Blog feature: "Big or not to big"

Just wanted to spotlight a wonderful plus size fashion blog I found.

http://big-or-not-to-big.over-blog.com

If you don't speak French your browser should be able to translate the blog like mine did.

I love Audrey's simple, cute/romantic style.

Her clothes define her waist, and flatter her entire body and she is so pretty -- In love with that hair color, she really pulls it off.

I think the lines in her photos are beautiful, and she knows what looks good on her. All her clothes seem to fit her well--there is no gaping or pulling nor over exposed body parts. All her hems seem to come to the right length on her, and even the backgrounds on her photos are beautiful!

I really really recommend spending a little time going through her blog. I went through the whole thing and am so inspired. :)

http://big-or-not-to-big.over-blog.com

NeckTie Skirt!

Made from my Grandpa's old ties :)

Altered Thrift Store Dress

I found this dress at the Salvation Army a couple weeks ago for about $4. I fell in love with the colors but was not so happy about the waistline, the elastic cuffs on the sleeves, and the high neckline. it was very unflattering.

So I brought the waist up to empire length (straight below my bust... tends to be a very flattering style on plus size women), shortened the sleeves, and changed the style of the bust to a plunge v-neck. Using a ribbon constructed from the material of the dress, I wrapped around the new waistline and created a buttonhole in the lower center of the bust. Then I threaded both ends through and around and tied them. Hard to explain but its a technique I start using a while ago that seems to draw the eye upward and away from my stomach.

I also love the diagonal lines of the dress and how the lines are interrupted by the flow of the fabric.

The only thing I dislike about the dress is that the fabric is completely synthetic and not very breathable... But the color and pattern are so fun that I forget that I'm just a little overheated! :D

Here is the unfortunate before--see, entirely unflattering. There needs to be more going on up top to break up the expanse of the lighter pink.

Much better, although a strange picture of me. I think The Manflesh was getting tired of taking pictures of me.

I got an amazing dress from the thrift store for $4, and it took me only about 25 minutes to do the alterations. Moral of the story: thrift stores rock! :)

Dress From Scratch, No Pattern

Here is a summer dress I made from scratch. I used a very lightweight yellow gingham fabric.

The bust and back of bust are shirred and the bust is ruched a bit for definition. The edges of the bust are bound with yellow lace trim into a sweetheart neckline. The sleeves are trimmed in yellow lace as well and the hem falls about 2-3 inches above my knee. The skirt has a bit of flounce to it because I find that in plus size sewing, it is useful to have a bit of extra fabric in the front so that my stomach will not protrude. Especially with woven fabrics--I am not the kind of person who likes to wear skin tight clothes.

Instead, I defined my waist below my chest and made the bust area interesting to draw the eye upward so there is less attention on my generously proportioned lower body ;p

Furthermore, I just wanted to note that covering the entire body on plus sized women (longer cuts on dresses and long sleeves) is one of the worst things to do because it make us look even larger. I am not one big block of fat, I have curves. Some of them thicker and larger than others, but I am not square or circular, I am  dynamic. You all are too. And you all are beautiful. Plus sized or not.

Rant over.

This is possibly the most comfortable dress for hot weather ever. The dip at the hem in the middle is that extra drape of fabric I was talking about. It really helps the flow of the dress, but it looks odd in photos. also, the way I'm standing makings the sleeves look like they're different lengths, but I promise they're not :)

I tend to wear knit shorts underneath though, because my area has a tendency to get windy a lot!

Also, this looked super cute with white sandals (not flipflops) and a white purse.

:)

New Fabric :D

So excited. Placed my first order over at FabricMart!

I bought only from the clearance section because I am ... financially challenged... but I need fabric because I am still learning and need something to practice with. These are the perfect prices for me!

This gorgeous Royal Blue Dazzle Knit is the first thing that caught my eye. I bought 3 yards at $1.99/yd.

Also, my favorite, was this hot pink and black plaid garbadine rayon... I couldn't buy enough of this lol. pink and black are two of my favorite colors. I could not buy enough of this fabric.... I got 10 yds lol but 10 yds was their limit. I know, its a lot of fabric, and thank goodness its 60" wide! I hate finding a fabric I love that's only like 45" wide. 60" is so much better. Don't look at me like that, it was only $1 a yard!

Shipping was $8. So my total (with a small discount code I had (19%) turned out to be $22 something
so if you divide 22 by 13 (total yardage) I effectively paid $1.69/yd which is seriously good...

And both the fabrics I got were fabrics I have never seen around my area... but all I have to choose from is a tiny overpriced Jo-Ann Fabrics and a shoddy Hobby Lobby.

This area does not cater to seamstresses.

Going to have to make a short road trip one of these days to a Hancock or something else. I've found pretty good cheap fabric at Hancock before. Just wish we had one in my town :/

Sewing Bucket List

everyone should have one ;p

1. a pair of jeans with back pockets (with pocket flaps!), belt loops, a zipper and button fly, and front pockets. fo' sho'.
2. a motorcycle style jacket 
3. a fully functioning underbust waist cinching corset with real boning or steel bonings and lacing
4. a legit, accurate renaissance faire costume
5. a bra with cups and underwire
6. a swimsuit
7. a raincoat
8. a trenchcoat
9. a black dress with a gold separating zipper running all the way down and gathering all along the zipper (my mom has this dress, only in a teeny tiny size--i want to make one that's adapted to my figure)

thats all i can think of for now.

