Sew Through the Decades Wrap-Up

 

Thank you so much for any encouraging and sweet comments, for putting up with the challenge while you browse my blog, and especially for those of you who participated in any decade, whether it was one of them or all of them!

I had a great time sewing through the decades.  I admit that it was a bit more work than I had originally thought, but I am glad that I stuck with it. 

It was fun to learn a little bit more about each decade and see what we have taken from previous decades and incorporated into today’s styles. 

To celebrate being finished (because I am celebrating—it was a lot of work, even though I am happy I accomplished it!), here is a re-cap of the projects I completed for each decade.

To see more pictures and/or tutorials on some of these projects, click on the link above each picture. 

 

1900-1909

 

1910-1919

 

1920-1929

 

1930-1939

 

1940-1949

 

1950-1959

 

1960-1969

 

1970-1979

 

1980-1989

 

1990-1999

 

2000-2010

And that, my friends, is my Sewing Through the Decades wrap-up!

Sew Through the Decades Challenge Features: 2000-now

My sister Rachelle participated this time!  She has a family blog but no craft blog (though she did post a super cute tray she refinished here) and so you will just have to take a look at her talent below.  First she made this beautiful A-line skirt and headband that matches (isn’t my sister pretty?). 

And for her little girl, she made this ruffle dress and lace headband.  Adorable!

Here are the headbands closer.  They look great!

And yea!  Nicole from Cole’s Corner and Creations stuck with me through the end.  She had a great idea to use for her inspiration.  Mondo from Project Runway!  Isn’t that the coolest?  Mondo is so cute and extremely talented—his designs are so perfect and the color combos are great.  Check out what Nicole made.  More pics can be found here.  I’ve so enjoyed watching Nicole’s little girls work it when they get their pictures taken.  It’s actually the same outfit, but her other little girl just wanted to wear the top backwards:). 

Sew Through the Decades Challenge: 2000 – now!

For this last decade, I knew I wanted to incorporate things that are all the rage right now—ruffles, polka dots, flower headbands, cute tights…you get the idea. 
What I didn’t realize was that once I put all the items together, it looked pretty 50’s!  Which is ok because I LOVE the 50’s and it is very much in style these days.
OK,let’s break down the look for you.
The skirt:  I made the skirt using a tutorial by Dana of MADE for her circle skirt.  I again borrowed Sabra’s serger and it made the whole process go faster. I’m happy with how it turned out.  I might have to do some unpicking though,  since I measured the elastic around my waist with clothes on…oops.  So it’s safety pinned in the back—it might also have to do with how high I wanted to wear it on my waist with this shirt. 
The top:  I started with a Shade basic tee top, cut the neckline a bit lower, and used a tutorial for this ruffled shirt by Sachiko of Tea Rose Home.  Sure, my ruffles aren’t evenly spaced, but I still love it and will wear it. 

The tights:  I just bought those classy fish-net looking tights at Wally-World for $5.00.  They are cuter in real life.
The headband:  I wanted to make a ruffled lace headband, and I wanted it big.  SO many tutorials on how to make these kinds of things, so I didn’t bother.  .

But here is a closer look:


The shoes:  they are just my shoes that I added the removable ruffles to.  
   
Thank you Sabra, for taking the pictures—it’s so nice to have someone I feel a teeny tiny less self conscious around! 

On a different subject:  Does anyone else get all dressed up and excited for pics, only to find that you are so camera shy that you feel like an idiot!? 
I appear to be trying a ballet move while sitting. 

Kissy lips directed at…my feet? 

I will be doing a re-cap next week of all my projects from the Sew Through the Decades Challenge!  It feels so good to have accomplished it!  And it feels even better to be finished:). 

Sewing Through the Decades Challenge Feature: 1990’s

 

Only Nicole from Cole’s Corner and Creations participated this time—thanks for hanging in there with me, Nicole:).  I’ve had fun and I hope you have as well!  And thanks to anyone else who has done anything at all for the challenge:). 

