Birthday Wishiesss

You know your birthday is just around the corner when you can see it on the 10 day forecast (which, btw, let’s not have rain on my birthday. Please?). I’ll be 28 this Tuesday, but age has not stopped me from treating my birthday like a fucking holiday. It IS a holiday! Let’s celebrate by looking at pretty things!!

Sooo at this point, I think you’d have to be living under a large rock to have not yet seen Megan Nielsen’s Breakwater Collection, but just in case you haven’t… GO LOOK. Everything is amazing, the pictures are glorious, and I NEED THOSE CULOTTES.

I would use this gorgeous Thakoon cotton to make them up, because yes.

I know… I’m, like, light-years behind everyone when it comes to the Archer Button-Up. I have totally been eyeballing everyone’s versions and I think I’m ready to try my hand at it too!

Perhaps in a lovely double-faced blue plaid cotton?

Classic polka dots?

Or, ooh, how about this preppy green striped shirting? Sorry, my inner Nard-Dog is showing.

I would love to ease myself into bra-making with this Bambi Soft bra pattern from Ohhh Lulu. This would make the perfect lounging bra, and the size would be easy to customize (since I can never find anything my size in stores).

I think it would look lovely in this Marc Jacobs embroidered silk. The fabric is a bit expensive, but thankfully bras don’t take much yardage, so you can splurge a little :B

… or maybe whip a few up in this gorgeous Thakoon Crepe de Chine (ohhh Thakoon, why can’t I quit u). Because what is the point of making a bra if you’re not having fun with the fabric, amirite.

I just love the new Deer and Doe patterns. I have the Bleuet (and have I made it up yet? Nope… still waiting for fabric inspiration to strike), but I’m pretty sure I also need the Belladone. I have a beautiful striped silk shantung that would look PERFECT with that back cut-out.

Speaking of patterns I already have… I’m gearing up to make a few pairs of these Ooh La La Leggings from Papercut Patterns and while I initially settled on some lovely basic solids, I’m thinking I need crazy prints now! I’ve started running (very very VERY slowly, I might add!) and I love dressing like an idiot when I exercise :B

Like this giant floral jersey…

… or maybe this crazy geometric jersey?? Ok, the latter is probably too thin for leggings-as-pants…. but, actually, we all know I’m not ashamed to show my ass. Whatever.

This purple floral cotton is EXACTLY what I need to make up this pattern… aka my 2013 Sewulution!

I love this green ombre cotton. I don’t know what I would do with it; probably just carry it around everywhere with me and sleep with it under my pillow

More of these labels, please! I also love these, but I think they need the real word on ‘em

Hm, looking back at this post, it seems like all I care about this year is fabric and patterns. Oh, and a gravity feed iron, but that is gonna have to wait until my Rowenta completely dies

What are you lusting after right now? Any other May babies out there? Bonus if we are birthday twinz!

EDIT Juli has generously given us a discount code for her shop, we can all celebrate Use the code LLADYBIRDBIRTHDAY for 15% off everything in the Sweet Little Chickadee Shop – patterns, embroidery kits, or those amazing labels. Yay! Thanks, Juli

Christmas Wishies

It would seem like the holidays are upon us once again – yay! The sewing world has been so good to me this year; there is SO MUCH WANT. My wishlist is basically exploding in the best way possible. If you follow me on Pinterest, this is probably old news (I keep an on-going wishlist for family members to have a general idea of what to buy me – and also so I can keep tabs on what I want to buy next time I have a bit of spare cash ), but for the rest of y’all – let’s talk about AWESOME SEWING PRESENTS OMG.

I have a lot of sewing patterns on my wishlist right now – it’s like everyone is dumping their awesome out all at once. You guys. It’s like pattern heaven up in here.

Have you seen the newest Sewaholic pattern – the Cordova jacket?? I love the sleek lines with that sweet little peplum. I’m imagining this is in a really rich boucle, with contrasting lining under the peplums. LOVE.

Papercut patterns also came out with a whole slew of new pieces – and I’m dying over the Coppelia ballet top. Gorgeous! Actually, everything is drool-worthy (if you don’t believe me – click click click. GAH.). If you’re eyeballing these as hard as I have, I would like to point out that shipping is free worldwide until 12/16. AWWW YEAAAAAHH!!!

How perfect is Liesl’s party dress from Edelweiss Patterns?? As much as I love a gorgeous holiday party dress, I can totally see this made up in a pretty summery cotton gingham too.

I love Megan Neilsen’s patterns, but I’ve put off buying since most of them are that swingy/slouchy style that I’ve learned makes me look like a dumpy bag of potatoes. Wah. However, the Briar top looks like it would be so snuggly and comfy in a drapey knit.

Looking at Mood Fabric’s website right now is basically an explosion of one holy shit after another:

This abstract blue print looks straight out of the 60s.

I guess it’s no secret that I’m a big sucker for knits – I’ve never tried it in a silk, but after spying this red silk knit, I’m so intrigued!

Speaking of knits, check out this cool stripey knit – the stripes are different on both sides! So neat!

