Thrifty finds = Pretties

Good evening good people!....I, of course have been sewing and along with a little craftiness...The other day I was thinking about how much I love the off-the-shoulder tops so I decided to look them up online to get some ideas on how to whip one up...when I typed in "off-the-shoulder top" the world "dolman" came up...now any and every time I see and/or hear something that I've never heard before I must educate myself on what that something is...so I set out to find out what a dolman shirt was....Come to find out it was just a fancy name for an "off-the-shoulder" top or kimono sleeve type top...Another useless fact?  Maybe, but at least I know what that word is now...further research on the name itself may or may not manifest later...lol!...
So anyway, I went into my sewing room and got to work...I had tie-dye on the brain too so I decided to combine my want for a new top with my need to dye something...I tie-dyed one of the endless t-shirts my huny so generously donates to me after only a couple wears and measured it up...I used my fashion design ruler again; I swear every time I use it I feel like I really know what I'm doing...hell, maybe I do because it came out super cute...I got compliments on it the entire day I wore it....I love your top!, That's a cool shirt!, Did you make it or buy it?, were some of the comments I received while proudly styling my newly refashioned tee....
I also took a recent trip to the thrift store and of course scored some super cool sewing stuff...I got 4 patterns for only a dollar!!!!!...and with me being on a "top" marathon lately I decided to make a top that pair with a maxi skirt I whipped up a few weeks ago...I went to my trusty stash and grabbed a bright and beautiful Cobalt blue pique fabric I just bought recently from Hancock's....I made view C but I modified it quite a bit....I didn't AT ALL want the loop embellishment that the pattern called for so I made mine with a center seam down the middle of the front...the back has a cool pleat that is just so darling IMO...I also used Red thread for contrast...I know I will be making this top again, its just one of those tops that will look cute with so many fabrics and prints.....andddddddddd my snazzy new shirt cost me less than $3 dollars to make!...Another thrift store score!!!!!...Well I will show the photos now....brace yourselves; they are cayute!...(wink-wink)
~~MsKRS~~

Tie-dyed Dolman shirt...who knew a plain White tee had this much potential?

I tried to show the center seam down the middle...Pink Cookie is such a skinny arse things just hang on her...LOL

 Super cool neckline and contrast thread huh?....;)

Side view...so scallop-y....hehehehe

 Tried to show the back pleat a little...its nicer than this picture...maybe it'll come out better when I wear it...

My "new" top pattern!...see it marked for 25 cents?  I loves and loves me a thrift store, I promise you I do.....McCall's patterns have been cool for quite some time and constantly getting cooler; they come together so easily...now did you see those unattractive loops?...yeah, ummmm no, just no...but the back pleat is just do darned cute....I initially  thought it was 4 views...the back of View C is what made me want to whip it up in the first place...but when I looked for the front of View C I noticed it was the one with the loops...smh...thank the heavens for sewing skills to modify because those loops are too loopy for me! ;)

Another reason why I keep sewing to myself

Hey everybody!...I'm over here checking out the Fantastic Four movie right now for the first time and I must say I didn't know it was this cool!!...I may have to add it to my collection and watch it on my own because I caught it already on and that's a no-no....From the movie information (I have Comcast) some kinda cosmic reaction caused them to change....very cool...;)
Now to get around to yet another reason why I keep my sewing to myself....I have been sewing for a short time...Literally only since October 2011; well besides my sewing class I took in high school as an elective....So when I got into sewing I found of couple of favorites who are already BIG WIGS so I didn't expect that much interaction from them because they are into so many things; they are really BUSY.....and when I read their blogs and other posts a lot of their happenings aren't even sewing related; people often forget that folks do have families and a NORMAL life....and then the other ladies that I like to read about are either more my senior or just generally different...(I read about quilters (and I don't even quilt), bag ladies, candle makers, soapers, and some mo')....but every single time I try and reach out to those that are similar its the same as its always been; not so good....I don't understand the itchiness between people and why they feel the need to form some kind of invisible, uninvited competition between each other; but I cant and wont ignore that I feel it, see it, and know its going on...and it hurts my feelings....People always act as if they would like to see someone else doing something good but I have to admit that not everybody is true when they say that; it just generally sounds "good"....and that fact is most annoying to me; that they think no one can see what they are doing.....its like don't even try to play with my intelligence...don't even try it......okay rant over....
Now remember when I posted about my patternless halter top and maxi skirt?...I just used my measurements and sewed em up...well I participated in a focus group the other day and I decided to wear my outfit....this is the second time I wore this ensemble but I believe my camera was on the fritz and I didn't get photos....although I did get a little girl's attention and she said "I like your outfit"...now you know I had to hold her attention for a minute and inform her that she could have some cool outfits too if she sews.....She told me she didn't know if she could sew with a intrigued, pretty smile (to me that meant she never tried but she could if she did) and of course I told her she should give it a go...we parted ways and I hope she picks up sewing one of these days or at least keeps it on her mind....Gosh I love sewing and any opportunity to talk about it (smile)....I felt kinda weird in the focus group because of the dreaded double sided window where they can see us but we cant see them...that was the first focus group I had ever participated in.....I actually didn't know it was that kind of meeting but no matter...the lady that hosted the group even recorded the meeting....spun me out I tell you what...but in the end we were rewarded with a super cool tie-dye kit in Tropical colors and a gift card for Target; and anybody that is close to me knows I LOVE TARGET....Okay well let me share my photos because I can always ramble on and on! LOL!...I'll talk to you good people in a short while!
~~MsKRS~~

