Tag Archives: stash

7

VINTAGE GIRAFFE BLOUSE

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I feel like this shirt is a little more wild that what I normally wear, but I do wear some rather bizarre outfits. If I’m going to wear an animal print, this is how I do it.

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

The colorful giraffe fabric is a quilting cotton I picked up at Joann last year with the intention to make a different vintage pattern. The fabric has absolutely no drape, and the pattern was rather shapeless, with no darts at all. I added the bust darts immediately, and after some hemming and hawing about changing the vintage silhouette, I put in another dart at the center back.

Although I eventually deviated a lot from the pattern, I used Simplicity 7608 from 1976. I don’t wear a lot of buttoned shirts nowadays, and I generally like my tops to be more fitted, but I’ve loved these illustrations for years and decided to give it a try. Based on the sizing measurements, I added a couple inches of width to the pattern pieces. I didn’t do this the correct slash-and-spread method, but just added it to the width because I already knew I would add some tailoring to the design.

I wound up taking out most of the width I added, but I’m glad that I had enough fabric to work with. It’s great to have so much overlap at the center front; there’s no risk of buttons pulling and gaping.

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

I love a single back dart, especially when I’m fitting a garment on myself. No worries about getting two darts even, and so easy to make adjustments! Although from these pictures I see that the dartiest part is too sharp; I need to round out the waist. I may add shoulder darts later to take out some fullness at the neck in the back, but I’m happy for now.

The pattern called for the placket facing to be cut as one piece with the shirt front, but since my fabric wasn’t wide enough I used my yellow striped cotton, and pinked the edges to reduce bulk. All seams and edges are bound in this yellow bias tape. It was my first time successfully using a bias tape maker, and like everyone else I am smitten. I had to resist the urge to run to the store to buy one in every size!

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

I love these big nickel-plated buttons! The back wraps around the shoulders, and although this is one of the pattern’s features it doesn’t work so great on a directional print. I added the yellow band at the shoulder seam to make this overlap look more intentional.

I had been planning on adding the sleeves and Nehru collar, but once I pinned them on I felt overwhelmed by all the giraffes. Perhaps this pattern would work better with a less ostentatious print, in a fabric with more drape. In any case, I feel like this sleeveless top will be perfect with shorts at the beach.

vintage giraffe blouse, made by Julianne

10

PINK GENIE PANTS

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Work has been a little slow relaxed lately, and I’ve been taking advantage of the break to finish projects that are cluttering up my cutting table.

I really loved wearing genie pants at Burning Man this year, and I’m trying to resist my typical urge to make 20 pairs for the week-long festival. I can be minimal-ish with my everyday wardrobe, but I have zero restraint when it comes to costumes and playa wear. These pants are basically the same as my original set, but fuller! Before I gathered it into the waistband, the top was about 80″ wide. It’s wonderfully ridiculous.

pink striped genie pants, made by JulianneThese pants are so comfortable; they have become my default lounge pants. I’m wearing them right now as I write this, and probably whenever you are reading this.

pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne

The jersey has such wonderful drape and movement! I’m completely hypnotized by the stripes!

pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne

I know it’s a lot of pictures, but I love them all and it’s my blog. It was a little awkward taking these pictures in the alley by myself; when my husband is holding the camera it’s obvious to passers-by what’s going on. It looks a little strange when I’m jumping around in front of a stack of boxes with a tiny tripod on top.

pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne pink genie pants, made by Julianne

The pink stripes are a cotton jersey that I also made a dress from.

10

GEO-DELIC CONTRAST TANK

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Early February in Los Angeles means that I’m planning my summer wardrobe. I’m only half kidding.

contrast tank, made by Julianne

Not only were all the fabrics used for this tank scraps, but they were scraps from projects that I sold. That is stash-busting with a vengeance! Also, it took about 20 minutes.

contrast tank, made by Julianne

The yoke fabric is a cotton-lycra blend, and the awesome geo-delic print at the bottom is pure synthetic. I feel like I need a red bra to wear with this.

contrast tank, made by Julianne

BTW, I totally just wore this outfit to my doctor’s office. I tried to put on regular pants, but just couldn’t do it, and every single person who I encountered did a head-to-toe double take. Also, all you ladies get your HPV vaccines ASAP.

contrast tank, made by Julianne contrast tank, made by Julianne

You may recognize the leggings from my Animal Collective tee–this is my spirit fabric!

contrast tank, made by Julianne contrast tank, made by Julianne

Even I’m only just able to go out bare-legged, tanks are always great for layering. Huzzah!

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