the really professional fashion shoot.wrinkles and clothespins as a bonus.
So what do you do when you have only five hours to pack yourself and your children for a week-long trip? Well, in my world the obvious answer is to enter a state of catatonic denial and make yourself a skirt to take on the trip.
When I saw this fabric in Ikea I fell in love. I bought some with no idea of what I was going to make with it. I don't think 'skirt' would have been at the top of the list though. Not only is it the wrong weight for a skirt (heavyish canvas), but also this print may be better taken in small doses. But as the full-on Packing Panic numbed my cortex, I happened to see this fabric in the stack and then I don't remember much after that.
The skirt in situ.My intrepid six-year-old photographer (who graciously
paused an episode of WordGirl to shoot this) will thank
you to keep any comments about blurriness to yourself.
I don't know. It's pret-ty loud. And a bit too big. I have worn it a couple of times, but both times with an almost apologetic manner, as if to say, 'Yeah, I know, obnoxious, sorry'. I'm just going to have to decide to like that about it, or admit I can't pull it off and let it be reborn as a purse.
Also I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge two blog awards I was very graciously nominated for. I really appreciate the kind thoughts and support behind the nominations, and will reciprocate by nominating two blogs (among the many) I like to check regularly.
1) Viola & Pearl -- new blog from my BFF who is a creative genius, foodie and a swell person (well, swelling anyhow, as she is entering the last month of her third pregnancy).
2) doe-c-doe -- I'm addicted to her macro photos of tiny thrifted items, embroidery Thursdays and great stash of free vintagey doodad downloads.
You MUST keep that fabric as a skirt! It looks amazing! I too fell in love with some fabric from Ikea and now I thinking about grabing it to make a skirt! Sooooo nice :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I love the skirt and its shape :) I wish I could sew though...
ReplyDeleteYou can pull it off! It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI pull those last minute wardrobe additons all the time... Drives my husband nuts!
I LOVE the skirt it looks great. I don't think it is too bold.
ReplyDeleteThat's a super lovely skirt!!! I'd wear it in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteI think the pattern is perfect, but I'm partial to all things bold. I would cry if I had 5hrs to pack for a week. Even in high school I would plan , sometimes months , ahead for a trip( even down to my undies color on a day). I am mental though. Kudos to you for surviving.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm feeling better about it already. If you cool chicks would wear it, then I WILL wear it, and LIKE it. As soon as I take it in a bit.
ReplyDeleteMom of 5, the packing did get done, but I actually had about 3 hours after my mental sewing vacation. My solution in times like those is to close my eyes and pack whatever my hands touch and whatever fits in the suitcase. It works out somehow. Not much of a planner, obviously. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd of course this works because I only have two kids who can wear each other's clothes and shoes, not five. I bow to you.
I LOVE the fabric, especially as a skirt! Did you use a pattern or just whip it up from your creative brain?
ReplyDeleteI really wish I was closer to an IKEA. I have never been to one. I didn't realize what I was missing when we lived down there!
looks great, I love loud skirts and simple plain tees together...and I'm crazy about Ikea fabric!
ReplyDeleteI actually like it!! Conner loves Word Girl too. :)
ReplyDeleteIts bold but looks great. I love that fabric too and also bought a yard of it with no idea what I'd end up using if for. So far I've made my sewing machine a cover, re-covered my ironing board, and cover a button to use as a pin for a sweater. I still have more to play with so we'll see what comes of it. I wonder if there's enough for a buttercup bag? I've always loved that little bag. Perhaps there's enough combined with something else...hmmm I feel another project coming on :).
ReplyDeleteI love it!!!
ReplyDeleteTotally not to loud! I love it! If we were friends I'd steal it out of your closet!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is too loud. I love it. Great job!
ReplyDeleteSara in Salt Lake City
ibbyskibby.com
Looks great to me--keep it!
ReplyDeletethe skirt is WONDERFUL... I make a living from loud skirts just that length and I think yours looks fabulous on you.
ReplyDeletebe bold!
and yes. that is the PERFECT use of the last 5 hours before your trip. I do exactly the same thing. My hubby doesn't even flinch at it anymore.
and your 6 year old did a great job. I got my 4 year old to do the same yesterday - makes these shots look professional.
=)
Too loud? Nah! It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteBold yes, loud no. Looks great!
ReplyDeletei love this skirt, looks great.
ReplyDeleteOlivia, I drafted the pattern after a ready-made skirt I have that fits well (got that idea from the book 'Sew What! SKIRTS'. I think it turned out too big because I was trying to make it more A-line and it added too much width.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great as a skirt. I don't think it's that loud, but then I am prone to wearing large prints myself. And congrats on winning those blog honors.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh - I sew bags/purses the day before a trip.
ReplyDeleteI think the skirt is fabulous!
Love the skirt! Wear it with pride - it is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth I don't think the skirt is too loud, and it looks great with those shoes.
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Congrats to you on your nominations and thanks for the plug, Larry. How exciting...
ReplyDeleteAnd I like the skirt. Keep it.
I think the skirt looks great. Love the print. Never thought about using IKEA fabric. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteI love the skirt! I wouldn't change it at all. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!! Definately don't turn it into a purse ;)
ReplyDeleteyou are crazy.
ReplyDeleteit is ADORABLE.
if you don't want it i'll have it ;)
I love the skirt and in no way think that it is too, loud. nice job. I too do all sorts of unpacking related task when faced with a big packing need.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that skirt - and if it's too big, maybe it will fit me? It's great - don't remake it as a purse! It's a great style and I like that design... I wish I wore skirts more - I would if I knew they would look that good on me!
ReplyDeleteMan, thanks everybody for the unrelenting skirt love! Can so many cool chicks be wrong? I think not. I'll wear it with pride. After I take it in.
ReplyDeleteI made an ottoman cover out of this same fabric! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI think the skirt is adorable - if I had your legs I'd wear anything to show them off!
ReplyDeleteand thank you so much for the blog award :) I'm so happy & flattered that you enjoy my blog!
g, thanks man! your blog (and also I am sure your legs) totally rock.
ReplyDeleteFabric from IKEA. ABSOLUTE GENIUS!
ReplyDeleteI was just there today - if only I'd read this post before I went. The skirt looks just fantastic!
I had to smile when I saw this post! I just made a couple of projects with the same fabric including a hobo bag ;) You can check them out here:
ReplyDeletehttp://anounceofcreativity.blogspot.com/search/label/sewing
I love that skirt, not sure about the fabric weight, but I think it looks great!
ReplyDeleteActually I have to say it looks great!
ReplyDeleteI like that kind of skirts, hope you kept it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the skirt! Not too loud at all. I never thought about browsing Ikea for fabric.
ReplyDeleteoh-and your shoes are super cute.
thanks everybody, and yes, the skirt is still with us! Still need to take it in some though. erg, i *hate* alterations! I dont know why exactly.
ReplyDeleteoh, and Twiddle Thumbs, dude, thanks I adore those shoes. they are aerosoles. You can't see it in the picture but they have these perfect wooden wedge heels. And contrast white stitching on black leather. And this wonderful suede on the inside that is so nicely grippy (lovely to have when you have pitiful bony feet that swim around in most sandals). Wow that was way too much to say about a pair of shoes, wasn't it?