The Hostess with the Mostess

Dressember is almost upon us, and I felt it would be helpful if I started setting some goals for myself.....if I type it out, perhaps the likelihood of me following thru will increase. :)

The first item on my to-do list is a holiday dress for my husband's corporate holiday party, which falls on the 6th of December. I think I have settled on The Claire McCardell Dress. (It has recently been released in multi-size format on EvaDress, along with some other wonderful patterns)

The dress is simple, sophisticated and should not take long to make--which is key, since Momma is tired. I plan on using dark green jersey of some description, as I read it was McCardell's favorite fabric to work with. I am hoping since it has a bit of give, this dress will be *very* easy to alter and assemble. Check.

The second item is a hostess ensemble for Xmas dinner at our house. It will be a very small affair with only a handful of guests...and I am thinking a somewhat 70's theme is in order. You know, fondue, bowls of black olives, baked artichokes, spouse-swapping....no no no.

I was a little kid in the 70's, so this style holds a special place in my heart. I think the pattern itself is from 1969--but that's close enough. I was raised in Anchorage, AK where fashion was behind the times by a few years anyway. I fondly remember my mom and her friends in these butterfly collared shirts with wide-legged pants or skirts (usually in extreme plaids) and all the men wearing super wide ties (also plaid).

I particularly like this pattern too, because the blonde gal in the middle reminds me of my friend Elise...who would also happily don that outfit to be a hostess with the mostess.

The third endeavor will be a blouse I can wear with a pair of black trousers on New Years Eve. I will be working, so a wide range movement is required. I told my hubby I wanted this butterfly blouse pattern for Xmas and if I do get it (hint hint, Honey!) I will be able to whip it up just in time.

If, however, I do not receive said blouse pattern, I will make this dress:

And I might just make it anyway....it is too cute. And I think it would make the perfect "little black dress" or cocktail number for any occasion. Aside from housecleaning.

OK. So that's the plan, Stan.

And I am heading to Joann's to use my coupon on the McCardell fabric, if I can find something suitable.

P.S. In "Dressember" we're supposed to wear a dress every day of December...and supposedly skirts don't count. But as I wear jeans and workpants day in and day out, homemade skirts DO count in my book. :) Rules are made to be broken anyway.

What's Wrong With This Picture.....

I'll give you a closer look.....

Can you guess?

Let's just say, I learned about napped fabric.

And I honestly thought I was cutting out the corduroy correctly.

Remember that whole thing about not following directions?

I guess I have trouble following them even when I think I AM.

But that's okay.

There is no such thing as mistakes. We learn from every "so called" error.

And now I will remember always, when I cutting out corduroy, it is NOT okay to just fold the fabric in half widthwise and go for broke.

You must cut on the fold and flip one piece of the fabric around

so the nap matches on both pieces.

And it's all good.

Because I was flashy made sure the pockets were oppositely napped.

Now it is a bit more "homey" and casual instead of classy.

Which is also all good.

Because in the process,

I found my new favorite skirt pattern.

I am making one in every color, including denim.

This Simplicity 4850...I'll add it to the vintage pattern wiki later.

Reasons Why I Love the Northwest......

Oskar and I found this gigantic leaf on our autumn walkabout this morning.

An authentic seafood gumbo simmered on our stove yesterday.

The evening was cold and shivery.

And the hot soup warmed our bellies.

Brown rice and crusty french bread...YUM.

Follwed by spiced pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing.

Served with chamomile tea.

I love autumn.