Happy Independence Day!
I’m wishing you a wonderful and relaxing day, whether it be with your family and friends, or solo. I don’t have any plans for today, on purpose. I did get invited out but I don’t want to be anywhere but in my sewing studio. I have my snacks ready and I’ll be sewing all day. I’m experiencing the benefits of sewing therapy and it’s good.
If you saw my stories on Instagram on Monday and Tuesday, then you already know that I made this same Vogue 8787 dress in black & white two years ago HERE, when I first started my blog. This pattern is Out-of-Print now. The dress was cute then, but with these fabrics, it’s a little firecracker. Both fabrics are from my home stash. The red is a leftover reversible knit from JoAnn Fabrics that I used for THIS dress in August of 2016. The Blue & White stripe was purchased at the Michael Levine Loft in Downtown, Los Angeles a long time ago. I chose to sew the dress again because I wanted to pair these fabrics together for a little patriotic sewing. Remember, I’m trying to stick with easy projects for a while. This pattern isn’t difficult to sew for an intermediate skill level, and because I’ve already made it once, I knew it would be a breeze for me. If you’re an advanced beginner, you may be able to complete it, with patience. However, I will caution new beginners to spend some time mastering the basics before attempting a fully lined garment.
My photos are better this week. Can you see the improvement? I’m learning so much you guys. Last week I spent some time watching YouTube videos on photography and videography. I still don’t have the sharpness that I’m seeking, but it will come. I’m determined! I’m feeling particularly good about these photos because they were taken indoors, and using what I learned last week, I was able to capture the lighting I wanted by adjusting the camera settings. I’m learning to shoot in manual mode. Oooohhh, I can do this! I will do this!
I usually have a plan for the garments I sew before I make them, but I didn’t this time. I was always sewing garments to wear out with my husband. I made this dress just because, and as I mentioned in my Insta-story, I can wear it to church or out to tea with the hat, a pair of short gloves and pearls.
Well, I’m keeping it very short this week. You enjoy your day of festivities and I’ll enjoy my sewing.
Thanks for stopping by!
Remember: When you live in your DESIGN, it is from there that God SHINES!
I absolutely love this dress on you! You have convinced me to order the pattern off eBay and make a black and white version like yours. Will make a muslin up as I’m short waisted and may have to shorten that waistband seam down a bit or I may see about removing it and adding some length to the top. It looks gorgeous on you. All of your versions are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Anita. Thanks for your inspirations. All your dresses
look great. Love all your pictures. Especially this ‚4th of July dress‘. Greetings from Switzerland.
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!!
You are one gorgeous and amazing woman! Everything you make looks stunning.
Great to see you sewing, and smiling. Beautiful dress as always. Thank you for sharing I have learned so much from you.
Really cute Anita. Perky, Patriotic and Pretty. You look amazing.
You look stunning!
You look so beautiful! The accessories are spot on. Whenever I learn new skills, it’s a boost to my confidence. I’ve noticed that when I venture out to try to do new things, and accomplish it with success even if I have to do it more than once to get it right, I feel encouraged to do more. With such a sudden life change, it can make you feel a little unsure of yourself. You keep taking steps forward at your own pace. God is there with every step you take. God’s Blessing!
Absolutely beautiful. I hope the day brought you some sewing joy!
I’m not sure what kind of camera you have, but you might want to look into a remote timer for extra sharp photos–the kind you squeeze halfway to focus, and all the way to snap. My Lumix has a third party remote I found on amazon. When I take photos this way, they are super crisp– though yours are really lovely, I’d be proud as is!
Lovely, your such an inspriratetion to me. Keep them coming.
Georgeous!
beautiful
Love this dress. You wear it well.
Thanks for sharing ! Awesome !
Patriotic & Classy!
Classy!
I love the way you styled this one.
I love this
Wow u look fabulous
Beautiful
You look absolutely beautiful! I love this style on you! Just gorgeous! You are such an inspiration to all! My heart goes out to you and your family!
Stunning!
Anita, you are a Yankee Doodle Dandy in this beautiful dress. The red is rich hue, balanced with the navy and white and the accessories are icing on the cake. Sewing is obviously good therapy for you.
Hahahahaaaa!!! “Yankee Doodle Dandy!” I love it! Thanks Cynthia!
