Have you heard about Kate's Pleat series yet? Fun stuff is in store, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to the pleat fabulousness. I was super excited to get asked to play along. Ya'll know I love me a good pleat. And a new top for Sadie. It's like an addiction. Both of those things. Together, they're unbeatable. Or unstoppable. Like a runaway freight … [Read more...]
pink posy dress
August 9, 2011 By 22 Comments
So Sadie has seen this dress hanging up on my craft room wall for awhile. It was supposed to be for Charlotte, and I was being lazy on the taking-pictures-part of blogging. So I (finally) go to try the dress on C, and it's HUGE on her. Both Sadie and I bust out laughing, as does Charlotte, and then Sadie says,"Is that for me now Mommy?" Sure thing, … [Read more...]
Simplicity 2599
August 1, 2011 By 23 Comments
It's me, here with yet another top. :D This time I made Simplicity 2599, view B with view D ruffles. Honestly, the fit was a little weird. I had to take in the sides a lot and the dart didn't really hit the girls in the right place. The neck gapes a little bit too, and for the life of me, I couldn't get the facing to lay flat! I think I might have … [Read more...]
Simplicity 3835
July 29, 2011 By 20 Comments
I want to shout it from the rooftops! (if I could climb on my roof....) I love, love, love this top and pattern! It's Simplicity 3835, view C, size 12. I made it with some swiss dot fabric I got at Joann's on sale a little while ago (for like $3 a yard, sweet). I added a little tie to "belt" it a little, which I love! I didn't add any elastic … [Read more...]
Simplicity 2593
July 28, 2011 By 21 Comments
(wow I do a good bucktooth impression) I got a slew of Simplicity patterns at the latest Joann sale ($2 each!), so I've been working my way through them. So expect some more tops and pattern reviews. This is Simplicity 2593, view D. The fabric is Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile Four Square Sea. Her voile is a dream to work with, albeit a … [Read more...]
pink peasanty top
July 27, 2011 By 22 Comments
Ooh lala...I whipped out the awesome faces for you guys this time. All joking aside, don't be jealous of my posing skillz. I made this peasanty top the other week-I even drafted my own pattern for it! And it fit! Miracle of miracles. I got the cotton lawn on Fabric.com a loong while back. Grimace. Just keepin' it real. I am no model guys, … [Read more...]
the flora and fauna shirt-tutorial
July 25, 2011 By 29 Comments
I'm so excited to be participating in Anna (from Noodlehead) and Shannon (from Luvinthemommyhood)'s Sewing with Knits series! Both Anna and Shannon are fabulous and talented gals, not to mention so sweet. :) It took me forever to settle on a knit project to do-I had just come off of an obsession of my own with knits, so I was kind of out of knit … [Read more...]
Summertime refashion guest post
July 13, 2011 By 45 Comments
Today I'm guest posting over at On the Laundry Line, for Laura's Summertime, and the Living is Thrifty blog series, with this adorable refashioned top. (which cost a total of $2.75 thankyaverymuch) Hi! I'm Jess from Craftiness is not Optional, and I'm a cheapskate. I also love to sew. (that's also kind of an understatement) I also absolutely … [Read more...]
this outfit cost me $5.
July 6, 2011 By 22 Comments
Yep, a whopping 5 smakeroos went into this outfit. (minus the shoes, which you can't see anyways cause I sunk into the grass so much) Normally I wouldn't show you my outfits (I'm no "style blogger" though wish I could be worthy of such...really I only "dress up" on Sundays for church...have I used enough "air quotes" in this parantheses?) but … [Read more...]
ruffley peasant top collar tutorial (and some winners)
June 21, 2011 By 17 Comments
Peasant tops are so fun to play around with-so versatile, and easy to sew up. They are great to try if you're just starting out sewing. I came up with this fun ruffled collar and wanted to share. Man, I sound like a robot. Anyone else have problems talking about the stuff they sew? ;) blah blah blah.Click below for the tutorial! You'll need: a … [Read more...]