Monde's Threads

Fall Projects - Front Drape Blouse

2:29 PM

Finally completed the front drape blouse I had been working on. Inspired by the BCBG draped front blouse going for $158.

Pattern used, McCall's M6991 view B without the pocket. Loved the way it turned out and since its fall, figured I could add a sweater or a coat to it. Funny that I just realized this top was a hit for the summer in most of the sewing groups. Clearly I wasn't paying attention. On to the next project.

African print

Box Pleat Angola Print

11:05 AM

The Angola print is making another appearance in my life. This time as a box pleat skirt. Not much description needed.
.Available here

Size Small: Size 6-8 (waist size 26 - 29 inches) and 28 inches long from the waist to midi length. The skirt is made from African print fabric in 100% cotton.

Laundry direction, I suggest dry cleaning and steam ironing to preserve your pleats in place. Dry cleaning is preferred.
The skirts is flattering on any figure type.

Fall colors

Fall projects

9:16 PM

So fall is here and with season change comes fashion trend change. This year's color trends as described by Pantone color report says 2015 fall colors"display an umbrella of accord that weaves earthy neutrals with a range of bold color statements and patterns to reflect a landscape of hope, fun, fantasy and all things natural." Humph??? to be honest I am not one for fashion trends, but two colors that are trending that are growing on me are dried herb which to me is like an olive green or even army green and Marsala, close to a Wine or Merlot.

So I spotted a few clothing items I loved, but as usual can't afford. A draped front blouse in Merlot by BCBG for $158.

and a similar version for On Neiman and Marcus for 275. They can keep those prices.

My version less than $20 for fabric and pattern and still working on this project but this is the pattern I am working with. McCalls 6991 and of course I already have my fabric lined up in a Merlot tone.

Project to be revealed when I am done. Dried herb color project to follow in next post.

African print circle skirt

Date Night Look: African Print Circle Skirt

2:10 PM

So in the many sewing groups that I find myself in, there is always that one person that posts their work and says "My outfit for church, made it this morning" or This just took me an hour". This kinda leaves me wondering why it takes me longer than and hour. What techniques are they using? How did they do that?

Anyways, I can officially say I have graduated and made my skirt in about 2 hours. Yes two whole hours. Now the circle skirt is supposed to be one of those easy skirts to make but the thing that will get you is the waist measurement. I am telling you this because I have made a few circle skirts that were either too big or too small on my waist and I gave up. This is what I am talking about on the waist measurements.

Wiki how explains it like this: Work out your waist radius. (I can already tell that radius will throw people off. ) You'll need a little math here (Math?? We all know people hate math right?), but you can use a calculator!

Measure around your waist or hips (the point where the skirt will eventually sit when sewn together).
Divide this number by 3.14 (pi).
Divide the resulting number by 2. This is the waist radius

See what I mean? Let me make your life easy. I was going through circle skirt tutorials and came across one on YouTube by Rachael Dixon, and she happened to find an app that helps you do all the calculations. Here is the app By Hand London. All you have to do is put in all the measurements you want and voila it calculates everything for you. Genius!!!

Ok so once you have all you need, get sewing. I know I did and yes it took me 2 hours. And later on I rocked my African print skirt for date night for a friends birthday. I loved it!!

Finally, If you still need help on how to make circle skirts, please google circle skirt tutorials, there are plenty to choose from.

Happy Sewing!!!

A nail polish love

Don't make me wine

3:27 PM

So I may have a bit of a nail polish obsession. Every time I go into a store, if it has a nail polish section, I will make sure I stop there. Doesn't matter what I am in the store for I will make sure I stop by that section to see what they have. I don't know what it is, it just makes me happy. I usually get the cheap polish and if I splurge lol which is never lol my top splurge brand is Essie and occasionally OPI, but I never pay full price for it.

I recently tried China glaze and I am not too sure why I had avoided it, but I am totally loving it's smooth application and glossy finish. And the cherry on the cake is their website has a feature called try me, where you pick your color, your skin tone, your nail length and see how the color looks on you. Genius!!!! Try it. OPI has a version of this too and I just love that you get to see what the nail polish looks like on your tone before you actually buy it.

OK enough about all that. So what did I get? My store trip led me to the nail section in Tj maxx, I was in search of something fall inspired and I found material girl by Essie which is a deep burgundy $3.99, bend over backwards by China glaze a coppery orange tone $2.99 and what I decided to wear, don't make me wine by China glaze $2.99 now that was a steal and my nails are happy.

African print

African Print Maxi Skirt

3:39 PM

It seems the African print maxi skirt will continue to be trending for a while. These are gathered skirts that go all the way to your feet or slightly past the ankle. They also go by several names like the regal maxi, queen maxi or just maxi skirt. I tried my hand at a few and made some for some friends. Loved the way they turned out and will definitely be making more.

For my friend Bupe's look I used about 2 1/2 yards of wax print fabric and an elastic band for the back which is optional. You could use a zipper instead. I used this tutorial by cotton and curls and it came out great. Bupe absolutely looked gorgeous, but of course I am bias.

African print

Angola Print

7:04 PM

I finally decided to work with the infamous Angolan print fabric. I have been procrastinating because this print has been a tad bit overwhelming, so I eased myself into it and started out with a pencil skirt. I am still trying to decide what would be the best use of this fabric, but for now, I love the simplicity of the pencil skirt with the geometric pattern.

This was a free-hand pencil skirt with a self drafted pattern. Oh and in case you were wondering why its called the Angolan Print, the actual name is Samacaca fabric and this is one of the national fabrics found mostly in Angola. With the rise of African print fashion, this fabric like so many other African Prints have all of a sudden been trending so don't be surprised if you see variations of outfits with this fabric.