Tag Archives: Cynthia Rowley

One Day of Me Made May (in July!)

I can’t believe the whole month of May whizzed by and I wore next to NOTHING handmade! Here’s to next year being much, much better. I guess I bit off more than I could chew, what with trying to get two gardens going, training for a half marathon… and spending much more time knitting/crocheting than in front of my machine. Not to mention, getting outside for camping, cabin-ing, swimming, and soaking up the summer. Time sure flies!

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Cynthia’s done it again!

I wanted to share, because I’m completely drooling over the two Spring patterns that dear, dear Cynthia Rowley has come up with … good thing Boyfriend Smash and I have some weddings on the calendar this year! So yummy, especially this one:

The second one isn’t too shabby either,I love the flowy detail and happen to have several appropriate fabrics in my stash (just never the time it seems). The rest of Simplicity’s Spring line has quite a bit to offer too, including a new line from a Project Runway designer! Choices, choices.

MMJ: Day 22

I’m getting a little behind in my posts, but better late than never. My outfit for yesterday, day 22 of Me Made June was definitely a cheater outfit. I had a cute skirt selected, complete with new strappy sandals, and then I awoke to rain, rain, and more rain. Added to the fact that it was cold out, and that I had two minutes to make a wardrobe change before leaving for work, and this is what I came up with.

** after seeing this photo – I realize the tunic top needs some altering. It was another clearance rack find ($4!), but it definitely needs to be brought in a little bit at the sides and armpits so that it looks less sloppy! **
 
The goods:
Infinity scarf – Me Made!
Eyelet tank – Old Navy
Jeans – Warehouse One
Sandals – Roxy
Earrings – Le Chateau

Hours worn: 12

Places visited: Work, dinner with bf.

Main activities: Working … watching the NHL Awards on TV… not by choice :)

Wear again? Yes! I’ve worn this scary so many times and love it more each time. It’s so fun! 

I also have a dress cut out of the scarf fabric that I need to get around to putting together…  It’s this Cynthia Rowley pattern, and I’m interested to see how it will turn out. Just as soon as I feel brave enough to tackle an invisible zipper.

I really love working with jersey. It’s simple and forgiving, so you can’t go wrong. Next up on my list is a few of these necklaces, in a bright coral!

MMJ: Day Ten – (re)Fashion Friday Round Two!

Today’s refashion turned out great! I was inspired by two looks I’m really liking right now: paper bag skirts, as well as any and everything madras print.

So I went on the hunt at Value Village to find a men’s shirt that I could turn into a skirt. I lucked out and found a Ralph Lauren collared shirt for a whopping 5 dollars. I cut off the shirt at the armpits, and went to town. In the process of construction I decided to skip out on the paper waist, and created a button tab waistband instead. Now I can undo the top and second top buttons, slide it on, and away I go! The rest of the buttons have been sewn shut so there’s no embarrassing ‘flashing the crowd” moments.

The goods:
Skirt – Me Made (refashioned) men’s dress shirt
Embellished tee – Joe Fresh
Suede sandals – Franco Sarto (haven’t worn these bad boys in YEARS!)
Belt – Ardene’s

Hours worn: 10 hours

Places visited: Hanging around home, walk around the neighborhood with the dog, dinner with the boyfriend, wine and hockey with friends.

Main activities: See above. Lazy day :)

Wear again? Yes! The waistband ended up being a little snugger than I anticipated, but that’s easily solved by wearing the skirt a little higher. Not only that, but it’s motivation to continue working out!

MMJ: Day Eight

I’m happy to report that I am officially back in action thanks to a 35 year old Eaton Viking CONI industrial-esque machine I pinched from my Mum’s house. Unfortunately, there is no manual for it, nor any attachments, so this is a temporary fix. I’ve scoured the internet for a manual I can download, to no avail. So this Friday I will be setting up shop with a brand new machine that my boyfriend’s Mum has been kind enough to lend me. It will be my first time using a machine that isn’t older than me, so I’m pretty excited at the prospect!

I have mixed feelings about the me made item I’m wearing today. On the plus side, I love the vibrant watercolor style of this voile fabric and think that it’s a great summer top. I know it will be versatile and ideally I will get a lot of wear out of it. I am also very pleased with my first attempt at French seams. As the French say, “c’est l’amour”!! I know I will be finishing as many garments as possible in this manner from now on. The small amount of extra time they take is definitely worth the end result: neat and tidy seams and hems without a serger and nary a stray thread in sight!

On the downside, I find that the pattern to this particular top frustrates me. The armholes when finished are very small in comparison to the rest of the top, so they dig in. The drape when wearing a belt is a little off, so instead of falling flat, the bottom portion of the top poofs out  – I suppose because the fabric is so lightweight. Additionally, the directions to add the twisted sleeve option are a little unclear, and I spent a solid 45 minutes trying to get the sleeves to lie the way they looked in the pattern photo, to no avail. So, I scrapped them for now and may go back to them later. They would have bunched under a cardi or jacket, anyways :)

The goods:
Tank top – Cynthia Rowley 2587
Skinny jeans - Smart Set
Ballet flats - Alfred Sung (missing in action for the photo)
Belt – thrifted
Necklace and bracelet - Reitman’s

Hours worn: 11 hours

Places visited: Work, restaurant for sushi lunch, step-brother’s Sweet Sixteen birthday dinner

Main activities: Work, work, work, hanging out with the family.

Number of times I have worn this item: First time.

Wear again? Not sure yet. I might have to put it on a time out for a little bit and go back to it later on in the month. After looking at the photo I also realized how ill fitting my pants are! I thought I could get away with it, but they’re definitely too big. I have to hitch them up every five minutes and the result is a lot of extra bunched fabric around the crotch… not attractive! :) Alas.