Je t'aime and the Classy Cubicle

I found a new-to-me style blog, the Classy Cubicle.  Now, I have never worked in a cubicle or chosen spiffy work clothes.  When I did work, I wore a uniform every day in my own office, and it's been six years since I did that.  However, if I did work in a cubicle, or anywhere, I would pretty much want to recreate her outfits (with the exception of the overalls look... shuddering).

She has awesome advice for staying classy at work (no hooker heels, cleavage, short skirts...), and a lot of her advice translate into my stay-at-home life and church attire... I spend quite a bit of time at church.  AND, here is the key, she never looks frumpy.  Classy, not frumpy.

My favorites are her casual Friday posts, because that is exactly how I want to dress every day.  I didn't include any photos here (because she specifically asks people  not to take her photos...), but go over and check out the link above.  My goal today is to take one of my older bretons and use my embroidery machine to make this top, minus the sequins.

I'll let you know how it turns out...

Raindrop Cardigan from Textured Stitches

I recently finished the Raindrop Cardigan from Connie Chang Chinchio's Textured Stitches book.  This is a great pattern.  The finished cardigan fits well.  I wish I'd made the sleeves about 2" longer or shorter, but it's not a big deal.  I have super long arms, so I'm used to scrunching up sleeves.

I chose a 100% pima cotton to knit this to keep it from being too warm for Florida.  The weight turned out perfect for our cooler days, but I do have some trouble getting the collar to behave without the body of a wool.  Just something to think about.

Here is my Ravelry post.

Spring henly blouse

I finished up my new spring-y blouse just in time for a cold snap.  Oh well. :-) I used a button-down blouse pattern but modified it so much that it's hardly worth linking.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.  I see myself wearing it a lot when the weather gets hot. Fabric is Cindy from Sawyer Brook.

Chanel inspiration

I kind of love the proportions of these Chanel outfits.  The short boxy tops over the sleeker dresses and skirts.  It seems harder and harder to find a unique idea that isn't butt-ugly, so a pat on the back for Karl Lagerfeld.  (I'm sure he needs my pats for his ego.)  I'm thinking of ways to create something similar.  I'd leave off the couture fanny pack and knee pads, though...

Chanel Spring 2014, all photos from style.com

Cotton Gauze Blouse

Here is a peak at my current project, a pretty blouse made from this cotton gauze.  I am using the same pattern as my recent plaid shirt but made many modifications.

I started out by making a bunch of little pleats for the yoke before cutting out the yoke pieces.

I made quite a bit of progress the past few evenings.  It's hard to see with the busy print, but tonight, I stitched up the placket and band collar and added the buttons and buttonholes.

Blue Plaid Button Down

You know, I haven't posted anything in over 2 months.  I can now finally accept that I will never be an awesome blogging superstar.  I don't have the stamina or energy or something to keep up with it for a length of time.  No matter how many resolutions I make to do better, I just don't.  So be it.  I'll keep posting when I feel like it.  :-)

Here is my most recent project, a button down shirt with contrast floral facings for a little fun.

I used McCalls 6167 as a starting point, but the final shirt looks very little like the pattern.  I added a separate button band and modified the shape to be a standard shirt.  Basically, I had this pattern on hand and didn't want to buy a new one, so I worked with what I had. :-)

It's nice and versatile, looking nice with a sweater and jeans or with rolled-up sleeves and shorts.  Forgive me for the shorts picture - we had a beautiful Saturday here in Florida.  :-)

I am very pleased with how this turned out.  I used a super lightweight fusible interfacing for the button bands and collar, and it gives just enough crispness to the collar for it to stand up.


The fabrics are both from Sawyer Brook - Blueberry Plaid and Maddie.

Mixed Prints Tee

This top was inspired by one I saw at Anthropologie that was black and white stripe mixed with a geometric print.  I found these two color coordinating prints at Sawyer Brook and decided to give it a go.  The challenge was that the stripe is a lightweight sweater knit and the print is a cotton gauze.  The gauze had just enough stretch to be forgiving, and I cut those pieces a bit big to make sure they would fit. 

 I used my usual tee shirt pattern, OOP Butterick 3344 and cut it up to get these pieces.  Again, I just cut the yoke pieces about an inch wider than the pattern to make them roomy enough.  After I put the main pieces together, I wanted a little more of the floral fabric, so I added a vent hem with it.  I'm not totally sold on it.  It looks a little loincloth-y to me, so we'll see if I hack it off in a couple of weeks.

 I like how this is a bit different from your plain old tee shirt, but it's not too crazy.  :-)