LA MIA BOUTIQUE 09/2014 CAMICIA 02
So…you know how it is when your brain locks onto something that’s not necessarily the right thing? Tell me you do. It could be a name of a colleague, or the pronunciation of a word, or an answer in a crossword. Okay, okay, you know how I poke along with The New York Times weekend crossword. Well, this one clue had my brain’s database locked on the wrong answer. The clue went like this…Modern-day capital that King David ordered besieged..A five letter word that begins with A and ends with N…well, duh, AKRON, Ohio. What? Not a capital city? Hmmmm…and yes I do see…there is that pesky business about King David ordering it besieged. Probably did not happen in the good ‘ol US of A. Yet could I get Akron (Ohio) out of my mind? Nuh-uh. Finally, after solving another word resulting in a letter M, my brain shifted gears and told me Amman, (and lest you think I’m smart; if you’ve done ten or more NY Times crossword puzzles, you’ve had Amman as an answer at least twice.) Anyhoo, this all led to much pondering of the magical workings of the human brain, and…TA DA…me locking my keys in my car today. Seriously? Yep! Now, let’s move on, shall we…
My shirt today is a me-made. It’s definitely beginning to feel like fall here in Vancouver, and although I’m not ready for bulky layers, long sleeves and covered tootsies are welcome. When I met with Silvia from Sewing Princess, she very generously gave me a copy of the September issue of La Mia Boutique. It’s an Italian sewing magazine, complete with stylish patterns, it is Italian after all. And it is in Italian. Yup! Limited instructions, all in Italian, a language of which I have zero skills…unless words like ravioli, it’s cousins, and vino qualify. Now, I’m like a lot of you…I barely glance at the instructions included in my patterns, but weirdly, I was suddenly feeling like I was flying without a net. So…I chose to sew a shirt, a camicia, partly because I figured I could sew a shirt without instructions; but mostly because I was drawn to the unique front placket on this pattern. No buttons, no zipper. BONUS, sez me. Of course, as things will go, it was the front placket that had me the most puzzled. But I did it! And I love the results! I used two fabrics from my stash, and I got a little creative with pattern mixing! In these photos I have the shirt un-tucked,but the fabrication is light enough that I can easily tuck my top into jeans. Thanks Silvia, for nudging me out of my comfort zone. It was fun, (and a good brain exercise). Look here on Silvia’s blog for a better photo of the pattern I used. It’s the Chevron striped shirt, and very Euro-chic. My version is quite different. I think it’s a good example of how you really can make things your own when you sew.
Shirt : : Me-Made, La Mia Boutique September 2014 Issue
Jeggings : : Laura Petites, thrifted
Boots : : Aldo
Bracelets/Earrings : : Me-Made
56 Comments
Wow!! What an amazing place that looks to be out there on that deck! I'm going to keep this in mind for a future road trip experience. Today I'm headed to Sequim to visit a friend for a few days. I just love it up north and out by the water.
You locked your keys in the car? Yikes! I hope it wasnt too much trouble getting back into it. I've done that a few times myself. A bad habit is dropping my keys into the trunk while putting groceries in the back. Once I even locked myself out of my house on a terribly rainy day for 3 hours. Without a coat too. And nowhere to go because we had just moved to the neighborhood and didn't know anyone.
Great shirt and fabric mixings you made! It suites you to a tee!
Such a lovely experience you had!
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I have found myself standing outside my car looking at the keys inside more than once….once in the driveway….so now I have CAA. Love your shirt and what an amazing vacation you had!!
Bel tempo oggi. A whole semester of Italian and it's the only thing I know how to say. It means “nice day today.” And wow it looks like you've been having a lot of nice days. Don't you look pretty in your me-made shirt!!!! No buttons or zippers! Now you're speaking my language!
What a view from that deck but let's talk about the blouse. It is gorgeous and the fabrics are perfect. Fabulous job.
Hey Sue, looking good in the Okanagan and the new blouse/shirt as well.
Shirl
You're so cute. I can't stand it:)
Welcome back! I'd love to go on a wine tasting trip especially in surroundings like those! The blouse is gorgeous and I'm more than a little in love with the boots.