Sewing Quick Tip #1

Say you find a beautiful sheer fabric in the remnant bin, but you don't know how to do lining? Or you don't want to wear a slip or a tank underneath?

Problem easily solved by ironing fusible interfacing to each pattern piece. Make sure to match the grain of your interfacing with the grain of your fabric. Always press on the the interfacing with your iron instead of ironing--the difference is whether you move the iron or not. Moving the iron about the interfacing will cause it to stretch and it might pull, pucker, or wrinkle, so alway press both sides of the fabric (press the interfacing on interfacing side up first. Then when its tacked down, turn the fabric piece over and press that, then feel free to iron it.

Pellon is a favorite brand of mine, but any should work. Depending on the weight of your fabric and the garment you're making, you'll need to decide the weight of interfacing you need. Light-weight will work well for garments that rely heavily on draping like waterfall sweaters and flowy skirts. Medium-weight would be better for A-line skirts and simple, straightforward shirts, and will also give your garment more structure. Heavy-weight interfacing might be overkill; I really can't see a situation involving sheer fabric in which you would need heavy-weight interfacing to make the fabric more opaque... Light or medium-weight should really do the trick.

Happy sewing!

xoxo
Liz

Patterns

After sewing for over half my life, I have only recently attempted a pattern. My first pattern is V7910 (Vogue). I used a lightweight linen that's white with large blue and purple flowers.

After some issues with the pockets (I'm a noob when it comes to pockets), I faired pretty well. I still have yet to put in the zipper and waistband, and also finish the hem, but I've serged all the inside edges (except the zipper seam obviously).

It was confusing but I think I just need more experience working from patterns. Thank goodness I had help from my teacher.

So now that I'm almost done, I've ordered two patterns off of ebay: Butterick 5753 and McCalls 6210.

I should be done with the skirt by the time I receive the patterns. Since its summer and I desperately need summer tops, I am going to make the B5753 first. But I am in LOVE with waterfall (drapey) cardigans, so I might make one out of a jersey knit or some nice light sheer fabric if the Butterick goes well. The M6210 doesn't look terribly hard.

Aside from that, my current projects include:

• Hot pink zebra purse from a garage sale jacket with a chain link strap
• White ruched panne crushed velvet short sleeved top with a front separating zipper
• Shiny gold and brown leopard print clutch purse
• A smocked top dress with hidden pockets and fluttery sleeves
• Painting my phone case gold
• Making panties as a way to eat up my fabric stash
• Downsizing my fabric stash for my move

I'd also like to take the time to recommend the following bloggers:

Musings of a Seamstress : http://smclevenger.blogspot.com

and 

A Sewn Wardrobe : http://asewnwardrobe.blogspot.com/

Huge Purse from Pleather Pants

I have wanted a biiiiig slouchy pleather bag forever. pleather doesn't last as long, true, but I didn't want it to get ruined if it suddenly started raining with no warning, and it seems to do that a lot where I live. 

made this GINORMOUS bag out of a pair of size 6 pleather pants that I got from goodwill for $6. the bottom is a rectangle made of two layers of pleather and a layer of heavy interfacing inbetween, the lining is bright red, and it has a double pull black zipper. the strap is long enough to be worn cross-body for when my shoulder hurts, but is not so long that it hangs to low if I just have it on one shoulder. since they were only size 6, i had to add in a large panel in the back so the back pockets of the pants ended up on the back side but that works fine for me. All the pockets are still functional, as is the zipper from the fly   but not the button. you know how that front pocket on the right side always has that little pocket inside? well that's perfect for my chapstick.

it has 60 pyramid studs on the outside but i am planning to add more. I bought the last two packs that hobby lobby had (only 30 per pack...wtf) and i usually just buy studded belts but there are currently none in the thrift stores and the cheapest one around here is a walmart belt for $8... i might wait for hobby lobby to get more. i'll see. for now, this gets the point across.

I didn't use a pattern--didn't really need one. just sort of winged it. based the size loosely on a messenger bag i have.

Gray Ruffled Waist Belt from a pair of trousers

. I took apart the waistband of a pair of gray trousers, like the type business people wear. I had them lying around. They were a size 22 from the Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker line and since I lost weight I have been meaning to take them in but haven't gotten around to it in almost a year. And taking in a pair of size 22 pants to a size 16 is not the easiest feat in the world, because of oversize pockets, pleating, and ridiculously high rises. Anyway, I fit the waistband to my midriff, just under my bust, and then cut long strips from one of the pant legs and sewed them in tight ruffles along the length of the belt. it currently closes with the pants original hidden hook closure. I added a fake flower for focal point. If you're interested, the belt took me about 25 minutes and I used what I had on hand.

Hello!

As an introduction,
I am Liz. I own Zardypants Design and I am a seamstress.
I have been altering and creating clothes for roughly 12 years now.

This blog will contain stories and pictures of my own handmade items and outfits, as well as tutorials and links to awesome related sites and projects.

:)

Enjoy!