More Cheap Clothes

I did another self-timer modeling session tonight to see my recent makes and purchases through the camera's eyes. Note to self: Don't take pics of snug skirts right after dinner and make sure you're not also hiking it up with your hands on your hips, cuz … OMG. So, with that said, forgive the tummy wrinkles and fat knees. I still have about 30-40 lbs to lose and I swear 95% of it is between crotch and kneecap. IOW, those damn thighs. ;-)

Here's the Vogue/Marci Tilton cardigan I whipped up today. Haha. Seriously though, it was a pretty quick project. The skirt should've been whipped up yesterday but I kept distracting myself and it took all day. The shell is covered with tiny clear sequins on the front. A Walmart purchase for about $10. I had to return the first one because it was too big. I love that. I'm usually pretty good at judging size by just holding up things, but it's a moving target these days. NOT complaining. I was also trying out two necklaces. I like the longer one with this. I may still return this shell because I'm not sure about the sequins for the office. They are not in your face, but there is some shine/sparkle. Then again, they do perk up an otherwise bland outfit. (Yes, I argue with myself like this all the time.)

Here's the back cut-out ruffle thing. I kind of like my top peeking out. It distracts from the knee fat. Well, except now you're looking at it, aren't you? ;-)

That's it for sewing. The rest of the pics are RTW. Gray skirt below from Walmart a few weeks ago. I really need to just go ahead and buy the smaller size of this and the black one while they're still available. They are cheap and I think I'll miss them. The cardigan and tee are from Beall's Friday night. I *love* this cardi. It's textural and has a very subtle gold metallic woven into it. It's also got an interesting raw-edged trim which doesn't really show up in these pics.

Tee alone. The grays aren't a 100% perfect match, but I think they're close enough. I never wear gray (even less than black), so this is a new color for me. I really like this top, though. The floral is lace over a solid ivory inner layer (bodice only). It was on clearance for about $12 and there were lots of them so I guess I'm the only one who liked it.

The cardi again with a plain sweater knit shell underneath, also from Beall's. They aren't the same brand but they match perfectly. Kismet.

The purple sweater (from Beall's) that I'm not sure about. I like the color. I love the black rosette humungo snaps. I'm not thrilled with the puffy, gathered sleevecaps. And again with the tummy wrinkles. Sheesh.

Cheap cotton tee from Walmart tonight. Like $7. The overall length and sleeves are too long, but I think I'm going to make it short-sleeved and see how much it shrinks in the wash before I hem it. It will be a good underlayer piece. It's also got subtle gold metallic threads knitted in, which you can see better in the pic one more down.

Another cheap Walmart tee, but this one fits better. Same brand, same size as the one above. Yeah, it's Walmart. What can you expect? Don't you love the boob tag still stuck on? The print is brown and beige and will work with my brown Magic Pencil skirt and the cardi above, as well as jeans. Not so much with the gray skirt, but I was being lazy at this point.

And last, a brown "tweed" turtleneck I couldn't resist even though we'll only have about 10 days I can wear it and not melt. It's velour rib knit and it is SO soft and comfy. And it was only $15. I don't think I'll wear this to the office, but then again, I might. It's nice to wear a turtleneck without 3 chins resting on it.

I don't expect the Walmart purchases to last beyond this season, but since I don't really want them to fit next winter, I'm OK with that. At some point, I'll get down to a size where I can do more "investment" shopping and sewing, but until then, I'll just keep faking it with disposables.

And one more — I made this Vogue cardi last year to wear at Parris Island for Tyler's graduation. I never modeled it then. Now, it's one of the few "old" things that still fits OK. It's tied kind of wonky in this pic, but you get the idea.

I wore the HECK out of last weekend at my Uncle's. And my sister put in an order. I told her I'd make it for her for Christmas but not to expect it BY Christmas.So now I need to find a color of Sophia knit that she'll like. And serger thread to match, since a wide serger overedge stitch is how I finished the edges.