Skirting the Issue

You might not think it if you passed me on the street, since my normal "uniform" is a denim jacket, slacks, and Chuck Taylors, but I'm kind of a girly-girl. I enjoy reading fashion magazines, playing with makeup and shopping for clothes. Then there's hair--don't even get me started on hair! 

I wanna talk about skirts. I love skirts. They can be dressed up or they can go casual, they can be fun and girly or classic and sophisticated. A skirt, provided it's the right length, is nearly always an appropriate choice. They're the perfect spring and summer staple(think cool and breezy) and equally fabulous in fall and winter when paired with tights or great boots. You can't go wrong with a great skirt.

The sad thing...even though I'm a confessed skirt lover, I rarely wear them anymore. In fact, I wore a skirt exactly one time during the past school year.  Once upon a time I wore them often. When I returned home from Europe(where everyone seemed to be in skirts all the time), I went skirt crazy and wore them constantly. And then I gained a little weight...OK, at least ten pounds...and I stopped wearing them. 

It's funny, but my desire to wear skirts seems to go hand in hand with myself self-esteem. If I'm feeling like I look OK, you'll see me wearing skirts more often. If I'm feeling that I look like Jabba the Hutt's sister, you won't. And for a while now, I've been feeling more Hutt-like than OK.  And that's not OK.

I'm too old to be worried about everyone else is thinking. And it's high time I got comfortable in my own skin, tree trunk legs and all. I think it's time I start wearing skirts again!

Although never one to pass up a shopping spree, I'd like to make some new skirts rather than run out and buy them. I love the idea that they can be custom fit and made from fun, funky prints. Considering I get it right. I have made a skirt before. Twice, actually! This is the first one and I go into mind numbing detail about the experience here if you're interested in that sort of thing.

 

My second attempt at a skirt is below. It's made from a vintage sheet(and yes, I have worn it in public). The details of that one are here.

 

 I have an embarrassing number of skirt patterns in my stash. I won't tell you how many, but I will say it's more than five. I'm thinking about using one of these three for my next attempt. They're all rumored to be easy patterns. I don't believe that for a second, but I'm willing to try.

And just because I have 500 skirt patterns in my stash(I exaggerate) does not mean that I'm above ordering yet another. This one got a nice review on SewMamaSew and it looks like it might be flattering--I love the simple lines and the length on this one. Lots of fun fabric possibilities. July 7 edit: I just bought this pattern too! I seriously need help for my addictions.

Any opinions on these patterns? Take into consideration that I'm 5'4"ish and NOT a size 8...or 10...or...you get the idea.

And while I'm asking questions...what's your favorite thing to wear? Least favorite? Do you think what you wear affects how you feel about yourself or is it the other way around?

She's posting about sewing again...

So this week I received a supply of my personal form of crack sewing project book in the mail. I LOVE IT! The projects are, for the most part, on my level and they are all absolutely adorable! Seriously, out of all of the projects in this book there weren't any that I didn't like. Usually there are at least a couple projects in craft books that I'd consider duds. There are several that I want to try right away! The market and messenger bags on the cover being high on my list.

As I was flipping through the book for the first time, the fabric on this sweet little bag jumped out at me. I mean, have you ever seen such wonderful colors/prints in your life??? *Swoon*

After a little digging I discovered it was from a line called Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt. And it's apparently out of print?! What? NOoooo! I did some more digging and found 1/2 yard of the floral for sale on Etsy, but it is in a pink background and not this luscious blue. I confess, I bought the pink because now that I know I can't just order them, I am obsessed w/getting my hands on some of these Flea Market Fancy fabrics. Must. have. them.

And in other sewing news, I was blog hopping yesterday and came across a purse made w/some fabric that I'd seen at WalMart numerous times. I've picked this fabric up, put it in my cart, only to put it back on the shelves w/o out having any cut more than once. Such a dork.

ANYWAY, after seeing the fabric made into a way cool purse on lipstick and laundry, I decided once and for all to pick some up on next trip to WalMart. Lucky for me, that was last night on a grocery run.

Here's my finished purse. I think I need a matching zippy pouch and cell phone holder to go with, don't you?

But like in the movie, not the book

I don't often get overly excited about shoes. OK, sometimes I do...remind me to show you Chuck Taylors w/black cats on them sometime...

Anyhow, I've been wanting a pair of red shoes forever. Not fire engine red and not that pinky-red color that you see in the summer alot, just red. I didn't necessarily want flats, but not high heels either...something I could wear w/skirts or slacks. I couldn't really put my finger on what I wanted, I just knew I'd know 'em when I found 'em.

I found them! At Wal-Mart no less. For $15.00. $15.00!!

The color reminds me of candy apples(why is always food?) and I love the little velvet bows and the teensy heel that make them just a touch girlie. Cute, huh? I'll feel like Dorothy Gail when I wear them.

She sews! OK, she sews sheety stuff, but she still sews!

I decided today that it was time to fire up the sewing machine once more. It has been over two months since I've attempted a sewing project after all!

My project of choice...this skirt, made using the instructions in the book Sew What Skirts!
I'm fairly pleased w/the outcome, but really I doubt that I'll ever wear this skirt anywhere in public. It is a piece of sheet after all. Here's a closer look:
A while back I got really excited over a post over on Lisa's blog about a sheety skirt that she made. Lisa's turned out totally cute and it fit her very well. Inspired, I started looking for old sheets immediately. I found this one at a local thrift store for 50 cents(I also found a SMURF sheet...Smurfy apron anyone?) and it's been patiently waiting since then to become a skirt.

My sheety skirt fits kinda funky. Either it's too big or the elastic waist made everything waaaay too bunchy right under the waistband. I can't really tell what the problem is...it just doesn't look right, ya know.

I've made one other skirt which also has a funky elastic waist, but overall is cuter and more flattering than the sheet skirt. Perhaps I do better w/a premade pattern than trying it on my own. I'm still going to try again...especially if I can find some more 50 cent sheets!

Hmmm. Now I'm wondering what other sheety projects I could make...Any ideas?

***6p.m. addition***I was showing Mark the skirt(I'm still wearing it) and discussing it's ill fitting nature (like he would care) when he said...and I'm not making this up..."It's cute, though". In 20 years he's never said any of my clothes were cute. This sheety skirt however, he thinks is cute! Hilarious!

ONE WEEK

I'm leaving for Eastern Europe one week from today! I'm not ready...I mean I'm ready as in so excited that I can barely stand it, but not ready as far as my house being in order(I don't like to leave home w/a house in disarray!) or having my packing planned.

Thanks to these two (and my dorky self doubt), I am having trouble deciding on what to wear(or what not to wear) on my trip. My sis tells me it will be HOT, so lightweight clothes are a must. Being a size chubby, however, means no shorts for me, only capris and skirts will do. Most of my stuff would likely fit in the "not" category if Stacey & Clinton had anything to say about it, but I have purchased some new tops. I just can't seem to put them together with anything in my closet! Frustrating! If I have time I may post some of my options later and beg for guidance.

I've shared the video of the lovely city of Vienna, Austria with you. Today I want to share Wroclaw, Poland. This is the city that my sister & her hubby call home and where I will be spending most of my time.



Notice all the gnomes in the video? Read about them here. You might also notice many photos of bridges, the city is situated on 12 islands connected by 112 bridges. I'm certain that it will be even more beautiful in person!

Now, I'm off to pick up a new digital camera! I've decided I might be better off to take lots photos than try to stuff all the souvenirs in Eastern Europe in my suitcase. Don't get me wrong...I plan to shop. Oh yes, shopping will be done!