Category: Uncategorized

 

 

I am so excited to finally be able to add a skirt into my wardrobe! This fall-ready make was inspired by one worn by Sabrina Spellman in an episode of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina that I decided to recreate for the fall (see it here), and I am full-on obsessed with the autumnal vibes.

 

 

I’ve actually had plans to make the Arielle for quite some time now…in fact, it may or may not have been included on a couple of Make 9 plans for 2019 and 2018. Woops! At least I made it, amiright?!

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1602095338200_22727 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1602095338200_22727 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I got this snuggly soft Robert Kaufman flannel from Etsy and I am totally in love with it! As I work more towards curating my closet, I’ve been thinking a lot about staying within a certain color palette, and I love how the warmer neutrals of the plaid make it easy to pair with so many different pieces, making it an instant closet staple. Plus, since the fabric is so soft and warm, I didn’t need to line it to make it more comfortable to wear. That, and the fact that I don’t intend to machine wash this skirt, just spot clean when necessary to protect the fabric and the buttons.

Can we talk about these magical buttons for a minute? I picked these vintage babies up at my local antique mall years ago and have been waiting for the perfect project to use them with. I love how nicely they paired with the flannel thanks to the black centers, and the star pattern on them made them a match made in Heaven (or Hell?) for this witchy inspired make. I am over the moon in love with these buttons, and I’m so glad I could finally let them out to play!

 

 

I really didn’t make any adjustments to the skirt, though in hindsight, I may have taken in the waist a bit. However, that was nothing that moving my button over a bit for a tighter fit couldn’t solve. Also, I used french seams to finish off the side seams of the skirt since I wasn’t going to line it and I don’t own a serger. This is a thicker fabric so the end result was a taaaaaad bit more bulky than I would have liked…but I’m not mad at it. Maybe I should have used a zig-zag stitch and pressed the seams open for this one, but I honestly don’t care enough to wonder about it more than that.

 

 

My favorite detail about this skirt is the length. I made no adjustments to it, and it is ideal for me (I’m 5’4” with longer legs and shorter torso for reference). Over-the-knee so I don’t look boxy or cut-off, but not too short causing my ass to fall out when I play with my 3 year old on the floor. Praise be! I’m also appreciative of the slight A-line shape that makes the skirt fitted without being too tight, so I can sit and crouch down comfortably without being afraid of my thigh-spread popping a seam. Y’all feel me on this, right?!

 

 

I would love to make another version of this skirt in a flouncy woven fabric with maybe just 3 or 4 buttons at the top for a little side -slit action. I think I’m going to try something like that later on for winter to wear around the house with chunky sweaters, but we’ll see. Apart from that, I know I’d also like another version of this for spring, maybe in a light, pastel pink or floral print.

Do you wear a lot of skirts for the fall? What’s your favorite style for cooler weather? Let me know in the comments!

Happy making

-XO-

C

DETAILS:

PATTERN: The Arielle Skirt from Tilly and the Buttons (mini version)

FABRIC: Robert Kaufman 100% Cotton Flannel from Etsy

NOTIONS: Vintage buttons from my stash.

SIZE: I made a straight size 4 (pattern true to size) based on my measurements:

• W: 31″

• H: 40″

• Height: 5’4″

ADJUSTMENTS: None

*This post contains affiliate links. Learn more here.

If your Un-Finished Objects (UFO) pile doesn’t get completely out of control at some point, can you even call yourself a maker? I’ve been setting random things- from jeans that need a new button attached to garments I’ve cut out but not sewn- into this UFO box throughout the year and it has finally reached the point of overflow. I’m an “out of sight out of mind” kinda girl, so the fact that this box of sadness is hidden in my closet probably hasn’t helped matters much. So, I’ve decided that in between new projects, I’m going to challenge myself to pull one piece out of the pile to finish and finally be done with so I can get this little corner of my craft room closet back. I think this back and forth will be a good compromise since I won’t have to rob myself of sewing new things, but I’ll still get the sense of accomplishment from ticking something off the To-Do list.

The piece I know I’m going to work on next is this pair of skull embroidered jeans. I fucking love these jeans, y’all. They are now way to small for me (they’re not even close to buttoning closed!) but I just can’t part with them. Since this is spooky season, I though it would be a great time to do something new with them. I’m think of deconstructing them to *hopefully* refashion them into a denim skirt. Keep our fingers crossed for me!

I am the devil. I promised my husband well over a year ago I would fix some of his work clothes for him. The worst part is, he didn’t even ask, I offered with a very heavy hand. And all they really need it popped seams closed or buttons sewn back on. I could probably finish all of them in less than an hour. Woops, my bad 😬

I cut out this vintage reproduction dress and cropped top combo for summer 2019. EEEEEEEEPPPP! Looking at it, I know what’s holding me back is the top- as adorable as it is, I just don’t see myself wearing it. I do, however, think this full black skirt with gold buttons would look great with some of my chunky sweaters and boots for fall/winter, so I’m giving myself permission to let the top go and just sew the skirt. I feel like a freed woman!

