Blue & White

So I already posted a little red today, how about some blue and white? I'm loving the paisley fabric for summer. And the white ruffles add the perfect amount of femininity to any room.

These bags and pillows are now available to purchase in my etsy shop.

Slipcover Redo

While photographing a few other projects this afternoon, I photographed the slipcover that I made a few weeks ago. I loved the natural light in the living room this afternoon; sure beats the gloomy weekend we had.

I just checked one more thing off the living room list. Pillows! The sofa is now filled with fluffy goodness perfect for sitting back and reading a great book.

I made all the pillows out of remants from the window treatments and other projects. The pink pink and ivory pillow was picked up at Homegoods. I initially liked it, but I'm not 100% certain that it works with the orange chair (notice the blue tag on it still). What are your thoughts?

Featured Slipcover

My green chair slipcover is featured on Pink and Polka Dot's blog today as a Friday's Featured Slipcover! So exciting! Be sure to stop by and take a look at all the great slipcovers she features!

Did I mention I was REALLY busy last weekend making a wedding dress?

Well, I didn't really sew it, but I designed it! My sweet Mom did all the sewing. I helped pick out the initial patterns and chose the fabric and tried on all the different versions of the dress. Her friend Kathy came over multiple times to help with the cutting, sewing and fitting process. Thanks Kathy! We finished late Tuesday night, except for a few minor changes that will happen at the final fitting. Of course I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise of the dress with photos (you'll have to wait until after the wedding for those!), but I can show you a few process pics.

Me cutting the fabric

My sweet Mom smocking the skirt

Yards and yards of silk for the skirt

In summary, making your own wedding dress is a good idea... if the following statements are true:

-You know someone who can and is willing to help you sew. Do not think you can make this and fit yourself in it. It just doesn't work! You need to have a sewing team!

- Your sewing team has a good understanding of patterns and has successfully made clothing before. My team has past experience making costumes and tutus for the Ballet studio where both of their daughters dance. Barb & Kathy are quite the sewing duo!

- You have a good fabric store with great employees in close proximity so you can run over and ask them questions. Thanks to Patty at Fabric Hut in Norfolk for all her help.

- You know what you are looking for in a dress and can find patterns that are similar in style. After going to a few bridal shops, I quickly realized that I was not going to be able to find "the dress" in a realistic price range. I sketched up exactly what I was looking for and I went to the fabric store and found 2 patterns that looked like they would create the look. We ended up adding 1 additional style to the dress for a total of 3 different patterns to get the right look - one for the bodice, one for the cummerbund and one for the skirt.

- You have patience and understand the final results aren't going to happen overnight. I can't tell you how many times we ripped out seams and had to stop and think about the patterns we were using. We used muslin for the first dress (NEVER cut your first attempts in the wedding fabric!) and made so many different renditions so that we could get the right fit. The good news is that you can see progress pretty quickly.

- You want to save money! I wouldn't go as far as saying the initial goal was to save thousands, but once we added up all the costs, that is essentially what happened! I am pleased to say that the dress came in around $300 including muslin for the initial pattern and interlining, tons of crinkly, lusciously slubby silk for the dress, taffetta for the lining and all other notions. Note that this number does not include time spent making the dress.


I really couldn't be happier with the dress. Kathy and Barb are my sewing fairy godmothers and what they have created is something I could have never have found in a store. The experience outweighs the results though, in my opinion. It was a delightful opportunity to make this dress with my Mom and it's a memory I'll always have to look back on. So there you go, future brides! We did it and so can you!

Window Treatments and Zimmans

In the midst of wedding planning, I have taken some time to put some color on my windows. As many know, apartments often lack color. Mine is no different. As nice as it is to have a clean, uniform look throughout the apartment, the lack of color is getting a little, well, dull. I am working to bring some color and "L.Alden-ness" into the space.

