Via my Vogue Sewing Book

Howdy everybody!...How's everybody doing?...Are you feeling this holiday madness or are you more on the Grinchy side like me?...Either way, I hope you feeling all right.....now I should have some photos of myself since I wore the pants I've been talking about for the second or maybe the third time yesterday (I didn't feel like having my picture taken) but instead this post is about draping principles....I love, love, love sewing so much but I've barely scratched the surface of the art although I've been sewing for almost 4 years....I started with bags and pouches, eventually graduating to sewing garments...I had sewn a couple gowns for myself and pajama pants for my babygirl too...I even made some color-blocked (I wasn't aware of that term when I made them 4 years ago) pajama pants which I refer to as one of my first huge sewing mistakes....Little did I know that they can be fashionably referred to as "harem pants"; but I instantly thought of M.C. Hammer when I finished 'em! hahahahahahahapahahahahaa.....
But mistakes and all I still LOVE SEWING with my whole self and I sew or do something sewing and/or crafty everyday....
now ever since got my Vogue Sewing Book I've looked at it every single day....I read and review the sewing techniques and terms over and over...it helps me so much when I'm sewing because I know exactly what to do when I have any sort of issue when sewing....hardly anything stumps me nowadays when I sew....the solution to any issue immediately pops into my head....Its friggin' cool man!...(super happy sewing face)
okay now one of the cooler sewing principles I've meant to teach myself for at least two years now is draping....Draping is essentially the manipulation of fabric on a dressform without cutting the fabric....the fabric looks like something wearable even before its sewn....When I watch Fashion Star, Project Runway, and other sewing and fashion shows the designers do such awesome stuff with fabric even before the scissors action....I always call myself draping something but the results aren't at all what I have in my mind...But this afternoon I actually draped something I might be able to wear!....It tripped me out too!....you know sometimes stuff just works and sometimes it so does not....
Since I was just messing around I grabbed some sparkly, stretchy fabric out of my stash and started hanging it on Pink Cookie....its almost like it made itself because the fabric has such pretty, flowy style.....If I decide to sew it up I'll have to cut armholes and finish the neckline and hem...its basically a super easy, stylish throw and I kinda like it; a lot....
Have you been teaching yourself any new sewing techniques?...What sewing references do you go to when you're sewing?....I have a few pictures to show off my skills....hehehehehe...talk to you good people soon....
~~MsKRS~~

a shot of the front.....the neckline and front is being held together by only two pins!...

awesome sauce!!!!!

a shot of the back...the picture is kinda funky but the hem is straight across in the back, not uneven like the photo shows....I wonder why photos do that sometimes...hmmmmm

a shot of the side....I kinda like this crazy fabric too....I'll refer to my Vogue girl when I do the armholes....I have a buncha ideas for this little cover...

After I finished the neck and hem lines.....

Arm holes are finished too!...cool learning project...it can only get better from here...well at least I hope so....lol

 

A refashion + a bolero

Howdy folks!...I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was good and the food even more so....Mine was just the way I like it; with no invasions of anything or anyone unpleasant....I've been sewing plenty but like I've said before, I just cant take photos of myself every doggone day....I just cant....but I'll show yall stuff when the mood hits; like always and like today!
I've been having a slight headache for a couple days and I've noticed that every time I feel like that I need to sew...(yes, sewing has damn near taken over my life completely)...and you know the sewing bug associated with me always, always bites its hardest at night....in the middle of the night...I started these projects at almost one in the morning!....I've had a refashion for quite some time that I had been wanting to transform....but its been hanging on Pink Cookie for the last week or two, staring at me while I stare at it....I had been playing with the fabric (its 100% polyester with a beautiful print and slinky drape) and trying to learn draping at the same time....I kinda learned something I guess and I got a super cute new dress out of it....I originally got the dress from one of my long time friend's (we've been friends since the 7th grade) store here locally at least a year or two ago....I loved it hanging up but when I got ready to wear it, for some reason I looked hideous.....both shoulders were out with the dress being held up by a pretty purple sash that was threaded through a silver ring....the bow hung down the back, which was also out very low and close, too close IMO to my butt....I don't do all that showing of my goodies....in other words the dress was S E X Y as eva'!...maybe a little too sexy......now while I don't have a problem looking fly there was no way to wear a bra with the dress the way it was and in my book that is a no-no (unless there is a shelf bra sewn in)....and showing bra straps, even if they're clear is even more of a no-no if you ask me....so basically I never got around to wearing it....now that I sew, refashion, and craft my arse off I finally decided to hang the fabric on Pink Cookie and work with it....I came up with a super cute and "so now" uneven hem line and an off the shoulder design that's popular too....and now it definitely leaves some stuff to the imagination; very different from the before dress and I love it....to even think about wearing now though (since its so damned cold around here) I would have to make a fitted dress to wear under it to create layers....that may or may not be my next project....
I also whipped up a jumpsuit a few weeks ago too (blog post coming soon) and its strapless.....to keep Jack Frost from completely freezing my shoulder blades all the way off I decided to make my first bolero to pair with it (I paired it with my new refashion for this post to show how it looks with a garment)....I used Simplicity pattern #2886 View D; I forgot to take a photo of the pattern envelope this go' round though....the other views are pretty, pretty dresses....I lined it with a Red lace and put a beautiful, elephant-adorned button from Britex for closure.....My huny's Mama lives in the cool city of San Francisco and she grabbed some buttons for me....(I love that little lady)....
I tried it on and it fits perfectly....I never do muslins so its always lovely when things fit right from the sewing machine....I hate alterations *raspberries*.....Well let me share the photos now, Judge Judy just came on...;)
~~MsKRS~~

