Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Sugar City dress



I couldn't resist making a village frock for my niece for Christmas. She loves dressing up like a princess and a cowgirl. I was so nervous that it wouldn't fit, but surprisingly it did! My favorite part is the blue buttons. Thanks to Sugar City for their adorable patterns!

Alas, I have lost my digital camera, otherwise I would post pictures of all the other stuff I've been making. The only reason I have these is that it was someone else's camera. Hopefully I'll find mine soon!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

narnia inspiration


So, I recently re-watched both of the Narnia movies and was so inspired by the costuming. I really love the dresses that Lucy and Susan wear. Especially this green one, it looks so comfy and beautiful at the same time. I'm trying to brainstorm a more modern version that I wouldn't stand out like a sore thumb in. There is an excellent fan website with a lot of costuming notes where I found this picture. Are there any movie costumes that you would love to wear?

Monday, December 8, 2008

winter sky scarf

The winter sky scarves for wiksten will be up for sale this Wednesday, Dec. 10!
Jenny did a fabulous job with the photo shoot!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

plaid dress

I've been messing around for a few months, trying to make a good pattern from an old thrift store dress. I bought the original dress something like 6 years ago. It was a maternity dress, and I took in the side seams so that it was fitted. Then, since it was a hideous tan/mauve plaid, I dyed it black. It turned out to be more like a dark mauve plaid, but not as bad as before.


Did I mention this was really itchy wool? And sleeveless? So, why did I love wearing this dress? It's been one of my favorites. So I finally got up the nerve to take it apart and make a pattern from it. Sounded easy, but alas, two months and 4 attempts later, I finally have sort of a good pattern.

It's cold out, so I decided to add sleeves. And I found this cozy flannel plaid and thought it looked like a good holiday fabric (that could easily be "not holiday" as well). It came out better than I expected with the sleeves. I didn't even do a test run of the sleeves, just kind of made it up--that usually means disaster! I got lucky this time. Anyway, I'll be making 57 more versions of this dress since I love the pattern so much. It's just the perfect shift dress for doing anything and it has a lot of possibilities for embellishments, details, and using different fabrics. I even used scrap material I had for the hem and sleeve bands on this one.

Oh, by the way, after I finished the dress and was really proud of myself, I found a Simplicity pattern in my stash that was pretty much the exact same thing. Argh. But I made this one!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

etsy shop open!



Hear ye! Hear ye! Announcing the opening of the cristaemade Etsy shop! Okay, so the Creative Hand Show went really well overall, but I only sold one scarf. So, instead of moping, I'm excited that I get to open my Etsy shop earlier than expected. This is just the beginning; there will be much more than silk scarves going up there, so be sure to check back periodically.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

handspun yarn - throws - handbags - spinning fibers - woven rugs

Creative Hand Sale
sponsored by the Kansas City Fiber and Weavers' Guilds
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Friday, Nov. 21, 4-8 pm
Fashion Show at 7 pm
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10-5 pm
Demonstrations all day

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Sylvester Powell Community Center
6200 Martway, Mission, KS

mittens - hats - afghans - blankets - jackets - scarves - shawls - sweaters


If anyone is going to be in the Kansas City area this weekend you should check out the annual Creative Hand Sale. I'll be selling my dyed silk scarves there!

Friday, November 14, 2008

folk princess






I am getting really inspired from the "folk princess" style at free people. It's exactly the kind of stuff I love to wear: classic style influenced by old European embellishments. I'm going to try an interpretation of the cream and red bodice using a folkwear pattern I have. And I just might get to making myself a coat with some embellishment like this charcoal gray one. (I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't make my own clothes, I think I'd be bankrupt with all the money I'd spend!)