Barbie Challenge: Cotton Casual

Cotton Casual

This is the first dress to be created in The Barbie Challenge. I am not particularly fond of strapless (or backless) dresses so I have decided to use McCall's pattern #M6599. What I love about this design is the color scheme: with the lemon yellow and orange ribbon set against B&W stripes. I also love the front inverted pleat in the skirt. Very lovely, and thanks to the Sorbetto Top I know how to achieve that look.

Above are some marvelous black and white stripped fabrics from The Fat Quarter Shop that I think would be perfect.

British Garden Party + A Free Pattern to Download

I have always felt I am more suited to a life of afternoon tea & scones, leafy green gardens and 18th century grandeur. I am speaking of course of the old english style of living; Laid back, delightfully humorous and thoroughly proper.

Of course I do not have the budget for such things but I do find them ever so inspiring.

Indian :)

And below are some fabrics from the fabulous Fat Quarter Shop that I think would compliment the Elegance of The Classic English Garden Party. Oh and here's something juicy! A Free Couture Dress pattern from V&A's Golden Age of Couture. I haven't had the pleasure of trying it out but a free pattern is always welcome in my collection and I know I'm not alone in this

On a personal note: I got a job! Starting Monday the 27th I am the proud employee of a fabric store! Of course, this is somewhat unlikely to be profitable since I will be tempted to spend every penny on fabric/notions/patterns/tools but I will try and be discerning with my employee-discounted purchases.

The Fat Quarter Shop

Here are fabrics from The Fat Quarter Shop that I am in love with right now:

Adore

Love

Love

Adore

Adore

Adore

For good measure

Onwards

After putting in a full 6 hours at the home office yesterday, I was delighted to find that I still had the time/energy to print and cut a free pattern from Burdastyle. I chose the 'Marie' skirt because it looks simple and I love the pleats (did I mention it is free?). It's exciting to move on from the sorbetto tops for a bit. I loved making them but it's time for a new challenge. After looking over the pattern, I think the difficult parts will be the facings (because they always are) and finding the money to buy interfacing (yep, that's how broke I am). I have some thrifted fabric to make a muslin with so I can adjust the fit and get it just right. I'm excited!


Oh and also, I discovered a sweet online fabric store called 'The Fat Quarter Shop' - I like that name for a lot of reasons..and the fabric is pretty amazing. These are two that I LOVE just from the sale section. Oh to have money...

Amazing

So retro!