the front...the hem is just so pretty and drapey....(made up a word lol)

the off the shoulder side....

the back....

this is the side with the armhole....it fits well too but I had to do some fixing up to make it comfortable....blahhhh alterations irritate me...

My new bolero baby!!!!!

                            tried to show the elephant button....

Lace lining...

this picture came out weird huh?...

DIY and Refashion everything

Good afternoon folks!...I'm sitting here being majorly stagnated by my huny because I was supposed to have been gone to the stores to get my Thanksgiving food...I was on MY way out at noon but yet I still sit here waiting on him to get it together....I should have just went by myself; but he wants to go...Come on babe, geez....mehhhh....
Anyway, I am dressed and ready to go (been) so I decided to share my outfit today...Its a sewing and refashion mash-up that is really comfy enough to walk around the stores all day lugging turkeys....The first thing I want to mention is my scarf that also doubles as an Obi-style belt....I've worn it as both but today its keeping my neck warm....and the print is just awesome and is so cool for mixing prints like I'm doing today....the next thing I have to mention is my shirt....this used to be my huny's shirt but his style has since changed and he hadn't worn this particular shirt since we've been together (almost 5 years)...He ended up giving it to me and I refashioned it up by slimming the sleeves and the sides to make it fit me....its pretty cool and I love how it turned out and I love wearing it even more....and last but not least my skinnies....I dyed these Teal a while ago with some Tulip fabric dye and its like I have a new pair of jeans...I've worn these often too and the dye has faded some...they were a bit more vibrant than now but no less cool....I may dip 'em again before I finally let 'em go...I always have some kinda dye on hand....
Sooooo, don't chunk old clothes away if they can be changed up to be all CUTE again...
This outfit is the epitome of DIY...everything I have on has been altered to be MY style....This sewing and crafty thing has got me for life....its just THAT cool.....
My huny had better hurry up because if Judge Judy comes on I ain't budgin'! LOL
Talk to you guys soon!
~~MsKRS~~

 I don't know what's up with the crazy pulling in the front but I guess...LOL...

Thanksgiving shopping (I CANNOT wait to eat)

Howdy folks!...How is everyone this fine afternoon?...I'm all right; watching Mrs. Doubtfire for the millionth time....Its on TV right now but I do have it in my DVD collection too....It always cracks me up!...I got some coupons in the mail a couple weeks ago and I saved them...they are some good deals on some of the stuff I need to make my Thanksgiving feast like butter and chicken broth.....This year I'm going to save my receipts to see if I actually do save money by taking advantage of the sales....
I know I've been sorta neglecting my blog but I just don't care for taking pictures of myself every doggone day; although I absolutely wear my creations on a daily basis....I just felt like sharing this dress though, I was compelled....I raved about it and I anticipate wearing it a lot during the colder seasons....
Got a few Pantone colors in it of course; can you spot the main one?.....I love this pattern and fabric...of course it came from Hancock's Fabrics! (one of my favorite places)....My huny took my pictures again and he always harasses me and takes crazy pictures so excuse them! LOL!...He says he does the best he can but I'm not so sure all the time with these pics....I love him any ole' way....okay well let me share these photos and get me something to eat...I'm friggin' STARVING!!!!!
~~MsKRS~~

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.471945512912571.1073741882.117668338340292&type=3
click this link to see photos of the dress on Pink Cookie!...she wore it well! :)
and if you fancy reading the original blog post about this dress, scroll on down and read the one titled "What New Look are you rockin'?"....:)

My huny makes me look at him like this when he starts with his shenanigans....LOL!

