Elisalex Dress Hack

I love the Elisalex dress. There are so many fabulous versions of this dress on the blogosphere....here, here, here, and here... and so many more....
I just wasn't sure how the skirt design would look on me... So I used the Elisalex bodice- with the By Hand London ladies' sew-along, it was a breeze, even for a beginner like me.
I just love the back neckline of the dress.
For the skirt, I used BHL circle skirt calculator. Super easy!
The fabric is a cotton linen from Mood. A bit heavy, but with a lovely texture.

After looking at the 3/4 sleeve Elisalex on the BHL website again, I think I want to try the original skirt.
Have you made your Elisalex?

Hand Dyed Beach Bags

They are finally here! Handmade right here in Colorado! Available at Blanc et Bleu.
Hand dyed beach bags in ocean blue, with leather handles, and a zippered pocket.
Coming soon in sun yellow, orange, denim, and fuschia.
They are roomy, without being too bulky, also great for shopping, going to the gym, or as a carry-on.
Perfect to carry your peshtemals and a few other items!
Find them here.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all!
After an amazing week on Maui with the family over the holidays, I am rested and ready to sew :)

I gathered a few ideas while lying on the sand on my pestemal. Stay tuned for handpainted pestemals with lovely, Hawaiian inspired designs in my new Blanc et Bleu shop on Etsy- all set up, but not yet open.

Last Spring, after poring incessantly over Natalie Chanin's three books (Alabama Stitch Book, Alabama Studio Style, and Alabama Studio Sewing + Design), I finally jumped over the fence, so to speak, and made a couple of outfits I could actually wear OUTSIDE the house. I made a sleeveless top, a bolero, and a skirt. I actually received a lot of compliments on those...

While looking for fabric last week- what else?!!!- I came upon this lovely dress pattern by a duo of very talented British designers - By Hand London. 

I spent a lot of time (A LOT) looking at pictures of this beautiful dress, and finally ordered the pattern, along with another one...why not...

Sadly the pattern is on back order, but this is an opportunity to look for fabric...I am leaning toward a black and white rayon for the maxi, and maybe a linen blend for the midi, and...

Apparently, you can't just make one of this dress... Yes, I have caught the By Hand London bug :)

Can't wait to show you the results. 

Happy New Year!

Vintage silk kimono clutches

Here they are... Two beautiful vintage kimono silk and leather clutches...
I bought the silk from a store in Toronto. The lining is pure linen. The leather is buttery soft... I just love those clutches.

Colorful Peshtemals

Peshtemals, or hamman towels come in various designs and colors, according to the region where they were hand loomed.

I think my favorite colors right now are apricot, turquoise, and yellow.

The sky has been gray, heavy with clouds for the last couple of days, and the ground is covered with snow so I have been turning to my textiles for a dash of color while I wait for Spring...ha ha only three  months and three weeks away...

For more on the peshtemals click here

Add caption

here

Blanc et Bleu Shop

The Shop is finally up and running... Yay!
Check out our fabulous peshtemals in organic cotton, bamboo and cotton, and 100% cotton.
They come in great colors that will add a punch to your bathroom. Oh, and let's not forget how fun they will look on the beach...
Check out the shop and tell me what you think.
Enjoy your weekend-