Thrift Store Prom

Sporting the Bosco Bow Ties

Bow Tie & Matching Corsage

My handsome boy

Having fun

Our church came up with a great idea to have a "Thrift Store Prom". Go cheaply using clothes from thrift stores, go vintage, go silly, what ever! I made Dylan & his friend bow ties from Jennifer Paganelli/Carla Crim   Bosco Bow Tie. I did as Melissa P did and hand sewed at the parts where it said to glue. Who knows how crazy on the dance floor they will get! Dylan's girlfriend had a cute poodle skirt and red scarf so I made her a matching corsage from Tanya Whelan's new book, Sew What You Love called 'Corsage Flowers" I attached the flower to a knit leftover from hemming Holly's pants she's wearing. How's that for repurposing?? I put a vintage button at the center. I used American Jane's Happy Campers Plaid. Jordan's bow tie is a Robert Kaufman pimatex black with white dots. I loved making them and hope to make more! They did their best to be goofy and silly and I think they succeeded! Holly wanted to go, but high schoolers only, so she found some retro glasses and joined the photo.

The Devon peasant top

I've been playing around with this Devon pattern from Sis Boom/Carla Crim and it's FABULOUS! I am honestly NOT a clothing sewer, but being surrounded by all these amazing fabrics, I yearn to make something to wear! I've made things before from Jennifer & Carla and have been super impressed with the detailed instructions & photos. Truly, I am a visual learner and get sooo stuck on any patterns easily~ but not here! There are so many options on length based on your height, sleeve options either bell sleeve or regular, ruffled or not. Super versatile. You can even make this as a dress. I love it and will enjoy wearing it this spring. I used the Maeve fabric from Jennifer's Poodle line because I've been wanting to make myself something out of it for a while. I enjoyed the pattern so much I'll be making it in Crazy Love, but just don't know which one yet. There are just so many good ones, I'm stumped! It's funny because I help people pick out fabrics every day, but it's hard for me to make a decision on that mostly because I love 'em all! Get the Devon and have fun with it!

Meghan Peasant Pattern

I just had to blog about a new pattern I tried called the Meghan Peasant.I enjoy sewing quilts & purses, but tend to stay away from clothing. The patterns can be too confusing, but this pattern just called to me because it is so versatile- short sleeve top, long sleeve top, short sleeve dress, long sleeve dress. I have to admit I was drawn to it because there are no zippers! It is a collaboration between Jennifer Paganelli (one of my fav fabric designers) and Carla Crim, the Scientific Seamstress. This is what I love about this pattern:

*Multiple options

*Multiple sizes 0-3XX

*Downloadable- you could start it right now!

* Lots of directions & pictures- there was no confusion!

* Totally customizable the whole way: how deep the neckline, how long the "skirt"

*Photos of others who made this on flickr http://www.flickr.com/groups/scientificseamstress/pool/

I used all Jennifer Paganelli fabrics: Elizabeth Rose Ice on the bodice, Leann stripe on the "skirt", Casey Scroll on the sleeves. I omitted the elastic on the end of the sleeves because I liked the look when I tried it on. I cut the "skirt" 14" to have a shorter look. I am just so happy how it came out. However, I am just not photogenic, so I cropped my head. My son said, "Wow! You made that mom?" and he also was the one who took the pics of me and agreed with the crop! I am wearing the necklace he made me for my bday. Where to find all this cuteness? but here is where I downloaded the pattern: http://youcanmakethis.com/. The pattern-maker's blogs: http://scientificseamstress.blogspot.com/ and http://jenniferpaganelli.typepad.com/ and the photographer extraordinaire: http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/ I will definately make this again and again. I'm sure when my daughter gets home from a vacation with her friend, she will want one too!!