I’m now the proud owner of a dickie.  I never thought I’d say that so feel free to laugh with me.  But this is not a silly polyester/cotton blend faux turtleneck sweater.   I don’t know how old this one is but it’s so pretty and, despite how delicate it is, it’s in such good condition.  I particularly love the bow/ruffle at the neck.  I’m either going to leave it as a dickie or somehow incorporate it in to a dress, perhaps as a bib.  Wouldn’t that be lovely?

I’m also adding to my collection of millinery flowers and rayon fabric.  Everything has a purpose; not that I’ve necessarily figured out the future lives of these treasure but I will - someday!

Last weekend a friend and I went to the Vintage Clothing & Textile Show in  Burbank.  It was a relatively small gathering of vendors but there were a ton of people there, so much so I felt a little overwhelmed at times.  Nonetheless I found some pretty things.  Some of the fabric I picked up is cute but kind of malodorous.  (Something I did not realize until I got home, of course.)  I spent some time searching online for remedies because, assuming the fabric in question was 60+ year old rayon, I wasn’t confident I could handwash it without suffering terrible consequences.

I posted a question in Etsy forums and lo and behold, answers!   The black fabric is now non-smelly and ready to be made into a little dress thanks to 1 part cheap vodka to 1 part water in a spray bottle.  But I have to tell you, the vodka/water solution I used on both pieces did not work out so well for the nutmeg-colored one.  Initially it toned down the funk but after several sessions the stench simply evolved into another smell, which reminded me of old crayons.  Pungent old crayons.  That led me to wonder if 1. The smell will ever leave, and 2. Is this even rayon?  Because, does rayon smell like smelly old crayons?  I’m no textile expert so I really don’t know.  But the smell was annoying enough that I took a chance and washed it.  First, I hand-washed it.  Now, it’s in the washing machine.  Yup, in the machine.  I mean, if it’s going to smell then it’s useless to me and I’m not going to pay a fortune at a fancy dry cleaner.  I’m just not.   (We’ll see what happens!)

UPDATE:  After washing the rayon in the machine, using the delicate cycle (which included a good, long soak in OxyClean and Arm & Hammer detergent) and tossing it in the dryer on low, the fabric has come out smelling good and not worse for wear!  Yay!

I also started two sewing projects this weekend: a 50s sundress in a kitschy Hawaiian print and a pair of shorts.  Shorts!  I’m excited about making a pair of shorts.  (I only have one pair, from the Gap Kids clearance section.)  I even made a muslin since fitting pants can be tricky.

Oh, and I’m working on the 2 Hour Sweater. So far I’ve logged WAY more than 2 hours for this project but it has been a breeze so far.

Stay tuned and Happy Week to you!

My dreadful cold turned into a terrible sinus infection and I’m finally, 3 weeks later, feeling almost completely normal and I plan to feel much better in a couple of days!  Huzzah!  Thank you so much for your kind comments while I’ve been hiding out in my little house recuperating.

The onset of winter has brought some bright and sunny yet chilly weather to these parts and it really feels like Christmas now.  Gosh, the holidays just seemed to sneak up on me this year - do you feel that way too?

I’m almost done with my stockings and the gifts are wrapped and ready.

Christmas baking is well under way.

Pie: Ah, yes, you say you’ll have only one teensy piece but you know that’s a lie.  Just have another blasted slice already.

Jen: OK, done.

Anyway, dears, have a merry, merry holiday! I’m going to enjoy a little break and I’ll talk to you soon!

{Shop Announcement}

My wee Etsy shops are closed until January 3rd but my own store, love Liette, will remain open.  Although physical goods won’t be shipped until the new year, you can still purchase downloadable items like patterns, printable paper and such.  The cold that I’m just getting over has taught me I need to slow it down a bit so I’m going to be taking it easy until January 3rd.   As always, please feel free to contact me during this time.

Thank you for all your support this year!

xoxo

My husband and I have been sick for the past 2 weeks.  Nothing serious but it’s been really, really annoying.   I was actually feeling better at the end of last week and made it to my needle-felting class (more on that in another post, once I finish up my project!) but then this weekend, maybe because of the heavy rain Saturday or the running around trying to run errands or the tiny glass of port wine I had (tiny it really was), I’m back to feeling crappy (hence the scarce posting).  Now the plumbers are here for an ALL DAY project which includes, but is not limited to, hammering, drilling and singing.  (Yes, singing!)  So I guess I won’t be able to crawl back into bed any time soon.

