Summer Sewing Recap

I finished my summer sewing the week before last and I really love how it turned out. Do you remember the plans I made? And now I have real clothes that actually look like those drawings. How exciting is that?!?! 

The piece I've gotten the most use out of is the red striped dress. It's so easy to wear anywhere and super comfortable. I can't wait to wear the rest of the pieces too. I'm already thinking about what I want to make for Fall. Stay tuned!!

Check out the earlier posts in this series here:

Summer Sewing Plans

Summer Sewing No. 1 Pink Pleated Top

Summer Sewing No. 2 Emerald Blouse

Summer Sewing No. 3 Floral Dress

Summer Sewing No. 4 Twisted Skirt

Summer Sewing No. 5 Chambray Shorts

Summer Sewing No. 6 Painted Stripe Dress

Summer Sewing No. 7 Red Stripe Dress

Related:

Spring Sewing posts

Sewing posts

Summer Style on Pinterest

DIY Fashion on Pinterest

Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

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Moodboard – Shorts

I know that shorts aren't for everybody but they are one of my favorite things to wear when the weather is warm enough. They're the easiest thing to throw on when I need to just run around town and take care of things. There are so many cute designs and prints available for shorts these days that you can look as chic as you are comfortable. Here are some of my favorites.

Clockwise from top left: 
Kingston Printed Shorts  //  Leather Trim Shorts  //  Striped Shorts  //  Linen Stripe Shorts  //
Scalloped Shorts  //  Dotted Shorts  //  Pleated Shorts

Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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Free DIY Printable – Iron On Camping Icons

In case you can't tell from my last two posts I have camping and the outdoors on the brain this week. I made some cute little camping themed icons for you to download and print. Print them on iron on t-shirt paper and adhere the design to a little drawstring bag, backpack or t-shirt.

Moodboard – Great Outdoors

As the night air cools down and I find myself searching for blankets, I can feel the end of summer fast approaching. And with it a little bit of sadness that I haven't made it out into the great outdoors and experienced some nature this summer. Of course August is only just beginning so I have a little time left to go have an outdoor adventure. Here are a few of my essentials for such an occasion. Have you been out and about this summer? What do you like to take with you?

Clockwise from top left:
Plaid Shirt  //  Bug Repellent  //  Navy Sneakers  //  Pleated Shorts  //  Anorak  //  Coffee Press  //  Backpack  //  Canteen


Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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Moodboard – Essential Summer Accessories

Year after year, I have a few go-to summer accessories.  I never tire of these classics. They're the items that I wear every day, all summer long until they're totally worn out. Which means every year, I get to buy a fresh new set. I have two goals with my summer accessories. First I want them to be neutrals that match well with everything else in my wardrobe. Second, I want to have sun protection, loads of sun protection. I always go for the biggest sunglasses and carry a bottle of sunscreen with me everywhere. And why the scarf for summer? If I forget my hat I can use a scarf to protect my head and if I need an extra bag I can tie the corners of a square scarf to create a makeshift tote. What do you look for in your essential summer accessories?

Clockwise from top left:
Striped Tote  //  Hexagonal Sunglasses  //  Sunhat  //  Arrow Necklace  //  Red Nail Polish  //
Patterned Scarf  //  Bangle Bracelets  //  Sandals  //  Sunscreen

Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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How to DIY a Wrap Back Dress

This week's theme is Sea Green and I found this amazing lace green with a super sexy wrap back. It's a pretty simple silhouette with a waist seam and set in elbow length sleeves. This is a great dress to DIY because the alteration is simple and you could control how deep you want the the back. It's not too revealing because it has sleeves and the hem extends past the knee. But the back provides a nice little surprise and the peek-a-boo lace on the sleeves is sweet, pretty and not at all demure.

Moodboard – Sea Green

In the ranking of my favorite colors, sea green has to be a close runner up to blue. I love that it's bright and fun without being girly or cloying. (Yes, I'm looking at you pink and purple.) So, today I have some amazing sea green colored pieces to share with you. I would love to have any and all of these in my wardrobe. For one, I seriously need a cute, lightweight glasses case. For two, how amazing are those shorts?!?! And I love the coral color shoes with the dress on the bottom right. So. Much. Fun.

Clockwise from top left:
Hi Low Hem Dress //  Bikini  //  Cardigan  //  Eyeshadow Duo  //  Long Sleeved Dress  //  Blazer  //  Printed Shorts  //  Ballet Flats  //  Sunglasses Pouch

Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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Moodboard – Pink & Navy

If colors were teenage girls, pink and navy would definitely be BFFs. Navy is the strong, silent neutral that calms down and sophisticates the girly sweet pink. Both are great on their own but so much better together. So embrace your preppy side and add some navy and pink to your summer wardrobe.

