Project: Old Chair, New Paint

I did a quick DIY this week and gave an old chair I found at a thrift some a new look with some paint.

I love the shape and design of the chair, but the paint was very worn. Otherwise the chair was in great condition. I decided to pick it up to be used as Josh's nightstand, as I decided his current nightstand should be in our living room to holding our goldfish plant, because I originally bought it to use as an end table anyway!

We don't really have much of a theme going on in our bedroom right now other than some country rose wallpaper which neither of us are into, but Josh would rather leave it up than go through the work of painting the room. I on the other hand welcome the challenge.

I thought long and hard about what color I wanted this chair to be. When I first bought it I thought I would just paint it gold and be done with it. However, I came across something with gold feet and that vision stuck in my head and I knew I wanted this chair to have gold feet.

Which then I went between black or white paint, but I settled for the white to brighten the space.

I used painters tape to tape the original seat. I loved the black seat and it was still in perfect condition.

After painting the entire chair white, I measured up from the bottom how much gold I wanted on the feet. I taped off each of the legs and painted them gold.

I think it came out great! I just love those gold feet!

 Now for that wallpaper...

Blessings,

Katie

Project: Wedding Dress Complete!

As promised I am sharing some pictures of the wedding dress I made for my cousin's wedding this past weekend! But first, I am going to hold you in suspense (unless you just scroll to the bottom right now, but wait!) by showing you this dress that my momma made me!

Look familiar? Yep, it is the same dress my bridesmaids wore in my wedding!

It is so pretty and classic I needed one for myself!

We used Vogue pattern 8241. We found a pink knit that is on the mauve side. The material is almost like an activewear knit. It is a super comfortable dress and it breathes! Which is something I was very concerned about for my bridesmaids. We had a July wedding, and knowing it would be hot, I looked for any fabric that could look dressy but would not make them too warm. I was looking for a rayon challis or knit until I came across this one for $1/yd at Fabric Mart! I bought the whole bolt!

She used a hanging button closure at the top of the keyhole. I found a bag of large buttons that looked like pearls at Fabric Mart in the clearance section. Picked them up for 10 cents for the whole bag!

I found the wide lace for the bottom at a thrift shop in packs of 5 yards for a dollar!

I dressed it up with a brown belt, vintage-looking rhinestone drop earrings, and nude heels.

And now, after dozens of fittings, muslins, and hours of pinning and stitching...

Candy's dress!

 Candy was looking for a simple, elegant gown that was vintage-inspired.

She came to me with the idea of an all lace gown with a scalloped neckline and a-line skirt.

She was ultimately looking for something modest and comfortable.

We used Simplicity Pattern 1460 as a guide for the top. 

I used a cotton lace with a swirl pattern in an ivory. I lined the lace with a white poly charmeuse.

I found some floral bridal lace trim to give her the scalloped edge she wanted.

I had to draft the skirt myself so I could get the shape I wanted. The skirt was four pieces that flared out to give her a full bottom that puddled around her. I added four box pleats to the back to make it fuller.

We finished it off with a champagne bow. The dress is fully lined with white poly charmeuse I purchased from Fabric.com for a great price!

The top closes with pearl buttons. I made her veil as well. I had to have a lot of patience glueing on tiny pearl beads with a tweezer! But it was all worth it. She looked gorgeous in this gown!

Congratulations, Candy + Chris.

May you live a life full of love and happiness!

And thank you so much for allowing me the honor to make your gown!

-Katie

That 70's Chair: Pt 1

There is something about this chair I just fell in love with when I saw it by the dressing rooms of my local thrift shop. They don't normally carry furniture, and I assumed at first that this was just a chair for the dressing room. I cozied up on it while I was waiting for Josh to try on some pants and as I was telling him through the dressing room door how much I liked this particular chair, I noticed it had a plastic bar attached to it that was missing the price tag. Low and behold, this looker was for sale and only $10. 

Sold! 

It was not the color of this chair that caught my eye, but the shape. It was sleek, classic, and surprisingly comfortable. I dwelled on what fabric I would use to cover it. At first I thought I would make it apple red. And then I thought that was too room specific, and with plans of moving in with Josh after our wedding in the near future, I decided on a black and white chevron. Once we moved in and I knew where I was going to place this chair, I changed my mind again!

I finally decided on a black velvet. Why did I not think of that from the beginning?! Of course this chair is meant to be covered in velvet!

I decided to cover the chair with a fitted slipcover that will need to be sewn shut under the arms.
I began to make a muslin for the chair so I could get it as close as possible.
I draped some muslin over the chair and pinned it, smoothing the fabric as I went along.
I made separate muslins for each section, the back, front, and seat. 

I marked the draped pieces with a marking pencil following the curves of the chair and cut the shape out of the muslin. 

Once I finished my muslins, I pinned them to my velvet and cut out the pieces, allowing seam allowances on all sides. 

I am going to sew the front, back, and seat together leaving an opening at the bottom of the arm. The opening has to be long enough that I can slip the covering over the chair. 

