For the Love of Patterns: Vintage Vogue Pattern V8811

You don't know this about me, but I have this obsession with patterns. Seriously, I really enjoy collecting them. Whenever I see that Joann Fabric and Craft Store is having a pattern sale, my heart skips a beat, my eyes bug and I can't help but mentally note the date of the start of the sale. When there is not a pattern sale going on, I like to jot down the number of the pattern so that when they do go on sale, I will know EXACTLY where to head. Yes, this is no joke. Any way, I figured I would introduce you to my vast array of patterns and the clothing that has come out them. My goal is to make at least one garment out of each of my patterns. I also have patterns for the rest of my family, but I doubt they'll allow me to post their pictures on my blog. Maybe? Hmmm.....we shall see. The first pattern I thought I'd feature is one that I used very recently. It turned out to be my Easter Sunday dress. I still need a belt, but I guess that will come later. Let me preface this by saying that I am in NO way an expert seamstress. I really enjoy it but am not a professional, so for those of you that are reading this and you ARE an expert, feel free to message me to let me know of a better way of doing things. I LOVE to learn tips and tricks from others. Don't be surprised if I use your tips in a future blog (with credit, of course). Let me introduce you to a lovely Vogue pattern from their Vintage Vogue collection, pattern V8811. It reminds me of a shirt dress, which is why I bought the pattern. I have many halter top patterns and a few button down patterns, so I thought I'd go a different route. Then there's the fabric. This peach and white fabric caught my eye. It reminds me of something that would have come out of the early fifties. I'm not an era purist, but that's ok, that's just me and my style.

The first thing I like to do after cutting out the pattern (bo-ring!) is I adjust it to fit me. I'm shaped like an inverted triangle, so although it's a great body type for a gymnast or swimmer, it's a tad off when it comes to patterns. Oh, have I mentioned that I'm short? Yes, I am slightly under 5 feet tall AND at the moment I use size 16 pattern (no, it's not the same as the size 16 you buy off the rack). I have to take in the back and chest parts of patterns or else the garment ends up loose. I like to eyeball it, since I'm a visual person, but if you need to measure your pattern adjustments, you may want to adjust the pattern first (use removable tape so you don't rip your pattern), make a muslin sample garment, then adjust the pattern again if it needs to be readjusted. Since I've done all that before (and ain't no one got time for that!) I went ahead and adjusted the pattern as I have before.

Don't forget, when adjusting your pattern to make sure that you adjust all the other pieces that will be connected to it. You will know this by the pattern markings (some have one diamond, other pieces have 2 diamonds, etc.). I like to set the piece that will be adjusted to the corrected piece on top of the corrected piece so that I can adjust it to match, like so.

Then there's the skirt. As stated before, I am just a tad bit taller than a little person, so of course I have to adjust the length on ALL my lower garments. I took up the skirt about an inch and a quarter or so, but I probably could have brought it up a little more. But I do enjoy the length of the finished garments, so all is well. Here is one piece of the skirt, I did the same to the other side.

I followed the directions TO A "T", as I always do with a new pattern. The directions were pretty good, the only complaint I had was with the joining of the skirt to the bodice. Normally, I turn the bodice right side out and pin inside the skirt, which is inside out, so that the right sides are matching. When I finish stitching I flip up the bodice & voila! They are perfectly joined and quite sturdy. With the way the directions had me do it, I had to stitch the free edge of the bodice nicely then join onto the front of the skirt. I don't feel that the two are joined very well, so the next time I make it I'm going to ignore the pattern directions and do what I'm used to. A bit rebellious? Maybe. So here is the finished dress on my mannequin.....

And here it is on me. I wore it all day on Easter Sunday. I even took a nap in it. Quite comfy, fit me perfectly and was a unique piece. Oh, why the solid color on the top and the print on the bottom? That's what happens when one purchases fabric without taking the pattern envelope to the fabric store. Another lesson learned. Gotta love patterns.

