Thursday, July 9, 2015

DIY: A Palette Dress, Purse and GIVEAWAY!

At one point, every summer vacation, I start to fall into a slacker-esque routine. I'll have my To-Do list all written down, my running shoes by the door, a big ole stack of projects to tackle and then I go all meh, not today. The list gets forgotten, the shoes collect dust and  the stacks of projects turn into towers of tasks I ain't never gonna touch. That was today. YESTERDAY, however, I finished off this number and stitched up that thar palette purse! So I can give myself one day o' estate sale shopping and Mad Men Marathon watching, right?!
I'm super stoked about this lil outfit y'all. But, let's be honest, the purse makes the thing. Amiright?
Let's talk about what inspired this outfit: that fab fabric, y'all. I have this habit: late at night, when I should be fast asleep, I scour the interwebs for fabric. I like to google things like "art supply fabric" or "color wheel fabric" OR, you guesser, Chester: palette fabric. The moment I saw this retro-inspired goodness, I tossed three yards in my virtual shopping cart and scooted on over to checkout faster than you can say "fabric hoarder" (although, why would you say such a thing? I like to think of myself as a Fabric Connoisseur, thank you vury much). The pattern I paired with the fabric is a vintage Simplicity 3877. I decided to go with the bodice of view 3 but I didn't love that skirt (flat front, gathered hips? Because I wanna look like a hippo?!) so I opted to use a regular ole gathered skirt from some rando pattern. I ain't trying to be vague. I'm just sayin, it's literally a big a## rectangle that I gathered and attached to the bodice. The.End.
Now, I'll be the first to admit, that this here fabric pattern is a wee bit overwhelming. That's a whole lotta palette action, you know what I mean? So I decided to break it up with that lil dotted cummerbund.  
I do love me a cummerbund. Or any waist-cinching, belt-esque thingie I can get my kitten mittens on. This one was a snap to make. I have a feeling I'll be busting out more o' these in the future. Magic Eight Ball says it's so (actually she said, "Ask Again" which I always take for a YES! WHATEVER YOU SAY! Magic Eight Ball is kinda like the original Siri but without the attitude.)
But can we fur realz just talk about the show stopper here? I mean, that purse, right?! 
RIIIIIIGHHHHHHT?!
It was pretty easy to make (with my sewing machine only having a hissy fit a mere three times during the making) and, if you are interested, ya outta pay close attention so you can make your own! BECAUSE Ima bout to give away the supplies to do it! But first...
I started with two straw placemats I found on Amazon. I then sketched out my plan and placed it on top, pinning it into place.
Then I snipped away. 
The handle proved to be the biggest beast for a multitude of reasons. The first being it was a drag to cut out. BUT I did it. WITH much complaining. TO the cat. BECAUSE no one else will listen. 
Using extra wide double fold bias tape, I pinned that business around the edge of the mat. Sadly, I didn't have enough for the handle so I had to use the smaller double fold tape I had on hand. That proved to be a real joy (insert sarcasm here) to stitch. But I muscled through. 
And then there was The Great Debate. If you follow me on Instagram and Facebook, I threw out a question because I was stumped how to proceed with the paint splotches. So my question was: round or blobby? I had so many sweet friends offer their advice that it was fab! The prob? Everyone was divided! So I took a closer look at the palette on my skirt and noticed that the paint splotches were ovals. That seemed to be a happy medium. Okay, so the Magic Eight Ball is actually the medium, but you know what I mean. 
This part actually went off without a hitch. I just set my machine to the appliqué stitch (all machines have it, it's just a zigzag stitch with the stitches set close together) and went to town.
Originally I was gonna stitch the two mats together on the black bias tape but it was just too thick. I ended up switching to a light brown thread and sewed the front and back of the bag together on the straw mat. Done and Done. 
BUT I'VE GOT THE SUPPLIES FOR YOU TO MAKE ONE TOOOOOOOO. Well, the purse, perhaps. And just a wee bit of palette fabric. And it can be ALLL YOOOOUURRZZZZ if y'all do the following:

* (If you wanna) follow me on Instagram, that'd be swell. 