Sewing + "friends"?

Good afternoon y'all!...I'm just in my sewing room patiently waiting for my Judge Judy to come on (she comes on at 4 over here)....Okay I know I keep talking about my Fashion Star top but I really love it...I had to meet with a couple friends yesterday and I decided I should wear it...the meeting was with a new girlfriend of mine I met a while ago...I also met her cousin Joy...lovely ladies, lovely ladies indeed...I may be writing for a new blog if all goes well.....doors with super cool things behind it are opening...so I picked my little camera lady up from work and headed over there.... She tagged along with me to my meeting and afterwards took some pictures for me...I got those for you good folks at the end of the post...
Now for the personal part...I have been feeling some kinda way about the word "friend" nowadays...now I have never purposely had many friends because I simply don't accept people into my life easily...I am friendly but I don't claim many people as friends...and its not a negative thing, its just that most people aren't your friend anyway so why say they are?....Now don't get me wrong, I AM a peoples' person; I love being in good company and having debates that are worth talking about...but this afternoon I'm feeling melancholy because the people that I called a friend I cannot ignore anymore that they aren't....the actual situations I don't care to mention because these people have yet to come to the "straight up" conclusions about what happened, and some others are still playing the blame game...however, these people I thought were the closest to me are now the most distant....what's even more tripped out is that there are other folks that I am getting closer to...and I have to mention just how very grateful and excited to chill with them and get closer I am, like beyond excited....but on the flip side I guess you really do outgrow relationships with folks...that old saying that some people only stay in your life for a season is proving true on a daily basis (shrugs shoulders)....and you know what?  I'm fine with that...
Remember my shirt I designed and whipped up out of the comic book fabric?...I finally figured out how I wanna rock it...at first I wanted to wear it with a pair of White skinnies but for some reason I just never got around to Old Navy to cop some...but I have had that shirt heavy on my mind, trying to figure out what to pair it with...well, I'm going to make a sunny Yellow maxi skirt to wear with it!...Ive been on the maxi skirt love lately and as soon as I remembered that sunny knit fabric I have in my stash I knew that was the fabric that would soon be a skirt...Pictures soon of my outfit when I debut it!...Okay I'm rambling so I will talk to you after I wear my new outfit...Now pictures!
~~MsKRS~~

one of the most comfortable tops I have ever made...and that fabric is sooo soft...Hancock's Fabrics is the best....

I love that fishtail thing this pattern has going on...and my shoes complimented perfectly...(I love, love, love shoes!)

a box of SUPER COOL stuff from my fellow HBG...