Lil' Darlin's Must-Have of the Week

My, my, my, it has been quite a while since I've blogged. Funny, because I have had so much to blog about. Work wise, that is. I guess I've spent far too many hours in the workshop and at venues than on the internet, but that's a good thing, right? I know, I need a balance. Ok, enough about the boring stuff, on to the merch. I had never worked with vinyl before, as it's thickness had deterred me, until one day I decided to reupholster our 1950's dinette chairs (3 down, 1 to go, needs rechroming, but I digress). After working with vinyl, might I say, I have a new found fabric that I simply adore. Then one day, I opened my worn makeup brush rollup case and thought "this black leather is SO boring. I need to make a custom one." And then it hit me! Why not make my OWN customized vinyl makeup bag (out of the leftover chair vinyl....waste not want not!) with an added twist. See, I have this favorite cake eyeliner that I tote w/ me when I travel and sometimes leave it in my travel bag and forget about it until I use it again at home. Well, switching it from one place to another becomes a nuisance, so why not store it WITH my brushes? No, really, why not? And with that, the Maven's Glam Bag was born. Yes, I'm well aware that makeup mavens around the country own a large amount of makeup brushes and would probably need a 5 foot roll up bag (wow, that's a lot of vinyl!). But for those times when you can't take your 4 cases of makeup and 3 containers of brushes, why not consolidate them into some actual essentials to take with as well as show off your style? The Maven's Glam Bag can hold 2 powder or blush brushes and has compartments for 7 smaller *dimension brushes. There's an inside top flap to cover over the brushes to protect from outside ickiness and 2 metal magnetic clips that hold it closed quite nicely. The inner fabric is adorable (you'll recognize them from the Dannas) and protected by clear, easy to wipe vinyl.

On the outside is the attached makeup bag which matches the inside fabric as well. It can hold (depending on the size of the case) a small powder compact, lipstick, mascara and other things essential to the beautification of a woman on the go, all secured by a 6" zipper. Did I mention the outside is gorgeous, glittery vinyl (insert girlish giggle here)?

Each Bag retails at $25.00 (plus tax if you're ordering from CA). At that price, why not buy 2? If you're interested, please place your order on the Lil Darlin Accessories page on Facebook. *makeup brush note: instead of buying pricey makeup brushes from makeup counters, why not purchase art brushes? They are just as great as the ones from the makeup stores, yet are less expensive Note: pictured here is Rose Tattoo 4 You on Lipstick Sparkle Vinyl

Lil' Darlin' Spotlights Leobarda Grijalva!

A couple of months ago I added this lovely lady, Miss Lucky Hellcat, to my FB friends list. Like many people, I add people that I don't know but share common interests with, especially since I am trying to drive more traffic to my Lil' Darlin' fan page. I had no idea who this talented lady was until I actually got to check out her work. AH-MAZE-ING!!!!!! I've only known men to be able to pinstripe, but seriously, this chick has got the art down! I have yet to meet her in person, but I was so happy when she agreed to be interviewed by me. So, without further adieu, the awesome, Leobarda "Miss LuckyHellCat" Grijalva.

LDS: First of all, how did you get into art?

Leo: Well I love love love art all my life, since the first day I can remember I always been fascinated by it. I can say that my inspiration for loving it was my father since he played the accordion I was obsessed with the metal flake and Swarovski's and art work on his instrument that I try to copy it and draw it.

LDS: Did you go to school for it? If so, which one(s)?

Leo: I only went to one college class at Fullerton College for one semester and I realized that I didn't really need it. I can be honest I was just born to know everything hahaha so I think? I'm the type of person that refuses to have someone teach me something, id rather figure it out on my own hehehehe im just like that.

LDS: What do you draw your inspiration from?

Leo: My inspiration is my family, friends, movies, magazines and vintage pictures. They always give me Ideas and I love to hear and see what they would like to see done and what I can do. Also when I go to Los Angeles I also get inspired by the architecture and structure of the buildings and people that just look crazy walking around. Also vintage magazines and cars and peoples fashion motivates me to create kool stuff.

