Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Two New, Plus Sewn Like a Boss

I couldn't resist wearing two of my new-to-me items from yesterday's productive treasure hunt shopping trip: the purple skirt and the cowhide leather coat. 
In support of my decision to limit this skirt to my spring/summer wardrobe, I realized I already have a purple pencil skirt that is a fall/winter: my purple velvet Yves Saint Laurent one here. I even moved that blouse to my spring/summer stuff - it's going to match so well with this skirt. 

  • Vest - Religion, consignment; last worn here in October 2020 with my ribcage sweater
  • Top - M by Missoni, thrifted; last seen here layered under sequins in December 2020
  • Skirt - Diane von Furstenberg, consignment; purchased here for $18.00 yesterday
  • Shoes - Mission Monica, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) for Book Club in September 2020 with this same top
  • Coat (below) - Sisley, consignment; purchased here yesterday for $75.00

How did I live without this striped top? It has ever colour in it: black, purple, orange, pink, copper. It goes with everything. And it's sparkly! 
I had a bit of a struggle looking for tops to go with this purple pencil skirt, but thankfully, this top has All The Colours in it! 

It's still too chilly (although sunny, yay!) to not wear another layer, so I added this distressed vest. 
I'm also wearing a camisole under the stripy top for warmth.

 I loved wearing this skirt - it was really comfortable and being a wool knit, it didn't wrinkle a bit. I also think I might have a jacket that matches it exactly...this Tahari one here. That would be cool - I'd have a suit! 
The slits made it awesome for walking - my giant strides were not hampered in any way, you will be happy to know. 

I also liked how the front and back of the skirt flapped around while I walked. 
I was reminded how much I like side-slit skirts. Why are they so rare? 

Masked up - pink with purple splatter. 
This was a fun and comfy outfit.

Outerwear - can you tell I felt totally badass in this leather coat? 
It was amazing to wear, and I don't think it's ever been worn, at least not a lot. It was quite stiff, but softened up really fast - I love leather once it takes on your body shape. Then it's literally Clothing As Armour! 

The technique that removed some of the hair irregularly is really cool on - I enjoyed the feel of it. The hair is quite soft - it's nice to pat. 
All done up - it's a bit squishy with three layers underneath, plus my scarf jammed in there. 
I undid the bottom snap for walking. The pockets are great for storage but not for jamming one's hands into. 

Outerwear stuff: 
I am fond of my pink accoutrements. 


  • Fur scarf - thrifted
  • Leather gloves - consignment
  • Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 
Aren't the shoes groovy? I showed them off to my colleague Ngoc, pointing out the angels on them. It's so nice to have a fashion-appreciating coworker in the office again! I admired her outfit right back! 

Silver bling: 
Tough stuff. 


  • Leather studded cuff - vintage 80s
  • Silver/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Silver/onyx ring - Tocarra, vintage fair
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
  • Earrings - c. 1996


While I knew that the trousers I bought yesterday were rough around the edges on the hems, I'd neglected to check the seams on the slits of the skirt (rookie error!). Thanks to my newly-rediscovered ability to hand-sew (as seen here, on my hemming work of a vintage dress), I bought the trousers anyway, feeling confident that I'd be able to fix them. 

When inspected the skirt, I noticed that both side slits were both pulling apart, to the point where a bit of the fabric starting to develop a hole or run. Gotta fix that! 
Here's my work on the purple skirt, just simple little stitches pulling the top of the slits back together and reinforcing them. It's not perfect, but this is highly magnified - those are teeny stitches! 
This will keep the seams from ripping further. Good enough! 

I had a much more involved job on the trousers, I believe that the cuffs are not original, and that the past owner either cuffed them herself or paid to have the extra length made into cuffs. Either way, whoever sewed it did a crap-tastic job! There were loose threads everywhere!
It looked like the sewer tried to stitch both the front and the back side at the same time, probably to save time. It is an odd way to do cuffs (I've looked at the work on L's suits, including the pants), but it does give the hems weight, which keeps them hanging straight. 

The larger size of the stitches they used meant that - in addition to being visible (tch!) - the stitches likely snagged or caught on a shoe or boot buckle, ripping the thread in some places, and bunching it up in others. 
I noticed when I first put them on that my toes went right into the cuffs. No wonder they were marked down by $100! It's amazing how many people - me included! - don't want to buy something they have to repair, but really, this was not that hard to do. 

