Harem Pants

Not really a fan, but...

You have to admit that's pretty awesome.  Do you think they had Madonna ones?

Lady Gaga should totally design her own sewing patterns!  (You knew it was coming.)

Kawaii Inspiration

Some of these I actually plan to make.  Someday.  ;-)

Not Buying It

Are you tired of how everyone is so obsessed with buying stuff all the time?  Yeah, me too.  Maybe it has to do with the time I've spent volunteering that makes me wonder, What do I actually need?  When I buy something, how long will it take for me to want more?  How many people out there actually do need a new pair of shoes because they are barefoot, and how many pairs of forgotten shoes do I have stuffed in my closet?

And then I think about the people who made the stuff.  Are they happy?  Do they have enough to eat?  Guilt.

I recently read an article in "Wired" magazine about the work compounds in China where the people live in little dorms and do repetitive work on assembly lines for 10 hours a day.  The cover screams...

Powerful imagery.  Yet, isn't it good to give people jobs?  Doesn't it benefit their lives?  I really don't know a lot about this, but I've been thinking about it a lot since I'm taking a class this semester on economic globalization.  New America Media has an article about how Forever 21 pays the garment workers a pittance.

Really, this is not my area of expertise.  I don't really know what to think about it, and I'm definitely not condemning globalization and mass-production as if it's some black-and-white subject.  I'm mostly just thinking out loud...  I'd like to hear what you have to say on this issue.

WhatTheCraft & Handmade Pricing

Lex from WhatTheCraft is one of my favorite bloggers and a great inspiration to me.  After reading this post on Etsy pricing, I realized I DON'T want to make clothes to sell to other people anymore...because they can't appreciate them the way I can (since I'm the one who made it).  I don't have time for it, anyways.
Lex of WhatTheCraft's article: Why handmade is "so expensive"

I'd really rather just make them for myself!  I still love sewing, btw.  I just haven't done a lot of it lately...

Single Serving Pie in a Jar - OurBestBites

Single Serving Pie in a Jar | Our Best Bites

Time for me to learn how to cook.

Radiohead Tee Re-do

Whatthecraft.com is full of tutorials that will inspire any DIY-er.  Plus, a lot of them are pretty simple!  I have an old Radiohead t-shirt that I can't stand to get rid of even though it is way too small--so I chose a tutorial from the list!  It is called Contour Bust/ Ruffle Bust Tutorial.  I made my own pattern as I went along, so I could easily make another one later. 

On some parts I had to improvise since the t-shirt was too small, and since I didn't want to cut the top part off because of the image on it.  So I had to add pieces on each side to make it wider.  I think this is kinda sexy anyways because it highlights your curves.  Basically, I measured how much I need to add on each side, plus seam allowance (I usually do 1/2 inch).  I also had to ad a strip to the back to make it even with the front. 

The front of the tee with the boob part cut out.

The back of the tee.

The boob part of the pattern.

Pattern for the side panels.

Cutting out the side panels.

I folded the pattern pieces in half after I cut them out, to make sure they were symmetrical.

I make my patterns out of used grocery bags.  They're free, and I feel like I'm recycling.  I haven't decided what to use for straps yet, but I think it will be more black jersey.

I'm doing the Kat von D t-shirt tutorial today. Will post later. Link http://ping.fm/DIOUm

Inspiration: more 70's

Here are some more 70's things I like...

Nylon spread

oktomat camera

Yay!  I just bought this Lomography Oktomat from Amazon to replace my old one.  Let me tell you, they break easily and are finicky so you have to be careful.  But the pics are so cool!  I can't wait to share some with you.  Btw, if you want one too, just click on the picture of the camera.

my favorite thing about Easter

My mouth is watering right now.  Too bad they only sell them around Easter time...

But you can buy them  here all year round!

The 70's Are Back!

Well, according to what I've been seeing around, fashion-wise.  There are some things I like about the 70's...

...and some things I don't...

Inspiration: Kuna Women

The Kuna Indians

Mola blouse

The Kuna Indian women live on a little island near the Yucatan Peninsula and make these beautiful blouses by layer fabric and carefully cutting intricate designs.  Each design tells a story and no two are the same.  I have always loved the idea of clothing being works of art, and I would love to bring that into my own Etsy shop.

For more info:

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/mola_panama.htm

My newest favorite blog: Adventures in Dressmaking http://ping.fm/p8kck

Keds

Vote for my Keds then create your own!
Don't forget to send me a link ;)

 

Get your own blank canvas!

 

Blasted Threads!!

If you're like me, every once in a while you have to re-thread your serger.  @$*%&*!!!  I get very upset.   Luckily I found instructions on how to fix it.  I have a basic 4-thread Singer serger, and I'm not sure if it works for other sergers, but I hope that at least one person can benefit from this post!

diy: shredded t-shirt

Check out this super cool tshirt diy by Kissankehto
.

I'll be making this. http://ping.fm/Y29S3

Etsy: HereInSmallTownUSA

This might be the weirdest shop ever on Etsy.  Dried baby mice, rattlesnake rattlers, and pheasant feet are only some of the strange items for sale at HereInSmallTownUSA. 

Now, I know what you're thinking--"Who buys that stuff?!"  Being an amateur psychologist, I am also very curious.  But don't think this unique Etsian isn't successful in his/her business endeavors!  HereInSmallTownUSA has hundreds of sales.  What a genius to tap into a market I didn't even know existed.  What I have learned from this shop is that you have to find your niche--the more specific, the better.  Man, do I have a lot of work to do in that area!

What niche shops would you like to see on Etsy?

Music: Ready To Start

My boyfriend and I are obsessed with this song/video right now.  It's from this past weekend's Coachella,  I've never really listened to Arcade Fire before...but maybe I should.

Etsy: Purple Maxi Skirt - Harve Benard - Vintage

I just listed this on Etsy.  I have a lot of vintage right now.

This soft purple skirt is made of a mixture of wool and viscose, made by the designer Benard Holtzman. It is vintage, and the tag says "made in Belarus." I don't know exactly when it was made, but it seems to be 1970's style. The lighter "stripes" that you see are a kind of inside-out seams, which is decorative but also allows the skirt to highlight your feminine curves. When worn at the waist, the hem falls at your calves, known as "tea length." It zips up the back with an invisible zipper and buttons at the top--fully lined, a signature of quality construction. I love the light purple because it is such a wonderful Spring color.

Waist: 29"
Length: 32"
Zipper Length: 7.5"
Full Width at Bottom: 84"