The Past Adventures of the Girl and the Machine

2009-08-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

These are the past posts of my blog Adventures of Me and Eilonwy, I felt like I needed a fresh start and had to move the posts. enjoy them here but don't forget to read Adventures of me and Eilonwy @ http://thegirlandthemachine.blogspot.com/

2009-06-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

{sophomore}

If you were hoping my posting rate would speed up once school was taken out of the equation, no such luck. I'm going out of town from now until the first week of august, and the chance of my being able to blog is slim to none.
So when I come back expect a brand new layout, legit posts, and loads of back-to-school-sewing.

See you in August!

<3 The Girl

1 dress 365 days

2009-06-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

I came across the Uniform Project while surfing the net last night, and I love the idea. Below is how the woman who started this project describes it. I think that having such a limit as to what you can wear encourages creativity to flourish. I've never had school uniforms but I think that it would be interesting to see how I would make a uniform my own with only accessories.

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for slum children in India.

2009-06-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

Okay I have a really good excuse for not blogging this last week, I was camping! I had so much fun.
But I swear I am in the middle of sewing something right now, haha. we'll I'm going to finish my little project so I can show it to you soon.

Hmm...

2009-06-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

I suck at blogging,
instead of taking the pictures I promised.
I'm going to the pool.
but I did make the shirt I'm wearing in this picture so enjoy.

also if you are looking for new music, check out radical face. It's all I've been listening to lately. oh and the spice girls.
shirt made from a Built by You Simplicity pattern, in case you were wondering.

Schools Out For Summer!

2009-05-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

{Photo source unknown}

Summer break started last Friday and so I'm free form the confines of high school for a few months, but I haven't had much time to just sit around, or blog. For the last week I've been going nonstop, coming home only to shower and sleep. And seeing as I'm not technically a legal driver yet my main form of transportation is my bike, and wow will I be super fit if I keep riding it this much...
I plan on starting to regularly post again. this week, so look out!

and honestly I apologize for not posting in over a month, and a great big thanks to all the people who bother to read this and comment.

and pictures of my recycled dress up tomorrowish!

Look all the stars aligned, or at least all the knockoff dresses aligned with my closet.

2009-04-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Before I give a few thousand excuses of why I haven't blogged in a month let's take a trip down memory lane to this post and this one too. We all know I love Built by Wendy and yellow and blue, and when you give it a Forever21 price tag and add more buttons, I am in major love. I ordered the denim dress online today, and the yellow one has magical disappeared from the site so I'm going to the mall to find it this weekend, cross your fingers it will be there.

Okay and on to why I have been a terrible blogger, I simple have been too busy with school, life, friends, everything and blogging has been my last priority. The musical is over so I am no longer spending 6 hours a day fixing armpit holes and doing stage make-up of lame-o actors and dancers. It was super fun and I am sad for all the seniors that are leaving. But it leaves me with otragouse amounts of free time and I'll be sure to use it well and blog more.

And some news about the last post! The recycled fashion show is this Thursday and I am going to take loads and loads of pictures and put them up here first thing. The other "designers" dresses are really, really cute and I hope mine measures up.

Also I am in the process of making a dress for myself out of olive green cotton knit, I'm not sure how it's going to turn out because I'm not using a pattern, but I kinda want to wear it this Friday so we'll see if I can get it done in time.

I'll be posting sometime this weekend!
EDIT: just kidding it'll be a while, I have a major project due, and am going away all of this weekend, soon I promise.
and sorry for the font size weirdness, I'm not sure what's going on with this...

should I trust this dialect to covey the right effect?

2009-03-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

Okay here is what has been sucking up some of Eilonwy's and my time as of late (that and reading I am Charlotte Simmons, it fit in nicely as I went on collage visits during spring break)

My school is having a "green week" the last week of April. Part of this is a recycled fashion show. I some how got into this (okay I sort of excitedly volunteered because a friend of a friend was helping plan the thing and I was asked by said friend to help out) but basically the idea is to take recycled materials and make an outfit out of them. Some of the designers are doing more "recycled" things than others, and I chose to make a little dress out of vintage napkins!
I've changed my design a million and a half times, un-sewing and re-sewing too many times to count. I'm still working on it but hope to finish it soon. I will definitely get pictures of the finished product up as soon as possible because I would love some input and who do I trust more than the oh so fashionable bloggosphere.

