Fall DIY: Leopard Jacket

It took me 4 months to actually follow through on this project after making the graphic version here.  Inspired by Jean's Emerson Fry coat and Elle's Ann Taylor topper, I thought this would be a fun fall jacket.

Fabric: Joann's, 2 yards, home decor, 54", 100% cotton

Pattern: Butterick 5500 (actually a shirt dress pattern that I'm using as a coat), narrowed pattern inwards at the shoulders down to the waist, added a slight a-line flare, and shortened sleeves to 3/4 length

Difficulty: Intermediate

Time: ~4 hours

Leopard Jacket DIY

(also wearing Kensie cowl neck dress and Target pumps)

Past leopard DIYs:

Asymmetrical Maxi, Scarf, and Pillowcase Shift

I have a little more leopard fabric left and am thinking of a pleated skirt :)

Great Gals, Great Food

Great company and great food.  What more can you ask for?  These ladies are the kindest, sweetest people in the world and I feel so fortunate to call them friends :)

Jean, Ping, Me, E, Elle, and Cee

BIG thanks to Ping for organizing everything, introducing us to the most delicious foods, and making all the reservations!  You're the BEST!

E giving us the eye

 E with her new "jie jie" friends

Cee, Me, Aubs, and Sydney

 Adding a jump here because I want to share too many pics - see more below.

"Baby" E Turns 2!!

E turns 2 today and I can't believe how much time has passed already!  We got her a bunch of balloons today - 2 giant 36" ones and then some normal 12" versions.  She became bored of them quite quickly, but I did snap a couple favorites before she moved on to her birthday presents :)

Photo idea from Pinterest

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

J. Crew Inspired Tweed-Front Merino DIY Tutorial

Continued from this post, I had fit issues with the J. Crew Tweed-Front Merino Sweater and decided to make my own version.  See details below on how to create your own.

Original J. Crew version here

and my DIY version

 Difficulty: Intermediate

Time: ~2-3 hrs (I wound up making 2, so it took me 5 hours total)

Materials:

• ~1/2 yard of tweed, 
• ~1 yard of knit fabric (stretchier is better!)
• Bias tape in a matching color to bind your collar
• Existing raglan sleeve top that fits you well 

Due to the number of photos, please see the rest of the tutorial after the jump.

Paisley Gown Black Tie DIY (Part 2)

After making this Black Tie DIY a few weeks ago and deciding it wasn't "right", I went back to the drawing board for a different fabric and bodice design.

Material: 4 yards polyester (feels almost like a taffeta - thin and papery) from Fabrics R Us

Pattern: Bodice from Butterick 5182, self-drafted skirt (120 x 45" rectangle)

Difficulty: Intermediate bodice, easy skirt

Time: ~8 hours over 3 days (had fit issues with bodice) and still need to insert the zipper

Paisley Gown DIY

My favorite part - the drapey effect of the top

Little pleats for the skirt

High back for full coverage

Butterick 5182

Though I loved the sleek look of this, I knew that every midsection bulge would show in this type of silhouette.  I also made the "keyhole" in the bodice much smaller in mine.

I'm planning on curling my hair and pulling it into a low side bun a la Carrie Underwood:

via Pinterest

2 more weeks until the event!