Butterick Beauties Banana-rama

Good afternoon everybody!...How's everything going?....I hope all is well and I'm all right over here myself....The sewing bug has been biting pretty hard and which resulted in me making two outfits in the last two days....I made my first pair of pants and a baseball tee to go with it but I'm going to wait to debut that outfit....Now this post is about my outfit I finished up yesterday night....I still felt like sewing so I decided to whip up another outfit....I didn't know what I would make but I came up with an idea pretty quick after looking through my pattern stash...I saw the pretty, tulip-sleeved top and skirt idea on Butterick's B5815....the pattern has three views; a dress I've made before (click link for photos): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460035797436876.1073741872.117668338340292&type=3
a tunic (which is a top that covers your butt), and a top variation.....the top variation outfit just looked so chic and snazzy I decided that I would just whip that up instead of agonizing over what to make a minute longer....I also reached for my "go to" skirt pattern which is Butterick's B5466....for this pattern I've made View E before (click link for photos):
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.466117933495329.1073741876.117668338340292&type=3
and my recent jacket and skirt set I believe I made View E again (see last blog post)...but this go 'round I made View A which is the simplest of the views because I wanted my top to steal the show so to speak....
Well let me get to tootin' my own horn now....this outfit came out just friggin' awesome....I can see my sewing progress in every single thing I make and its just so damned cool....the reason I called this post and my new outfit "Banana-rama" is because the top is yellow and brown with a brown skirt to match....I used a cool cotton fabric for the top and it turned out lovely....I used a brown suede fabric I had in my stash to make the skirt....(of course both fabrics came from one of my favorite places, HANCOCK'S FABRICS.......the skirt has 8 darts which make the skirt purty, purty, purty!...I also made a matching belt with a gold buckle but I don't know if I'll wear it with this outfit or not...it is however a cool belt to have in my collection....My huny said my new fit looks "Mad Men-ish"....He does know how to give a compliment! ;)...Get this, he liked the outfit so much he suggested I get shoes to match....I told him I would wear some heels I already have and he was like "NO babe, those don't match!" although they are the exact same brown that's in the fit.....that translated into NEW SHOES for me and needless to say they're on the way....Awesome right?....but no all jokes aside I really love how this outfit turned out and my growing understanding of this thing called SEWING makes it all possible....
(I still have to put the hook and eye on my skirt but other than that its all done)
Okay rambling again huh?...well I'll share the photos now....

                                             Tried to show the darts on the skirt.....

Lovely, just lovely.....

although I am now separated from my career, I will still have super cool career separates! LOLOLOL!

                                                       my new belt...cool buckle huh?...

Side view....pretty sweet....

the patterns that helped me create this ensemble....see the outfit idea on the first envelope?...sometimes the illustrations on the envelope don't suck....

Matchy-Matchy stuff

Hey everybody!...Good afternoon to ya'!...This will be a short post because I have a lot of pictures to share on this post....I've made another ensemble; this one is a skirt and matching jacket...Remember my shorts and matching blazer jacket?...apparently I'm still on that hype and I decided to make another outfit that is "matchy-matchy".....The skirt is View A from Butterick's B5466; I've made View E before and it fits absolutely awesome btw because of the princess seams....this view was the simplest of them all with it just being a straight skirt with 8 darts....The jacket is simply called "The Jacket" from one of my sewing books that has patterns....its came together perfectly this go 'round; I've made one before as well....The top is from an old school Simplicity pattern (I forget which number but its from the 80's) that I found on one of my trips to my local thrift stores....I've blogged about all the stuff that I talked about if you wanna read about 'em and see 'em after reading this...Just scroll down the page to my older posts....I got the shoes from Target a couple years ago for like $25-$30 dollars tops....they also had gold and pewter but I just went with the Black...I even made my belt!..I always feel "dy-no-mite" when I wear my creations...All ME everything!.......Well I guess I'll share these photos now....What have you been sewing?...Are you on the matchy-matchy hype right now?...what about the super sheer hype like my top?....Share with me!
~~MsKRS~~