* Leave me a message in the comments! I want to know...Who is your fave painter (ya know, since we're talking palettes and all) and why? Also! Don't forget to leave me your email addy so I can let you know if you won, you big winner, you!
 
AND, I'll see you soon! Artsy Sew Along friends, I'll be back shortly with more video clipp-ies of our next phase of skirt stitching. Toodles!
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54 comments:

  1. #mineZ !!!!!!!

    jenniferlovegironda@gmail.com

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  2. Anonymous7/09/2015

    My favorite artist is hands down, Roy Lichtenstein. I don't know why, we did a pop art unit in high school and I fell in L-O-V-E. My favorite painting is one the kitchen series. My email is vks84@aol.com

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  3. As an art teacher i love to teach pop art (especially the work of Lichtenstein) but as an artist my fave is Cezanne, hands down! So inspiring!! My email is dkward02@gmail.com
    Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fun prize!!

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  4. Anonymous7/09/2015

    Today my favorite painter is Van Gogh ,but I have lots of favorites! rowlandmolly@rocketmail.com

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  5. My fav artist is Vincent van Gogh! He is on my list of dead people I want to meet. I want to see his process, and know how he found beauty in everything despite being unhappy. And dang, how did he paint so fast???!
    susan.hopson@ymail.com

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  6. LOVE this! You are amazing! Fav artist is hard...I'm always drawn to Jackson Pollock. I work in a very similar, non objective way. Bring on the splatter and drips!! :)
    laurabecker018@gmail.com

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  7. Currently it's Mary Blair for her awesome retro-ness!

    Stmedeiros@yahoo.com

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  8. Georgia O'Keeffe! I've been obsessed with her since I was in 5th grade. We share the same hometown. annaacker11@gmail.com

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  9. Klimt is my all time favorite! The first artist I really loved was Renoir (Girl with a Watering Can) I could go on.......but i won't ! elseapea@yahoo.com

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  10. Winslow Homer! Love those watercolors!
    Madeleinepinaire@gmail.com

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  11. Anonymous7/09/2015

    I'm reading a book about Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun so right now, she's the favorite du jour.

    Kathy hills 22 at gmail dot com

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  12. I have three prints of works by Andrew Wyeth here at home, so that much mean something! Van Gogh and Cassatt are tied for second. Love your palette purse, too! cboggsart@gmail.com

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  13. Well I am going to be the weirdo, but I love Egon Schiele! Just the Vienna secessionists in general, I mean, Gustav Klimt! Oh gold! But Egon is my fav! Sarahekdouglas@gmail.com

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  14. I need a palette purse! My fav artisit since '92 is
    Orlando Agudelo-Botero

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  15. Anonymous7/09/2015

    I love Rene Magritte. He does what so many of us strive to do or inspire to do: combine amazing skill with thought-provoking content. (by the way, you are a paragon) hlcuria@eiu.edu

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  17. favorite painter is Wayne Thiebaud. I'm a "sweetaholic" and his paintings are very appealing to me. I also love how he applies his paint, making the texture seem even more realistic. Plus my students love seeing his work! YUM! KSaperstone@gmail.com

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  18. 💜💜💜 Klimt paintings!! 💜💜 the palette purse!! Rodrigfamiky2000@yahoo.com

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  19. Those symbols are hearts for love.

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  20. Rodrigfamily2000@yahoo.com. The wine was typing earlier.

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  21. Andrew Wyeth! Love his earthy tones and the rawness of his work!

