All posts by Peneloping

Because sewing is foxy

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I’m super excited to welcome my first ever sponsor, Grey’s Fabrics and Notions! Grey’s was the first fabric store I scoped out when I first moved to Boston and it’s hands down my favorite. You may have seen them featured over at the Coletterie last month.

Five reasons why Grey’s is awesome:

1. The lovely wall of indie patterns that makes me go weak at the knees. No seriously, try leaving with just one. I dare you.

greys_patterns

Looking for either of these brand new beauties? Hint: Grey’s already has them in stock!

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2. The Crafty Foxes Sewing club! If you’re a Boston local or just in town visiting, stop by Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm. Bring a project, snacks, wine, whatever you like!

3. The fabric. Guys. It’s like walking into a sewing wonderland. Here are some of my favorites:

foxfabric trianglefabricpeachfabric bluefabric

My problem with most fabric stores around here is that they either only have cheapy generic discount fabrics (I’m lookin’ at you Jo-ann’s) or they only stock cheesy quilting cotton. Sarah stocks the loveliest collection of not only cotton but also knits, wool, voile, chiffon, etc., in all kinds of gorgeous prints and colors.

Also the really cute notions and other sewing accessories.

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4. If you can’t make it out to Boston, never fear! Grey’s has an online shop where you can shop to your heart’s content.

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5. I’m pretty sure Sarah knows everything about sewing. Every time I go in utterly confused or with any little question, she (or the other lovely people that work there) manage to make my mountain-sized problem into a tiny buzzing fly of an issue. They also offer classes, so if you’ve been wanting to try one of those gorgeous indie patterns but wanted your hand held while you dive in, check out their class calendar!

You can visit the physical shop at 450 Harrison Avenue #63, Boston, MA 02118.

Or on the interwebs: website // etsy shop // blog // facebook

Stay foxy, guys.

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A not-so-sterling Archer

Archer + Virginia leggings

Archer + Virginia leggings

Archer + Virginia leggings

Archer + Virginia leggings

Archer + Virginia leggings
shirt: self-made, pattern here // leggings: self-made, pattern here // boots: Boutique 9 // glasses: BonLook

You guys!! I made a shirt!! A real fancy button-up shirt!!

Ok, not that fancy, but still!! I wasn’t totally convinced this was going to work out, but thank god for Jen and her amazing sew along with amazingly detailed instructions! Ok, enough with the !’s. I highly recommend reading through the sew along, if not following through as you sew this, especially if this is your first complicated/tailored/lots-of-tiny-pieces pattern. I made this one in two days, and basically pored over each step six times before actually diving in. It was like Jen was there holding my hand and handing me a nice cup of tea and reassuring patpats every time I got stuck. It’s definitely not my best work but my topstitching has officially moved from “Horrendous” to “Probably Don’t Need to Redo.” Yayy!

Anyway, since this was my first attempt, I bought some cheap shitty (kind of plasticky, really) lineny/chambray-y looking fabric (It’s not, seriously, it’s like plastic.) just in case I totally effed it up, which I somehow managed not to! As a result, it’s sort of stiff and not nearly as drapey as I’d like it to be but I think it’s something I’ll still wear. I may have three or four more fabrics set aside for more Archers. Hee.

As a bonus, I also finally took photos of my second pair of Virginia leggings. See what I mean about them being sort of heinous? I really don’t know what I was thinking with that fabric, but at least I didn’t end up with a giant patch of flowers at the crotch. That would’ve been awkward. I definitely need to find a cuter (smaller) floral knit fabric to make moar leggings.

Anyway, I’m pretty sure this is going to be one of my favorite outfits for fall.

Archer

 

*PS Please tell me someone gets my post title? I’m ridiculously pleased with myself right now. Hee.

