Woo hoo hoo! Shoe hoo hoo. EDITED TO ADD: Aw poo poo

EDITED: Ain't happenin'. These shoes really are sold out. What I loved about them was the mix of leather and the canvas touches, plus the look of leather wrapping around the sole. Even similar KORS shoes with the leather wrapping around the sole are sold out. Oh well. Wish I knew how to make shoes.

Happy-happy-happy dance. I may soon have the shoes from this Stylin' polyvore in my hot little hands and on my hot little feet:

I've been watching them since, what, March? They're now on big discount because the summer season is nearly ovah. But there's just enough time remaining for me to do my own New Dress A Day transformation and accessorize it with these sandals. A month ago, I picked up a size 6 looooooong beige skirt (same color as the fabric in the photo above) at Macy's for $11. It was so cheap I felt guilty buying it.

Now there's a few problems though. The skirt is dowdy as heck. And I'm not exactly a size 6 for the time being. For the time being. Because been there, done that, ain't opposed to doin' the size 6 again. Ha. But for $11, we can overcome.

Positive points are, it has a fantastic flare and swing. And if I hike the waist up over my bust, the skirt actually fits! It skims over my waist and down the back and the flare and swing swirl just above my knees, very flatteringly all around. Wow. This dowdy skirt can easily become a cute dress. I need to fashion some shoulder straps and the skirt will need to be worn over a T or blouse. And I also need to add triangle shaped wedges at the waist, in spots that will now be the underarm points, to give the clearance for a bust. It's a full bust adjustment, actually.

I will post this New Dress A Day refashioning soon. With the fabulous shoes!

But don't count on any more posts like that. It will likely be the Only New Dress A Day.

K-K-K-Kick It Up A 4" Notch

I saw these shoes, somewhere during blog surfing. I love these canvas wedge platform shoes. The shop's description tells you to "think LL Bean," but I'm not a fan of LL Bean. So I wish to "think" this:

Dress of Italian viscose knit fabric from Sawyerbrook

Vogue pattern

Bag from 6pm (really Zappos on deeper sale) with casual feel

Oh, this bracelet -- if money were no concern, I'd pile 5 of these Hermes babies on like very polished Ann D. But you could copy this look with heavy leather and some handbag fixtures.

Olive toenails to match the dress

This nice clean look is only a wish today though. Today, I'm doing heavy duty digging to move really good dirt to an area where I'm adding a raised bed. It's sweaty dirty work. But brings beautiful things!

Stylin' the Anna Sui Vogue 1177 Pattern

I have curtailed pattern acquisitions except for new releases that are truly different than patterns I already have. This pattern passes the test and will be acquired -- the Vogue 1177 Anna Sui dress. Which I would wear as a tunic with skinny pants.

From the looks of the photo, I would have completely bypassed this pattern. I do not like this print and the photo doesn't show the most interesting feature of the pattern -- the tuck, pleat and gathering details. Do you see them?

No?

Oh, here they are!

So I would sew this in a solid color. Likely black. Because I think all this detail could make black interesting. And because I'm only 5' tall, all these tucks and gathers in anything but a tougher-looking color could look childish on me. I want to toughen this up. Here's how I'd try it out:

Pattern:  Vogue 1177 Anna Sui Dress

Fabric:  Black Bamboo Voile from Vogue Fabrics -- If it's lightweight and summery, it may work with all the gathers and tucks. Do I order online or make the drive to Evanston? Because the voile is likely sheer, I'd make the cami too.

Pants:  Antik Denim Gray Cropped Skinny Pants at Bluefly

Booties:  Black Booties at Bluefly

Bangles:  Black Crystally Glittery Bangles at Bluefly and Tiger Resin Bangle at Bluefly all on one heavy, unbalanced, over-laden arm. Why not. The handbag will be on the other side.

Handbag: Black "Fringe" Bag at Bluefly -- I would never buy this despite the price but we're having fun here. Isn't that what Anna Sui clothes are all about. This looks like a style Luxirare might make and her blog has certainly influenced me to think a little tougher.

Stylin' Series: Summer Sandal Season

The first public sighting of sandals on my feet this year occurred last Thursday when it was over 70 in Chicago. Had to do a quick rub-down of the heels with a pumice stone and rapid fresh coat of paint on the nails -- the feet weren't quite ready for public display -- but that's never stopped me from wearing sandals.