Hi Anita! hope all is well with you and your family. actually your pictures do get the message across to us, but I know you want quality in your picture taking. It’s coming! Your outfit is stunning!
What a beautiful dress! I’m impressed with your photography work and so happy to see you back in your sewing room. God bless you Anita, looking forward to seeing your next creation.
Hi Anita, love the dress, you look wonderful. Happy July 4th. I’m staying in today just enjoying my family and home. Talk to you soon!
Stunning! Love the color combo. Have fun sewing away on this Independence Day.
You look gorgeous
Definitely a high end designer look – fabulous and great photos. Really impressed with your photography skills! (Was already impressed with your sewing skills!!)
Gorgeous dress and beautifully styled as usual.
That dress is absolutely stunning and your pictures are gorgeous! I’m never disappointed with your posts. Thank you for continuing to bless us with your gift. Enjoy your holiday?
You look fabulous!
Gorgeous outfit!
Hi Anita it’s good to see you sewing again, have a wonderful holiday stay bless.
You ARE a firecracker, Anita! Such an inspiration to all of us. Thank you and a very happy and productive 4th of July!
Love the dress! Thinking of and praying for you. Happy sewing!
Dear Anita,
Your story moves me. I wish for you only the best as you continue to adjust to new way of daily living. Blessings,
Dela
Now that’s the PRETTIEST red , white and blue I’ve seen in a long time! SO unique , Anita! Happy 4th to you and your family!
You look fabulous, so radiant and full of grace. You have a natural talent and eye for matching different colors and knowing what works on your body. No hit or miss there. I find your post very inspiring and uplifting. I love your motto and am going to adopt it as my own because I know that I am not living in my design and not allowing God to shine. But by watching your videos and listening and reading what you have to say I feel inspired. I too am getting over a loss from less than a year ago. But now I know that I can get up and push through. I have a ton of patterns and fabric to make. I know I can do it. I used to sew years ago but then I bought a newer machine which I never learned to use and became discouraged. I am ready to get back into sewing now. Thanks for sharing. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family. I’m so glad we met.
Hey Aretha! Thank you for sharing your heart with me. I want to encourage you, sister. Get that sewing machine manual out, and learn to use your machine. I pray for you too as you STAND up and position yourself to be who God has already given you permission to be. You have everything you need to walk in your purpose. It’s just a matter of digging deep, rising up and pushing through. Let’s do this sister. I believe in you.
I love it. So classy
You.should.be.a.model. Classy and elegant always. I think this may be my favorite so far, but I love everything you make!
Oh wow!!! You look gorgeous Anita!!! Happy independence day to you and all my American friends out there!!!!
Thank you for always being such an inspiration. Your photos are very good by the way. God bless and protect you always.Happy sewing too!
Absolutely gorgeous Ms. Anita!!! Your photos are amazing, you’re doing a fabulous job!! Have a great day of Sewing!! Love you Ms. Anita!
Ooooh, Brittany, I love you too! Thank you sew sister!
Anita, this dress is definitely a hit. The color combo is spot on. The pics are gorgeous and I’m not sure what you want to improve, but I know you can do anything you set your mind to. I can feel the determination in your post, so although I think the pics are wonderful, I know you can accomplish your goal. Thank you for sharing and giving inspiration to your readers. My prayers are with you and your family as you continue to navigate this season in your lives.
You look absolutely smashing in this dress! If I only had your body…and beauty inside and out?
I love this! You are such a beauty with a radiant smile! Thanks for the inspiration! Prayers for you and your family!
It’s nice to see you sewing. As always, you look modern, refined and elegant.
I love your color combination. Very elegant as usual! Happy sewing!
The dress is perfect! Happy sew day!
You look fabulous, Anita! And those photos- oh my! Thanks so much for sharing, and Happy 4th!
Ms. Anita you look stunning, but that’s the norm, wonderiful to see you back, Happy Independence Day! John 8:36.
Oooohhh, Yeeesss! Free indeed! The Jesus who lives in me makes me FREE! I choose to live in that freedom, no matter what I’m struggling with.
What an absolutely fabulous dress. Your patriotic spirit shines through just like your glory to God!!
Happy 4th, and sending all my love!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com