I want to try sewing more silks this year – starting with this gorgeous floral silk chiffon (REAL TALK: I actually just ordered a swatch of this. I WANT TO BELIEVE.)

I have no idea what is going on with this wack fabric but I’m all kinds of in love with it (and, uh, I may have also ordered a swatch of that :B)

Ok, so, my current go-to mug is pretty fucking sweet, but this seamstress mug has every right to sit in my sewing room too, you know.

In the grand old tradition of stuff-I-should-have-but-I-don’t – why the HELL do I not have a subscription to Threads magazine??

Looking over this post just makes me feel giddy again. Sometimes I think wish-list shopping can be just as much fun as real-life shopping.

What do y’all have on your wishlists this year? Whether you celebrate Christmas or not – there’s always reasons to get presents, amirite?? Let’s dish!

Wishful Thinking: A Birthday Wish List

My birthday is a week from today (hands up if you’re a May Baby too!), which means I spent the better part of this morning cultivating the perfect wish list. I LOVE making wish lists, the lurking & clicking around is *almost* as fulfilling as actually buying the stuff :B In the interest of keeping my blog sewing-and-knitting-related (and not to bore any of y’all to oceans of tears), I will try to keep this relevant. “Try” being the key word here, trololol.

First stop: fabric!

Wine Floral Lace (Mood Fabrics)
Ever since Vogue came out with the gorgeous lacy 8766, I’ve been hunting for the perfect (and budget-friendly!) lace to make my very own version. I love that this lace isn’t terribly delicate, and at $18/yard, it’s not too painful to imagine actually buying it.

Ivory Bemberg Rayon Lining (Mood Fabrics)
A soft ivory lining would look stunning under that red lace.

Black Polka Dot Eyelet (Mood Fabrics)
Sticking with the lace trend, I am loving pretty eyelets for summer. Close your eyes & imagine this made up with Simplicity 1803, the pink dress. And it’s only $10/yard?! HOLD ME.

Teal Bemberg Rayon Lining (Vogue Fabrics)
I’m thinking a bright teal lining would be lovely under that black eyelet.

Fabulous Floral Jacquard Cotton Voile (Gorgeous Fabrics)
I am just loving voile for the summer – it’s so light & breezy & feel wonderful against the skin. I loooove this floral voile with it’s pretty citrusy bright colors.

Night Roses Jersey (Gorgeous Fabrics)
And this rose jersey is just stunning! It totally deserves to be a long long maxi dress, something very simple to let the fabric take center stage, like the Mission Maxi from Jamie Christina.

And let’s throw some pretty cottons in there while we’re at it… I need some summery circle skirts

Red Floral Print (Mood Fabrics)
Ouch, this one is $35/yard! It’s ok, though, my dreams don’t have to have a budget lol.

Rose Floral Print (Mood Fabrics)
Pixelated Roses?! GET IN MY LIFE.

Cambie Dress by Sewaholic Patterns
I LOVE this pattern! In all honesty, had Tasia released this pattern a few days earlier, I absolutely would have bought it instead of Jalie 2921 (not that I regret my Jalie purchase – I love it! – I just think the Cambie dress is 100000000x cuter). Maybe I’ll buy it for myself as a birthday present I think it would be prettier than ever in that floral cotton voile.

Hazel Dress by Colette Patterns
From the new Spring’12 line of Colette patterns, the Hazel dress really piqued my interest. I have a pretty red/white/blue striped fabric that I think would lend itself really well to this design.

Betty High Waist Panties by Ohhh Lulu
If you’re not familiar with Ohhh Lulu, her shop is full of the most delicious underthings that I currently cannot afford. I can afford a pretty little high-waisted panty pattern, though!

Clover Chaco Liner Style Pen from A Fashionable Stitch
I guess a marking pen is kind of a dorky thing to put on a wishlist, but I was elated when Sunni started stocking these in her shop. I can’t source these things anywhere locally, and I’ve been dying to try them out (plus, I have a refill bouncing around my sewing room… I got it from the flea market lol). Sunni is a magical mindreader person, truth.

Knit.Sock.Love by Cookie A
I actually picked this book up from our local library, but one quick flip through the pages & it’s heartbreakingly obvious that I just need to pony up & buy my own copy.

Native American Spirit Paint by Numbers
Confession: I love paint-by-numbers (and you thought the Chaco pen was dorky!). I try to find the very worst ones in the store and this one… definitely takes the cake. The bald eagle up in the corner is the best part.

Oh, and here, have some shoes:

WILDNESS Platform shoes by Steve Madden

Olympia Espadrille sandal by Franco Sarto

I never claimed to have good taste when it comes to shoes.