I love for my feet to be free. I love these Michael Kors sandals, and here's what I would sew to wear with them:

Sources:
Michael Kors sandals at Nordstrom
Vogue 1088 Donna Karan dress pattern (The plainer fabric seems to need detail in this dress to make it interesting. But a question for you -- do you really think pockets like this will make people think hips are bigger? Am I way off base in thinking it's obvious any perceived size is due to the pockets? Isn't that better than thinking it's the hips?? This is why I don't understand Project Runway judges criticizing dresses with hip volume. Seems obvious to me that it's the dress, not the model. Or does this not hold true? What do you think? Just because I know what Michael Kors would say about this dress on Project Runway, I will insist on accessorizing it completely with his products.)
Tessuti Fabrics Edo Jam organic Japanese cotton
Michael Kors sunglasses at Nordstrom
Michael Kors shopper tote at Nordstrom (expensive, total dream time here, but the massive pocket on the dress requires a slim bag profile)
Michael Kors studded belt at Zappos

Stylin' for Transition Weather

Clearly my project ideas have a ridiculously long gestation period. Weeks ago I laid olive knit fabric on the basement floor for cutting, and posted about sewing it into Kwik Sew 3115. It still lies there, untouched except for my sewing assistants chasing each other over it. Life has been busy. So here I'm stuck in a hotel out of town, and decide to do some virtual sewing & shopping. If I could buy all new pieces to go with this olive knit sewn into Kwik Sew 3115, here's what I would wear:

Sources:
Leather vest from Bluefly
Pants from Bluefly
Belt from Bluefly
Bracelet from etsy seller houting688
Boots from 6pm
Handbag from Bluefly

A Stylin' Retreat from Winter

Many of us are surrounded by white snow. Got a workout tonight blasting through 8" with the snowblower down a long driveway, and when I thought I was done, there was already 1" gathered where I started. It was coming down fast. So now I present another form of white -- white summer clothes.

The previous post about the lust-worthy goods at Anita Pavani Fabrics got my mind whirring. What would I do with a  cutwork cotton fabric?

Well, I'd get this fringy cutwork cotton from Anita Pavani fabrics. Sew it with an underlining of plain white cotton voile or batiste.  I've purchased these from Gorgeous Fabrics in the past. I love the feel of two layers of light cottons in the summer.

Sew the fringy cutwork cotton into a simple tunic, like Vogue 8452 View A. I would have sewn a dress, but I'm not crazy about white dresses. White tunics are OK because they could be worn with a different color pant, skirt or short.

I'd wear it with:

-- white nappa leather sandals with some metal studs, at 6pm.com
-- this crazy bag. Is it ugly? Kind of. Kind of interesting though. My preferred tailored classics could make this white n' beige outfit really boring. This surely would wake it up.
-- sand color bell cropped pants. Even though Stacy and Clinton just eviscerated cropped pants on WNTW. Whatever. Not as bad as knee-length shorts.
-- earrings from Carla Caruso Jewelry.

Stylin' Series Tibetan & French Influence

When we were in Sikkim -- a land tucked between Nepal and Tibet -- last year, I saw many pieces like this Silver Prayer Wheel Pendant, available online from Garuda Trading. I love the antique carnelian beads at that site, but they are expensive and I'm not sure I should be taking such rare things from other lands anyway. So I would string this Silver Prayer Wheel Pendant with new carnelian beads from Fire Mountain Gems. And layer that necklace with the strung beads of the Mother of Pearl Mala from Garuda Trading.

And then sew a Chanel-style jacket to wear with the beads, where worlds and cultures can meet:

Light coral boucle from Fine Fabrics, sewn into Vogue 8369 Chanel-style jacket. Keep it simple with basic trim (maybe fringe) and no front closures.

Worn over a luxurious ruched silk habutai top from Bluefly. And basic brown trousers from Nordstrom.

Turquoise leather handbag from etsy seller morelle.

Frrrrrrrrrrrosty Coooooold, But Warm Stylin'

*****

* snowflakes * snowmen * snowdrifts * snowballs * snowfall *

* frosty winter * silvery icicley frosty *

*****

 little falling lights, long graceful pearl fringe earrings from etsy seller jennifermorrisbeads

***

 cool silver rayon jersey from EmmaOneSock, sewn into McCall's 5890 jacket, style B

***

black 14 oz rayon jersey from EmmaOneSock, sewn into McCall's 5890 dress, style D

***

cinch the silver jacket with a double-wrap silver belt from Bluefly

***

black boot with zipper design detail from Bluefly
***

***** snowflake *****

from Wikipedia:

*****

Stylin' Series Sews & Shops for Valentine's Day

It's not too early for Valentine's Day if you need to sew and order accessories.