Here are the vintage painted napkins that I am making the main part of the dress out of.

Speaking of recycled fashion look at Coral Stars' most recent post! While your at it check out Susie’s brown paper bag post that's linked on Leah's blog.

2009-03-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Girl fails at blogging recently, real life has just gotten in the way of this one.
She'll try and be back soon with some exciting news.

Today's the Day

2009-03-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my absence, I've been going through a hard personal time lately and haven't felt much like blogging or wearing much besides sweatpants. but I have made a promise to myself:
Today I will be happier than a bird with a french fry, and I will dress better than one too.

but really this promise is for tomorrow because I'm just about to go to bed, good night friends!

2009-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

I finally think I made a decision on my hair, I am going short and staying my natural color. I've been going back and forth for the last few weeks (making choices is not my strong suit) and seeing Drew Barrymore in W today set me over the edge. Plus all my friends have basically told me that for the last two years of my life my hair has looked like crap and I should cut it short like it was. Tomorrow I plan on cutting off close to eight inches, I am still a bit unsure about the bangs I don't think I'll mess with them.

And I apologize, my last few post have not really been about what I'm sewing, I promise the next one will be.

Just sign on the dotted line

2009-03-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

Built by Wendy has been one of my favorite lines for quite a few years, Wendy Mullin definitely inspired me to start sewing more and make my own clothes (I've been able to sew forever but during elementary and middle school I just hated it and the look of homemade clothes) and I lust after almost every single one of her pieces each season, her are some of the looks for this spring, and this is cutting it down to my very favorites.

Oh dear.

2009-03-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

What a bad blogger I've been, I have a few things that I have sewn that I need to take pictures of and post, hopefully I will have time to do it this week.

Life as always is a crazy mix of school, sewing, costuming for my school's play, sewing for that, spending time with friends, trying to find time to sleep, along with more and more school work.
Other than being too busy to think, life is pretty fantastic right now. and thank you so much for all the new readers and the comments, you don't know how happy they make me!
Oh and here's the weather update that I seem to include in every post, it snowed last night and dropped about four inches, I am missing the lovely seventy degree weather of last week but I knew it wouldn't last for long. Only a few more months till summer!
weather update number two: I just went outside and the snow is almost all melted there are just little piles on a few lawns.

These photos are from my hair inspiration folder, I have been thinking about changing my hair up and these are my reasons for staying long and going darker.
First picture is from Flashes of Style , second is unknown but I have seen it on quite a few blogs recently, and the third is unknown

You make me want to measure stars in the backyard with a cacluator and a ruler .

2009-03-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

Well this my millionth post about spring, but seeing as it was over 70 degrees today and there is only 19 days until the official start of spring I figure it is the only one that really matters.
I seriously think that these clothes would be all I'd need to get through spring and summer. Now if only I had about a million and six dollars.

(Click to enlarge)

Details
Shoes: Reef flip flops. Cocobelle Roman gladiators. Bags: Jerome Dreyfuss large bag. Anun clutch. Tops: J Crew bow top. See by Chloé hippy print top. Humor lace tank. Forever21 embroidered top. Dresses: Lounge Lover tank dress. See by Chloé tiered floral dress. See by Chloé silk sleeveless dress. T by Alexander Wang pocket tank dress. James Perse t-shirt dress. Thomas Wylde ruffle dress. Pants: generic black leggings. Hydraulic gray skinny jeans. BKE khakis. American Eagle Outfitters jeans. Shorts: Alexander Wang denim shorts. Bouvardia knit shorts. Jades24 denim shorts. Rachel Comey black knit bloomers.

2009-02-27T22:23:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make:
I haven't even glanced at the collections from New York Fashion Week, much less London or Milan.
^{..........................................................................}
I'm a bit overwhelmed at how much catching up I have to-do.