I took my time last night (nearly an hour), and redid the outside cuffs and the inner cuffs separately with little invisible stitches. I left the old thread in place until I'd stitched the front and back sides of each pant leg, carefully snipping it and pulling all the bits out afterwards to tidy it up. 
Sewing them this way meant I used a lot more thread (I need another spool of black) and it took a long time, but the difference is huge! They really look professional, and I'm quite impressed with my handiwork. I sewed those cuffs like a boss! 

I'm going to look at potentially hand-mending garments when I'm shopping now, whereas in the past, I might have skipped past snagged hems, popped seams or other minor repairs. I got this! 
While I sewed, Vizzini squeezed himself awkwardly down under my arm, on top of the trousers while I worked, and got in the way a lot! He didn't go after the thread at all, though. What a good boy. 
"That's me: Good Boy."


He was allowed out on the deck after work today, just for a few minutes. We're probably still a month away from having the deck open, but he knows spring is in the air! 

42 comments:

  1. The outfit is great! Those details on the heel of your shoes are amazing. And hurray for you and your newfound sewing skills.

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    1. Thank you so much, Rena! Aren't they amazing shoes? The angels are for a former Fluevog employee (Monica) who passed away - a lovely tribute.

      I was so proud of my sewing!

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  2. Why don't they make more side slit skirts? They are so comfortable and practical. I have one maxi skirt with a side slit that I got from my husband's niece and it's such a comfy piece.
    This purple wool skirt is fabulous. I love your coat as well. The shoes are very groovy. They look like a work of art with those angels. I love shoes that are this detailed but quality made at the same time. With years I learned that it doesn't pay to buy shoes that aren't quality made- especially when you're a walker, like I am. The only time I ever remember driving to work was when it was in another city, every time I had a job in the same place I lived- I always walked to work.

    Great to see you're developing your sewing skills. You've did a great job on both of these. Knowing basic sewing is very practical, especially when shopping vintage or second hand. Doing little alternations ourselves really saves time.

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    1. I know, right, Ivana? I love side slits! They're sexy too!

      I am really happy with the purple skirt, as well as my new coat. I am all about details and quality, which is why I love Fluevogs' shoes so much - and they are so comfortable! I'd rather pay for for quality. I have always either bused or walked to my jobs - I don't have a drivers' licence!

      Thank you so much! I am so proud of myself for doing such a good job on the hems.

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  3. I like the striped top with the purple skirt, so colourful! :)

    And I'm impressed you were able to sew the pants and skirt - I did learn to sew in school but that was quite some time ago, haha! I took a couple pieces to the tailor the other week, one was a skirt I'd thrifted that the elastic went on so it was far too big to wear. She was able to fix it and a few other things up really easily so I was pleased! She's really close by too so I will keep her in mind for future, the last tailor I used eventually retired!

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    1. This top goes with everything! I love it.

      Thanks so much, Mica! I don't know why I had this mental block around doing this kind of thing myself - it's not difficult, just takes time. I'm glad you were able to get a few things repaired. There aren't that many tailors around here.

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  4. What a lovely shade of purple that skirt is! Your multi-coloured striped top is perfect with it, as I'm sure both the blouse and the jacket from your linked post would be. And isn't that cowhide coat absolutely stunning? I love your pink accoutrements and those jaw droppingly groovy shoes!
    You did an amazing job on those trousers. I do hate it when I have to undo somebody's crappy repair job, often using any colour of thread at hand, but so worthwhile when you get it right.
    xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! It's such a hard colour to photograph! I'm excited that I already have things in my spring/summer wardrobe that will work with it too.

      I adore the coat, but the shoes are such stars, but a little tricky to style with that orange/grey/silver mix.

      Thank you! I'm so pleased at how well the hems turned out too.

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  5. I knew that ponyskin jacket would look good and it does! That skirt is such a great fit (and colour) and your reinforced stitching is brilliant. Hats off to the trouser alteration, too. Sewing like a boss, you're not wrong there.
    Vizzini and his five minutes of freedom, bless him! Not long now, young man! xxx

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    1. I'm trying to get as many wearings in of it as I can, Vix, to soften it up before I have to pack it away till fall. I'm really happy with my two repair jobs - I can do this!

      He was very pleased with himself - now he wants to go out every day!

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  6. Love all the purple - very springlike even if it is wooly. Your new coat fits you perfectly and yes, you do look pretty badass in it :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Nana! I'm feeling springy - it'll be here soon enough! Who doesn't love a badass coat? ;-P

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  7. As usual, you inspire me. I've been thinking that someone interested in clothing (as you and I are) ought to learn how to sew to alter, tailor and fit pieces. I've taken baby-steps in learning that skill; I'll devote more time to it after I have a playhouse.