I wanted to work on the living room first, which has taupe walls, white trim, light wood floors, and a white sofa. The room is crying for color!!! Deciding on my largest print was the first place to start. So I made my first trip to Zimmans, my new favorite fabric store! I picked out this floral print (I don’t know who makes it, if anyone recognizes it please let me know!) because it is fun, vibrant, and features so many different colors. I could see it going about 10 different ways in different spaces. After I whipped up the first relaxed roman and found that the curtain was crying for more oompf! The green in the leaves is gorgeous, and I knew it needed to be better represented, so back to Zimmans I went. Carly was there to help me out; let me tell you, this girl knows her fabric. Within seconds of showing her what I was trying to highlight, she knew exactly where to go. Well one week later and here are the results.

So, what’s next, you ask? Well, I need to make pillow covers for pair of rectangular pillows I bought at Homegoods (the striped one on the sofa above). I'm thinking a solid green with mother of pearl buttons. I also need to bring in the vibrant pinks, reds and yellows out subtly with accessories. Then its on to the fireplace. I'm looking to make or purchase an affordable oil pastel or oil painting for the fireplace. I'd love a street scene, maybe a cafe or little storefront. A heavy emphasis on perspective is a necessity too. Something sweet and Southern to remind me of my Virginia roots. Any suggestions are welcome!

More ruffles

More ruffles ... this time for little girls! Too cute!

found here

There is also a tutorial for the flowers. I think that these flowers would be perfect along the neckline and button closure of a woman's cardigan.

Oh, and wait... there are more cute dresses here.

Inspired yet??? I am!

Making a list

I have a long list of things I want to sew and create in the near future.

This style bag was just added to the list...

I love the burlap handles and the shape. Super cute for the Spring! I'm thinking this fabric... an old favorite of mine. The tote will need to be able to hold magazines, a design binder, fabric samples and blueprints.

originally found here

Purchase from DrikaB's Etsy shop if you need instant gratification!


Love it!

Made By Moi

A new little something to add to the wardrobe made by moi:



I can't take all the credit for this shirt... I was inspired by J.Crew, and needed something to compliment my favorite Stella and Dot necklace. The plain slubby knit v-neck tee is from Old Navy. I added the pleated ruffle neckline. Lots and lots of folding, but it was a fun activity and a great use for the sewing machine.

Sunday Sewing Project

Because its so cold outside (and due to all these repeat snowstorms), I have had more time to sew on the weekends. I love how relaxing it is to sit down with a project and think it through. Two weekends ago I made a slipcover. This past weekend I took it easy on the sewing and made two zebra pillows. Before packing the sewing machine up for the weekend though, I threw together some ruffles for a tank I bought at Target.

The results were not exactly what I expected...



I love the front, but the ruffles are very thick and scoop too low on the back so I can't wear it with any cardigans. Unless ofcourse, I choose to look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I think I"ll pass though.

This will have to wait until its truely spring and I can wear it without cardigans. In the meantime, I'm searching for tanks with higher backs so I can do the ruffle look right now!

Zippy Zebra Pillows

I made a pair of zippy zebra pillows over the weekend. I love the colors! So fresh and fun. Now I need to throw together a whole set of spring inspired pillows for the sofa!

Before and After - the Green Chair

Remember this?

+ one snowy weekend

+ inspiration photos:

Found here

Found here

Found here

= slipcover pattern

A good use of a snow day, I'd say!

Etsy Shop Updated

I have updated the shop! Look to your right and you'll see a link. Actually, I basically just set it up tonight. For now, there's only one pillow listed, so you all will have to fight over it. Don't worry, I have more here in my "inventory," I just haven't had a chance to upload the photos. In the meantime, if you have any Etsy selling advice, I'd love to hear it. I'm new to Etsy and will take all the advice I can get. Thanks!

I Mean Seriously...

Could this little guy get any cuter? He's Max from "Where the Wild Things Are." Props to the Mom who put this costume together! She did a great job. Aren't you inspired to make a creative Halloween costume?

Happy Halloween Weekend!