Darling Dress Giveaway!

I just wanted to let all of our readers know that Betty Beguiles is hosting a giveaway of your choice from three lovely dresses. The contest runs through August 9th, so hop on over there and have a look!

Lucy Learns to Sew: Project 3

Pattern:
None, really

Fabric:
XL Skirt ($4.50, Goodwill)
Small amount of navy batiste (sunk cost from another project)

Other Notions:
Zipper (re-used original)
Interfacing (.50)
Hook and Eye: (1 @ $1.29 a dozen)
Negligible amount of white and navy thread
Sash from summer dressing gown (free)

Total Cost: $5.13
Time: About 2 hours
New Sewing Techniques: adaptive reuse

I found a brand new Coldwater Creek skirt at the thrift store awhile ago. It was made from an excellent quality fabric, but was too wide at the waist and too long.


I originally planned to turn this skirt into a tiered skirt, but after I trimmed off the beads and cut the skirt yoke pieces, I realized there was more fabric than I needed for a skirt and a lot of nicely finished seams. As an architect, I have long been intrigued by adaptive reuse. I saw the potential for a maxi dress- perfect for summer road trips and barbecues.

I turned the yoke upside down (the hips now became the bust). I cut out about 1/4 of the remaining fabric divided evenly over one seam, then gathered the remainder gently. I liked the current hem length, but needed a few extra inches at the top, so I raided the scrap bag for some navy fabric, echoing the skirt's original waistband. I folded it double and reinforced it with interfacing in between the fabric layers. I attached the band to the bodice and the assembly to the skirt, and worked in a few back darts. I sewed the new side seam, replaced the zipper, then made straps from the surplus skirt fabric. A few sash loops, a hook and eye, and this project was ready to go!

If you are starting without a pattern, this helpful tutorial demonstrates how to turn an ill-fitting skirt into a dress; the book New to Old is also full of adaptive reuse ideas with minimal sewing- always key in my book!

Spring Scarves

Long have I admired silk scarves and the women who wear them. My mother owns quite a collection that I always secretly admired as a little girl.

Today I own a couple scarves of my own, but always feel rather silly when I try to wear them - something like Lady when Jim Dear gave her to Darling for Christmas: a silly puppy with a bow bigger than my head.

Any fashion-savy lady will agree scarves are the perfect way to add color, pizazz, and style to an outfit. They are perfect for spring - a little bright color to match the excitement of the season, but also just a little warmth against the still-nippy air. Furthermore, scarves can be a delightful way to remedy the ever-so-slightly-immodest neckline of your favorite blouse.

Then there's the the scarf for your hair, your bag, or perhaps around your waist. So many options!

So how do you look like Grace Kelly and not like an over wrapped Christmas present?

My mother passed along this wonderful video from the clothing retailer and purveyor of fine scarves, Talbots. The fashion consultant in video demonstrates the basics of scarf wearing. She sure makes it look like a cinch.


Take a look and consider adding some classic, colorful scarves to your outfits this Eastertide!

It's Holy Week...

... do you know where your Easter dress is?

This has been a Church Lady Public Service Announcement.

Lucy Learns to Sew: Project 2

The progress continues,

Pattern:
Simplicity New Look 6872, Option B ($3.99, Joann)

Fabric:
2ish yards, won at parish raffle

Other Notions:
Interfacing (1/2 yard @ .99)
Red thread (1/4 spool @ $2.29)
2 yards of 1 1/2" Ribbon ($1.17)
Hook and Eye: (1 @ $1.29 a dozen)

Total Cost: $6.22
Time: About 4 hours, at least half of which was because I sewed by hand
New Sewing Techniques: interfacing, zipper

Comments: I picked a trendier cut for this skirt because the fabric looks very dated, so my net effect is "vintage."

What Not to Wear: When in Rome edition

Deciding what to wear to an evening wedding is challenging enough; imagine how daunting it is to choose proper attire for a papal audience.

Even the most seasoned president, prime minister and ambassador must struggle with deciphering proper protocol. But women, whether they are government leaders or the first lady, have to grapple with a lot more when they meet the pope.

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has a Vatican protocol primer that walks people through what is considered the proper dress code.

For men: black or dark suit, aka business attire, with a dark tie.

For women: black skirt or dress that reaches at least the knees, black top with mid- to long-sleeves, no pants, simple jewelry, dark closed-toe shoes, and a black hat or veil is optional.

A museum employee told CNS that dressing decently is a common courtesy; one is after all a guest in "a place deserving respect" when visiting the museums or a pilgrim in a place of worship when visiting the basilica.

Clothes do indeed make the woman and the man, and they can also make or break a visit to the Vatican.

[full Catholic News Service article]
[image source]

Lucy Learns to Sew: Project 1

Like Laura Ingalls Wilder, I learned to sew from patchwork- an excellent primer for even seams of small stitches, ironing as you go, and a variety of sewing techniques such as applique and curved seams. My mother loved to sew, but I never learned how to use a sewing machine.

But a combination of the Dress a Week blog Therese linked to, finding some fabric during New Year's cleaning and my wins at the Knights of Columbus raffle last fall got me interested in sewing some garments.

This garment was completely sewn by hand. For my first project, I picked a cotton fabric with an all over pattern for maximum forgiveness.

