McCall's 5042 - Numero Cuatro

Pattern: McCall's 5042 (view A)


Size: size 8

Fabric: Yellow with orange, black and white floral print stretch cotton from Fabricland (Canadian chain fabric store).

Project Photo:

Comments: This is a V-neck version of the pattern that has been near and dear to my heart as of late (see here, here and here).

This dress is done is a heavyweight stretch cotton that I picked up for a song in the clearance section of my local chain fabric store last year. I really like the funky floral pattern.

This dress is made the same way as the other three, so not much to add.

Conclusion: Another quick and easy, yet flattering and fun to wear version of M5042.

McCall's 5042 - Numero Tres

Pattern: McCall's 5042 (view A)


Size: size 8

Fabric: Brown with lime and white floral print stretch cotton from Fabricland (Canadian chain fabric store).

Project Photo:

Comments: As a comment to my last sewing post, lsaspacey said..."You should definitely try the V-neck now!" Well, don't ever say I'm not responsive to my readers - you ask and I deliver.

I am not normally a fan of the V-neck. My smaller than average chest is typically not flattered by showing an expanse of sternum, so I tend to stick to crew necks, boat necks and the like. However, this V-neck is high enough that it is still flattering.

As with the other two dresses (here and here) made using this patterns, this new dress also sports a lined bodice and an unlined skirt.

Conclusion: Due to the dark brown background of the fabric, this dress should do an excellent job of transitioning me into fall. On warmer days, it can go solo. On cooler days, I can toss on a cardigan and perhaps a belt. So versatile.

On a non-sewing note, today is my first official day back to work - with classes and students and all the chaos that goes along with it. Wish me luck - I'm sure I'll need it!

Lacquer Lundi

Let's start off today with a question:
Ann said..."Here is my question: Do you find that the polish you wear is enhanced by the clothing that you wear? The color I applied for Sunday was lifeless against the black and white outfit I wore to church, but today it delights me, sparkling against the bronze tones of my top and hinting a bit of gold itself. What do you think?"

Absolutely! I consider nail polish to be an accessory just like scarves or jewelry. In the same way that accessories can harmonize with or contrast pleasingly against the rest of an outfit, nail polish serves the same purpose. I have been known to change clothing because one of my garments clashes with my fingers!


Now, on to the pretties:

China Glaze - TMI
- purchased at head2toebeauty.com for $3.29 US

As many of my regular Lacquer Lundi readers know, I am not a pink fan. However, I am always willing to make an exception for the dark coral pink holographic beauty known as TMI. This beautiful polish is from China Glaze's Summer 2008 OMG collection. Although not as insanely blingtastic as some holo polishes, TMI is still quite the looker.

I have included an indoor (to the left) and an outdoor (to the right) photo.

TMI slides onto the nail easily, covering in two coats. It stood up okay to two days of wear with tip wear and minor chipping. I never seem to get excellent wear from my holo polishes, but I still love them!


Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear - Peach Daiquiri
- purchased at Zehrs (chain grocery store) for $1.34 CDN

I don't tend to enjoy sheer polishes, so when I put on Peach Daiquiri I was a bit dissappointed. Although it is a pretty peach (with subtle silver shimmer) in the bottle, it is very, very sheer on the nail. The photo you see is five (yes, five) coats of polish and it is still too see-through for my taste.

For those in the crowd that enjoy a sheer polish, you will be pleased by the formula - it flows on easily. I however, removed Peach Daiquiri right away as I can't stand VNL (visible nail line) and the five coats were taking forever to dry. I will however try layering Peach Daiquiri over another polish at a later date.






MAC - Cool Reserve
- purchased at maccosmetics.ca for $14.50 CDN

Another of the new Fall 2009 releases from MAC. Cool Reserve is a greyed-down medium lavender creme polish. It is a fairly unique colour (although I did find something comparable if you don't want to shell out the mega bucks for the MAC - see below).

This polish applied better than the previously used MAC polish (see above link for Rich, Dark, Delicious review). It went on fairly easily, although it required three coats to be completely opaque and streak-free. I had higher hopes for the formula of a polish this pricey.

The wear was quite good however. After two very active days with my hands (back to school organization), I only had minor tip wear.


Rimmel Play Fast - Hit That
- purchased at Rexall (chain drug store) for $3.26 CDN

Looking for an inexpensive alternative to MAC Cool Reserve? Consider, Rimmel Hit That. Although it is not an exact duplicate, it may quell the lemmings enough to get by. The base colour of the two polishes are pretty much the same. The only real difference is that Hit That has a subtle bronze micro-shimmer that Cool Reserve does not. If truth be told, I actually prefer the Rimmel polish - it's bit more interesting.

Hit That glides on easily due to a great formula and a nice wide brush (a better brush than the MAC polishes IMHO). It dries quickly too, which is another bonus. I also got just about the same level of wear with the Rimmel polish as with the MAC. So, if you like the dusty lavender look, get the Rimmel and save your shekels for a rainy day.




Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear - Sun Kissed
- purchased at Zellers (chain discount store) for $2.99 CDN

SHHANXW polishes have recently come out with a ton of shades, some of which are new and some are re-releases of older, popular colours. You may have seen the huge display at local drug stores. It was at one of these displays that I found Sun Kissed and fell in love. It is a gorgeous bright orange polish that reminds me of an Orange Creamsicle, that tasty cool summer time treat from my child hood.

As with all my SHHANXW polishes, Sun Kissed flowed on smoothly and moved around the nail nicely (I love the nice wide brush). It did however take three thin coats to ensure opacity, but since this polish dries quickly, it wasn't much of an imposition. It wore well for the day that I had it on.

More Fabric Haulin'

As many of you know, Fabric Mart has a 20% off sale on right now. Well, I spoted some silk charmeuse that I need for a project, do I figured I'd pick up a few yards. Then the flood gates opened:



The first two fabrics (an avocado and an olive silk charmeuse) are for the project. The brown floral silk charmeuse, brown wool knit, tan tropical wool, grey graphic silk twill and heathered grey suiting have less distinct usages in mind. They just seemed like they would like to come live with me. I also picked up a free bundle (premium members can still get the bundle during the sale - just click on "check for special offers" button at the bottom of the shopping cart page).

All in all, I'm still in the negative for fabric acquisition this year, so I maintain that my halo is intact.

Update: It looks like I didn't get the last two fabrics. Double crud! I was really looking forward to adding some more grey to my wardrobe.

Falling off the Wagon

I have been such a good girl this year - oh, yes I have! I have exercised extreme reserve in my fabric buying habits. In the past few years, I have added around 275 m to my fabric stash, every single year. This year, I am actually on the negative side of things. Can you imagine that? I am sewing down my stash - what a novel concept!

In honour of my super human efforts of the last several months, I decided I needed a reward. And what better reward is there than yards and yards (or metres and metres, as the case may be) of fabric?

I decided that Fabric.com would be the site of my debauchery. The following are the spoils of my fabric feeding frenzy:



All the fabrics are wool or wool blends. The first three fabrics are slated to become super cute jackets, while the last two will grace my lower half as some fa-boo pants. C'mon USPS, hurry up, mama needs a fix!

McCall's 5042 - Numero Dos

Pattern: McCall's 5042 (view C)


Size: size 8

Fabric: Brown with teal, lime & white floral print stretch cotton from Fabricland (Canadian chain fabric store).

Project Photo:

Comments: Same dress as yesterday, made in the exact same way. The only difference is that this fabric is a midweight stretch cotton and yesterday's dress used a lightweight stretch cotton.

Yesterday and today are my first days back to school. There are no kids in the school for classes until September 8th, as the days this week are professional development days. I wore yesterday's dress to school yesterday (imagine that!) and received many compliments. One young teacher told me that I "always look like I'm on What Not to Wear." I chuckled and said, "Is that a good thing?" To which she quickly added that I look like the "after" shots not the "before." So, I guess it is a good thing.

Conclusion: I love the high neckline, fitted waist and fuller skirt of this dress. It is a dream draft for a pear like me!

McCall's 5042 - Numero Uno

Pattern: McCall's 5042 (view C)


Size: size 8

Fabric: Tropical floral print stretch cotton from Fabric Mart (I got this in a free bundle. I love free bundles - it's so much fun to be surprised!)

Project Photo:

Comments: I have made this dress a couple of times in the past and I have always been pleased with the outcome. So, when I decided to sew up a few sundresses to get me through the warmer fall days at work, this dress sprang to mind immediately.

This dress has a lovely princess bodice and a full skirt that makes alteration a breeze, if necessary. The only tweak I did was a small bust adjustment on the princess seams in front.

This dress has a completely lined bodice and an unlined skirt. For lining, I used a white stretch cotton fabric - I don't want to lose the comfort of a stretch fashion fabric by lining with a non-stretch woven.

Conclusion: This dress will be perfect for late spring, summer and early fall. In warmer weather, it can be worn solo. When the weather cools, I can toss on a cardigan to extend the wear time.

Simplicity 3874

Pattern: Simplicity 3874 (view B)


Size: Size 8 from shoulder to high hip, out to size 12 downward (I probably only need to go out to a 10 here, but I sit a lot in my job, so I wanted the extra room for comfort)

Fabric: Brown floral print polyester silky - bought in England last summer when I was on vacation.

Project Photo:

Comments: I have made this dress a couple of times in the past and I was quite taken with it. So, when I was rummaging through my stash and came across this polyester woven, I immediately thought of S3874. This seems to be the pretty much the only pattern for which I use polyester fabrics.

As I have explained in the past, I tend to have a high thermostat and poly fabrics can be hot and uncomfortable for me. However, dresses tend to have enough openness and opportunity for air flow, that I can generally get away with a poly dress during spring and fall when the weather is cooler.

The last two times I made this dress, I forgot to make a broad back adjustment and the bodice was a tad restrictive. This time I actually remembered and what a difference it makes!

As with the other versions, I didn't line the dress (the pattern doesn't call for it anyhow). This is an overheating-avoidance decision, being the hot tamale that I am.

Conclusion: Another great version of a TNT dress. Will I make it again? Highly likely!