LDS: How long have you been into "the scene"?

Leo: I can honestly say since I was 15, thanks to my bad ass gear head brother Eddie, he motivated me big time!!!

LDS: What do you do full-time?

Leo: Well for full time I have 2 jobs, I work for an awesome company and after work I do my art. I really don't go out that much anymore since my love for these 2 jobs keeps me busy.

LDS: What do you do in your spare time?

Leo: On my spare time I love to go to Los Angeles and walk around and sometimes take pictures or go to the movies and eat. Sometimes I like to clean up my art room and hang up all the fabulous art work that I collect. I also enjoy cleaning and dusting and rearrange all my Barbie's.

LDS: How did you come up with your name Miss Lucky Hellcat?

Leo: I actually came up with that name in high school hehehe…We use to have a "Greaser" Gang going on and we were called the "Hellcats" inspired by the movie "Cry-baby" and my nick name was "Lucky". When I got serious with the whole art thingy I wanted to have a nickname and I decided to keep "Lucky Hellcat"

LDS: I notice you're married. How did you meet your husband?

Leo: Well this is my favorite question hehehe, we actually met on yahoo profiles in 2000 and he sent me an inbox message introducing him self and had told me that he lived close to me. I at the time had a boyfriend but it wasn't working out for me and him, so we split and me and my now husband were messaging each other and calling each other for half a year before we met. We were friends before lovers and it worked out so great!

LDS: How long have you two been married?

Leo: I've been married now for almost 5 years. We got married in Las Vegas.

LDS: Do you have a favorite theme to draw/paint? If so, what?

Leo: Well I do have few themes I love to do for example I love the 60's fashion and wallpaper and bright pastel colors. I love the beatnik look and cute little children wearing costumes and Psychobilly and rockabilly and Pachuca look as well.

LDS: What's your favorite thing about "the scene"?

Leo: My favorite thing in the scene is looking at people's hair, tattoos or make-up and what there wearing. It tells me what kind of person they are and if there kool or not hahahaha…and of course the cars and music is a plus!

LDS: I noticed you're also into makeup. Is there any particular look that you'd like to recreate that you have yet to?

Leo: Yes there's this one look I've been aching to do and that's the Egyptian look with all the gold's and dark liner and eyebrows with the hat and gown geez I'm aching to do that

LDS: In life, what are your strengths? Weaknesses?

Leo: My strength is my husband and family and friends and my weaknesses is Barbies and purses and make-up and shoes geeeze I cant say no to either or…

LDS: What's your pet peeve?

Leo: My biggest pet peeve is people who want to get "deals" or don't want to pay the price on an artwork I do….ugh I hate it!

LDS: Do you do your own hair? If so, what's your favorite look?

Leo: Yes I do, do my own hair : and my deepest favorite look is the "Victory Rolls" or so I like to call it the "Pachuca" Look, because I have it down on the money and it's easy to do.

LDS: Have you ever gotten a perm?

Leo: Oh god no!

LDS: What's your favorite decade & why?

Leo: The late 1950's and early 1960's because I love love love the big hair and make up and short and long pencil skirts lil dresses and hats.

LDS: Regarding your favorite decade, what's the thing that you don't like about it & why?

Leo: The racism wars

LDS: What do you find yourself listening to when you are creating?

Leo: I listen to a lot of Psychobilly music and some Rockabilly and oldies and doo-wop and punk. Very rarely I listen to what new on the radio yuk!

LDS: Do you sew? If so, what do you make?

Leo: I use to know how to sew, dunno if I can remember doing it again, but I use to make mine and my husband Psychobilly vest and I use to sew all the patches and leopard materials for us.

LDS: Where did you grow up?

Leo: I grew up all my life in La Habra California

LDS: What's your dream car?

Leo: My dream car was always the 1960 Thunder bird and I'm very blessed to actually own one now.

LDS: What's the most memorable concert that you've ever been to & why?

