Back in March I got a new Kryptonite U-lock for my bicycle. It’s long enough that I can lock up two bikes without any problems and it’s great that I don’t have to worry about if my bike will still be where I left it. However, my ride is about combining form and function, and I knew I had to do something to spice up my lock.
It’s covered in strips of foam I got at the craft store. They are hot glued on, which seems to be pretty secure. At the curve they are cut to conform to the metal without overlapping, which was the only part that really took any craftiness.
I thought about covering the base of the lock in a blue foam, but there might be some benefit in having the Kryptonite logo to deter any bike thieves. I might still go for it, leaving an opening for “Kryptonite” to show through.
This project was super easy, took less than 30 minutes, and cost $2 for the two sheets of foam, of which I have lots leftover.It really helps to complete the look I have going for my bike, either when I have the lock strapped to my rack or locked up on a stand. I’d love to see photos if anyone else tries this!
The name for this dress comes from the colors and the amount of time it took me to complete! It was completely worth the work, especially when Jason and I went up to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. What an amazing place, perfect for an afternoon of flowers, photos, and a cool bottle of rosé.
This dress has my favorite shades of yellow! It’s so much fun to wear, and of course very comfortable. The skirt is made out of a sheet that has an awesome floral paisley pattern with hidden hearts. I’ve had that fabric for about 3 years, never sure exactly what to make out of it. In February a friend’s tenant gave me the white fabric. It was also a vintage sheet that had been torn in half. It has yellow roses and curls and it couldn’t be softer. It’s an awesome juxtaposition with the first fabric, from the color balance to the formality of the design. I made bias tape in a silky marigold fabric, slightly darker than the yellows in the sheets, which gives the design some structure. It was the only material I bought for this dress, bringing to total cost to about $2.
I was planning on lining the bodice because I was afraid the white would be too transparent. I spent hours getting the pink cotton to fit just perfectly, only to eventually realize that there was no way I would get the lining and the white fabric to line up perfectly. It turned out that the white fabric was thick enough that you can’t see through it, and I don’t even need the extra support of the lining to wear this dress without a bra. It’s also cooler without the extra layer of fabric, and this way I get to feel the soft white fabric against my skin. I’m sure this would have been easy to do if I’d used a pattern, but damnit, I didn’t want to use a pattern!
I’ve got front and back darts that make the bodice fit perfectly but still gives me room to move and wiggle. I put in an invisible zipper at the back (from my mom’s stash), and just about got the print to line up on either side.
The pockets are made out of the same silky polyester as the bias tape. They are set into the side seams of the skirt, which are slightly forward. Like always, I made sure that they are deep enough to carry bottles–this time wine fit! They completely conceal cans, which is important since there are open container laws in California. Although I designed it as a sundress for riding my bicycle, it also works great at night with tights and a cardigan.
Check out this video I made cataloging our day in the flowers!
I made this dress back in June, right after I returned from backpacking in Europe for 6 months. I wasn’t sure what my plans were, but I’d just bought a station wagon so I knew there’d be plenty of adventures. This is the first roadtrip dress!
I was able to test out its travelbility on my latest cross country trip, driving from New Orleans to Los Angeles on i40. These photos were taken from our wonderful day in Arizona.
It’s very comfortable to wear and I felt very chic at all of our stops– Arizona State Welcome Center, a gas station for a much-needed french fry break, wandering around Meteor Crater, playing in snow in Flagstaff, and even in Circus Circus casino in Vegas late that night.
It’s made out of fine green jersey I picked up in Ohio–this was months before discovering the LA fashion district. It wasn’t so flattering when I first made it, but I recently re-examined my work. That’s right, sometimes even I need to tailor my clothes! I took in the shoulders and arm seams, as well as added elastic beneath the bust line (I find this is essential in getting a really nice fit from jersey). I was pretty ignorant about sewing stretch fabric on machine, and so to avoid stretching I did the hems and the ties by hand (if you’re confused about this I’ve got some tips on sewing stretch fabric and tubes)
As you can tell from all our photos, it turned out to be the perfect outfit for an entire day’s worth of adventures!
