5.30.2013

desert dessert

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Hey guys! So about a week ago Nick and I packed our car and headed out west to Marfa, TX for a little desert excursion.  I go out there once a year for work, to give the resident artists a break from the humid Gulf coast and to become oversaturated in minimalist art.  It's always great to get away, even if it is for work.  I become a bit militant about sneaking in hotel pool time, a hike or two and lots of staring off into sunsets in between the tours and the meetings and the dinners (I know, it sounds awful, right? hehe...) 

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During one of our last nights there, Nick and I snuck off into the desert to snap some blog photos.  It was super windy, and I had been on a long hike earlier that day, so please excuse my slightly sun-dazed and less-than-polished appearance in these photos! I've been meaning to get photos of this little shimmery skirt for literally months now. This is Grainline's Moss mini skirt that I made up, um... back in March...? Yeah... and it's now almost June... bad blogger!!! But this was really the pattern that made me decide that Jen was a genius. I'll try to keep my pattern-romanticizing to a minimum with this one (if you'd like to hear me wax poetic about Grainline patterns, then look no further than this post) but let me just say that, once again, the fit is spot on, the design is both modern, streamlined and classic, and the drafting of the pockets show that subtle attention to detail that makes a sewist like me go all gooey on the inside. 

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The fabric is a linen from Tessuti fabrics (no longer available, but isn't is beautiful??) that I bought last spring with the intention of making a pair of shorts.  The shorts never happened, summer passed, and this pretty gold-flecked linen sat in my fabric pile for far too long.  Fast forward to this spring and all of a sudden I became obsessed with highly wearable, casual separates that could easily be incorporated into my wardrobe (hence the sudden interest in button-up shirts like my Archer, or this guy).  Not that a pair of shorts wouldn't have fit the bill, but my closet is decidedly lacking in this sort of versatile skirt.  Or really any skirts. At all. And that's just a shame, isn't it? I'm glad I went with the Moss mini skirt because it has been getting some serious wear ever since!

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I don't really have too much more to say about this make! It was a dream to sew up - everything from the pattern to the fabric just seemed to marry perfectly.  Once again, Jen's tutorials were a huge help - this time to hold my hand through her fly front zipper insertion method, which was different from the method I've used in the past.  While the skirt might look like a bit of a wrinkly mess on me in these pictures (blame it on the linen, the long day, and my 'I-don't-care-I'm-on-vacation' attitude) it's really a very flattering little guy! It's definitely a mini skirt, which made me feel a tiny bit exposed at first, but I swiftly got over it once I realized just how darn comfy and practical it is! And, also, I mean... I think I've posted far more risqué things than this... so what's with all the false modesty all of a sudden?

I'm excited to use this pattern for more makes - I've been envisioning some variations in bright wools (like chartreuse or fuschia...) for fall and winter...

And now... since I'm all out of things to say... some gratuitous vacation instagram shots!
 
xx

28 comments:

  1. Fuck I love gold shit. At first I thought it was a gold waxed denim and MY HEAD ALMOST EXPLODED but gold linen is pretty rad too. I love the mix of a fancy/special fabric with an everyday basic - it works real good here. I don't think it's too short - the summer is all about legs. LEGS. I just made a gorgeous mini from that Rachel Comey skirt pattern and used a really lovely brocade... so much more fun than twill, dude. Glad you had a good vacay! One day Marfa and I will meet.... (ps. when are we going to have our handpainted twinsies party?!)

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  2. Hottie in a mini skirt. Perfect for Marfa. The gold streaks really helps minimize the appearance of wrinkling. Oh, and, gummy bears are the devil. I once bought a 10 lb. bag and am ashamed about how fast they got devoured.

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  3. Your skirt is fab! I love the shimmery fabric. I have this pattern on my to do list. I have some blue corduroy bought for it and ready to go. Just have to sit down and do it now :) I really love Jen's patterns too. They're so wearable and well designed.

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  4. That sparkly gold linen is so freakin awesome. It was perfect for a moss mini skirt.

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  5. great skirt! that fabric is so awesome! and i am right with you on the grainline love... in the last few months i've done 3 archers and 2 moss mini's. and i really need to get on the scout and tiny pocket tank bandwagon...