This is just part one of the process, but I wanted to give you a quick preview of what I am working on!
I am hoping to have some time to spend on this project this afternoon. I would love to have it completed by this weekend since I have several more chair projects on my list!
Catch ya soon!
-Katie

DIY: Quick Vintage Bench Revamp

Hello!

Here is a super quick DIY project I recently did to an old bench I bought from a thrift shop.

I bought this bench to put in our breeze way so my husband could put on his work boots and take them off again when he returns home.

I was looking for this shape specifically because I like the mid-century look. 

I found this bench for a couple bucks, and while I like the shape and legs were in good condition, I was not a fan of the brown vinyl. I tried to enhance it by throwing a fur on top but it just didn't do anything for me.  

I decided to cover it with a vinyl I picked up for cheap in a color I liked and would look better with the fur I wanted to use.

So I quickly pulled out my handy dandy staple gun and got to work.

So there it is! All finished.
The bench is a fresh mix of vintage and modern.
Unfortunately I lost the piping in the covering process, but I like this color so much better!

I have a few chair remodels I am currently working on.
Check back to see how I revamp "that 70's chair"

Also, if you are in Philly this weekend, we will be at Penn's Landing for the Art Star Craft Bazaar.
Come by to check out our bags in person! We would love to meet you!
Katie

Clover Market: Chestnut Hill

Hello there!
Remember me?

I finally resurfaced this past gorgeous weekend when I made an appearance at Clover Market.
It was 80 degrees and sunny!
A perfect day for a craft show...(despite the wind we received near the end.)
We debuted our Velvet Town Bags and Bow Town Bags at this show.
We also sold a little vintage, including clothing and housewares to round out our booth.

Our next show is just around the corner, so we will be back in hiding until then.
Stay updated with instagram to see what new products will be in Glenside on April 26th.

But first take a look around our Clover Market set up:

Can't make it to Glenside?
Don't worry! We have a few more shows this season.
New products will also be available in our online shop.
Visit us here: www.agirlnamedkatie.etsy.com

Project: Bonnie & Clyde Inspired

The next Pattern Review contest is coming up and the theme is Movie-Inspired.

The rules of this contest state that it is not a costume, but something wearable that captures the essence of a movie of your choice.

When the new TV Movie of Bonnie and Clyde came out in I believe December 2013, the Hub and I watched it. They separated it into a two night movie premiere. I am still disturbed by the ending, but I love the vintage fashion. Just before the premiere, Project Runway did a Bonnie and Clyde challenge. This challenge pushed the designers to take these 1930 looks and create something futuristic and high-fashion. Essentially I am challenging myself with the same task for this contest.

I am going to make a daytime look that is inspired by the 2013 movie version of Bonnie and Clyde, taking vintage elements and making them slightly more modern.

image sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

I love these fabrics. The alpaca is gorgeous. I found a yard of it when I was still working at the fabric store in the remnant bin. I had to have it and I was determined to find the perfect ponte knit that would go along with it. After months of checking the store for said knit, I found it! And boy is it perfect!

 I am loving the pumpkin spice color of this cotton print that is so simple and reminds me a little of the 1930's. I think the colors work so well with each other!

Fabric: Ponte Knit and Alpaca for jacket. Vintage Cotton Print for dress.

I wanted a long luxurious jacket out of the alpaca. I found this loose-fitting jacket pattern in my stash and knew it would be wonderful. Maybe even a little Olivia Pope wonderful?! =]
Gosh that women has beautiful coats!

The dress is a fun version of a shirt dress. It has curves in the bodice that make it a little more special than a normal shirt dress. I might need to take in the sides and skirt to make it look better on my frame.
We shall see. 

Jacket C from Vogue 8860, no collar, no hood paired with Burda 7071 dress. 

In other news, I applied to some craft shows this week.

Keep me and the business in your prayers as I wait to hear if I have been accepted.
Thanks!
Katie

Grace Manor Bed & Breakfast

Hello There!

Are you enjoying your snow day?

It is back to work for the Hub and I this week.

We took a little vacation last week to spend some time together and relax!

We stayed at a little bed and breakfast called Grace Manor, 

owned by a husband and wife who make a great home decorator and chef pair!

We stayed in the Mexican Room at the house with lovely exposed brick, spanish tile, 

and a heart-shaped tub. It was gorgeous! (And right down the street from a cafe!)

So if you are in South Central Pennsylvania at any point in the future, you should check them out!

They also have a french themed room and an asian theme room which we were able to take a peek at and it is amazing with a gorgeous unique bed. 

This lovely couple loves the hunt and fills the rooms with wonderful antique and recycled finds. 

They recommended a shop called Refindings, which is a warehouse filled with vintage finds.

You can spend hours searching the rooms! 

Definitely stop in there if you are ever going through York!

We had a great vacation together and even made it through two seasons of Scandal, which is my new favorite show! (More on that later!)
But now it is back to work!

Stay warm and safe, loves!

Katie

Wedding Day: Wedding Dress

All I have to say is: $25 at a thrift shop. Seriously.