Pattern:
Simplicity New Look 6870, Option D ($3.99, Joann)

Fabric:
1 1/2 yards, Originally purchased for a quilt back 5 years ago (sunk cost)

Other Notions:
1/4" Elastic (1/10 package @ $1.29)
White thread (1/4 spool @ $2.29)
1 1/2 yard of 5/8" and 1 1/2 yards 3/8" Ribbon
(sunk cost from a previous project; used because I was too lazy to sew fabric ties)
Hook and Eye: (1 @ $1.29 a dozen)

Total Cost: $4.80
Time: About 6 hours, at least half of which was because I sewed by hand
New Sewing Techniques: darts, elastic casing, waist ties

Comments: This is a quick and easy pattern. It is very feminine and flattering. There was 4" extra positive ease in the back which I eliminated with a hook and eye at the middle back waist (and gets covered by the waist ties).

Tis the Season: Spring Interview Season

The Church Ladies have professional experience in a number of fields including, but not limited to: parish and diocesan administration, the non-profit sector, education, the arts, and architecture/engineering. We believe that women bring a unique perspective and much needed voice to the workplace.

My job has always had a strong geographical commitment, so as a result, at less than 5 years after graduation, I have been on over 100 interviews. As spring interview season and job fairs approach, I'd like to share some tips that I've gleaned through the years (including the memorable spring break of my senior year at Our Lady's University, which seemed to be spent entirely on the Metro-North railroad).

SETTING UP INTERVIEWS:
-See if your field has a professional organization website with job postings.

-If you are looking for a job in a faith-based context, check out catholicjobs.com, the diocesan website, or the local Catholic Charities website. It might not hurt to call over to HR with the latter two; some places don't keep their websites up to date. If you are interested in education, call the Catholic Schools Office of the diocese.

-For other nonprofit jobs, check out nonprofitjobs.com

-For jobs in higher ed, I strongly recommend HERC. Smaller institutions might belong to independent consortiums, so google "independent colleges" and your area.

-Word of mouth is great. Ask, ask ask.

-Take advantage of your alumni connections. Our Lady's University is very good about facilitating networking. If you are still in school, ask if your department maintains a list of alumni and their professional connections.

-Narrowly focused job fairs, such as those set up to specifically recruit students from your school/ school's department- can be rewarding. In my experience, smaller is better, excepting fields that hire a lot of employees, like public education.

-Schedule your interviews at least 3 hours apart. I have had good interviews that lasted from 15 minutes to 2 hours and counting. You never know.

APPAREL:
-Check out my earlier post on buying a good dark suit.

-If you are interviewing at several offices over a few days, consider buying a second suit. Depending on your complexion, I'd recommend grey, navy, or chocolate brown. Pick shirts or camis that can go with both suits.

-If your interviews include trudging through spring slush, consider investing in a pair of dressier walking boots you can keep on during your interview, or trade out for your dress pumps if you would rather.

-A stylish briefcase/large purse makes a good first impression. It should be big enough to fit a ring binder inside. Interior pockets are a plus for your wallet, keys, etc.

-Lightly apply make-up and cologne.

-Unless you are interviewing at a parish or chancery, swap out your religious jewelry for the Church Lady Classic, a string of pearls. Modern HR policy forbids discrimination on religious grounds, but you can never tell what will set someone off. You can be an example of the faith- after you get the job.

-Have a small emergency kit: clear nail polish (for runs in stockings), stain stick, safety pins, umbrella, headache remedy, and gum/mints.

PUBLIC SAFETY:
-Interview season may be the first time you have been in a metro area alone. Be safe.

-Make an index card for every interview with: date/time, the name of organization, address, interviewer, phone number, and brief summary of the organization. When your GPS picks the wrong one of six highways named after Boston's Irish bishops, you'll be glad to have a direct contact. If taking public transportation, note the nearby stations and schedules. Keep this card in your coat pocket for easy reference.

-Someone should know where you are. Share a list of interview locations and times with a parent or roommate.

-Don't talk about your travel plans in public.

-Bring your charged cell-phone, but turn the ringer off.

-Sole proprietorships can offer a more flexible work week and a wider professional experience. But go with your gut here. If you feel uncomfortable with the proprietor, or the office is very remotely located, don't take the job.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW:
-Confirm your interview a few days ahead of time.

-Print off extra copies of your resume, at least one for each interview. I know you emailed it to them already... but they misplaced it. Or gave it to a colleague for review. Their kid drew on it. The dog puked on it. Don't take it personally. Have another to hand out.

-Consider having business cards made.

-Arrange your documents in a ring binder or folio. Check that your portfolio is up to date.

-Print off the company's home-page and list of recent ventures. Talking about these expresses your genuine interest in the organization.

-Think of creative ways to describe some of your faith-based activities for the public sphere. You led a book-study? Translation: Experience facilitating small groups.

-I strongly recommend reading Drucker's "What NonProfits are Teaching Business."

AT THE INTERVIEW:
-Arrive early.

-Speak clearly and cheerfully.

-If asked about a skill you lack, express your willingness to learn.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW:
-Send a thank you note promptly. Use professional stationery.

-Follow-up as necessary. It can take longer than you think for some hiring decisions to be made.

Good Luck! The Church Ladies are praying for you.

A Dress a Week

Goodness, there are some ambitious bloggers. First, there was the lady who cooked a crockpot recipe every day, and now, via Betty Beguiles, I find this lovely new blog, Sew Weekly. And not only is the blogger finishing a new dress every week, but, so far at least, they have all been from vintage patterns!

Enjoy!