Tag Archives: handmade

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EMBROIDERED GYPSY VEST

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I’m very excited about my new design, the Daniella Gypsy Vest! There’s only one of these babies, and it’s in the Etsy shop!

Daniella gypsy vest Daniella gypsy vest Daniella gypsy vest

The pointed front and high back really accentuate the waist, making me feel like a bellydancer. It looks great with a stripey outfit, but can also be worn without a shirt for some sexy festival fun, and maybe the occasional peek of underboob.

Daniella gypsy vest Daniella gypsy vest Daniella gypsy vest

Since I was planning on lining the vest I went ahead and made it reversible, because that’s awesome and so am I. The shell is made out of this amazing embroidered upholstery fabric (which some may recognize from my tribal coat), and it’s no longer available so this is very one-of-a-kind. In fact I had to very carefully cut these pieces from scrap fabric left over from the coat. The front panels of the lining are a quilting cotton that has a bandana-esque print, which allowed me to hide a pocket, the perfect size for a cell phone, cash money, and a couple business cards. The back lining is a pink and red striped jersey that will be very comfortable to wear, and is also a recycled fabric.

Daniella gypsy vest Daniella gypsy vest

I think the black and white twisted trim just sends the vest over the edge (edge of what though?). The placket is a maroon denim with pressed brass snaps, letting you dramatically rip open the vest if you’ve got something exciting to reveal.

Like I said, there’s only one version of this vest and it’s in the Etsy shop now. More fabulous combinations will be coming soon!

This vest was inspired by a design by my friend Danielle, hence the name. Thank you Ms. Danielle for the inspiration, and thank you Mr. Siadek for great photos! Also thanks for taking me to Cirque du Soleil this weekend.

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JORDAN’S SWEATER DRESS

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It’s been a while since I made anything for Jordan, and she’s been so good lately that I thought she deserved a new dress. The original plan was to make one for each of us, but the growing pile of sewing projects on my bedroom floor (plus the shrinking space in my closet) encouraged me to just sew one for her and wear it vicariously.

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sweater dress

In retrospect, the weight of the skirt stretches out the bodice, so I wish I had made the top smaller.

This cozy dress is made out of a poly sweater knit from Fabric Planet; I think it’s $8/yd. The fabric is 100% synthetic: I put it in a purple dye bath and there was absolutely no color change. Ah well, the brown is a good color on Jordan, but it’s part of the reason I opted out of having one of my own.

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INDIAN SUMMER DRESS

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Just in time for fall! My new sundress! But since I live in Los Angeles, I’ll be wearing this at the beach while y’all are freezing your butts off. And how about those new glasses, right?

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I’d been eying this cute floral cotton since we got it in at Fabric Planet months ago, and as we got down to the end of the bolt I finally figured out what I wanted to make. I made my own own pattern, and it was very easy. Starting out, I wasn’t sure if this shape would be flattering on me, but I think the careful waist placement keeps it from looking like an ill-fitting sack. It’s nice to have a breezy casual dress!

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The whole thing slips over my head, no zipper. The waist band is made up of two drawstrings in separate channels, which helps to define the waist and makes the dress look a lot more polished. The faux-placket is a silk-cotton blend, which has a nice subtle sheen. These adorable wooden heart buttons are also from Fabric Planet, and although they’re a little more saccharine than I normally like they were too cute to pass up. Lastly, the yellow trim is bias tape I cute from a light-weight cotton.

Thanks to my future husband Jason for taking some really great shots. And yes, that’s right, we’re getting married! Yay!

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