(fill in with some epic title I am to lazy to come up with)

2009-02-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy week at school, and now it's almost over.
However I'm going to be gone for a bit longer because my room is about forty-two times messier than that lovely one up there and the OCD perfectionist cleaner in me is starting to have panic attacks just looking at the clutter. and there is the fact that the parents are threatening the death of my social life if it doesn't get organized fast.
By the way, I am loving the empty picture frames in the photo above.

Photo credit is unknown.
New years resolution number 38: get better at criediting pictures.

***EDIT*** New Years resolution number 39: learn how to spell crediting.

***EDIT*** The lovely Dani from mot à ta mère found the link of the picture above it's from The Selby.

feel free to skip this post unless boredom is rampant

2009-02-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

pictures are from here

Okay well I was kidding about the post of epic proportions that is coming today. Life has been crazy lately, mostly in the good "I do have a life beyond my blog" way, but also in the "I have to much homework and what a terrible idea it was to take all honors classes" way. Like last week teachers are going insane on the homework giving and I have some catching up to do. It's still rather chilly so cardigans, scarfs and jeans are the only things that I feel like wearing lately. My life is pretty boring, consisting of warm clothes, homework, bagels and caffeine, research papers, hot showers and little sleep. friends are thrown in here or there making it decently fun.
oh how I can't wait till next week, all my major projects are do, freeing up some time. My school's musical starts and costuming for shows is always beyond fun. and it's one week closer to my birthday! and birthdays mean my drivers learning permit and a dress form, also spring break and hopefully a lovely vacation.
okay well you really didn't need to read this post seeing as it's just me rambling on about my life and absolutely nothing worthwhile. but if you did thank you.
I don't know when I'll have time to post again, maybe in a week and a half, but it might be closer to two or three weeks to have a real "look this is what me and Eilonwy made" post up.

Don't worry I'm in a 12 step program for it.

2009-02-14T23:51:00.000-08:00

Hello I am The Girl and I am a Burda Style addict.

I made my account yesterday and have spent the majority of the last two days browsing the site.
It's like a glimpse at sewing heaven.
If any of my readers are on there drop a comment please. My username is of course TheGirl.

by the way I am sort of addicted to wood buttons as well.

I am yellow today, I shine my light out like the sun, I am Blue today, calm as glass and cool like the sea.

2009-02-13T23:01:00.000-08:00

Looking through my inspiration pictures I have realize how much I truly love yellow in shades of mustard, paired with blue.

unknown links except for the first, that little drawing is by Katy Smail.

Only half past the point of no return.

2009-02-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

I know this picture has been up here before,
I love it despite it reminding me of my lack of a lace slip dress and cowboy boots.

There hasn't been a post in a super duper long time (but really only 5 days) because school has been killing me, ripping my soul out and stomping on it with steal toed cleats, (actually its been more like crampons, the steal spikes that you strap to the bottom of your boots when winter mountain climbing, oh yes mountain climbing dork right here). but I have a three day weekend which besides the 1286934674 pounds of school work I have to do I might get some sewing done.

I am thinking about summer too much, and its been such a downer because I can't wear anything summer related due to the snow that's dumping right now. I have worn wool socks, Birkenstock clogs, cardigans and scarfs internally too much, like pretty much every day this week. It needs to get warmer soon, I am tired of this bipolar 'lets be warm one week and snow the next' weather.

Wow what a great weather rant, I really have nothing to say about fashion lately,
Oh but on Wednesday my mom came home with a box, like a jumbo can barely be carried by one person box, full of fabric. This lady that somehow knew my mom, was cleaning out her basement and found a massive box full of fabric, she didn't want it and she gave it to us without even looking at it. I was semi-hopeful for some epic stuff but when we opened it up the only good things were a few yards of super nice black silk jersey, and some of the same in olive green, and a million yards of purple linen. Also in there were some half made shirts, one is in a fabric I really like the wrong side of, so I'll see what can be managed with that. disappointing, but I guess for free fabric, some high-quality jersey is pretty great.

I'll try to have a great post up on Monday, okkkaayyy?