I managed to drag myself off the sofa long enough to do a wee bit of decorating, including wrapping some fairy lights around my antique dress form, above, in the breakfast nook.  (I know, FANCY.)  We have candles everywhere, burning in mercury glass holders when the sun goes down, more fairy lights and red & white candy-striped towels in the kitchen.  Somewhat minimal but really nice all the same.

And I even did some knitting!

I have 2 stockings to finish before Christmas and I’m making good time, even though I’ve waited until the last minute.   (Which is the only way it’s going to work around here; I can’t knit Christmas stockings when it’s 80 degrees outside.  It just doesn’t feel right.)

My goodness, drilling into ceramic tile certainly is loud.  I think that’s my que.  I hope you all are having a lovely week so far!

Update: Here’s the link to the Christmas stocking knitting pattern that I’m using: Personalized Christmas Stocking from 1945.

Top: F21
Skirt: Handmade by me!
Shoes: Remix
Bag: Vintage Koret

I’ve previously eluded to having done some personal sewing and here it is!   I had also started a bunch of small pattern projects (some of which I actually started months ago, even last year!) for the shop but I constantly have shop/work on my mind (maybe that’s why my joints are all out of whack with too much computer use?)  and some selfish sewing is always good for a break.

I love denim skirts because the right one is like a favored pair of jeans: goes with everything, comfortable and durable.  And since autumn in L.A. is more like late summer in a lot of places, a short denim skirt and sandals is not at all inappropriate.  (Although it’s quite grey and cool today - love it!)

Here’s the pattern, from 1969:

I made version 1 with a few modifications: I omitted the waistband and finished the opening with some single fold bias tape on the inside; moved the zipper from the side to the back (to avoid that sometimes awkward bump a zipper can create at the bottom); used contrasting striped denim for the pockets (like something a train engineer would wear!); and used 2 buttons per pocket instead of one.

This skirt was fairly easy and light weight denim is a dream to sew - so easy!  And what you see is the skirt after I was* washed it which really left me worried - sometimes flappy pockets get all crumpled up post-washing but these stayed nice and flat - *phew!*

I liked these pockets so much I put them on my latest (and ubiquitous) Built by Wendy #3835 dress:

This time I used a floaty, medium weight dark grey linen with white pinstripes from Joann’s, from 2 years ago.  Made it the same way I’ve done in the past.  I was on the fence about adding the elasticized waist band but after seeing the photos I like it with without* it (this version anyway).  I made the length short to avoid that house dress/muumuu look and pairing it with some leggings seemed natural (and logical in this changing weather).  You know, there was a time that I said I would never wear leggings again!  I mean, I wore them in the 5th grade (with a chain belt and over-sized, button-down pastel plaid shirt) and I really thought I was over them (plus, I’m not into the 80s trend).  BUT, here, I think they work.  Like the skirt, this dress has been washed; I didn’t press it because I know it’s unlikely that I’ll iron this dress every time I wear it but the wrinkliness doesn’t bother me - it is linen after all.

I also made the covered buttons from vintage calico:

I was thinking of putting some similar buttons in the shop, just for kicks.

I have the darndest times taking photos of myself - do you?  Eeek, I had to take a bunch to get any decent ones; I really don’t feel that I’m that photogenic and when you combine that with bedhead and it being first thing in the morning, well, a lot ends up on the cutting room floor.  There were actually a few photos I thought were hilarious (where I look drugged, annoyed, coquettish, etc.) that I wanted to share with you but I really don’t want such silly (and embarrassing) images on my blog.

The photos I take for my blog are all ones I take myself, without a tripod but still utilizing the timer.  I end up in all kinds of funny stances.  On trips and such my husband must help me out, suggesting that I bend my right leg, turn to the side, etc. because often times I look like a five year old - standing stalk still, knees locked with a goofy look on my face!  I think I’ve gotten better though but it’s still tricky when you can’t see yourself on the screen.  But blog photos of home sewing projects are a little different than typical vacation pics.  I mean, they’re action shots, right?

Happy Friday!

*Note to self: Make sure to be fully awake when writing posts!