I ♥ Gingham

Mr. Social and I recently travelled to Portugal and I gotta say, Portugal is totally amazeballs! I loved absolutely everything about it! The people, the scenery, everything! It may just be my new favourite place in the world.

Seriously, how great is this view?

While there, I wore a few me-made garments and *gasp* I actually got some pics of them! (We all know how bad I am at that)

On our first day in Portugal, the weather was perfect, and much warmer than the fall chill we had left behind in Toronto, so it was the perfect opportunity to wear my gingham top.


Mr. Social and I...and my gingham top

I have a couple confessions to make.

I actually made this top (McCall's M5664) last year, but it originally had sleeves and I hated them! So, it sat in the closet unloved and lonely for a year until I decided to rip them off and make it sleeveless.

Also? I love gingham! I have tons of it in my stash. And no real plans for most of it. But I often pull it out and pet it :)

Vasco Da Gama approves of this top

This top is perfect for summer weather. It's light and airy, and one of the few times I think that quilting cotton was a good choice (I've had some hits and misses with quilting cotton for dresses, more on that later). And, about quilting cotton, am I the only one who can't resist it? The prints are so darn cute!

Anyway, this top has had it's last hurrah for the season, and is nestled in the closet for the winter.

Fashion on the Ration Stats!!

Coupons Used: 30 - Coupons Remaining: 36

Projects Completed:
Red Gingham Shirt - 0 coupons
Old Timey Tractor Dress - to be posted soon - 0 coupons
Molly Weasley Dress - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - fabric used from purchase listed below
Leopard Print Top - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - 0 coupons

Items Purchased:
Black and Grey Striped Sweater - 5 Coupons
6.5 metres of cotton fabric - 13 Coupons
Brown Boots - 7 Coupons
Sweater with funky spiky collar - 5 Coupons

Awesome Score:
Brand new Docs given to me by a friend - 0 Coupons

Embarking on yet another adventure/challenge

I can't count how many times I've been browsing clothes in shops and caught myself thinking (or saying aloud) "I can make that". And usually after trying things on and finding them ill fitting or of poor quality, that statement is followed by "I can do a better job too". Occasionally, I do just that. I go home, pull out some fabric, and voila! A few hours/days and lots of scotch and swearing later I have a new garment. Sometimes even a whole outfit. So, this got me thinking, I'm already doing a Fashion on the Ration challenge, why not step it up and go on a RTW fast as well?

I will be joining Linda of Goodbye Valentino and many others in swearing off buying RTW clothing in favour of making our own. We wll be refraining from buying all outerwear, dresses, tops, pants, shorts, sweaters, coats, exercise clothes, jeans, and well, you get the idea. If you' like to join us, click here for info :)

Fashion on the Ration: What to make?

So, while I still haven't had an opportunity to get pics of the dress and top I've made (bad Andi!), I did get all antsy and hit up a fabric sale. I know I've been trying to stick to stash only, but 50%-75% off was too tempting to resist.

So, what did I get you ask? Well, I exercised some self control and only picked up two pieces of fabric.

The first was a total impulse buy. I have no immediate plans for it, but do have an idea of what I'd like to make with it (probably a blouse of some sort). I got it for $3/m!!!! (Originally $10/m)

It would be super cute with some sort of red accent...

And the second is this cotton fabric, which I couldn't decide if it was granny or cute. It certainly was an excellent deal though. $3/m, originally $17/m!

I want to make a dress out of this, but am unsure of which dress to make. I have a couple patterns on hand that this might work for:

What do you think? McCalls M6554 or M6600? Or do you have an alternate suggestion?

While this gets figured out, I'll keep working on a dress that I've already started (teaser to be posted tomorrow)

Fashion on the Ration Stats!!

Coupons Used: 18 - Coupons Remaining: 48

Projects Completed:
Old Timey Tractor Dress - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - 0 coupons
Red Gingham Shirt - to be posted as soon as I get some pics - 0 coupons

Items Purchased:
Black and Grey Striped Sweater - 5 Coupons
6.5 metres of cotton fabric - 13 Coupons

Awesome Score:
Brand new Docs given to me by a friend - 0 Coupons