Renfrew Mini Dress and Giveaway Results

Hi friends! Happy March :) I hinted in my last post about a TNT make that I was working on, and here it is: my Renfrew turned mini dress! Originally I wanted to make a Renfew / Lady Skater cowl neck mash up dress like Sarah, but this fabric did not have great drape for that cowl - it looked like a piece of paper crumpled up on my neck - lol. I also wasn't planning on it being a mini dress but the inside is so warm, fuzzy, and incredibly clingy that I knew a knee length dress would just get stuck in the most awkward places - hahaha :) 

This year I've been really trying to make sure I only make (and buy) clothes that fit into my wardrobe and I will actually wear. It's been pretty successful so far - I have really enjoyed the wardrobe and fashion posts spinning around the blogosphere. Really makes you think about your choices in creating and dressing - styles, shapes, colors, etc. This simple mini dress fits nicely into my current closet - I love this length and also that it's a different style than my Plantain tunique. I have nothing in my closet this color, but I really like it - plus, it matches this adorable plaid / floral scarf perfectly!

Here are the details:

Pattern: Sewaholic Renfrew Tee, modified

Size: 8

My Shape: Tall (6'), pear shape, narrow shoulders, long torso

Fabric: Hatchi Sweater Knit in Fuschia from Joann Fabrics (Red Tag - just saw some more today :)

Size Alterations:

- None! Fits great :)

Design Changes:

- At a sort of "dropped waist" length, I added a gathered mini skirt made out of rectangle-ish-pieces of fabric - this was all very haphazard and slapdashadly (my new word) put together, so apologies for lack of notes here ;)

Construction Notes:

- Sewn with sewing machine and serger

- Neckline and sleeves finished with bands, skirt hem turned under and topstitched

- This fabric is pretty bulky, so I actually trimmed it down very close to the stitching at the neckline and sleeve cuffs so I wouldn't have any bulk - looks good, just hopes it is stable enough to last :)

And one more random picture that I took while writing this post so you can see how it looks full length:

Yay Mini-frew! :) And now for the SEW GRATEFUL GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!! Last year's giveaway had 29 entries - this year it was 72!!! With the help of random number generator, here are this year's winners: 

..................drumroll please.......................

Giveaway #1 - For Seamstresses ... to Kristin Jones

Giveaway #2 - For Fashionistas ... to Meg White

Congrats Ladies! I can't wait to send these goodies your way - please e-mail me your mailing address at thequirkypeach{at}gmail{dot}com by March 8th! Thanks to everyone who entered! Here's to a wonderful March!

Pillows and Sew Grateful Giveaways

Hello there lovely blog readers! It's been almost a month since my last post and I have missed you! The past month has been full of "meh" sewing projects. It's been terrible fabric choice for a Chardon skirt, frustrating fitting on a Sureau dress, a super stretched out neckline on a Plantain tee, confusing constructions on a Marni peplum jacket, and long overdue unselfish but utterly boring curtain sewing for a neighbor...... I've tried, really, but yeah, things have been a bit quiet here on the blog. The one project I am definitely proud of is making a pair of piped sofa pillows for my sister, who is all grown up and has her own place now. We picked out the fabric together back in the fall and when I finally finished them, it was unbelievable how perfectly they matched her living room decor!

The fabric and pre-made piping is from Joann Fabrics and the 20" pillow inserts are from Ikea. The reverse side is a graphic orange and off-white cotton print. The main print features elephants, tea pots, and the Taj Mahal on a turquoise background:

After a month-ish of bleggh, I think I'm finally getting my sewing mo-jo back! A fun hang out on Saturday with the amazing Ashley from Craft Sanctuary, including a trip to the ever adorable Needle Shop, and a quick make with one of my favorite TNT patterns (post later this week, hopefully!) has got me re-excited about sewing, and just in time for Sew Grateful Week! :)

AND NOW to the GIVEAWAYS! That's right - there are TWO :)

Giveaway #1: For Seamstresses

Up for grabs! Over two yards of this nautical linen-look fabric. Embroidered anchors on a dark blue medium weight linen-look 54" wide fabric :)  Perfect for a dress, jumpsuit, pants, jacket, you name it! 