Leo: When I saw the Stray Cats reunion at Hootenanny they kick ass!!! And I got to meet them all and take pics with them and chat for a bit. There awesome!

LDS: What's the worst show you've ever been to?

Leo: OMG probably all the Social Distortion concerts he's not a very nice person ugh….but I still like his music I just blur him out hahaha.

LDS: What kind of movies do you like?

Leo: I love love love all of John Waters films he kicks ass and I love movies that are 1960's themed like hairspray or crybaby. I also love mafia movies and scary ones too.

LDS: What do you think about rockabilly getting into mainstream culture? Do you embrace it or cringe?

Leo: I really embrace it, more power to the newbies hahaha. Shoot I rather see more rockabilly and psychobilly than anything else.

LDS: What was your first piece of art? Do you still have it?

Leo: My first piece of art was a painting that I did of my self holding a LARGE chocolate donut in kindergarten and I think my mom still has it.

LDS: Where do you see yourself in regards to your art in the future?

Leo: Well I see my self still painting in my art room; I like to be alone when it comes to art. And I would love to have a book of my art and maybe merchandise as well.

LDS: Where do you see yourself, personally, in the future?

Leo: Married still to the same man. Maybe some kids so they can carry the Lucky Hellcat torch hehehehe. And maybe move to Los Angeles in a warehouse studio so I can have my t-bird in the middle of the studio.

Now.....onto the silliness.

LDS: What do you think about man perms?

Man perms are gross but, if it makes feel good and look good more power to you.

LDS: Are you afraid of midgets?

Leo: LOL yes because I cant stop staring at them and I'm afraid if they cuss me out and I might step on them hahahaha….

LDS: When was the last time you laughed so hard that your drink came out of your nose?

Leo: Honestly like half a year ago.

LDS: If you answered no to being afraid of midgets, would you ever go to a midget rodeo?

Leo: I don't want to go they scare me hahaha

LDS: What do you think of moustaches?

Leo: I don't like them one bit, they bother me it's like kissing an old man eeekkk.

LDS: Do you ever watch those Valtrex commercials & think "eew!"?

Leo: Hahaha no I hardly watch TV.

LDS: Why was the mullet so popular?

Leo: I think the mullet was popular because people didn't want to get sunburned in back of there necks hahaha

LDS: Finish this sentence: Chocolate is ......

Leo: ....like getting high off of urethane paints stench…

LDS: Have you ever seen guys who still dress like they're 1975 basketball players cuz they think they're cool?

Leo: Yea and its super fun to look at them especially with there little shorts hahaha

I'd like to thank Miss Lucky Hellcat for this great interview. If you'd like to see more of her artwork, follow the link to her FB page: http://www.facebook.com/Lucky.Hellcat.Art
Keep an eye out for the next interview coming shortly.

Please, forgive my virgin blog

I really never planned on creating a blog, but here I am. I thought I would know what to say but now that I'm sitting in front of my computer, I have no clue. Funny, because I'm normally good at random rants and utter nothingness.

An introduction, I guess.

I'm a stay-at-home mom. Almost a year ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to sell at The Hootenanny, an all day rockabilly/psychobilly show. I had nothing to sell, not even a name to sell under. But I thought it would be cool, so I told her I would. A couple weeks later, after thinking about it, I decided that we really weren't ready for that kind of event, so I told her that we should skip that year's event & sell at the following year. Here we are, a year later & I am ready to sell there.

I picked out a name for my company, got the necessary legal stuff out of the way & Lil' Darlin' Accessories was born. I made items that I wanted to wear in patterns that I loved. I made my own patterns, created my own molds. I am a creative individual who just wanted to make things that I thought others would appreciate.

Here I am, a year almost to the day later, setting up a blog about my business. I have my own website, I set up at car & music shows. I meet cool customers & awesome fellow vendors. I am truly blessed.

So, that's it in a rather big nutshell. Keep an eye out for future shows, new products & just randomness. It's what I do best.