Meet my strapless-dress-no-more. It's from the after Christmas sale rack at the Gap. Blue silk and all ruffly. Love at first sight. Unfortunately I was mistaken once again ( this has happened before) in thinking I can pull it off, wearing something strapless. I have the shoulders for it but lack the most important detail, the things between the neck and the belly button. So here you have it, it wasn't staying up and frustration ensued.
I had been thinking about Fashion Remake a lot, without acting on it. But after this great success (I think) I am looking at everything I own with scissors in my eyes, dangerous times!
In short, I removed a row of ruffles, cut through both the dress and the lining. With the dress/skirt right side facing and the lining on top wrong side facing I sewed a 1/2" seam at the top. I flipped the lining back inside. Ironed the new waist neatly and sewed a 3/4" from it creating a casing. You have to leave an opening for the elastic (woven 1/2"). Once the elastic is in place sew it ( no knots please!). Hand stitch the opening shut and voila!
The ruffle I took out became a flower for the waist and the two remaining ruffles on the top will definitely be picked out soon! Here is a vintag-ed picture of the skirt on the animal:
Forgive me for the grimy white Tee, it was late and very poorly lit in the room.
On the Coin Quilt front, I am overjoyed that so many of you want to join us, this is going to be wonderful! For the quilting newbies this is the ideal project, don't be scared and maybe use that tutorial from Moda I talked about yesterday.
I have been changing my mind on the colorway for the quilt many time over. I am staying with the original idea of the Last minute patchwork quilt, but with straight coins. Instead of Mendocino in blue and brown I switched to pinks and consequently had to order a lot more from Etsy this morning, poor me. This seller and this seller.
Ok I know this is the longest post ever but I must add that this book is terrific! I just can't put it down. It's french, we really made endless cakes like those with my mom growing up.
Finally, I promise, did you know The Fray has a new album out. Which I am ashamed to say I have been listening to on youtube. Tonight I will go to a coinstar and exchange our stash of coins for an Itunes voucher, best thing those coins ever did for me.