all we are is stars

lucius and his first mustache finger : tara mcpherson

for my second pleated skirt attempt, i combined it with another diy project i've had on my "to do" list since last summer - making some sort of space garment. originally, i was planning on making a galaxy t-shirt dress but then decided it might be more fun to make some custom fabric instead. i used this "going to space" tutorial from unicorn parade almost to the letter except i didn't have any spare brushes on hand (besides tooth brushes for splattering) so i stuck to medicine droppers for applying the bleach & dye and used my gocco to screen print the stars instead of hand painting them. 

since my last skirt ended up so stiff & sculptural and was a polyester blend (and, polyester interferes with the bleaching process,) i went with a much thinner bottom weight this time made from 97% cotton/3% spandex. i cut the front and back fabric pieces out before bleaching & dying and ended up going through the entire process a few times until i was fairly happy with how it looked, and then screen printed the stars. i used strips of the untouched, crisp black fabric to make an extra-thick waistband (6cm wide instead of 4cm) and finished the hem off with black bias tape to pull it all together.

i'm really happy with how the skirt came out, especially since this was my first attempt at bleaching & dying fabric (i've never even tie-dyed.) it would have helped to have a few hubble pics of nebulae on hand for reference on the larger shapes but i didn't think about doing this until the very end. one thing is discovered is that bias tape is pretty much my new favorite thing EVER as straight & decent-looking hems continue to pose a major challenge for this beginner seamstress. overall, i'm completely smitten this skirt & the adorable little stars - it's incredibly lightweight but still stiff enough to keep its sweet silhouette and i love the polished look of the bias tape!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

*outfit details: vintage lace half shirt/wedding dress top // pleated skirt pattern - diy couture // black lita - jeffrey campbell // rings - forever 21, ebay 

first pleated skirt!

i am sooo excited to share with you my first hand-sewn garment ever - a two-toned, hand-silk screened pleated skirt created from diy couture's easy-to-follow instructional book how to make a pleated skirt. 

the skirt is made from two pieces of fairly thick bottom weight fabric (65% cotton / 35% poly) in gray and electric blue that were sewn together. i used my gocco to screen print the blue fabric with a super cute friends with you inspired pattern before sewing. the stiff fabric and pleats kept reminding me of cheerleading skirts and seeing as friends with you is in the business of spreading friendship and joy, i thought the name "good cheer" fit this skirt perfectly! 

i followed the book's directions to the letter, making 12 pleats in the front, 12 in the back and a 4cm waistband. it was really tough working with this thick bottom weight on my first try, especially since it's 35% polyester - it was really difficult setting the pleats and the overall shape is very sculptural... it sort of has a mind of its own. while i loved the stiffness of this bottom weight during the printing process, i made sure to pick a much thinner, mostly cotton version for my second skirt. 

overall, i'm crazy thrilled with how it came out and *love* it to pieces. i'm still in total disbelief that i'm actually making my own clothes and have to keep reminding myself - it just seems too good to be true! but, it's not - it is true - and, it's all thanks to diy couture who demystified the process and made it simple enough for me to take the plunge. what i found out in the end was that making this pleated skirt was easier than a lot of other non-garment projects i've made in the past. when explained in an easy-to-follow format that's aimed at the beginner, you'll be stunned and how quick and easy making your own clothes can be!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

*outfit details: vintage purple striped ruffle jacket // black tank top - james perse // pleated skirt pattern - diy couture // black lita - jeffrey campbell // vintage clutch // rings - forever 21 // large gold hoops - ebay // vintage black doll's hat

new year's resolutions - 2012

personal // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\
☆ continue detoxing - finish flushes & try to stay 80% - 100% raw
☆ successfully integrate exercise into my daily routine - rebounding, kettle bell swings, stretching, yoga
☆ get back to using EFT for clearing negative emotions & limiting beliefs - work on breathing
professional // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\
☆ improve photography, lighting, modeling and photoshop lightroom skills 
☆ successfully design & construct a half dozen pleated skirts w/ original screen printed fabric
☆ start experimenting w/ video and make one lookbook video for the flying carousel by end of year

artistic // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\
☆ start sketching & brainstorming designs for screen printed fabric - GOAL: 6 original designs
☆ practice constructing & experimenting w/ various pleated skirt shapes, lengths, fabrics, # of pleats, etc.
☆ work on paper hats & paper jewelry (old designs & new!)

fun // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\ // \\
☆ take a real vacation - a summer trip in july for 1-2 weeks - maybe toronto? 
☆ continue to crochet & improve skills for relaxation and fun - keep experimenting & learning!
.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  

thanks for letting me share my 2012 new year's resolutions with you! i think putting them out there is really going to help me keep the goals in the back of mind as the year goes by and all sorts of unexpected twists & turns begin to unfold. i tried to make this year's resolutions challenging yet achievable and also tried to include a mix of specific and vague goals so that i have a bit of wiggle room as life happens.

i have a tendency to make these impossible lists of dream goals every year with incredibly specific parameters and am always disappointed when i don't reach them. this year, i'm setting myself up to achieve my goals in a more relaxed & enjoyable way that leaves room for spontaneity and my fickle heart. i have an amazing feeling about this upcoming year - i can't put my finger on it but i think it's really going to be one of years chock full of unexpectedly delightful surprises! i hope you are all feeling as optimistic & excited for new beginnings as i am...

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆
*images: deep sea press