Chelsie Daily Sewing and Style - Alterations, Sewing and More!

For the past week I have been doing quite a bit of sewing, this week off is a good opportunity to tackle all those projects that take time. I’ve been loving it. I finally finished the third Stieg Larrson book, in audio format, and I did not like it. It was much too long. So I personally would only recommend reading the first book, and I think this is more of a borrow from your local library book than a purchasing book. And this isn’t a light read, nor a book for everyone.

Lets really get into what I’ve been doing for the past week now. I got this dress from Sarah’s Salvation Army pile when she was getting ready to pack it up and move to Asia. A definite vintage dress, but on the small side (In that my arms barely made it, and the waist was so cinched I don’t think it would have held if I sat down – you know what I mean). So I took some black jersey (I got it as a remenant for maybe $1.50 or $2 at my local Fabricland), took apart the side seams, and sewed it in. I cut three inch wide pieces for each side, allowing for a seam allowance of about 5/8. The great thing about this dress being older is that the seam were not finished with a serger so I was able to work with the original form. Note – The empire waist fabric ribbon is a brown colour. Also, I don’t think the empire waist looks ideal on me.

The dress after alterations.

The empire waist sort of sags in the back.

Of course I didn’t want to take in the dress again, and from the side, I just didn’t like how the dress hung on me. So I decided to add a belt. I had been wanting to make an obi style belt for a while, so this was the perfect opportunity. I have seen them online and people make them so they are reversible, but I just couldn’t figure out how. Instead I decided to make mine one-sided, but use different fabrics for the in and outside.

A look at the finished belt. The other side is black, and the bands are purple on one side, black on the other.

You may recognize the purple material as a remnant from the purple dress I made, and the black fabric is the same as that used on the dress. The belt is about 50 inches, with metal boning every 8 inches.

Boning - 6 pieces at $0.35 each.

The result is:

Ta da!

And the side view.

I think this ties it together a bit better (forgive the pun, it was unintentional). What do you think? Do you prefer the dress without the belt?

And a closer look at the fabric. It seems to be a bit Asian inspired, and it seemed to photograph well.

The fabric. Definite polyester.

I know what you are thinking, ‘Seriously Chelsie, could you have done something with your hair?’ To you I say, ‘I wash my hair.’ Also, I am wearing the glasses today because as I was curling myself in the duvets this morning, the corner of one of the duvets I was flinging towards me got me right in the eye. It doesn’t feel weird anymore though, so I think that’s good.

So that is what I made, but not really what I’m wearing today. I’m really wearing this:

Actual Daily Style.

• Shirt – Winners
• Yoga Pants – Winners
• Shredded Jersey Scarf – self made

And on that note, I have included Katie’s requested close up of my first shredded jersey scarf, though I prefer this one.

My first shredded jersey scarf.

And I'm making ribs. (Apologies to the 2 Interrobang Vegetarians)

The recipe.

I notice I also seem to be doing a lot of cooking during my time off. And my new favorite cleaning product, Mrs. Meyers Clean Day Lavender All Purpose Cleaner. Natural ingredients and biodegradable, I love it! And it smells great!

Usually blogging plagues me with writers block, but not today!

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