Birthday Blooperfest
I’m not doing a grateful-live post because someone else already did it-better. Also.
I took these pics on self-timer just before leaving the house for a birthday meetup with some friends. Carl was in the kitchen mixing us some drinks. All of a sudden he ran out, swooped me off my feet, kissed me and ran off again. I have photographic evidence documenting said incident (not up here because seeing my man’s perky bottom sheathed in black CKs is a privilege that has to be earned) that I will treasure forever.
This is the shot after that one.
Mini-trench tester I sewed up for velosewer’s trenchathon-the only sewalong I entered last year because of its do what you want when you feel like it philosophy:
"There are no deadlines. Just trench coat techniques and pattern options."
I sewed it back in October 2012 and used the remainder of the quilting fabric from my 70s smock for the collar (I shouldn’t have-the lining goes so much better with the mustard fabric). It took a month to find buttons which took a month to get shipped (guess why I’m not linking the etsy seller) and another three weeks to arrive.
The buttonholes skewed every which way due to the diagonal twill weave on that shitty shitty poly-wool mix (it has maybe 2% wool in it and wrinkles just from being thought about. It’s in the cupboard wrinkling now).
The real thing’s already been cut out of in an off-white (almost taupe) melton wool and is under the bed patiently awaiting colder weather.
I made the skirt out of an old Obi off ebay. I shouldn’t have. I really, really shouldn’t have. The fabric was ancient (from 1952 or some such madness) and and prone to skewage and fraying and had heaps of weak areas throughout. The night I wore it out, the side with the invisible zipper in it caught on something and tore right through.
Big mercies: it was dark outside, the lining of the skirt was black too, I was on my way home, got a lift from a friend.
Pattern: Marella mini-trench # 10, Patrones 264, mini-skirt 102, Burda 10/2011.
Fabric: Mustard poly-wool, quilting fabric and authentic 70s acid green and yellow lining (from the actual 70s) for the trench, Obi silk lined with black rayon for the mini-skirt.
Modifications: Shortened the trench by 1 cm at waist didn’t interface front or back collar.
Eliminated centre front seam and fly zipper from the mini-skirt. Added an invisible side seam zipper instead.
Didn’t hem the skirt because Obi fabric is narrow and the selvedge formed the perfect hem.
Misc: The shirt is a five year old ready to wear piece, tights from Zohara tights (not recommended-they got saggy after just 3 wears..).
Merche up there isn’t the only one with a hot bike mechanic, the guy that does my mine has a penchant for low waisted jeans and wearing his work-safe vests with nothing on underneath. Too bad I can only afford the one servicing a year.
Disclaimer: All non-self-generated images remain copyright of their original owners and are reproduced here for the purposes of illustration, discussion and review.







Awesome items, I love them all. Your tights collection is to be envied.
That obi fabric is beautiful. Too bad it was so fragile.
Thanks-I was thinking to maybe make a bag out of it but I’m worried it’ll be more wasted effort the next time it decides to fall apart at some other point of weakness. XD
If it’s your birthday, Happy Birthday TJ.
Would you make an obi vest? or is that just a silly idea?
Love your trench! I hope you get to make the ‘real’ trench, then you’ll have 2 great trenches to choose from.
Thanks-I could but I rarely wear vests and I don’t trust that material-it’s doesn’t look fragile here but it’s got invisible points of weakness waiting to cause a disaster.. XD
You inspire me to wear yellow.
Yes happy birthday! This is the cutest little outfit. I love how that that collar fabric looks and your obi skirt. I basically want both. I DO happen to have that issue of Patrones actually….. hmmmm….
I’ve got a thing for mustard and jackets (not that I’ve been game to make myself one yet!) so I am doing some serious swooning…
I have to mourn that skirt, it was absolutely gorgeous. At least it got one outing. And I do dig the trench and the fact that you look good in that colour.
I am taking my bicycle in for service next week and the staff there wears a uniform (skater-ish shorts and piqué s/s polo shirts) but they must do a beauty pageant prior to hiring, since I never know where to look where I am there. And the service is impeccable too, last year a 10-minute job turned into 45 minutes because the guy had to re-carve the grooves in a pin (old old bike!) and still never charged me a penny more. Can’t wait to be out on the bike again, winter makes me claustrophobic!
