April Showers and April Flowers

While the rain poured outside, I decided to get crackin on April's dress. Inspired by my co-worker, who is in love with linen, I checked out a store on 39th street; Grey Line Linen. I found a lovely, embroidered white and pink fabric to become my April dress.

I wanted something that would be fun for summer, so I decided to make a sleeveless dress. I found a pattern in my book and started to chop, chop, chop. After 4 hours on this rainy Sunday, I finished the dress.

This was by far the fastest dress I've sewn. I used the same pattern as February's dress but this time I wanted to make sure that the hip width was not as tight as before. I cut the dress a little bit wider but in the end it was too wide, so I had to take it in. However, that allowed me to make very nice pockets. I was quite happy with them this time. The one thing that I'm not sure I like or not is that the dress is quite loose fitting. Typically, dresses feel cumbersome after wearing them all day but in a loose fitting dress, I may not be itching to get out of it. This is definitely an experiment I am willing to try.

Beach Bag

My newest crochet project. I can't wait to cruise the beach scene with an inch thick layer of suncreen (SPF 50) in my linen skirt and awesome beach bag. Here I come Jersey Shore summer!

Fun with elastic

I've been toying with the idea of folding a piece of fabric in half, cutting a hole in the middle for my head, sewing up the sides (leaving holes for my arms), and just adding an elastic band for shape. However, I've never made anything with elastic, so this skirt was practice.

I had some left-over linen, so I went to work.

I watched a few youtube videos to get a basic idea of what to do. What I realized is that you have to make the garment slightly bigger than your size (not a problem). Then, when you put the elastic through the machine, you have to stretch it while sewing. This terrified me because I was afraid of snapping off the needle (I shouldn't list all the clumsy things I have done while sewing, most involving pain to my fingers! So the fear was justified). Also if you pull on the front of the elastic band while sewing, this negates the dog-feed movement and you'll end up sewing in one place! Finally, I realized you have to stretch it out from the from and back of the needle. After that, I just watched the magic happen.

An elastic band in my skirt!


The finished product.


I made this skirt in the gathered skirt method with was a waste of time. The elastic band creates the desired ripples, just making the previous made waves mute. I wanted a skirt that was gathered looking and the elastic created that on it's own. I put a muslin lining in it, so I can wear colored underpants. :) And that's about it.

I see some pajama pants or even linen pants in the future!

A Jewerly Making Post

Recently, a fellow crafter, teacher, and student all rolled into one left New York. It made me sad to see her go but she gave me some good advice. In one of our parting conversations she encouraged me to post about all the things that I make, not just dresses. I am truly my very own sweat-shop worker and am constantly making things. Every time I see something new I excitedly want to make it. So if you run into me and you are wearing something super cute and I look like I'm spacing out, don't worry, I'm just working out how to make whatever it is that has captivated me. I don't know why I like making things so much. It isn't to show off or to somehow make people think I am smarter than I am (most of what I make is incredibly simple, thus the reason I do it). I make things because I love making things. That's the whole motivation. When you see me and I won't stop talking about whatever project it is that I am on, just know its not anything other than an internal making-motor deep in my chest that won't turn off. You can tell me to let it idle for a while and we can talk about something else. :)

Ok, rant done. Back to jewelry making.

I work in the fashion district which is probably fate. There is nowhere better to be to be inspired. Everyday I pass these bead shops to and from Port Authority and I can't help but stop in. Then I struck it lucky when one of my co-workers offered to teach an earring making class. From there I just haven't stopped. Here is a what I've been up to. (Disclaimer I'm not a photographer).

The collection:


This is the first thing I made. I wanted a cute necklace to match my black strapless dress for a friend's wedding. I ended up making one small necklace and then a long one. Good for work and black tie affairs.


In the next shopping trip I found these turquoise colored beads and needed to make something with it. I love this necklace and made earrings to match.


When I've got a couple of colors on and don't know what will match, I throw on this necklace. It's made from multi-colored beads and spacers. Simple and cute. That's the way I roll.


The reason I bought these beads was because I wanted to make a going away present. When I finished the necklace, I didn't want to give it away. It was super cute and all the dresses I've made of late are either pink or green. So, I made one more for me! And now it reminds me of the person I made it for originally. (Smile).


This is the necklace that 13-year-old Leslie wanted to wear. Nothing like never growing up.


I needed some red in my wardrobe and when I wear this with March's dress, it looks fantastic.


First pair of earrings ever!


These are the second pair of earrings I made in my co-worker's jewelry making class. In another situations I might have painted someone's nails that exact same color combination! I'm sorry!! This color combo must be in my subconscious.


When I was in 6th grade someone gave me a charm bracelet and I lost it immediately. I literally had it for like a day. I was totally bummed. Thus, I've made my own. It's nautical themed which makes it borderline cheesy living on the Jersey shore but I love it.


I tortured Greg all night shaking it in front of his face while he made something with diodes (which sounds like a made up word anyway, he should pay attention to me!).


Finally, this monstrosity is my most recent creation. I love it. I reminds me of a Mad Men or a 50s housewife. I don't know why that's appealing but it is!


If you see anything you'd like, I'll gladly make it for you! If you're up for it, I love craft exchanges (you make something, I make something).

That's jewelry making! I'm sure I'll post more later!!