Just for kicks, I will throw in a couple vintage patterns, in case you feel so inclined to make up one of these dresses with your new fabric :)

Giveaway #2: For Fashionistas

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you may remember this leather and sweater knit vest from October. While I am incredibly proud of the sewing, it just hasn't been worn since the photos were taken. I know it would be more loved by another stylish maven, so I am offering it as the second giveaway package. As it is a very loose fitting vest with lots of swing and ease, it would probably fit many sizes - it is probably close to a RTW size Medium. For some photos of it on an actual person, check out the original post.

TO ENTER to win EITHER package, please leave a comment below letting me know which package you would like to win (or both :) The giveaways are open internationally and will close Friday, February 28th.

Giveaways are now closed

Thanks for reading, and entering, and I hope you all are having an excellent February!!! :)

P.S. Guest comments should now be allowed, without having to sign up for Disqus - please let me know if you aren't able to comment by e-mailing me at thequirkypeach{at}gmail{dot}com

Floral Bomber Jacket

Today I'm sitting at home for the third day this month of NO SCHOOL due to frigid temperatures! What better time to blog about this tropical floral bomber jacket? This is the Rigel Bomber Jacket design from Papercut Patterns. I've had this multi / black floral print cotton sateen in my stash forever! Bought it b/c I loved the print and it is SO soft, but had no idea what to do with it! Should it be a dress? A skirt? A jacket? When I thought to use it for this bomber jacket, it was match made in fabric+pattern heaven :)

This was my first time working with a Papercut pattern and I am definitely sold! I love the packaging! The pattern is printed on very quality brown paper that has a slight grip on the underside so it stays put on the fabric better. I went ahead and took the time to make the instructions into the little "booklet" and it was definitely worth it! The booklet takes up just a tiny amount of space and lays flat so its easy to keep right next to you as you're sewing.

Here are the details:

Pattern: Papercut Patterns Rigel Bomber Jacket

Size: XS

My Shape: Tall (6'), pear shape, narrow shoulders, long torso

Fabric: 

- MAIN: Multi Color / Black Floral Print - Cotton Sateen (w/ a bit of stretch) - Joann Fabrics

- Neck/Cuff/Hem - Black Ponte Roma Knit - Joann Fabrics

Size Alterations:

- Originally graded to a M at hip (hem band) but ended up taking it in on both sides back to about an XS

- Lengthened sleeves by about 3 inches - this is just perfect!!! Wouldn't want them any shorter!

Design Changes:

- Used ponte roma knit fabric instead of ribbing - not quite as stretchy but worked great!

Construction Notes:

- Sewn with normal (universal) needle and black thread

- Facing is finished on the edge with 1/4" double fold bias tape in Canary yellow - Love this finish! (You can see a flash of the yellow on the facing in the picture above)

- Really excellent construction methods - the inside is a bit messy looking (except the facing) so I might consider a lining for next time!

- Pockets are cut from black ponte roma knit fabric - very warm and soft :)

- Had a bit of trouble with facing laying flat around the neckline- tried a few things to help it, but it still isn't quite fixed. You can see where the floral print meets the neckband it is not laying flat - Any Suggestions???

The Verdict: Love the style of this jacket - fits pretty much perfectly without any adjustments or grading (besides the sleeve length). I have already worn it several times since finishing it! I think a solid version is in my near future - would really like to try the version with the geometric sleeve detail! This floral print makes me happy every time I see it and goes with a lot of my wardrobe, actually - great for livening up solids! And paired with stripes! And with a black mini and purple tights! But I digress - make yourself a floral bomber - you won't regret it! :)

PS> Apologies for the great variations in the coloring in the photos throughout the post - it would seem taking pics indoors in front of a green wall lends itself to great confusion for my camera!