Space Hoodie

I was able to make a brief stop at the fabric store on my way home from visiting my 1st choice college, and I picked up this super soft, light fleece. It's so perfect for hoodies & sweatshirts! So I made this sweatshirt, giving it an immense cowl that can be a hood, and a cute little side pocket.











Of course I had to line the cowl in some of this amazing bamboo, and I love how it adds a splash of color! It's a little tight on me... which is very lucky for you, because I wouldn't want to sell it, otherwise! It's currently listed, if you're interested.

However, my shop will be going into Vacation Mode for the next week & a half, as I'm going to be out of town, away from my stock.

A quick update on my life, for the curious: I took the ACT (& it was awful, but I think I did alright--thank you all for the well wishes!), adored the college I went to visit (their fashion program sounds awesome!), & have basically just been busy with studying and college applications. Oh, and a super exciting and secret project you'll hear about in a few days!

Where is she??

I've become a bit addicted to blogging recently, as you might have noticed. I love you guys for commenting or even just looking--you make me squee with delight. But I'm in a mad rush of studying for the ACT, getting college applications done & sent, and sudden, new, exciting business & promotional opportunities (! I'll tell you about it when I know more! <3),



And yes, I do think I'm clever, thankyouverymuch. I got the shirt for a dollar & I knew it would make the perfect 'Where's Waldo' costume when paired with these geek glasses. You have been seeing quite a bit of them recently--no, I don't actually wear glasses, but these frames are a fabulous prop!

Wish me luck & hope I don't stress or panic too much! xo.

Vines Entwining and Blossoming

I suppose this shirt is definitely better suited to spring than fall, but it's so beautiful that I can't wait the many months for warm to list & post it! I am currently absolutely infatuated with bamboo/lycra knit (heavenly fabric, I promise!), and used my beautiful olive colored bamboo for this one-shoulder top. It has a comfortable fit & cut, and of course, bamboo is like silk on the skin. Criss-crossing vines and purple lace blossoms are painstakingly hand sewn from the side pocket up across the neckline to the pleated shoulder. I think it's a terribly romantic shirt, a work of art, and wearable any time of the year!











(It's for sale! Here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com)

In other news, I just finished watching Marie Antoinette for the second time. (I originally saw it when it first came out, so, several years ago!) If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it; if not for the story, see it for the colors, the costumes, the aesthetics, the lighting, & the cakes. It's truly candy for the eyes! My plan for our New Year's Feast is to cover the dessert table (as I'm in charge of dessert!) in decadent cakes & goodies just like the ones in the movie. Maybe I'll even tease my hair up to high heavens and put a ship in it. Hey, it could happen! Why wasn't my 18th birthday nearly as spectacular as the one in the movie? Ah, maybe being a queen helps. Anyway, check out the movie and drool over it as much as you like.

Also, I might have opportunity to film a tutorial or two--definitely a long-promised one for the ruffle-bust shirt reconstruction, perhaps one more. I'll keep you updated, my darlings!

Hey, Sailor!

I spent my afternoon making this skirt. I was terribly meticulous with it--I told my mom later, "I sewed like you do," because I ironed everything after every seam, did facings, and even learned to do a blind hem. I love learning things which make my life easier! And I really, really love how it looks. I haven't pleated a skirt since this pink monstrosity, and if you've been reading a while, you probably know that my skirt of choice is a circle, or a circle turned into a bubble. But I like how this turned out!











The fabric has such a pretty sheen to it. And it matches my shoes perfectly!

(It's for sale! Here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com)

Tattered Bamboo Shirt

Handmade with ingredients found in the depths of antique stores, burned down, abandoned houses, and handed-down notions.

Luxurious bamboo knit.

Meant for secret trips through forests & walks to creeks at midnight.

(DazeoftheWeek and AdrianneMae are both connected to this shirt in otherworldly ways. Well, not otherworldly. But check 'em out.)

From Oops to Awesome

I am finally working my way through my huge stack of Threadless shirts (in early anticipation of their $5 Holiday Sale in December. ^_^), and I was excited to have finally figured out what to do with their adorable "My Crony" design. I was getting to the end of it and everything was working perfectly when I tried it on to check the fit. I looked in the mirror, and realized that I had made an awful, hilarious, and glaring mistake. See:



Obviously, having a huge circle printed on the stomach is not a selling point. I found my problem hilarious because the design would've worked with most other shirts, but I just had to choose the one that would fail.

I asked my online buddies for help & suggestions, and then, while lying in bed unable to sleep, it came to me. I'd put in a side pocket, shift the print over, and although there'd be a seam in front, it would have an obvious purpose.

It worked out much better than the original design would have, I thought. It adds a lot more interest, and the print looks fabulous when it's all shifted.





Forgive the less-than-stellar photos! I'll be taking nice pictures and listing this within the next few days.

(Edit: New pictures!)





For sale here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com :)

Awesome! Don't you think?

New Recon!

Well, old recon, but I'm finally getting around to posting it. This is for the TBGuild's "White" themed treasury. I used a Threadless "Let's Go Parasoling!" tee which I had on my shelf since December, and mint green trim that I searched for long and hard because I wanted the perfect color to match the umbrellas on the shirt. It's got a deep scoop in back & cute little ties. There are tabs at each side with little white buttons. It's super cute and chic. <3




When I saw that the lake was steaming yesterday morning, I knew I had to go photograph some clothes. But, you know, it was steaming because it was about 25 degrees out. Brrr. It was worth it!

Psst, it's available here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com