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    1. Well, Ally, you know me - I'm a bit of a dabbler, and tend not to stick to any one thing for very long. I don't want to invest in a sewing machine or spend all that money, but I also know quite a bit about how clothes are made. At least I can do simple repairs. You should totally take a sewing class! What a good idea for your new play-hobbies. :)

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  8. Oh pink and purple! That combination exites me. I'm on the hunt for a lilac pleated skirt and a purple jacket. It's so much fun to search the pre loved sites for those items you have in mind! Often I can not find whats in my head, we will see!

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    1. Me too, Nancy, it's a combo I've always loved. Good luck with your hunt! I find it easier not to look for specific things, but just see what the Thrift Gods bring me.

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  9. Hey good morning Sheila, popping in to say hi. As I said to Vix family stuff been happening so blog hopping put on hold. I am doing things back to front. I am saying hi then going to pour a coffee and catch up on your colourful world. I had a quick scroll. That stripe top will go with so many things and yesterdays blue(Love blue) sweater caught my eye. guess what? getting the "jab" wed night next. Shazxx

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    1. Hello, Shaz! Nice to see you - sorry to hear that family stuff is occupying you these days. I am sending you good vibes (you should feel them any minute), and hope you are taking care of yourself.

      Thanks so much for having a read - congratulations on your upcoming jab! Woo hoo! It will be months before I get mine, sadly, but at least the light is on at the end of the tunnel!

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  10. What a marvellous sewing job. You are indeed the boss.
    Tip for sewing hems (got this from my seamstress): when you have the right length in place, for instance with pins, IRON it and then sew. So much easier.
    Greetje

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    1. Thank you, Greetje! I felt so proud of myself! Ooh, that is a great idea, thank you for passing that along.

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  11. My word, is that purple skirt a stunner!

    I have the strangest relationship with the colour purple as it pertains to fashion (which is an odd statement unto itself, I know). Despite genuinely adoring it (and purple being my sweet mama's all-time favourite colour), I almost always seem to have a lack of it in my closet.

    Even before the fire, I owned surprisingly little, yet (then as now) loved and did sport those purple pieces I had. I'm not sure why purple proves so elusive in my wardrobe, but I'm on a mission to add at least a few new violet, eggplant, lavender, etc pieces to my closet in the coming years.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Thank you, Autumn! I have always loved purple, and I'm surprised that you don't have much of it in your closet! That sounds like a good mission for you!

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  12. Well done on the sewing! That's a great thing to be able to do!
    I actually FINALLY sewed the button back onto my sailor denim trousers after a year of it being missing- I felt so proud even though I think I made a mess of it- my sewing and tying a knot skills aren't great!
    Those shoes are FAB! What heels!
    Incidentally, what size are you shoes!?x

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    1. I felt pretty darned proud of myself, Kezzie! Good for you - hooray for being able to do this simple skill, right?

      Thank you so much! I am between a 9 and 10 US sizes (usually a 9.5, but it depends on the shoe), which is a Euro 40. I have big feet, considering I'm short!

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  13. Aww good Viz! Spike definitely tries to sit on all my projects.

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    1. Yes, he was a "huge help" if that means he was front and centre and being in the way. Aw, how is our Spike?

      Delete
  14. Lovely outfit!, love your purple skirt (it's Purple) and love the striped top which goes with everything (so fab piece!) and also love to see that your coat looks even better 'in action'. But your shoes totally steal the show!, Fabulousness!! You are right, these shoes are groovy!
    Glad that you repaired these trousers, and glad that you're considering some minor repairs when shopping, I think it's a great idea.
    besos

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    1. It's definitely Purple, Monica, ha ha! I do love the versatile striped top, and that coat was awesome. I'm looking forward to it softening up a bit more over time. The shoes are so fun, but like many of my Fluevogs, they are not to everyone's tastes.

      I am definitely going to be more open to sewing things that are damaged. It feels good that I'm able to do this.

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  15. So much fabulousness in one post, Sheila! That purple skirt, those amazingly groovy shoes, and that wonderful leather coat. All are so good on their own and even better paired together!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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  16. Nice work on those repairs. That skirt looks fab with the stripy top.

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  17. Nice job on the pant cuffs! My hand-sewing skills are basic at best (as are my machine-sewing skills) and you did a much nicer job than I could have done.

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