Spring Dress

I'm struggling with this post.

1. I can't come up with the name of the color of this dress. Blueish Green? Mint-ish?Aqua?
2. I can't come up with the fabric name either. I think it's Bengaline. It's ribbed, similar to a grosgrain ribbon.
3. I haven't had time to setup a photo shoot in this dress. 
3. And the waist is so small on this dress that I can't get it back on my dress form to take a picture.

So I apologize for this post. I'll do the best I can to describe it and sorry for the pictures of it on the hanger. I plan to wear it soon (if the weather would ever warm up), so hopefully I'll get a picture in it.

I REALLY REALLY like this dress too. I love the color and the pretty pleats! I used the Simplicity 1873 pattern to make this dress, but I cut the back in a lower scoop. I wanted to make the tabs on the side, but I cut out the pattern and I cannot for anything find the pattern for the tabs?!? I searched everywhere!

I took several pictures of the progress while making the dress, which I posted along the way on twitter.

 Follow @hemandher  

 Pattern and Fabric

 Bodice pinned on the dress form.

 

 Pinning the pleats

  All pinned together on the dress form

 

Finished dress!

Rawr!

I made this cheetah racerback tank a few years ago by tracing another top. I wouldn't recommend doing it that way, as I had no idea what I was doing and ended up having my mom help me correct my mistakes. I've only worn it a few times because Dan dislikes anything cheetah print. (crazy, right?) But I really like it and when I wore it last night I realized I have never blogged it before.

 

Last night I went to the Pattern Indy event where Jessica Quirk from the blog What I Wore was the special guest. I have followed Jessica for a few years now and I was ecstatic to meet her. She is SO nice and sweet. I got to talk to her about fabric stores and sewing which was awesome!!! 

Southwestern Chicken Salad Rollups

"What's in this?" -Asks the picky eater with a funny look on their face. I never want to answer this question because then people won't try new things. I'm gonna be honest about this recipe, it's GREAT! And YOU (picky eater) should try it! I made this for a get-together this past weekend and it was a hit! There are some items in it that people tend to dislike (onions, cream cheese, olives, etc.) but nothing is over bearing and I SWEAR you will like it, if not LOVE it!

Just to give you an example, Dan doesn't like olives, but liked the rollups. My brother swears off cream cheese, ate them right up! My Aunt doesn't like Cilantro, loved em too! That's what happens when you don't tell people what in the food. Sneaky. 

Southwestern Chicken Salad Rollups

Ingredients

• 1/2 large red pepper finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cans of all white meat chicken or 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 1 (8-ounce) package of low fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 package Spicy Ranch-style dressing mix
• A handful of medium olives chopped
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8-10 flour tortillas depending on size. (I used 9- 8" tortillas)

Instructions

1. Chop red pepper, olives, onion and cilantro.
    
2. Stir together all ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
    
3. Spread mixture evenly over tortillas, and roll up. Cut each roll and secure with wooden toothpicks, if necessary. Garnish with olive. 

Enjoy!

Black Cutout Dress

A few months ago I became obsessed with making a dress with a cutout in the back. I started trying to find patterns and couldn't find what I wanted. I ended up buying this vintage 1985 pattern on Ebay (McCalls 9619). I had to buy 4 other patterns just to get the one I wanted. Probably won't use the extra patterns. Ha!

I thought the pattern looked perfect and I would just shorten the length. My only concern was that I wouldn't be able to wear a bra and I would want the top to be a little thicker. So I lined the top and wore a stick on bra (in case you were wondering).

I made the dress according to the pattern and the full skirt with pockets didn't work out. It just was too full for me so I removed it and re-cut the skirt from another pattern. I'm much happier with the straight skirt look! I wore this to my friends wedding, but I think I will wear it more this summer in a more casual way with flat sandals.

Here's a similar dress from BCBGeneration 

Brownie S'mores

Brownies are kind of my go-to when I need a quick easy dessert. The box mix is super easy and quick and I really enjoy myself some batter off the spoon! We are babysitting my nephew today and he loves sweets almost as much as I do. I thought this was a fast and tasty way to win his heart. He did just call Dan his favorite Uncle and then me his favorite Aunt. Sorry Meg! He also said he would like to live with us! :-)

Here's how to make yourself some Brownie S'mores...

Ingredients

Box Brownie Mix and ingredients as stated on box.
3/4 bag of Mini marshmallows
1 Package of Graham Crackers

Directions
Prepare Brownie mix in a 9x13" pan according to box directions. Remove from oven. Spread marshmallows over brownies immediately while still very hot. Place graham crackers on top of marshmallows and press lightly. Put pan back in oven for 2 minutes to really melt the mallows. These are sorta messy and you might need a fork to eat, but you will no doubt want S'more!

You're killing me SMALLS!

Enjoy! 

The Chosen One

Following up to my last blog post. We attended the wedding of one of my sorority sisters this past weekend and I ended up choosing dress option #2. It actually was the only one that I could wear anyway. It was either not eat or drink(yeah right) in option #1 or scramble to finish option #3 in one day. So I wore the black dress with the cutout back. I haven't taken pictures of it yet to show you the details, but I will soon. I promise! Here's some pictures from the wedding! It was a blast! Congrats Katye and Sean!

With the lovely bride Katye!! 

 Sisters! Go G Phi, Go G Phi, Go!

Options

I am in the middle of making 3 dresses right now, one of which I need to finish for a wedding this weekend. A good friend of mine is getting married in Chicago this weekend and I'm not sure what to wear. I hate to leave it to this last minute. I have a million dresses in my closet to choose from, but it's always nice to have something new!

Here's what I'm working on. None of which are 100% complete. What do you think?

1.                                               2.                                                3.                 

1. I LOVE this color and dress. But it's a little snug in the waist. Not as comfortable. 

2. This really just needs hemmed and I think it's pretty cute, but could be worn another time more casual. 

3. This dress is pinned together and needs a lot of work, but I might like it best. 

What do you think? I'll be sure to post each when they are completely finished. 

Spring Fabric

I take a lot of pictures with my phone. A LOT. I take pictures of everything I see and like while shopping which includes fabric and patterns. I like to keep them for inspiration and ideas. Here's what I'm considering and liking this spring.

Knit dress patterns

Color Block

Lace

Bright Prints