Showing posts with label art teacher clothes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art teacher clothes. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

DIY: Viva Italia Dress

Hey, friends! I am wearing this here dress today in...Italy! I managed to snap some photos before leaving but I'll be sure to share my Italian adventures with you when I return home. Until then, let's talk dress-makin', shall we?
After (a handful of) years stitching and countless homemade dresses, I think I have finally found the mashup of dress patterns that I like the very best. I am loving the fit and look of this halter-style top with this circle skirt, it's my new fave!
It's taken me this long to realize that simply because a pattern looks good on the envelope does not mean it will look good on you. And that's okay! You gotta go with what is the most flattering for your body type and your taste. Personally, I love a good fit and flair. And I like my fit very fitted (ahem) and my flair super, um, flair-y (double crinoline, anyone?). But I also know that I cannot do a v-neck, scoop neckline or anything else that is meant to show off cleavage. Because, well, I ain't got none. So it just looks awkward trying to show it off unless I'm wearing my big ole "Insert Cleavage Here" necklace which I seem to have lost. 
And I'm cool with this. Not the loss of my necklace, that thing was expensive, but the fact that I can't wear a good ole cleavage bearing frock. Because I have bodice patterns that work...and I think this one works the best for me. 
Now, here's a little something else I've learned: size down on the bust. Do you see that bust measurement of 34"? That is my correct size but when using this dress pattern in the past, I always found the bodice to be a pinch roomie (remember, I like a good fit). You can see other dresses I've made with this pattern here and here. For a more fitted dress, size down on the bust measurement. I'll be using a 32" bust for the bodice in the future. Now, this works for me for the entire dress because I do an open skirt...meaning I can have hips for days and the skirt hides 'em (another reason I love me a circle skirt!). However, if you are using a hip-hugging pattern, you may need to size up for the rest of the dress.
Y'all would be so proud: the last couple of dresses I've created have been from fabric straight outta the stash. I purchased this fabric years ago with the intent to make a dress...but, Ima be honest, I didn't love the colors in the print. So in the stash it sat. Until 36 hours before leaving for Italy, that is! Another reason to love this pattern: it's a quick stitch!
You might notice I decided not to add the bow/belt insert. On the dresses I have with built-in belts, I feel limited. I love to add different belts to my clothing to change up the look. So I skipped that step in the pattern. I also made the straps thinner...the thicker ones just screamed "homemade!" to me. 
 Just a side and back view. Did I mention that this dress has pockets?! I've decided that no dress is complete without them. Forever and ever, amen. 
Despite my initial meh-ness toward the print on this dress, I now really love it. I know that the pattern has a whole lot to do with it. 
And now I'm off to explore the sites on my dress. Viva Italia, y'all! photo signature_zpsd10b3273.png
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Sunday, February 5, 2017

DIY: the Palette Dress

If you follow me here, then you've seen the progression of what I've been calling the Palette Dress. One of the things I've been a little bummed about of late is that I've not been devoting as much time as I'd like to sewing. The last dress I stitched up was the Eyeball Dress and, while it was fun to make and even more fun to wear, it was just follow-the-pattern dressmaking. I miss creating crazy and fun ensembles like these. I long to go back to when I made the time to create monthly masterpiece-inspired dresses...but other "things" and interests have been eating up my time. One of which I can finally close the "book" on, ahem (eep! I KNOW. I'll be sharing more details to come but in the meantime, go on and get yourself that preorder copy, ermkay?). 
This past school year, I've also made a stronger effort to create quality video content both for my students...and for y'all. I have found that I really enjoy creating the videos and I am truly loving the benefit it has had on the art education of my students. I can throw so much more content, vocabulary and easy-to-see demonstrations at them. If you use the videos, I do hope you and your kiddos have found them helpful and fun.

All that to say...I miss creative sewing! So when I got the idea to create this Palette Dress, I was determined to dive right in. It all started with this pattern. 
I've had this in my (enormous) stash of vintage patterns for a while. One of my favorite bizarre pastimes is to go thru my boxes of vintage patterns, admire the illustrations on the front and imagine a dialog happening between the fine females featured. Would you like to hear this one? Like you have a choice, y'all. 