I'll swim across lake michigan

2009-02-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

I probably will be really scarce this next week, I've been slacking a bit on schoolwork and need to focus on that.
so here's some killer inspiration to tie you over.

I've been listening to: Nickel Creek, Joshua Radin, Mirah, Peech, Eliote Smith, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Of Montreal, Peter Bjorn and John, Smoosh, Sufjan Stevens, and about 582948 others.

Put me back in the bottle where the sea meets the sun

2009-02-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

It has been just a lazy Saturday spent sitting around reading, listening to music and eating too many sweats.
Music: Lisa Hannigan. here's her website.
Book: Life Of Pi by Yann Martel. I have finally finished it after months of only having time for a few pages once in a while. marvelous to say the least.

Lisa Hannigan is coming to my town this month, but I can't go because it's on a school night (my parents won't let me) and I'm not old enough to get into the venue. I am thinking of getting a fake ID and sneaking out. I am so desperate.

not much going on as far as fashion inspiration today, I have something to show you all, we'll see when I get around to it, this weeks is going to be crazy.

we won't last forever, we're changing everyday.

2009-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

I guess if you wish hard enough dreams do come true. This morning when I got up and listened to the weather I found out that it was going to be almost 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 Celsius).

So when I got dressed I picked this out in honor of the warmth.
(I still put on tights however, because this time of year my legs are sickly white.)

Debbie Miller for Rigo dress worn as top. Skirt made by me and Eilowny. ???Tights.

My orchestra class took a field trip to the symphony. We were required to dress up, and by that I mean we weren't aloud to wear jeans or sweatpants.
What a funny thing it is when your everyday clothes are dresser than your classmates' dressy clothes. I thought I dressed pretty casual today too.

Today was a good day.

Craving Sunshine.

2009-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

When it gets warmer this is what I want to be wearing everyday,
honestly I can't wait till spring.
no jackets, no tights, only a couple months away...

(Polyvore)

Lame

2009-02-04T19:49:00.000-08:00

that's how I've been feeling today, sorry I really have nothing for you guys.

The Faint Memory of Soft Blue and White from Mornings Past.

2009-02-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

There has been something on my mind about the style of dress I want to make with the blue and white striped fabric I showed you yesterday, but I couldn't quite put my finger what the inspiration behind it was.
Then when I finally found time to read Teen Vogue today the realization slapped me across the face.
Men's pajamas! the striped are just larger than classic pajama fabric. I have been thinking of soft gathers and pleats, flowing and comfy, but with men's wear inspired details to refine it just a bit. Just like the cozy pajamas that your father wears. Now that I have realized what my inspiration is I can focus on the design, instead of trying to think of exactly what I am reminded of by the fabric.

photos are from teen vogue march 2009

Just a Small Fabric Obsession.

2009-02-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

My favorite thing to do when I need some cheering up is to go to the fabric shop and just feel different bolts.
Sadly I have not been on a fabric shopping trip in such a long time. Not to worry though, my mother used to do custom dress making and costuming for various ballet companies, so she has loads of cool fabric left over from that. She got rid of a lot of her stock a few years back to make room for a quilting obsession, but she still has closet and a few boxes devoted to the higher quality stuff.
Occasionally I go through every thing to find something great. Here is what I found on my last search.

^ ^ blue and white striped light cotton, there is a large bolt, probably six or seven yards, I'm thinking a dress, and maybe a skirt of top as well, we'll see.

^ ^ This is one of my favorites, its a large graphic floral knit, it's thick but very flexible, I only have two yards so I don't think there will be enough of a dress, but I might be able to get one out of it with some creative cutting. If that won't work it will become a high-waisted gathered skirt, or maybe a full drapey top, I need some input.

I have been a bit obsessed with stripes lately, I have made a skirt out of striped twill, and a large cardigan from brown and tan striped sweater knit. With that added to the stripes I have filling my closet and the striped cotton I just found, I think I will soon have too move on to a new pattern to avoid being known as the girl who only wears stripes.

I would very much like some feed back on my intentions for the fabric, what do you envision?

