I Am Thankful For

Wet noses & wagging tails,
All the joy they bring

A soul mate,
Without you my soul would be empty

My son,
The greatest gift that was ever given to me

Mistakes,
From them I have learned

Friends,
How they have touched my life

Family,
And all thier love

Well thats odd............

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Social Nerd   You're interested in things such as politics, psychology, child care, and peace. I wouldn't go so far as to call you a hippie, but some of you may be tree-huggers. You're the type of people who are interested in bettering the world. You're possible the least nerdy of them all; unless you participate in other activies that paled your nerdiness compared to your involvement in social activities. Whatever the case, we could still use more of you around. ^_^
Science/Math Nerd
Anime Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Literature Nerd
Drama Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Shopping with the girls........

Saturday was pure fun! The girls and I went to Belk's Charity sale and had a blast! We started at 7 am, hit every section, got some great deals and a few laughs. Just about everything was 40% off, and who can't appreciate that? We had breakfast at Cracker Barrel - YUM!

I picked up two cotton sweaters, one in black with a crew neckline and another in preppy kelly green with a 'V' neckline. We went to Ulta and I grabbed some OPI nail polish in -' I'm Not Really a Waitress' (a fabo red) and 'Significant Other Color' (a opalescent lavander) and of course a tube of Big Tease mascara by Bare Escentuals. I also ran by Brighton and bought an amethyst charm for my sterling silver wheat chain I got a few months ago. The heels are like a leather ombre of navy to medium blue back to navy, sexy killer heels by Paris Hilton!
After all the fun we hated to say goodbye, but our feet told us it was time to stop. I arrived home to find more fun waiting for me.




Two patterns from Hot Patterns were waiting for me. Weekender Jean Jeanius Trouser Jeans and Metropolitan Seriously Stylin' Jacket.

Altering Pleated Skirt Pattern

I have decided to use Butterick 4686, but want to remove some of the pleats. In a light weight fabric 7 pleats are nice, but I am thinking in Denim maybe they might be to much. I also wanted a less puffy look and more of an 'A-Line' shape.

Butterick 4686 uses the same pattern piece for the front and the back. I know my front is way different than my back so I am going to create a front and a back pattern and move the zipper to the center back.

So here is what I am going to do starting with the original pattern. I numbered the pleats to help in the example.

I will remove 3 of the pleats by folding out the pleats numbered 2, 4, and 6 (fold out completely). This will remove some of the volume at the pleat release to the hemline.

Retrace and then use this as my front pattern piece.

For the back I will draw a line down the center to create the new center back seam line.

Then add seam allowance and mark the zipper placement.

Next I will pull out my TNT pencil skirt pattern McCall's 3830.

Taking the new pattern pieces for the pleated skirt folding the pleats and pin using McCall 3830 as a guide for fit in the waist and hip area. I will alter using the pleats and side seams if need be.

Pretty Pleasing Pleats

Oooooooohhh, pleats are everywhere this season! Pleats on skirts, blouses, pants, dresses, shoes and even on handbags too. All you have to do is search 'Pleated' at Neiman Marcus or Saks and up pop lots of lovely things.

So next up is a inverted box pleated skirt in dark denim or black. The list of patterns I like so far are:

Burda 8034

view A has a wide waistband, 5 front pleats and 5 back pleats with a side zipper

Hotpatterns 1017

Has a small waist band, 4 front pleats and 4 back pleats top stitched down to hip area, deep hem and a side zipper

Butterick 5285

View 'C' and 'D' have a small waist band 6 pleats in front and 6 pleats in back that are stitched to hip area with a back zipper

Butterick 4686

View 'A' and 'B' have 7 pleats in front and 7 pleats in back, no waist band (pleats start at top) that are stitched to the hip area, and side zipper

I am leaning towards Butterick 4686, mainly because I already have this pattern in my stash and have sewn up a test, I also have Burda 8034 and love the waistband ............but I am still looking closely at the others.

For inspiration I found this cute skirt at Newport News

Should I do dark denim or a black twill?