 

A Simplicity pattern + a Fashion Star pattern + no pattern at all

Howdy folks!...I'm up of course watching Frasier and winding down for the night...My kittens are getting big, they are 4 months old...We went to get food for them today and inquired about their upcoming surgeries (spay and neuter)....Well needless to say we are going to have to shop around more because the pet hospital inside the pet store said it would be over $400 dollars!...ummmm no...just no...I had called the SPCA before but I kinda didn't want them to have their surgeries there....but they were waaaayyyy cheaper than the pet hospital.....I have to get on it though, I wanted it done before they were 6 months....I hope they wont be in too much pain; I'm kinda sad to have to put them through that but its necessary...*le sigh*....
Now onto my 25 cents pattern....remember the tank maxi dress I made for my friend a while back?...well I made myself one...I like how it turned out and I almost, almost matched the stripes perfectly...yeah they are big stripes but I did still did good though LOL!...just kidding, but I am getting better....Now that I sew I am always looking at someone elses dress and noticing that the stripes don't match...I cringe at that now...sewing girl issues I guess....I also made a Fashion Star pattern too the other day....(I believe I talked about this one last post; I love it so much....it came out so nice!)
I wore one of my two of my creations last night to hang out with some friends and I felt lovely, just lovely...I always feel extra happy when my entire outfit was created entirely by me...no patterns, just my sewing mojo and my machine....Another reason sewing is just so darned cool...the possibilities are literally endless...I don't even get excited about ready made clothing anymore, I would rather sew my own clothes....I LOVE SEWING

Well let me share the photos now...
~~MsKRS~~

 

 

This skirt doubles as a dress and I've worn it as a dress before...you can take a look by clicking this link:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.401530779954045.1073741842.117668338340292&type=1&l=965a3ab3d6

 

McCall's "calls" and I ALWAYS answer

Good afternoon everybody!...I was up til' 4:30 this morning sewing up McCall's Fashion Star pattern # M6556 View A just because....its a dress with a fishtail kinda thing happening on the right side...I serged all the edges instead of doing the narrow hem the pattern called for; on the pattern envelope I didn't like the hemmed look....knit fabric always looks cool to me when its serged too...I was able to practice pattern matching with the knit fabric I used...I did pretty good ;).....it looks kinda funky on Pink Cookie though; I think its because of the extra fabric on the fishtail side...but when I tried it on it was cool.....there is another dress pattern included with this one; its a close fitting dress that I have thee perfect fabric for, I may whip it up next.....and I don't know if I told you but I had already finished McCall's pattern #M6083 View C a little while ago too...its a jumpsuit with matching sash...it was kinda easy to whip up although I had trouble with the pockets and ended up omitting them...now I don't know why I got tripped up with the pockets though, I have done them before (shrugs shoulders)...maybe I was feeling "some kinda way" that day I was sewing and it just didn't work out...I still got a jumpsuit out of the deal!...I wore it today; and my little camera lady (my babygirl) was home from her jobs today so I grabbed her up to take a few photos...I initially had some wedges on with my jumpsuit but I had to drive my babygirl to an orientation earlier and in some of my wedges driving feels funny....so by the time I took the photos I had already changed into some flats....the jumpsuit is sooo comfy; I think its the wide leg feel....I may try and start something this afternoon but right now I'm going to share these photos with y'all and watch Judge Judy! lol  (I love that lady) ;)
~~MsKRS~~

the front

a shot of the back

the fishtail side

tried to show the serged edges.....

 

 

Maxi skirts by MsKRS

Good evening everybody!!!!...I've been sewing again and I've been whipping up some cool stuff!...Last post I shared my a striped maxi skirt and halter top in a cool green and turquoise...Im sharing it again though, its just sooo cute not to....(forgive me)....then today I decided I needed another one of those ensembles; plus it gives me a reason to sew up those pieces of sheer knit while I still can..so I grabbed some more fabric out of my stash and made another maxi skirt and halter top....now my now halter top was supposed to be a tank top but due to me cutting it out wrong I ended up being something else....since the knit is so sheer I decided to make a bandeau out of my leftover skirt fabric...I even did my first two flat-felled seams...I love them; they make things look so neat...all this sewing stuff I'm learning just comes in handy right when its supposed to...its like you automatically know what to do to get certain results...the bandeau came out nice too...All the stuff I've recently made is patternless too; that's how I KNOW my sewing skills are improving...I really love that feeling of sewing without instruction sometimes....its easy-going sewing instead of trying to follow a pattern...
Im letting the latest skirt hang overnight although I don't ever do that with my knits...but this fabric just felt like it should and for the exact reason I've always read about...the hem....its like a medium-weight knit that feels like it would distort if I hemmed it tonight...another sewing first for me!...(I LOVE THIS SEWING THING)....I finished my jumpsuit too but I didn't get to take a photo...next time I will though...I like how it turned out too; I finished that right before these two outfits....
Well I guess I'll share the photos now and talk to you good people later!...Have I ever said THANK YOU for being a part of my blog?...Well if I haven't ever or in a while I would like to thank everyone for sharing my little blog with me...I like telling y'all about my sewing journeys...Stick around, please...:)
~~MsKRS~~

