Funky Friday: Hemmed and Sewn, and a Suitable Guest

Happy Friday, my friends! I spent Thursday working on a sewing project and decided to go ahead and wear it right away. Yes, I hacked my beautiful velvet kimono dress! 

And I was pleased enough with my work that I decided to wear it right away.

Twice in less than a week - how unlike me. 

• Kimono (altered by me) - Hale Bob, Century 21, NYC, 2007; last worn here as a dress last weekend (Flashback there too)
• Sweater - Wanko, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June for brunch
• Pants - Zara, thrifted; last worn here in July with a now-gone tee
• Boots - Coffee Kope Tiam, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) in June for Sailor Pants Worn 5 Ways

I have to say, I am glad I split this dress down the middle. This is so much more me. 

I had planned on wearing a sleeveless cream top, but it was so chilly and cloudy this morning that I said, "NOPE," and changed into this turtleneck. 

By the time I left work, it was sunny, but still barely in the low-20s. What is this, Augustober? 

The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed that I finally hemmed my Big Lady Boss Pants. I actually did this about a month ago. 

I spent a couple of hours making teeny-tiny hidden stitches, and not bragging (okay, I totally am), but my hemming is better than what I've had done at a tailor's. 

I've never worn red with this dress/kimono before, and I like how it emphasized the pinky-reds in the robe. 

Without the robe it's all rather dull, I'm afraid.

Every person I saw admired the pants, but these trousers revealed themselves as Danger Pants today - my toe caught in the leg and down I went, crashing onto my hands and knees. Thankfully, I was going up a small set of shallow stairs, and didn't have far to fall! No broken wrists (phew!), and a couple of small marks on the trousers (I would have been heartbroken if they'd been ruined), but I'll have bruises on my knees, I'm sure. 

Masked up - this grey looks better in person, where you can see it matches the grey on the kimono. 

COVID cases continue to rise, even with the reinstated mask mandate for indoor spaces. Who'd have thought a year ago that we'd be on a fourth wave??

• Mask - Lazy Susan's

Cloudy and cold? Wearing my sunglasses anyway!

I look like I have some attitude going on there. 

The stuff: 

I always seem to be carrying these booties when I pop into the Fluevog store (I had to pick up a gift card for a friend). I printed a page of pics from my shoe customization to show my Fluevologists. They were suitably impressed. 

Silver and amber bling: 

A good dose of armour (accessories count as armour too!) for a Friday. 

• Amber/silver necklace - vintage, vintage mall, gift from L
• Silver/amber earrings - vintage 1930s, vintage mall, gift from L
• Bangle w/stones - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
• Bangle - Lazy Susan's
• Copper rings - Glee
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Lucite/silver ring - Calvin Klein, purchased here for $7.95

I took a few pictures as I did my destruction customization of my dress. 

I steamed out the sash - it was a good 2.5 inches wide, of double fabric. I cut it in half to trim the raw edges and it was just the right amount. 

I measured the hem of the skirt and put a small mark at the centrepoint. 

I used a white eyeliner as my "chalk". 

Then I measured across again, halfway up and did another mark at the centre. 

I connected these lines...

...from the bottom of the neckline and then I cut! 

I pinned the edging a few different ways, and after a few attempts (picking out stitches), I settled on a blanket stitch to keep the raw edge of the silk secure under the edging. 

Yes, I know it's a little raggedy, and reader Robyn, you were right about the silk fraying! 

I did one side in blue thread (there is blue in the pattern) and one in yellow. I ran out of blue thread! 

I like the look of "visible mending" - it reminds me of this garment's history. 

And I have to say, I LOVED wearing this as an open duster-style topper. 

Extra bonus content! We have a guest! And he's in a suit! L got a kazillion comments on his suit at work and out in the world yesterday, so I asked him to pose for y'all. 

"What about me? I want to be included!"

This is how L dresses for work - he's been going into his office every work day since lockdown began back in March 2020 - and he has worn a suit for work ever since I've known him. He has multiple suits, a wide selection of colourful shirts, a box of amazing vintage ties (most courtesy of Yours Truly - the one he's wearing is from the 50s), and a collection of Fluevogs that most people would envy. Isn't this an awesome outfit? 

And here is Vizzini, fresh from complaining and being grumpy. 

"I wanted attention then, not NOW, Woman!"

And then he would not stay still. Oh, cats. 

Well, my friends, I'm now off for the weekend, and will wish you a fond adieu. Enjoy yourselves, and I'll be back soon with tales of adventure!