18 for 18 Remix - Rolling vs. Bundling

Hey all!  Since I am traveling anyway and I have to fit all of my clothes for almost 3 weeks in a carryon, I figured I would participate in Ashley's Remix at Bramblewood Fashion.  I'll be changing it to 18 items for 18 days though. :-)
Per the rules, cami/tanks, scarves, and jewelry don't count in your number.  Here is what I'm bringing to Europe with me and how I packed it!

5 Bottoms

Denim Maxi skirt - Made by me

Brown tiered skirt - Made by me

Straight leg jeans - Goodwill (maurices)

Wide leg jeans - Handme down (Sonoma)

Khaki shorts - Goodwill (Sonoma)

10 Tops

Brown Jersey Cardi-wrap - Made by me

powder blue shirt - Goodwill (American Star)

Striped Dolman top - Made by me

Long sleeved red tee - Borrowed (Mossimo supply)

Grey blouse - Goodwill  (H&M)

Flowered blouse - Goodwill, but I saw some similar ones at Khols (Mudd)

Plaid button-up tunic - Goodwill (Sonoma)

Purple tee - Goodwill (cg-l-cg)

Modifed jacket vest thingy - borrowed (Converse One Star)

Denim looking rain coat - borrowed (Caslon)

2 pairs of shoes

Natrulizer walking shoes -gift from Grandma

Bandalino flip flops - also a gift from Grandma, now that I think about it.

1 dress!

I actually just finished it this morning.  It is a knit faux wrap dress. 

Now to packing.

Obviously I've been planning for this trip for a while since I knew we could only take a carry-on sized bag and camera bag.  I researched different packing methods and the bundling and rolling methods struck me as being the best.  I usually roll my things, but bundling eliminates pretty much all the wrinkles, so I wanted to try it.

I bundled it all up, but because I'm bringing a tripod and it is going at the bottom in between the shafts for the rollers I decided to roll small things and fill in the gaps before putting the bundle in.

Like so.

On top of my clothes I then have to put my laptop so I can take it out easily for security in the airport and there are some little things in the top part with the zipper.  As it turned out the bundle stuck up above the suit case almost 2 inches, which makes it a tight squeeze with the computer.

So then I tried rolling everything.  This worked much better and came up flush with the suitcase and left plenty of room for my laptop.

And here is how it looked with the clothes from the remix, pajamas, underthings, and a scarf...

And then with my computer. :-)  It all fits.  Now to mix and match everything and try to get pictures of myself everyday!  I certainly won't be posting everyday, but I'll catch up after the remix is over when I get back if I have to.  Are you doing the Remix?

Leaving the Forest

Graduated.

Sara came.

Great Grandma left.

Grad Party.

50 thank you cards written.

Projects finished.

Best friends tomorrow.

Europe in 1 week.

I'm leaving the forest of highschool and walking into the sunlight of the future.

Graduation Dress [Finished]

My graduation dress!  Yes it is odd that I finished this more than a week before graduation, but I wanted to wear it to our Hallstrom's Spring Banquet, which was last Friday evening.  True to form, I finished it the morning of. :-)  Anyway, this dress was actually really easy.  It only took probably 10 hours of work time from cutting to wearing.  I haven't added the tag yet, but I'm not sure if I'll actually do that yet. On to the details!

Pattern: Butterick 6467 OOP - off etsy from a blogger friend

Fabric from Joanns: Polyester Shantung (use fray check)

Project Runway ruched knit fabric (no hem!)

Ok.  I made view c.  This originally has a deep scoop neckline, contrast bodice and short sleeves.  I moved the neckline up a couple inches, skipped the sleeves, and modified the back.  Instead of making the zipper run all the way up to the base of the neck, I made it come only 2 inches up into the bodice.  I changed up the way I sewed the back bodice pieces so the rest would open like a collar and create a deep V opening in the back. 

I didn't cut the back pieces any differently, I just stitched the right sides together to where I marked and then flipped it and tacked it down.  I contemplated beading the back to add interest, but it would have been to much.  I used the reverse side of the shantung though, because it was shiny.

At the banquet and at graduation I'll be wearing camis under the dress like this to match the sashes I'll be wearing.  However, I believe I made the V high enough that I can skip the cami and sill hide a bra for more formal/grown up occasions.

p.s. the zipper is only like 5 inches long.  So nice when you're dealing with the knit skirt. :-)

The bodice has princess seams that go to the arm hole and is lined.  I used a very light maroon cotton and handstitched it down.  It looks so nice and neat on the inside.  As you can see from the left picture I did not line the skirt.  It is a very thick knit and it SO comfortable.  I could wear this all day.  Actually, I did.  All day Sunday.  I dressed it down so it was more like a maxi dress and it was so hassle free and elegant at the same time.

Ahh!  I love this dress.  I am officially addicted to knits and floor length skirts!  Actually, dresses too.  They are effortless.  I think I'm going to make one to bring to Europe.

 Neckline and armhole understitching.  When everything is sewn together and then pulled right-side-out through those relatively small straps you can't understitch very far, but I went as far as possible.
Oh, BTW, I didn't follow the directions.  :-)  I know, so edgy.

I cut the skirt about 40 inches wider at the bottom than the pattern was originally.  I was worried about the drape because that much knit fabric gets heavy and the sides would be on a bias with my modified cutting but it turned out just fine and now I have a gorgeous skirt that swishes and floats.

I also cut the back a little longer so I get a slight "train" effect.

Well, that is it!

Sunbeams

Because God is good.

Thank you Jesus for saving me.

Zach [Class of 2012]

Meet Zach!  He brought his drumset and guitar along so we tried to get some musician shots as well as regular senior pictures.  I had never shot with anything but a cello before so this was interesting.  I think it worked out pretty well.

Zach is double graduating, as it were.  He went to our homeschool co-op and took Spanish with my brother and I for three years, but he is also taking classes at a local Christian public highschool.

We started shooting at Sinnissippi park and then moved to Anderson Japanese Gardens for his more "professional" senior shots.  Unfortunately the gardens had closed an hour before.  (Note to self, check and double check opening times, especially on Saturdays.)

Even though we couldn't get into the gardens we still shot in the parking lot.  Thankfully they have the most gorgeous parking lot in Rockford. :-)

The photo above is one of my favorites because you can't see me or my brother (who is holding a huge white reflector).  Learning how to use glass and not reflect yourself is tricky.

Check out that 2012 class ring!  Oh yeah.

This is how to shoot someone who forgot long black socks.  :-)  Nobody will ever know.

Till next time!