I hope you had fun having a lil peep at my Stash of Shame, haha! I feel so much better just having created an action plan to tackle it though, so at least I got that going for me. Now if only I could figure out my yarn stash…

Do you have a UFO pile? How do you stay on top of it? I’d love to hear your tips + tricks!

Happy making!

-XO-

C

 

 

Hey party people! Today I wanted to just share a quick work-in-progress (#wip for the cool kids) post to let you know where I’m at with my fall sewing plans. With fall comin’ in hot (or cold?) I feel like this is the first time I’ve been genuinely excited for the next season in 2020, and it has brought my sew-jo back in a big way. I’ve also been toiling away at my knitting and crochet projects as well, so let me show you where I’m at so far:

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600116277102_3965 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600116277102_3965 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

First, I finished my Jessica Dress! I’ll be sharing a bit more about it in a blog post I did for the Minerva Maker Team later on, but I just had to share a little blurb about how much I am freaking in love with this thing here! I made it up in this cozy flannel fabric and it seriously feels like wearing pajamas while also being the coolest article of clothing in my closet. I wore it paired with black jeans, my favorite beret, black booties, and a choker (similar) for these photos, and I seriously can’t get over the insane 90’s vibes in this outfit (choker necklaces will do that). I’m thinking of doing an outfit post about this dress later because I have a lot of ideas on different ways it can be worn through fall all the way to winter. This make was the perfect project to start off the season and gives me all the fall feels 🍂

Funny story: I needed my husband, Franco, to take these photos for me, which meant bringing our daughter, Mirah, along for the photo shoot. While I was busy asking him to take detail shots of the pockets, homegirl decided to help me out by using them to store a few rocks to add to her collection. Half my dress was practically falling off of me during the walk home because it was so weighed down!

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600219065167_13365 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600219065167_13365 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

Next, I am happy to say that I am chipping away at my first knitted beanie! I’m gonna be honest…I am OVER IT. Mostly because I am so new to knitting (this is only my second project ever, the first being a super simple chunky cowl) and I can see quite a few mistakes. As you can probably tell from the third photo, I’m not sure I’m evening doing it right, haha! I know deep down that this is all part of the learning process, but it is a bit discouraging since my hat isn’t turning out quite like I hoped it would. Oh well. I’m challenging myself to carry on and finish it though because it would look really cute for fall (notice how much I love red hats above, haha!) and I think I could use the practice before taking on my next knitting project…this sweater. We’ll get there, we’ll get there.

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600219065167_18684 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1600219065167_18684 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I’ve been spending my evenings on the couch switching back and forth between the beanie and this adorable pullover. I’m using the exact same yarn as used in the pattern photos (this one) and I could not be more thrilled with it. I made this cardigan using the same yarn a year ago and I got so much wear out of it during the fall and winter, so I know this raglan is going to be a winner. Again, I can already see a few mistakes, but these ones are a lot less noticeable so they bother me zero. If you’re curious, I accidentally mixed up the stitch pattern on one of my rows, so the bobbles are a bit off in one area. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would be able to tell if I didn’t point it out, so it’s all fine by me!

The next project I’m planning to start this week is my Arielle skirt for a special little project I can’t wait to share with you guys soon! All I’ll say is it’s a look I’ve had in mind for a looooong time, and it could not be more fitting for the Halloween season! I have been stroking this snuggly flannel fabric that I bought for it ever since it arrived in the mail last week, and I don’t think these vintage buttons I had in my collection could look any more magical with it. This is going to be a fun one!

Apart from all of that, I have a few quick and easy Halloween crafts and fall decor projects planned that I might just share on my YouTube channel later on this month. It’s felt really good to dive all-in with this season, so I’m just going to do my best to embrace this time of year and have as much fun with it as humanly possible.

What are you working on lately?

Happy making!

-XO-

C

*This post contains affiliate links. Learn more here.

 

 

You guys, when I say I’m proud of this Dad Joke…you’d better believe I am so proud of myself for the phrase jack’o’planter (cue the roaring laughter of thousands).

Now that we’ve all calmed down from that clearly hilarious joke, let me just talk about how thrilled I am to be entering the fall months. Maybe I’m a #basicbitch, but I adore all things fall, pumpkin + pumpkin spice, spooky, witchy, and yes, Halloween-y. This year has been the pits, so I am allowing myself for the first time ever to go all out this holiday season to bring myself as much happiness and cheer as possible. Why not? If it sparks joy for you, then I say- tally ho! 🎃 👻.

 

 

I think I’m going to draw out the decorating process a bit longer (i.e. start decorating earlier) this Halloween season because that is hands down my favorite part of autumn. For my first craft, I thought it would be fun to add a few jack’o’lantern faces to the planters in my living room to officially welcome our new plant friends into our weird little fambly.

