Tres Chic Veronique

Wow. I posted pictures of my latest FO a few days ago on my Flickr page, thinking that I would write the post to go with it a little later, and that the pictures would go (somewhat) unnoticed. Boy, was I wrong! I have never had so many comments on a Flickr picture. Thanks everyone, you made me blush :)
(Now will someone let me know if it's weird to have completely random guys add me to their Flickr contacts? I mean, to have a crafty woman add me to her contacts list is very flattering, and I'll reciprocate, but a guy?).

Built by Wendy design 3835.
Fabric: Alexander Henry Raindrop Stripe.

Oh, this seemingly simple dress has been incubating for a while... I cut out the pieces in the Fall (Thanksgiving-ish?), then just let it sit there. (Actually, I cut the pieces in this crisp cotton fabric, then set it aside because I bought some tweedy wool fabric and ended up making the wool dress first. It was a bust, so I think I buried everything in my stash to forget about the whole thing. I didn't even blog about my completed dress!).

The pattern comes with 3 sleeve options: 3/4 length with bunny ear looking ties, above the elbow and short. I originally cut the longer sleeves, only to realize that they were really tight (and that the weather had gotten so warm that I didn't want to wear long sleeves right now, fickle me). Then I realized that I cut the sleeves wrong: unlike most knitting patterns, the sleeves are slightly asymmetrical-- they are wider in the back and narrower in the front. I didn't flip the pattern over for the second sleeve, so I had 2 right (or left?) sleeves. Oops.
Solution: fudge it! I cut the sleeves so that they are symmetrical.

But that's not the end of my mistakes: I then realized that I cut the back on the fold (ie in one piece instead of 2) and the front in 2 pieces (instead of one). I decided to switch them around-- turn the back into a front and vice versa. The only difference between the 2 is that the front dips lower at the neckline and the back sits higher. Well, not on mine!
Solution: fudge it! The front and the back both have a lowered neckline.

Boo boo #3:
I originally liked the lined collar, but it sits so high up on the neck that it choked me a little. I "settled" on the elastic collar, and now I like it better than the lined collar.
Solution: fudge it! Well, ok, I didn't really fudge, I just changed my mind. And I'm glad I did.


I think I've mentioned how much I love the hemmer foot on my sewing machine, right? It takes 2 minutes to do the whole hem, and it's so perfectly perfect. I could never do that by hand.


After all these issues, I did not have high hopes for this dress, but.... it came out perfect! In fact, 2 of the Flickr comments were from strangers who had noticed the dress at Renegade. It's a small world we live in.
I think there are more Summer dresses in my future...

Labels: built by wendy, summer dress

This weekend was long anticipated: it was the Renegade Craft Fair!

I can't believe this was the 4th year (in Brooklyn), and I've been every single year. I feel that this fair is getting bigger and better every year. The first year had a lot of overpriced hey-I-could-make-that crafty items, such as tote bags or iPod covers, and a few, uh, novelty items like duct tape wallets. Seriously, duct tape wallets. However, amidst these not too exciting items, there were a few gems: jaw-dropping crafts that I admire but can't do myself, like ceramics or jewelry making. Unfortunately, these beauties were pricey, and I passed. Year 2, I bought all the things that I didn't buy during year 1, as described in this post. Year 3 went unblogged, but again, I did not hesitate to purchase cleverly conceived (and executed) items. You gotta support independent designers! Year 4 did not disappoint.

Here is my loot:

Necklace from Figs and Ginger, whose website I checked out beforehand. (I've learned that research and arriving early are key to a successful RCF experience). I kept an eye out for their booth and pounced on it. They were even kind enough to make me a slightly longer necklace!


I'm a fan of Perch! and their sleek but slightly retro designs and have purchased a piece each year. I love this basket,*and* it was on sale! The sock yarn was an impulse purchase from Lulubeans, but I could not resist that variegated yellow.


I've also been a fan of the orange retro molecules on a stark white ceramic background by Neutrino Designs, sold through Art Star, and I've building up a collection. And it was on sale too!


I could not resist getting some strawberry milk (to go with the skim milk, chocolate donut and 2 bananas that I already have) all made by My Paper Crane.


After being out in the sweltering midday sun, seeing and talking to so many crafty people, I had an urge. An urge to CRAFT. I needed a quick project with instant gratification. One crazy thunderstorm later (lightning hit a block from my apartment, it rained sideways), voila: a pincushion! I hope all the vendors at the McCarren Park pool were all right...

Labels: renegade craft fair