As you know…I tend to shy away from patterns.  However, you generally need the basic shape to sew things, so I do have patterns.  I take the patterns and modify them for what I want to sew.  These are few experiments that I tried.  This post is brought to you by the color black.  It’s almost like I live in NYC, or somethin’.  😉 

This shirt is from a wrap top pattern, where I modified it quite a bit.  It’s more like a little jacket than a shirt.  I like how it turned out.  It is a really light black knit, so a fun little “jacket” over a short sleeved shirt for warmer temps.  Here I am actually wearing it over a cross front long sleeved top…it is still winter.  I need to figure out a good pin to keep the front closed when I want to wear it that way.  I am probably going to make one in white, too.  It’s a nice throw over shirt, and I think I would use it a lot in the spring.

The inspiration for this came from an $80 sweater knit shirt I saw while walking through a department store.  I figured I could make it myself.

blackruffleshirt2

This skirt is sorta inspired by the steampunky-gothy-culture and just something fun.  The patchwork denim is pretty stretchy and the black has no stretch.  I used a pattern I had for a knit skirt, with some modifications.  I was going to add a zipper to the back, but the denim had enough stretch that I didn’t need it.  I can just pull it up.  I added a kick pleat to the back for ease of walking.  The front is decorated with the fringe selvage and the ends of some purse handles I got on clearance.  I’m not quite sure where I’m going to wear it.  It might be a bit much for casual Fridays.  We do have a concert in May, though (Nickelback with Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown and Sick Puppies – can’t wait!).

I am probably going to make a few more in this style, too.  I really like how it fits, and I’ve got some ideas for some different versions that should be pretty fun. Of course, all using fabrics I already have in my closet.  🙂

modeling my new skirt – I really like the lighting and tunnel effect in this photo

That’s it!  I didn’t sew anything last week.  I had yesterday off of work, and planned to do some sewing.  I ended up reading instead.  I’m having a hard time getting motivated to get things done lately.   I even bought Kai some jeans since he is growing like a little weed and needs more pants. *sigh*  Must be wintertime.  The motivation to do things is going way down.

I do have a few things in my craft hopper that I need to take some more pictures of before I show them off.  I’m hopeful that I can get some more sewing done this week, too.  I’d like to make another skirt for work.  We’ll see…