Clockwise from top left:
Striped Halter Dress  //  Ruched One Piece  //  Silk Tank Dress  //  High-Low Hem Seahorse Print Dress  //  Pink and Navy Print Dress  //  Skinny Pink Belt  //  Navy Oval Clutch  //  Pink Keds  //  Eyelet Pencil Skirt


Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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Summer Sewing No. 4 – Twisted Skirt

I have another Summer Sewing project done. Yay! This twisted skirt is number 4 on my Summer Sewing list. I have started on the shorts (which will need a lot of fitting) and the floral dress (which just has so many pieces!!) but I needed something I could finish in one day last weekend so I decided to whip out this skirt. It's another striped garment, the third and final in the bunch. I must like stripes quite a lot!

How to DIY a Gold Stripe Dress

This body conscious gold striped dress would be so simple and fun to make, not to mention fun to wear. It's the perfect dress to wear out for a summer night on the town, soaking up the late summer sun, maybe enjoying a glass a sangria and a platter of paella.

Moodboard – Gold, White & Stripes

Gold, white and stripes are just so utterly summery. They exude a light, breezy quality – the one thing that we all want to feel in the hot summer weather. Or maybe that's just me? Los Angeles is currently experiencing a heat wave and my AC is on the fritz. What I wouldn't do to be transported somewhere quite chilly right now. In the meantime, here's a little coolness for the mind's eye.

Clockwise from top left:
Gold Striped Dress  //  Gold Striped Top  //  iPhone Case //  Striped Boatneck Top  //
Chain and Rope Bracelet  //  Striped Panelled Dress  //   Sheer Stripe Sweater  //
Foldover Clutch  //  Rounded Sunglasses


Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Inspiration posts
Stripes posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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How to DIY a Striped Cap Sleeve Dress

Dresses are my go to for Summer. Last year I spent about 3 months just sewing new dresses for myself. That's a lot of dresses. But somehow there's always room for more. I love that I can just throw on a dress and shoes and be out the door without worrying about coordinating. Today's inspiration dress is actually very similar to the one I featured two weeks ago except the kimono style cap sleeves, high v-neck and longer length make this one a little more retro-sophisticated.

Moodboard – Chambray & Stripes

Summer is prime time for fashion that is casual, fun and light. Chambray and stripes fit the bill perfectly. I have a long love affair with chambray. It's denim but not at all heavy. It's just light and soft and a little bit Western. Plus, I do love pretty much anything in blue. Stripes are so classic. How can you resist? Here are some of my favorite picks for rocking the chambray and stripes this summer.

Clockwise from top left:
Red Stripe Dress // Striped Backpack // Madewell Chambray Tank // Striped Scarf // Striped Clutch // Striped Crop Top // Red Striped Shoes // Chambray Shorts // Chambray iPhone cover

Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Inspiration posts
Stripes posts
Chambray posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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Summer Sewing Plans 2013

You might have already noticed that I've been on a Summer theme lately. I've been thinking a lot about what I want to make this summer (see this moodboard and this moodboard). I'm now ready to share my plans with you. Naturally there are quite a few projects that I had to set aside for anther day and I won't bore you with those right now. Dresses are big for me in the summer so of course I had to put 3 dresses into the mix. And I always seem to need blouses so a couple of those. And then I need something to wear with the blouses so a skirt and a pair of shorts have made the list. Let's get on to the details!

How to DIY a Striped Cut Out Back Summer Dress

There's something about stripes (especially blue and white ones) that screams summer. Don't you think?  This cute little dress combined with its lovely stripes is perfect for a carefree summer afternoon of beach-going, shopping and pool lounging.

A Font for Summer – Sequi

I've always tried to start summer as soon as possible. Officially it doesn't start until June 21 but we're close enough to start getting ready, don't you think? For today's Font Friday, I've found a font that is funky, relaxed and decorative – perfect for the summer season. Sequi, designed by Joao Andrade, is available for free on Behance. The image above is one of my favorite Instagram pics from last week.

How to DIY a Summer Dress

There's nothing better for summer than a flirty dress. My closet is chock-full of dresses. As soon as summer starts to appear, I just can't resist making a few more. I love dresses for so many reasons. One, they're so easy to just throw on and go. Two, you don't need to worry about all the matching of tops and bottoms. And three, simple shapes are really easy to fit when you're making your own. So that's three. :) Why do you like to wear dresses?

Moodboard – Summer Weekends

There are just a few hours left of the Memorial Day weekend and I can't help but look forward to the upcoming summer season. I'm even starting to plan a new Summer Wardrobe to complement my Spring Wardrobe of course. Are you getting ready for summer yet?

Here are a few things inspiring me lately (clockwise from top left):
1. Lafayette 148 Stripe Pique Dress from Nordstrom
2. Embroidered Gauze Top from J.Crew
3. Icing on the Cupcake Top from Modcloth
4. Side Tie Dress in Lined Stripe from Kate Spade Saturday
5. Mrs Andrews hat from Goorin
6. Greer Shorts from Steven Alan
7. Freeze Aviator Sunglasses from Free People
8. Green Leaf Longline Bikini from Topshop

Related:

Moodboard posts
Fashion posts
Inspiration posts
Pretty Clothes on Pinterest

Summer Style on Pinterest

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