Maxi/skirt halter top ensemble 1

Maxi skirt/halter top ensemble 2

Melancholy day = Super cute outfits

Hi yall!!!!!...this will be a little short blog post just to let you folks know I'm still alive and well; despite what life continuously lobs at us....I got some bad news yesterday (I didn't get the gig I was counting on) and I must say I felt down, real down....Of course I wanted to sew because no matter what's going on I still keep sewing on the brain...Its permanent and I don't have a problem with that...anyway, I decided to go in my sewing room, grab some fabric out of my stash and start stitchin'....with pain comes beauty and that most certainly applies to my latest outfit.....I whipped up a maxi skirt and halter top and I must say I love the outfit....I didn't really have the energy to use a pattern so I whipped up both pieces just using my sewing know how (I love that stuff!)...the outfit came out very nice indeed...(yes, I AM tooting my own horn)...
I also have to mention that I was featured on HAPPY BLACK GIRL last week too...I'll see if I can post a link to the article....its really, really cool!...you can read the feature by clicking the link below! Let me know what you think!
http://thehappyblackgirl.com/2013/07/18/get-to-know-an-hbg-happy-black-girl/

I may sew up something else this evening; I have my eye on some more fabric in my stash that would make a super pretty maxi skirt....I love those things...they are just so comfy and cute....Well I'll share the photo of my new fit now and I will talk to you good people soon....
~~MsKRS~~

Patternless halter top and maxi skirt...super cute huh?...and those stripes are my fave; well besides polka dots...;)

 

 

Independence Day

Howdy folks!....I'm up late once again, I just finished my new dress I wanted to make for the 4th...I whipped up McCall's M6741, View A...The dress has pockets which I love...I ran out of fabric last night while making it so I had to make a "necessary" trip to Hancock's Fabrics...I love that place and the ladies so much!...As soon as I got there I wanted to go crazy because of course they are having a sale but I somehow controlled myself and focused on the contrast fabric I needed for my dress...I spotted a shiny Red fabric that I liked and grabbed a yard...I love the way it perked up my dress!...It adds a certain firework-y (did I just make up a word?) tune to the dress because its shiny and fiery!....
Of course in 100 degree weather I omitted the lining...My machine has serger stitches so that's how I finished the neck and arm holes...It also has a zipper and hook and eye closure as well...looks pretty good but my camera didn't want to participate...I really needed a pressing ham for this dress; that may just be my next project...
Have I ever said how cool my little, modest machine is?.....Well it's awesome, it really is....I've learned to use the different stitches and feet and my clothes are coming out SO COOL!!!!!.....
Now when I ran out of fabric for my first dress I still felt like messing around in my sewing room so I set my sights on my huge pile of t-shirts so graciously given to me by my huny...(I think he buys waaaaayyyy too many t-shirts but at least I'm crafty enough to find something to do with them geez)...I grabbed my paint brushes and fabric paints and went to work...I refashioned the first one by slimming the sleeves and the sides to make it fit me....I made a skirt bottom with another t-shirt...I tried to do an ombre effect on the stripes too....I went kinda crazy with the fabric paint; I noticed I got the spray residue on my iron!.....My camera battery died (of course) after only a few pictures so I'll have to post more pics when I wear the dresses....
Well let me share then....I just thought to myself, I don't even have any plans for the holiday...but if anything comes up I'll have a cool dress to wear to the gathering.....I hope I at least get to see some fireworks...Am I rambling?...I'm tired...lol ;)
~~MsKRS~~

Fabric paint + t-shirts = MsKRS Stars and Stripes t-shirt dress

the back...;)

My shiny, new dress!

bad photo, cool pattern

To sew or not to sew for others....That IS the question.....