So what do you think? Got a birthday coming up? Are you a May Baby (high five!)? Any longing for a particular product that I haven’t mentioned here? I want to hear all about it! LET’S DREAM TOGETHER, Y’ALL

my bad

just dropping in to report…

i may or may not have put a deposit down on a singer featherweight yesterday :X

MY BAD.

a christmas wishlist

i love making christmas wishlists – not in a “hey someone buy me this already” way (although, if you want my mailing address ::cough:: i’d be happy to accept gifts ::cough:: lol), but more of a pictorial list of things i would like to eventually buy as my funds free up. don’t pretend like you don’t do it too!

in the spirit of this blog, though, i’ll keep it sewing-related! especially since most everything i ever want is sewing-related anyway oh, and i’m including links for everything so you can buy yourself a prezzie if you find something you fancy – i won’t tell anyone

let’s start with patterns. i need more colette patterns!

colette pattern’s cinnamon slip
have we discussed the cinnamon on this blog yet? DARLING. i recently decided that i have a sudden need for pretty loungewear – silk & flannel slips, matching flannel pajamas, cozy wool socks. no more yoga pants & ratty tshirts. the cinnamon is pretty perfect for this – it even includes how to make a cami instead of a slip.

colette pattern’s chantilly dress
i love the chantilly, but the amount of fabric has always felt a little off-putting to me – i am definitely a lover of fine/expensive fabrics, but yeeesh that’s a lot to buy at once! anyway, i found this gorgeous piece of silk at the thrift store last weekend, and i think it would be perfect for this dress.

colette pattern’s jasmine blouse
i keep seeing everyone else’s versions of these popping up – i want one too!

colette pattern’s oolong dress
as with the jasmine, more and more of these have been appearing on my blog feed & i’m getting more and more jealous that i don’t already have one. hee.

fabric:

turquiose wool coating from mood – 2.5 yards
i recently won a giveaway on molly‘s blog, and won a wonderful coat/pants pattern (vogue 2925, if you’re curious). I WANT TO MAKE THIS COAT SO BAD. coating fabric is throwing me off, though – not even the expense, just the selection! i thought i wanted a camel-colored wool, but after looking at a bunch of camels & beiges, i’ve decided that tan is boring & i require something more like turquiose. isn’t this turquiose lovely?

dark grey bemberg rayon lining from mood – 3 yards
with coats come lining! i love this dark grey, although a brighter turquoise or teal would be equally swell.

turquiose silk shantung from mood – 3 yards
wrapping up my mood mini-shopping spree, here’s some turquoise silk shantung! this would be perfect for my bombshell dress (that i haven’t started yet because i stalled on fabric choices). gawd, i love turquoise.

books:

pants for real people
i already have the sister book, fit for real people, but they don’t cover pants-fitting at all pants are my new favorite thing to torture myself with sewing, need to fine-tine my fit!

burdastyle sewing book
i actually almost bought this right after it released. then i remembered that it’s christmas and i’m supposed to be spending my money on other people still want it, though! i can’t get enough of these “sewing how-to” books & i love when they include patterns.

misc:

clover 1/2″ bias tape maker
well, this is pretty boring. i want a bias tape maker. i already have a 1″ but i want to make baby bias tape, because it sounds totally presh.

gingher 5″ snips
these would be a great addition to my gingher shears collection. 5″ snips for cutting notches & threads.

what are some things you’re hoping to get this holiday season? anything i missed here? indulge with me!

patterns: spring 2011

i’ve lost my sewing mojo. i can’t bring myself to bother – partially because i prefer to sew in my underwear (makes fitting easier), and my sewing room is freeeeezing. and our gas bill was over $300 this month! double bummer!

anyway, i’m already dreaming of my spring wardrobe – nice, because i’ve barely made a dent in my winter wardrobe EL OH EFFING EL – so wasn’t it nice of vouge & simplicity & mccalls (but not butterick, shame on you!) to release their spring 2011 lines?

at least they don’t suck as bad at the winter patterns did. i mean, honestly now.

greatest christmas present ever y/y?

i’m going to go out on a limb here and say this is probably my favorite christmas present i’ve ever received – and i’ve received a LOT of REALLY AWESOME gifts in my day. my friend ned sent it to me because he has amazing-present-buying-skills TY NED, I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR OWN TAG NOW JSYK

i have been lurking on one of these tiny/adorable toy sewing machines for years and now i have one of my own! the tiniest little tiny sewing machine, in the prettiest shade of blue and ughhhh i want to go home and sew a doll dress or something on it idek
would you guys think i was weird if i retired my pfaff and started sewing on this? it is THAT pretty.

yes, those are christmas presents in the background. whoops.

more pictures under the cut!

2010 christmas wishlist

no sewing update today! instead, let’s talk christmas and christmas prezzies!

somehow, the 2010 edition got really huge (that’s what she said lol jk). but whatever, i will likely end up buying most of this stuff for myself as an i-love-you-lauren christmas gift. or maybe you will find something that you want to buy for yourself! yay christmas!

omggg i want to go pattern shopping. like, for realsies, not fake-online-pattern-shopping. there are SO MANY good patterns this season.
since i’m finally done with the expo and i have a metric ton of dresses to unload, i think it’s time to get reunited with my sewing machine (i mainly use my serger when i’m sewing jersey) and make some LT clothes