summertime clothes

Remember how I mentioned I was making a dress a few weeks ago? Here it is!

I don't think this picture does it justice ("Digital cameras are for sissies. I like the anticipation of the one hour photo." -my dad). This is the first thing I've sewn that has not turned out like something Holly Hobby would wear to bed (who is Holly Hobby anyway? Why am I using this reference?).

I'm a little bit sad that my classes and days of painfully awkward modeling are over. Now I'll just be returning to my ways of lounging around in my pajamas and eating peanut butter, using the excuse that it's summer and this is what I'm supposed to be doing GOSHDARNIT (In other news, I just said goshdarnit...).

That is, until school starts. I always spend the end of the summer with this illusion in my head that I will purchase a whole new polished wardrobe and an arsenal of shiny school supplies and everyone will return chipper and friendly and I will stay organized and read tons of classic literature. Seeing as I, unfortunately, do not live in a Disney Channel sitcom, this never happens. 

P.S. I saw some overpriced, glued zipper flower accessories at Urban Outfitters a few days ago and felt really excited that I had successfully beat THE MAN. I'm thinking of starting an Etsy shop. What do you guys think of that?

TRUE DAT

available here.

I spy a DIY: zipper flower rosettes

How's you summer been going? I've been taking fashion design classes at a local college for the past few weeks. I get to broaden my sewing skill horizons, meet new kids (including eccentric sixth graders with a passion for anime. Ugh more on that later...), pretend to ballroom dance with the mannequins when I should be doing *important* things, and make funny observations about my fellow passengers on the train ride there (i.e. woman eating three snacks while reading a book on  overcoming addiction to food, old man listening to 867-5309 on full volume for all to hear etc.). 

ANYWAYS, I've begun to work on dress for my class's upcoming fashion show. My design involves a nice, big zipper flower. 

I went in search of a good tutorial to make one, but they all either a.) were too pointy. I'm going for a rounded rosette look or b.) involved hot glue, which I am not too fond of due to a particular incident as a child involving metallic sequins and my thumb. So I decided to make my own and will now share it with you good looking folks. 

Supplies

+zipper(s) with exposed metal teeth (the longer your zipper, the bigger the flower. I used several and sewed them together. Look for a bin of reject zippers in a fabric shop. They're much cheaper and work just as well.)

+scissors

+needle

+thread that corresponds to the color of your zippers

+an hour or two of your time (I got the big yellow one during 3 episodes of The Nanny)

Note: I know the following directions are not very eloquent or fantastically illustrated. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in the comments!

 

1. Unzip your zipper. Cut through the teeth on each side, as close as possible to the pull, on both sides. If you are using multiple zippers, do this to them as well.

2. On all except for one zipper half, cut the flap of fabric on the other end, as close as possible.

3. Take the one zipper half with the end flap remaining. Tightly roll the fabric flap to form the basis of the flower bud. Secure with a stitch or two.

4. Wrap the zipper around the bud, spiraling downward so the teeth do not overlap. Continue until the bud of the flower is the size that you'd like.

5. Fold the zipper fabric, making a little pleat, and secure it with a stitch. 

6. Stitch the edge, near the fold, of the zipper fabric to the bud. Continue stitching and pleating, every half inch or so, wrapping the bottom of the zipper around. (I know this sound complicated, but I promise once you start you will get a feel for it)

7. Once you're through stitching your zipper, stitch the end of it to the middle of the backside of the rosette.

8. If you are adding another zipper half, simply stitch it where the other half left off. Continue until the rosette is the size that you'd like it.

You can use these for all sorts of things: headbands, hair clips, pins, edgy yard decor to throw off the neighbors etc. My mind is reeling with ideas. I can't wait to make some more!

things that may or may not alter your mood considerably.

1. cheap nail polish, in the approximate shade of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

2. small children grocery shopping with their grandparents.

3. when waiters/waitresses tell you that what you ordered is an excellent choice. This not only heightens excitement for the meal, but it causes you to feel that you are a magnificent decision maker.

4. finding small things you'd thought you'd lost long ago (i.e. board game pieces, hair clips etc.)

5. being offered snacks. 

i got you babe

Sorry things have been quiet around here. I hope this makes up for it.

Have a lovely weekend!

saltwater queen.

Forget those ubiquitous gladiators that everyone and their mom has (I'm not kidding. She has them. Go look in your mother's closet. I'll wait.), retro made-for-toddlers-who-run-around-the-playground sandals are where it's at! 

My Saltwater Sandals came in the mail today. Even though this pair is made for women, the sizing says youth, which just makes me feel really young and vibrant and almost not drink my Metamucil. Almost. They make me so happy that I decided to go outside and frolic in joy with the woodland creatures of my yard.

It did not go over very well. 

(shirt: diy of an old v-neck. One of these days I'll make a tutorial on it. Maybe. skirt: old Tommy Hilfiger dress. belt: ripped off of my mom's target shirt. A rebel I am.)

This pattern reminds me of Liberty print. I fashioned this skirt out of an old Tommy Hilfiger dress I got at TJ Maxx in the fourth grade. Radical stuff, I know. 

P.S. I want to make a new header, but am photoshop/html challenged. If anyone wants to help a girl out, drop me line in the comments or email. I will pay you with my love! And a DIYed t-shirt.

do the locomotion.

"Look, Ma, I can count! Look, everybody, I can count!" she cried, contrary to popular belief of many.

Guess what today is, gang?  Yes, indeed it is Little Eva's birthday, but it's also the blog anniversary! *cue emotional reflection speech* This past year has been so wonderful. I've begun to gain my own sense of style and have been able to get to know so many lovely blogging folks. Thank you to the entire four, possibly five, people that read this thing. You all deserve a doughnut bacon cheeseburger for taking the time to read my ramblings.

ANYWAYS, to celebrate this momentous occasion, I put on my polka dot dress that I scored the other day at an outlet mall and then proceeded to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Living, I tell you.

Outlet malls are frightening things. Essentially, they are masses of housewives wandering around in search of khakis from 2002 being sold for twice their retail price. But by some fluke I found this French Connection dress, with a retail tag of $198, for fifteen bucks. I am just over the moon. It's so shiny and pretty and I probably should have taken a detail shot of it *facepalm*. 

Excuse me while I go find a life that would permit me to regularly wear shiny cocktail dresses. Here's to another year of blogtasticness and excellent vocabulary -raises juicebox-.