Patches

When I was in Paris in September it seemed like EVERYTHING with a sleeve had elbow patches. I've been wanting to make something with elbow patches ever since and I thought this pattern was a good oppurtunity:

Found this at one of my favourite vintage pattern sites (Lanetz Living) and then scored a really beautiful, heavy weight navy jersey on sale at Fabricville for $4/meter. Normally I'm not a navy girl, but I loved how elegantly Parisian women wore it. It really is a versatile neutral and I've been looking forward to using it in a project instead of boring black.

This dress was really easy to whip up - my serger does a great job on the hems. There were a few major issues though; I must have been off in my cutting because the waist seam is totally off where it is attached to the zipper. Thankfully I made this with a really wide obi style belt so it covers the booboo. Also, I did a few weird things to the interfacing so the necklines sits a little funny. I always envisioned wearing this with a scarf for that true Paris je ne sais whatever so I didn't sweat it too much. Still so much to learn!

Mistakes aside, I LOVE this dress and have worn it many times in the past month. The skirt is really full and flattering - I always gets a lot of compliments on it and then people are totally astounded when I tell them I made it. My boss was flabbergasted ("It looks like a $200 dress!" "It cost about $16 to make". "GET OUT!! MAKE ME ONE!!!") The elbow patches are a good contrast and I still have some of fabric left over so I'll probably add them to some old sweaters. I will DEFINITELY be making this dress again.

Sorry for the bad lighting in these photos - this was the only part of my apartment fit for public viewing at the time and the natural lighting was not ideal.

Navy dress with elbow patches:
Pattern:  Vogue 1788
Total Cost (including notions): $16
Time to Make: 14 hours including cutting

Wrapping up 2011

Can't believe it's 2012 already! The lack of posts in December can be blamed on the frantic rush to finish Christmas presents - I made a huge effort to make as many as my gifts as possible this year. Stunned I managed to make the following in only a few weeks:

- 2 white wool smocked/woven pillows for my sister in law
- an apron and 8 linen napkins for my mom
- denim mini from Vogue 1246 for my baby sister
- 4 gel-medium transfer prints for my brother
- vanilla agave syrup for my aunt
- Thai chili sauce for various friends
- all natural deoderant for friends (this stuff is seriously the BEST - works better than anything and can be made with household ingredients: recipe here)
- seed stitch knit cowl for my stepsister

Whew. And I still managed to squeeze in a few holiday parties. It was a busy month but eveyrone loved their gifts and I was over-the-moon to avoid the mall shopping trap. Hoping to finish the canvas teepee for my nephew this week. The one thing I couldn't finish in December. 

Mumma in her linen apron.

Faith in her mini skirt. Stylishly layered over Christmas jammies.

I am completely psyched for the year to come. I know 2012 has all sorts of psychological import for us but this documentary helped me feel really good and positive for the future. If more people keep making the choice to make more and consume less I think we may be okay. I hope.

This year I would like to continue to make all of my own clothes. It's funny - I have completely lost the desire to shop for clothes (more staggering when you know what a horrible, debt-billowing shopping addiction I used to have). I made a decision to stop reading Vogue after their completely out of touch September issue and now curate a daily "fasion mag" with my google reader and lots of great blogs. Before I started sewing, seeing beautiful clothes I wanted but couldn't afford was incredibly depressing - now I pinterest inspiration to make later. I can't get over how incredibly empowering this process has been for me. I've never felt more creative, inspired and excited to get dressed in the morning. WHY DIDN'T I FIGURE THIS OUT SOONER???!!