If time & money were no concern, I'd dress like this for dinner:

las frambuesas mexican cocoa ruby dangle earrings from etsy seller jennifermorrisbeads. I featured her earrings previously here where a whole outfit was planned around the earrings, they inspired me so. Someday, I will bite and buy. The jewelry and descriptions are drool-worthy. It hurts to look at what's sold, knowing others own these beauties. Check her store out. It goes without saying, this outfit started with the earrings, then I shopped for fabric ...

... and found rayon jersey in deep red at Gorgeous Fabrics. Looks like Chianti, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon ... pick your favorite red ... romantic and yummmmmmmmmm!

Sew it into a drapey top with Jalie's Knit Scarf-Collar Top, with sleeves or sleeveless. So you don't need a necklace. Let those earrings shine. And the scarf will play up the vertical drop of the earrings.

Wear it with a black skirt or pants you already own.

Add an antique gold clutch from Nordstrom to hold lipstick so you're ready for Valentine kisses, and Elie Tahari old gold sandals from Zappos.

Stylin' Series Desperately Searches for Spring

Winter just recently arrived full force, but I'm over it already. I mean, the gardening catalogs are coming now. It's time to plan for spring. And, this sunny totebag. And what I'd sew to wear with it.

Tote from Hayden Harnett which I'd never heard of  before, but glad I tripped on this site through blog surfing today. Edited to add: Keep eye on the price. This tote goes on and off sale, at different sale prices.

Silk fabric from Fabric Mart for a tank top to wear under jacket. Bubblegum4Breakfast used this silk as lining in a coat. It's beautiful!

Tank pattern is BurdaStyle Sadie.

Fabric for jacket is Relish Tweed from Sawyerbrook.

Jacket pattern is BurdaStyle Jorinde Jacket.

Pants from Anthropologie.

Refashioned boots from etsy seller. They are old Candie's boots cut out to make them into gladiators. I absolutely hated the gladiator look until recently. I guess they make you look at something long enough, it eventually grows on you. What more obvious consumer trend to make us buy short-term impractical stuff during a recession than design something that looks like nothing that people already have in their closets, so trend slaves will spend money to buy this ugly trend. I'm not a trend slave, so I'd never really buy these. I'm just exercising my style eyes on a Saturday afternoon. And my eyes are bored by plain old boots and plain old shoes. But I think I could live with these boots because they already existed and they're refashioned, and they'd only peek out from under the pants. Alas, they're not my size, so if they are your size, they're yours.

I like the idea of bringing these casual pieces together, some with loud elements, with a Ralph Lauren-ish tweedy jacket to tone it all down a bit and bring some contrast. Indeed Sawyerbrook says the tweed fabric is from Ralph Lauren. And because I love silk, I will wear silk mixed in a casual outfit. What's the problem with that. It's not like I'm sweating while playing basketball in this outfit or something like that.

Quick, Pick Me Up!

So, no sew today. Tired. Recent workdays have been spent reading about neurobiology when my public health/injury prevention background is anything but that! Some of it has been a very fascinating trip, such as reading about the potential addictive qualities of texting, email, twittering, surfing sewing blogs, heh. It's been a lot of screen reading and my eyes are shot. I can barely focus to thread a needle. Unfortunately now I must sew lots and lots of ribbing lines for a project which entails threading twin needles! Oh forget it tonight.

My eyes need a break, a quick pick me up, something bold and easy to see. Such as this black and cream paisley floral knit from Gorgeous Fabrics, which I actually own and it's on the short list to sew. It's so soft and will make the most comfy long tunic. If you want it, run to Gorgeous Fabrics; it's on the Hot list in short supply now. Here's what I'd sew and wear with it:

• Pattern: New Look 6731, view D cut a little longer to be short dress length.
• Cream color coat from Nordstrom, which I'd never wear in real life, would get dirty too easily and it's pricey for something that would get damaged so obviously, so easily.
• Verrrrrrrrrrry interesting boots from Zappos, which I'd also never wear in real life because DIRTY STUFF SPLASHES in midwestern cities in the winter. And for the price of these boots, no splashes! Not even a pencil dot speck of a splash! Other than that, they feel very severe, but I'm strangely attracted to them because I want to pull the zipper and see what's under there.
• Black tights, from any ol' place, as long as the color is even and very opaque.
• Handbag from 6pm.com, because the boots and coat will get splashed and dirty, might as well have an expensive handbag that will get splashed so it will all match. There is method to this madness.
• Hat from 6pm.com, because mom always told me to wear a hat when it's cold out. You didn't think I'm completely impractical?
• Vintage bone and shell bangles, from etsy seller badbabyvintage.