My huny took these photos and did NOT tell me to fix my brassiere....I need my babygirl got dangit! (in my Hank Hill voice)...she would have definitely told me and fixed it too...LOL ;)

Still sewing + "making it work"

Howdy folks!...Y'all can probably guess what I'm doing by now; watching Judge Judy and sewing stuff up...I had been working on a new collared shirt and just like my life it was an adventure...a FUN one, but still an adventure just the same....the shirt is Butterick's B5526, View D heavily modified...I basically just used the pattern as a guide.....I started the shirt and everything was going well; or so I thought....I ended up cutting it too small and had to get a little innovative....In other words, MsKRS, the Designer had to step in....the pattern itself, I must say is totally cool, the view I cut has princess seams **my FAVORITE** and plenty of buttons, pockets and other additions....its has 5 views in total (friggin' awesome)....but I just wanted this one to be plain since the fabric is seersucker and tiny checked....busy, ummm yes indeed but I LOVE THE FABRIC, well A LOT.....so I decided early into making the shirt that I wouldn't add the buttons.....I guess my mind already knew that I would cut the shirt too small so the no buttons idea went hand in hand with that....
To finish up my new shirt I went to my neighborhood JoAnn's (ugghhhh JoAnn's and I have a love/hate relationship) for some elastic and of course they didn't have what I was looking for...I should have just gone to Hancock's but I didn't feel like going that far...the color I wanted was all gone, and it looked like it had been that way for a while....so the crafty beast that lives inside of me came out and said: Make it work! (in Tim Gunn's voice)...is Tim Gunn the crafty beast that lives inside of me?...nahhhhh but I heard his voice anyway.....so I grabbed some regular elastic and some fabric dye....the elastic matched perfectly when I was done! (which almost NEVER happens)....I added it to the front in place of the buttons....it fits perfectly and I cant wait to wear it...its effin' awesome!!!!!
Now you may also notice an infinity scarf around the neck of Pink Cookie adorning my new shirt....well yep, I made that too....no pattern though, they're so easy that you really don't need one....I made the scarf last year though out of some soft knit fabric I had in my stash, and have worn it several times...I've just never taken a picture...I wear my creations every single day so IMO, that is just too many pictures to take....I'm MsKRS, NOT Vanity Smurf! LOL!  I told myself I would take more photos though, because after all that is one of the points of me sharing....I want to make myself a new bag too...maybe I'll have one to show you next go 'round....Have y'all been adding to your wardrobes?...what are you pairing together these days?...share with me!.... okay, photos now, talk to you good folks soon!
~~MsKRS~~

Front view, tried this baby on and its saweeeeettttt! fits very well....

 

 Infinity scarf coolness...its sooo soft...cost me under a buck to make it!!!!...now THAT'S frugal fashion at its finest! (tongue twister; say that 5 times fast! lol)

Back shot; princess seams makes things purty!

Can you see the princess seam?...I love, love, love princess seams!

Such pretty views...I know I'm going to end up making all of em...

I've been busy?

