Wardrobe By Me's, Christina, creates wardrobe staples that are fashionable, yet can be worn for longer than one season.
Her newest pattern releases are both trendy and classic, and pair well with each other or as separates.
The Summer Skirt
This skirt has a few key features, leaving us with a pretty and flirty faux wrap skirt look.
- 3 lengths (above knee, knee, and below knee)
- 2 ruffle widths (3" or 5")
- Back elasticized waist band
Sewing the skirt went quicker than anticipated for both of mine, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow.
I do recommend marking your left front edge and right front edges, as they can appear similar to the sides (which are sewn to the back skirt piece).
So remember to always place your pieces with pins before sewing to ensure you are following the instructions and pictures provided.
I had to look a few times with my first skirt to ensure proper placement, but that's my brain fog and migraines at work.
The band was easy to sew up, and even with the elasticized back band, it doesn't make my behind look larger - rather gives it a cute flirty look!
The ruffles took the longest - so I just Netflix and Chilled while slowly pulling the gathering threads, and then pinning the ruffles onto the skirt edge.
Personally, as there were several sections of fabric I sewed up to make the entire length of the ruffles, I made one sew of gathering stitches per section of ruffles - as close to the seams in-between. Then, if one of the threads broke while pulling, it was only a small section that had to be re-gathered vs the whole length. This tactic seems to work well for me while gathering, and I haven't had any gathers break since I started sewing smaller lengths of thread for gathering.
I'm sure there's proper terminology for the above, but my brain can't think of it.
I raised my foot level up slightly to allow for the extra fabric underneath the foot while sewing, and didn't have any issues.
The end result are two great Summer Skirts for me to wear at play and in the office.
The Classic T-Shirt
This t-shirt is a quick and easy sew - and perfect for a less-fitted t-shirt.
It pairs quite well with the Summer Skirt, a pair of Urban Sweatpants, or the Frida Shorts.
It's simple, yet comfortable and classic with a Crew Neckline and relaxed fit. It's long enough to tuck into pants or skirts, but also short enough to be worn freely too!
It took me about half an hour from cut to finish to complete my t-shirt - much quicker than a load of laundry!
The instructions are easy to follow and a great basic staple for any woman's wardrobe.
The arms aren't too tight, and it's just really comfortable to wear.
I like that it uses a low 2-way stretch knit - so those cheaper knits at the local Fabricland are perfect, as they have minimal stretch, but are also economical to purchase.
Thank you Christina for increasing my Wardrobe yet again!
Sew On!
Today is gloomy and doomy in the skies and my mind.
I've been working from home full time for almost 2 months. And pretty isolated.
Thank you Vestibular Migraine. I would rather a "Regular" migraine that goes away after 1 to 7 days. This has been non stop since December.
I will be meeting one of two of my assigned neurologists next week - thank goodness! Living like this is frustrating, depressing, and I'm just spinning all the time.
But because I'm me, I keep going. I keep working. I keep doing what I can do around the house. I walk the dogs (one at a time). I cry (a lot). I feel alone. I sew to find my happy and sparkle again.
I really want my sparkle back.
I want my life back.
I thought dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 14 years was bad. I never wished that on anyone else. Now I'd wish CFS on someone over Vestibular Migraines any day.
And anyone who says, "It's just a headache," I want them to FEEL what I feel just for a week. Good luck dealing with that. Then they'd NEVER say it's just a headache ever again.
Just because I may not visibly look like I'm suffering, I'm great at putting on a smile, give a laugh, and try to mask my pain and isolation.
It's unbearable most of the time. I'm fortunate to have drive and will to keep going.
What do my daily symptoms entail?
- Dizziness
- Full blown vertigo when exposed directly to LED and Fluorescent lights
- Swaying (like I actually sway due to the dizziness)
- Derealization (I feel like I'm here...but not really)
- I see flashes in my vision
- Eyes can't always focus
- Muscle weakness - especially my legs
- Rotating numbness of my arms, legs, and face (I thought when my face started going numb that I was having a stroke - my General Doctor thought I had Multiple Sclerosis)
- Sometimes my legs go numb from my feet to knees and I need a cane to walk (waddle)
- Slurring of words
- Brain fog (forgetting words, where I am, where I am going - like driving somewhere and having no idea where I'm driving to!)
- Lack of focus
- Photophobia (light is not my friend - hence working from home - our office put me into 2 months of full blown vertigo, tears, and nausea every single day)
- Misophonia (I had this before - but sounds can make me angry)
- Lack of Balance (I can't Downward Dog or do Warrior 3 at the moment)
- Neck is so sore - no matter how many times a day I do my stretches
- Other symptoms that I've written down (As my memory is shot)
And that's daily.
Every 3-4 days I get the lovely head pounding that people associate with Migraines. These last 2 to 7 days along with the above symptoms. Sometimes it's all pressure in the front of my face, but the last week, I've had two migraine episodes that felt like a clamp on my head - like a REALLY tight headband that I can't take off.
It's exhausting. Some days I want to give in and just lay in bed and not get up.
But I can't let my brain win.
I think.
So behind the camera, I'm just a girl waiting for help, alone in my own mind.
At least today's outfit makes up for it?
Today I'm sporting my Elora Dress and Cocoon Cardigan.
Halla's Elora Convertible Dress
I modified this strapless dress to have straps, as I fear strapless dresses will fall down, and I prefer straps.
The bodice is made from some knit fabric I won with my first sew along - it's Sew Cute!
The skirt is one of many sarongs I've collected on my journeys to Mexico. It made the perfect Elora Skirt!
I have two Eloras, and I love wearing them in the warm weather. It also covers my knees, which is a must!
And look at the bust ruching - isn't it pretty?
Patterns for Pirates Cocoon Cardigan
I've made 3 of these.
Two for myself, and one for Mom.
This one has MINIMAL stretch, so the arms were tight for a bit, but my second one has stretchier fabric, thus a looser fit that doesn't cut off my circulation. But it's lightweight, so perfect for warmer weather.
I'm always cold, so always need some sort of cardigan or hoodie.
It has pockets, and covers my hips and behind, so I find it flattering - and I can get away with wearing it in the office (when I go in - I'm a bit scared of my work from home accommodation ending, and having my head go back into photophobia hell).
Both of these were easy sews and great staples for anyone's wardrobes.
I'm also sporting the comfy Wardrobe By Me Love Yourself Hipsters....soooo comfy and I forget I'm wearing underwear.
I'm wearing underwear!
I'll show you my good undies pics with my head chopped off!
Sew On!
