Day 12 - Blue and White Striped Mini!

(how I wore it today - it was a cold and dreary day in NYC!)

What I made:

This blue and white striped cotton mini skirt...although it started out as something very different - a shirtdress! Basically it was a complete and total unsalvageable disaster, so I decided to just chop the bottom off, cut up some excess to make a waistband, and use the buttons I already had to close up the side.

Fabric from Fabric.com

When I made it:

June 2010. At first I was very, very sad that my shirtdress plan wasn't working out, but in the end, I actually kind of dig this skirt!

What I like about it:

The button closure - although this was a complete fluke and the only reason I did it was because I didn't have a blue zipper lying around.

The fabric - this picture doesn't show the color very well, but the blue and white stripes are really cute!

Day 11 - Handcrafted Roses T-shirt!

(I have just realized that literally the last four outfits I have worn have consisted of only grey and black - yikes! A reflection on my under-the-weatherness of late? I'm going to get some color in my life starting tomorrow!)

What I made:

This is my first "repurposed" garment of September so far. This was just a plain, crewneck t-shirt, which I converted to a V-neck and then added some satin fabric flowers to the neckline for embellishment.

When I made it:

Sometime last fall - and I actually wear it quite often!

What I like about it:

Last fall I went through this fabric flower phase where I was making flowers out of every spare scrap of fabric I could find, and I think these are some of the only surviving ones! I like this T-shirt because it was a quick project - it looks completely different from the shirt it started out as, but only took me a few hours to transform. Quickness is key sometimes when you're trying to make your own wardrobe!

A week ago today...

...I was having a fabulous day in New York City with friends, new and old,

and the man who will wear sunglasses with me at night.

Loved having you here, R & J!

Day 10 - Secretary Skirt! That's also my occupation!

(how I wore the skirt today - and I'm talking on the phone to my sis!)

What I made:

Burdastyle's oh-so-popular Jenny pencil skirt

Fabric from Fabric.com

When I made it:

Just last month! After two previously disastrous attempts at a black pencil skirt to wear to the office, I finally succeeded with this one. And I love it.

What I like about it:

The insanely high waist - It just feels so good!

The lining - Mostly just because I think a good job on it (sorry to brag!)

This one's a staple, folks, so you'll be seeing it many more times!

Day 9 - Fever Delirium!

Considering I didn't leave my bed today due to coughing, aching, fever, and the rest of the symptoms listed in the NyQuil commercials, I certainly didn't get dressed for Self-Stitched September! Here's what I did do, though:

(snot rags and friday night lights and pretty little liars, oh my!)

And despite the fact that I really don't like being sick (who does, really?), I'm still going to list this as something that I love, because when your husband walks in the room with a steaming bowl of soup and a glass of juice you didn't even have to ask for, you're reminded just how lucky you are. Also, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS! (thanks, jo)

Since I didn't get dressed in anything self-made today, I'm going to tack on an extra day at the end of the month just to make sure I participate my full 30 days' worth. That's right, we're going into October, y'all!

Day 8 - Snazzy Vest!

What I made:

This Simplicity vest, another Christmas gift from my mom last year

Fabric from the bargain table at Paron Fabrics on 40th St.

When I made it:

Sometime in Winter 2010. It's my first ever project that was lined!

What I like about it:

Surprise - basically everything! I like the doublebreastedness (real word?), the fit, the way it looks like coattails in the back, the collar, the fabric...see, everything! Not a lot of people seem to wear vests these days, but I think they're a great piece to have.

Day 7 - Shades of Grey Checkered Dress!

What I made:

Dress pattern, Simplicity 2648 (Christmas present last year - thanks, Mom!)

Fabric from my granny's stash

When I made it:

January 2010. Although it's always semi-depressing to make short-sleeved, cotton dresses in the dead of winter, I improvised by wearing long-sleeved things underneath, and tights, and cardigans!

What I like about it:

I think the cut of this dress is just fab. It is the first garment I ever made that had princess seams, and they sure do look pretty. Maybe not quite like royalty, but pretty nonetheless.