Patagonia Fabric Style for Men

Sewing for the guy in your life:

Fabric:  Patagonia Purple Fleck Sweater Knit at Fashion Fabrics Club -- described as having burnt orange flecks in it (or Patagonia Polartec in purple), lined or accent bound edges with Burnt Orange Ripstop Fabric on bias, Patagonia fabric at Fashion Fabrics Club

With antique brass separating zipper. Maybe find brown zipper tape instead of black. But definitely antique brass teeth, not shiny. I figure the purple+orange is pushing the fashion envelope for most men. For a guy, don't want to be too matchy-matchy with a purple zipper.

Pattern:  Green Pepper Santiam Reversible Vest for men and for women (I sewed the men's version for a Christmas gift and will post review this weekend.)

Other pieces from Territory Ahead:
Long-sleeved T in Olive, again no matchy-matchy
Jeans
Timberland Boots

My husband loves Territory Ahead clothes. On sale, they're a great value. Excellent quality, they wash well, no shrinking, and last forever.

Sew Outfit To Match Earrings? Why Not.

Today, a fabric/pattern combo planned around these viva la falda vintage inspired Mexican 1940's earrings by Etsy seller JenniferMorrisBeads. Incredible. LOVE them! Don't these earrings look like bejeweled baubles on a Christmas tree?

But what to wear with the earrings? Well this is when we play with fabric & patterns and while you surely will come up with something entirely different (have fun, try it!), I got this:

Lime linen from Fashion Fabrics Club (EmmaOneSock had a lime wool knit which I was looking for, for a comfortable sweater, but it's gone now)

Chocolate brown stretch crepe from Gorgeous Fabrics

Sew the lime linen into a Marcy Tilton Vogue 8620 jacket

Sew pants with the brown stretch crepe. Try a Vogue Alice+Olivia, Hot Patterns, or a Burda pants pattern, all of which seem to get decent reviews on PatternReview.com.

Betsey Johnson gold sandals at 6pm.com (80% off!)

No handbag with this one. With those earrings and that jacket, I want to be fanciful and free. No baggage, literally or figuratively. Whatever I carry must fit in one jacket pocket without bulging. That means: two keys max, no keychain; credit card; drivers license; Burts Bees lip balm. That's it. Go to the movies. Go window-shopping and people-watching in a cool downtown area. Sit on a bench with a purple drink in a clear cup and hold it in front of the lime green jacket (but don't spill it). You don't need to carry much to do that.

I realize, this is another tropical temp outfit again. I must think December is for fantasizing about warm climate vacations or something. Um, yeah, why not?

Fine Fabrics Styled into Fabric/Pattern Inspiration

This herringbone from Fine Fabrics is not your usual herringbone. First of all, it's a knit. And the secondary color is a navy. You'd expect a brown, so I'm intrigued by the idea of navy running through this fabric.

I'd sew it into a lightweight vintage 70s style coat. The knit would be interesting to fashion into a coat, and would give some challenges to solving how to best line/underline/interface a knit. The coat would be comfortable with the stretch. Under the coat, I'd wear a navy outfit for the office with a few flashes of neutral colors in a silk scarf and a great bag. I've wanted for a long time a watch with strap that wraps and wraps around your wrist. Here I'd wear it over the navy sleeve.

I would love this coat in this fabric. I wouldn't want to take it off indoors!

Fabric: Wool herringbone knit from Fine Fabrics

Pattern: Vintage 1970's Simplicity wrap trench coat pattern – Simplicity 5190

Where to find other things:

Navy Theory pants at Nordstrom

Navy boots at Nordstrom

Tote at Bluefly

Earrings at Bluefly

Navy wrap top at Bluefly

Silk Gucci scarf at Bluefly

Burberry double strap watch. Found on Google images. Don't know where to buy. Don't need to even bother looking up where to buy.

Stylin' Fabric/Pattern Inspiration

Another outfit, inspired by the Tessuti fabric giveaway contest at BurdaStyle (heh heh heh, it's after contest deadline, don't want to add more competition, eh?). My entry is Tessuti Antique Teal fabric sewn up in the Fatina dress pattern:

If I don't win, I may just buy this fabric!! This fabric/pattern combo is getting really attached in my mind.

