Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Built by Brainy

Hmmmm...


I made this top yesterday. It felt absolutely luxurious, spending the day sewing! I used a Built By Wendy pattern (Simplicity 3835) and an old vin-tahge sheet from V. Village. It was fun and easy to sew, which is exactly what I was looking for since I haven't sewn much in a while.


I don't know if it's the fabric or the elastic, but I'm a little afraid that if I actually wear this shirt I'll end up being the answer to a question I never want to hear, like: "Who's that girl in the peasant blouse?"

I have no such reservations about yesterday's second sewing project, though. I'm very sweet on my new headband.


I used Heather Bailey's free pattern -- PDF: Hooray for Headbands -- and some thrifted fabric. I really love it, and I'd like to make another one with a large-print fabric.

Somehow, this headband is really comfortable, and it doesn't threaten to pop off my head. There's a little strip of elastic at the back, under the ties. I'm going to get a haircut later this week, so I can't be sure I'll still have headband-hair, but if I do, I'm definitely making more of these. It's a great way to wear a little bit of a nice print, and the pattern is simple and straightforward. It's not easy to photograph your own head, though -- I tried a few times before enlisting Bill's help. I do really like one of the shots I took; it doesn't really show off the headband, but it shows you that I was outside with my little buddy:

26 comments:

Montreal Mama said...

Very cute! I havent been to V. Village in a while. I think I want to go!

Anonymous said...

Your headband looks great!! I will definitely have to try that pattern. Thanks for the link!

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it snowing a couple of weeks ago? And now you're looking all summery!

Nadia said...

Love the headband! Isn't it funny how the simplest projects can become so used and loved?

I'm sewing tonight over on this side of the big Canada. Something about the coming of summer makes me want to work with sheets of cotton...

Robin said...

What a perfect summer top!

Jennifer said...

I love that shirt! So cute!

I have never attempted to sew anything except for quilts. Maybe it's time to branch out.

J.

Chris said...

I love the headband! (Hi, Moxie!) Hee hee - having worn peasant blouses back in the day, I can understand your trepidation.

brunhilda said...

the shirt looks great. and thanks for the link to the headband pattern!

Jillian said...

I really like that shirt. I made a few of those headbands a couple of weeks ago and they are fantastic. They never fall off!

Stacey said...

I have made about 5 of those headbands! I also am amazed at how comfortable they are!!!!

Jodi said...

Very cute top! The key might be wearing it with trendy jeans and shoes, not a loose flowing skirt or Birks.

Elizabeth said...

So cute! I love both those projects. I just got the "Sew U" book by Built by Wendy and am itchin' to try it...

Romi said...

I love the material in your new top and the headband is awesome! It's difficult to tell from the angle of the photo whether or not the top looks like a peasant blouse. I must ruminate further. *g*

Dísa said...

I love both those projects. You're really making me want to learn how to sew, which is the last thing I need. I already have more than enough knitting projects to distract me from my super-important academic work. It suddenly appears less super-important somehow than a headband to keep the hair out of my eyes. I mean, I need to be able to see the books, right?

lori said...

hooray for sewing!!

the shirt is very cute.

thank you for posting about the head band. i often would like to wear them, but the slowly move back on my head as I wear them. maybe with some elastic in there, it would stay in place!

what's next for your sewing machine?

Mia said...

Cute!!! Maybe I should have given you fabric instead of yarn for your prize.

Anonymous said...

one of the main reasons i don't sew much clothing. it either doesn't fit quite right (and you can't fix that in quite as easily a manner as ripping out your knitting!) or it fits fine but turns out to be something i just wouldn't be caught dead in and there i've just gone and wasted all that time sewing it! argh. p.s. altho i would be OK being caught dead in that there blouse, missy.

Anonymous said...

Love them both! I made 10 of those headbands last summer. They are so much fun to make and used up these random fat quarters I had around.

amanda said...

lovely, both of them! i have that headband pattern printed off and waiting for me on my sewing table - this post has totally inspired me! :)

Anonymous said...

I love the shirt. You'd be more accurately the answer to "Who's that girl in the cute blouse? And where did she get it?"

Anonymous said...

love the headband.
i imagine myself in them, even though my hair is super short... maybe i'll do it! maybe! :)

Peggy said...

ooh your shirt looks lovely! I have that pattern but I haven't even opened it yet.

gemma said...

I second all the comments where they say you good great in the summer stuff, and add congrats on finishing the PhD. also hello to Mookie

Anonymous said...

everyone is sewing adorable things these days... I love that blouse! I should get my machine fixed...

Anonymous said...

Can I tell you that thanks to you I went out and bought the pattern for that shirt and I am going to use a sheet (like you) except, my sheets were bought at target and they have little kitties playing with yarn and stealing birds! Thanks for the inspiration!

big geek beth

Luciana DeVito said...

Great work! It's wonderful to sew! I've been doing a lot of sewing myself, it seems my own recent obsession with knitting (I'm on KH), has inspired me to do more.

I am the ultimate DIY-er and unlike some people, I LOVE to be able to say I did it!