SuperEggplant

My mother had been harassing me for quite some time about making her some pillowcases. I don’t know why she can’t just go to Macy’s like other people and buy some. Kidding. Anyway, I had forgotten what nice instant gratification one can get from sewing up pillowcases. Really, you only need a yard of fabric and a couple of minutes. One of the cases I made was from Chico Hayasaki’s collection from Kei Fabrics. The fabric is very light yet buttery soft. Peter was very jealous of the case, so I made him one.

I wrote these instructions eons ago, but they still work! I should know, as I had to refer to them to make the cases!
pillowcase instructions

Heyyyyyy, so I have been doing a bit of sewing. I’ve been trying to “style up” a bit lately, but I realized that I am incapable and unwilling to stray too far from my comfort zone, so I decided that maybe I should just stick with what I like (comfortable, practical stuff, preferably in stretchy and warm fabrics) and just do something slightly different with them. I found this heavy, organic French terry at Rose City Textiles and made up my own pattern. I basically just took a T-shirt pattern and added on. The fabric is quite heavy, so wearing this does sort of feel like wearing one of those X-ray vests they have at the dentist, but you know, I kind of love those X-ray vests, so I am happy with the tunic.

Before I made this one I made a sample out of some vintage polyester. I’m not quite sure how to identify it. It isn’t double-knit because it is on the thin side. Did they ever have something called single-knit? It is also NOT stretchy at all. Anyway, IT IS AWESOME, and I love it. It feels like I am wearing some sort of plastic shield. Peter cannot touch it because it grosses him out. I find it is an effective wind barrier. I’ll take a photo of it one of these days.

Happy Holidays!

Here’s a question for you–how are some women able to wear these gathered, loose-fitting, tunic-y tops and not look maternity? I am attracted to these gathered shirts, but I don’t think Clinton and Stacy would approve. Regardless, let’s focus on the positive, one of which is that this is Hello Kitty Liberty of London fabric, and it is lovely! I made this top from one yard of fabric! I used a pattern from a great Japanese mook called I Love Liberty Print (ISBN 978-4-408-63261-2). The pattern was even more billowy and maternity than it is here. I had to bring it way in! It is really comfortable and perfect for hot days. I just need to kind of hold in the sides so I don’t look pregnant.

I got drunk and put the placket in the wrong spot. Kidding. I MEANT TO DO THAT (does anyone recognize that line? It’s from one of my favorite films). Anyway, I had some nani iro knit sitting in a pile, so, yes, I made another t-shirt. And, yes, it is also in that rather unflattering dirt color. Apparently I have been attracted to this color as of late. Clearly I need a personal shopper.

Hey! I made yet another t-shirt! This time I added a fancy little placket. It actually is not very fancy, and I screwed it up, but I kind of have a thing for plackets, so I was willing to suffer a bit for it. The shirt is a double-layer cotton knit. The inner side is a super soft pointelle knit. It is super cozy, so I don’t really care that this color does nothing for my skin tone. Hey, I’ll just put on brightly colored lipstick, and nobody will even notice!

Hey, sailors! I finally managed to get to the sewing machine this weekend. I had been hoarding this double gauze for years and decided it was high time I used it for something. I had also been meaning to make the sailor collar top from Machiko Kayaki’s “simple but good looking” book (Kinokuniya has it available here). I frankensteined the pattern a bit, since the original pattern is for a top with a French sleeve (I think that’s what it’s called), and I wanted long sleeves. I struggled a bit with the neckline (the V part was a bit tricky for me), and it requires some contortionist moves to get off (I already got lipstick on it while taking it off), but overall I think I like it.

Oh, here’s a shot of the collar:
By the way, it is merely a coincidence, but my nail polish (Deborah Lippmann “mermaid’s dream”) matches the blue in the double gauze perfectly. I cannot tell you how much I love this nail polish. Well, I guess I just did.