The B is Back (with a jumpsuit)

So I'm back from an unintentional, crazy-life hiatus. I honestly have no excuse-- no babies, nothing too crazy at work or home. I just haven't sewn much, and have had even less time to think about blogging. But I'm back, and hopefully I can sporadically post about sewing projects. I try not to do things half-assed, but sometimes all you get is a quarter (am I right?). Also, I never did sew that damn lemon dress. My wonderful aunt-in-law gave it to me randomly as a lovely gift. The best part? She didn't even know I wanted it, nor did she know about this sad excuse for a blog. She also bought me the only size they had, hoping it would fit. Guess what? It did. Serendipity, y'all.

Not the greatest picture, but it's cute, huh?

As of late, I have been lusting after a jumpsuit. With spring happening literally today, and with summer right around the corner (gasp!), I feel like it could be an edgy, sexy, and downright party-ready addition to my wardrobe. I seriously want one; I have searched high and low, and found some with components that I like, but nothing has quite done it for me. There is also the concern about proportions-- I'm 5'11" with, shall we say, a generous backside and a petite top. I anticipate that I would have a hard time fitting a jumpsuit off the rack, to say the least. So I've decided that my next project will be... a jumpsuit! No idea when I'll finish it, and I don't have a serious deadline. However, I do have a bachelorette party coming up on Memorial Day, and I think a jumpsuit would be just the thing :) So here are my thoughts and inspiration thus far.

Lovers + Friends Riley Jumpsuit

I am definitely a fan of this jumpsuit from Lovers + Friends. I love the crossed back, the low v-neck, and the shape of the pant legs. My only concern is that the pants themselves would not look good on me, and also might run a bit short. But who knows? Maybe if it gets close to crunch-time I could just drop almost $170.00 on this baby.

BCBG Max Azria Rossana Cutout Back Jumpsuit

If I thought that last one was expensive, this one definitely would be considered an "investment piece" (which I think is just code for ridiculously expensive). I like how the cutout extends to the side, and the wider leg trousers. If anything the bottoms on this jumpsuit would likely be the most comfortable and flattering. But I'm not huge on the back itself-- I feel like it just looks like you would be wearing a crop top or bra, which takes some of the fun out of it, right? 

I've found one or two patterns that might work, but would definitely need to be adjusted. Whether it's the back, the front, or pant leg shape/width/length, most patterns would need some work (not to mention the sizing and proportions). But who knows! Maybe I'll find the perfect one... maybe not. I'll hopefully share a quick sketch of the jumpsuit I am imagining soon. Or maybe in a year. Who knows!

BREAKING NEWS: Still not done with that dress (and an homage to dogs)

Remember that dress I said I was going to make by this weekend?

Yep, that's the one. 

Well, I'm still plugging away! Here's the progress I've made so far:

Sewing under the gun

Hi there! My apologies for the spotty posting-- blogging is more difficult to keep up than I had anticipated. Today I thought I would share with you another hopeful endeavor. For some background, I have a few weddings coming up, and I of course wanted to wear a new dress. I hatched this plan a couple of months ago, and it has been through a couple of incarnations since. Initially I wanted to make this sexy little number:

(low whistle)

In this fabric:

Like floral polka dots... with stripes?

Cute, right? Loving the idea of such a feminine and pretty dress, I dove right in. And by that, I mean I printed out the pattern, put it together, and let it sit. After looking at the pattern, I got a little intimidated. It has a lot of pieces, many of which I would need to alter to fit my body. As much as I love fitted skirts, my bottom half doesn't always agree (my hips don't lie, folks). Also, it is a bustier style bodice with seamed cups and I've never really gotten on that train. That and a couple other extra frills really detract from the overall dress.

Lemony aspirations

Over time, I've realized that I go through these hugely fluctuating phases of excitement over different things. Right now I am consumed by designing/making/shopping for a trip to Italy this summer with my husband.  I am falling in love with so many beautiful ready-to-wear pieces from different designers. At the top my my list is kate spade's Lyric dress.

(low whistle) Beeeyoooo-teeful.

Oh. My. Gosh is it beautiful. Kate really outdid herself this time. It's so effortless and classic, but playful at the same time. It reminds me of the dresses from the movie, Chocolat (Johnny Depp, chocolate, and beautiful costumes. The dresses I speak of belong to the zealous minister's absent wife). It's part of kate spade's Roma Collection, so of course it seems extra extra perfect. But alas, as I was dreamily looking at my new-found love with longing eyes, I saw the price. $398! That's definitely out of the question for my budget. So, I thought to myself, "That's a pretty simple silhouette... I should make it!". Well, it's not a bad idea. But I think I underestimated how difficult it is to find a nice looking lemon printed fabric that is reasonably priced. Oh, and the fact that I'm still at the apprentice to the novice level in sewing.

In the beginning...

In the last year or so, I began my long awaited journey into the world of sewing after my darling husband bought me my first sewing machine.

Such a baby face

Prior to this, I think I chattered for over a year about how "I always wanted to sew, but never got around to it" or "I can never find anything that I like, I wish I could just make it." So, being the wonderful, encouraging person that he is, he solved my problem with a birthday present. Which then forced me to actually use it because he bought it for me (thanks, honey).