One Shoulder Dresses

I think one of the factors that keeps me from actually accomplishing projects is that I have too many ideas. It's easier to come up with ideas than finished products, and also really easy to forget about ideas before they even reach the table. Other factors, like school and work and social lives also tend to get in the way.

Either way, I've been thinking a lot about making a one shoulder dress, especially since someone mentioned that it would be easy to turn the pillowcase upcycle into something one-shouldered. I don't think I would use a pillowcase, but maybe a similar concept. That is, if I went patternless. I also have this Butterick pattern, although it's a little fancier than I'm thinking.

Here's some inspiration photos- tell me what you think!

 

Mango

 

I like the ruffle on this one, but not the blue jersey.

Couture Candy

Blaque Label- love the shoulder detail

Crochet Garlands

Suddenly I find myself liking crochet garlands a lot. I'm moving in a couple weeks and I'd love to hang one above my bed!

Love this one by emma lamb

Harujion Design

 virginia-blue.

I kind of like the heart shape (from Skip to My Lou), but it's a bit too Valentine-y.

I've been looking at some crochet coaster patterns for ideas, too. What do you think? Should garlands be strictly reserved for the holidays? Should coasters stay on the coffee table? Or can I string some up along the wall?

What to Wear: Camping?

I'm on vacation this week, camping with almost no internet access (thanks, Blogger's scheduled posting!), so I don't have a What I Wore Wednesday post to share. Today I'm most likely wearing a sweatshirt and jeans...or a tshirt and running shorts...or a swimsuit and flipflops. 

That said, I had to share this "what to pack for camping" post by Jillgg's Good Life for Less. 

Super cute, right? More like what I'd wear to a summery picnic, though. I'm afraid it's not really practical for a week of smoky campfires and ketchuppy burgers. And usually, when I camp, any remains of toenail polish is quickly chipped off thanks to wearing flip flops in the dirt and sand.

Are you doing any camping this summer? What's your outfit must-have?

Must-Have DIY Tools

I'm not really a tools kind of girl. I have a sewing machine, a serger, a scissors, and an Xacto knife. That's about it. I did ask my dad for a toolbox for my next gift-getting opportunity, so maybe I'll be able to update my list for you.

A recent Curbly post identified the top 5 DIY tools for under $20:

Coping Saw

Clamps

Calipers

Staple Gun

Screwdriver Set

What do you think? How does your list compare?

Skirt Hem to Infinity Scarf Tutorial

I had meant to make this project out of the hem I cut off of this floral dress project, but real life is getting the best of me! One of my summer classes is over, but the other one is still in full swing- and of course I've been having lots of summer fun times to, like a long weekend in Chicago, and a camping trip coming up next week.

I spotted this project on Finding My Stitch, and while you might not need a tutorial to make a quick scarf like this, it's good inspiration for any scraps you might have laying around! Hopefully I'll be posting my finished scarf soon, but in the meantime, enjoy Kate's cute infinity scarf.

Easy Upcycle: Make a Dress from a Pillowcase!

Yes, I am wearing a pillowcase. I hope it doesn't look too much like one!

I've seen a lot of pillowcase dresses for children, but it didn't occur to me that a pillowcase dress could be made for an adult- let alone for me, at 5'9". But shortly after I saw this how-to, I found a long pillow case with a pretty pattern at Savers here in Madison.

I followed Mena's tips, going with a boatneck and taking in the sides. I think it turned out pretty well, although I'd prefer to pair it with a wider belt. If you're looking for a half-hour project and have a nice long pillow case, this is definitely worth trying out!

Betsy McCall Printable Paper Dolls

Last week, Mena at The Sew Weekly shared a link to scans of Betsy McCall paper dolls from the 1950s. My eight year old self would have had a blissful afternoon printing and cutting apart these pretty paper dolls. I just had to share- hopefully some of you know a little (or big) person who will appreciate these!

1951

The scans are printable and are an adorable snapshot of changing fashion over the past several decades.

This is August 1955, the month my mother was born. Too cute.

 Click here for the first ten years, and here for additional decades into the 90s, with a few from the '00s.