The big CSSA reveal ~ my first circle skirt!

   ~ * ♥ * ~   

It took longer than I had hoped, but I have finally finished my very first circle skirt!  Yay!  *does a dance*
 \ ^ U ^ / 

There were some tears along the way ~ I had to restart the waist band about five times and on the last time I accidentally ended up making a small hole in the fabric which I then had to mend with an iron on patch before I could finish sewing the waistband down. : /  I wasn’t very happy about that!

Also the crinoline gave me a bit of a headache ~ I couldn’t find a pattern to make one the way I wanted too, so I ended up winging it!  It worked out ok; and I rather like what I did with it ~ it was just wrestling with the yards of tulle that had me hopping mad every so often.  ; P

This embroidered patch pocket took me all week to do, but it was fun, although it was a bit tricky.  I didn’t have an embroidery hoop {which I will buy for next time!} and I could have used a stiffening spray, but I found out about it too late.  Still, it worked reasonably well, and I like the pattern I came up with.  I just freehanded it with tailor's chalk onto the fabric and it turned out ok.  My favourite is the poppy~type flower that I used split stitch & french knots for. 



Aaaand here we have the reverse side in action! 

Outfit One:   Fascinator  ~  Me~Made    Shirt  ~  Thrifted  Belt  ~  Valley Girl  Gloves  ~  Love Vintage Clothes Show   Circle Skirt  ~  Me~Made  Shoes  ~  Thrifted

Outfit Two:   1950s Hat  ~  Love Vintage Clothes Show    Floral Top  ~  Thrifted   Belt  ~  JayJay’s  

Circle Skirt  ~  Me~Made   Gloves  ~  Thrifted   Shoes  ~  FSW

~ * ♥ * ~

~ Project Details ~

Year: 1950s
Pattern: Tea length self drafted full circle skirt ~ 28” from waist to hem
Fabric: I have no idea how much fabric I used, but I thrifted two sheets {for $5.00 ea}and when I cut my skirt{s} out I had leftovers!
Notions: One zipper {$1.00}, three buttons {$4.00}, white & black lace {$10.00}.
Time to complete: Aggess…. If I had to guesstimate; probably about 10?  Way too long for such an easy project…  But that’s ok, with practise I’ll get faster.
Make/Wear again? Yes!!  I want one in wool, one in corduroy, one in a floral print, one in a boarder print…  I love circle skirts.  ^ ω ^
Total Cost:  $25.00 

xox,

bonita

CSSA ~ Pixies and Zippers and Buttons; oh my!

…And the best piece of advice given when he asked how to become a film maker? Make films. This is exactly what I tell people who ask how to become photographers: take pictures. Want to become a chef? Cook food. A doctor? Start operating on people…wait…scratch that…  ~  Elizabeth Halford

Oh, and if I want to learn how to be a seamstress?   I should start sewing.   And on Thursday that’s exactly what I did! 

Seriously, I am surprised at how well I got on.  I am way behind with the sew~along but on Thursday afternoon I was poking about aimlessly, ignoring the housework {I know, I know ~ bad Bonita!! > x < } and I thought that I would either study for my coaching course or tackle my very first zipper….

Anywho, the zipper won out and this is the result ~

 

I still find it hard to believe that that is actually my own sewing ninja skillz and not the magical pixie that lives under the tea kettle {because pixies, the sensible fairy creatures that they are, subsist on tea} that got that zip into place.  I know my fear of sewing zips is slightly irrational, but it’s there none the less. 

Of course, it isn’t a perfect job and if I could go back and make a few tweaks I probably would, but for my first go, as well as doing it all on my lonesome, I am really quite chuffed! 

I continued on the sewing spree and hemmed the cut I made in the underlining to allow the zip to open up fully.  I am planning to make my skirt fully reversible {yay! Two for the price of one!}, so I sewed on some buttons Friday night.  Three pearly rose buttons to be exact.  : )

So this is what the lining will look like when it is reversed ~

  

 

Those neat little loops?  They are ridiculously easy to do, and the tutorial for making the thread cord is here. 

All in all, it’s good progress for me, so I am happy with how things are going.  I plan to put on the waistband very soon ~ and I shall let you know how that goes.  I am freaking out a little over the thought of having to sew in two pieces of fabric and get the gathers even at the same time ~ I only hope that it turn out to be as simple as the zipper, but I guess we will see!

xox,

bonita

CSSA ~ Do the Circle Skirt Swirl!

I may be a little bit behind everyone else, but I have been busy browsing Bing images to figure out what sort of details I would like to add to my circle skirt for Casey’s Circle Skirt Sew~Along.  Here are a few pictures that particularly caught my eye ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I am really smitten with the full skirt boarder~type print on the right; it’s so cute!   ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I love how the pink flowers flow on the left skirt and aren’t the stripes on the far right darling?  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I really like the lace trim on the left and the gold roses are stunning.  Plus, the black fabric of both skirts looks ever so good.   ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~   Floral fabric ~ yes please!  I am really liking the square necked blouse on the right as well ~ super cute!   ~ * ♥ * ~

I have already decided that I would like two patch pockets on the front of the skirt, and then I got to thinking that maybe little bit of embroidery on each pocket would be just the thing to finish it off!  I have been really inspired by Katie from The Little Red Squirrel ~ she has embroidered some lovely pin ups on her skirt and it looks fab!

Here are my top embroidery patterns for this project ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I am favouring bows and flowers for my patterns, but that’s no surprise.  I think the one on the right is winning so far.  Simple, but elegant.  I like it.  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  I couldn’t resist these sweet little birds and the fawn is lovely too.  ~ * ♥ * ~

  
~ * ♥ * ~  Maybe one of these patterns?  I am really not sure… ~ * ♥ * ~

I think that writing this post has helped me to finalize exactly which details I want to add to my circle skirt.  It’s probably not that hard to guess where I am going, but none the less I shall leave the final decision a secret for the big reveal.  : D  Have a great weekend!

xox,

bonita

Introducing Charlotte & The CSSA

 

I am so excited for the Circle Skirt Sew~Along being hosted by Casey of Elegant Musings.  I was one of the readers who voted for the skirt in the last sew~along; {the swing dress won out though} and I am so glad that Casey has decided to do it now because it is the perfect timing! 

And this is why….

My very own beautiful, much sort after, vintage Bernina 830 sewing machine has finally arrived!   I bought this pretty little thing off Ebay, after much anxiety and stress {I am just going put it out there ~ I HATE auctions on Ebay….  They always make me soooo nervous!  This time it was so bad Husband had to bid for me!!  >  < } it was packaged up and sent off to me.  Yay!  *does a dance*  \ > U < / 

It is my very great pleasure to introduce you to Charlotte, my long awaited sewing companion ~

Isn’t she gorgeous?  She’s got all her parts, feet, bobbins, cases, instruction manual, etc., and she purrs like a kitten.  I’ve only done test run, but boy, oh, boy am I ever so excited to tackle my first project on my first ever sewing machine!  Which {if I don’t get too ahead of myself and jump the gun} should be a tea party length, self drafted circle skirt in a pretty pink rose and black polka dot on a white cotton fabric. 

It’s nice and light and perfect for spring/summer which is coming up all too fast around here.  I am itching to start sewing some vintage inspired pieces for my summer wardrobe; I hope to complete at least one shirt dress to wear before the end of the year. It’s all super thrilling! 

Anyway, I shall keep you all updated with my progress with the Circle Skirt Sew~Along as I get on with it.  Wish me luck; I think I’ll need it!!

xox,

bonita