McCall's 3830

Pattern Description:
Skirt in five lengths have front and back darts, back zipper, faced waist and optional carriers; skirt A, B and C have back vent.

Pattern Sizing:
6 thru 22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Very much so. The first skirt in purple was exactly as shown. I altered the pattern for the black and gray skirt to my inspiration skirt by Antonio Melani.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Very easy and strait forward. The instruction are great for beginers.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I know this pattern has been review quite a few times but I thought one more couldn't hurt.
Everyone needs a pencil skirt in thier closet and this one is easy and quick to sew up. I like the easy and fast results, you can have a skirt in a few hours from start to finish. This simple pattern is open for great options for altering once you get the fit just right. Pencil skirts are flattering on all body types, as long as the fit is good and length is appropriate.

Fabric Used:
Fabrics recommended: Cotton and Cotton Blends • Linen Blends • Wool Crepe • Gabardine • Lightweight Woolens • Wool Blends • Synthetic Suedes and Leathers.
The purple skirt is cotton twill with flowers embroidered on it from JoAnns. The Black and gray skirt is a black and gray heathered poly blend from my stash I think I purchased years ago in Italy.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
For the purple skirt I cut a 20, but had to alter a little in the waist (due to the fact I don't have one) by letting out the darts. I tappered in just below the hip, to give it some shape. I am a plus girl with ample bum, hip, and thighs but have the skinnyest calves. If I had not taken it in below the hip it would have looked very odd.

The black and gray skirt all started when walking in the mall one day I spotted a skirt by Antonio Melani at Dillards and had to make one. I am in no way as thin as the lovely model but just loved the way the band accents are in black. At closer look the skirt has two bands, one at the waist and the other at the knee. I measured from the seam allowance at the waist down 3 inches to create the top band added registration marks and measured from the hem allowance up 2.5 inches for the bottom band, drew lines on the pattern pieces then cut these lines, added seam allowances. For the waist band I folded out the darts and created a contuored waist band. This made 6 pattern pieces from the original 2. Three for the front and three for the back. I used the new waist band pattern pieces for the facing and lined the skirt with black ambiance lining. (also if you notice - YES I got my new boots 'Bullock' by Born and LOVE THEM!!!!)

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I will. This is a staple in my wardrobe and a pattern that will be used for years. The next one will be the below the knee length and in denim for casual Fridays at the office and maybe a bright teal and black plaid I have in my stash.

Conclusion:
Fasy and fast! Pencil skirts will never go out of fashion.

I know I look goofy, and I need to smile. Really odd, when taking these photos I could swear I was smiling, but maybe the running back and forth to do timed photos I missed the smile. Believe me I am very happy with the way these skirts turned out ;)

More Fashion Fun Online

purple lady by la bella colori

This look would be great for the office or dinner out with my sweetie.

For fun check out Polyvore where you can create sets of items and its free. Just explore and see all the ideas in fashion that have been saved. It is going to be a great help in learning how to make my wardrobe work. I don't really own any of these items BUT I have some that are similar. So - this might help me stretch beyond my boring and sad outfits from the past.

Why I picked these items

• I adore purple - all the shades & tones. This cardigan's deep veep neckline draws the eye up and is very flattering.
• Pencil skirts are everyone's friend, we all need one in our closet! I even love them and I am a borderline plus gal. Just make sure it fits, has NO pleats, the hem hits you in the right spot. Wear a top that has a little volume and a little flirt to it (example the slight puffy sleeves on the cardy above).
• I also love the color gray and tanks are so versatile in your wardrobe, you can dress them up or down.
• Diamond stud earrings are # 27 in the book 'The One Hundred' by Nina Garcia - and I could not agree more. Every woman should have a pair!!
• Bags - are like chocolate!! I can't stop wanting them all and this baby is ultra feminine and practical at the same time.
• The bow detail on the shoes adds to the lady like feel
• Vintage jewelry is all the rage. The older the better, and what a statement they make.

Ciao Bella!!