For as much sewing as I do, the sad fact is that I kind of hate it - the cutting, the pinning, the hours spent hunched over the sewing machine breaking needle after needle because I am too lazy to remove pins (which only results in more work/time changing the needle). When the mood strikes, however, you will always find me hunkered down there in the "treadle trenches" armed for battle with my disappearing-ink pen and scalloped shears. Never knowing when inspiration will come, I of course shroud surround myself with an endless supply of fabric, thread, and notions so that I will have everything I need (except, of course, that one thing for which I will invariably have to make a last minute run to the fabric store).
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| As organized as ever... |
As reluctant a seamster as I may be, the prospect of designing garments is my ideal. The challenge of designing/constructing something with very little time and very little material creates enough motivation to rouse a little fire in my evidently-dormant competitive gene. Last Saturday we were headed to our pal Emily's birthday barbecue. Having just created one of my floral, basket purses as her gift, I still had some residual creative energy and found a scant yard of vintage, pineapple-printed material that we had picked up in a homemade, roadside, thrift shop on one of our desert adventure days. Confounded for about a year over what to do with the material; the answer was really a cinch - a gathered bra top and bolero!
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| The yardage was just enough to eke out the top and the outer shell of the short-sleeved bolero (I had to piece together leftovers to make the string halter). Wanting to line the bolero with a solid grey like the one found in the pineapple print but knowing that I really didn't have enough time to go to the store AND finish the project, I lined it with a remnant of white cotton that I had on hand. I can't show what she wore on the bottom because I didn't have time to make ANYTHING!!! |
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| The teal, grey, and white color story was one I had never used before and I quite like it. Next up will be some kind of coordinating skirt, shorts, or combination of the two - inspiration might have struck but the clock was striking too and we didn't want to be late for the party! |
It is often believed that Annette Funicello never wore a two-piece bathing suit but the clip below not only provides thematically-appropriate musical accompaniment but also proof to the contrary. YOWZA!!!
"Pineapple Princess" - Annette Funicello
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