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Deadly nightshade

Belladone

Belladone

Belladone

Belladone

Belladone

Belladone
dress: self-made // shoes: Seychelles // headband: J.Crew

Today I went outfit-photographing with the lovely ladies of Katy & Laney and it was a hysterically good time. I climbed in a giant metal wheel in heels, but I’ll save that for the next post. I usually end up ninja-ing my way up to the roof and hoping no one will notice my over-dressed, over-made-up self making faces at a tripod and frantically pulling my dress down when it gets gusty, so it was nice having someone (or a bunch of also super dressed up someones!) behind the camera. Thanks guys!

(It was also pretty hilarious having people to interact with during the photo-taking, especially when it resulted in gems like this.)
Belladone
I don’t remember what was happening, except that Katy said something funny and I almost fell.

This dress was actually my first Belladone, which I made months and months ago. It was snowing and I remember walking home from the fabric shop clutching it excitedly but also kind of questioning my choice of a cut-out dress in the middle of winter.

Hint: Belladone is always a good choice. Always.

So yeah, I love this pattern to bits. It required literally zero adjustment, other than the little changes I make with nearly all patterns I use* (lower the neckline, shorten the hem, usually I add an inch or so to the torso but I can’t remember if I did that here.)

I can never decide if I love this dress, hate it, or am just amazed that it fits like a glove without any major adjustments to the pattern. For some ridiculous reason I decided to buy this awful gabardine (probably because it was like $2/yd) and then decided it would be a good idea to use it for this dress. I love the color, but the fabric itself is just utter crap. It’s too stiff, doesn’t press properly, and unravels like there’s no tomorrow. I made a second one out of a floral cotton that I like better, but it’s really a summery dress and I need to make another darker solid one to wear in the cooler months. The pockets are cute though! I lined them with some pink and white floral cotton I had lying around.

But yay! I <3 Deer and Doe.

*Let’s be honest, it’s a slight slutification. Which we found quite hilarious when we realized what we were taking photos in front of. Hee hee

school

 

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Meet Virginia

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top: Banana Republic (old) // sweater: J.Crew men’s (thrifted) // leggings: self-made, pattern here // boots: Minnetonka

You guys, I’m so bad at keeping secrets and so excited to finally be able to post this! A few months ago I got a super exciting email asking if I’d like to test Megan’s Virginia leggings pattern, just released last week. I said yes of course, because if Megan Nielsen asked me if I wanted to test a potato sack pattern I would probably do it.

I made three pairs of leggings so far but I’ve only photographed my first pair. I used a stretchy sort of thermal-ish fabric for these just because I absolutely adored the bright bold print. The fabric probably isn’t totally right for the pattern since it doesn’t feel as snug and structured as I would want leggings to feel, but it works. I was so in love with them that I even started knitting this sweater specifically to wear over them and my brown leather boots.

For my second pair, I knew I wanted to make some athletic leggings that I could run in. I scoured eBay and found this moisture-wicking fabric and bought some to try it out. Those turned out great too! My third pair is made from a floral knit that I haven’t photographed because I cannot for the life of me find anything in my wardrobe that remotely looks good with it. Epic fail on the fabric choice.

Anyway, I highly recommend this pattern! It was actually a bit ridiculous how easy these came together, even as someone with very limited experience in sewing with stretch fabrics. It’s literally two pieces. Plus the pattern’s only available in PDF which means no waiting on stupid shipping time!

Hmm I should make a solid pair just because of the whole “I need more solids in my wardrobe” issue but I keep thinking I need a pair of glittery ones. Or with sequins incorporated somehow. Or a cuter floral. Or polka dots! Whee!

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Bows and lace

Bow dress

Bow dress

Bow dress

Bow dress
dress: self-made (based on this Corey Lynn Calter dress) // shoes: Chelsea Crew

I finally finished one of my three copycats for the Copycat Challenge! I mentioned most of the how-to stuff earlier in this post.

Technically it’s not 100% done. I’m still on the lookout for four smallish flat bronzey buttons for right under the bow, between the dangly bits. So far no luck.

Three weeks left in the Copycat Challenge guys! It’s been really awesome seeing what everyone’s made and I have a whole slew of projects to add to my own to-do list. Keep them coming!

*Excuse the rumply-ness. I’m between irons and have been roughing it with a hair straightener. Yeahh..

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