"Look, I'm not one to spread rumors, but the word is Darlene cropdusts the whole office just so she can walk around and smell her own farts."

I mean, c'mon, y'all. She's totally sniffin' somethin'!
While admiring that pattern (and dreaming up dialog), I thought what fun it might be to take that large collar and make it into a palette. So I created this sketch. And then drove to Joann's for some twill fabric and fabric paint. 
Ah, our bonus room. The Jack of All Trades room. It has served as the book-writing room, the video making room, the Facebook LIVE chat room and, as you can see, the fabric-painting room. I placed a sheet of oil cloth down on the floor before watching back to back episodes of Twin Peaks (current obsession) and going to town. 
The end result. I used Tulip brand fabric paint and even after a wash and dry, the colors remained as vibrant. 
 Stitching the dress up took no time at all. It was a super simple pattern. I'm used to dresses with breast darts, waists, gathered or circle skirts. The only "hard" part of this dress were the pleats down the front. After that, it was simply a zip, hem and sleeves (uuuuuugh, sleeves). All of which would have been less time consuming had I not been watching a cocktail of Twin Peaks, Schitt's Creek and Broad City on my craptop. Sigh. 
Then it was time to make the collar. Funny story: I LOST the pattern for the collar. That's right. LOST IT. I must have spent a horrid HOUR cleaning and looking for that doggone thing (btw, the ONLY way our house gets cleaned is if I lose something. Don't tell the hubs, he'll start hiding stuff like crazy). I never did find it. Tho it prolly doesn't help that I currently have five dress projects all over my smallish sewing room with pattern pieces scattered hither and thither (am I using that expression correctly? What is a "thither" anyway?). 
When I finally realized that I wasn't going to find the missing pattern piece until AFTER the dress was complete (cuz, let's be honest, that's how it goes), I thought, "I can do it. Pattern? I don't need no stinkin' pattern!" I did have the pattern for the interfacing. Non-stitchers, fun, boring fact: interfacing is that crapola inside your collars and whutnots that gives it structure and form. Yes, that is the accurate fashion design term. Google it, yo. Anyway, I did a wee bit of measuring and maths and BOOM! I created a detachable paint palette collar. With applique paint blobs and a thumb hole, thank you, vury much. 
Oh, what's that? 
You're wondering where my beautiful paint brush crown is from? It's from my art teacherin' friend Linda McConaughy. If y'all are going to NAEA in NYC (I'll be there, presenting 3 times, details this week!), she'll be selling her AMAZING crowns at the artisan market. 
I'm super happy with this dress. It's def not my usual fit and flair dress...but I do like the idea of an open waist (the design is actually a maternity dress and, before you even ask, no y'all!) because that means I'll have more room in my belly in NYC. Hope to see you there. If not, catch you on the flip side, y'all! 
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Saturday, January 14, 2017

What the Art Teacher Wore #172

Allow me to just kick off this here What the Art Teacher Wore by saying No, I did not create that AMAZING felt flower Frida-esque crown I am wearing. It was created by art teacher Linda McConaughy who was so sweet and kind to send it to me. You can check out and purchase Linda's designs here. If there is something you have in mind, message her! And, if you've ever been to NAEA, you might also know Linda by her paint brush crown pieces (you can see me wearing mine here!). In fact, she'll be at NAEA in NYC this March (as will I, so excited) so you can check out more of her wares there. Thank you so much, Linda, I LOVE my flower crown and my students did as well. Matched my color wheel shirt completely!
 Target, You have the Best Kid's Clothes: I ain't ashamed to admit I just about purchased the entire Cat and Jack line at Target...for myself. Yes, it's kids' clothes. No, I don't care. That color wheel shirt is currently on clearance for something crazy like $2, y'all! top and skirt: Cat and Jack for Target