2009-02-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

The play is over, so I now have a bit of free time before we start doing the musical and I'm costuming for that.
And what does more time mean? more blogging! and pictures of what I've been making lately because I'll be home before dark and can take them in natural light.
I've been making a lot of spring dresses and wearing them over thick tights with grandpa cardigans, I have also been working with loads of knits, which unfortunately means I'm sewing on my overlock not Eilonwy. But I'm getting a lot of use from the patterns that came with the Sew U Home Stretch book I got for Christmas. I also have Wendy Mullen's first book and every single one of her Built by You patterns, you might say I'm obsessed, only a bit.
I have been playing around with pattern making and construction as well, but I still don't have a dress form so it's a bit hard to do draping, my math skills are going to good use though because I'm figuring out measurements to make patterns instead of transferring drapes.
I've been so inspired lately and don't have enough time to get all the projects done, my sketch book is filling up, I'll have to get another one soon.
and I have a bit of good news, I'll tell you about it once some things are finalized, but it's pretty epic.

sometime this week I'll get pictures up here, okay? I promise.

2009-01-27T20:08:00.000-08:00

Today was just a bad day, I can't wait for this show to be over,
I am exhausted, and it is so very freezing lately.
To cheer me up I have been browsing one of my new favorite blogs,
The Great Book of Fairy Tales.
The pictures are great and the quotes inspirational,
I love it. Check it out please.

2009-01-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

I have been a terrible, terrible blogger lately, and I apologies.
to make it up to you I'll put up pictures that have been inspiring outfits lately, that is when I haven't been wearing black dresses for theater(the costume girls are oh so chic, and wear their blacks to match), and sweatpants because it's been so very cold and snowy lately.
a sewing DIY project up soon I promise, it will be epic as well.

Can you tell I'm trying to bring a bit more spring into my wardrobe? It's not working so great, I'm looking more like the first picture most days.

2009-01-22T23:10:00.000-08:00

I have been really busy lately, I'm on costume crew for my schools winter play so I am busy sewing costumes, not clothes for myself. There is a lot of embroidery that needs to be done, and I am pretty great at it so I haven't even been sewing on Eilonwy much.
I finished altering a the dress but wasn't able to take decent pictures when I wore it on Wednesday.
The show is over after next weekend, so after that I'll have time to post more, and actually show you some things other than an altered dress.

**EDIT** I put the post up with the dress alterations, but don't worry that won't be the last you'll see of it, descent pictures will be up.

2009-01-21T18:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, well I don't have a photographer and my camera apparently doesn't have self timer, oops.
these are the ones I managed to take by putting it on my windowsill and running backwards.
haha, Basically on the dress I bleached and died it blue(in real life it's not quite as vibrant as in the pictures), added darts and various pleats in the back and sleeves to make it more tailored.
I wore it to school today, with the vintage woven belt shown, black tights and brown peep-toe sling backs.
I got so many compliments today and it was really nice, I got asked by a random classmate if I ever thought about pursuing a career in the fashion industry, and I was like 'every single second of every single day'. haha, it feels good to be a bit over dressed in a see of sweatpants and tees. I think I will make it a more regular thing, no more sweatpants Thursdays, tie-dye Tuesdays might stick around though.

Spring Inspiration.

2009-01-19T13:18:00.000-08:00

^{The photos are from all over the blogosphere.
If I used your picture and you would like it credited or taken off please feel free to tell me.
None of these pictures are mine.}

Green With Regret.

2009-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes there are those shopping trips that end with you bringing home things that don't fit or aren't you just because they are cheep.
That's what happened with this dress, I bought it even though it is too big and the fabric is thin, and forest green, just because it was only a couple dollars and I liked certain details of it, so it's spent the last few months crumpled on the floor of my closet (thus the wrinkles).
Eilonwy and I have finally gotten around to altering it, and I'll show you the final product tomorrow.

Once Apon a Time.

2009-01-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

There was a girl (that's me!) and her trusty sewing machine (Eilonwy!). They loved adventures; creating clothes, creating something three dimensional out of flat fabric was their favorite thing to do. One day (today) they decided to share what the make with the world through this blog.
this is a chronicle of their adventures, what they make, what they love and are inspired by.