Times, They Are a Changin'

This dress is not the only thing in my life that went through a drastic change...

This week has been scary and exciting.  I had my first week working as a seamstress.  To be completely honest, I spent a majority of the time geeking out over the awesomeness of industrial sewing machines.  I already feel like I am learning so much.  I think it will really increase the quality of the things I make, which is outstanding.  Plus, I am getting paid which is always good.

It's crazy to think that a year ago, my parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and now I am completely in love with the craft, and looking to make a career doing it.

Also, this happened...

I have been on a complete 90's kick lately.  Something heart-wrenching and nostalgic about a good 90's rock ballad.  My personal favorite...

Song I can't stop listening to: The Freshman // The Verve Pipe

It has been far too long, Master Kenobi

The bad news: I have been completely slacking on the blogesphere.  I have let far too many projects go undocumented and it is sad and pathetic.

The good news: My boyfriends parents got me a dress form for christmas, and I introduce to you the first dress I made using it!!! And I only needed one yard of fabric. That's INSANE.

It's a wildly comfortable sweatshirt type material.  I hate when people assume that just because I am wearing a dress, I must not be comfortable.  Let's be real. Dresses are wildly comfortable.  Especially this one.  So comfortable, I made a hood for it...and then my roommates convinced me that it was far too weird.

What do you think? Are hooded dresses the best thing since sliced bread, or should I be content knowing I get to wander around town in a sweatshirt and have people think that I tried...

Total Cost: $1.50. HOT DAMN.

Sorry it's been forever, but the projects I have in store will probably make up for it. Just sayin.

Song I can't stop listening to today: Girlfriend//Streets of Laredo

Seriously, it's catchy as lace. (Sewing girls, please say you laughed at that joke)

It's good to be back.

Turning Tables

I have stayed away from circle skirts because they are really time consuming and involve a lot of fabric.  However, if you use something that is already round, and hemmed on the end...something like a tablecloth? Yes! Brilliant! I am so proud of myself! I found this tribal table cloth at an antique shop for $4 and I couldn't pass up the pattern, even though we don't have an actual table for me to put it on.  What can I say, we're in college.  We eat in our beds.  But I had to use it for something!

There is a little math required for a circle skirt.  The circumference of the circle will be the measurement of your waist, or where you want to waist to hit.  Mark down that measurement as "c".  You will have to fold the fabric in half, then in half again to form a triangle.  You will now figure out the radius using the following equation:  r = c / (2 x 3.14159).  (Yes, that's pi! Hey there high school math!) You will need to allow a little extra for the seam.

From here, measure that distance from the point of the triangle, and create a curved line.  Cut this line, and this will be the opening for your waist.  Cut down a straight line down the back to create a seam.

    The waist band was going to look better if it started at the pattern, so I removed pie-shaped segments from the skirt to make it smaller, and sewed along that curve.  Once you've sewn your waist line, sew in an invisible zipper on the back seam.  Finish off the seam, and you have a circle skirt.  This whole process took me around 45 minutes and I was very satisfied!

Warning: This skirt will cause excessive twirling, and may have side effects.  These side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, and nausea.  

You think I'm joking, but the afternoon I spent twirling in this skirt almost lead to me vomiting on the side of the path you see below while yelling, "Can't stop twirling. Skirt so full. Must twirl."

Song I can't stop listening to today: Hey Ho/The Lumineers

This song is best listened to while making pancakes. Good day!