So. Did y'all survive Friday the 13th, the full moon and Mercury Retrograde (I'm not exactly sure what that is but if it had anything to do with the painting of one's hands and then licking it off episode I witnessed this week, I ain't down with it)? Thankfully, I have a long weekend to recover. It was my first week back after the break and we hit the ground running: weaving, sculpting, painting, printing. You name it, we were doing it. And all of it was in the name of LURVE...
 Before break, my firsties had finished these weavings. Honestly, I had NO idea what we were going to do with them until Monday morning. I remembered that before break, these kids had whizzed through weaving. So I decided to see if they could handle a little bit of hand stitching. Y'all, they rocked it! You can check out the complete lesson here
With all the possible bad luck floating around, I decided to ward it off with some freaky evil eyeball jewelry. You can see more of this craziness here. I'm so on a 80's kick right now, y'all. I've had a hair crimper in my Amazon shopping cart for a week now. 
 The Problem with Wearing Kid's Clothes: Is that half of your students wear them too. I was told that I match several kiddos in our school, a couple in kindergarten and a few in first grade. Yep. I've got the fashion sense of a 6 year old. Sounds about right. top: Cat and Jack; skirt and tights: Target; boots: Frye
Second grade printed this week and learned about the artist Chris Uphues. I love his artwork but his street art hearts are my faves. The kids really got into his work. Lesson to come!
 Wonderful Wednesday: I was so excited about Wednesday because my fourth graders started on their Candy Heart Sculptures! sweater: thrifted; pins: vintage; top: JCrew; skirt: resale find at Buffalo Exchange (I knooooooow!); yellow tights and hot pink fishnets: who knows
We got out armatures complete and started on the process of cutting the plaster into strips. I wasn't about to do that myself so I put the kids on that one. Next week, we cover in plaster!
 When You Look as Ridiculous as You Feel: All day long. That's what happens when you dress like a kid, y'all! top and skirt: more Cat and Jack. I done told you I bought everything they had. Gift cards from Christmas came in mighty handy; shoes: Aldo
Second grade had so much fun printing hearts that I decided to create more stampers and have kindergarten do it as well. You can see how I made the stampers here. More to come on this lesson! 
All Eyeballs on Me: Yep, I had to. Details on this dress here. Shoes from Modcloth
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

In the Art Room: Fourth Grade Faux Stained Glass

Hey, y'all! Today I saw a couple of fourth grade classes for their second day working on their Faux Stained Glass Winter Scene project. I was so impressed with their beautiful work that I thought I would share and let you take a peak at how these 12" X 18" beauties are turning out. In case you missed the demo video, here it is:
On our first day, we sketched out our ideas, enlarged our favorite onto our 12" X 18" piece of paper and drew the lines in either black glue or puffy paint. I decided to change the size of the artwork to better accommodate frames. I have had parents tell me that when we do odd shaped artwork, it is difficult for them to frame. I really love the idea of them framing their child's work so of course I'm going to make some changes to have that happen!
Today we watched the second half of the video and dove right into chalkin' it up. I stressed the following: no more than three colors per shape; colors had to be analogous; keep your fingers clean by washing and drying regularly. 
 About 1/3 of the kids finished today, some used glue today (because they were absent last time) and others are still in the middle of creating. Yay! That should be real fun to coordinate all those finishers/almost finishers/no where near finisheders. Such is art teacherin' life. I plan to provide some open ended projects for those wrapping things up as that will be our last class before break. 
 This project was inspired by the success of this third grade project!
One of the half dozen freshly-glued designs from today. We dry these on our messy mats on the floor. I found that placing them on the tilted drying racks causes the glue to run.
The partially finished pieces really stole my heart. These kids were serious about taking their time and doing their best. I love this Hershey Kiss tree!
 This one is really so stained-glass-esque.
 This artist got a big warm hug from me. So stunning!
And this artist, ah! I was so concerned when I saw his glued design as I thought, that is gonna take him forever! I was worried that he wouldn't have the patience to fill it in the best he could but he really is rockin' it!
And this one says Paul Klee to me! 

Please feel free to give this project a go in your art room! I'd love to see the results if you do.