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  6. You might have just answered my question of what to do with two yards of silver-coated linen... I love your skirt!

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  7. Yes YEs YES!!! So perfect, I love the color of the linen too, that one will be good in summer or maybe with some tights come fall. The sweet background doesn't hurt either! Really crazy jealous of those gummy bears. I just finished filling out a Kollabora survey thing where I had to fill in my favorite word...candy! Hahaha!

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  8. www.astitchingodyssey.comMay 30, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Killer backdrop to go with a killer skirt I say! This is definitely very flattering and 'sassy', would love to give the pattern a go one of these days! And what I wouldn't do for backdrops like those...looks like you guys have fun!

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  9. Love your photos! Always excited to see your latest post and creations. Thanks again for the link Sallie.

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  10. You always look so great in everything you make.

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  11. Totally love this!! I just picked up a remnant from Tessuti which is really similar it's a linen with a more gold looking finish but it has some stretch, does this one?? Also where does it sit on the hips?


    I've been scared of this pattern because I'm not a short skirt gal. But after making up Rachel Comey's 1247 skirt I might be coming round.

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  12. Looking at your skirt made me realize how out of fashion this silhouette is. I'm not saying that in a bad way - I'm saying that I haven't seen a denim mini skirt in awhile. What happened to them? I used to own a ton from A&F, Gap, or Old Navy and they were perfect for summer. I wore the eeehhhfff out of them. Case in point is yours variation - the golden linen will be perfect to the upcoming HEAT (I'm sure Texas, like Philadelphia, gets steamy in the summertime).

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  13. Mmmmm Haribo Bears!!!! Oh yes, the skirt. The skirt is completely brilliant. I've never seen a fabric like that! Glitter and Linen just sounds so chic together, especially in the desert. If there was ever a signature Sallie fabric, I think this would be it! Gorgeous.

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  14. I love that fabric! It is perfect in all your shots. Desert glam.

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  15. You always make such stylish pieces! That skirt is amazing. Even the styling and background is perfect and you didn't even try!! Anyway, you look smokin' in a mini, Sallie. Kudos.

    ALSO, where did you find that bikini??

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  16. This is so very cool, I didn't know golden linen existed and now I must find some :) I love love love Grainline patterns too, I have made a couple of these minis and am almost done with an Archer, have a Scout in the works....etc, etc, etc.

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  17. Sparkly fabric is one of those things I don't think of much because, you know, what to do with it? I'm liking it made up in your skirt!

    Ah, Marfa. My family goes a couple of times every year, I never have been once.

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  18. An all-round dreamy post. Love all the pics and that fact that u have now made the mini moss and a METALLIC one at that, I'm gonna have to have a go.

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  19. Oh it's gorgeous! I've been hankering for linen and sparkle lately. What a fab combo... And I agree with Stephanie's inquiry... Will you share your suit source?

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  20. Hey Stephanie! (and Katie) The bikini is from Modcloth: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/twopiece-swimwear/rooftop-cool-two-piece


    It was a bit of a splurge for me, but good lord, I needed it!! I think I also saw it on Anthropologie's website.

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  21. you always seem to be the one to make me take a second look at a pattern and make me want to sew it. very cute and i like the sparkly-ness. also, bad ass photos! look at that desert!

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  22. Love that fabric!!! I wish I could feel it!!



    I could sing Jen's praises, too!! Her patterns are awesome and so is she!


    I hope your vacation was awesome!!

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  23. Oh wow, the light is so pretty there. That white desert light looks good on you, hehe. And that skirt! Lovely fabric, so easy but glam at the same time. I really do love Grainline patterns too, her styles go with everything.

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  24. This looks absolutely fierce in the sparkle linen! And what an amazing environment- so beautiful!

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  25. This is KILLER! I LOOOOOOOOOOVE the fabric-- it's so cool! I've had this pattern since the day it was released, but I've been a little too wimpy to face the front fly. I'm gonna dig in and give this a shot now, I think!

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  26. Love this skirt, and especially in this metallic linen. I think a short mini is the perfect summer skirt to balance out the blousy and peplum-y tops that are in fashion. Otherwise its shorts.

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  27. That skirt is just perfect! I love the desert photos - I grew up in the CA desert and scenes like that will always have a special place in my heart.

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