    My email is coward.megan@gmail.com

    Thank you so much for this blog!!! 💚

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  22. Hmmm... I tried and failed to publish so here I go again! My favorite artists are my students...I love the way they light up when they accomplish something new!! My mom... her landscapes and abstracts are incredible and she is my biggest inspiration (check out Georgia artist Joan Hilliard). Paul Gauguin... his use of color is inspiring!! Okay, that's more than one but who can truly choose just one!!??? meadorart@gmail.com

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  23. Hmmm... I tried and failed to publish so here I go again! My favorite artists are my students...I love the way they light up when they accomplish something new!! My mom... her landscapes and abstracts are incredible and she is my biggest inspiration (check out Georgia artist Joan Hilliard). Paul Gauguin... his use of color is inspiring!! Okay, that's more than one but who can truly choose just one!!??? meadorart@gmail.com

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  24. I am lovin' Dan Dunn! He rocks! Originally a caracature artist at a theme park in Houston and ended up painting at one of our Art Teacher conferences in Houston. Little did I know when I went home to excitedly tell my mom and dad all about it, his children actually attended the school she worked at! I was able to get him to perform at my campus when he was "little known". Now he is painting all over the world, for tv shows, superbowls, rich peeps, all stars, royals, you name it! Ah the life! He recently staged his own symphony show which will travel the world and he will paint with the symphonies all over! So excited for him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIJtKxdRQzY or any of him on youtube! www.paintjam.com Love me some Dan Dunn art!

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  25. Favorite? Me...Abby@baileyfiberart.com

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  26. Well I am UK based and so it has to be Grayson Perry. Genius. Technically brilliant, a big dollop of humour, fascinated with everyday reality, incredibly imaginative, and he can work in virtually any medium from clay to digital. Oh and frequently to be found in ladies' outfits. I did say he was a genius? I love your outfit and as ever you look crazy and very colourful my like my man Gray.

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  27. Oh dear forgot my mail - Landgirl11@gmail.com x

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  28. Favorite artist is like asking my favorite chocolate! ;) So many artists...I cried when I saw Starry Night with my students, they said I was cute when I look at art. Awwww... So, today I will go with Van Gogh!

    BTW...I "worked" at a fabric store a "few" years ago in college, and I'm pretty sure I spent my paycheck buying fabric. ...been seeing since I was 8... Fellow fabric connoisseurs unite! simplyronda@gmail.com

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  29. Wow wow wow, this is a genius idea. Is this giveaway open to uk residents? My favourite artist is john Waterhouse, has been since my school days spent floating around like a pre-raphealite hippy pirate. I already follow you on instagram. My email is retro-wren@hotmail.co.uk

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  30. Cassie, your energy and creativity are endless! Have always liked Piet Mondrian for the clean lines and primary colour palette. Meredith

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  31. That's like asking which is your favorite child!!! I go through stages of who's my favorite. It used to be Monet and VanGogh, then Picasso, Matisse... there's just something to love about everyone!!!
    Leeack080969@gmail.com

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  32. I don't need to be entered in the drawing, as I already have too many projects under way, but I always say my favorite artist is Matiise. But that's too common an answer, so also add in Janet Fish. And Alice Neel. And Niki de Saint Phalle. Look! 3 out of 4 of my answers are women!!

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  33. love this purse for sure! I favor hex sign artists because I am Pennsylvania Dutch.I like a local artist of where I live Eric Claypoole. kemptoncountry@aol.com

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  34. My fave painter is Klimt! He's so inspiringly different.

    Lydia.h.parker@gmail.com

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  35. Hi Cassie, love the purse! I was thinking of cutting up a place mat for another purpose and wondered if it would unravel if you didn't cover the raw edges? 2 painters came to mind immediately Georgia O'Keefe (love her flowers) and Vincent Van Gogh. I remember going to the museum on a school field trip with my son's art class and some of Georgia O'Keefe's work was on display and after they did a project based on her style. Count me in for the drawing and try to answer my question. Thanks Pat

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  36. Forgot to add my email: schwabmom@gmail.com

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  37. Hi, Cassie! Wow, what an inspiration you are! I'm a brand new Elem Art Teacher and I love, love, LOVE the idea of the art teacher always lookin' like a lit bit 'o art herself. I'll be following your lead on that one! And I'm a super-sewing-nut too! Favorite artist: Monet without hesitation. All that light and color totally mesmerize me! My email: andiejaneanders@gmail.com (Pick me, pick me!)

