just something very enticing about a pencil skirt, isn't there? No wonder it has endured decades of coming-and-going trends and remained a flattering staple of every woman's wardrobe.
Pencil skirts, plainly, are the essence of femininity. They hug curves. The smooth midsections. They slenderize legs. Basically they're the best kind of optical trick, "drawing the eye downward," as Clinton and Stacy from What Not to Wear would say.
And although I could talk on and on about all of that, instead I want to tell you a quick story about a few other pencil skirts I made about three years ago.
Fairly new to sewing clothing, I purchased a generic pattern, some fabrics, and set to work. The result was...well...not exactly the chic number you're seeing here. Why? There are several reasons:First, I was not good at sewing. Therefore, the fit was lumpy, the length awkward, and the zipper was exposed. Second, I bought a cheap pattern not knowing that the brand really does make a difference.
Nevertheless--and here is the point of this story--I wore these skirts anyway. I wore them to work, and out to dinner, and on the town. I wore them even though they weren't my greatest garments. I wore them because I was proud that I had made them, and I knew that if I kept practicing I would get better. And I have.
I tell you this because I know that some of you are reading this post and thinking "that's cute, but I could never make something like that." And I want you to know that a) you can, and b) it simply takes some practice and a small dose of confidence. The first few pencil skirts I made were Not this good. But I made them and wore them anyway, because I wasn't afraid of what other people would think (incidentally, most people liked my first, less flattering attempts), and I knew that with some practice I would improve. 
In other words, I didn't let my fear of failure stop me from trying. And along the way I learned that I really can sew a great skirt.
So I encourage you to give it a whirl and try a new skill this season! This skirt is from Vogue's pattern line, #V8363, if you want to start there. Or maybe you have something entirely different in mind, like learning how to cook a knockout beef bourguignon, or to run a half-marathon, or to play an instrument. Whatever it is, don't let fear of failure keep you from trying. Because sometimes really good pencil skirts come after a few lumpy ones...
Ahh...it is Monday morning and I have just returned from a week long trip visiting family in Kentucky and helping my sister and my two nephews move across the country.
And let me tell you--carting through three airports with an infant, a toddler, two car seats, two suitcases, one stroller, and three carry-on's is NOT the easiest feat in the world. My sister and I should win some kind of medal for bravery or something.
Needless to say, I'm beat. I have a post-travel hangover, and plan on taking it lightly today. However, I did want to share with you some of the lady-like projects I'll be embarking on now that I'm finally settled into the new year.
First is this adorable sweater dress I'm knitting. What you see in the photos above and below is the skirt portion.
Doesn't it look like a waterfall of chocolate ruffles (minus the dog hair, courtesy of Caesar, my yellow lab...)? The pattern is from Lynne Barr's newly released book, Reversible Knitting--a Christmas present I bought for myself. What lady wouldn't want to be wearing something like that during the cold winter months, I ask? As you can see, I'm a little over halfway done, and can't wait to share the final product when it's complete!
Also on the docket are these lovely patterns from Vogue:
A pencil skirt.
A wrap dress.
A vintage-style dress.
And a wrap shirt.
I received most of these as Christmas gifts and have been itching to jump in...perhaps right after I recuperate from the previously mentioned airport adventure.
So stay tuned to read and view more of my progress on these projects, as well as a few other ladyish subjects, like the fabulous little trinket I picked up at the store last week (more details to come)...
Talk to you soon!
When Diane von Furstenberg created and debuted the wrap dress in 1973, I wasn't even born yet. But when I secured my ticket for a benefit event happening tomorrow night, I knew that I needed something to wear. And I knew that almost 40 years later, Diane's creation would be my inspiration.
The wrap dress is iconic for many reasons. For one thing, it's pure genius. No buttons. No zippers. No belts. It is the kind of dress you can just throw on in the morning and look fabulous in all day.
Two, it is flattering to all types of shapes and sizes. I hardly know of a woman who could go wrong in this silhouette. Even in a zany print it showcases a woman's curves. 
Third, the wrap dress is comfy. Made from knit jersey, it stretches. And drapes elegantly. And moves. And feels soft.
Lastly, Diane's dress is easy to make. It is a great project for newbie seamstresses (again, no zippers, no buttons, no belts...) and could be completed over a weekend. So give it a try!