 

 

I cannot get over how cute these turned out! My daughter absolutely loves them, and for how much joy they bring me after the quick 5 minutes they took to create, I definitely got a lot of return on my spooky investment!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

 

 

Supplies:

• Vinyl cling (I used black, but I think it could also be fun to use a bright yellow to make them look like they’re lit up!)

• Pencil

• Scrap paper

• Scissors

• Plant pot

 

 

Step 1: On a scrap piece of paper, draw out your jack’o’planter’s face. I decided to lay my paper on top of the planter and trace around the general area I was going to be applying the face to get a better idea for scale. Then, I just drew out a few different test faces until I landed on the ones I liked best. As you can tell from the photos, I made a couple different versions of these, so you can play around a bit…just like when carving an actual jack’o’lantern.

Step 2: Cut out your face pieces. You’ll be using them as your templates for the vinyl.

 

 

Step 3: Trace the paper face pieces on the back of your vinyl cling. Cut out.

 

 

Step 4: Apply the vinyl pieces to your planter and TA-DA! Now you’ve got a quick and cute Halloween craft to enjoy all season long!

 

 

What I love most about this craft is how easy it is to decorate your current space for the holiday. Once Halloween is done, you can just remove the vinyl sticker pieces. It’s super quick and would also be a really fun project for kiddos. The above is version #1.

 

 

And this guy is version #2! They’re like my spoopy little children, I love them both differently, but equally 🤗

Have you started decorating for fall yet? I’d love to hear all the ways you’ve begun to celebrate!

Happy making!

-XO-

C

*This post contains affiliate links. Learn more here.

The fact that the temperatures are still in the high 80’s and 90’s here in Toledo cannot suppress my basic bitch excitement for grandpa sweaters, plaid flannel, witchy vibes, pumpkin spiced everything…all of the fall, y’all!

As a matter of fact, I’ve already started my first sewing project in months and it’s a fall-ready piece that I am beyond excited to wear…despite the fact that even trying it on makes me sweat while I wait out the last of summer in my hot box of a craft room. I’ve also got 2 yarn work projects on my hook and needles (1 knitting, 1 crochet) so I guess you could say that the cold weather craft season has officially commenced!

So, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my fall wardrobe goals with you guys today to help spread the seasonal cheer. Because we all know, Halloween is the best holiday of all times and, indeed, the most wonderful time of the year. First up, let’s talk about the projects I’ve already started working on:

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_6269 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_6269 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

The Jessica Dress from Mimi G Style in this snuggly flannel from Minerva.com (gifted). My idea behind this make is to wear it as a transitional piece with jeans, and maybe a long sleeve top underneath. I can’t wait to show you the finished product!

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_10546 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_10546 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I started making the Mariner’s Cap by Two of Wands a few months ago but set it to the side once summer weather made holding any yarn a totally sweaty and unbearable experience. I’m so excited to pick it up again, especially since I think this yarn that I chose is going to match my Jessica dress perfectly (and also happens to be my favorite color)!

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_15270 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_15270 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I am just about done with the yoke of this beautiful Rosebud Raglan from Knits’N’Knots and I am so obsessed! I’m using the same yarn pictured in the pattern photos (this one). I’ve actually used this exact same yarn, color and everything, on a different cardigan about a year ago and it is so squishy and soft and I am beyond excited to have another sweater worked up in it.

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_19896 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_19896 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

There’s also a few pieces I’ve started daydreaming about I cannot wait to get started on for my fall wardrobe. The one I am drooling the most over has got to hands down be this Sabrina Spellman inspired #lewk. I just bought this heavyweight flannel that is luxuriously thicc and cozy. I think It’ll work up nicely as a Ness Skirt from Tilly and the Buttons. How adorable will that be?!

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_25243 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_25243 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I also am in need of something cozy for chilly grey days spent lounging around the house. I used this copper colored tencel twill from Blackbird Fabrics on my York Pinafore and it’s so swishy, yet durable I think it would be great for playing with my kid or doing some work around the house. I’m still debating on whether I want to try it in a Zadie Jumpsuit, or this adorable Lounge Set from Peppermint Magazine. Which one would you pick?

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_31918 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598878911151_31918 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

As soon as I’m done with my beanie, I am casting on this Campfire Sweater from Darling J’Adore. I already have a few skeins of this cozy AF Buttercream yarn and I am here for allllllll the hygge vibes this combo is giving off.

#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598903385020_13607 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid { margin-right: -20px; }
#block-yui_3_17_2_1_1598903385020_13607 .sqs-gallery-block-grid .sqs-gallery-design-grid-slide .margin-wrapper { margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; }

I have been thinking alot about my style and the clothing in my closet these days because of my curated closet journey. Although I’d ideally like to make the majority of my clothing, I’m only one person and there’s only so many hours in the day. One thing I’d like to try this season is incorporating more vintage items into my everyday style. Since I’m new to vintage, I think I’d start with a couple of staple pieces, like this chambray shirt, silk hair bow, or knitted sweater.

Well, that’s all of my wardrobe plans for fall so far! What styles are you trying out for the next season?

Happy Making!

-XO-

C