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  38. How fun is this dress and purse?!? Love how you broke the pattern up in the middle of the dress. My favorite artists (because I can't pick just one) would be Mary Cassatt and Norman Rockwell. Mary's work has a quiet emotion that I just love and no one captures facial expression the way Normal Rockwell does. email:jbagwell@knology.net

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  39. I tried to comment from my phone but I don't think it showed up! My favorite artist is Kindah Khalidy. Look her up! You will love her too. PS I hope I win! My email address is claracrosby@sbcglobal.net

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  40. Monet is my favourite! Rebeccacell@gmail.com

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  41. I'd have to say it's my great niece. She's not famous (yet). But she is very talented.
    Dmac5958@aol.com

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  42. My favourite painter is Van Gogh! My email address is: micheletimms@gmail.com

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  43. Brooksana7/13/2015

    Hi Cassie. I love your site and your style! I work in a museum so I'm surrounded by amazing art every day - it makes it hard to pick your favorite. I have a pool of them that rotate, depending on the day/mood/medium. But, the best of the best is really tied between MC Escher and Henri Matisse. My email is redheadbby@yahoo.com

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  44. Cassie, I love, love, love your creations! The cummerbund is such a fabulous touch. HMMM, my favorite painter today? Salvador Dali...he was so odd & creative (I mean who builds a glass floor in his studio to name one of the more tame reported strange behaviors???) and I'm really feeling the Persistence of Memory as my summer time is melting away all too quickly. Just received my swag box and am very much looking forward to seeing your presentation at the AOE conference on Thursday. Happy Sewing!!! ~ndsommer@cox.net

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  45. My favorite artist would be Matisse. He was able to adapt to age and continue making art instead of the excuse"I'm too old". Attitude does a lot for me. I LOVE the purse, and am thinking about using soft and stable from "Annie's" ( I think that is what it is called), much easier to sew through and holds up well. But I would use the placemat if I won! I like the dress too, I just have not become bold enough personally to wear a statement piece. I am working on hair accessories right now. Kmason@milwpc.com

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  46. Whitney7/14/2015

    Hey Cassie! Damien Hirst is one of my favs!

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  47. I don't think I have any one favorite. I love impressionism paintings, but then again I love lots of other types as well. This dress and purse are really gorgeous.

    determineddebby at gmail dot com

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  48. Awesome innovation Cassie!!!

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  49. LOVE your entire outfit!!! Just adorable!!!! My favorite painter is my daughter! She does mostly watercolors and is learning with each new project. Thanks for the chance!

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  50. I had an amazing art teacher from grades 7-OAC (Stephen Ziefman) who introduced me to the art of Modigliani. I became a mixed-media artist, mainly working in collage, but I still see that influence in my portraits. As an art teacher, Peter Reynolds' art in "Dot" and "Ish" has become my students' inspiration. I would be thrilled to win your contest! I'm on the Occasional List for TDSB for September, and I know the kids would be impressed! K.Digiulio@Gmail.com

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  51. I already follow you on instagram. You are truly inspirational and after 30 years of teaching art to high schoolers you still can make me laugh and hat me excited about fun projects. After all my kids are still KIDS. My personal favorite artist is frantisek kupka. I adore his sense of freedom with color. I also love Gaughin and Tahiti is on my bucket list......
    i would love to win the materials for a pallette purse.I wwuss use the fabric to make matching accessories... eyeglass holders for my hand made funky glasses. I just finished 2 pairs yesterday. I will post them on my instagfam.
    my email. Mammak11@yahoo.com.
    have a creative day.

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  52. My favorite painter is van Gogh. Have you seen the episode on Dr. WHO where they bring van Gogh to an exhibition of his work many years in the future? Brings tears to my eyes every time! OK--here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubTJI_UphPk

    mkscurfield@cox.net

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  53. My favorite painter is Picasso because I marvel at the eyes through which he sees the world. "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." Picasso. "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." Picasso.

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  54. This looks so beautiful. Have to make one. Gonna give this palette purse making tutorial a try.

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