I succumbed to the Orla Kiely mania

I wasn’t going to. Honest. We don’t have a Target in Vermont, so I figured I was out of luck. I made a half-hearted attempt by having my mom look at the store near them, but she didn’t find anything. Then we came down to Florida and I was surrounded by Target stores, and what could I do? I figured I should definitely stop by all the ones I came across to see if they had anything.

To tell you the truth, I almost gave up after the first one – not because I couldn’t find anything, but more because I was with my mom who thought it would be helpful to periodically call out “Orla!” while we were walking through the store, as if that would summon the products to us. We received a few odd glances, and I thought calling it quits might be in order.

Not one to be able to give up on a hunt though (remember me and the out of print fabric?!) I stopped by one other store this weekend and managed to find what I was looking for. Instead of being selective and buying a few pieces, I opted to grab everything I could and run! (that makes it sound like I made a break for it – I did actually pay for these items…). And here’s my haul… I’m stil trying to decide if I do actually need all of it, but for now I’m enjoying looking at it all. I’m trying not to think about how I’ll get it all back to Vermont…

plates, cups, coasters, oh my! (oh, and dishtowels, not pictured…)

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This is a post about Heather Ross

Or actually, this is a post about the fact that Heather Ross left me a comment on my last post and posted photos of the two blouses I made on her blog. (and I’ve talked about nothing else all weekend!)

Should I be as thrilled as I am? I think so. I’ve been a fan of her fabric since I started sewing – and in fact, fabrics like hers are what actually got me into sewing – and now I’m in love with her new book, so having her comment and post about what I made from her book was so fun.

She asked me to provide her readers with the modifications I made on my second blouse, and they’re now posted on her blog if you want to take a look. Thanks Heather!

(just because I needed a photo!)

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Weekend Sewing – summer blouse take 2

Didn’t I say I’d be making another of these?! I think I was just so psyched to finally make something with sleeves that I actually set to work on this second one right after completing the first (packing had to wait, I had a shirt to make!).

After making the first shirt, I knew there were a few things I’d want to do differently. I told you I’m not much for patterns! So for this one I kind of just winged it – cutting a similar shape, but without the exact pattern pieces (the true pattern for the summer blouse can be found in Heather Ross’s new book, Weekend Sewing). I extended the length and cut it a bit smaller. I also opted for a v neck and 3/4 length sleeves.

Somehow, and I really mean somehow (I was shocked myself!) it all came together almost exactly as I wanted. I used the oh so lovely older Anna Maria Horner print from her Bohemian collection, and I think this fabric is perfect for this shirt – lightweight and summery (perfect for Florida!) and in a print that I don’t mind wearing out in public!

You may be wondering what’s going on with the sleeves, but let me assure you that that was intentional. I actually have a shirt with similar sleeves. (though granted it’s in a material that’s better suited for that type of thing…). I guessed at how to achieve that look, and I came close, though if I were to try it again, I know of a few changes I’d make…

All in all, I have to say I’m in love. Everyone might get tired of seeing me in this one!

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