Good evening all!...I haven't posted in a little while with what I call some good reasons....Now how is everybody before I start rambling?....I hope everything is well and I've been all right; been involved in some cool stuff too....First let me tell you about our picnic....remember the
 HAPPY BLACK GIRL picnic I mentioned a little while ago?....well the turnout was just awesome!...I loved every single minute of it and I cant wait to hang with the folks that I met that day....Of course I was late getting there so my picnic basket wasn't how I intended it to be....My huny came with me too (usually the cause of all my late arrivals) so we ended up having to settle for some sandwiches from Blimpie's, chips, and sweet tea....but you should have seen some of the baskets....I spied everything from whole roasted chicken to super healthy cucumber and lemon water!....we had it all; LOVE totally included....HUGE SHOUT OUT TO DEVOYA MAYO; she is a semi-"new" friend (I met her last year sometime and its been on ever since) that is literally FULL OF ADVENTURE....I'm just lucky that she asks me to tag along sometimes....
I'm also working on a super cute shirt with princess seams in the front and the back (of course; I LOVE princess seams) but it is now a UFO (unfinished object)...I didn't snap any photos of my shirt in progress; I guess because its not done.....I have the buttons/buttonholes and the cuffs left to finish....My new hem gauge from Wawak has the hem speaking to people! (its THAT nice y'all forreal)...I love it and it totally helps; I really needed it in my sewing room.....I'll take photos when I finish it up which is hopefully soon....
I haven't really felt like taking any pictures of myself; I don't want folks to get tired of looking at me....and I also don't want to appear like a one-hit wonder (only showing my sewing stuff) because I really do have a lot of coolness I do around here and my jack rabbit life...(my Mama used to say I live like a jack rabbit; I have a tendency to run wild sometimes)....She admired that about me and she told me all the time...
Courtesy of Ms. Mayo again I was invited to another cool event in our downtown area called Dinner at the Library...Yes yall, food, books and talking about crafts...I was Devoya's guest there; even had a  name tag printed up waiting for me!....We talked about crafty goodness and met other like-minded and curious folks...it was a nice atmosphere (afterall, it was at the library) and a good time....It was somewhat formal I guess because I did see a couple people that looked pretty sharp....
Me, I just wore some wedges, wide-legged jeans, and my
HAPPY BLACK GIRL t-shirt....I got a couple side eyes but then again when do I not?....Some folks are just that way....(shrugs shoulders)....I didn't take photos at this event; it just didn't seem appropriate....
I just finished a apple cobbler a little while ago too....the apples look soooo good around this time of year; you can tell its apple season.....I grabbed 6 Granny Smith apples the other night when I was getting some dinner stuff....I always eat and use the green apples; I love the tartness....when I was slicing the apples for the cobbler I was snacking 'em up and I kept one to eat later (I used 5 apples for my cobbler).....I did a crispier crust this go 'round too....I wasn't feeling the bready crust this time....it came out nice...its cooling now, I'm going to eat a piece in a few....well okay y'all I have rambled on and on....photos now....
~~MsKRS~~

 peeling AND eating 'em up....I even bit a corner off one of the cores...hehehehehehe

 at this stage is when I have to restrain myself so that I have enough fruit for what I'm actually cooking...

 Cinnamon-y, sugary Granny Smith's.....

All done....;)

It's a bird! It's a plane! Its Super MsKRS!

Good afternoon everybody!...How is everything going?...I hope well; I'm all right except my allergies are once again irritating me....and no one knows why I decided to get not one cat but two knowing how my allergies are (shaking my head in my own disbelief).....I got up and cleaned the barrage of cat hair and other germs from my house yesterday and after that I decided to sew myself an outfit....Sewing is guilt-free when all the other junk is done....
Remember when I said I was going to make a cape for myself?...well I did...I did yesterday...well, its a cape shirt....I had some boucle' I wanted to use initially but when I got ready to sew it up it just screamed blazer and skirt!...I spotted another piece of fabric and then another and I thought hmmmm cape shirt and skirt?....why yes, don't mind if I do.....I was going to make the cape as outerwear but my sewing plans ALWAYS change....the fabric always wants to do something else; and I let it have its way like ALL THE TIME....
For my cape shirt I used a rust-colored pashmina and a silky feeling tie dye fabric for my skirt.....I copped both fabrics from Hancock's.....the skirt is supposed to be A-line but Pink Cookie is such a skinny arse that you can barely tell....it should show better when I wear it...and this button thing?  I have to toot my own horn and say its effortless, for me it really is...Did I mention that I friggin' LOVE this outfit?....for those that don't know me well, retro/vintage is one of my absolute faves....hence even the thought of making a cape....(well besides that fact that Super Girl is another one of my alter egos)....so damned elegant and lady-like....and this outfit (the skirt does) sports three Pantone Fall 2013 colors which are: Koi, Samba, and Carafe....go check 'em out when you get a chance...the Spring 2014 colors are already introduced too!!!!!...If I left anything out or you wanna know more about my new fit let me know...I'm always ready to talk sewing!....got a few pictures for you good people and I'll talk to y'all soon!
P.S. My next post will probably be about our
HAPPY BLACK GIRL End of Summer picnic
coming up this weekend....I'm going to take plenty of photos so y'all don't feel left out....
okay pictures of my Super Girl outfit now!

Side view of my sawweeeeetttt outfit....the arm holes didn't want to show for some reason....

 

 Check out these awesome buttons from my Mama's stash.....

See the colors I mentioned?...

MINE....;)