Here is her cute creation.  Go here for more pics.  Goodness, she sews the most adorable things for her adorable kids! 

Sew Through the Decades Challenge: 1990’s

Wikipedia says:  By the early 1990s, leggings were actually outselling jeans in many parts of the United States.

Since the beginning of this challenge, I knew I wanted to make leggings for the 90’s, seeing as how they are popular again (man, that didn’t take long before these came back in style).

I originally thought I’d try my own out, but last night I just didn’t feel like spending my time if someone else had already figured them out.  I used Ashley from Lil’ Boo Blue lil' leggings pattern.  I figured the money was worth not spending time on something that just might not work!  And I was right—if they are wearable and work in the crotch area, I call it a win.  

I used an Old Navy shirt that was a couple bucks during one of their amazing sales--fun times with Sabra.   And thanks to Sabra, I used her serger so the leggings sewed up nicely and quickly.

I did not make the dress—it was a birthday present to Little Miss B, but I think it’s from Kohls.  Although, you can totally do it—it’s basically a knit shirt on top with a gathered skirt on the bottom.  It’d be easy to do!

Wanna see what’s going on above that cute little bum?  Here’s a typical rundown of our photo shoots these last few times.

I say, “B, smile!” 

Hmmm.  I’ll get back to you on that.

“Please B?  Just smile real fast and we can go inside and have your sucker!”  She answers:  Don’t wike it!  Is too big. 

Oh me?  You want me to smile?

Like this?

Or how about this?  You like this one? (yes, I do—it’s adorable) 

And my favorite.  Not amused.   

I love this girl and all the sass that comes with her. 

________________________________________________________________________

Next week is the last decade.  2000-2009. 

Remember the voting for Purse Week Finalists ends on Friday, October 15, 11:59 AM, so the winners will be announced that afternoon!

1980’s Challenge Features

I love how Nicole from Cole’s Corner and Creations has played along the whole time—thank you Nicole!  It’s been really fun seeing what you make.

First, a Rainbow Brite outfit for her little girl (more pics of this outfit here).  I love all those colorful ruffles!

She also made a fun 80’s outfit for her son.  Love his poses (more fun pics here)!

Kiala from Onni (which I believe is Finnish for happiness) made this fun outfit for her little girl.  The bright colors totally speak 80’s, don’t they!?

Thanks for participating!  Only two more decades left! 

Sew Through the Decades Challenge, Week Nine: 1980’s

I knew I had to keep this decade simple because of Purse Week.  And as soon as Nicole from Create and Delegate posted her Legwarmers Tutorial, I knew that’s what I wanted to make for Little Miss B.

The sweater I bought at the thrift store had a really long section of the sleeve with just the straight lines.  I wanted the detail of the rest of the sleeve, so I folded it up to make a cuff and added 3 buttons on each legwarmer.

The sad part is, since B hasn’t worn any babylegs since last winter, she wasn’t liking these very well once they were on. 

She kept telling me they were too big.  I kept telling her how cute they were, and when we picked up her brother D from school, I said, “Tell B how much you like her legwarmers.”  He laughed and said, “I like your leg things B.  They are kind of funny.” 

I didn’t think anything of it really (because a 5 year old knows nothing of fashion of course).  After a few seconds pause, I hear Little Miss B whisper in the back to her brother, “I don’t like them.”  Totally made me laugh, especially because she’s barely 2.

I really REALLY hope she’ll wear them though!  Because I love them, even if she doesn’t.

 

Thanks for such a simple and CUTE idea, Nicole! 

You can read more about the challenge here.   We only have two weeks left of the challenge!  Next week we are sewing for the 90’s! 

Tomorrow, we finish up Purse Week with one more awesome guest post.  Entries for the contest need to be added to the flickr pool by 11:59 pm, MST, Friday, October 8th.  Please make sure to read all of the rules and check the dates on your pictures!!!