Hahaha thanks-yes I think the UK accidentally exported most of their gene pool of Olympic athletes and trader hotties to the new world back in the day. And yea good service fricckin fantabulous-always awesome to come across people that take pride in their work and only stop when it’s done achieved to a standard.
Cool jacket! And happy birthday if it was yours
I’ve heard the most troublesome children end up bringing you the most joy – hope your skirt is the same…
Should I wish you happy Birthday? Love the second photo, perfect nose AND teeth! Great smile…to the clothes: the jacket is fantastic, i like it in mustard so much better than the patrones version. Oh, and I wish it was really me in that pic, not only for the hottie, but mainly for the hair!
I forgot to mention the skirt, I’m sorry the fabric is so delicate, it really is amazing.
You should smile more often on pictures~! Happy birthday ~~
happy birthday?
Oh I so love that mustard jacket. Super cool outfit. Great blooper photo. Re material – You might need to just put it up on your wall to look at so it doesn’t completely disintegrate.
Happy birthday! Hope you had a lovely day and lots of cake (or whatever foodstuff is your favourite). I love that mustard jacket, can’t wait to see your ‘real’ version. Am jealous of your warm weather though. Spring is a long time coming here.
Your trench is lovely! I’m glad you’ve finally got those bottuns. Hey, I’m fool! I was thinking and thinking like What’s obi? humm obi… But I’ve now realized what it is. I never thought it’s called obi over there as well.
Happy birthday to you!(?)
I love the jacket and your post boyfriend photo bomb smile!
Well, happy birthday! Mine was Tuesday. Hope you had an awesome day. I’m really sad to hear about that skirt. Is there anyway to fix it? Underline it with something more durable? It’s just too pretty not to be worn again.
Hey, Happy Birthday!
At least the fabric transformed into a beautiful skirt and got to celebrate. Maybe it’s something you just enjoy looking at going forward…
Love your jacket too!
That picture of you post-kiss is really just too damn cute!! And your makes are stunning as always! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! Love the story about the photos too. What a shame about the skirt, it’s really pretty. I like how you used the fabric for the back pockets.
Oh my gosh, that’s so awesome! I love that story – you totally WILL treasure that pic forever, we can all see it in your eyes, in the pic after ^__^ I absolutely LOVE the skirt, what a crying shame it tore… that’s so so sad. The mini trench is awesome too – I always love your treatment of colour and style… you know what suits you so well, and it’s very apparent
Happy birthday! I hope the skirt can be repaired. And I must say you always have the best tights.
Happy Birthday! I love the skirt even though you haven’t gotten much wear out of it, and the trench is darling!
Wow! The coat is just gorgeous! The color is great and I love the floral lining peeking out! The skirt is also very pretty. I’m sorry it didn’t make it through the night-it’s definitely pretty enough to wear again and again!
Happy birthday, and I love the entire outfit! And the 2nd picture with the back story is just super cute!
Hey happy birthday. You’re looking very groovy. The jacket looks great on you. Looking forward to seeing the next one. Mega bummer about the skirt. It just looks so fabulous. The colours and patterning are so striking. You’ll have to turn it into a ‘look at piece’ rather than a wearable piece…home decor?…don’t know really as I’m not exactly a ‘home decor kinda gal’…..I’m way too messy!
Hope you had a great birthday! Your skirt is designer worthy and I hope you were able to fix it!
Happy happy birthday! I just love your trench–that colour really pops! I love photos that capture moments in time!
Freaking rad!
That obi belt made a great little skirt even if you are having second thoughts! Digging the trench top too!
Happy birthday!!! I love the jacket. Like always your outfit is full of colour and energy, sooo cute!!!
Happy birthday! You look so happy in that after-photo, I love it! And the back pockets of the skirt are lovley!
what a great birthday outfit. I think you looked great, despite all of the things you called out.
Could you use the obi fabric for some type of headgear? A hat would be a nice way to use a small amount of fabric, and wouldn’t be too stressful.
I love the trench on you. We have such different body types but I would love to copy everything you make. And it would look very strange on me!