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Sunday, December 4, 2016

What the Art Teacher Wore #170

Most Wonderful Time of the Year Monday: Y'all know I am the proud owner of just a coupla outfits, right? Well, when it comes to Christmas, I have to clear out a portion of my closet just to make room for all of my holiday-wears. I ain't proud...I'm just sayin'. sweater: DIY, made by me many moons ago; scarf, skirt and blouse: vintage, thrifted; boots: Frye, paint splatters accidental; tights: Target; belt: Pinup Girl Clothing

Well, hey there, hot stuff! Long time, no What the Art Teacher Wore. Like, seriously, long time. In fact, I just checked, the last one was mid-August right before school was really rollin' and I lost all control of my time. Things are always the craziest this time of year and, lately, I have been really feeling it. So much so that Monday I had the pleasure of experiencing my first panic attack...at least I think that is what that overwhelming sense of stress, ear-ringing and quickness of breath was indicating. In an effort to slow things down a pinch, I delivered my first "no" this week to an art teacherin' bunch I wouldn't normally say that to. However, my state of mind couldn't handle the thought of one more thing on my plate. So even though I hated to say "no"...I really did feel much better afterwards.

But boo! We're not hear to listen to me moan and groan! I decided to bring back What the Art Teacher Wore this month because, well, I do love to dress Christmas-y. Halloween and Christmas are my fave times of year and my wardrobe would most certainly agree. I cleared out a large portion of my closet recently to make room for all of my holiday clothes. If you follow me here, you've seen several of these snaps already. I thought I'd also share what's goin' down in the art room this week, the most exciting being Esmerelda the Elf! Anyone else have an Elf in their art room? Y'all, it has been so much fun and really sparked the kids' imaginations. 

I hope y'all have a fabulous week! 
 Second grade weaving is one of my favorite projects! The kids love it and now that these are all warped, they are really gonna love the weaving process. We are ready to roll next week! If you've never done this project with your students, it's perfect for those in second grade and up. You can see the lesson on that here (great visuals to print out and provide your students) and video tutorial here
Rockin' and Rollin' Tuesday: Next week, we have our musical performance/art show/book fair because at our school, we are all about DOIN' EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE! I'm so excited, our kids our so stinkin' talented. sweater and tights: Target; skirt: DIY, more here; blouse, scarf and pin: thrifted
 When I see my third graders, I see two classes at once for an hour. This particular group is ahead of the rest so to slow them down a pinch, I decided to have them work on a new mural to be featured outside of the art room: a James Rizzi-inspired funky town! I can't wait to see these funny buildings lining the halls to the art room. More details on this lesson soon. 
Merry Kitschmas! Wednesday: So I've been weeding out my closet and I'm slowly saying goodbye to clothing that is not vintage or made by me. What I'm left with are some fun outfits that make me so happy to wear like this plaid dress in Christmas colors I picked up in a resale shop. dress: vintage
 Last year, my sweet kindergarten teacher friend Heather had an Elf on a Shelf and I thought it looked like so much fun. Lo and behold, wouldn't you know that on Wednesday, December 1st a wee little door appeared outside my art room. Upon entering, the kids and I discovered that an Elf had strung yarn all over the entrance of my art room! We had to do the limbo just to get around the strings (because touching it might chance Esmerelda losing her powers!). The kids are IN LOVE with this little art room elf of ours. Our elf is considered to be magical (much like fairies) and doesn't just celebrate one winter holiday but many! I've hesitated in mentioning that she's watching for good behavior after one first grade class refused to take their eyes off her! "She's watching us, guys! I just saw her blink!"
Tree Skirt to Lady Skirt Thursday: Every year for the last several, I've managed to make a tree skirt into a lady skirt. It's like my fave thing ever. I'm on the hunt for this year's skirt! tights: Amazon; shoes: Converse, Marshall's years ago; top and suspenders: thrifted; skirt: made by me! See my tree skirts here, here, here and here!
 Not even gonna lie, I'm a little jelly of all the attention that Esmerelda is getting: notes, gifts and drawings. Like whut?! How this wee elf more popular than me? 
Trees from the Ceiling Friday: Obviously Esmerelda doesn't care about fire codes (ahem) -- look at those trees she hung from the ceiling! We talked about the celebrations that happen during winter all of the world after 'Melda reminded us of several with her message. I'm loving having this Elf, y'all! Love to hear if you have an Elf in your room as well. tacky sweater: made by me, more here; dress: made by me, deets here; boots: Frye
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