Shades of Me: Pink

I am excited to be a part of the Shades of Me sewing series hosted by the two wonderful, and amazing, women Celina of Petit a Petit & Family and Hayley of Welcome to the Mouse House. In this series we are challenged to sew for ourselves in a given shade. Today I am sharing my shade: PINK!

Pink wouldn't generally be a color I would first gravitate to, so this was a challenge for sure! However, I found this linen fabric with a large, mostly monochromatic, floral print. This set the stage for my color palette with colors from a light rose, to fuscia, to berry wine, and ,of course, gold. Okay, I know gold isn't pink at all but a girl has got to have a little bling, right?

This dress started with a Lisette pattern. I picked it because according to the measurements it would fit nearly perfectly without alterations...hahaha, HA! Oh, that was a hopeless endeavor! Let me tell you now that it was no small task to achieve breast/abdomen separation... "Say no to the uniBLOB".

 I also altered the pattern to add side pleats, make the skirt more full, adjust the sleeves, and add a full lining. It was suicide I tell ya! But I do love the end result because it is uber comfortable.

I then sewed up a Scarf Neck Cardigan from Swoon Sewing Patterns. Though this pattern really is perfectly awesome the way it is, I decided to change it up a little. I changed the bottom hem slightly, added a cuff the sleeve, and a lace panel on the back.

Check the lace, mmm hmm! Such a fun girly detail :)

Oh, and I also made the earrings to match. Ya, I am not going pink without going ALL THE WAY!

On that note, I simply couldn't resist making another Coraline Clutch. I love this pattern (also from Swoon Sewing Patterns). Again I made it in the large size. What can I say, I like big bags and I cannot lie. Bags...I said BAGS, sorry Sir Mix-a-Lot.

The blue nail polish is totally unfitting, I know. But my daughter runs a beauty salon sometimes and simply insists that I must come to get my nails painted. Who can argue with an adorable four year old?

Thank you Celina and Hayley for letting join in on this AWESOME series. I have had so much fun checking out all the neat ways the color series is being interpreted.  You all must go look at all the fabulous and inspirational looks being made. And, while you're at it, here's a chance to enter the GINOURMOUS giveaway if you haven't already ;)

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Scarf Neck Cardigan

I did it (nervous smile)! I set aside my fear of being in front of the lens and stepped in front of the camera. I guess its kinda hard to participate in Selfish Sewing Week without doing so ;)  And it is all thanks to this fabulous new pattern by Paco Bean: the Scarf Neck Cardigan.

I still have a hard time believing that this is the first clothing pattern by Paco Bean. It is PERFECT! I love every detail from the scarf neck, to the princess seams, to the relaxed fit. I don't think I could improve it if I tried...those who know me know I like to modify and personalize the patterns I sew.

I used this yummy white hemp blend slub knit. It is so soft that it is almost buttery! *Love* <3

I think I need to work on my modeling a bit though! Hehe 0_o

I am not quite sure what that look is on my face but I like how this picture shows the profile of the cardigan. It has a fun asymmetrical bottom hem...which I chose to leave unhemmed. Since it is made with knit it doesn't need to be hemmed; and I really like the rolled edges of unhemmed garments.

I did, however, hem the arms. For more of a cuffed look I folded the bottom of the arm up 1.5" then stitched with a twin needle. Maybe I have short arms, IDK, but it turned out just as I was hoping.

My first attempt at this cardigan was this gray one. I made it a little too big, but I love this knit too much to scrap it. It is hard to see but this is made from a tissue weight jersey blend with a beautiful flower texture. It makes a perfect layering garment!

Aahhh, here I am soaking up the beautiful Autumn sun here in southern Oregon.

For this cardigan I cut the sleeves at the half sleeve mark then added a cuff. The sleeves are pushed up a little here, but adding the cuff makes a perfect 3/4 sleeve length.

I have much enjoyed seeing everyone's Selfish Sewing this week. And I am happy to have made something for myself for a change. I generally only sew for others, but making something for myself was quite rewarding. Thank you for giving me the push I needed to step in front of the camera Rachael, from Imagine Gnats, and Jill, from Made with Moxie! I will try not to be so shy in the future ;)