Handmade Wardrobe Update

So here's what I've done so far.
Waistband Dress: This is the first dress from the pattern I made. I hate using muslin because I'd rather just alter the piece and wear it myself if it's a flop. I actually like the shape of this one a lot. I will be creating a wider skirt and adding the buttons to the next one. The fabric will not be the same either. I'm planning on a solid mint for this one.
Lace Collared Shirt: I actually love this one. And I was able to source both the lace and fabric from my local fabric store. Yesssss. Being the first one, I always make it my size. Sadly, this one is one size too small. Must make more ASAP.
Circle Skirt: I have been sitting on this fabric for over a year. I love this shape. I'd like to do it in a simpler fabric too. I'm feeling rather shy these days.

So there's where I stand for now. I'd love to see what projects you're working on! Link me in the comments.
xoxo!

Summer '12 Handmade Wardrobe Inspiration Board

As you can see, I'm a little over-zealous. There's no way all of these are going to end up in my closet. I just wanted to give myself lots of options. Some of these pictures are inspiration for items I was planning for the shop anyway.

1. I'm loving the palette and the shape.
2. Bright circle skirt- Yes.
3. I'm imagining this longer with pockets.
4. I have some striped fabric that I have to use. It's a much narrower stripe, but it could work.
5. I'm planning a solid color cropped cardigan. I think the fabric will make or break this one.
6. This is my own design. I'm planning a muted tone for myself and possibly sleeveless?
7. I've been eyeing this design for a long time. I love the shape so so much and I might start on my Autumn wear early. (I live in the bay of CA. I wore a jacket today while my east coast friends were drowning in their own sweat.)
8. I love the lace collar on this one. Though boxy shirts don't flatter my figure, I may try this out and see what happens.


Okay, enough daydreaming. Back to work!


Edit:

4. I decided that this top is much more the direction I want to go with the striped fabric.

Okay, back to it for real this time.

Handmade Wardrobe- Simple Chambray Top

After making a chambray button down for myself, I decided I wanted more chambray in my wardrobe. This shirt was super simple. No darts, no placket, no cuffs.

I basically made myself glorified scrubs.. and I'm okay with that. Big ol' pockets so I stop leaving my cell phone all over the place. (I need to lose weight so that it will fit in my jeans again..) A high and wide neckline and 3/4 length sleeves.

This is my new favorite shirt pattern. I hope to try it with some sheer fabric soon.

Tomorrow we are off for a beach side vacation with friends. This is the kind of thing I always wanted to do but never have. Poor friends, my expectations are so high. All I want is a constant mega bonfire, grilled food for every meal, beer with every grilled meal, deep conversation with hard questions, games that I win every time and lots and lots of sunscreen. Is that too much to ask?

Hope you all have fantastic things planned for the weekend! Otherwise, I plan on making you super jealous. (No, but really, I'll invite you if you promise to let me win catch phrase.)

Handmade Wardrobe- Formal Maxi

My friend, Brenda, just wrote on her blog about making a necklace and being complimented. There's this weird dilemma when you make things and people start to know you as the girl who makes things. 

It's fantastic when people ask if you have made something and you have. They then praise you telling you how incredibly talented you are and how impressed they are with your skills. Then your head becomes so large that you literally float away. (It's scary because I'm afraid of heights.)

Then there are the days when you just throw something cute on and people see it and they say, "Did you make that???" And you say "No. I bought it at blah blah's" and they say "Oh." And then it's awkward and they change the subject.

So, this has been going on for me for over 2 years. And I seriously don't read into it as much as I used to. And I know that the people who have done this to me had no idea that I analyze their words and thought "they didn't say it was cute when I didn't make it, so are they just saying it's cute when I DID because they they don't know what else to say? What if they really don't like it?!?!?!?"

Now, to avoid all of that, I just make my dress for family events. This past weekend, John's cousin got married and I wore a sample that was never intended to become a real dress. I was playing around with lengths last year and made this. Because I never intended to wear it, I had to rush to hem it the night before the wedding. And it didn't quite fit anymore and the grain on the bodice runs the opposite of the skirt, and there's a seam on the back because I ran out of fabric making that long skirt and when I used the pocket, my hand busted it open. So, I wouldn't say "success" at the time.

But looking at the photos, I'm kind of in love with the length. It's rather flattering on me, I think.

 So, sample dress, you were a success and I'm happy I had a last minute rush and you were the only unworn handmade dress around.

Handmade Wardrobe- Lace Top

The cute rust colored top on the left is from Modcloth, though it's no longer available.

A couple weeks back a customer asked for a lace dress, and once I had pulled out this periwinkle stretch lace, I knew I had to make that Modcloth shirt. I basically used the pattern for my peach top, nixing the darts, making it fitted and adding longer sleeves. There is a bit of ruching on the sleeve, but obviously no where near the inspiration shirt.

As a full time designer, I am surrounded by clothing all the time. But, I very rarely make any for myself. I am trying to separate some time for sewing that is for ME. I love to sew, but the more "work" I make it, the more work it becomes. So, here I am, wearing TWO handmade items from my closet.

I'm participating in a flickr group called "handmade wardrobe". You can check it out by clicking the cute link in the right sidebar. There are some really fun things over there for inspiration! I hope to make a thing or 2 for myself each week. It's a little scandalous how bad my current wardrobe is. When I run to the post office I pray that no one asks me what all the packages are, lest they know that the terribly unkempt person in front of them actually dresses people for a living.

Have any DIY clothing your looking forward to this Spring? I'd love to see it!

xoxo,
Kasey