It only took a few (can't remember how many exactly) days to sew up, and these photos are actually the second time I've worn it. I credit my speediness being 1 part getting better at sewing, 2 parts easy-to-understand pattern and instructions and 3 parts a shiny new sewing machine that my great-uncle gave to me.

Dress: Me-made Kwik Sew K3929 | Shoes: Doc Martens Belt: me-made/buckle from Decadence | Bracelet: gift (Stella & Dot)

I definitely should have made a size smaller. I ended up taking a lot in (maybe 3-4 inches) after the fact, mostly in the zipper and in the front seams, which was actually fairly easy. I kept the skirt area larger to have more volume, and I'm able to wear my smaller black net petticoat underneath. It's still a smidge large in the waist, but it's nothing a belt can't fix!


Ian and I took these photos behind the streetcar barns in Old Strathcona, shortly before FINALLY signing up to get library cards. I've been back in Edmonton for exactly a year and worked right across the street from the main branch, but didn't get my card until now. Sad.


On to the details! This dress was very easy to make up, and had all the hallmarks of a perfect dress (at least to me, anyway):

Cap sleeves (this was my first time setting in a sleeve and I think I did pretty darn well!)



princess seams



sweetheart neckline (this dress had sooooo many facings! There are some weird armpit facings that I almost skipped because I just couldn't wrap my head around them. I put it in and ripped it out twice before getting it on the third try. It's hard to think backwards, upside-down and inside-out sometimes)


and pockets (Who doesn't love pockets? Actually, I know of someone, but I still love her).


The cotton is also super comfy and doesn't irons very nicely. Score!

I also did a blind hem for the second time. I don't know how I feel about blind hems on the machine. Perhaps once I'm better at the origami-like folding you have to do I'll like them, but I feel like the stitches are so close together that the hem is still visible.

Now I'm on to my next sewing project...

Man, have I ever been productive this month. Sure, I don't have any job interviews yet but I managed to finish off two projects within a span of a week.

The first project I finished was my Datemaker cardigan, which I started on right after Christmas.


It wasn't the fastest knit in the world, but I love it! The pattern is great and very easy to follow. While I was intimidated by it at first, I was relieved to realize it was just diagonal ribbing.


I didn't resize the pattern because according to my gauge match it would fit me perfectly. However, I ended up not seaming in the belt all the way so I could cinch it up a little more. This makes the cardigan "wrap", and I also sewed in a snap with invisible thread so it stays closed. I also put a hook on the belt end so I could catch it in a stitch and it wouldn't flap around.



If you're going to make this cardigan, I highly recommend doing the cuffs BEFORE the sleeves so you can pick up stitches from the cuff instead of sew them on after. I followed a lot of Tasha's tips from her Briar Rose knit-a-long when doing this sweater. As always, by gum, by golly! is a great resource. I also did the three-needle bindoff for the first time, as well as the crochet slip-stitch seaming
method. I love how my seams turned out! So neat and tidy.




The second project was Butterick 4790, aka Misses' Wrap Dress, aka I hope you like binding with bias tape because that's the bulk of this project.



Before starting the dress, I heard a lot of complaints about the fit of the dress, so I went looking for reviews and tips on what to do. The best one I found is from Edelweiss Patterns, who notes that the reissue is actually a different bodice shape than the original drawings on the envelope, and provides a fix. I was going to do the fix but then forgot during my cutting out. Oops.




 Katrina also notes that the dress should be worn with the proper undergarments (I'm wearing a WKD bullet bra here) and a petticoat (which I'm not wearing because I'm the only vintage girl in the world without a long one).



However, I'm really happy with my results. This is only my third sewing project, so it's quite rough around the edges, but I'm pretty proud. I'm sure in a year or two I'll look back and hate it, but for now, I love it.

I've had a fabulous weekend, and I hope you all have had one too.
I went to go see Star Wars Identities with Ian, I finally finished my Datemaker cardigan (which will get its own post shortly), had a great dinner at Miss Bee's abode, fixed my borrowed vintage sewing machine AND will be getting a newer one and had a wonderful birthday tea to celebrate Jill, the proprietress of Adeline's Attic.

I've been following Jill's blog for as long as I've been dressing vintage, and when I saw that she moved back to Edmonton I (being the vintage fangirl that I am) hoped that I would see her out and about on the town. I'm even more excited that we have become friends and that she invited me to celebrate her special day.

The guest of honour

In case you didn't know, March is still winter in Alberta but we all forewent the sensible footwear

As well as some new faces, Charly and Nicole, whose photos I forgot to snap (but they're up there in the group shot) as well as Jill's lovely mother Linda.

I also forgot to take some food photos because I was much too busy eating to take photos. Story of my life. In lieu, please accept this photo of us posing in front of a china cabinet.

My outfit: Scallop dress: a re-buy from Krista Dee Shoes: Rowena Hat: borrowed from Bee

I regret not snapping a better photo of my outfit, as it's only the second time I've worn the dress. It's a gorgeous scalloped dress with pearl buttons down the front. Krista Dee bought it for herself but it didn't fit, so I happily took it off her hands.

....alternate title: More proof my boyfriend and I are huge dorks

Last week Edmonton got a tonne of snow. 30cm (11 inches) worth, in fact. And Ian had one of those snow days off, so we decided to head to Star Wars Identities at the Telus World of Science to take in the exhibit before it left Edmonton.

Despite never seeing Star Wars in its entirety (but I get all the references, don't worry), this was my second time going through the exhibit, as I got to go to the media preview. But it was much more fun the second time around, being with someone who loves the films and getting to take my time going through the exhibit.

The exhibit just isn't a display of the movie costumes, but also a journey into what shapes our identities - through life events, genetics, up-bringing and the choices we make. You go in, choose a character and throughout the exhibit it asks you questions, revealing your Star Wars character at the end of the exhibit.

Ian was Mon Calamari, while I was an Ewok (because I was wearing my fur collar and am tiny and squeak a lot).

Ian took over 90 photos, but I'm only sharing a select few here.

Can't you see the resemblance?!

Jabba's eyes, which are practically the only remaining part of the puppet.

And thus our snowy science date! It was a very welcome reprieve from the stormy weather, until we had to drive back home in it.  XO Laurie

Once upon a time, I was a lot heavier than I am now. And, seemingly like magic, a lot of my weight disappeared (seriously, I did nothing. It just melted off I guess).

Therefore, some of my clothes are getting pretty huge on me, but instead of just giving them away to Goodwill I am hoping that some of my readers are willing to give them a good home.

If you're interested in any of these items, please email me at laurie[at]retro-reporter.com (instead of a comment) to discuss!

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PUMPKIN SKIRT






PRICE: $15 + Shipping. Item sold as-is

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