july 2019

hello, dearies!

it is summer and all i can do is think about my upcoming fall and winter wardrobe. the same thing happens when fall and winter arrive: i'm dreaming of spring and summer, and sewing up weather-appropriate additions for warmer days. this summer has me trolling second-hand fashion sites, where i intentionally buy well-cared for and pre-loved garments, then re-fashion them to either fit me or fit my wardrobe aesthetic. two recent scores included a white linen cropped jacket with heavy brass buttons and a vintage wool plaid kilt. the linen jacket did not match the weight and color of the original buttons, so i promptly removed them and replaced them with flatter, pearlized hexagons to be low-key yet add some simple sparkle.

the kilt was a $10 score that just fit around my waist. i removed a side seam, re-adjusted the waistband hooks and eyes for more breathing room, re-positioned the buckle decoration, and then inserted black and cream mesh tulle panels that had been gathered into the opened side seam. i am so pleased with how both garments turned out, and i'm especially looking forward to the kilt being a regular part of my upcoming winter wardrobe.

along with the white linen jacket above, i am delighted to have another new favorite addition to my summer options this season: a nearly new, secondhand, cropped floral linen jacket, to which i added panels to the arms and back, giving me a little more wearing ease.

i also replaced the boring brown, plastic buttons with a mix of unusual vintage mother-of-pearl buttons and as embellishment.

recognize the inset fabric? yes, the linen from my graphite & blue french floral gateway frock!

back in january, i shared how i had accomplished the ultimate d.i.y. project by making my own mattress from buckwheat hulls. it's seven months later and i'm here to report my musings on what it is like to use and care for it.

do you have any summer birthday's or occasions to celebrate? whether slipping into a darling dearie dress for the festivities or looking for the perfect gift for the guest of honor, rest assured darling dearie has you covered!

until my next missive...

xoxo

darling