I'm a crossword obsessive, too. I can wake up in the night with the missing clue on the tip of my tongue only to realise the damned newspaper went in the recycling bin. xxx
PS I didn't want to inherit the boxes and boxes of family photos but there's only my brother and me left and it seemed such a shame to throw them out. Use your mum's knowledge to compile a couple of albums, please! xxx
The shirt is fantastic, and as always your photos are a joy! Impressive skills to make something from an Italian pattern (I struggle in English, never mind another language…)
Your trip sounds divine, and look at that amazing scenery. Officially jealous! xxx
That is so stinkin' cute! So, you're a multi-lingual sewing wiz now? Incredible!
Great pairing of fabrics for that shirt. I love contrast plackets, cuffs and collars.
Road trips – lovely. The gingham and floral fabric are beautiful together what a beautiful shirt. I wish I had your wardrobe.
Cute, cute, cute, cute, CUTE! And, I think you must be living in paradise to enjoy those views at the coast and in the Okanagan. Envy? Oh, yes!
Good for you – the shirt is adorable, and now you know Italian! Bravissima! Are you talking about the Canadian Okanagan wine country, because I've heard there's a huge variety because of so many micro climates. It looks heavenly, and I bet it tastes heavenly, too!
Okay, now I don't feel so bad…I think most of us have done it, and if not the key thing, something equally unfocused. But to be left out in the rain…aw, that's not nice. I was lucky (I guess), I was at a friend's home, so in comfort. I think you would love our wine country Joni! Definitely keep it in mind.
It was indeed a lovely getaway!
You too? A friend of mine locked her keys in the car, with the baby in the car!!! OMG, she felt so bad, she didn't even wait for CAA. She had a grocery clerk break the window!
French, and now Italian too! Connie, you are a renaissance woman! I'm really impressed with the design of this shirt too…sometimes things without zippers and buttons look kind of sack like, but this does have style!
Thanks Lori! It is a very favourite view, never get tired of it!
Thanks Shirl!
hahaha…thank ya dahling!
GAH! A kindred spirit that enjoys a good crossword puzzle! Thanks again for your lovely post today Vix! You're right….time to settle in and sort out a meaningful album or two! Thank you! xo
Thanks Curtise! I definitely had to ponder a fair bit before I started out. And I did use google translate for a couple of confusing bits! xo
Si! Si! Cucire, taglio, manicotto….not manicotti hahaha…that's sleeve…gonna…skirt…OMG I can't be stopped now, LOL!
Thanks Debbie! I do love how you surprise with a contrasting back piece etc!
Thanks Louise! It all starts with choosing fabric that you love to work with! So! You WILL get there girl!
Yes…I have to agree….this is one bit of paradise, that's for sure!
Thanks Val! Yes, we love traveling to the BC Okanagan wine region. It is fantastic! Way, way back in the day, it was all about fruit…apples, peaches, pears, cherries etc….but grape growing is growing at a huge rate. And wineries are popping up everywhere! We've been once to Oregon's wine growing region, but it was still pretty young…another blogger I follow had recently visited and she shared some photos of Newberg. Things are really looking much more inviting, and we'll have to get down there again!
Her blog, FYI is The Starfish Studio
That is really pretty, I wouldn't have thought of combining the two colors AND the gingham and floral, but it works so well together! That shirt looks extremely comfortable too, the cut looks ample, particularly the sleeves (where I always seem to have trouble!). Great job!
Ugh to locking the keys in the car. I've only done it once (knock wood!) and I did manage to break in to my own car via a wire coat hanger, but not so sure with the way the newer cars are that I could do it now. However, I did miss an exit ramp yesterday due in part to too much thinking about other stuff, new definition for distracted driving? If it had been something important or serious I probably wouldn't have been so annoyed with myself, but it was design/craft things I was thinking about LOL
So glad to hear you were out enjoying the last bit of the summer. Sounds like the perfect vacation.
I'm kind of happy with our keys to our car. We can't lock it without them. No more problems about locking them inside. On the bright side…you thought of Amman…which I couldn't do in a million life times.
Love the pattern mixed shirt. You know you are a skilled sewer when you can pick up a magazine in another language and sew the project.
bisous
Suzanne
How jealous of your wine tasting! We didn't have time for that in Kelowna but loved the scenery.
Your shirt is absolutely fabulous and I'm really impressed of your taking the plunge! You're great!
The print matching Queen strikes again! Lovely make Sue!
