Time, Time, Time...

...See what's become of me.

I've been very lax in posting, I know...I've just been taking a short break from altering because I've got so many other projects going at once: blogging, altering, crocheting, art, music, and not to mention work.

But as an in betweener, here's a couple shots of what I've been wearing these past few days. Yep, taken in my tub. Don't judge, the lighting here is the best the house has to offer, and the shower background is such a good matte background. Haha. I had a lot of fun with Iphoto on my Mac working on that last one. I'm wishing for Photoshop soon. I saw a big book entitled "CS3 for Photographers" and it looked like the most amazing find.

It feels so very vain making this blog sometimes. I need models. Volunteers?

Also...new haircut! I finally, once again, had enough of normal hair. Chop, chop, thanks to a most talented Malia Imle.



I've been poring over the real-life fashion show stills that areKarla's Closet (the blog: http://www.karlascloset.com/). Of course, I haven't got her wardrobe, but she's certainly been an inspiration in how I've plotted out my alterations and in some recent ensembles. Her blog was kind of a refreshing revival back into style for me.




<3

Technicolor Girl Tunes...

Before I started this blog, I began a Myspace music page as well, so I figured I'd post the link here just in case any of you are interested. I've written and recorded a few of my own songs as well as several covers (mostly whimsical a cappella renditions of rap favorites).  www.myspace.com/thetechnicolorgirl.

Diminutive Dynamite

I've decided that, between project posts, I'm going to put up pics of what I wear daily (if it's in any way notable)--mostly because I do this fairly often on facebook anyways, and I'm sure some of my friends are a little weary of me clogging up their news feeds.   :)

I must admit that yes, I am one of those people who owns Napoleon Dynamite t-shirts--three to be precise--and today I'm wearing my favorite. The photos were taken with Photobooth and therefore are fairly grainy so it is difficult to make out the caption, but it is "I've been practicing some dance moves." This is generally true, though you won't get to see those moves here...or ever, if I have anything to do with it.

I tend to favor clothing that makes me feel like either a pin-up or a dancer, and I've been called a love child of the 60's and 80's...make of that what you will.

Also featured are brown studded cowboy boots by LimeLight, a.n.a. black shorts, American Eagle cardigan (soooo soft), black hose, and gray knee-highs (both from Walmart, I believe).

<3

Again, I apologize for the graininess...ehh. Maybe I'll steal the boyfriend's digital camera.

It's a Mod, Mod World

A few words on perseverance: I spent the whole night awake trying to pin the dress properly, only to find upon trying it on that i'd cut the skirt a bit shorter than I planned, the skirt style wasn't what I wanted (still A-line instead of fitted at the hips), I'd done the shoulders funny and I hadn't pinned up the sleeves, either. I've spent the last few hours re-pinning the entire thing, but I have to say that it is entirely worth it.

pinned up: front view

a couple inches shorter than I intended...but with the extra fabric from the bottom of the skirt I can totally make pockets for the dress. There is nothing more awesome than pockets on a dress, because otherwise you're bound to do something silly with your hands.

back view

close-up, inside-out, pinned

inside-out

Off to take a short nap for now, but thought you might like an update!

Project #1

I'm so thrilled to be making the first post of my first project on this blog! Forgive me if I gush.


I went to the local Goodwill today. With my new perspective, it was an absolute Wonderland of shapes, patterns, and fabrics. There seems to be "potential" in everything I see. I'm a little starry-eyed over it, I'll admit.


Oddly enough, my search procured both a dress that fit me like a glove and another dress perfect for my first project here.

Here's the dress! It's of this medium-weight, but very fluid, silky material. The colors and pattern are so mod, and I love the diagonal buttons! This should be fun...

sooooo long!

Sketch of how I'd like to alter the dress. I want to take in the shoulders, sleeves, sides, and hike the skirt's hem up above the knee. I also want to change the neckline to be almost parallel to the line of buttons. As the last owner sewed patches over the inside of the zipper, I'm going to have to remove them to determine if the zipper is still usable or if I will need to replace it...which will be a new experience, if so. 

Well, there's the plan. Now on into the unknown...

Nothing to Wear

Are you a closet glamazon, stuck in a minimum-wage job, barely making ends meet? Do you enjoy fashion but find that even the "cheap" versions of the latest trends are out of your financial reach (if you've ever had to "save up" for a $16 top, this means you)? Do you wish that the clothes you own would fit you better, but have no money for professional alterations and little to no sewing experience?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, this blog might be for you.

At twenty-one years old, after moving out of my parents' house and into the world of adulthood, I recently took a good hard look into my wardrobe and made a horrific discovery: I had nothing to wear. Now "nothing" means that my wardrobe, though in fact prolific, desperately needs an update. Unfortunately, in this transitional period of my life I've discovered that even my old habits of rummaging through the sales racks at the mall are out of my financial reach.

It isn't that the items I possess are so heinous, or worn beyond repair, but most are evidence of trends long passed, or a figure I no longer have (ever try to dress curves on a budget?).

However, I've found an oasis in this fashion drought. My boyfriend recently requested that I pick out an older shirt of his and make it my "designated girlfriend shirt." I found a Zelda shirt in his bottom drawer that I took a liking to. Unfortunately, it had become too large for him and so I practically swam in all the excess fabric. I asked if he wouldn't mind me tweaking it a bit as an experiment, and he gave me his approval. Initially, I only planned to take it in at the sides, but botched the job and laid the shirt aside, disheartened. Weeks later, with renewed zeal, I attacked it again, redoing the side alterations properly and changing the conventional t-shirt neckhole to a more open, square neckline.

front view A

back view A

To my surprise, I was remarkably pleased with the result, as were my boyfriend and a few others I'd told about my experiment. I decided to alter a few other t-shirts similarly, and was equally pleased.

(sorry, these next few pictures were taken on my cellphone so the quality's not so fantastic)

back view B

front view B

view C

I took comfortable shirts that I once deemed too unflattering to wear outside the house and gave them new life. It's not a new idea, and I'm nothing close to an expert at alterations, but reworking those old shirts got me excited, and now I'm at work in earnest trying to update my whole closet. It's an excitement that I want to share, because if I can do it, why can't you? Besides, in the current recession here in the US, isn't it greener (and more economically sound) to be as efficient as you can with the resources you already possess?

If you can afford a needle, thread, fabric scissors, and pins, then you are well on your way to a much brighter view of your closet.

My goal in creating this blog is to take you, step-by-step, through the process of altering my wardrobe, taking cues from current fashions in my alterations. It isn't professional work, and I'm no designer, but I'll show you both my progress and pitfalls through the process in hopes that it may assist those of you who also feel that you've got "nothing to wear."