Good evening my sewing and crafty friends!....I've been sewing lately but I haven't  felt like taking photos, trying to edit them, etc...its been so hot around these parts lately too...it just drains the energy out of you...and these poor air conditioners; how are they supposed to cool down temperatures in the triple digits?...Just today the temps climbed to 107 degrees!...We long for sundown during our summers...not that its any cooler (it never cools down past 85 in the summer; even at night) but the sun has set and its bearable...Needless to say ANY water sport is tolerated and welcomed here...
Now this blog post was one of a personal nature...I have expressed in no uncertain terms that I do NOT like sewing for other people...I feel this way for many reasons but the main one is that people ask you to sew for them like you have nothing else better to do....I know, I know I can charge them for my work but I don't want it to be "work"....Sewing keeps me sane, and one of the main reasons is because its for me and its a solitary activity....I love my "me" time and cherish it very much....But every damn time I turn around someone is asking me to sew something for them...And I mean from outrageous sh*t like sewing up a boot to sundresses....Its annoying...I cant help it; it is....They have NO idea what it takes to sew something up and I know that they haven't thought one second about it....They are always so quick to say "I'll pay you!"; as if they weren't going to if I decided to sew something for them!! OMG!!....
I did just recently make my friend of over 30 years a sundress and if I say so myself it fit her perfectly....she loved it too...but I have known her for over 30 years!...and she had no problem paying me just what I asked for....Another one of my friends has a pretty Green dress she wants refashioned and you know what?  I'm going to do that for her too; I've known her since high school!...but these are my GOOD friends and I love them....but other people; mainly cheap people I will forever recommend spending their money elsewhere...Because for some reason certain people believe that because it is handmade its cheap....See!? I told you they have NO idea whatsoever....Hell a piece of lace can cost $30.00 a yard!...I guess I just wanted to vent and try to explain my POV a little bit because I can definitely go on and on talking about this subject!
I have photos though of my new additions to my wardrobe....
What do yall think about sewing for other folks?....Any experiences; good or bad?...Share! ;)
**MsKRS**

One of the patterns I bought on my recent thrift store runs...It was only 25 cents!!!!! :)

My friend's sun dress...

Shown with matching sash....

Saaa-weeet neckline on my new knit top

Added some vintage lace to finish the sleeves...I told you I'm a lightweight designer! ;)

Pretty top huh? ;)

My beautiful friend in her new dress....

Her sassy self again...;)

Pretty weather 'round here

Howdy folks!...Its been a couple weeks since I posted but all this pretty sunshine is keeping me away from my sewing machine!  The weather has been been HOT (110 degrees) to comfortable (82-85 degrees) in the last two weeks with the nights getting kinda chilly still...I have been having myself a good ole' time hanging out with my girlfriends; I even went to a wedding recently! I have been sewing though and wearing my things; I wear something I made every single day but I haven't taken any dedicated pictures for my blog...That's bad I know but I have been having so much fun that I don't get around to taking them...my babygirl had a couple of off days and she took a few for me in my Chambray dress (I talked about it in an earlier post)....
It is New Look Pattern #0110 View C.....This is the same view I sewed up my blue Polka dot dress with...I love the way the different fabrics make it look....this is such a comfortable dress, the pattern is great....it sews up so nicely...
Well, I just wanted to pop in and day HEY! to all my bloggy friends and show off my dress...I like to show how they look when I wear them as well as when I make em so y'all can see how they fit....
**MsKRS**

Mad Men Mania

Of course I'm up in the middle of night again...I've been a latenighter for a as long as I can remember....I get a bit of a break now that my babygirl is a little lady...no need to wake up and get her off to school anymore or the other things the little ones need....but as I said before the duties has not gone but have shifted; I have automatically been elected to take her back and forth to work....no big deal though; I'm not at all complaining...she's my babygirl!...
Anywho, I just wanted to share some photos of my Mad Men dress I raved about in my last post....I wore it the other day and I got a ton of compliments!...I just love to say "Why thank you! I made it myself!".....I may never wear my jeans again...they just hang there, looking lonely...but my dresses are just too cool and the more I make them the better they turn out....I am perfecting technique after technique making my dresses damn near perfect!...Well I didn't have anything much to say this go 'round but I did want to share my Mad Men dress in full effect!
~~MsKRS~~

can you see the sleeves?...awesomeness.....

Yep, this is one HOT dress.....really really.....

~~MsKRS~~