Thank you Flo! The coat hanger was my first thought too….we're giving away our ages here Flo….first of all, try and find a metal hanger, LOL, and they just don't work on current door locks. My husband drove out with a spare set and 'saved' me. 🙂 I hope, I hope that you didn't have to drive too much further to get off the highway. LOL on the design/craft thoughts thought!
Now, that's a car for my future! No key, no lock!
I'm so glad you toured through the Okanagan. It's a much loved area in British Columbia…quite a unique climate being very warm in summer, but cold enough winters for snow!
Thanks again for the magazine! I plan on making another design, but just haven't picked which one yet! Aside from the language challenge, the pattern pieces go together quite beautifully!
Bam! It's one of the fun bits about sewing. Coming up with one-of-a-kind combinations!
Super cute shirt, I love what you are wearing with it too. I am jealous you got up to the Okanagan, great wine, great food and amazing scenery. Did you find any fabric stores while you were there?
Again well done Sue! A beautiul shirt. And so well styled with the boots. Love it. Also love the pattern mixing. A pity you stopped writing about you leaving your keys in the car and locking yourself out haha. Would have loved to hear how you managed that.
Oops…didn't even look. I always forget that there could be a hidden gem up there…and independent fabric store that carries lovely fabric. If there is one, it's probably in Kelowna, and we spend our time in the south end. Maybe next time…
Thanks Greetje! Huh….you are right…I really didn't tell that little story…I'll try to 'remember' to add it to my next post!
I love short vacations with my husband too – the slowing=down is so restorative, yeah? Wonderful shirt, you multilingual seamstress! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xox.
Ciao, Bella!!! ( … me too. I know a few food and wine names, a few artists and composers names and a few famous city names. And some sportscar names. A lot of nouns, but no verbs!)
You look fabulous. Love it … you did such a great job, and it's pretty as can be with you wearing it! Love the deep curve of the hem. I've been thinking of altering some blouses I have already into a hem shape like this. So flattering! You'll have so much fun wearing this later in the fall with a sweater over it and all the adorableness peeping out.
Hello lovely Sue!
You look beautiful in your pattern-mixed shirt and I see you found the perfect jeans (and not to forget a pair of gorgous boots)!
What a lovely place to have a time out!
Sabine xxx
Absolutely Patti! It's a bit surprising, but even a break of a day or two from routine, puts me back on the right track! Thanks for hosting VM.
Thanks Jan! Now that I'm looking at this shirt through your eyes, I'm seeing a lot Jan-ness! The hemline is indeed flattering!
Thanks Sabine! The Okanagan is a lovely place to enjoy a time out! Not the ocean, but a beautiful big lake instead!
Beautiful as usual! But those boots are TDF!! I love how they look with the dark wash jeans and your plaid/floral shirt. Nice pairing, Sue.
xo
Carelia
What a fabulous combinations, my dear Sue. You do look RADIANT nad fabulous
I do hope you will join Share-in-Style: Favouite print.
Ps:
Men and women alike pass on their first surnames, the father´s one
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I would love to visit here one day, you're so lucky! Your shirt is stunning, well done for creating something so unique. I love gingham it's one of my favourite patterns.
Ok, Miss amazing talented Sue, sewing like its nobody's business without instructions and delivering up an item like this? I'm speechless! Wow!!! I sure wish you could be my personal seamstress since I can barely thread a needle, this is an awes inspiring talent to me. I do love gingham and floral and what a brillian idea to bring it into a fall look. And by the way, that mini vacation sounded so wonderful!
I LOVE this blouse, as well as the bird jacket! I've had a skirt laying on my table since, oh, April, just waiting to be finished. Alas work and some health issues with my parents has meant very little free time, so I'm living vicariously through all the spectacular projects you share. SO, SO cute. Thanks so much for keeping me inspired.
Thank you very much Lorna! Yes, I do feel lucky to live here. Although at present, it's dark and gloomy and really rainy…:)
Thanks Trina! You and your hubby do the mini vacation well! I love seeing photos of your little getaways! Weather here is pretty yucky right now, but next spring/summer? Maybe your visit here?
Crystal! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm sorry to hear that your parents have been challenged with some health issues. Sewing projects, although fun and rewarding, can and should definitely take a back seat when a loved one is struggling. I'm happy that I can provide a little inspiration during this period! xo
Thanks Carelia! You know, I can totally see you in those boots too!
Thanks so much Sacramento. I hope you are enjoying your little break!!! xo