Sources of the stuff:

Fabric: Tessuti Antique Teal cotton fabric -- use border as hem

Pattern: BurdaStyle Fatina dress

Shoes at 6pm.com

Satchel at 6pm.com -- carry backwards, don't like the front for this outfit

Copper earrings from Etsy seller discomedusa

Raku cabochon from Etsy seller LisaPetersArt -- glue cabochon onto strip of caramel color leather and add snaps to make bracelet cuff, and toughen this combo up a little bit

I might also add a large contrasting silk square scarf tied and twisted on a satchel handle, flowing down and around. It can be thrown around your shoulders when A/C is cold in restaurant, store, movie theater -- wherever you wear this dress. But I can't find a scarf I like during this December shopping season because "scarves" categories of course bring up thick knitted winter scarves. What should I expect, wind chill was supposed to be -5F here today.

Speaking of the wind chill, I should be sewing a winter coat rather than surfing sandals ...

And if you're a size 10, grab those sandals, they're only $14!

Stylin' Fabric/Pattern Inspiration

Outfit obsession struck when I visited EmmaOneSock and saw this striped sweater fabric. Here's how I would sew and wear it:

Fabric: Italian virgin wool fall tones chunky sweater knit at EmmaOneSock

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3121 View C -- Kwik Sew envelope drawings usually look unappealing to me. Fuddy duddy. That's unfortunate, because they can sew up wonderfully into flattering clothes. Check out PatternReview.com for experiences of others. I love that they are simple patterns that when paired with a fabulous fabric, they let the fabric steal the show (as I think it should be), and they live up to their name, quick to sew.

Sources of the other pieces:

Tall boots from Anthropologie -- Do not think for one second that because these boots are posted here, that I can afford them. Sure as heck wish I could. I realize with tall boots sometimes you want to see them. If you want to see the boots, wear a black skirt and black tights for this outfit. I paired them with pants because this is a winter outfit, and there's nothing super special about the top of the boots. But I would love the bottom boot design to peek out from under pants. Surely someone must be doing a knock-off of these at lower price.

Anthropologie brown cord pants

Yellow leather handbag from Etsy seller ekaa

Black suede newsboy cap from Etsy seller swandarling -- I love newsboy caps and actually recycled an old wool scarf into a Vogue pattern newsboy cap. Almost done. Will post soon. Old scarves are great for repurposing into smaller accessories.

Funky big orange carnelian ring from Etsy seller georgiedesigns

Stylin' Another Fabric/Pattern Inspiration

This is my usual M.O.:  Fabric launches obsession. This time, it begins with Mocha Fudge, a striped wool blend from Sawyerbrook.

Fabric:  From Sawyerbrook

Pattern: I can't find a sewing pattern I really like, but I'm inspired by this knitting pattern for a creative sweatercoat. Mix the striped fabric with a solid into something fun like this. Because this is a wacky style for me, I choose subdued palette for everything else.

Sources of other stuff:

Dress from Nordstrom -- wear over simple Three Dots dress because you'll hardly see it

Hummingbird bag from Anthropologie

Squiggle scarf from Anthropologie

Gloves from Athropologie

Readers from Anthropologie

Ankle boots from Anthropologie

At my local mall, Nordtrom and Anthropologie are right next to each other, so in one quick trip and a weekend sewing sojourn, I get a new winter outfit. If I had the money for all this. Um ... this is supposed to be fantasy fun. Let's keep it that way!

Stylin' Fabric/Pattern Inspiration

EDITED TO ADD BREAKING NEWS:
I bought these shoes! So you may very well see a similar outfit come to real life. But crapola, I paid about $45 for the shoes in December and they're $26.25 as of 1/17/10.

This Stylin' Set started with the bag. A Brighton bag with red leather and straw that's been in my closet and has never seen the light of day. (Why did I buy it then? On sale, great price. Don't we all do that sometimes.) It needs an outfit!! So here is one. With a Marfy pattern dress sewn from a Gorgeous Fabrics fabric, which would need to be lined.

Sources:

Brighton bag already own, but imagine red leather accents
Shoes from 6pm.com
Bead bracelet from Etsy seller
Earrings from another Etsy seller

Gorgeous Things fabric

Marfy patterns

I like how there's a shadowy flower pattern theme between the fabric and the shoe soles.

Fabric Shopping for Free -- Stylin'

Oh, how I'd love to win the Sew Tessuti 2nd Blog Birthday giveaway! Because I lust for this Tessuti knit, styled here (upper right corner) with pattern and other accoutrements to make an outfit that I'd realistically wear. All inspired by a fabric swatch. Shopping for free, unless I bite for something ...

Sources of photos & items:

Fabric: Fabric from Tessuti

Pattern: Pattern to sew knit fabric into a top from Jalie

Leather jacket from Nordstrom

Jeans from Nordstrom

Shoes from 6pm.com

Handbag from 6pm.com

Cap from Nordstrom

Zipper brooch (on cap) from etsy seller zippinning